Bruce Springsteen does Frank Wilson, give me strength!

[vince ayres]

Just heard Bruce doing "do I love you" on radio 2, has it really come to this! Any thoughts?

[Amsterdam Russ]

4 minutes ago, vince ayres said:

Any thoughts?

Yes, Berry Gordy's probably kicking himself, saying: "What was I thinking? I should have released that record!"

Where Bruce Springsteen is concerned, well, pop singer sings pop song. That's about the long and the short of it.

[Soul16]

An odd choice of song for Bruce Springsteen to cover. Other than to make a few dollars, there could be a specific reason of course  

I guess it'll get lots of radio airplay, but I doubt it will go down as a classic with his fans.

[vince ayres]

There has to be an explanation for this as he don't need the money or is this just the latest example of jumping on the northern soul bandwagon? Either way it's blooming awful!

[Amsterdam Russ]

4 minutes ago, vince ayres said:

...jumping on the northern soul bandwagon?

The song is way beyond the Northern Soul scene and has been for many a year. It's mainstream Motown pop and nothing more. As far as that song is concerned, it's no different to any artist doing a version of 'Dancing in the Street' or similar.

[El Corol]

Bruce announces the LP here;

Sounds like marketing. I suspect this was one of many tracks considered, probably used as something that’s not as well known as most of the tracks (by most people or mainly Springsteen fans)? Who knows and frankly these days who cares.

[vince ayres]

4 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

The song is way beyond the Northern Soul scene and has been for many a year. It's mainstream Motown pop and nothing more. As far as that song is concerned, it's no different to any artist doing a version of 'Dancing in the Street' or similar.

I agree but "dancing in the street and other classic motown tracks have been covered many times by many artists but I've never hear this covered before but I'm sure someone will prove me wrong.

[Woodbutcher]

It's on YT done 'live' , but I'm not posting the link for fear of getting lynched ... 

[Mickey Finn]

Not sure that many Springsteen fans will warm to this project, while most fans of the originals won't either. It's therefore unlikely to be one of his bigger sellers, but if it stimulates interest in the originals in what is still a very racially divided industry in the USA, and generates some income for the writers and their families, then hard to see what's wrong with it. Hearing it will likely be a different story

[Owd Codger]

It's a tribute album to Soul Music, and he is visiting Smokey, Jerry Butler, Sam Moore, Tyrone Davis, William Bell, Levi Stubbs, David Ruffin and more.

Everyday I listen to Radio Stations ( News Stations) whose Presenters are completely ignorant of Soul Music, believing that everybody went to 6th Form College, Higher Education, Polytechnics and University. If you didn't ....you  and your music tastes don't count.

So  I'm glad to see some recognition of the artists we love by a MAJOR Pop/Rock Star.

 

 

Edited September 29, 2022 by Owd Codger

[Happy Feet]

 

Back in 2019 , I thought this  track had a hint of Soul in it , and he does include quite a few in his live sets too , so it was only a matter of time , but Do I Love You is going to get played to death by The Boss on the radio so lots of royalties which is a good thing .

[Owd Codger]

Sadly, Not for Frank Wilson

[Godzilla]

Just played it to Mrs G as a "guess who is this" She said "is it Bruce Willis"? - close!

 

Edited September 29, 2022 by Godzilla

[Solidsoul]

With his short haircut and singing "Do I Love You" he could be turning into a Soulie!!!

[Amsterdam Russ]

I played it to my 'other half' and without hesitation she said Bruce Springsteen. She did think, though, that it lacked the enthusiastic gusto of FW's original.

Have to say, I think the arrangement has quite an authentic feel to it - unlike most modern-day classic Motown covers that have the drums way too high in the mix. On that basis, it might make for an interesting instrumental. 

[Smudger]

F.F.S. Never rated him myself “the boss” Pah!

you can keep it

[Benji]

His take on FW is ok to me. And I really like the idea behind his new album. To record songs he hadn't written and to pick these tunes from the American Songbook of the 60s and 70s. And imagine, as an artist to be in the position to not bother about any commercial success but to do whatever the f**k you want. Just like what Roger Daltrey did a year or two ago.

