Homer Banks

Sweetie Pie / Lady Of Stone

Genie : 101

Help
Listen Now

Detail

  • Artist: Homer Banks
  • A Side: Sweetie Pie
  • B Side: Lady Of Stone
  • Label: Genie
  • Format: 45s

Condition

Condition

  • Vinyl Condition: E
  • Label Condition: E
  • Sleeve Condition: M-

Key: View

Description


Description

Homer Banks a milestone and signpost in many Northern Soul fans musical journey, "Sweetie Pie" is the first 45 before Homer hit success with the much-cover "A Lot Of Love" and the beginning of his magical partnership with Carl Hampton that would late spawn some of soul's greatest recordings. "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Wanna Be Right" jumps to mind.

As a raw youngster just left school, I was fascinated by Homer Banks; Collecting all his British release 45's, particularly treasuring his Twisted Wheel anthems on UK Liberty. 60 Minutes Of Your Love, A Lotta Love, Hooked By Love all life-changes for me, and stepping stones to the fertile vinyl-pastures of the USA to look for more Soul vinyl previously unknown to me..

It was not until the mid-70's when I established myself as a full time record dealer I started to receive those wonderfully informative "wants List" from Japan, Belgium, Holland etc. that opened my eyes to the realization I hadn't even scratched the surface of the Rare Soul Vinyl that was out there to be discovered. One Japanese listing had Homer Banks "Lady Of Stone" on Genie, a major Deep Soul want for those dedicated guys, it was used as the flipside on his Minit 32020 single with the great "Hooked by Love" heading up the a-side. So I had absolutely no idea the "Sweetie Pie" carried granite status Northern Soul, and it was gonna be several years longer before I found out, rarity is the only reason that this 45 never graced the turntables of the now fabled NS destination Clubs of the 70s.

So click the soundfile of a truly magnificent slab of Memphis Northern Soul, enriched by a full male gathering harmony chorus (Isaac Hayes & David Porter) plus uncredited songbirds embellish this gorgeous song horn soaked song.

But sadly this was never to be unleashed though those NS halcyon days of the 70s, hear what we were deprived of during those long Saturday nights in Wigan or Cleethorpes... this would have certainly been a simultaneous Monster at both clubs, saturated in every element, to induce a spontaneous backdrop, an adventurous sweat-sprinkling spin or those timely hand-claps that resounded around those sardine-packed assemblies..

Homer was always a favourite artist with me, but when my first copy of this seldom seen 45 came my way, he was instantly elevated to demigod status... even though it was long after my juvenile DJ career had stuttered to a halt...

Here is a chance to own a legendary Memphis Rarity, the launching pad for an iconic Memphian, who's music shaped mine and many other's Northern Soul journey.

Condition Report

Both labels are clean, with no "red" age-fade, writing, stickers, tears or stains. Both vinyl surfaces carry strong gloss, revealing only soft fine hairlines when angled under light.

A Side

  • Title: Sweetie Pie

    B Side

  • Title: Lady Of Stone
  • Year: 1965
  • City: Memphis, Tennessee

    Tracklisting