i'm liking this a lot at the moment

what are your thoughts?

i'm liking this a lot at the moment

what are your thoughts?

link

Great version! Been trying to pick one up on E-Bay, but has eluded me so far. Available on 45 & LP, and quite a few emminate from Oz, which makes sense as he was/is Australian, and at decent prices too.

Also Terri Wells does a nice cover, refreshing change with a female lead...

Sam

Doug Parkinson is actually an aborigine. This is a great version bit played out (in the NW at least). I agree on the Terri Wells should be able to pick that up for a couple of quid or so.

a tattoo laden heavy metal singer if memory serves right wasn't he?

a tattoo laden heavy metal singer if memory serves right wasn't he?

link

Sam,

Pat Brady always seems to have some. Maybe give him a call.

Big O,

You're getting mixed up with Doug Willis from Ramsey Street. I think Doug Parkinson lived in Summer Bay or was it Yabby Creek? I can never remember.

From what I heard, he was a bit of a 'Dropkick of a Yahoo' as a young lad, and then grew up into a bit of a 'Shonky Dobber'.

Cheers,

Jase Donovan

(I'll mention the Spinners version.)

Edited February 17, 200520 yr by Jamie

Great version! Been trying to pick one up on E-Bay, but has eluded me so far. Available on 45 & LP, and quite a few emminate from Oz, which makes sense as he was/is Australian, and at decent prices too.

Also Terri Wells does a nice cover, refreshing change with a female lead...

Sam

link

you can buy mine off me if you like

mint minus australian original

you can buy mine off me if you like   

mint minus australian original

link

Belting sales ploy there, Andy

you can buy mine off me if you like   

mint minus australian original

link

Far prefer the Detroit spinners version on Atlantic, much more soulful IMO........

Belting sales ploy there, Andy   

link

i am a sles manager by trade, but that wasn't my motive

i was just deciding whether to play it out tomorrow night (HE SAYS

i am a sles manager by trade, but that wasn't my motive

i was just deciding whether to play it out tomorrow night (HE SAYS 

link

SELL IT!!!!

SELL IT!!!!

link

i'll bring it tomorrow and we can negotiate

Great version! Been trying to pick one up on E-Bay, but has eluded me so far. Available on 45 & LP, and quite a few emminate from Oz, which makes sense as he was/is Australian, and at decent prices too.

Also Terri Wells does a nice cover, refreshing change with a female lead...

Sam

link

Remember Adam making Doug Parkinson big in the 80's at The Oddfellows allnighters in Leicester along with DayBreak I Need Love, Alfie Davison et all.

Yeh bit overplayed but a good one if you emptied the floor with your last track...always a safe bet!

Didn't Terri Well get in the charts as I remember?

Talking about Aussies What about Kylies version of "TIME WILL PASS YOU BY" on some CD from the mid 90s I think. I kid you not raid your childrens Cd collections !

Talking about Aussies What about Kylies version of "TIME WILL PASS YOU BY" on some CD from the mid 90s I think. I kid you not raid your childrens Cd collections !

link

Doug Parkinson was something of a minor star in Oz - always on telly etc - a sort of Englebert DownUnder.

Spinners every time, anyone who says otherwise is a 'flamin' gallah'

Regards

Steve Irwin

No No folks The Very Bestest Version is by The Rippingtons with Jeffrey Osborne on Vocals.

Now, where can I get one???

Tony

Doug Parkinson is more than just a minor figure on the Australian music scene. One of the few truly great soul vocalists outside of the USA, he is a legend of beat / rnb groups such as the Questions in the 60s, then in the 70s fully pursued his first love of soul music , ie Ill Be Around. His voice has been intermittently heard for 35 years on OZ TV commercials as he has had to make a living !!!

Not tatooed or a heavy metal singer !!!

Look out for an amazing original tune he recorded on Southern Star called "Now Youre On Your Own " A brilliant 70s modern soul record !!!

My mistake re: heavy metal and tattoos etc. Here's a pic of the Lp cover and if I can find a better close up I'll show you that he's none of the above .... more like a Klingon extra from Star Trek!!!! That said I still think it's a great version and hats off to the man. I entioned the Kylie Cd track years ago on this very site by the way

Doug Parkinson is more than just a minor figure on the Australian music scene. One of the few truly great soul vocalists outside of the USA, he is a legend of beat / rnb groups such as the Questions in the 60s, then in the 70s fully pursued his first love of soul music ,  ie Ill Be Around. His voice has been intermittently heard for 35 years on OZ TV commercials as he has had to make a living !!!