Here's the tracklist:

1. "Only the Strong Survive" (Originally performed by Jerry Butler)
2. "Soul Days" (Dobie Gray) feat. Sam Moore
3. "Nightshift" (The Commodores)
4. "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" (Frank Wilson)
5. "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" (Frankie Valli / The Walker Brothers)
6. "Turn Back the Hands of Time" (Tyrone Davis)
7. "When She Was My Girl" (The Four Tops)
8. "Hey, Western Union Man" (Jerry Butler)
9. "I Wish It Would Rain" (The Temptations)
10. "Don't Play That Song" (Ben E. King / Aretha Franklin)
11. "Any Other Way" (William Bell / Jackie Shane)
12. "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" (William Bell) feat. Sam Moore
13. "7 Rooms of Gloom" (The Four Tops)
14. "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (Jimmy Ruffin)
15. "Someday We'll Be Together" (Johnny & Jackey / Diana Ross and the Supremes)

I especially look forward to hearing his versions of tracks #6 and #9

[Keamus]

Part time Soul pal sent me the link earlier and told me I’d like it. Not bad I guess and better than if Michael Bolton had had a go.

[Whiskyagogo]

13 hours ago, vince ayres said:

Just heard Bruce doing "do I love you" on radio 2, has it really come to this! Any thoughts?

No

[Tlscapital]

The Bruce character is fine. His MOR pop/rock was bareable FWIW. But his soul singing is out of his reach IMHO & covering up looked-up classics is always very hazardous for any artist. Here his take of 'do I love you' is pitiful from the few opening bars and what follows is plainly only very painful to listen to. I had to stop the clip...

13 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

The song is way beyond the Northern Soul scene and has been for many a year. It's mainstream Motown pop and nothing more. As far as that song is concerned, it's no different to any artist doing a version of 'Dancing in the Street' or similar.

But that is exactly what northern soul is to many outside the "scene" at least and even few inside I am certain. As sad as it is there is (always was but it's coming back strong) a "dark" side to the northern soul scenary

[Dave Pinch]

15 hours ago, vince ayres said:

There has to be an explanation for this as he don't need the money or is this just the latest example of jumping on the northern soul bandwagon? Either way it's blooming awful!

Think he will only be aware of it thru jack white splashing $100.000 on it a few years back in the states and not so much the northern soul scene..  I like a bit of Bruce but prefer thunder road and born to run even over frank Wilson’s now oh so tired version 

[Leicester Boy]

16 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

The song is way beyond the Northern Soul scene and has been for many a year. It's mainstream Motown pop and nothing more. As far as that song is concerned, it's no different to any artist doing a version of 'Dancing in the Street' or similar.

If a much loved underplayed on the mainstream media suddenly got very popular would we automatically disown it. Just thinking aloud really. Is sometimes/mostly our love of records on our scene due to the record itself or the fact it's our little secret.

[Amsterdam Russ]

19 minutes ago, Leicester Boy said:

If a much loved underplayed on the mainstream media suddenly got very popular would we automatically disown it.

You mean like this one (John E. Paul - I wanna know)?

Back to Bruce Springsteen according to the website Kworb.net, which provides data on tunes being streamed and the like, ol' Brucey has just entered the global iTunes chart at #44. I'm sure it'll climb higher.

https://kworb.net/ww/

It's also at #20 in the YouTube trending chart (which is probably down to all you guys having sneaky listens). 

https://kworb.net/youtube/trending.html

[Owd Codger]

Surely a record is still as good/ bad as the minute it was finished in the studio.

It's only the "Punters" perception that changes. If it was brilliant as Eddie Foster, has DILY( IID) got worse over the years.

Edited September 30, 2022 by Owd Codger

[Geeselad]

Well.he couldn't do a worse vocal than Frank, could he. Bruce is getting on but at least sings within his limitations and is in key, unlike Mr Wilson. 

[Dave Pinch]

27 minutes ago, Geeselad said:

Well.he couldn't do a worse vocal than Frank, could he. Bruce is getting on but at least sings within his limitations and is in key, unlike Mr Wilson. 

