The Up Tights were formed by Henry Bradley in Forrest City, Arkansas in March of 1967 while most of the band members were attending Lincoln High School.They took their name from the Stevie Wonder song "Uptight - Everything’s Alright.” Playing at school functions, they quickly branched out to playing bigger shows and headlined the 1968 St. Francis County Fair in Forrest City. The Up Tights first recorded for Action Records in Memphis as Noble and the Up Tights. The 45 featured an original song by singer, Izear “Ike” Noble Jr. titled “Don't Worry About It.” Henry Bradley was drafted into Vietnam in 1968.While he was away, the Up Tights continued with Henry’s brother, Arthur, taking over all the guitar duties. The band also hired a manager named John Mitchell. In 1968 the band met Joe Lee, who owned Variety recording studio in Jonesboro, Arkansas. For the band’s first recordings at Variety, Lee chose two originals by Noble titled “Look a Little Higher” and an updated version of “Just a Dream” which Lee released on his Alley Records label in 1968. Lee continued to record the band over the next several months. He liked to experiment in the studio and produced many versions of the group’s original songs, adjusting the mix and adding elements to each unique take. For the group’s second Alley release, they appeared simply as Ike Noble on the record label. Lee brought in a local songwriter named Charles “Jamie” Holmes, who had previously written for Alley records and Joe Keene’s studio in Kennett, Missouri. The resulting 45 from this collaboration was “It’s Bad” backed with “That’s What I Get,” two Holmes originals. Another Holmes original was unreleased at the time, but available here titled “There’s Gonna Be a Better Day Coming.”... Stax Records was interested in signing the group and wanted to re-cut "It's Bad" at their studio, but ultimately the label passed since they generally had a policy of working with Memphis based groups. As the band grew in popularity, they began appearing with and competing with Memphis legends, the Bar-Kays. The group’s biggest show in Arkansas was an opening slot at Barton Coliseum, one of the largest venues in the state, in Little Rock in mid-1969. As a result, the band was offered a spot on George Klein’s “Talent Party” television show on WHBQ in Memphis in July of 1969. Ike released 3 solo efforts on connowil & timeless record labels.The uptights 4 45,s are featured here less 1 side. a great album for all northern,Deep,& funk lovers.
Moxysoulandjazz
Tracks
01 Money Wont Change You |
02 It's Bad |
03 Good Thing |
04 Best of Luck to You |
05 That's What I Get |
06 That's the Sound of My Heart |
07 How Long Must I Wait for You |
08 Foxy Mama |
09 Look a Little Higher |
10 I Take What I Want |
11 She's Got to Be Loved |
12 Just a Dream |
13 I've Never Found Girl (To Love Me Like You Do) |
14 There's Gonna Be a Better Day Coming |
15 Good Thing (Alternate Take) |
16 That's What I Get (Alternate Take) |
17 Just a Dream (Alternate Take 1) |
18 Just a Dream (Alternate Take 2) |
19 Foxy Mama (Alternate Take) |
20 She's Got to Be Loved (Alternate Take) |
21 Look a Little Higher (Alternate Take 1) |
22 Look a Little Higher (Alternate Take 2) |
23 Look A Little Higher (Alternate Take 3) |
28 comments:
Another review that allows all of us to learn about some great artists. Looking forward to the music. I had heard of Ike Noble. Thanks AMM
what a fantastic review moxy m8!..many thx for these rare gems..superb!
Another superb review, cheers
Thanks Moxysoulandjazz -interesting detail about using the Stevie Wonder song.
This is an excellent novelty on a little known group that will allow me to complete their discography.
Thanks Moxysoulandjazz and AMM
Yves
what a cracking review, nice one Moxy and thanks to AMM for posting it. I don't know many songs by Ike Noble so I'm really looking forward to hearing this gem
I take what I want, and this is one of those things. Thanks, Moxysoulandjazz and AMM!
Based on the "tasters", this will be a very tasty review. A new artist to me. Thank you AMM and Moxy!
great review . . . intriguing
Looks very cool. Please and thank you.
Another discovery for me ... and of course I'm interested. Thank you for sharing .
Pierre
Thank you AMM For this Album
Great review good to have in the collection
Great review guys many thanks from my side too!
i only had his Connowil LP "Angie" and it was nice; thank you so much Moxysoulandjazz and AMM
Many thanks Moxysoulandjazz for this share and great info
I will pass as i already have a copy, it's is a wonderful collection
Reb
I am looking forward to hear this rarity. Thanks for review, P.
This act is new to me. Thanks AMM!!
Thanks for the review Moxysoulandjazz and AMM have never encountered so many Ike Noble and The Uptights tracks all at once appreciated
Looking forward to hearing this one, thanks for the review.
Don't know how I missed this one... many thanks MS&J and AMM for this great review
BigD
Thanks to Moxysoulandjazz and a great review thanks also go to AMM raw-ish funk/soul nice sound
Cheers pedro
Looks interesting. I have the Lonely People album, and I like it.
Nothing More To Say
,Except For Big Thanks!
Uuuh, yeah, I dig the tasters. And totally oversaw this one, sorry for being a bit late ;) Anyway, thanks a lot AMM & Moxy 🌞✌🏻☮️
Many thanks for
Alternate Takes
Many thanks Moxysoulandjazz.
cheers,ELtel
seems like another great review.Thanks AMM & Moxy
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