Hello everyone, I recently came across this record. I then got to Wondering what other versions there are of this song by different groups or artists?

The only other one I'm aware of is The Three Caps.

Thanks Oli.

Interesting post,as a nice little point,the capitols version has 2 variations,one version on the plastic moulded label has a weak lack lustre version,the light blue label version is different and sounds raw and very appealing,in fact if it was an unknown and rare,you would be happy to pay a lot of money for it!

The Maze (UK mod group), Yvonne Ellerman (pop version), Carrie Lucas (80's soul disco version), She with Kim Waters (hip hop), Reggie Milner (Stax soul), Darius (soul), Alpha Zoe (soul), Fire & Rain (70's pop soul), Julia Holter (pop) + a few reggae versions (Jennifer Lara, Derick Lara, Frankie Young Brown Sugar, etc).

A few more too I'd guess.

Edited June 26Jun 26 by Roburt

And don’t forget the original sung by the writer Barbara Lewis with the legendary Dells on backing vocals Sublime

Supremes and the 4 Tops, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Ebony Alleyne, Queen Latifah.

49 minutes ago, Dobber said:

Interesting post,as a nice little point,the capitols version has 2 variations,one version on the plastic moulded label has a weak lack lustre version,the light blue label version is different and sounds raw and very appealing,in fact if it was an unknown and rare,you would be happy to pay a lot of money for it!

Ahhhhhh, I actually did not know this! I stumbled across one of these Atlantic reissue versions of it but I will definitely check this one out.

Someone also just let me know about this one, Which I have actually heard but did not know the name, Shivers down my spine whenever I hear this one.

Flip of Cool Jerk US 45:

Here's another one -

Here's another https://youtu.be/VmQyhwSjaGE?si=oQcdC0EbJFlVpV-Y

Reggie Milner

28 minutes ago, The Yank said:

Here's another one -

There's another 3 issues of that by Philly Dawgs, Capitols [alternate Karen design] and Deon Jackson " Love makes...." [b-side alternate]

Andy Bellwood RIP ,

Also released The Chicano EP,

featuring Hello Stranger ,

Monica Rocha/ Malik Mano on his Last Bastion label , 5 years ago

Edited June 26Jun 26 by Happy Feet

Full circle ? Reggie Milner produced by Ollie McLaughlin who also produced the Barbara Lewis original

I already made mention of the Darius & Reggie Milner versions ...

4 minutes ago, Roburt said:

I already made mention of the Darius & Reggie Milner versions ...

Sorry Robert

secondhandsongs.com lists versions of songs. It has a list for Hello Stranger but doesn't include some mentioned above. I think they rely on people updating their listings for them.

Cover versions of Hello Stranger written by Barbara Lewis | SecondHandSongs

2 hours ago, Happy Feet said:

Sorry Robert

No problem, just pointing it out.

Queen Latifah under her Dana Owens name.

Cheers Paul

Dang that Shinehead beat me to it !

Edited June 26Jun 26 by Soul Shrews

1 minute ago, Eddie Hubbard said:

The above ,although not the same song ,has the same chorus ,definitely influenced by “ Hello Stranger “

FIRE & RAIN (Mercury rec) great version 👍

For me Barbara Lewis is THE VERSION , another level , She also sings it in Italian

8 hours ago, Valentina said:

For me Barbara Lewis is THE VERSION , another level , She also sings it in Italian

Wow what a version , Barbara must have done really well at school in her Italian A Levels 😂, joking apart one of the best european versions by an American artist ever , thanks for posting Valentina .

10 hours ago, Bluesoul7 said:

FIRE & RAIN (Mercury rec) great version 👍

There's been a DCT Recorders acetate of this (white) version sitting on JM's site for years. Still there. Though nothing beats Barbara Lewis of course, I do actually like this later version, a little different.

Edited June 27Jun 27 by Windlesoul

On 26/06/2025 at 12:12, Olivernyikos said:

Someone also just let me know about this one, Which I have actually heard but did not know the name, Shivers down my spine whenever I hear this one.

You missed it when I played it at the last 100 club cos you left before my second spot - Probably hear it at the dojo somewhere down the line.

Edited June 28Jun 28 by Clee93

There was a list of these posted in the Facebook rare soul discussion. Here's a crude one. Recorded as a benefit for a teenage girl who was shot, unfortunately she eventually passed away.