Ye frank was never a singer.. he said so himself 

[Woodbutcher]

Loving how most here seem to be anti Bruce's attempt at what always comes across as the most derided track on the 'scene' ... 

[Solidsoul]

7 hours ago, Geeselad said:

Well.he couldn't do a worse vocal than Frank, could he. Bruce is getting on but at least sings within his limitations and is in key, unlike Mr Wilson. 

Frank Wilson was a brilliant songwriter, arranger and producer of many great Motown classics, and that's where his strength laid.

That's what's missing with todays music. There will always be people who can sing well, but most of the great writers/ producers like Frank Wilson, who served their time in the 1950's/60's music culture of the USA have gone!

Edited September 30, 2022 by Solidsoul

[Owd Codger]

Anybody want to be the first to attack this?

 

[Dave Pinch]

27 minutes ago, Owd Codger said:

Anybody want to be the first to attack this?

 

not a chance unless you're only a follower of modern soul and it's not your cuppa... not the greatest record in the world but a good record... my own copy is long gone tho had a couple of spares over the years.. sold now tho

[Wheelsville1]

Ive always thought long long road to happiness is a good record.

[Owd Codger]

So do I

[Westender]

Bruce is OK. The River is a great song.

Doing covers of soul tracks is fine by me., not that i think this particular cover is anything to write home about.

[Sjclement]

Bleedin' Redneck 

 

[Kevin Jones]

I have the greatest respect for Bruce Springsteen. A great singer, songwriter artist and performer, but sorry his latest release is ! ! ! oh dear. I heard it on Steve Wright yesterday afternoon and thought what next. Maybe Liz Truss and Keir Starmer doing a cover version of TWO CAN HAVE A PARTY (Well it's not really a Party) or even Boris Johnson covering Cloud Nine. Motown is always good to make a few bob for some people. Only my humble opinion.

Kev

[Geeselad]

1 hour ago, sjclement said:

Bleedin' Redneck 

 

He's from new Jersey isn't he, that's saying a scouser's a yokel

[givemesoul]

If you think Frank Wilson is mainstream motown pop music then you you must class Connie Clark my sugar baby as mainstream pop as well,2 huge records that will still be played after we've all gone and Bruce doesn't need the money he sold his back catalogue for $750 million

[Amsterdam Russ]

51 minutes ago, givemesoul said:

If you think Frank Wilson is mainstream motown pop music then you you must class Connie Clark my sugar baby as mainstream pop as well

Why? Just cos it's the same tune reworked?

Connie Clark sings dreadfully off key. No wonder it flopped. Great to dance to in an echoing hall a decade or more after it was recorded, but dirgy to listen to otherwise. 

[Chalky]

11 hours ago, givemesoul said:

If you think Frank Wilson is mainstream motown pop music then you you must class Connie Clark my sugar baby as mainstream pop as well,2 huge records that will still be played after we've all gone and Bruce doesn't need the money he sold his back catalogue for $750 million

Well its not really soul music is it. Just cause they are played on the scene doesn’t make them soul either.

Edited October 1, 2022 by Chalky

[Tlscapital]

3 hours ago, givemesoul said:

If you think Frank Wilson is mainstream motown pop music then you you must class Connie Clark my sugar baby as mainstream pop as well,2 huge records that will still be played after we've all gone and Bruce doesn't need the money he sold his back catalogue for $750 million

Frank Wilson's 'do I love you' became that & more. In 1966 it was initialy another Motown record. Featuring still a fabulous Funk Bros. backing track and a good composition. Maybe a bit unusual with it's like 'football' "sing-along/gospel" choruses chant...

That appeared on a very rare withrdrawn release to achieve cult status in this then underground northern soul scene. Now part of a commercial 'folklore' and an auction 'joke' record. Now part of newer bad comedies. Connie Clark 'my sugar baby' I never liked.

[Owd Codger]

Not sure it's Funk Bros...ian't it more like Wrecking Crew?

[Zoomsoulblue]

What is Bruce Springsteen's net worth 2021?

