Do you have a favourite artist(s), you might have a few? You might have a favourite male artist, a favourite female artist, and then a favourite group? I know it's a really tough ask to pick just one artist from the myriad of artists that are available to choose from. You can pick more than one to keep the thread going. So, what's your pick, and then, what was the first track from that artist that you heard and then got you hooked. So; I'll kick us off. 

Bobby Womack is my favourite male artist, and Home is Where the Heart Is, was the first track that got me hooked.

Go on, have a go; you can dither and have more than one go if you can't make your mind up.

I hope that makes sense......................................  🤔

 

Couple to go at,got loads of artists who I anticipated their new releases and bought  these two stick in my mind because they answer both questions , first record and fave artists

Changes - Johnnie Taylor

Trying To Live My Life Without You - Otis Clay

 

Edited February 24, 20241 yr by Shinehead

Male Artist: Chuck Jackson, Hand it over, was the first to get me hooked.

Female Artist: Barbara Lewis, Hello Stranger. I first heard this in 1984 ( I know! 🙄) This was the final record David ‘Kid’ Jensen played before leaving BBC Radio 1, announcing it as his favourite record of all time. I bought a copy via Record Collector magazine the following week.

Group: Little Anthony and The Imperials, Better use your head, was the first.

1 hour ago, Shinehead said:

Couple to go at,got loads of artists who I anticipated their new releases and bought  these two stick in my mind because they answer both questions , first record and fave artists

Changes - Johnnie Taylor

Trying To Live My Life Without You - Otis Clay

 

I second Johnnie Taylor with CHANGES,  got to be my all time favourite. This record has got everything required of being SUPER MEGA.  Taylor worked with Sam Cooke in the early days of his career.

23 minutes ago, STEFAN BURLAK said:

I second Johnnie Taylor with CHANGES,  got to be my all time favourite. This record has got everything required of being SUPER MEGA.  Taylor worked with Sam Cooke in the early days of his career.

Cheap too , I love his  version of "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day" on Sar.

From Sar to Malaco the man was outstanding , sadly missed.

I've got a headache trying to decide!!

I'll go with a group first.

Four Tops - first song that made me sit up.  Baby I Need Your Loving

That's a great start everyone; some fantastic picks! 🙂

I know it's tough guys and gals. 😜 I've still got to choose a group and a female artist. I'm always undecided on the same two female artists. 🤔

Peter

A long time ago following a conversation with a very well loved Promoter of the longest running Alnighter in the UK , deejay , popular record label contributer ( if that's the right title for him ) I find myself agreeing with him , anything beginning with The . 

And that's just for starters 😜

 

Mad Lads for me fantastic double sided "Did my baby call/Let me repair your heart "

Came in a soul pack from Contempo/Blues and Soul 10 for a pound probably 1973,

Continued buying anything I could by them over the next few years. It's still a cheap record to buy today.

Sorry for the long winded answer Peter but you did ask and offer a dither option. After much head scratching my brain feels like it's full of popping candy with names jumping in and out of the ether. If you had asked that question when I first started on my lifelong soul journey it would have been a  lot easier to answer, no thought would have been needed, Otis Redding, Gladys Knight and for the group The Temptations with a nod to Sam and Dave (artist,artists not quite a group )

  Time moves on and though I still love all the aforementioned such is the diversity of my taste across the spectrum of soul music I've given it some thought and can't come up with a favourite. Using the number of records in my collection by a particular artist wouldn't make them a favourite. I've probably got more records by the Supremes than anyone else but they wouldn't come close to the top. Some great choices already mentioned, both Womack and Taylor would be there about's, could I choose between two Betty's(e) , Lavette and Everett, could Kool and the Gang triumph over the Ohio Players, Marvin,Curtis, Johnny Nash, Joe Simon, whose music could I not bear to never hear again.......Peter you're a bad man 🙂, don't even think of revisiting a fav record thread 😂  .

   First record I heard by Otis, Shake, hooked after that, first became aware of Womack with the Valentinos but it was Harry Hippie /I Can Understand It that had me buying all his 70's early eighties albums, Gladys would be Just Walk in My Shoes church hall disco, only artist I've got close enough to to ask for an autograph shaking like a leaf (me not Gladys).

