This must have been somewhere around Autumn time in 1982, I was still working in the Great Yarmouth Branch of the Co-op Butchery, and doing the odd day's relief Work at the Caister Shop.
Then one day the shop Manager of the Caister Shop, "Derrick" asked me if I would like to do some Work in his Shop on a Permanent basis (as he thought I was a Good Reliable Worker), if he could get it Sorted with Head -Office, I said "Yes" straightaway, as I said in previous Post, I did not like my usual Shop Manager in Great Yarmouth!
So after a couple of weeks I started permanently working at the Caister branch, on a Monday, Wednesday & Friday, I had 2 Days off a Week & I did 2 days in the Yarmouth Branch.
I was still Cycling to work, so about 8/9 miles per day, 3 times per week, I must have been quite Fit!
But by this time around September/October time, it used to Rain a bit, so I had to wear Water-proof Trousers and Jacket, most days, Christ I used to Sweat, I thought I had done a days Work before I even got to work!
I remember my Bike at that time, it was a Racer with 10 gears, it was painted Metallic Blue with Yellow Trim and Handle-bars, I had that Bike for several years, and later when I moved jobs , I still Cycled to work in Great Yarmouth, I must have clocked up Thousand's of Miles on that Racer!
I Loved that Bike, nearly as much as The Wife!
Music around this time, one Great Album I remember Buying was "The Real Deal" by The Isley Brothers, it was on the "Epic" Record label and Produced by Ronald and Rudolph Isley.
It had a Great Couple of Tracks, (both Featuring Great Guitar Playing by Ernie) "All In My Lovers Eye" but my Favorite was "Stone Cold Lover" this was a Rockier Track, I still play that Track quite often now!
Incidentally the Album got to number 9 in the US R&B Chart.
DOWNLOAD "THE REAL DEAL" ALBUM
Between 1980 and 1982 The Isley Brothers released 4 Albums, all Self Produced, all on their T-Neck Label Through Epic Record's and all Recorded at The Bearsville Studio's in New York City.
In April 1980 the First of these Album's and the Highest Chart Entry was the LP "Go All The Way" it reached number 8 in US Pop Chart and their last album for sometime to Reach Number 1 in the US R&B Chart's.
The Biggest Hit Single off this Platinum Selling Album was the Track "Dont Say Goodnight (its time for love)" it got to Number 1 in the US R&B Charts and stayed there for 3 weeks!
Critics at the time said this was The Isley's answer to Teddy Pendergrass' hit "Turn Off The Lights"
In 1981 there was 2 Album releases, the first being "Grand Slam" was attained Gold Status while getting to Number 28 in US Pop Chart and Number 3 in R&B Chart.
The 2 best Track's on Album were "I Once Had Your Love" and "Hurry Up & Wait"
The Second Album was entitled " Inside You" it reached Number 45 in US POP & Number 8 in R&B Chart's.
The Biggest Hit on the Album was "Inside You, part 1 & 2"
It was said around this time that the Older Isley's were constantly Arguing with the Younger Brothers & Cousin, about the Direction of the Group, this Finally came to a Head in 1984, when the 3 Younger Members split to form "
1982 saw the Release of "The Real Deal" Album, this marked a Change of Musical Direction for the Group.
After Hearing the Album's of 2 different Artists "The Gap Band" and "Rick James" the Isley's decided to change their Sound!
Although this did'nt help too much, musical wise, as the Chart Position's were Number 87 in US Pop & Number 9 in US R&B Chart's, this has it turned out was The Isley's Lowest Pop Chart Position in 13 Year's!
The Album had a Great Single Release called "Stone Cold Lover" this is one of my Favorite Isley Track's of All Time!
Download the Albums
Go All The Way
Grand Slam
Inside You
The Real Deal
Here's a few Track's from the 4 Album's
