Let’s hear it for the Best part of Monday. The part where we Turn Up the Volume and Spin a Northern Soul Song. While it plays we take a look at some of the History behind the Stompers, and then play it again. Dancing always encouraged. Talc not provided.
So, let’s press play, Turn Up the Volume and let’s have a Listen together to “If It’s All the Same To You Babe” by Luther Ingram.
“If It’s All the Same To You Babe” by Luther Ingram
Luther Ingram was born in November of 1937, in Jackson, Tennessee. He was interested in Music from a young age, and at 20 he recorded his first Record. It took a few tries to start Charting Singles, but when he signed on with KoKo Records, in the late sixties, he had his first Hit with “My Honey and Me”. From then on many of Luther’s Songs appeared in the Pop and R&B Charts.
Luther’s biggest Hit was “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right”, which got to #1 on the Billboard R&B Chart, and #3 on the Hot 100, in 1972. (from Wikipedia)
“(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right” by Luther Ingram
Another Northern Soul Favorite from Luther is the acetate demo of “Exus Trek”. It became a sought after Song for DJ’s spinning Northern Soul in the UK, as did “If It’s All the Same To You Babe”.
Both Songs were eventually released together, as A and B Sides of each other. Richard “Popcorn” Wylie produced both Tracks.
“Exus Trek” (Instrumental)
“Exus Trek” was featured in the 2014 Film, Northern Soul, a fictional tale capturing life at the start of the Northern Soul craze.
Set in 1974, an authentic and uplifting tale of two friends whose horizons are opened up by the discovery of black American soul music.
The film is currently available to Stream on Netflix, in the US.
Luther Ingram continued writing and performing throughout the peak of Soul Music, and subsequently, Northern Soul. He was associated with one of the premier soul labels, Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee.
With his Stax connections, Ingram recorded at the Memphis label’s studios, as well as other southern-based studios such as Muscle Shoals. He was opening act for Isaac Hayes for some years, and often used Hayes’ Movement band and female backing group for his 1970s recordings. (from Wikipedia)
Luther died in Marcy of 2007 in a hostpial in Belleville, Illinois. He died of heart failure, and had suffered for years from Diabetes, kidney disease, and partial blindness before his passing.
Check back in next Monday to see what is Spinning and Stomping next at Lyriquediscorde Northern Soul Monday – you won’t want to miss it.