  Cheers Peter thinking about this brought back some happy memories if no specific answer. 

Female artist from me now , strangely I have not really bought female records in anywhere near the quantity of male stuff but strangely if I was to pick my top lps they would do well Doris Duke the 2 Millie Jackson Caught Up sagas , Jean Carn. But the one I would say is my favourite is Barbara Lynn a very consistent artist and great songs with thought provoking lyrics

The first record heard by her by me - This beauty

 

Edited February 25, 20241 yr by Shinehead

1 hour ago, Twoshoes said:

Sorry for the long winded answer Peter but you did ask and offer a dither option. After much head scratching my brain feels like it's full of popping candy with names jumping in and out of the ether. If you had asked that question when I first started on my lifelong soul journey it would have been a  lot easier to answer, no thought would have been needed, Otis Redding, Gladys Knight and for the group The Temptations with a nod to Sam and Dave (artist,artists not quite a group )

  Time moves on and though I still love all the aforementioned such is the diversity of my taste across the spectrum of soul music I've given it some thought and can't come up with a favourite. Using the number of records in my collection by a particular artist wouldn't make them a favourite. I've probably got more records by the Supremes than anyone else but they wouldn't come close to the top. Some great choices already mentioned, both Womack and Taylor would be there about's, could I choose between two Betty's(e) , Lavette and Everett, could Kool and the Gang triumph over the Ohio Players, Marvin,Curtis, Johnny Nash, Joe Simon, whose music could I not bear to never hear again.......Peter you're a bad man 🙂, don't even think of revisiting a fav record thread 😂  .

   First record I heard by Otis, Shake, hooked after that, first became aware of Womack with the Valentinos but it was Harry Hippie /I Can Understand It that had me buying all his 70's early eighties albums, Gladys would be Just Walk in My Shoes church hall disco, only artist I've got close enough to to ask for an autograph shaking like a leaf (me not Gladys).

  Cheers Peter thinking about this brought back some happy memories if no specific answer. 

Totally agree re Harry/I Can Understand It still got the same copy which plays good.  Harry was slso one of his best live

2 hours ago, Soulman58 said:

Totally agree re Harry/I Can Understand It still got the same copy which plays good.  Harry was slso one of his best live

Yep, Harry is a fave of mine; I have the Harry/Understand It on a 12 I bought yonks ago. It's very shabby condition now. Yes, I also agree with the live performance of Harry; I've posted a vid of that on here somewhere, a while ago. 

4 hours ago, Twoshoes said:

Sorry for the long winded answer Peter but you did ask and offer a dither option. After much head scratching my brain feels like it's full of popping candy with names jumping in and out of the ether. If you had asked that question when I first started on my lifelong soul journey it would have been a  lot easier to answer, no thought would have been needed, Otis Redding, Gladys Knight and for the group The Temptations with a nod to Sam and Dave (artist,artists not quite a group )

  Time moves on and though I still love all the aforementioned such is the diversity of my taste across the spectrum of soul music I've given it some thought and can't come up with a favourite. Using the number of records in my collection by a particular artist wouldn't make them a favourite. I've probably got more records by the Supremes than anyone else but they wouldn't come close to the top. Some great choices already mentioned, both Womack and Taylor would be there about's, could I choose between two Betty's(e) , Lavette and Everett, could Kool and the Gang triumph over the Ohio Players, Marvin,Curtis, Johnny Nash, Joe Simon, whose music could I not bear to never hear again.......Peter you're a bad man 🙂, don't even think of revisiting a fav record thread 😂  .

   First record I heard by Otis, Shake, hooked after that, first became aware of Womack with the Valentinos but it was Harry Hippie /I Can Understand It that had me buying all his 70's early eighties albums, Gladys would be Just Walk in My Shoes church hall disco, only artist I've got close enough to to ask for an autograph shaking like a leaf (me not Gladys).

  Cheers Peter thinking about this brought back some happy memories if no specific answer. 

