Little Ann - Who Are You Trying To Fool

Motown's legendary guitar player, Dave Hamilton, one of the famous Motown session band known as The Funk Brothers, had a protege, as a record producer and label owner of Topper Records. This was Little Ann, who had a classic record on the Ric-Tic label, which Motown swallowed up, called "Walking Down A One Way Street". Little Ann Bridgeforth created a stir caused by specialist UK Soul label, Kent Records, with a song called "What Should I Do", where they initially pretended she was a soul singer who'd recorded for RCA, called Rose Valentine. This became a Northern Soul classic. Then her version of "Sweep It Out In The Shed" was considered more haunting than Tobi Lark's issued cut that currently fills Northern Soul dancefloors, and she also sang a more funk-styled original in "Possession". By the early 70s, Ann had moved to Canada, and then Dave Hamilton passed away, after helping us enormously, to track down lost Detroit artists for our Motorcity reunion. Dave found Hattie Littles and got The Elgins back together again for us, through his lifelong friend Johnny Dawson. In the late 1990s, another previously unreleased Topper track from Little Ann surfaced, called "Who Are You Trying To Fool", and became so massive on the Northern Soul Scene that she came over to appear at Cleethorpes, and we took her into the studio, re-recorded the song in a much more Motorcity style, and filmed her doing this video. Unfortunately, as seems to be more and more horribly occurring, she has since passed away, and we have this one wonderful performance to remember her by.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern-Soul
• Motown
• Detroit
• Sixties-Soul
• Motorcity
• Diva
• Girl-Groups
• Funk-Brothers

[PaulSorbara]

After Annie left Detroit around 1969 she went to Toronto. She joined our band called Fat Chance, of which I was the founder and drummer. Annie remained my adopted sister until the day she died. I attended her funeral along with our keyboard player and his wife. We had a band reunion about 6 years ago and that inspired me to start playing again and now I have a blues band in Vancouver BC.

I would like to communicate with anyone who knew or worked with Ann Bridgeforth.

[IanLevine]

You should contact Ady Croasdell

[Discoboy1974]

SWEET! And isn't that the Pat Lewis on backing vocals? Methink it is.

[IanLevine]

Oh yes it is indeed. Classic Pat Lewis backing vocal arrangement. The original version had no backing vocals whatsoever.

[IanLevine]

1998

[dizzydaves2007]

God! I love this woman! Thanks, Dizzy

[derbyuk]

Hi Any Idea what year she appeared at Cleethorpes soul Weekender ?

[NatesBeats]

so dope

[SteveArpo]

Berry Gordy and the Motown producers must have dropped down on their knees, not believing their luck, when Tammi Terrell and others like Brenda Holloway walked into Motowwn. It's a shame that nothing ever happend there for Little Ann.

[SteveArpo]

Words fail me when I listen to Little Ann singing songs Like, What Shall I Do' and, 'Deep Shadows' People fault Ian Levine for his samey, low-value productions but he brought people like Littel Ann back from obscurituty which allowed people to show their appreciation in a little biit of British limelight. She is very sadly missed. Did anyone here meet Little Ann or are any of her family and friends here?

[MrSP1200]

Wow, amazing! I think I am in love with you Little Ann! best original soul dance tune ever (not northern, just great soul) play it on repeat all the time, love your style evyrything Ann.

So hard to explain in words how much I love this record, best ever, ever........

So much respect for you & this tune makes my life complete, thanks so much Ann for this, big love from the UK xxx

[divaenvy]

Love her!!! Thanks for posting.

[philcurt52]

ian you just get better

happy new year