Roburt

The Dells gig was at Trentham Gardens (Stoke) .... I know coz I was there. The group were OK , well better than OK , well better even than that really. In fact they were bl**dy fantastic, think I had a tear in my eye for most of their performance.

The Paramounts (who evolved into Procol Harum) cut a version of the Coasters "Poison Ivy" in 1963 YEARS LATER ... after some early Procol Harum members quit the group, old members of the Paramounts were recruited to fill the gaps in the group's line up. This change in personnel seemed to trigger a swing back more to the original group's R&B beginnings .... ............ Here's a Procol Harum fans thoughts on what the group were up to in the mid 70's .... .... Further exploring the roots of rock, Procol Harum now allied themselves with the legendary writing team of Leiber & Stoller. They produced the follow-up album, 'Procol's Ninth.' Again, despite the Beethoven allusion, this was rock, not a symphonic roll. Released in April of 1975, the album gave Gary a chance to show off the old PARAMOUNTS enthusiasm for Leiber & Stoller's writing. Instead of a Coasters cover, this time he sang a Chuck Jackson number: 'I Keep Forgettin'' An improvement on the original thanks to Gary's vocals and the absence of novelty percussion, it should've been a hit single. OF COURSE the group's version of "I Keep Forgettin" was much better than Chuck's original ... I mean, Chuck hardly had a decent vocal style did he !!!!

Put up an ad for a show undertaken by the Laddins as Post No.90 ....... The group continued to play loads of gigs around the Miami area even after they changed their name to the Steinways. I've seen it written that the group (who of course cut for the ABC sub-label Oliver -- run by the young Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell) actually relocated to live in Florida, but I don't know if this is actually correct. They also played the UK in the 60's .... touring here as either the Showstoppers or the Platters !!! Anyone here recall seeing the fake Showstoppers or 'Original' Platters group back then ?? I think it was the Internationals who toured here as the Showstoppers but the 'remnants' of the Steinways could well have been the Platters here in the UK. I know the likes of Roy Tempest (the worst culprit among UK booking agents) fetched over the Invitations, the Internationals (Persuaders), the Diplomats (Sam, Erv & Tom actually), the Gypsies, the Topics & more. All these group knew / shared ties with the Laddins / Steinways, so the group could well have been brought over here as well. the Steinways UK visit would have been around 1968 (their Oliver 45's being released in 1966). Frankie Gearing had split off from the guys (to be in the Glories) in early 67 and the Laddins original lead David Coleman had left the group in 1965 and by 67 was with Hector Rivera's Orchestra (recording for BARRY). So who the members of the group were when they came to the UK, I am unsure. By the mid 70's (when the Steinways 45 was a big UK NS sound) the remnants of the group were playing Oldies shows around the NY area, totally oblivious that a 2nd UK visit could earn them some cash......as themselves. Back in the mid 60's, the group were well thought of among the Florida soul radio DJ community, so their Oliver 45's got loads of plays on the airwaves down there. Anyway, here's a Miami show they undertook as the Steinways ....

Just so everyone knows what's being discussed ....

Marie Knight had beaten LaVerne Baker onto the stage at Mr. James Club all those years ago ... ... the Bell Brothers & the two great local bands had already started their 'residencies' at the club.

Another show at Mr. James Club ............ LaVerne Baker was supported on this show by local group the Bell Brothers (& 2 great local bands).

Don't like the hit version of "California Dreaming" but love 2/3 of the soul covers of the song (Womack & Marlena Shaw in particular).

Jose Feliciano did a few really guduns. Reffa of course lived on covers, most being the best. Loving Curtis M songs as much as I do; there are some really good covers of his compositions ... & a few not so guduns. If the Imps cut a version of a Curtis M song, I always class this as the original ... even if the likes of Major Lance, Gene Chandler, Walter Jackson, etc had the hit 45 version. For the worst soul covers, you need look no further than any one of 100's of UK 'beat group' versions of fine soul songs .... but the real murderer of the best of soul songs was Janis 'I can't sing for toffee' Joplin.

Saw Sam & Dave at Sheffield City Hall around 1968 (their 1st UK visit after the Stax / Volt tour).... they were more than great !!

I can see Russ now ... red cod piece; 'out on the floor' dancing to "Oops upside my deck".

Curtis Mayfield .... with Dee Dee Warwick on the same bill. Then the Artistics & Fascinations on the same bill backed up by a Chicago band led by Richard Evans or Phil Upchurch.

Some of the acts in that Cleve soul montage are ..... Lou Ragland, O,Jays, Intertains, Billy Wells, Kim Tolliver, George Hendrix (of Challengers & more), Taurus & Leo, Edwin Starr & Seven Miles High (Lou R,s old Hot Chocolate).

One of them sold comics & records. I think Joe Tex sold jeans, I can,t recall what the Funkshop sold.I took pictures of all 3 shops & close ups of their signs, but it will have to wait until I get home before I can download em from my camera & post em here. BTW, came across an open market & one of the stalls sold records. Only got to look thru the 45,s (the wife was on my case) but I came away with 3 French 45,s (all 70,s soul).God, these French computer keybords are difficult, they have loads of wrong keys (they don,t follow QWERTY rules anyway).

Not really the right thread to post this under ... ... but as I started this thread .. who,s gonna complain ... In France at present; well Lille to be exact. Went out this morning with the camera & walking down one street, came across 3 shops next to each other ... 1st one was called Joe Tex ... next one Jet Set (after the DC record label or French reggae label?) and the last one FUNKSHOP .... most soulful street of shops I,ve come across.