$650 million

His lauded career and seminal catalog can be quantified by his $650 million net worth. According to celebritynetworth.com, Springsteen, when touring, can earn a whopping $80 million a year.9 May 2022
 

I very much doubt Bruce cares - it would certainly be his management team, squeezing a bit more out of him to justify there wages

[Amsterdam Russ]

7 hours ago, Chalky said:

Chris Clark went to Motown for the white pop market…..oh and a shag for Berry. 

Chris Clark and Connie Clark are not the same person.

https://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?27699-quot-My-Sugar-Baby-quot-Who-Is-Connie-Clark

[Chalky]

30 minutes ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Chris Clark and Connie Clark are not the same person.

https://soulfuldetroit.com/showthread.php?27699-quot-My-Sugar-Baby-quot-Who-Is-Connie-Clark

Not sure why I said Chris tbh, know they aren’t the same, it was 3.30 at the time having just up

Edited October 1, 2022 by Chalky

[Chalky]

3 hours ago, Owd Codger said:

Not sure it's Funk Bros...ian't it more like Wrecking Crew?

a brit as well….

https://www.adampwhite.com/westgrandblog/2018/7/13/frank-assessment-anew
 

and probably a second session to complete it with some of the wrecking crew

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjs1LK99L76AhV7QEEAHXx5AqcQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.soul-source.co.uk%2Farticles%2Fsoul-articles%2Ffrank-wilson-the-story-of-do-i-love-you-indeed-i-do-r2565%2F&usg=AOvVaw0XPAQu_VfsFcLGgVE5squS

 

[ShaunT]

I like Bruce Springsteen, as an artist and as a socialist man. However, I'm not sure who this is aimed for really. 'Whitening' of soul music always makes me feel uneasy and this is no exception. The best we can hope for is people hear it and dig a little deeper (like people did with Beatles covers of The Shirelles etc in the 60's) and discover some decent sounds.

One thing that baffles about this thread is the theory that DILY is some underground record? It's been on adverts, TV programmes and numerous CD's and surely everyone knows it now? It's not really a secret is it?

[Owd Codger]

20 minutes ago, Chalky said:

a brit as well….

https://www.adampwhite.com/westgrandblog/2018/7/13/frank-assessment-anew
 

and probably a second session to complete it with some of the wrecking crew

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjs1LK99L76AhV7QEEAHXx5AqcQFnoECBEQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.soul-source.co.uk%2Farticles%2Fsoul-articles%2Ffrank-wilson-the-story-of-do-i-love-you-indeed-i-do-r2565%2F&usg=AOvVaw0XPAQu_VfsFcLGgVE5squS

 

Did Feldman play on Mirwood records too...lots of vibes 

[Chalky]

1 hour ago, Owd Codger said:

Did Feldman play on Mirwood records too...lots of vibes 

I don’t know but very possibly as he worked quite extensively as a session musician LA where he lived. 

[Chalky]

4 hours ago, ShaunT said:

I like Bruce Springsteen, as an artist and as a socialist man. However, I'm not sure who this is aimed for really. 'Whitening' of soul music always makes me feel uneasy and this is no exception. The best we can hope for is people hear it and dig a little deeper (like people did with Beatles covers of The Shirelles etc in the 60's) and discover some decent sounds.

One thing that baffles about this thread is the theory that DILY is some underground record? It's been on adverts, TV programmes and numerous CD's and surely everyone knows it now? It's not really a secret is it?

I thank all he covers are pretty popular with pop markets and probably why he went for the better known, don’t think he could have picked much whiter “soul” music really in the majority of his choices?

Have to agree with what baffles you, constantly puzzles me too when people on the scene are amazed when Frank Wilson is mentioned in any capacity away from the scene. It is a pop record and definitely not rare given the amount of releases it has had on various formats. 

Edited October 1, 2022 by Chalky

[Wheelsville1]

5 hours ago, Owd Codger said:

Not sure it's Funk Bros...ian't it more like Wrecking Crew?

You are right,this not the Funk Bros.They are west coast musicians,this why when it was first played and coverd up no one new who it was. If was the Funk Bros,people would have recognised that it was a Motown recording.