Not tatooed or a heavy metal singer !!!

Look out for an amazing original tune he recorded on Southern Star called "Now Youre On Your Own " A brilliant 70s modern soul record !!!

link

Why do my Australian non soul loving friends all sn***** and look at each other, whenever I mention his name....I mean I never got that reaction when mentioning Lynne Randell?

Why do my Australian non soul loving friends all sn***** and look at each other, whenever I mention his name....I mean I never got that reaction when mentioning Lynne Randell?

link

Being an Aussie I guess your Aussie mates sn***** because Doug Parkinson is remembered for his loud 70's shirts along with all the palava that bands like Hush, Daddy Cool, Sherbert, Zoot, Daryl Cotton etc are remembered for.

But on the plus side Doug does have an amazing voice, I saw him live in his home town Newcastle at the Workers Club in front of 5000 people very top!!

Check out this link for more info

https://www.milesago.com/artists/dougpark.htm

Cheers

D

First played at the Cavendish Suite Wolvo. in 82

A mate of Pep's emigrated(louie) and found it, sent 4 copies, pep me argie n mick holdsworth had em mick immediatly sold his to sam

Is on a Wigan compilation cd.....................derrrrrrrr!

Doug Parkinson Southern Star Band - Rainbow in your eyes (LP track)

can't recommend this highly enough ...

best, Shaun.

First played at the Cavendish Suite Wolvo. in 82

A mate of Pep's emigrated(louie) and found it, sent 4 copies, pep me argie n mick holdsworth had em mick immediatly sold his to sam

Is on a Wigan compilation cd.....................derrrrrrrr!

It's a fact that, given enough time, every record ever played on the Northern, Modern and Y2K scenes will end up on a Wigan compilation CD at some point

Always liked Doug P a little, but outside of the Spinners version (surely one of the truly unbeatable soul records, despite someone's assertions to the contrary a bit further back in this posting...) the only version that really does it for me is the 1973 reggae cut, on Studio One, by Otis Gayle.

Sam,

Pat Brady always seems to have some. Maybe give him a call.

Big O,

You're getting mixed up with Doug Willis from Ramsey Street. I think Doug Parkinson lived in Summer Bay or was it Yabby Creek? I can never remember.

From what I heard, he was a bit of a 'Dropkick of a Yahoo' as a young lad, and then grew up into a bit of a 'Shonky Dobber'.

Cheers,

Jase Donovan

(I'll mention the Spinners version.)

I said he was a bit of a spunk, but Alf called me a flamin' barbarian, so I decided, it was good at the time, but I've grown weary of all versions. I dont know the reggae version Tony mentions though.

Edited April 8, 200718 yr by in town Mikey

the only version that really does it for me is the 1973 reggae cut, on Studio One, by Otis Gayle.

Dean Johnson played this the other week in the boozer, had'nt heard it for years. Blew me and everyone else away. I'm begining to think the unthinkable, that it is even better than the Detroit Spinners. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. Anyone got a spare?

Always hated Doug Parkinson's version with a vengence. "Rainbow in your eyes" now thats good.

Regards

Alan

No No folks The Very Bestest Version is by The Rippingtons with Jeffrey Osborne on Vocals.

Now, where can I get one???

Tony

I thought this was CD only. If I'm wrong I could use some details.

Cheers

Shaun

Dean Johnson played this the other week in the boozer, had'nt heard it for years. Blew me and everyone else away. I'm begining to think the unthinkable, that it is even better than the Detroit Spinners. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. Anyone got a spare?

It was repressed several times, right into the 90s, shouldn't be at all hard to find really. Try my pal Phil Etgart (philetgart@tinyworld.co.uk) - he specialises in reggae originals and represses of all sorts. Tell him I sent you!

TONE

It was repressed several times, right into the 90s, shouldn't be at all hard to find really. Try my pal Phil Etgart (philetgart@tinyworld.co.uk) - he specialises in reggae originals and represses of all sorts. Tell him I sent you!

TONE

CORRECTION SURELY IF ANYONE DID GO TO WIGAN IN 79/81 THEY MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HEARD RICHARD SEARLING PLAYING DOUG PARKINSON ILL BE AROUND ALONG WITH THE OTHER 70S TRACKS HE WAS WELL KNOWN FOR PLAYING SO IT WASNT FIRST PLAYED IN 1982

MR MS DJ

I still need help with this version which i pasted on a earlier thread i still don't know who the artist is

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/index.p...mp;#entry387498

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH MR.ROUNCE THE OTIS GAYLE IS BY FAR THE BEST VERSION , I KNOW DEAN`S PLAYED IT AT VARIOUS SOUL DOO`S OVER THE YEARS (I GOT MY COPY OF DEAN WHEN DEAN STILL SOLD RECORDS FOR A LIVING).

