PERSONAL CASSETTE & THE FOUR TOPS

I was Working as a Chef on a Gas Platform in the North Sea, it was the middle of November 1983.


I was Working 2 Weeks on and 2 Weeks off, so I knew before I left Shore, I needed something to stop the Boredom at some point in the 2 Weeks, so I took some Books and more Importantly I took my New Personal Cassette Player!


These had only been out for about a Year or Two, I could not Afford a Sony Walkman, so mine was a cheaper Version, I believe it was made by AIWA, anyway it was Blue in Colour and had very similar Headphones to those in the picture! 

I used to Record all my Vinyl Records I brought, so I could always hear them (when either I was going to Work or when I was at Work), on my Portable or Personal Cassette, I also always use to Buy a lot of Cassette Tapes, around this period.


I remember I always Recorded all the 7" and 12" Singles in a sort of continuous Mix, they were Great Listening! 

So on my First Trip Offshore, I took plenty of  Recorded Cassettes Tapes, to get me through the Boring Times and there were Plenty of them!


But one thing I can remember concerning my Tapes, I met a black Chap ( a Contractor) on the Rig from London, I cant remember his Name, but he could not get over me "Being White and playing all this Soul and Funk Music"


Anyway He seemed alright and I used to lend him my Tapes, all the time. When his time came to leave the Rig for a Fortnight off, He asked if he could Borrow one of my Tapes to take Home to Record and bring back, in 14 Days time, I said "Yes"

That turned out to be a Mistake, as I never saw him or my Tape again, now whether He knew he was not coming back Offshore or the Fact I only ever did 2 Trips before I finished (working offshore) and Missed him, I'll never know! 


So if by any chance, you are that Bloke (Reading this Post) who Borrowed my Tape, It was a Copy anyway!


==============================================



As for Music, as I have said in a Previous Post, my First Love in Soul Music back in the Very Late 60's and Early 70's was "Motown" so bands like The Temptations, Junior Walker, Marvin Gaye and of course "The Four Tops" were among my Favorites.


One of my Favorite Tracks by The Four Tops was actually after they had left "Motown" for Abc-Dunhill in the early 70's, Their Debut Album for Abc was "Keeper Of The Castle" the Title Track was the First Released Single, this was followed in 1973 by my Favorite Four Tops Track "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)" 


Its a Great Soul Track with the Excellent Voice of Levi Stubbs on Lead Vocals.


It was Written by  Dennis Lambert (he also Produced) and Brian Potter, The Four Tops were not the Original Singers of the Song!

The Song turned out to be The Four Tops most Succesful Single after their Motown Material, it Reached Number 4 in US Pop Chart and Number 2 in the US R&B Chart.


The Original members of The Four Tops, Levi Stubbs, Lawrence Payton and Ronaldo"Obie"Benson are all Deseased, only Abdul "Duke" Fakir is still Going Strong!


I Dedicate this track to My Wife, Susan xx