Roburt

YES

I like the many French EPs that were put out in the 60's, a great picture cover (usually) plus unusual tracks for a 7" release (Stevie Wonder -- Love A GoGo for instance). Even more 4 track EP's in Brazil as there 7"ers were done at 33rpm. So they had extra space on the vinyl that allowed the additional track to be added to each side of the disc. The majority of the Brazilian releases came in piccy covers too.

It was definitely considered a soul record when it 1st came out. From its US 45 release to it making the UK pop chart it was a massive Mojo Club play. Got plays from around mid August 67 when the Mojo had gone to Alldayers instead of nighters .... but a last couple of niters kicked in before the council forced the clubs close down & it was played at them as well (as I remember at least). It was a massive US R&B + Pop chart hit from the off ....... it had made the Aussie pop Top 10 by Jan 68 and the UK Pop Top 10 by Feb 68.

Much respect to the BBC crew that made the documentary ...... obviously done with a lot of care & love. Reminds you just how great the big label stuff was (Stax, etc) ... it ain't all about obscure rarities. Mind you, it was Otis (+ Sam & Dave) that 1st got me into soul, so I might be a bit biased.

I live in ..... a house ......... smart arse (right back at you) ..... I grew up listening to the crappy UK covers coz that's all the BBC would play, so I know what I'm talkin about. The UK covers (99.9% of em at least) can't hold a candle to the originals ..... never have & never will do.

The depth .............. right down to the very deepest level of crap ........ The quality ........ almost completely none existent in 99.9% of Brit covers.

Don't know what you mean, I quite like the sound of the 'Soup for Sluts'. Can't buy that in Tescos.

My son used to live 'round the corner' from Greg ..... he (Greg) took me to my 1st NY record fair about 15 years back (got some good stuff as well).

Seems that the record shop is still there ... AND ... now sells FOOD as well !!!!! ... https://theboken.com/hoboken/tunes-record-store-in-hoboken-sells-ramen-noodles-for-broke-lazy-sluts/ https://www.recordstoreday.com/Venue/5344

You could always go watch the 'Motown Story' musical play on Broadway. BUT .... if Manhattan, New York gets a bit too hectic, catch a ferry (or jump on the PATH) and travel the 5/10 minutes across to Hoboken (NJ). Great views from there of Manhattan plus a fine waterfront area (Frank Sinista's birth place & where 'On The Waterfront' was shot about 50 years ago). The place has a 'village feel' that is much removed from the bustle of Manhattan. Clam Chowder House is a great place to eat. Maxwells often has good live acts on (Bettye LaVette & the like). There used to be a good record shop on the main street (Washington) which might still be operating ...... ... AND .... you might even bump into Greg Tormo who lives there.

The theatre closed in the 70's and was used as a church in the 80's .... .... but after that it fell into disrepair .....

The Uptown --- outside & in ... ...... the theatre could house up to 2,100 people and back in the 60's was just about always sold out when a top touring package played the venue.

Tammi Terrell (& her sister) outside the Uptown around October 69 .... about 6 months before she died. When not being used to stage live shows, like the other chitlin circuit theatres, the venue was a cinema & screened all the top movies.

I've already bought a copy as it looks like it will be a very informative book on this iconic venue .... An extract from the book ..........

With at least 3 books that will make mention of Philly soul in the 60's / 70's due out in the near future, another one has beaten them all to the finish line ..... ALREADY AVAILABLE is ....... “Joy Ride! The Stars and Stories of Philly’s Famous Uptown Theater” ..... “Joy Ride! The Stars and Stories of Philly’s Famous Uptown Theater” is the exclusive, behind-the-scenes, inside story of iconic disc jockey Georgie Woods’ spectacular R&B shows at Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater, and how the controlled creative chaos at the majestic movie house inspired “The Philly Sound.” Told by the people who actually lived it, “Joy Ride!” is the first comprehensive history on the Uptown, which was once a mandatory stop on the legendary “chitlin’ circuit.” It features the intimate, amusing, outrageous and sometimes scandalous stories of dozens of decorated entertainers, including 11 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. All agree that like Georgie Woods’ soulful theme song that opened his R&B extravaganzas, every show at the Uptown Theater was a“Joy Ride!” ...... see here ....... .https://www.phillytrib.com/lifestylesarticles/item/9303-joy-ride-tells-story-of-historic-uptown-theater.html ... AND HERE ....https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stories-Phillys-Famous-Uptown-Theater/dp/1479789003/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

