Deeper the hole of soul goes. The Silver Fox record's story is just about as short as House of the Fox (HF), dispite having an arguably larger name attached, this time yielding a CD collection called "My Goodness, Yes! The Silver Fox Soul Collection." But while there seems to be more releases, larger names, and a longer lifespan to this label, there is possibly even less information out about the label.
In my digging, most labels that bit the dust before the internet era end up as nothing more than a footnote in an artists discography and a casual mention in a biography somewhere (sometimes if a label made it to the 80s there may be a book. . .). Meanwhile, the name may get co-opted for record store names (the UK's Silver Fox comes to mind, they even used the Mascot) or other Labels may take the name for themselves. Now, this isn't always the case, especially now with labels like the Numero group pulling labels out of history's record bin, but still, so many slip through the cracks.
Such is the case with Silver Fox. The new name in the story is a bit more well know than Leland's. Shelby Singleton, who's name is plastered all over the label, worked with Leland on the Silver Fox and Blue Fox labels. Shelby is probably better known for his work at Mercury Records, working his way up the company ladder (can you even do that nowadays?) to Producer and Executive. Even more important, He later purchased Sun Records from Sam Phillips during its waning days, started a short lived label with Bill Cosby, and on another label had a hit with "Harper Valley PTA."
Even so, Still precious little remains written down about the man and this label (this even had CHART ENTRIES for God's sake!). I have found no Biographies, no interviews, and few write ups. Hopefully this will be rectified by someone (ya listening Numero? Musicians Hall Of Fame?), but until then, all we have left is the music.
Speaking of (this is about a track, Right?), this is a great uptempo soul number, that just bursts out of your speakers. Gloria ranks with some of the more powerful soul singers of the day (even without the recognition to prove it) and this track shows. Tight arrangements, Shouting horns, and slick drums make this a high energy track (Recorded in Muscle Sholes!) to get up and move to.
I won't expand upon Gloria here (other, more prestigious blogs have done that), so do a bit of digging on your own.
Keep Putting Soul up.
(P.S. Check out the response vid for some more info on the track from the Arranger himself!!!!)
The most I could find on Shelby Singleton: The Rockabilly Hall Of Fame
No comments:
Post a Comment