The Runaways - Hello Stranger

Edited June 28Jun 28 by George G

There was a great thread in 2009 https://www.soul-source.co.uk/forums/topic/104319-hello-stranger-the-ollie-mclaughlin-covers/

I assumed we had, but I don't think we ever answered The OP's question from June 2009...who were Quickest Way Out.

Willard Hines, Musical Director & Pianist.

Bill King

Bunni Bailey

Patty Webb

Howard Smith ( replaced by Craig Jones , think 1976)

Willard Hines was a 1965 grad from Kentucky State Uni and moved to Detroit. He was vocal coach for The Jones Girls, Enchantments and Dramatics between 1968-1971.

In the PIC, Willard is starting at the left.

Edited June 28Jun 28 by Kenb
spelling

21 hours ago, Kenb said:

I assumed we had, but I don't think we ever answered The OP's question from June 2009...who were Quickest Way Out.

Willard Hines, Musical Director & Pianist.

Bill King

Bunni Bailey

Patty Webb

Howard Smith ( replaced by Craig Jones , think 1976)

Willard Hines was a 1965 grad from Kentucky State Uni and moved to Detroit. He was vocal coach for The Jones Girls, Enchantments and Dramatics between 1968-1971.

In the PIC, Willard is starting at the left.

Fantastic info pal

Willard passed 2020

Legacy.com

Willard Hines (1943 - 2020) - Obituary

View Willard Hines's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Elkie Brooks did a pretty good version in 1964.

On 28/06/2025 at 01:57, Clee93 said:

You missed it when I played it at the last 100 club cos you left before my second spot - Probably hear it at the dojo somewhere down the line.

Someone Mentioned it to me and I was gutted that I missed it 🤣, I'm sure it will come up again

On 27/06/2025 at 20:59, Happy Feet said:

Wow what a version , Barbara must have done really well at school in her Italian A Levels 😂, joking apart one of the best european versions by an American artist ever , thanks for posting Valentina .

On 27/06/2025 at 20:59, Happy Feet said:

Wow what a version , Barbara must have done really well at school in her Italian A Levels 😂, joking apart one of the best european versions by an American artist ever , thanks for posting Valentina .

it is also super rare!! to find it

On 26/06/2025 at 06:25, Modernsoulsucks said:

There's another 3 issues of that by Philly Dawgs, Capitols [alternate Karen design] and Deon Jackson " Love makes...." [b-side alternate]

I've seen this record once, but never got to hear it. Is this the original of Riley Hampton's instrumental, heavy strings version, that was issued much later for The Northern Scene, on UK's Connoisseur Records?

2 minutes ago, Robbk said:

I've seen this record once, but never got to hear it. Is this the original of Riley Hampton's instrumental, heavy strings version, that was issued much later for The Northern Scene, on UK's Connoisseur Records?

I've got the Capitols issue. It's "Hello Stranger 66". Usual common Karen issue is midtempo vocal missing "66" in title.

https://www.discogs.com/release/4511195-The-Capitols-Hello-Stranger-66-Cool-Jerk

I dug it out and yes it sounds the same as Connoisseur 45. And Deon Jackson below.

Looks like Riley Hampton release is on CARLA 102

2 hours ago, Modernsoulsucks said:

I've got the Capitols issue. It's "Hello Stranger 66". Usual common Karen issue is midtempo vocal missing "66" in title.

https://www.discogs.com/release/4511195-The-Capitols-Hello-Stranger-66-Cool-Jerk

I dug it out and yes it sounds the same as Connoisseur 45. And Deon Jackson below.

Looks like Riley Hampton release is on CARLA 102

So, is the Riley Hampton instrumental version of "Hello Stranger" on Carla 101 (as the scan above shows) on the flip of Deon Jackson's version on Carla 102, or on Carla 101?

Carla 102 has "My tune" on other side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYoccFs_Bi0&list=RDBYoccFs_Bi0&start_radio=1

Deon Jackson side is the Hampton instr. He is not singing.

Other side is "Love makes the world go round"

I've never had the 45 but I assume "Love is...." the vocal Version but I guess it could be instr., same as Philly Dawgs pairing on Tuba ?

There's a copy of Deon for sale here

https://www.discogs.com/sell/release/8314214

https://youtu.be/ByMTuWLU0RY

1 hour ago, Soul-slider said:

https://youtu.be/ByMTuWLU0RY

The Organ on this sounds amazing! thanks for sharing, I have always been a fan of a lot of the sort of doo wop type vocals and this is great.