You're right, it had to be the US cover by Louis Jordan that Georgie was 'following' musically rather than the Gene McDaniels original / hit version. Yet another version to throw into the mix then ......

This is one of the few records that would benefit from having the vocals removed & being turned into an instrumental dancer (the vocals are that poppy and crap). Can't say its a track I'd ever want to listen to away from a nighter venue, much better sticking with sumat with decent soulful vocals for real listening purposes.

Sooty, I think Gene McDaniels vocal on "Point of No Return" is better than Georgie's .... but I like the musical approach / arrangement of Georgie's track the better. The backing on GMcD's version is much more poppy / gimmicky IMO. George does it more jazzy R&B style.

In my opinion, 99% of UK covers of R&B / soul songs are total crap. How anyone who says they like soul can put the Moody Blue's abysmal version of "Go Now" above Bessie Bank's classic version is totally beyond me. Most acts were just using existing hit US tunes to get a 'head start' in getting themselves into the UK charts. Many times it was the producers fault, they took a US song and cut it on the next act they had in the studio. From 1962 (say) through to around 1968, R&B / soul was the 'in-flavour'. Just about every UK act filled their live act with covers of US tunes. Artists such as the Searchers, Hollies, Amen Corner, the Move, Simon Dupree and millions more would trot out awful versions of "Open The Door To Your Heart", "The In Crowd", "Knock On Wood" and hundreds more. Many folk wax lyrical about the cuts made by the Walker Brothers. I hate just about every cover this transplanted US act cut here, the original versions of the songs they took into the charts were ALWAYS better (IMO). A few UK acts cut covers as they really admired the original US versions which had largely gone unnoticed by the UK record buying public (coz gudol Auntie BBC would always play the UK cover ahead of the US original from 1960 to the start up of Radio One). A guy (who again IMO) did pay homage to the originals with his version was Georgie Fame. He cut loads of covers, though he usually only intended his version to be a LP track that reflected what songs he was performing live at the time (his record company sensing bigger sales, did otherwise). MY NOMINATION for a track where a UK artist (Georgie Fame) cover was better than the US original (Gene McDaniels) is this ......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5867K7iSUo

The Dixon family (out of Pittsburgh) made up the Caprells .... and they owned / ran the Bano label. Guess they pressed one version of the 45 up to meet local sales and when it took off over a wider geographic area of the States, they did a 2nd press. Some of their Bano cuts were picked up for national distribution by Ariola America Records. Lots of info on the group on another current thread.

An interview about this film ............ https://blogs.kqed.org/pop/2013/05/03/twenty-feet-from-stardom-the-world-of-backup-singers/

So he must be Winston Francis as well ?!? .......

Trentham Gardens ..... 1999 ... the Dells in full swing on stage ............. so just why is 'our kid' posing while Dave Leedham takes a portrait shot of him ......... .... surely, like me, he should have had 100% of his attention focused on the great group on stage !!!!

Another of his old efforts .......... ... don't think many Fleetwood Mac fans would be too impressed .........

On DISCOGS, it says that the Soul Vibe label was US based. The producer of "I Wonder Why" was Errol Thompson. He also worked with the likes of Horace Andy, Gregory Isaacs & Dennis Brown back then. The Well Charged (group) web site ... https://www.wellcharged.com/ The group with Winston (W King Cole) still play gigs, can't be bad as he must be a good age. It says on there that the original version was cut & released in 66 but I think that's about 8 years too early.