Tony Newman and his Boxer band mate Ollie Halsall

The label is beat but the song is pure HEAT!

Tony Newman – Soul Thing from the Parrot Records 45

As real world moves encroach on my blog world this week, I bring you a really great record, that was passed on to me many years ago from the sale box of on Larry Grogan from Funky 16 Corners. I had just started to make the serious transition from Lp and part time 45 collector to full on 45 junkie. Larry said: “You might be interested in this.” As a matter of fact, I was, and have played it out (at the inaugural Asbury Park 45 Sessions), and included part of it on the first Flea Market Funk Mix/ Podcast from last February. Before I get into this, I’d like to shout out my friend and great DJ, DJ Andy Smith. Congratulation to the King of the Document Mix Series and his missus as they celebrate the birth of their two new twins. Best of luck. Andy can be seen working doubles (of kids!) on his MySpace page and website. Here we go midweek with Tony Newman and “Soul Thing” on Parrot Records.

Richard Anthony “Tony” Newman was born in 1943 in Southampton, Hampshire England. Inspired by a combination of Bill Haley’s “Shake, Rattle, and Roll”, and Louis Belson, Newman would escape a not so great home life by playing drums. His perseverance and natural ability landed him a gig on Gene Vincent’s 1960 record “I’m Going Home”. From there he has played with as Sounds Incorporated, Jeff Beck, David Bowie, Three Man Army, T.Rex, May Blitz, Donovan, Mick Ronson, and a long list of notables. He at any time, would open up for The Beatles, and many other major league acts. Newman tells tales of opening up for the Fab Four at Shea Stadium in 1969, and for the most part was a veteran studio drummer and all around journeyman musician throughout the Rock scene. Apparently quite a character as well as a bad ass drummer, the Englishman would eventually relocate to Nashville, where he’d be involved with Crystal Gayle and the Everly Brothers and Country Music. He now resides in Las Vegas, where he still performs.

“Soul Thing” does not disappoint. A Hammond monster with a heavy drum beat provided by Newman, I can easily say that this is one of my most favorite 45’s. Newman took a cue from UK library guru Keith Mansfield on this side, and put out one of two solo efforts in his career (the other was “Hoolie Ghoolie”). There’s lots of funny coincidences about this side, Quentin Tarantino has used it in both Kill Bill and Death Proof ( it was background music before both films), also pointed out to me by a coworker as the theme song from Queen Street Gang by psych/ fuzz band Arzachel. That version was a bit slower, but there is no mistaking it’s “Soul Thing”. You can read more about this record in the old Funky 16 Corners webzine from back in the day. Another shining example of a non Funk or Soul guy laying down some funky, funky stuff. FMF recommended. Have a great one, and we’ll see you Friday. Keep Diggin’!