This is the second track with Verna Francis for our last album, "Northern Soul 2008", and is a cover of the track we cut with X-Factor star Rowetta, on her album for Gut Records, the one big Northern Soul track, called "Thunder And Lightning". This version by Verna was done as a bonus track for the DVD, which I am exclusively unveiling here on YouTube, from the album, which was released on June 30th, 2008. Verna Francis also sings "Like A Live Wire", as her main track on the album. It is true to say that I have tried many times in my life to capture that quintessence of what makes a Northern Soul record actually work on the dancefloor, and with records like Sidney Barnes "Standing On Solid Ground" and Chuck Jackson "All Over The World", I certainly hit a popular chord. But this time I have never been more artistically satisfied. Everything about this wonderful new song suggests the magic and energy of the era that I fell in love with as a teenager. Forget the purists - this one has it all. If you can keep your feet still while listening to this, then you must be a country and western fan or something. Verna Francis, along with Tahira Jumah, Fay Jones, Shenton Dixon and Winston Ward, represents the new generation of Centre City artists. Thanks to the wonderful Tahira Jumah, who has been scouring England for the best soul talent there is, our new album is a vocal masterpiece, a new hope for the future, and a proof positive that great soul music is far far far from dead and buried. Thankyou my wonderful wonderful Tahira. You have done me proud. The best A&R talent scout there ever was. Tahira found the wonderful Winston Ward, who, in turn, introduced me to this utterly fabulous soul diva, Verna Francis. The new album, "Northern Soul 2008" will be released on June 30th on Centre City Records, distributed once again by Passion Music and Pinnacle, and available to pre-order through the new website, http://www.ianlevine.co.uk This new current upcoming Northern Soul album is a sequel to our album from last year, "Northern Soul 2007" which was the very first release on Centre City Records. I have spent thirty two years honing my craft to the point when I am able to produce authentic records like this. There are some small minded people who call themselves fans of Northern Soul who refuse to accept that anybody can make a new record that sounds like the real thing. But with well over two million YouTube hits, they seem to be thankfully a very small minority, and my YouTube page is officially the 54th most watched UK Music Channel on YouTube of ALL-TIME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The recent album consists of twenty four brand new 2008 songs by soul and disco legends. Each song has an accompanying video of the artist basically performing it the studio and in outside locations, and the DVD will have four extra bonus tracks too. The work that we have all put into this project is quite staggering, and I hope it will break down the barriers between the older Northern Soul stalwarts and a new generation who need younger acts who still produce the same vibe we all witnessed forty years ago for Motown's glory years. Play the CD, watch the DVD, and give new Northern Soul a chance this time. Rowetta Satchell and I co-wrote this wonderful song, "Thunder And Lightning", with my long time producing partner Clive Scott, a song which sounds like a classic Blackpool Mecca floorfiller of the type that made the entire club run onto the floor from every nook and cranny.
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Verna Francis - Because Of Youby IanLevine4,281 views
Another Gem From This Wonderful Singer!! Can't Wait To Buy Your New Cd Set "Midnight Ride" Coming This Spring...So Much Great Music!!!
BarbraAlejandro 2 years ago
Hello Verna!
Hello Ian! so one's salt and one's pepper...
just enjoy the meal
bobrofmad 3 years ago
I thought Rowetta's track was amazing, but this definitely tops it.
Soulanddisco 3 years ago