Rare Jackie

Posted 15 hours ago15 hr

Just the one tonight, and almost a figment of our Soul imagination…..

Happy to send more images and sound files if needed. PM me to ask any questions or to reserve.

Jackie Wilson – 4 Track EP – Coral CX-11433 M- £350

Since you showed me how to be happy
The who who song
Soulville
Open the door to your heart

Any fan of Jackie Wilson can tell you that this versatile performer could turn his hand to any style of music, at any pace using any vocal range. Without doubt he had one of the best voices you’ll ever hear. So many of his releases are collectable, especially in demo format, and a few are unbelievably hard to turn up, for example ‘A lovely way to die’ on Japanese Coral, a niche movie soundtrack recording.

The hardest though, may be this rare as hen’s teeth EP on the Australian Coral label. Not only does it host 2 fabulous tunes that achieved National and R&B chart success on the US Brunswick label it also provides incredible access to 2 tracks that did not get a US single release. ‘Soulville’ can only be found on the flip side to the aforementioned ‘Lovely way to die’ and albums, whereas ‘Open the door to your heart’ can only be found on Jackies ‘Higher and higher’ album, compilation LPs and modern reissues all vying in some way to be the chief exponent of this remarkable track to the Northern scene.

‘Since you showed me how to be happy’ and the fabulous ‘Who who song’ also saw a single release on a hard-to-find Australian Coral single.

Whilst ‘Soulville’, jointly written by ‘Jimmy Radcliffe’ is a brilliant tune with Jackie effortlessly delivering an atmospheric Smokey La-La styled dancer, the piece de resistance is the sublime cover of Darrell Banks ‘Open the door to your heart’, a joyous celebration of soul at its finest, a big rich voice, big brassy band, and bona fide monster Northern soul dancer delivered by a genius. Forget ‘Golden Gloves’, think ‘Golden Tonsils’.

It took me many years to pin down a copy, but I now have a spare. The vinyl condition is mint minus, and the labels are clean apart from sellotape residue on each side. It comes with a rare picture cover, which is in pretty good Ex- shape although it shows some wear. If you are not caught up with the label aesthetics, this is your chance, there ain’t another coming along any time soon!