Where do you start a series of blog posts about Northern Soul? How about with my current Top Ten Favorite Northern Soul tunes, in no particular order. I say current, because we all know our Top Tens change like the weather!
1. The 7th Avenue Aviators - You Should O' Held On - Congress 255
My early introduction to Northern Soul was through UK compilation LPs. Primarily Kent and Soul Supply. One of the first Kent LPs I bought was "Footstompers" (Kent 17). The whole LP blew me away, so I decided that I had to own every record on that LP, starting with the 7th Avenue Aviators. I learned later that Frankie Karl & The Chevrons was the first release, but the Congress one holds a special place in my heart because of that LP. What a song! To me, with its stop start, pounding back beat, and group vocals, this song out Temptations the Temptations. I absolutely love it.
As a side note, other than the Len Barry, was was only on an acetate LP, I have owned, at some point, every record from that LP.
2. Tony Drake - Suddenly - Brunswick 55437
The very first Kent LP I bought was "Soul Agents" (Kent 25) which started a lifetime love of Brunswick. I would buy anything on Brunswick I saw and usually wasn't disappointed. In the early 90s, in the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania, I found a Tony Drake for $5. It blew me away and quickly became a favourite that I thought no one else knew about. How amazed was I then, when Ady Croasdell walked into Empire State Soul Club one night with Tony Drake!
3. The Cautions - No Other Way - Shrine 115
The first Northern Soul fanzine I saw was Derek Pearson's "Shades of Soul." The first issues I saw showed a growing UK obsession with Shrine Records. I was trading tapes at that time with Geoff Whitfield, and many of the tapes I got featured Shrine recordings. This was well before any compilations of the label had been released. The track that stood out the most to me was The Cautions "No Other Way." It epitomised everything about Northern Soul that I had read explaining what it was. Bang Bang Bang, straight into the 4 beats to the bar backing, over the top production, with everything including the kitchen sink thrown in! How I got my first copy is a tale for another day though.
Part Two to follow