Northern Soul Documentary – Living for the Weekend

Northern Soul Documentary – Living for the Weekend   History & Culture

notes:

Northern Soul: Living for the Weekend is a powerful BBC documentary that 

captures the heart of the Northern Soul movement and the passion of the 

people who lived for the music, the dancing, and the weekend all-nighters.

 More than just a music film, it is a portrait of a working-class youth culture 

driven by rare soul records and an obsession with the dancefloor.

This documentary explores the rise of Northern Soul in Britain during 

the late 1960s and 1970s. It focuses on the scene’s dedicated followers 

who travelled across the country every weekend to attend legendary 

all-night dance events in clubs and ballrooms.Rather than concentrating 

only on famous venues, the film tells the story through the voices of the 

dancers, DJs, and collectors who built the movement from the ground up.

The Northern Soul Movement

Northern Soul was based on a love of obscure American soul records,

 usually fast-tempo tracks released on small US labels. These records 

often failed commercially in America but became

 highly prized in the UK club scene.

part1   link

 

part2   link

 

link

Earl Van Dyke And The Soul Brothers That Motown Sound

Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers – That Motown Sound (1965 LP)

 Motown records 1965  M 631

notes:

Earl Van Dyke (July 8, 1930,  September 18, 1992) was an African 

American soul musician, most notable as the main keyboardist

 for Motown Records' in-house Funk Brothers band during the late 

1960s and early 1970s. Van Dyke, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, 

United States, was preceded as keyboardist and bandleader of the 

Funk Brothers by Joe Hunter. In the early 1960s, he also recorded as 

a jazz organist with saxophonists Fred Jackson and Ike Quebec 

for the Blue Note label.

That Motown Sound is a 1965 instrumental LP showcasing some of 

Motown’s most iconic backing tracks — but with Van Dyke’s organ 

and piano taking the lead. The album features versions of well-known

 Motown hits, transformed through vibrant keyboard 

performances and tight rhythmic grooves.

credits:

Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers – Line-up

Earl Van Dyke – Hammond organ, piano (band leader)

James Jamerson – bass

Benny Benjamin – drums

Richard “Pistol” Allen – drums (some tracks)

Joe Messina – guitar

Robert White – guitar

Eddie Willis – guitar

Jack Ashford – tambourine, percussion

Recording period:

Late 1964 – early 1965

Motown Studio A (“Hitsville U.S.A.”), Detroit, Michigan

Producer Credits: Fuqua, Cosby & Stevenson

 

tracklkist:

A1 Nowhere To Run 2:58

A2 Come See About Me 2:39

A3 You're A Wonderful One 3:11

A4 How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) 2:50

A5 My Girl 2:44

A6 All For You 2:55

B1 Too Many Fish In The Sea 2:17

B2 Try It Baby 2:47

B3 The Way You Do The Things You Do 2:39

B4 Can I Get A Witness 2:41

B5 Can You Jerk Like Me 2:32

B6 Money (That's What I Want) 2:15

link

Earl Van Dyke – The Earl of Funk (1970)

Earl Van Dyke – The Earl of Funk 

(Rare Motown Soul & Funk Album)

Soul  records 1970 SS 715

notes:

A deep dive into Earl Van Dyke’s classic funk album The Earl of Funk

exploring its history, tracklist, and enduring legacy in Motown and soul music.

The Earl of Funk is a rare funk-leaning instrumental album credited to 

Earl Van Dyke. Originally released on the UNI/Motown label, the LP

features a mix of funky edits and soulful grooves that showcase 

Van Dyke’s organ mastery and the deep rhythm sensibilities of his band.

credits:

Earl Van Dyke – organ, keyboards

Cornell Dupree – guitar

Eddie Willis – guitar

James Jamerson – bass

Uriel Jones – drums

tracklist:

