Northern Soul: Whatever Happened to . . .

soul music

Inspired by the track listing for the film (and beyond) of Northern Soul classics, I thought I’d see whatever happened to these wonderful artists, for the most part those that aren’t or never were well-known. The links below are the best I could come up with. Many artists are of course no longer with us, some had unpleasant and premature demises — as discussion here can attest to. Whatever the case, the US and the rest of the world are indebted to the Northern Soul scene for giving new life to forgotten acts and preserving the music of acts that have long since passed into obscurity. Be in no doubt the passion people have for this music — here and here. It was all about sidestepping the gatekeepers — the charts, the A+R men, the music press etc., a bona fide spontaneous order if you like. The film is apparently opening in the US this October — if you love good music that is catchy and uplifting without being teen saccharine albeit it Motown style, a grassroots beauty set against a grim urban world a la Curtis Mayfield — then is the film for you.

  1. Right Track – Billy Butler

  2. Back Street – Edwin Starr

  3. Soul Time – Shirley Ellis

  4. I Gotta Find Me Somebody – The Velvets

  5. If This Is Love – The Precisions

  6. Seven Day Lover – James Fountain

  7. You Don’t Mean It – Towanda Barnes

  8. The Night – Frankie Valli

  9. I’m Com’un Home In The Morn’un – Lou Pride

  10. (Just Say) You’re Wanted And Needed – Gwen Owens

  11. They’ll Never Know Why – Freddy Chavez

  12. Tear Stained Face – Don Varner

  13. Crying Over You – Duke Browner

  14. Exus Trek – Luther Ingram

  15. Too Late – Larry Williams & Johnny Watson

  16. Your Autumn Of Tomorrow – The Crow

  17. I’m Gone – Eddie Parker

  18. I Really Love You – The Tomangoes

  19. This Love Starved Heart Of Mine (It’s Killing Me) – Marvin Gaye

  20. Stick By Me Baby – The Salvadores

  21. Time – Edwin Starr

  22. Come On Train – Don Thomas

  23. Lonely For You Baby – Sam Dees

  24. Gone With The Wind Is My Love – Rita & The Tiaras

  25. Suspicion – The Originals

  26. Turning My Heartbeat Up – The MVP’s

  27. Time Will Pass You By – Tobi Legend

Disk 2

  1. She’ll Come Running Back – Mel Britt

  2. Little Love Affair – Patrinell Staten

  3. You Don’t Love Me – Epitome Of Sound

  4. I Just Can’t Live My Life (Without You Babe) – Linda Jones

  5. What Good Am I Without You – Darrow Fletcher

  6. I Surrender – Eddie Holman

  7. I Don’t Like To Lose – The Group feat Cecil Washington

  8. In Love – Tony Galla

  9. I Was Born To Love You – Herbert Hunter

  10. I Really Love You – Jimmy Burns

  11. Blowing My Mind To Pieces – Bob Relf

  12. Please Stay – The Ivories

  13. The Chase Is On – Johnny Howard

  14. You Left Me – The Admirations

  15. Ain’t Gonna Run No More – The Royal Esquires

  16. Love Slave – The Antellects

  17. As Long As You Love Me (I’ll Stay) – Ronnie & Robyn

  18. My Lonely Feeling – Milton James

  19. Can You Win – Charlene & The Soul Serenaders

  20. This Won’t Change – Lester Tipton

  21. Love Factory – Eloise Laws

  22. Under Your Powerful Love – Joe Tex

  23. It Really Hurts Me Girl – The Carstairs

  24. Hung Up On Your Love – The Montclairs

  25. Baby Don’t You Weep – Edward Hamilton & The Arabians

  26. The Magic Touch – Melba Moore

  27. If You Ever Walked Out Of My Life – Dena Barnes