Faron's Flamingos - Do you Love Me

My favourite version of this track sung by a guy who never enjoyed the fame he deserved purely as a result of "not being in the right place at the right time"

Faron's Flamingos were one of the most popular groups in Merseyside and had the potential to become major stars. A highlight of their show was their version of the Contours ‘Do You Love Me?’, they rearranged the vocal version into an exciting rock ‘n’ roll number and recorded it on the Oriole label, it was regarded as stunning debut record, a possible chart topper. Oriole, being a small recording label without the funds to promote the record, relied on Leeds Music to plug the group on radio. Leeds Music would only do this if ‘See If She Cares’ (a Leeds Music publication!!) was issued as the ‘A’ side, a decision which probably robbed them of potential fame.

Brian Poole and the Tremeloes, who where touring with them, had heard Faron’s Flamingos perform the song on stage and released their version of the song which went to number 1 in the charts and established them as a top group. The Dave Clark Five also had a hit with the same song. So that was two versions in the top 10, at the same time, with virtually the same arrangement as Faron’s Flamingos - what a bummer.

Disillusioned, the group broke up in November 1963, Faron and Paddy joined The Big Three, Nick joined The Mojos and Trevor joined The Peddlers.

This clip is part of a documentary on the Cavern and the presenter is for real - honest.

Eddie Cochran - Teenage Heaven

Way back to 1959 for this one ....

Take me for what I'm Worth - Searchers

Early version of one of my all-time favourite groups singing one of my all-time favourite songs ...... recorded long before they signed our guestbook.

Still more or less continuously on tour .... I saw them again last year and they were still fantastic.

They are appearing at the Gala Durham on the 27 November 2007

Happy Birthday Booker T Jones

Booker T. Jones is a legendary performer, producer and songwriter perhaps best known for the million-selling instrumental "Green Onions," recorded by Booker T. and the MGs. His career highlights, however, also include recording with everyone from Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Wilson Pickett to Bob Dylan, Boz Scaggs and Barbra Streisand.Booker produced Willie Nelson's multi-platinum Stardust album and Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine, as well as co-writing the classic hit "Born Under a Bad Sign." He's also performed live with Neil Young, Eric Clapton and George Harrison to name only a few. Booker currently records and performs with his own band, showcasing his impressive vocals and new original songs along with the tracks that make up what Booker calls the "soundtrack of his life"--the songs that have had the greatest impact on him and many of the rest of us.

Happy Birthday Booker T - and thanks for the music.

The Chants from Liverpool ....

..... singing "I could write a book"

I remember appearing with the Chants many years ago at Haltwhistle Club - they were an excellent male vocal-harmony act backed at various times by several Merseyside groups (including reputedly The Beatles). They made quite an impact as the first local group to sing songs by black acts like the Drifters and the Coasters in the way they were meant to be sung.

The Chants were championed by Merseyside MP, Bessie Braddock after their first single, I Don't Care, came to her attention. Her interest was primarily because they were a black group from a depressed area of Liverpool.

The band broke up, but Joey and Edmund Ankrah later had success on ITV's New Faces as part of Ashanti. Eddie Amoo went on to have chart success as part of the Liverpool soul group, The Real Thing.