Hell's Belles

Vintage sounds, dusty grooves, and 21st-century freaks.

Rex Garvin is another one of those artists who’s responsible for the original version of a cover tune that became much more popular than the original – his track “Sock It To ‘Em JB” was covered by The Specials, and his version often makes appearances on on Northern Soul comps.

“Go Little Willie” is his first single with his own band, and was originally released in 1961.  DD likes to play this every so often when we DJ.  I love the ridiculously fizzy organs and finger-poppin’ sax.  I can’t find it on any compilations, bar one that seems to be out of print.  Another one for the ebay watch list.
Rex Garvin & The Mighty Cravers – Go Little Willie by hells-belles

Nick Cave?  Leonard Cohen?  Lee Hazelwood? Johnny Cash?

Amazing voice and incredible song, no matter what the influence.

The Preacher by Jamie N Commons

Solomon Burke’s 50+ year career was still going strong right up until his death on October 10th.  There’s not a lot I can say about one of the most incredible soul voices ever heard that hasn’t been said better elsewhere, so I’ll just list a few of the more unusual facts about our dearly departed Philadelphian King of Rock ‘n Soul:

• He (apparently) was the first black man to cover a Bob Dylan tune (Maggie’s Farm – it’s killer, and on the playlist here)
• He started out as a preacher, then moved over to gospel radio, before giving into rock and soul.
• His other job was as an undertaker, and he owned a mortuary business in Los Angeles.
• He has 21 children, 90 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Rock in peace, Solomon Burke:

BLUES * SKA * GARAGE * SOUL * GIRLS

On Sunday, TT’s doing a vinyl set and scattering a frangrant pot pourri of quality ’60s sounds all over the dancefloor for about an hour around 6ish or 7ish at the Sunday afternoon/eve monthly at The Constitution, 42 St Pancras Way, Camden NW1.  It’s that lovely little boozer halfway between Camden and King’s Cross, set right on the canal.  £3 in and a great crowd.  Doors at 4.30, last orders at 10.30.

Your resident deck monkeys Jaybyrd Slim and Dapper D will be encouraging you to twist ‘n’ frug ‘n’ cut a rug, Simon, dame of the door will greet you with a wink and a smile and the cheap bar prices will leave some loot in your zoot suit.

In honour of the occasion, here’s a bit of Nitty Gritty – in French no less – from Marie Claire.  I ripped this from the Ultra Chicks CD series, long, long, deleted, but I’m sure it’s been comped elsewhere…

Marie Claire – Nitty Gritty by hells-belles