A1 Someday We`ll Be Together 3:04

Written-By – H. Fuqua*, J. Beavers*, J. Bristol*

A2 Rainy Night In Georgia 3:15

Written-By – T. White*

A3 "Thank You" Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin 4:45

Written-By – S. Stewart*

A4 Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye 2:59

Written-By – D. Frashuer*, G. DeCarlo*, P. Leka*

A5 Wichita Lineman 3:45

Written-By – J. Webb

A6 The Flick 3:50

Written-By – E. Van Dyke*, J. Jamerson*, R. White*

B1 Cissy Strut 4:30

Written-By – Neville*, Porter*, Modeliste*, Nocentelli*

B2 Stand By Me 4:50

Written-By – King, Glick

B3 My Cherie Amour 4:10

Written-By – H. Cosby*, S. Wonder*, S. Moy*

B4 Fuschia Moods 3:58

Written-By – B. Sheenhan*, E. Van Dyke*, G. Benson*

B5 The Stingray 4:50

Written-By – E. Van Dyke*

B6 The Whip A Rang 4:20

Written-By – E. Van Dyke*, H. Cosby*, S. Wonder*

link

Marvelous Marvelettes 1963

 

Marvelous Marvelettes (1963): A Motown Girl-Group Classic You Should Know

Tamla records ‎1963– TM-237

notes:

The Marvelous Marvelettes is the fourth studio album released by the Marvelettes

 for the Tamla label. It is the first album to not feature original Marvelette, 

Juanita Cowart (except on four tracks), who left the group in early 1963. The group

 would remain a quartet for the next two years. Also featured on the album is 

Rosalind Ashford of Martha and the Vandellas, who filled in for Marvelette Wanda

 Young in the studio while the latter was on maternity leave, while Florence Ballard

 of The Supremes replaced her in live performances. 

credits:

    Gladys Horton – lead vocals (all tracks); backing vocals on "Locking Up My Heart"

    Wanda Young – backing vocals (side A, tracks 1 and 3; 

side B, tracks 3 and 4); co-lead vocals 

on "Locking Up My Heart" (Recorded Hitsville U.S.A. (Studio A); January 8, 1963)

    Georgeanna Tillman – backing vocals (all tracks)

    Katherine Anderson – backing vocals (all tracks)

    Wyanetta "Juanita" Cowart - backing vocals (side A, track 1; side B, track 3)

    Rosalind Ashford - backing vocals (side A, tracks 2, 4, and 5; side B, 

tracks 1, 2, and 5)

    The Funk Brothers – instrumentation

    Brian Holland – producer

    William "Mickey" Stevenson – producer

    Lamont Dozier – producer

    Norman Whitfield – producer

    Berry Gordy – producer

Released February 28, 1963

Recorded Hitsville USA; 1962–1963

tracklist:

A1 Strange I Know

Brian Holland

2:38

A2 I Forgot About You

Mickey Stevenson*

2:55

A3 Locking Up My Heart

 Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier

2:22

A4 Which Way Did He Go

Mickey Stevenson

2:45

A5 Silly Boy

Norman Whitfield

2:10

B1 It's Going To Take A Lot Of Doing

Norman Whitfield, Mickey Stevenson*

2:31

B2 Smart Aleck

 Mickey Stevenson*

2:52

B3 My Daddy Knows Best

 Berry Gordy

2:28

B4 Too Strong To Be Strung Along

 Brian Holland

2:22

B5 Why Must You Go

 Norman Whitfield

2:10

link

The Marvelettes - Sophisticated Soul (1968)

The Marvelettes – Sophisticated Soul (1968 Motown Album Review & Tracklist)

Tamla Records   TS 286

notes:

Sophisticated Soul is the eighth album issued by Motown girl-group
the Marvelettes. It is the first album to feature Ann Bogan who replaced
 Gladys Horton in 1967 (although Horton's voice is featured on a few of the tracks),
 and most of the lead vocals are by Wanda Young. Like many Motown albums
 produced in the late 1960s, Sophisticated Soul featured backing from the Andantes,
 Motown's premier backing group, on certain tracks,
others feature Bogan and Katherine Anderson.

credits:

