We all know this too cool soulman out of Chi-town who started  with The Dukays before going on to a stellar solo career, his hits are legendary so the question is what is your favorite tune...for me it's the [1968] classic - River Of Tears...what say you?

Many periods and moods that all had their best sides. But the one that never "tires" me is 'check yourself' from 1962

Great singer and great thread.

Two for me - 

 

Does She Have a Friend? or I Can Take Care of Myself - hard to separate those two for me.

 

It’s got to be “There was a time” for me, great memories of Wigan & my younger days.

probably my alltime favourite Gene Chandler track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L-E-Xj0_t8

 

(oops, anyone know why there's no video preview?)

 

Edited August 14, 2024Aug 14 by Benji

When I was 16, I thought “Such a pretty thing” was the coolest thing I’d ever heard - and I still do

I agree with the’..pretty thing comment’, but should add ‘Me Big shot’ only because I was lucky enough to find an original copy many years ago for a quid!

Honourable mention for ‘Betcha never thought’. Really nice tune.

I've mentioned this before but I know a guitarist from Nottingham who used to play for Gene. I ended up on a holiday to Bulgaria with his years ago.

Just saying like.

Great artist - Gene, not Bob the guitarist. Made some amazing soul.

Peter

😉

Saw the guy live, 82/83 (long time ago).

  He was electric!! 

   Fabulous gig,  stand out for me , was 'there was a time'   but my guilty pleasure,   is Get down.

  Lots and lots of fabulous records,  difficult to choose one. 

For sheer Northern appeal,  'Bet You Never Thought',  from the seventies, 'Without You Here', from the eighties 'Let Me Make Love To You' 🙂

And for the record, the one track I really never liked, at all!  was 'Mr. Big Shot', so I'm gonna swap that one out with 'Such A Pretty Thing' on a nice Aussie Issue 🙂

Mr big shot is my fave, so many to chose from though.

36 minutes ago, Mal C said:

For sheer Northern appeal,  'Bet You Never Thought',  from the seventies, 'Without You Here', from the eighties 'Let Me Make Love To You' 🙂

And for the record, the one track I really never liked, at all!  was 'Mr. Big Shot', so I'm gonna swap that one out with 'Such A Pretty Thing' on a nice Aussie Issue 🙂

We're two and the same on here NOT liking 'Mr. Big Shot' one bit. Sorry not wanting to spoil others enjoyment by adding to it but it's rare enough to have one popular artist with his most prized record disliked not to comment on it.

Ever since I had my first copy by the mid eighties bought blind in a lot of NS 45's (It was not in great condition though so I sold it even if I liked the flip 'I hate to be the one to say' that now I own clean) I still don't like 'Mr. Big Shot'.

Somehow to my imaginary ear the tune and its musical company just don't fit Gene 'Gentleman' Chandler singing. Although all the credits on the label are of the greatest pedigree and the promo bears that 'Bunky's Pick' plug side.

You Cant Hurt Me No More.....Beautiful!

You don't like Mr Big Shot one bit?

Written by Keni Lewis/Carl Kidd, arranged by Sonny Sanders, Produced by Carl Davis and a Bunky Shepard Pick. Not to mention sung by GC and released by Constellation Records.

As you say, strangely enough, top class pedigrees so don’t worry about upsetting others as there is not a chance in a million of your opinion upsetting most people!

22 hours ago, Tlscapital said:

Many periods and moods that all had their best sides. But the one that never "tires" me is 'check yourself' from 1962

Special tune to me too, always played in my sets early 1990,s has the edge on temptations version a real good record with atmosphere,

ML

4 minutes ago, David Meikle said:

You don't like Mr Big Shot one bit?

Written by Keni Lewis/Carl Kidd, arranged by Sonny Sanders, Produced by Carl Davis and a Bunky Shepard Pick. Not to mention sung by GC and released by Constellation Records.

As you say, strangely enough, top class pedigrees so don’t worry about upsetting others as there is not a chance in a million of your opinion upsetting most people!

Just taking my precautions as I've been told a few times not to spoil 'coming out' like so whenever I do. But thank you.

One of his last records and a real grower 

 

 

 

when I first got into soul I wouldn’t give things like this the time of day but grew to like them a lot 

So many great records hard to pick a favourite but will go for I'll Remember You and Without You Here.

1 hour ago, David Meikle said:

You don't like Mr Big Shot one bit?

Written by Keni Lewis/Carl Kidd, arranged by Sonny Sanders, Produced by Carl Davis and a Bunky Shepard Pick. Not to mention sung by GC and released by Constellation Records.

As you say, strangely enough, top class pedigrees so don’t worry about upsetting others as there is not a chance in a million of your opinion upsetting most people!

