Does anyone have any biographical info on Jimmy Fraser?

Hard to find anything on Jimmy. I did find this article from the Oct. 30, 1965 issue of Billboard - 

 

Thanks for this. Any idea when 'Of Hopes and Dreams..,' was first played on the scene and at which clubs was it most popular?

I don't know who gave it the very first spin, but it was certainly a Casino record 77/78. And a well wanted record at the time.

First time I heard it was around 1990 at the Tony's Empress Ballroom allnighters, Blackburn.

Not absolutely sure who played it but very big sound then.

Pretty sure it was a Soul Sam exclusive for quite some time covered-up as Smokey & The Blades - Hang On In There ... only the instrumental side was played at the time .. the vocal didn't get a look in

Andy

5000 copies!

And the other version...

Should be 100 notes, but its not:)

Oh Lord what fool...dropping out of school.

Ed

I don't know who was the 1st to play it across the Big Pond but, one of the 1st stations to play it in the U.S. was WTRX  in Flint, Michigan who must have been playing  it weeks before Columbia picked it up. It did reach "Pick Hit Of The Week"  status but if you notice, there is no artist listed. 

Edited November 3, 20213 yr by The Yank

5 minutes ago, The Yank said:

I don't know who was the 1st to play it across the Big Pond but, one of the 1st stations to play it in the U.S. was WTRX  in Flint, Michigan who must have been playing  it weeks before Columbia picked it up. It did reach "Pick Hit Of The Week"  status but if you notice, there is no artist listed. 

What a great list. I've always thought I was born 20 yrs to late.

14 hours ago, The Yank said:

I don't know who was the 1st to play it across the Big Pond but, one of the 1st stations to play it in the U.S. was WTRX  in Flint, Michigan who must have been playing  it weeks before Columbia picked it up. It did reach "Pick Hit Of The Week"  status but if you notice, there is no artist listed. 

Clearly a very important record

Imagine your at the school prom back in the day in the USA, and this gets popped on the decks.

Maybe your first introduction to the not yet termed Northern Soul.

If this does not get you moving and grooving, nowt will!

I'm guessing tons of these are stored in American lofts with the class of 65 year books.

Ed

4 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

Imagine your at the school prom back in the day in the USA, and this gets popped on the decks.

Maybe your first introduction to the not yet termed Northern Soul.

If this does not get you moving and grooving, nowt will!

I'm guessing tons of these are stored in American lofts with the class of 65 year books.

Ed

Off topic, but on the subject of American school proms, I was once on a flight to the states sitting next to a woman who, in conversation mentioned her school prom with a very local group called Lee Andrews and The Hearts playing. I then bored het to tears playing Lee Andrews tracks to her and telling her about the northern scene.

 

Anyway, back to Hope & Dreams!

 

Paul

On 03/11/2021 at 13:45, Greety said:

I don't know who gave it the very first spin, but it was certainly a Casino record 77/78. And a well wanted record at the time.

No it wasn't.. on both counts !! Likely late '78/early '79 saw the first plays - in the East Midlands/East Anglia.. first spun via Nev Wherry and became massive at the Kings Lynn all-dayers back then

Edited November 4, 20213 yr by Ficklefingers

23 hours ago, Andy Rix said:

Pretty sure it was a Soul Sam exclusive for quite some time covered-up as Smokey & The Blades - Hang On In There ... only the instrumental side was played at the time .. the vocal didn't get a look in

Andy

Nev Wherry first Andy, for the instrumental.. sold me his only spare, but on proviso I DID NOT spin the inst.. it took off from there mate

27 minutes ago, Ficklefingers said:

Nev Wherry first Andy, for the instrumental.. sold me his only spare, but on proviso I DID NOT spin the inst.. it took off from there mate

Nev span it The Palais I seem to recall 1979

On 03/11/2021 at 15:55, Andy Rix said:

Pretty sure it was a Soul Sam exclusive for quite some time covered-up as Smokey & The Blades - Hang On In There ... only the instrumental side was played at the time .. the vocal didn't get a look in

Andy

Thats how I remember it Andy. Sam. Don't remember it at St Ives though which would probably push it into early 78 ?

i have sam on a tape from colwyn bay allnighters playing the instrumental covered as smokey from 78 ????

Still looking for biographical information on Jimmy Fraser? Any idea who he was? Was it even the real name of the vocalist on this track?

On 03/11/2021 at 13:46, Tagtag said:

First time I heard it was around 1990 at the Tony's Empress Ballroom allnighters, Blackburn.

Not absolutely sure who played it but very big sound then.

That’s where I first heard it 👍🏼

I too can’t remember who spun it (maybe Robbo?) but I remember being in awe of Big Scotty & Soulie dancing to it & the insane  whistling Big Scotty would do while dancing.

Fabulous song 👌🏼 & still gets my heart rate going 😁