Two weeks ago the DVD for the 2014 movie Northern Soul appeared in my mailbox and sent me spiraling down a rabbit hole that included the purchase of this soundtrack set as well as locating several books on the subject.
First, the movie: Meh. Not much of plot, poorly written dialogue, and no character development. But the dance scenes are entertaining and the soundtrack is so good that it prompts people like myself to buy soundtrack CDs. All of these songs didn't appear in the movie, but that's of little consequence to me.
The book I picked up was Soul Survivors: The Wigan Casino Story. Again, meh. A bit wordy with many editing errors. Admittedly, it must be tough to stretch out what would be a Wikipedia post into a full book. And an index would have been useful. Heck, this CD set's liner notes were as helpful as the book. However, the book does contain several song lists/DJ set lists that I found useful. But there are plenty of Northern Soul books so I can keep looking and reading.
For a brief description/definition of the Northern Soul movement/music, click here.
Finally, this CD is a great primer for Northern Soul rookies such as myself. I've been a dancing fool since these discs arrived. Considering all these tracks weren't hits or b-sides, the music is exceptionally good, which speaks more to the racism of the '60s than to the quality of the music.
First, the movie: Meh. Not much of plot, poorly written dialogue, and no character development. But the dance scenes are entertaining and the soundtrack is so good that it prompts people like myself to buy soundtrack CDs. All of these songs didn't appear in the movie, but that's of little consequence to me.
The book I picked up was Soul Survivors: The Wigan Casino Story. Again, meh. A bit wordy with many editing errors. Admittedly, it must be tough to stretch out what would be a Wikipedia post into a full book. And an index would have been useful. Heck, this CD set's liner notes were as helpful as the book. However, the book does contain several song lists/DJ set lists that I found useful. But there are plenty of Northern Soul books so I can keep looking and reading.
For a brief description/definition of the Northern Soul movement/music, click here.
Finally, this CD is a great primer for Northern Soul rookies such as myself. I've been a dancing fool since these discs arrived. Considering all these tracks weren't hits or b-sides, the music is exceptionally good, which speaks more to the racism of the '60s than to the quality of the music.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: did not chart
Tracks: 95% of these tracks were new to me and they're all representative Northern Soul. Don't skip any (and bust out your dancin' shoes), but the ones I've marked with a ✔ are tracks I find to be a cut above.
CD1 (27 tracks, 74:07):
| Artist | Title | Year | |
| Billy Butler | Right Track | 1966 | ✔ |
| Edwin Starr | Back Street | 1966 | ✔ |
| Shirley Ellis | Soul Time | 1966 | ✔ |
| The Vel-Vets | I Gotta Find Me Somebody | 1967 | |
| The Precisions | If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely) | 1967 | ✔ |
| James Fountain | Seven Day Lover | 1970 | |
| Towanda Jones | You Don't Mean It | 1969 | |
| Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons | The Night | 1972 | ✔ |
| Lou Pride | I'm Com'un Home in the Morn'un | 1965 | |
| Gwen Owens | (Just Say) You're Wanted and Needed | 1966 | |
| Freddy Chavez | They'll Never Know Why | 1968 | |
| Don Varner | Tear Stained Face | 1967 | ✔ |
| Duke Browner | Crying Over You | 1966 | |
| The Luther Ingram Orchestra | Exus Trek | 1966 | |
| Larry Williams & Johnny Watson | Too Late | 1967 | |
| The Crow | Your Autumn of Tomorrow | 1970 | |
| Eddie Parker | I'm Gone | 1968 | |
| The Tomangoes | I Really Love You | 1967 | |
| Marvin Gaye | This Love Starved Heart of Mine (It's Killing Me) | 196? | |
| The Salvadors | Stick By Me Baby | 1967 | ✔ |
| Edwin Starr | Time | 1970 | ✔ |
| Don Thomas | Come On Train | 1973 | ✔ |
| Sam Dees | Lonely For You Baby | 1968 | |
| Rita & The Tiaras | Gone With the Wind Is My Love | 1967 | |
| The Originals | Suspicion | 1966 | |
| The MVP's | Turning My Heartbeat Up | 1972 | ✔ |
| Tobi Legend | Time Will Pass You By | 1968 | ✔ |
CD2 (27 tracks, 72:50):
| Artist | Title | Year | |
| Mel Britt | She'll Come Running Back | 1969 | ✔ |
| Patrinell Staten | Little Love Affair | 1969 | |
| Epitome of Sound | You Don't Love Me | 1968 | |
| Linda Jones | I Just Can't Live My Life (Without You Babe) | 1969 | ✔ |
| Darrow Fletcher | What Good Am I Without You | 1967 | |
| Eddie Holman | I Surrender | 1969 | ✔ |
| The Group feat Cecil Washington | I Don't Like To Lose | 1967 | |
| Tony Galla | In Love | 1967 | |
| Herbert Hunter | I Was Born to Love You | 1966 | |
| Jimmy Burns | I Really Love You | 1965 | ✔ |
| Bob Relf | Blowing My Mind to Pieces | 1968 | |
| The Ivories | Please Stay | 1967 | |
| Johnny Howard | The Chase is On | 1969 | ✔ |
| The Admirations | You Left Me | 1966 | |
| The Royal Esquires | Ain't Gonna Run | 1969 | |
| The Antellects | Love Slave | 1967 | |
| Ronnie & Robyn | As Long as You Love Me (I'll Stay) | 1968 | |
| Milton James | My Lonely Feeling | 1966 | ✔ |
| Charlene & The Soul Serenaders | Can You Win | 1970 | |
| Lester Tipton | This Won't Change | 1966 | |
| Eloise Laws | Love Factory | 1973 | |
| Joe Tex | Under Your Powerful Love | 1973 | ✔ |
| The Carstairs | It Really Hurts Me Girl | 1973 | |
| The Montclairs | Hung Up On Your Love | 1973 | |
| Edward Hamilton & The Arabians | Baby Don't You Weep | 1967 | ✔ |
| Melba Moore | The Magic Touch | 1967 | ✔ |
| Dena Barnes | If You Ever Walked Out of My Life | 1967 |
Also included in this set was a brief DVD with only two features:
- a 19 minute interview with the film's director. Nothing to see here, move along.
- a 24 minute audio interview (with cheesy sound effects overdubs) with DJ Richard Searling under a slide show of his memorabilia from the 70s. Worth a listen.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see above
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