Darrow Fletcher occupies a special place in the hearts of
many rare soul fans, in particular to the mod corner that has congregated to
the left of the 100 Club stage at 6T’s Allnighters for as long as I can remember. Fletcher’s
pair of 1966 thumpers “The Pain Gets A Little Deeper” and “My Young Misery” are
super-strength mod dancefloor magnets, with the more traditional northern soul
of “What Good Am I Without You” and the classy sophistication of “What Have I
Got Now” not far behind.
For Darrow to guest at Kent Records’ 30th
Anniversary party was therefore something to savour and an extra week of
waiting after his passport was deemed “too scruffy” to travel from Chicago only
added to the sense of anticipation. Soul acts can be hit or miss, especially
when plonked in front of aficionados after years of inactivity. The night Ray
Pollard did a similar performance here in the late 80s will stay with me
forever – I’ve never experienced such love and adulation shown to an artist - but
others have been less successful although that’s not really the point of these
types of event.
Darrow was good, no two ways about it. His voice is understandably a bit rusty and he can’t hit all the notes but he can still hold a tune. I’ve always
been amazed that he was only 14 when he recorded “The Pain Gets A Little
Deeper” and when he stepped on to the stage it was hard to believe this still
youthful man was now 61. Whilst many soul men are all glitz, bling and white
suits, Darrow is resolutely “street” wearing nothing more ostentatious than a
baggy shirt and pants (that’s American pants by the way). With his tiny stature
and small glassy eyes he only needed a hoody and a bike and could’ve passed
for a teenage drug runner.
Starting with “Changing By The Minute” he sang nine numbers,
each to rapturous applause, including the four mentioned above plus nice 70s
ones like “No Limit” and “Secret Weapon” (from his new Kent LP Crossover Records 1975-79: LA Soul Sessions)
before returning for an extended “Pain”. It was over far too quickly, which
speaks volumes not only for how enjoyable it was but how many great songs like “Infatuation”
and “What Is This” were omitted. Kent are putting the finishing touches to a
long-overdue collection of Darrow’s 60s material, due out next year; if Darrow
can look after his passport they should bring him back.
Worth a purchase is the excellent CD Kent 30: Best of Kent Northern 1982-2012 which celebrates the label with some old classics and future floor fillers.
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