Maybe an idea for a new thresd

''Great pedigree but not a good record "

Prefer "Mr Big Stuff" to "Big Shot" myself, but hey each to his own "n all that.

For Mr Chand personal faves are many but one not mentioned yet "I Won't Need You'

Cheers Paul

 

There maybe a few of them Paul, interesting idea.   ‘Big shot’ for me sticks out as a song in his catalogue, dunno why just does.  anyhow Mr Gene Chandler has done so much, we can only give him praise here, he just cannot be touched can he. 

A real good track that doesn’t get talked about much is ‘Teacher Teacher’ good record. 

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2024Aug 14 by Chalky

 

 

Edited August 14, 2024Aug 14 by Sutty

Mr Big Shot, his best by far in my humble opinion - one of the records that hooked me on the music back in 1973. Gene Chandler has got to be one of the most prolific ‘Northern’ artists going with so many decent tunes to his name.

Dells

For me it has to be :- Nothing can stop me and I can take care of myself. Both brilliant tracks and have always been big on the scene. Regards

Gene Chandler "Does She Have A Friend 

 

Loads of great tracks but I do have a soft spot for - it's time to settle down, cheers pete

Always really liked his superb 1972 mover DON'T HAVE TO BE LYING BABE (CURTOM) - absolutely brilliant

Such a fabulous artist! Many favourite already mentioned, but here are a few from his Checker releases: "After The Laughter" and "In My Body's House":

Edited August 15, 2024Aug 15 by Sebastian

 

Two going big at home at the moment.

"Blind heart" from his Brunswick LP

"I'll be there" from the '80 LP.

but it changes every week.

GC is one of the best no doubt about it, his catalogue of music covers so much that there must be something somewhere that you like, a Great Artist who has definitely stood the test of time.

ML

GC at Yarmouth

Where it all started for me. A mate to this day called me on a hot August afternoon in 1983 shortly after I’d got my A level results and said did I fancy a trip to Morecambe to see Gene Chandler. I said yes and that gig / all nighter has had me hooked for the last 41 years!

7 hours ago, Sebastian said:

Such a fabulous artist! Many favourite already mentioned, but here are a few from his Checker releases: "After The Laughter" and "In My Body's House":

after the laughter,    brilliant !

6 hours ago, Chalky said:

 

What are the 3 songs in there (there was an older thread on here about it but couldn't find it back) out of which I still get Jackie Wilson's 'Whispers' and the Four Tops 'It's The Same Old Song' but not the third one... Anyone ?

50 minutes ago, Tlscapital said:

What are the 3 songs in there (there was an older thread on here about it but couldn't find it back) out of which I still get Jackie Wilson's 'Whispers' and the Four Tops 'It's The Same Old Song' but not the third one... Anyone ?

The piano intro is very similar to Sweetest Feeling

1 minute ago, Chalky said:

The piano intro is very similar to Sweetest Feeling

You're right. So not 'Whispers' but 'I Get The Sweetest Feeling'. My bad. Still missing the third one.

Edited August 15, 2024Aug 15 by Tlscapital

So many across the decades....not mentioned the songs with Barbara Acklin yet here, so right back to the start of the scene with such as From The Teacher To The Preacher.

Edited August 15, 2024Aug 15 by Thinksmart

Not seen this mentioned yet

Cheers Paul

48 minutes ago, Soul Shrews said:

Not seen this mentioned yet

Cheers Paul

Good pick Paul

I've always liked this record label design.

Peter

😉

On 14/08/2024 at 18:01, Tlscapital said:

We're two and the same on here NOT liking 'Mr. Big Shot' one bit. Sorry not wanting to spoil others enjoyment by adding to it but it's rare enough to have one popular artist with his most prized record disliked not to comment on it.

Ever since I had my first copy by the mid eighties bought blind in a lot of NS 45's (It was not in great condition though so I sold it even if I liked the flip 'I hate to be the one to say' that now I own clean) I still don't like 'Mr. Big Shot'.

Somehow to my imaginary ear the tune and its musical company just don't fit Gene 'Gentleman' Chandler singing. Although all the credits on the label are of the greatest pedigree and the promo bears that 'Bunky's Pick' plug side.

I Think it's possibly down to how , when you & where you 1st heard Mr Big Shot , can't remember personally but when you saw the dance floor re action & was apart of it  , wether Main room or Mr Ms , and I'm sure it was booted prior to the Casino , great record , that said , "I Can Take Care Of Myself" & "Bet You Never Thought" for me .

Well I’m going with these Brunswick tracks.

Tell me what I can do.

My love

Suicide

Love won’t start with Babs Acklin

and You’re a lady on Mercury.