Yep, thats true.Gene Dozier had himself quite a good thing going at Golden World until the Philly soul crew turned up to cut some tracks there. They asked why everyone in Detroit referred to Ugene under a false name ..... it was only then that the Detroit crew learnt who Ugene really was & coz he had told them a few lies to get his foot in the door, his services were dispensed with.

Soulwaxusa, the Wreck Bar at Castaways sounds quite a place. What was it like to watch a show there ?? Here's another 'white' venue from back then ....

I have a couple of ads for Wayne Cochran shows .... ... here's one of them .....

Steve, "Housewife Blues" gets a mention in post #12 -- from what Rudy told me, the song's theme seemed to be inspired by Jessica Cleaves. Bob, I spent hours talking with Rudy & he never once mentioned the Kanwic 45. His 1st 45 on Canyon ("Sufferin Wrath") has enjoyed quite a bit of exposure here in the UK over the last few years.

Just about all the Lonnie Youngblood tracks that its claimed Hendrix played on (his Fairmount ones) have been released on numerous CD compilations .... usually badged up as 'Early Hendrix'. Many of these CD's used to be in all the UK 'discount stores' at 99p a copy (or similar prices). You can still easily get them on-line for a few quid a copy -- think they include some Fairmount tracks that never actually escaped back in the day (some of these CD's include 2/3/4 takes on a couple of his tracks). Daft thing is, according to Lonnie Y, Hendrix didn't play on any of his sessions. Have the 'other' Hendrix tracks (including "it's gonna take a lot") also been made available on CD in recent times (there are SO MANNYYY 'Early Hendrix' CD compilations out there, I can't find the time to check through them all).

A poster produced to plug the 'Night Train To Nashville' CD's (see post 118)........

The Drifters at the Island Club in 1965 .....

Whilst at an early Cleggy Weekender, I guy came round our chalet with some 45's for sale. Back then, Paul Temple was still allowed to 'come out to play' with the soul boys, so the guy was pitching his 45's to Paul (being a Merchant *anker he always has £100's going spare). Anyway, he put this 45 on the deck & Paul said ... "no, don't like that". Everyone else in the room jumped forward saying "If it ain't too expensive, I'll have that" (think Charlie Rees was the one who's cash was accepted). Paul T stood there nonplussed & couldn't understand why anyone would be clamouring for a 45 you couldn't dance to !!! Needless to say, I searched out a copy right after the weekender & its been in my collection ever since.

Back to the 'black' clubs ......... The Drifters didn't just play the Miami Beach venues in the mid to late 60's ....

A link to the 'Night Train To Nashville' book ........ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Train-Nashville-Rhythm-1945-1970/dp/0915608227/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342174369&sr=1-1

As Miami related tracks are now being discussed in this thread .... ... thought I'd add this bit of info about the Marvells / Fabulettes (already featured in a number of earlier posts here) ... There is a US CD series (2 x 2fer CDsets) + an associated book titled 'Night Train To Nashville' that deals with Nashville R&B .... One of the tracks on Vol.2 is the Fabulettes "Screamin & Shoutin" cut for Sound Stage 7 in 1966. I guess this had to be recorded in Nashville (& their earlier cuts as the Fabulettes must also have been cut up there). Anyone know for sure where their tracks were cut (studio; city) ?? NIGHT TRAIN TO NASHVILLE Vol.2 CD .... TRACK LISTING .... Disc: 1 1. Boogie Woogie Jockey - Jimmy Sweeney 2. Gene Nobles Boogie - Richard Armstrong 3. All States Boogie - Ivory Joe Hunter 4. Wail Daddy - Charlie Dowell & Orchestra 5. 31 E blues - Billie McAllister 6. No Better For You - Gay Crosse & The Good Humor Six 7. You Belong To Me - Helen Foster 8. Too Much - Bernard Hardison 9. If Things Don't Change - Gene Allison 10. Love, Love, Love - Ted Jarret 11. Miss You So - Lillian Offitt 12. Little Darlin - The Gladiolas 13. No Fool No More - Charles Walker & The Daffodils 14. Pretty Please - The Kinglets With Leroy Thomas 15. She Can Rock - Little Ike 16. I'm Coming Home - The Neptunes 17. You Better Change - Hal & Jean 18. OK, So What? - Freddie North 19. She Wears My Ring - Jimmy Bell Disc: 2 1. Docter Feel Good - Dr. Feelgood & The Interns (Piano Red) 2. I'm A Woman - Christine Kittrell 3. Don't Pity Me - Herbert Hunter 4. Next To Me - Clyde McPhatter 5. Release Me - Esther Phillips 6. Soldier Of Love - Arther Alexander 7. Don't Take My Kindness For A Weakness - Earl Gaines 8. That's My Man - Marion James 9. Strain On My Heart - Roscoe Shelton 10. Soul Poppin' - Johnny Jones & The King Casuals 11. Swinging Soul Medallion Commercial - John Rouchberg 12. Right On Time - Jimmy Church 13. Judy - Frank Howard 14. Leave It Up To The Boys - Sandra King 15. Don't You Forget That You're My Baby - The Spidells 16. I'm Free - Johnny Bragg 17. Screamin' And Shoutin' - The Fabulettes 18. (You Keep Me) Hangin' On - Joe Simon 19. She's All I Got - Freddie North 20. Lucky Lou - The Imperials