Sound as a Bell

Harking back to last year again. A few months ago I featured an O’Jays 45 from their pre PIR days when they were on Bell. Finding that record prompted me to look out for some of their other Bell 45s. This one came along recently (from ebay at a nice car bootyesque price) and it is another one with two strong sides.

If it was an unknown group on a tiny label I’m sure it would garner more interest on the Northern scene, and a commensurately higher price. Lucky for me, as someone who baulks at paying a high price for a record, Bell were, I believe, nationally distributed so there will be quite a few of these singles knocking around still. Even so, it does seem fairly obscure.

(Incidentally, I must admit I do get a bit miffed when a 45 gets a big price tag because one side attracts the Northern buyers and I want it for a vastly superior deep soul track on the flip, a flip in many cases the Northern fan will not even have played.)

The O’Jays were quality, pure and simple. 

The O’Jays – That’s Alright  1969

The O’Jays – Don’t You Know A True Love  1969

Why not buy the CD The Bell Sessions 1967-1969 (a bit pricey I grant you).

Advent-echo

Last month’s frenzy of posts seems like a distant memory. I’m still here, just in my usual January state – semi-hibernation. I don’t watch much TV normally but at this time of year I seem happy to sink into the sofa and watch whatever is being served up. I have even squarer eyes than usual this month too as we have finally arrived in the 21^st century and bought a new TV. It’s smart, it’s in HD, it’s 40ins. We are also now a two Sonos family. The latest Sonos purchase came with a free 12 month subscription to Deezer premium, and now it seems I can find and play just about any music I can think of at a quick scroll on the smartphone. Get us! It’s almost technology overload.   

As a result the record room has had little attention this last couple of weeks but I am now starting to get vinyl withdrawal symptoms so it’s time to fire up the turntable again.

Lynn White was behind door #9 of last month’s Advent-ure. Picking up that record left me wanting to find more of Lynn’s work and getting a copy of this 45 is the initial result of my forays. This is her version of an Earl Randle song first performed by Syl  Johnson back in 1972 (and I think Syl's version has made an appearance on Feel It). The feel is familiar on Lynn’s version as once again it is Willie Mitchell on production. It was released on Willie’s own label, Waylo, around 1985. Being on Willie's own label he will have been able to have total control of production and I'm betting this is the reason the dreaded Eighties synthesisers are buried deep and remarkably (and thankfully) subtle on this track. And I’ll say it again – Lynn can sing!

Lynn White – Anyway The Wind Blow  1985

This year I shall be....

It was my birthday on New Year's Eve. I was born in '57 and that makes me 57. 

I feel like a tin of beans - not to eat, I actually feel like I am one! :)

We need something special to celebrate my birthday and, more importantly, the first post of a new year here at Feel It. This gorgeous B side from Bobby Bland fits the bill perfectly.

Happy New Year to you all.

Bobby Bland - I Ain't Myself Anymore  1966

The few pops you can hear on the track are caused by some frightening looking pressing bubbles in the vinyl. I am amazed it plays through ok actually. The record was descibed as M- by its seller. Strictly speaking correct as it looks unplayed, but it would have been nice to have mentioned the pressing bubbles as they are so obvious. Ho hum.