In October 2008, we released a tremendously exciting new DVD Documentary "The Strange World Of Northern Soul", with Wienerworld, a major music DVD company. Then we released a five disc set of 200 performances called "Northern Soul's Greatest 200 Floorfillers". Which used some songs from "The Strange World Of Northern Soul" which were completely re-edited, so they looked fresh and sparkling new. All the previous video effects done in the 1990s are gone forever, consigned to history. Plus loads and loads of never before seen videos, many of which have sat in the can untouched for many many years. Plus some newly recorded tributes to the classics. If you ever went to Blackpool Mecca or Wigan Casino, this is the must-have purchase of the year. This is the legendary Bobby Hutton singing "Lend A hand", which was yet another legendary Northern Soul smash, that we filmed for "The Strange World Of Northern Soul". This is a piece of classic 1970s Chicago,which absolutely epitomised the days in Blackpool Mecca, and the Highland Room, when the sound changed from pure Sixties into fresh new Seventies soulfulness. It was a piece of early soulful Disco joyful exuberance on the ABC label, first played off the album before it ever made it to seven inch. Bobby had two monster Northern smashes, the other being "Come See What's Left Of Me", which we also filmed and re-recorded with him. Bobby Hutton is known for singing Smooth R&B, Jazz, and contemporary, pop, He also appreciates opera, country music, blues, etc. Bobby Hutton began singing at the age of five. His actual professional career began In Detroit, Michigan. He won a talent show At the 20 Grand club and was invited to Motown. While at Motown he had a chance to learn quite a bit about writing songs, and what they look for in songs. Believing the hook in a song actually started there, Bobby, then known as Harold Hutton, became a part of the Motown family. Who was there at the time? Marv Johnson, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, Smokey and all the Miracles, The Supremes, The Temptations, and he was there when Stevie Wonder auditioned for Motown singing a Jackie Wilson song. His reason for leaving Motown is a story as yet untold. While in Detroit Bobby was hanging out at Billy Davis's house ,Billy and Berry Gordy use to write together, they wrote songs for Jackie Wilson. Living in Billy's house was David Ruffin. David and Bobby developed a friendship. Practiced singing different vocal runs. After leaving Detroit, Bobby moved on to Chicago and signed with Chess Record company, never getting a release from Motown. At Chess he was hired to sing with Fontella Bass, he took Bobby McClure's place. Now it's Fontella Bass & Bobby Hutton and that's how he got the name Bobby. Their first job was at the world famous Apollo Theater New York City. Next he signed with Philips record co. recording songs like Come see what's left of me, More today than yesterday, I can't stand a woman two timing her man, You're my whole reason, written by Donnie Hathaway. That song was the song Bobby sang on the very first nation wide Soultrain show. Over thirty years ago, along with Gladys Knight and the Pips, Eddie Kendricks, and the Honey Cone. Later Bobby would sign with ABC Dunhill where he recorded the Northern Soul Anthem Lend a hand. Bobby Hutton still today makes his living just singing. For those years without a record deal singing in Hotels, Clubs, Casinos and private functions have kept him busy. We filmed this video both in Chicago and also when Bobby was appearing in England at a Northern Soul Weekender in 1999, when we were filming our marathon six disc, twenty four hour massive documentary about the entire history of the Northern Soul scene, which contained 131 specially recorded performances of all the classics. So, Bobby was more than happy to make this one and only one-time performance especially for us, for our ground breaking Encyclopedia Britannica of Northern Soul, and I am so glad that we did.
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Music