Sidney Barnes - I Hurt On The Other Side

Sidney Barnes was an important part of early Motown, being part of their New York operation, with his partner George Kerr. He recorded solo stuff such as "Standing In The Safety Zone", which didn't come out till years later, and became a cult northern Soul favourite. In 1964, on the V.I.P. label, he was the lead singer of The Seranaders, who recorded the Motown classic, "If Your Heart Says Yes". But it's his two Northern Soul smashes that he became most well known for, "You'lll Always Be In Style", on Red Bird records, and "I Hurt On The Other Side", on the Blue Cat label. My 2001 production of "Standing On Solid Ground", however, became his biggest Northern record ever. Sidney was born in Welch, West Virginia in 1941 and grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. After forming several vocal groups in Junior High and High School (while living in Washington, D.C.) with school mates including a young Marvin Gaye, Van McCoy and Herb Feimster (of "Peaches and Herb" fame), Sidney felt ready for the big time. In order to increase his chances of success, the Barnes family moved to Newark, New Jersey - as close to New York City as they wanted to be. Sidney formed The Seranaders and landed a recording contract with Riverside records. Their only release on Riverside was a song called "Adios My Love". Then 1962. Sidney heard through the music grapevine that Berry Gordy was opening a branch office of Motown records and Jobete Music in New York. Sidney, always the leader, was knocking on the new Motown office door just as the desk and furniture was arriving. After auditioning for Berry Gordy, the Serenaders were signed to a contract and flown to Detroit. There they found themselves in the now legendary Detroit Hitsville recording Studio, with many of the early Motown stars. To make a long story short - Sidney and George Kerr became head songwriters, producers and talent scouts for Gordy's New York office.Over the years he released so many records, joined the Rotary Connection, on Chess, and sang lead on classic disco group Arpeggio. I tracked down Sidney to re-record "I Hurt On The Other Side" for our Strange World Of Northern Soul project, and then two years later we cut Standing On Solid Ground Together, never dreaming it would finally open the way on the Northern Soul scene for artists to record something new instead of just forty year old records.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern-Soul
• Motown
• Detroit
• Chicago
• Motorcity
• Male-Soul-Singers
• Soul-Groups
• Sixties

[MrSuedehead72]

ultime , magique le morceau (avec "soul galore" ) que j' enmmenerais sur une ile deserte!!!!!! le son northern soul par excellence!!!!!!!! sidney barnes for ever!!!! a french dreamer....thanks mister levine(are you the reel ian levine????)

[IanLevine]

I certainly hope so.

[muldoon1970]

pure class

[SuperRiker1]

AWESOME !!

[mandi1ful]

fantastic tune lv it !!

[poohbear9174]

Sidney is a wonderful, wonderful talent...this is nice, but my favorite stuff by him is w/Minnie Riperton while they were a part of the Charles Stephney's GEM the Rotary Connection. Thanks for the post Ian

[sirgaryhoi]

The original version by Sidney Barnes is one of my fav songs eva. Thanks for posting this version.

[bigripenanas]

Without going through my boxes have i got this on the Charlie label? Think its this one?Mmm You could allways send me a real one one though guys? No Matter,again a proper NS Lyric that digs proper deep and hits the spots that can only come with lifes ups and downs,Awesome record Sidney its engrained in us up north for ever.Absolutely stunning to get this down for prosperity.Ian a credit to you!

[gfaman7]

In 1970, I was turned on to Rotary Connection at my birthday party (in which Richie Havens just happen to attend) and I've been a a Sydney, Minnie, and RC ever since! Cover tunes or not during the late 60s, Charles Stepney did a masterful job of bringing the acid rock vocals into the forefront of music at that time. Gettin' stoned, Yago, hashish, and college! Whatta combo for RC and college!

[robnsheel]

Quality with a big Q Brilliant to see these guys,excellent dance tune can still feel the magic vibrating round the dance halls of the 70s/80s when obscurity prevailed