60s NORTHERN SOUL GLORIA BARNES/SAM WILLIAMS UK GRP 116
£
42
$
55
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Description
In an effort to cut down on spiralling eBay costs, all my auctions from now on will start at 99p.
I've made the decision to sell some of my very large collection of vinyl, due to illness.
I haven't the equipment to provide my own sound clips, so will have to rely on your own good judgement - after all, soul lovers are the world's most knowledgeable and devoted collectors.
ALL THE ITEMS I AM SELLING COME FROM OVER THIRTY YEARS OF COLLECTING.
I AM NOT A DEALER.
There will be some real gems, so make sure you keep your eyes open.
COLLECTABLE 60s NORTHERN SOUL
ORIGINAL GRAPEVINE SERIES DOUBLE-SIDER
SAM WILLIAMS
"LOVE SLIPPED THROUGH MY FINGERS"
b/w
TOWANDA BARNES
"YOU DON'T MEAN IT"
(UK: Grapevine GRP 116, 1979)
Recorded: 1967/1968
Record conditon: Very good + (plays Excellent ++)
Labels condition: Spotless
This has to be a contender for greatest Grapevine single ever, and it's certainly the best of the first twenty releases. The connection is Johnny Brantley, whose Vidalia Productions was responsible for giving both numbers a very raw edge. He leased the Sam Williams track to Capitol's Tower offshoot, and then watched amazed as it did bugger all. I was very surprised when it wasn't included in "The Northern Soul Top 500". It's certainly a tremendously soulful performance. There are other versions (Towanda Barnes, The Ohio Players, and possibly at least eight more), but it's Sam's handling that's most in demand - more so on issue than demo.
The official B-side is not the A&M single version of "You Don't Mean It", but the take that first appeared on Towanda's even scarcer "Uptown" LP on Maple. It was released under the name of Gloria Barnes, and the above publicity photo appeared on the cover. The intro on this version is slightly messier - sounding more like an uncontrolled stampede, than a carefully organised charge. The vocals were recorded a touch differently as well, but on the whole it's pretty much the same furious dancer. The Ohio Players also recorded their own versions of both tracks, and can be heard providing backing harmonies on the Barnes side.
The vinyl has a lot of surface marks and very light scuffs (mainly on the B-side), but both sides play a good excellent ++. Both labels are like new, but as you can see, the printed Sam Williams label has come out an odd colour on my scanner.
The edges are completely chip-free.
