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Rich 1801 (B), unknown date, 1963
B-side of I’ve Got That Feeling
(Written by Mickey Stevenson)
Oddly, a quick Internet search for this song brings up all sorts of Northern Soul paraphernalia, a sea of sew-on badges and clenched fists. I say “oddly” because (a) I’ve never knowingly heard this song played anywhere, and (b) I can’t imagine it going down all that well with a soulie crowd.
It’s essentially a rough-edged R&B dancer, the sort of thing from which Motown had already largely moved on. Probably recorded, like the A-side, at the tail end of 1962, this is very reminiscent of Barrett Strong’s Misery taken at double speed, or the early work of the excellently-named Henry Lumpkin. It’s a turn-of-the-decade piece, more bar-room than dancefloor; it makes room for guitar and sax breaks, but leaves little impression once it’s finished.
In fact, it breezes by so un-presumptiously that it took me three or four listens to work out just what it is that Cornell “wants his share” of, and even then it doesn’t really make any sense: he’s telling the girl he likes that he’s open to the idea of a long-term relationship, so if she wants the same thing she should give him a call as he, well, “wants his share” of that. The record doesn’t sound much like a devotional love song (the tone and the title lend it a much more accusatory, demanding feel).
Other than that apparent disconnect between music and lyrics, there’s not much else here to hold the attention. Unlike the excellently bouncy A-side I’ve Got That Feeling, the tune is pedestrian, there’s no star turn by the Vandellas on backing vocals to enliven proceedings (indeed there are no backing vocals at all), and the only parts of the record to divert the listener’s attention are the rough and ready sax solo and the stuttering, slightly off-key hook (Cornell shouting Stand by you, stand by you over and over again).
Otherwise, it’s an average R&B B-side from 1960, and not the sort of thing Motown had been particularly good at even back then. By their 1963 standards, it sounds positively prehistoric. Not awful, just generic and boring.
MOTOWN JUNKIES VERDICT
(I’ve had MY say, now it’s your turn. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment, or click the thumbs at the bottom there. Dissent is encouraged!)
You’re reading Motown Junkies, an attempt to review every Motown A- and B-side ever released. Click on the “previous” and “next” buttons below to go back and forth through the catalogue, or visit the Master Index for a full list of reviews so far.
(Or maybe you’re only interested in Cornell Blakely? Click for more.)
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| Cornell Blakely “I’ve Got That Feeling” |
Martha & The Vandellas “Quicksand” |
DISCOVERING MOTOWN |
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Apologies for this being a day late – normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
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Hey this is bouncing Cornell Blakely, alive and well at the tender age of 82 yrs young.I love your commentary of the events of this song,but i could tell you the actual truth to my story with motown. email address wkmg1520am@hotmail.com, Iam now in the town of newberry SC,the proud owner of a classic soul radio station featuring the motown sound.
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Hi Cornell – thanks for stopping by, it’s great to know you’re still actively involved in music! Anything you want to correct in the accounts of this and the A-side, please feel free to do so in the comments section, or if you’d rather say it off the record my e-mail address is fosse8@gmail.com.
Great to hear from you, and I hope you weren’t too offended by my review of this – I was nicer about “I’ve Got That Feeling”!
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Yes, all of us here, and also at Soulful Detroit Forum (www.soulfuldetroit.com/motown forum), would be very appreciative of anything you want to tell us about your connections with Rev. James Hendrix and Berry Gordy and Motown Record Corp., and also generally, about your career.
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