    Wanda Young — lead vocals, except on "I'm Gonna Hold On as Long as I Can"
    Katherine Anderson — backing vocals (side 2, tracks 1–3, and 5)
    Ann Bogan — backing vocals (side 2, tracks 5), lead vocals on "I'm Gonna Hold On as Long as I Can"
    Gladys Horton — backing vocals (side 2, tracks 1-3)
    The Andantes — backing vocals (side 1, tracks 1, 3–6; side 2, tracks 1-4, 6)
    Melvin Franklin — spoken intro on "My Baby Must Be a Magician"
    Smokey Robinson — producer
    Ashford & Simpson — producers, backing vocals on "Destination: Anywhere"
    The Funk Brothers — instrumentation
    Marv Tarplin — guitar

Recorded    1966–1968
 at Hitsville U.S.A. Studios, Detroit, MI
and Golden World Recording Studios, Detroit, MI
A1, A4, A5, B2, B4 produced by Smokey Robinson
A2 produced by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson
A3 produced by Frank Wilson
A6, B3 produced by William Weatherspoon and James Dean
B1, B5 produced by Ivy Jo Hunter
B6 produced by Richard Morris

tracklist:

A1 My Baby Must Be A Magician
    Written-By  Wm. Robinson*     
A2 Destination: Anywhere
    Written-By  Ashford, Simpson*      
A3 I'm Gonna Hold On Long As I Can
    Written-By  Wilson*, Manns*      
A4 Here I Am Baby
    Written-By  Wm. Robinson*     
A5 You're The One For Me Bobby
    Written-By  Wm. Robinson*     
A6 Reachin' For Something I Can't Have
    Written-By  Weatherspoon*, Dean, Weatherspoon*     
B1 Your Love Can Save Me
    Written-By  Ashford, Simpson*     
B2 You're The One
    Written-By  Wm. Robinson*     
B3 Don't Make Hurting Me A Habit
    Written-By  Dean, Weatherspoon*, Barnes*     
B4 What's Easy For Two Is Hard For One
    Written-By – Wm. Robinson*     
B5 The Stranger
    Written-By  I. Hunter*      
B6 Someway, Somehow
    Written-By  Morris, Moy

 

Link

The Spellbinders ‎– Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) 1966

The Spellbinders ‎– Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again) 1966 Soul 45 on Columbia

Columbia records‎ 1966– 4-43830

notes:

“Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again)” is a 1966 soul single by 

The Spellbinders, released on Columbia Records (catalog number 4-43830).

 The group is best remembered for their polished Chicago soul sound and 

their connection to producer Carl Davis, a key figure in mid-60s American soul music.

This release pairs the emotional mid-tempo A-side Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again)

 with the B-side You Need Me Too. The record features strong vocal harmonies 

and a classic arrangement typical of Columbia’s Chicago soul output during the period.

The Spellbinders found later appreciation among soul collectors and Northern Soul fans, 

and this 45rpm single is now sought after by vinyl enthusiasts interested i

n 1960s American soul and Chicago-based recordings.

credits:

  Arranged By – Van McCoy
    Producer – Kapralik*, McCoy*

tracks list:

A Help Me (Get Myself Back Together Again)
Written-By – K. Williams*

B Danny Boy
Written-By – F. Weatherly*

 

 

Link

 

 

James Harman Band – Cards On The Table (1994)

 

James Harman Band – Cards On The Table (1994)

  Blues & Soul Records

 Black Top Records 1994– CD BT 1104

notes:

James Gary Harman was an American blues harmonica player,
singer, and songwriter.[The music journalist Tony Russell described
Harman as an "amusing songwriter and an excellent, unfussy blues harp player"

credits:

