Since September 2010, this blog has recorded the journey of this music junkie as I attempt to listen to all the music in my CD collection. CDs revisited in their entirety from start to finish - no skipping tracks, no shuffle. Compact Discs only - no vinyl, no tapes, no files.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Various Artists - Northern Soul: The Soundtrack (2014)


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.

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):
ArtistTitleYear
Billy ButlerRight Track1966
Edwin Starr Back Street1966
Shirley Ellis Soul Time1966
The Vel-Vets I Gotta Find Me Somebody1967
The Precisions If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)1967
James Fountain Seven Day Lover1970
Towanda Jones You Don't Mean It1969
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons The Night1972
Lou Pride I'm Com'un Home in the Morn'un1965
Gwen Owens (Just Say) You're Wanted and Needed1966
Freddy Chavez They'll Never Know Why1968
Don Varner Tear Stained Face1967
Duke Browner Crying Over You1966
The Luther Ingram Orchestra Exus Trek1966
Larry Williams & Johnny Watson Too Late1967
The Crow Your Autumn of Tomorrow1970
Eddie Parker I'm Gone1968
The Tomangoes I Really Love You1967
Marvin Gaye This Love Starved Heart of Mine (It's Killing Me)196?
The Salvadors Stick By Me Baby1967
Edwin Starr Time1970
Don Thomas Come On Train1973
Sam Dees Lonely For You Baby1968
Rita & The Tiaras Gone With the Wind Is My Love1967
The Originals Suspicion1966
The MVP's Turning My Heartbeat Up1972
Tobi Legend Time Will Pass You By1968

CD2 (27 tracks, 72:50):
ArtistTitleYear
Mel BrittShe'll Come Running Back1969
Patrinell Staten Little Love Affair1969
Epitome of Sound You Don't Love Me1968
Linda Jones I Just Can't Live My Life (Without You Babe)1969
Darrow Fletcher What Good Am I Without You1967
Eddie Holman I Surrender1969
The Group feat Cecil Washington I Don't Like To Lose1967
Tony Galla In Love1967
Herbert Hunter I Was Born to Love You1966
Jimmy Burns I Really Love You1965
Bob Relf Blowing My Mind to Pieces1968
The Ivories Please Stay1967
Johnny Howard The Chase is On1969
The Admirations You Left Me1966
The Royal Esquires Ain't Gonna Run1969
The Antellects Love Slave1967
Ronnie & Robyn As Long as You Love Me (I'll Stay)1968
Milton James My Lonely Feeling1966
Charlene & The Soul Serenaders Can You Win1970
Lester Tipton This Won't Change1966
Eloise Laws Love Factory1973
Joe Tex Under Your Powerful Love1973
The Carstairs It Really Hurts Me Girl1973
The Montclairs Hung Up On Your Love1973
Edward Hamilton & The Arabians Baby Don't You Weep1967
Melba Moore The Magic Touch1967
Dena Barnes If You Ever Walked Out of My Life1967


Also included in this set was a brief DVD with only two features:

  1.  a 19 minute interview with the film's director. Nothing to see here, move along.
  2.  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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