ALL DA BEST - K.J.ETHERIDGE.

Otis Gayle in stock at Juno with an mp3 clip to have a listen to.

https://www.juno.co.uk/products/75842-01.htm

CORRECTION SURELY IF ANYONE DID GO TO WIGAN IN 79/81 THEY MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HEARD RICHARD SEARLING PLAYING DOUG PARKINSON ILL BE AROUND ALONG WITH THE OTHER 70S TRACKS HE WAS WELL KNOWN FOR PLAYING SO IT WASNT FIRST PLAYED IN 1982

MR MS DJ

Agree totally.

This was a Richard Searling tune long before any of us had it (Wigan & Clifton Hall).

79 - 81 only DJ that had a copy was Richard, as I recall, so much so that I started playing the Spinners version as the antidote!

I've a nostalgic soft spot though for it and picked up loads of 'em during 98/99 from ebay Australia.

Only got the one copy of DP's 'I'll Be Around' on 45 now though... plus the LP and about a half dozen other Doug Parkinson 45's on various labels.

Gotta say that by the time Doug Parkinson, Daybreak and Alfie Davidson were played at Oddfellows they were oldies (and had been 'big' years beforehand).

Sean

Why do my Australian non soul loving friends all sn***** and look at each other, whenever I mention his name....I mean I never got that reaction when mentioning Lynne Randell?

What do you mean your 'non-soulie' Oz mates? What about the rest of us

I buy this rubbish cheap (it charted, so everybody of a certain age knows it) to sell on, but then I'm too ashamed to fly them over (or sell them)

I'd rather we lost the cricket than admit to this being soul.

Sorry, but that's just how it is :tomato2:

m

ps. It's after 3am in Sydney now and guess which two souls have severe jet-lag

(Bit quiet here since I moved away, but at least Keb is on here this week )

Terrible version. Spinners any day or Terri Wells or Freddie Jackson. You northern boys must be tone deaf probably due to too much loud music and spinning on your head. :o)

George

Agree totally.

This was a Richard Searling tune long before any of us had it (Wigan & Clifton Hall).

79 - 81 only DJ that had a copy was Richard, as I recall, so much so that I started playing the Spinners version as the antidote!

I've a nostalgic soft spot though for it and picked up loads of 'em during 98/99 from ebay Australia.

Only got the one copy of DP's 'I'll Be Around' on 45 now though... plus the LP and about a half dozen other Doug Parkinson 45's on various labels.

Gotta say that by the time Doug Parkinson, Daybreak and Alfie Davidson were played at Oddfellows they were oldies (and had been 'big' years beforehand).

Sean

Deffo a Wigan tune.

Wasn't Doug Oz's answer to Terry Wogan for a time on Oz TV?

Also,was it DP or The Rock Melons that Richard heard on the in-flight entertainment on a plane to Oz - or is that another urban myth from years back?

Agree totally.

This was a Richard Searling tune long before any of us had it (Wigan & Clifton Hall).

79 - 81 only DJ that had a copy was Richard, as I recall, so much so that I started playing the Spinners version as the antidote!

I've a nostalgic soft spot though for it and picked up loads of 'em during 98/99 from ebay Australia.

Only got the one copy of DP's 'I'll Be Around' on 45 now though... plus the LP and about a half dozen other Doug Parkinson 45's on various labels.

Gotta say that by the time Doug Parkinson, Daybreak and Alfie Davidson were played at Oddfellows they were oldies (and had been 'big' years beforehand).

Sean

The Doug Parkinson record was introduced to the scene in late 1978 as a new release, by Dave Sinclair, also known as Louie.

Dave lived round the corner from me in Wolverhampton and went out to Australia for 3 months, before moving over there for good.

When he came back after the first 3 months, he had a handful of these records, 4 or 5 - he gave me either 3 or 4 of them to distribute.

Clive Jones had one, Richard Searling another, and I kept one (or maybe two).

Richard told me he never got round to opening the parcel for a fair few months, but when he did, he instantly started to play the record out.

In the couple of years that followed, Louie sent me a few more copies, and I think Sam may have had one of those and probably Neil Rushton, but that would be about 82 or 83.

Cheers

Mick

https://northern-soul-records.com

Just wondered if Dave Sinclair / Louie is a member of this forum ?????