    Art Direction – Bob Wynne
    Bass [Fender Bass], Acoustic Bass, Slide Guitar [Electric Bottle Neck Guitar],
     Baritone   Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone,
    Piano, Bass Clarinet – Jeff "Big Dad" Turmes
    Drums, Percussion – Michael "Buster" Cherry
    Electric Guitar – Robby "Sugar Boy" Eason*
    Guitar [Right Channel] – Anson Funderburgh (track : 4)
    Organ [Hammond "Ghetto-Tone" Organ] – John "Juke" Logan (track : 2)
    Organ [Hammond C-3 Organ] – Norman "Miami" Harris* (track : 11)
   
    Producer [Produced By] – Hammond Scott, Jerry Hall (2)
    Producer [Produced By], Liner Notes, Concept By [Packaging Concept] – James Harman
    Tenor Saxophone – Spyder Mittleman (tracks : 2, 5, 6, 11)
    Trombone – Bruce Glasberg (tracks : 2, 5)
    Trumpet – Gary Thomas (tracks : 2, 5)
    Vocals [Singin'], Harmonica [Blowin' Harmonica] – James "IcePick" Harman*  

    Engineer – Jerry Halll
    recorded – Westworld Recorders,
    Peace In The Valley Recording
    Mixed at – Peace In The Valley Recording
   Mastered By – Doug Sax
    Mixed By – Jerry Hall
   Producer [Produced By] – Hammond Scott, Jerry Hall
    Producer [Produced By], Liner Notes, Concept By [Packaging Concept] – James Harman

tracklist:

    1        Night Ridin' Daddy
Written-By – J. Harman*
5:15
2        Where's My Thang
Written-By – J. Harman*
7:26
3        Cards On The Table
Written-By – J. Harman*
3:47
4        'Temporary Blues
Written-By – J. Harman*
4:59
5        Black Under Black
Written-By – J. Harman*
3:55
6        Don't Spoil My View
Written-By – J. Harman*
3:26
7        Three Way Party
Written-By – J. Harman*
5:35
8        Sparks (Start Flyin')
Written-By – J. Harman*, J. Turmes*
4:00
9        Run, Run Tonight
Written-By – J. Harman*
2:36
10        Last Clean Shirt
Written-By – J. Leiber*, M. Stoller*
4:16
11        I'll Call You
Written-By – J. Turmes*
2:47
12        Crazy By Degrees
Written-By – J. Harman*
3:37
13        Walk The Streets (Cold And Lonely)
Written-By – J. Harman*
2:32

 link

 

 

 

The Spellbinders The Magic Of Of The Spellbinders (1966)

The Magic Of The Spellbinders (1966) – Rare Soul Album on Columbia Records

Columbia records 1966  CL 2514

notes:

The Spellbinders were a New Jersey–based soul group 

comprising Bobby Shivers, Elouise Pennington, Dee Grant, 

Jimmy Wright and McArthur Munford.

Best known for their recordings with Van McCoy, Ken Williams

 and David Kapralik, The Spellbinders had moderate chart success

 in the US, Canada and the United Kingdom, 

The band toured the US and Canada with acts like Arthur Conley, 

Joe Tex and Jackie Wilson, as well as the UK in 1965 and 1966,

 appearing at the legendary Northern Soul venue, the Mancheste

r Twisted Wheel. Jimi Hendrix, who lived in London at the time, 

made the journey northwards to see them there. The group also 

appeared on Top of the Pops, a UK pop TV program. Their recordings 

"Chain Reaction" and "Help Me" are very popular on the UK Northern Soul scene.

 

credits:

    Arranged By, Conductor – Van McCoy
    Co-producer – David Kapralik, Van McCoy

tracklist:

A1 We're Acting Like Lovers
S. Feldman, J. Klinger        
A2 For You
Van McCoy       
A3 Self Defense
S. Feldman, J. Klinger        
A4 One Of A Kind
S. Feldman, J. Klinger       
A5 A Little On The Blue Side
S. Gordon       
A6 Stone In Love
J. Curry       
B1 Baby, I Miss You
Van McCoy       
B2 That's The Way You Make Me Feel        
Van McCoy
B3 Chain Reaction
Van McCoy       
B4 Long Lost Love
B. D. Grant            
B5 I Need Your Love
J. Wright

link