Barefeet of Clay

Dateline 1987. Inspired by the huge success of Jackie Wilson's recently re-issued #1 smash Reet Petite - and accompanying claymation video - Telstar try cashing in on the winning formula by re-releasing Robert Parker's own 60s soul classic Barefootin' - complete with its own claymation video!



I liked this song a lot (what's not to like?), but alas it wasn't destined to emulate the success of Reet Petite, and stalled well outside the top 40 in the UK. Not even my purchasing of it on 7" from Woolworths in Clacton was enough to tip it over the edge. Such is life.

Mildly Interesting Claymation Fact: Although the Barefootin' video was an Aardman Animations production, strangely enough it hadn't been them that had been responsible for the Reet Petite vid. That had been the work of a London-based animation and live action company called Giblets. (I bet the Giblets people must throw stuff at the telly every time Wallace & Gromit come on now.)

Robert Parker - Barefootin' mp3

Three of a Kind #72

Quite frankly I never expected this year to bring me the opportunity to dance in the aisles while three soul legends belt out northern soul stompers in front of my very eyes, but I never claimed to be Mystic Meg. On Friday night, Kippers and me found ourselves with an uncontrollable urge to dance. We were at the first gig of the 2009 This Is Soul tour starring Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band (who provided support for all the artists) plus special guests Jimmy James and P.P. Arnold; and what a gig it was!


First up was Jimmy James who proceeded to let rip with a fantastic set of some of his most famous numbers including I'll Go Where Your Music Takes Me, Now Is The Time and (the Neil Diamond-penned) Red, Red Wine - first time I haven't thought of that song as Red Red Whine. He really got things off to a fantastic start and I think his voice has even improved with age.

My first thought upon seeing P.P. Arnold come on stage was, "My goodness! She's aged really well!" as she only looked about 25. As it turned out, that wasn't actually P.P., but one of her backing singers, who is also her niece (the other backing singer was her nephew). P.P. herself followed immediately afterwards and proved to be remarkably well preserved anyway. She then launched into some of her own greatest hits including Angel Of The Morning, First Cut Is The Deepest and (If You Think You're) Groovy. The latter was accompanied by some hilarious hand choreography from the backing singers. Picture someone flanked by two horses simultaneously fondling them with jazz hands whilst on high seas and you'll be in the right area! Unintentional comedy dancing aside, this was another dazzling and highly polished performance from another legend of the genre.

Last and definitely not least was the man himself. Mr Washington bounded onstage to the opening bars of the famous Dexys Midnight Runners tribute. As Come On Eileen faded away, he launched straight into his high-energy, crowd-involving patter. Or did he just start with a song? I don't know - I wasn't taking notes. What do you want - blood?!! What I do know after seeing him for the first time is that not only is he rightly revered as a musical great and a consummate live performer, he's a bloody funny bugger as well. His comic timing is better than that of many comedians I've seen and I missed half of what he said because I was laughing so much.
It's not often I've seen a Tunbridge Wells audience dancing in the aisles, but that's exactly what happened as Geno's set drew to a close and JJ and PP joined him for a couple of songs in the encore. During this we learnt that PP Arnold's name is actually Pat, and that watching three northern soul luminaries sharing a stage is a rare privilege. The tour continues throughout the UK until the end of February. Do try to catch them if you can. (Go to Geno Washington's website for a full list of dates.)

Here, in order of appearance, are Jimmy James, P.P. Arnold and Geno Washington - three of a kind.

Jimmy James & the Vagabonds - Hey Girl mp3 (available for 7 days)

PP Arnold - Everything's Gonna Be Alright mp3 (available for 7 days)

Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band - Michael (The Lover) mp3 (available for 7 days)


Artist websites
Geno Washington | P.P. Arnold | Jimmy James video on Youtube

"Why do things always happen to me?"

Being an indiepop fan, it is the law that I must also love northern soul. I can't quite work out what the similarity is between these genres but there must be some connection, given the amount of people who can't get enough of both of them. Obviously I'm one of those people, and not just because it's the law.

Aside from the fantastic music, northern soul singers have brilliantly normal and un-pop-starry names. Reading the track listing for a northern soul album is like seeing the names of all your aunties and uncles written down.
Anyway, here are two of my favourite northern soul songs ever.

To be honest, I know not a single thing about Don Ray (I just mistyped his surname as 'Yay' in a Freudian manner) and do I really need to? I love this song more than my own children. Fortunately I'm not especially maternal and don't have any children, but if I did have any, they'd probably come second to Born A Loser. Self pity was never so much fun! If you ever meet anybody wandering around singing this to themselves - complete with backing vocals - that'll be me.

Don Ray - Born A Loser mp3 (available for 7 days)

Insistent drum beat? Check. Funky bassline? Check. Cool brass section? Check. Sweet but powerful vocal? Oh yes! Apparently, when this Gwen Owens single was released, most of the records had a fault which prevented them from playing properly and never made it into record shops. So sad!

Gwen Owens - Just Say You're Wanted and Needed mp3 (available for 7 days)

You can find both of these greats - plus 98 more - on the brilliant but expensive compilation Keeping The Faith - 40 Years of Northern Soul OR you could spend under £10 on a couple of northern soul compilation albums to get them plus 84 others. You have plenty of options!