That's a good answer Billy; I got you thinking! You mention Gladys, I am toying, still, with either her of Aretha for my female pick. Based primarily on their amazing voices; not many matches. I'll split the hair before the afternoon is out. 🤔

Good posts from everyone else too; thank you.

Peter

Some great choices so far.  My main man is – and always will be – Tyrone Davis.  The song that got me hooked was “Could I Forget You” (Dakar) on an Atlantic compilation called “Heavy Soul”.  https://www.discogs.com/release/6811218-Various-Heavy-Soul  What an album that was for someone finding their way in the world of soul music. 

This track along with John E Abbey’s enthusiastic reviews of each of Tyrone’s releases in Blues and Soul had me searching out all of his earlier recordings and everything he released until his untimely passing in 2005.  “The Ladies Choice” triple CD is an easy way to hear all of his Dakar material (but perhaps not for those who prefer to listen to vinyl only); my only disappointment is that it did not include any previously unreleased tracks. 

There was always much duplication in his output, so amongst my collection of 49 Tyrone albums and 65 singles, I have at least 13 copies and some five different versions of “Can I Change My Mind”.

The success of Tyrone’s sound went on to influence many other producers/artists and a future thread might try to identify some of these.  Examples include Vernon Garrett “I Am at The Crossroads” (White Enterprises); Air Tight “When It Works Out That Way” (Blues Unlimited); and Nate Evans “This Time with Feeling” (DPR).  And, of course, many tracks by, if not the entire works of, Marvin Sease…

It would have to be Curtis Mayfield for me. I bought a soul pack in 1970 which had Sometimes I Wonder in it. I loved it and didn't know it was meant to be a b side. I picked up a couple more Impressions singles on Shude Hill market for pennies. A bit later Move On Up came out and I bought it as a new release. Soon after I found a copy of Big Sixteen and that was me utterly hooked. He was responsible for so much wonderful music through his writing and work on productions for Okeh, then all the glorious stuff on Curtom. His influence on Soul music was immense. My absolute soul hero.

In the 70's and 80's Curtis played live in Manchester very regularly and I saw him many times. He was brilliant every time.

Honourable mentions for Gil Scott Heron and Bobby Womack. 

If I were allowed a shout for a female artist as well, it'd be a tough, tough choice between Aretha, Gladys or Brenda Holloway. So I'm not choosing.

 

 

Curtis mayfield , singer , songwriter, takes it all to a different level with the impression’s and lots of other artists on

his own label , would love to have met him .

or Sammy ward  for his groove city classic , sister  Lee , still sounds as good today all these years later 

 

5 hours ago, Shinehead said:

Female artist from me now , strangely I have not really bought female records in anywhere near the quantity of male stuff but strangely if I was to pick my top lps they would do well Doris Duke the 2 Millie Jackson Caught Up sagas , Jean Carn. But the one I would say is my favourite is Barbara Lynn a very consistent artist and great songs with thought provoking lyrics

The first record heard by her by me - This beauty

 

Bought the 'This Barbara Lynn LP' ?? , when I was at School , didn't know any of them but what a corker , think it was on UK Opal ?? memories shot lol 

Darrell Banks - Open The Door To Your Heart. I could hear it every day for the rest of my life and never grow tired of it. 

Al Green has got to be up there for me , don't think he's done a bad 'un really

34 minutes ago, Swifty said:

Bought the 'This Barbara Lynn LP' ?? , when I was at School , didn't know any of them but what a corker , think it was on UK Opal ?? memories shot lol 

Here Is Barbara Lynn, great album.

1 minute ago, Shinehead said:

Here Is Barbara Lynn, great album.

That's it lol 👍, very talented Lady !