What do you mean your 'non-soulie' Oz mates? What about the rest of us

I buy this rubbish cheap (it charted, so everybody of a certain age knows it) to sell on, but then I'm too ashamed to fly them over (or sell them)

I'd rather we lost the cricket than admit to this being soul.

Sorry, but that's just how it is :tomato2:

m

ps. It's after 3am in Sydney now and guess which two souls have severe jet-lag

(Bit quiet here since I moved away, but at least Keb is on here this week )

Yeah they all know DP as a middle of the road, saturday night light entertainment type of artist - bit like a younger Val Doonican would have been over here That's why they sn***** - I really don't like his version......Steve

Yeah they all know DP as a middle of the road, saturday night light entertainment type of artist - bit like a younger Val Doonican would have been over here That's why they sn***** - I really don't like his version......Steve

Just look at Benny Troy...and that still gets played.

Just look at Benny Troy...and that still gets played.

.....And Mickey Moonshine

.....And Mickey Moonshine

Soulies just love 'Lounge' don't you know!?

The Doug Parkinson record was introduced to the scene in late 1978 as a new release, by Dave Sinclair, also known as Louie.

Dave lived round the corner from me in Wolverhampton and went out to Australia for 3 months, before moving over there for good.

When he came back after the first 3 months, he had a handful of these records, 4 or 5 - he gave me either 3 or 4 of them to distribute.

Clive Jones had one, Richard Searling another, and I kept one (or maybe two).

Richard told me he never got round to opening the parcel for a fair few months, but when he did, he instantly started to play the record out.

In the couple of years that followed, Louie sent me a few more copies, and I think Sam may have had one of those and probably Neil Rushton, but that would be about 82 or 83.

Cheers

Mick

https://northern-soul-records.com

Just wondered if Dave Sinclair / Louie is a member of this forum ?????

Thanks Mick for confirming the facts.

All stacks up that, in my mind... late '78, 79 etc.

Was definately a few years before others got hold of copies.

Late Wigan / Clifton Hall tune... no doubt!

Sean

Somebody told me, at the time of its release, that Richard was in some way involved with that bootleg LP from c. 1981/2 called something like "WVON-FM Hitpicks", which DP's "I'll Be Around" was on.

Did anybody else hear this 'rumour'? Not trying to make trouble for Richard, just curious to know....

TONE

Terrible version. Spinners any day or Terri Wells or Freddie Jackson. You northern boys must be tone deaf probably due to too much loud music and spinning on your head. :o)

George

I'm with you on this George (although never liked like Terri Wells version either). The Spinners version is one of the perfect records.

Is Doug's popularity due some kind of misguided one upmanship thing ? I just don't get it.

I'm with you on this George (although never liked like Terri Wells version either). The Spinners version is one of the perfect records.

Is Doug's popularity due some kind of misguided one upmanship thing ? I just don't get it.

I love the Doug Parkinson version, it brings back to me very much an exciting time in my Northern Soul history.

It was/is a cracking record to dance to.

Doug's vocals have great emotion.

It was a totally different take on The Spinners, and more Northern in feel than Terri Wells version.

It was perfect to bring the pace down at Wigan a little.

It fitted in with what the likes of Poke were playing at Rotherham (a very different all-nighter) perfectly.

I love the backing vocals, especially right at the end of the track.

I think it's soulful vocally, having not been brought up with DP in his many guises.

All in all it's a big memory record, that sums up this scene perfectly....for me.

Detroit Spinners is great version but Terri Wells is just as good and has plays in some Modern rooms over the years. Worth digging and playing again.

Just wondered if Dave Sinclair / Louie is a member of this forum ?????

Dave lives in Melbourne and I can forward him your details if you PM me yours (else contact member 'Miss Goldie' who now lives there and knows him better). It's definitely the same Dave, coz when Arthur Fenn made his first trip out to Sydney, I flew him over to Melbourne for a soul night and Dave turned up. They hadn't seen eachother since the 70s. I'd always thought Dave was a shy funk guy until that night (he even liked the soul sounds I played ) Dave was also a bit of a vinyl junkie and I assume he still is.

m

(ps. I'm over here at the moment, but he's about 1,000 km away )

Edited April 13, 200718 yr by Maria O

Did anybody else hear this 'rumour'?

TONE

Yes Tony.

But I don't know if it's true... or not.

Sean

Yes Tony.

But I don't know if it's true... or not.

Sean

PM'd you...

