Star Crossed Lovers

This is a double cross by DustyRose and RossyBoy. Remember the concept: we both sent six tracks to each other; then we reacted to the other's picks by choosing six further tracks each. And you listeners  get to see the creative process because we wrote a little piece on each of the second set of picks to show what was going through our minds in response to the originals. Hope you like it; let us know !

01 - Terry Johnson of The Flamingos - Let's Be Lovers (DustyRose)
        (Hot Fun Records CD, 2005)

I know Terry Johnson’s late 60’s career at Motown better than his Flamingos days, so it’s a choice between two of his later tracks “My Spring Time” or “Whatcha Gonna Do”….

02 - Terry Johnson - Whatcha Gonna Do (RossyBoy)
       (Gordy, 1969)
03 - Starbright! - He’s An Aries Man (RossyBoy)
       (Doré, flip of “Sunshine”, 1975)

I like this song or it would be even better if it was a male group singing “She's An Aries Woman” (‘cause it’s my Star Sign, he he !). So I would like to respond with this track by the Tokays. They only had one release on Scorpio, so I assume this one was unreleased.

04 - Tokays - You Better Check Out Your Sign (DustyRose)
05 - George Goodman & His Headliners - Starlight And Moonbeams (DustyRose)
       (VAL, 1964)

There were very few recordings on the VAL label and this group is good enough to give them another airing. So it has to be the very first VAL recording which was also by them, especially as the title is very apt for the compilation’s theme !

06 - George Goodman & His Headliners - Let Me Love You (RossyBoy)
       (VAL, 1964)
07 - The Radiants - One Day I'll Show You (RossyBoy)
       (Chess, flip of "Father Knows Best", 1962)

One of my favorite Chicago groups of course, thanks RB! Can't help but to respond to this one with a great Chicago Duet which is another favorite. It was Barbara Acklin's first chart success as a singer and reached number 30 R&B in the spring of 1968.

08 - Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin - Show Me The Way To Go (DustyRose)
       (Brunswick, 1968 )
09 - Lamont Dozier - Why Can't We Be Lovers (DustyRose)
       (Invictus, 1972)

I just can’t see any of the names of Brian and Eddie Holland or Lamont Dozier without automatically adding them all together and thinking “Four Tops”, especially as I was privileged to see The Tops perform live in the late 60‘s. So it has to be this track from the late Levi Stubbs and his buddies, given this compilation‘s title…

10 - Four Tops - Lonely Lover (RossyBoy)
       (Motown, This Is Northern Soul! The Motown Sound Vol 1 CD, 1998)
11 - Fannie & The Varcells - Inside Of Me (RossyBoy)
       (Lash, 1963)
What else comes to mind for this RB pick is the word “inside”, therefore....
12 - Techniques IV - I Feel So Good Inside (DustyRose)
       (Jasino, ?)
13 - Chi-Tones - Two Lovers (DustyRose)
       (Crystal Ball, “They Sang In Pittsburgh Vol 1” LP, 1990)

This song has also been issued under the title “True Lovers” and there are versions by both The Four Chaps and The Vogues on the CO and CE label from 1966. There’s also a nice version by Johnny York. But my selection for this one is just too good to pass up….

14 - Mary Wells - Two Lovers’ History (RossyBoy)
       (Jubilee, “Servin’ Up Some Soul“ LP, 1968)
15 - Stargard - Love Is So Easy (RossyBoy)
       (MCA, 1978)

LOL Yeah, if only….! Here’s another side of the story (not to be confused with some R&B male group...!)

16 - Silk - Falling In Love Isn't Easy (DustyRose)
       (Nation Records, ?)
17 - New Generation - You're My Everything (DustyRose)
       (Surfside Records, “Love Songs For You” LP, 1995)

I don’t know anything else by this group except “Daddy’s Home”, mainly because they are from Hawaii, not exactly renowned for its Soul legacy, so I am jumping off sideways for some nice Latin soul from a group with a very similar name…

18 - New Generation Orchestra - I'm No Fool (RossyBoy)
       (Rico Records, “Agitando” LP, 1972)
19 - Roy Hamilton - Stardust (RossyBoy)
       (Collectables Records CD “Anthology: Rare Tracks 1955-59”, 1995)

Though he is not as well remembered today, vocalist Roy Hamilton was an extremely popular and influential hitmaker during his short career in the 1950s. A man of many talents - a boxer, an artist and one of the all time great singers. Hamilton died in 1969 at a young age of 40 years old. His voice and legacy have earned numerous accolades, including induction in the Hit Parade Hall of Fame and Reflections in Black Museum Hall of Fame....If I had to choose one of his songs, it would have to be one of my favorites by the Beatles.

20 - Roy Hamilton - And I Love Her (DustyRose)
       (RCA Victor, 1965)
21 - The Monitors - You Share The Blame (DustyRose)
       (SOUL, "Greetings! We're the Monitors" LP, 1968)

I see ScavenJah just beat us to the punch on this one and for sure it’s a lovely Smokey Robinson song that can stand repetition. Both DustyRose and I have featured Monitors’ tracks previously and their 60’s output is certainly worth considering further, maybe their first release just as they changed their name from the Majestics. The promo copies of this track are under the name Majestics while the stock copies are credited to the Monitors. It’s the sweet slow ballad…

22 - The Monitors - Say You (RossyBoy)
        (VIP, 1965)
23 - The Flamingos - Lovers Never Say Goodbye (RossyBoy)
        (End, 1958)

Oh, I love me some Flamingos! Nothing they sang is a bad song in my book. I have so many favorites from this group and RB you picked one of them. I would have picked a Soul response like The Philly Devotions - I Just Cant Say Goodbye, but wanted to keep it in the doowop era. For the doo-wop beginners among us, this is what you want a group to sound like, so my choice for this one is…..

24 - Five Delights - There'll Be No Goodbye (DustyRose)
       (Unart Records (NY Bronx), 1958)

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