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Don't know if its been mentioned on here yet... but take a look at what's coming in late September!
LARRY BANKS' SOUL FAMILY ALBUM
In 1964 Dave Godin was captivated by Bessie Banks'original recording
of 'Go Now' and was incensed by the Moody Blues'usurping of the song
and what he considered an unduly hasty campaign by the British record
company to pass their version off as the original and best. To make
amends on behalf of the small but eager coterie of UK soul fans, he
took a special interest in Bessie and her husband Larry, the composer
of the song.
Further delvings into the pair's releases lead to more revelatory
record finds and soon Dave was to champion Larry's releases on
Select, Kapp and Spring and his composing and production work with
artists such as the Exciters, Kenny Carter and the Geminis. Dave
built up a strong friendship with the family and a bank of
information on their work. His discovery of Jaibi's (Larry's second
wife) 'You Got Me' on Kapp Records was a personal Deep Soul
revelation and he awarded the recording the prestigious last track
placing on his first Deep Soul Treasures CD.
The family were well represented throughout all the volumes of Dave
Godin's Deep Soul Treasures but their work wasn't restricted to deep
soul and he planned a CD project to showcase their other talents.
Sadly he became terminally ill but before he died he asked Ace/Kent
consultant Ady Croasdell to complete the project. Fortunately Ace has
bought many Banks family recordings from GWP Productions (for whom
Larry worked in the late 60s). Some prime previously unheard soul
songs have emerged from this source and feature here. Other vital and
important tracks have been licensed-in from RCA and other smaller
labels and Ady has built on Dave's research with extensive
interviews.
Apart from deep soul classics there are examples of Larry Banks'
northern soul genius in tracks such as 'What's One More Lie' by
Milton Bennett (co-composer of 'Go Now'), the Geminis' storming 'He
Moves Me', the Devonnes' 'Doing The Gittin' Up', and unknown group
the Shaladons' classy take on 'We Can Do It'.
Of the deep soul tracks the highlights include two previously
unissued Kenny Carter beat ballads and his excellent rendition
of 'Lights Out' plus Jaibi's original intense demo of 'You Got Me'.
This CD is part of the occasional Artistry In Soul series.
1. Go Now - BESSIE BANKS
2. You'd Better Get Hip Girl - KENNY CARTER
3. What Good Am I? - JAIBI
4. Don't Pull Away - LARRY BANKS
5. We Can Do It - THE SHALADONS
6. What's One More Lie - MILTON BENNETT
7. Doin' 'The Gittin' Up' - THE DEVONNES
8. Come On Act Right - THE GEMINIS
9. My Life Is No Better - THE DYNAMICS
10. Showdown - THE SHALADONS
11. I Can't Stop Laughing - KENNY CARTER
12. Living In The Land Of Heartache ÂETHE CAVALIERS
13. Will You Wait - LARRY BANKS
14. Don't You Know (I Love You) ÂETHE PLEASURES
15. You Should Have Been A Doctor - BESSIE BANKS
16. Ooh It Hurts Me - LARRY BANKS
17. He Moves Me - THE GEMINIS
18. I Couldn't Build A World (With You On The Outside) - THE DEVONNES
19. We Got A Problem - LARRY BANKS
20. No Brag Just Fact - THE HESITATIONS
21. You Don't Know What You're Missing - THE EXCITERS
22. Let's Roll Up Our Sleeves - LARRY BANKS
23. You Got Me (Alternate version) - JAIBI
24. Lights Out - KENNY CARTER
Over the years I received numerous tapes from Dave featuring various tracks from this compilation. These were certainly amongst his favourite all time records. When he passed away, a white label first cut of the CD was on his bed (alongside an empty fag packet).
I was tempted to sneak a listen then, but, somehow, resisted the temptation.
Now, I can hardly wait!
Well done to the guys at Kent for making this finally happen.
It ought to sell a million.
Sean Hampsey