Somebody told me, at the time of its release, that Richard was in some way involved with that bootleg LP from c. 1981/2 called something like "WVON-FM Hitpicks", which DP's "I'll Be Around" was on.

Did anybody else hear this 'rumour'? Not trying to make trouble for Richard, just curious to know....

TONE

I heard the same rumour, perhaps down to the fact the the LP was pretty much full of his plays. I've still got a copy somewhere.

Thanks Mick for confirming the facts.

All stacks up that, in my mind... late '78, 79 etc.

Was definately a few years before others got hold of copies.

Late Wigan / Clifton Hall tune... no doubt!

Sean

I am happy to clarify many of the points raised in this thread !

Firstly, let me say that the Spinners' original recording of I'll Be Around is untouchable, but of the many subsequent versions, Doug's is easily as good as any of the others !!!

I saw Doug Parkinson performing live in Sydney on several occasions throughout the 80's and 90's and was lucky enough to meet and briefly talk to him about his music. And I was also the first person to inform him that his version of I'll Be Around on the Southern Star label was a northern collectable !!! You should've seen the look on his face when I told him it was fetching upwads of 75 quid !!! Familiar story , right ?

Doug started out in the mid 60's in Sydney with a chart topping band that was something like an Oz equivalent of Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, a tough blue eyed soul / RnB style act. Their 45's on Festival are all worth collecting and several have real northern dancefloor appeal 6T's style !

As psychedelia kicked in around '67 Doug went a bit "way out" as many performers did and it was around that time that his distinctive image and appearance was set in stone : frizzy afro style hair and pencil thin goatee beard . And he looks exactly the same today, not changed a bit. He is also a BIG guy and if you blinked for a moment you could certainly mistake him for a light skinned black guy !!! He certainly sings like one !!!

By the end of the late 60's he had a massive chart hit with a super-soulful version of the Beatles "Dear Prudence" and he had further hits into the early 70's in a heavier RnB / guitar vein.

But as time wore on into the mid 70's he followed his true musical calling as a genuine SOUL man and he became a central figure in the absolutely cooking local Sydney LIVE JAZZ FUNK SOUL scene in the mid to late 70's along with Marcia "You Gotta Let Go" Hines, Renee "Be There In The Morning" Geyer , the Hot City Bump Band, Johnny Rocco , Doug "Love Will Bring You Home" Williams (of Rockmelons fame - Searling again!) (incidentally Doug Williams once told me that at one time he actually recorded with with northern legends the Younghearts of Countdown Here I Come and A Little Togetherness fame when Williams was living in LA!) not to mention Delilah , Chelsea Brown (the black chick of 'Laugh In" US TV fame ) and Freddie Parris (yes that Freddie Parris!), and Steve Clisby the incredible original lead voice of US soul legends American Gypsy !!! But I digress ...

Doug Parkinson recorded I'll Be Around in 1977 and it hit BIG on the Aussie charts. But success on the Australian pop music scene in the 70's never translated into riches so Doug - for the next 30 years up to the present day - has had to scrape a modest living and as a result has been constantly in demand for his singing voice on TV commercials for everything from Amoco petrol to mobile car repair companies !!! His huge soulful voice is instantly recognisable from the first few notes !!!

He has NEVER been a cabaret or middle of the road singer at any time but that's been the "perception" amongst the general population Down Under because of the fact of his physical appearance and his biggest hit I'll Be Around came at the height of DISCO and because he's had to scrape a living as a singer he has often done shows in fooball clubs and retired servicemen's clubs !!!

So he's always been saddled with that "perception". But ask any famous Australian musician or performer from the 60s70s80s and all have the utmost respect for the man !!! A Val Doonican or Englebert Humperdinck clone ? No way ! Only in the eyes of the ignorant or musically tasteless ! More like Teddy Pendergrass or Marvin Junior !

And he just happens to be a really down to earth quietly spoken humble kinda guy too !!!!

As for the popularity of I'll Be Around on the northern scene, I met Dave Sinclair in Melbourne in the late 80's after I had promoted the first ever Northern Soul Allnighters in Australia and Dave DID confirm that it was he who had introduced the record to Richard Searling ! As Maria mentioned , Dave is still in Melbourne and can be contacted. (Maria are you in Sydney at the moment ?)

Let me just finish with this (and no I'm not Doug Parkinson's personal promotions company!) if Doug ever were to get the opportunity to record that voice of his on a full LP worth of original written tunes with a collection of soulful US musos the results would certainly be soulfully spectacular !

Edited April 13, 200718 yr by sunnysoul