I was listening to R&B music regularly since 1953, and it morphed into so-called "Soul music, gradually between 1960 and 1963 or so.  So, both my favourite artists and songs might not even qualify as "Soul", and CERTAINLY  not so-called, "Northern Soul'.  My all-time favourite groups are The Flamingos and The Five Keys.  The first songs I heard that I heard by the Flamingos in 1953, that I loved, was a 5-part harmony ballad titled "Golden Teardrops" on Chance Records, led by Sollie McElroy.  But their first song that really turned me on to them was "I'm Yours" on Parrot Records, in 1954, a faster 5 part harmony slightly up-tempo ballad (or really slow mid-tempo) song.  They lasted into the 1970s, but I didn't like any of their post mid-'60s recordings that would be considered Northern Soul.  As for The Five Keys, I love their recordings for Aladdin Records, especially from 1951-54.  The first I heard was "The Glory of Love", a greasy 5-part harmony ballad from 1952, in 1953.  But my favourite from them was "My Saddest Hour" a mid-tempo B-side song from 1953.  My favourite groups that would be considered "Northern Soul" groups would be The Temptations.  My favourite songs by them are: "My Girl", "Since I Lost My Baby", and "A Tear From A Woman's Eyes".  I also liked "Grand Spanish Lady" by The Royal Ravens from Mike Hanks' "Pig Pen" in 1963.

My favourite male singers are Nat "King" Cole- (favourite song: "The Christmas Song", Ray Pollard (with The Wanderers 1954-1963)-favourite songs "A Little Too Long", "Run, Run, Senorita, Sollie McElroy(with The Chance Flamingos), Nate Nelson (Chance, Parrot, Checker Flamingos and Starglows(ATCO)), Rudy West and Maryland Pierce (The Five Keys(Aladdin)), and Richard Street (Distants, Majestics, Monitors)-Favourite songs(Distants-"Come On", Majestics "Cry", Monitors "Crying In The Night".

My favourite female singers are Carolyn Crawford (Motown-"I'll Come Running", "Lover Boy", Until You Came Along, When Someone's Good to you), Mary Wells (Motown, 20th Century Fox, ATCO)-favourite songs -"My Guy', "You Lost The Sweetest Boy", "Honey Boy", Gloria Lynne (Everest, Fontana)-favourites "I Wish You Love", "You Don't Have To Be A Tower of Strength", Brenda Holloway (Tamla)-favourites: "When I'm Gone", "Just Look What You've Done", Kim Weston (Tamla, Gordy Records- favourites: "Lookin' For The Right Guy", "I'm Still Loving You", "Take Me In Your Arms", Jan Bradley (Formal, Night Owl, Chess Records)- favourites: "Mama Didn't Lie", "I'm Over You", "Behind The Curtains",  Dee Dee Warwick- favourites: "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", "Suspicious Minds".

But, it's very difficult for me to pick absolute favourite singers and songs  I have over 1000 '60s "Soul" recordings that I rate as perfect 100s, and over 100 each of male and female singers that I like all so much that I couldn't rank any of them ahead of the others.
 

Edited February 26, 20241 yr by Robbk

Thanks for all the posts thus far; I've run out of likes, but I like everything that's been posted. Some really interesting picks/views and information. Great stuff.

Peter

Bobby Womack, especially across the 70s, all his albums had numerous gems on them that are not widely appreciated out there, Pickett is up there aswell, especially his Womack penned stuff, "I've come a long way" is not of this earth 👍 

Kev 

Tommy Tate.  Why he is never mentioned is beyond me? 

Chuck jackson after seeing him live at the early great Yarmouth Weekender around 1990

 

Far to many to mention, but my favourite recordings were all done  and my favourite Soul artists between 1962 till 1974 there are exceptions that came later to my ears only , I understand that’s only my choice, good Soul in its own time but to me never reaching those heights that the music reached and touched pre 1974, 

ML

11 hours ago, Soulandy said:

Chuck jackson after seeing him live at the early great Yarmouth Weekender around 1990

 

Spent most of the day with him watching him rehearse at Yarmouth, fantastic. 
 

For me it would have to be Lou Johnson , his Kent CD is rarely out of the CD player in the car on my commute to work. My favourite track is without doubt Park Avenue a more upbeat song I have yet to hear.

On 25/02/2024 at 18:28, Robbk said:

My all-time favourite groups are The Flamingos

Good choice Rob, my favourite by them is the ballad I Know better which gets to me every time 

On 27/02/2024 at 09:41, Twoshoes said:

Good choice Rob, my favourite by them is the ballad I Know better which gets to me every time 

To ME, "I Know Better" is not a "ballad" but a mid-tempo cut.  But it is certainly one of my most loved of their End recordings.