John Benson

Coming from South Yorkshire, I guess I can't avoid coming under the 'northerner' group. But as I left school in 1970 aged 16 (going on 17) I worked in a factory, but never considered it mundane or bleak as the TV programmes give the impression. Maybe it was because I was An apprentice learning a trade, I don't really know? Anyway, the places I went to prior to and after leaving school, did play soul music, from new released Stax, Atlantic, Hot Wax, Invictus things mixed in with Motown and what I found out a little later, the older things - well 4 to 5 years older was a long time then! They were things which had filtered out from the all nighters around the area, which would have been The Mojo, Twisted Wheel, and lots more which have been documented many times in the past. It was just referred to as soul music as far as I recall, nothing else. Certainly not Northern, although I do remember Dave Godins articles using the 'Northern' term, I just assumed he was referring to people from the North, not particularly defining the musical style as such, although it obviously did happen later. I remember my first venture to an all nighter being a disaster as a mate and myself decided to go to Crewe to Up The Junction - the night they decided there was no longer going to be any there! That would have been in 1972. I can't recalling hearing the ' northern' term used out and about until after then, maybe during the next few years and that was mainly used by the younger kids who would then be hearing it after it started getting more popular / widely played after Wigan started getting in the papers etc. But it's quite a few years back now, so maybe others remember it differently?

True, they don't seem to turn up very often as issue copies. But it also got released in Italy and Jamaica with the same two sides (unlike the UK) so that gives you a few more chances to turn one up - good hunting!

Thanks for the info Lee-Ann!

Hmmm, it shows 211 and 214 but 212 isn't there? Agreed then we could really do with a picture or confirmation from someone who has a copy.

The listing for the JA copy on Discogs states the artist on the other side as The Gaytones - but there's no picture of it: https://www.discogs.com/First-Generations-The-Gaytones-Give-Him-Up-Another-Version/release/5435928 Gay Feet 212 I assume 'Another version' means maybe a dub / instrumental version of the song?

Yep, 1970 it is:

I've been sort of half looking for a copy for some years, but not yet come across one - so if a third one should surface......

One of my recent watches went through with no bids, I was going to put a bid on but simply forgot at the time. It came back on this week, so I swiftly put one on and within a day it now has had 3 bids and now I'm not the winning bidder without hiking the price up further! Two things here, one is that simply no one interested in it saw it first time around. Another is the seller has another 'bidder' who puts the price up higher, but this time overshot my maximum bid... Who knows but unless I bid again I may never know, unless someone else steps in and the price goes up anyway. Is it worth the gamble? I guess that's an individual's choice, I'll probably just let it go and watch what happens - all part of the research aspect isn't it?

So, all we need now is someone who actually owns one to confirm it's existence?

Yes, a title for the B side would probably clinch it. I can't say as I've ever seen a title for that side listed anywhere!

Going back to Dave's original 'weight lifter' comment. It's a fairly well known fact that young children automatically pick things up correctly, ie back straight etc. - it's as we get older that we stop doing it that way!

Good point Mart, what about that Lynn White 45 then Russ? Can we bill you for both our wasted times looking for this one? :-)

Errrr, that Jesse James might be tough to find.... Because I was thinking of the wrong track! I was thinking of "No matter where you go" / "You ought to be here with me" on 20th Century 2118 - Ooooops! The Soul Children is still OK though, that's on Stax 3214 There, I feel better now, confession over, sorry about that Russ!

Yes, as far as I know only the Soul Children and Jesse James are on singles. But YOU never said it was an LP only set, that was other people - you just said you were playing LP tracks, which is just what you did! Agreed though, another good afternoon session with a great selection of music from everyone to go with it!

Before I heard it, I thought it might be a version of the Freddie James song on Black Sun - but that was soon proved wrong!

I tend to watch things to get an idea what they sell for and also to see how many bid on them. Also just to check on the conditions of things going through and get an idea of the general quality and quantities around. Sometimes I put a bid in, other times I don't - or just forget! I guess different people will have different reasons, as already mentioned above.

One of the Knight Brothers then I take it?

Dave, this is one that Steve Plumb has given the odd spin over recent years. I've had a look around on numerous occasions but only the demos of the A side tend to come up Good luck!

I'd have to have a listen to be certain, but the timing on my New Zealand copy makes it the 'long' version.

A few days off SS and I come back to this... Very sad news indeed! Never met Bob in person but communicated many times over various forums over the years. His interviews with the 'unsung' heros of the Chicago soul scene over the years were and still are essential listening. Its hard to put in words what a sad loss this is. My thoughts go out to all his family and friends, RIP Bob

Sounds like a case of newbie needs to read terms and conditions before bidding / buying. Let alone them wait until actually leaving feedback. Some people just don't read things correctly, if at all

As far as I can remember, it was getting plays more like sometime in 1974, I had it on a tape around then and it was getting a few plays here and there. Couldn't say who got it started off though...

Gladys Knight & The Pips - You've lost that loving feeling - UK, Phillipines & Holland, maybe others?

Looking on the credits for the LP, there's no obvious names on there (to me) - other than The Blackberries who backed quite a few more well known Soul artists. It certainly has a Memphis / Southern sound about it, that's for sure!

Well, if I ever knew that came out on a single anywhere, then I must have forgotten about it... Nice one from the land of the rising sun