James Brown – The man on The Night Train

Cover | Amazon | jamesbrowntheone

The book “James Brown The One” was published in 2012. I managed to obtain a copy released by the Fort Myers Public Library, Florida, through Thrift Books in Arizona, for £4.50 through Amazon.

It is a fascinating book which I have found utterly absorbing, and it sheds more light on the recording he made with The Famous Flames of “Night Train” which was released in the UK on Parlophone and then Sue UK WI 360.

Original US single on King 5614 | 45 Cat | king5614

Original UK single on Parlophone R4922 | 45 Cat | r4922

The backing band, or as King Records would have it, “orchestra” he was using at the time was the original one, The Famous Flames, and the personnel on this recording were Bobby Byrd, Johnny Terry, Bobby Bennett, J. C. Davis, Lloyd Stallworth and Nat Kendrick. The band often featured the number on stage, often adding snatches of other tunes including Bill Doggett’s “Hold It”.

The book is well worth looking out for and inexpensive to buy – it seems supply outstripped demand for this volume!

In Performance:

Barbara Lynn – Money

“Money” by Barbara Lynn was released on Sue LP ILP 949 “The Barbara Lynn story”.

Did not chart.

Updated 1 January 2023

Ike and Tina Turner – A fool in love

iketinafoolin

One of their first successes, “A fool in love” was released in the UK on Sue IEP 706 – The Soul of Ike and Tina Turner.

US R&B No. 2, US Pop No. 27

In Performance:

Updated 10 April 2020

Maxine Brown – Funny

101 | 18 August 2023

Soul singer Maxine Ella Brown was born in Kingstree, South Carolina on August 18, 1939 and is best known for the recordings she made for Scepter/Wand Records in the 1960s. In her teens she sang with gospel groups The Royaltones and The Angelairs.

Her first secular recording “All in my mind” was issued on the Nomar label in 1962 and rose to R&B No. 2. The followup, “Funny” reached no. 3 on the R&B charts and was issued in the UK on Sue ILP 934 “Soul 66”. With Wand Records her recordings usually feature Cissy Houston and may also feature The Sweet Inspirations as backing singers.

Chart Position “Funny”: Billboard Pop No. 25, R&B No.3, 1961.

Maxine Brown | Wand Records | 15030

In Performance:

Otis Rush – I can’t quit you baby

103 | 14 October 2023

Otis Rush | Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

Blues musician Otis Rush Jr was born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, on April 29, 1935He was a left handed player whose style greatly influenced guitarists including Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green and Eric Clapton. He worked on a family farm during his childhood. He taught himself how to play guitar when he was eight, and also sang in church choirs. Rush moved to Chicago in 1949, was inspired by Muddy Waters and began playing in blues clubs on the South and West Side of the city. “II can’t quit you baby” was his debut single for Cobra records, with whom he recorded from 1958 to 1960; when Cobra went bust he moved to the Chess label. In April 2018, the Jazz Foundation of America honoured him with a lifetime achievement award.

Otis Rush died from complications after a stroke in Chicago, USA on September 29, 2018.

“I can’t quit you baby”, Cobra 5000, August 1956, Released on UK Sue ILP 921 “We sing the blues”.

Chart position: No. 6 Billboard R&B chart, 1956.

In Performance:

Shirley and Lee – Let the good times roll

102 | 18 October 2023

Shirley and Lee | YouTube | 20001

Shirley and Lee were record producer Shirley Mae Goodman who was born on June 19, 1936 and died on July 5, 2005, and her then partner, Leonard Lee who was born on June 29, 1936 and died on October 23, 1976. “Let the good times roll” was made in 1956 and was a million selling record. Sue released it on the sampler LP “This is Sue”. Shirley and Lee re-recorded their signature song for subsequent labels.

“Let the Good times roll”, Aladdin 3325, 1956. Previous UK Release on Vogue/Vocalion V 9059, November 1956.

Chart Position: US Pop No. 20, 1956.

So Many Records, So Little Time | shirleyleegoodtimes.jpg

Barefootin – Robert Parker

107 | 4 October 2023

Robert Parker | Soul In Groove

Barefootin’ by Robert Parker was a hit for Island Records and was released on WI 286 before finding its way onto the “This is Sue” sampler LP (with Island labels). Barefootin’ was to be his main hit recording (but what a hit!)

Singer and saxophonist Robert Parker was born in Mobile, Alabama on 14 October, 1930. He grew up in New Orleans and started his recording career with Professor Longhair on his legendary recording “Mardi Gras in New Orleans”, recorded in 1949. During the 1950s he was in demand as a session musician and can be heard on recordings by Fats Domino, Huey Piano Smith, Ernie K. Doe and others. Visiting artists would also hire him, including Otis Redding , Solomon Burke and Jerry Butler. “Barefootin’”, which he wrote, was recorded with Wardell Quezergue for the Nola record label and received a gold disc. His recording career ended in the mid 1970s, but he continued to tour the US and abroad, including trips to the UK.

Robert Parker died in Roseland, Louisiana on 19 January 2020.

“Barefootin'”, Nola 724, April 1966. Released on Island WI 286, July 1966.

Chart Position: US R&B No.2 and US Pop No. 7, and UK Pop No. 24 in August 1966.

Manchester Soul

In Performance:

The Righteous Brothers – You can have her/Justine

113 | 1 March 2024

The Righteous Brothers formed in 1963 and were Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. Robert Lee “Bobby” Hatfield was born in Weaver Dam, Wisconsin on August 10, 1940 and died in Kalamazoo, Michigan on November 5, 2003. William Thomas “Bill” Medley was born in Santa Anna, California on September 19, 1940. After an unsuccessful period their recording of “You’ve lost that loving feeling”, produced by Phil Spector, after they had parted company from Moonglow, was successful.

“You can have her”/”Justine” by the Righteous Brothers was licenced from Moonglow records and issued on Sue WI 4018 in July 1966.

“Justine”, Moonglow 242, July 1965, Billboard No 85, 1965.
“You can have her”, Moonglow 239, April 1965, Billboard No 67, 1965.

Collection of Dave Hewitt | dgrbjustine

Collection of Martin Whitell

Roy Head, Treat her right

royheadtreatherright

Roy Head’s Treat Her Right was on the This is Sue! Sampler LP. Originally issued in the UK on the Vocalion label in 1965, licenced from Back Beat records. Treat Her Right was produced by Huey P Meaux (although not credited) and recorded at Gold Star Studio, Houston, Texas. Roy Kent Head was born on January 9, 1941. With his group The Traits, Head began recording in 1958. Treat Her Right is his best known recording. Previously issued by Decca Group on Vocalion VP-9248.

US Pop No. 2, 1965.

In Performance:

Plastic Dreams | 14549

CD and LP.com | 14548

Updated 9 May 2020