THE SHOWMEN - 'Our Love Will Grow'

Boomp3.com
Artist: The Showmen
Track: Our Love Will Grow
Label: Swan
Catalog#: S – 4219 – A
Format: Vinyl, 7” Promo
Released:
Country:
Credits: General Norman Johnson – lead singer, Milton 'Smokes' Wells – bass guitar, Dorsey 'Chops' Knight – second tenor, Gene 'Cheater' Knight – first tenor, Leslie 'Fat Boy' Felton – baritone.

The Showmen were one of the R&B groups to bridge the gap between Doo Wop and Soul in the early '60s and are best known for their classic Rock 'n' Roll anthem, 'It Will Stand' – their only hit. Their music has the feel of The Drifters, but without the overly lush arrangements.

Originally from Norfolk, Virginia the group featured the distinctive and incredibly soulful lead vocals of Norman Johnson (who later went on to front Chairmen Of the Board) and great harmonies from the rest of the group. Most of their earlier sides were recorded in New Orleans so they had backing from some of the best R&B musicians in the business, including the production skills of the then barely known Allen Toussaint.

'Our Love Will Grow' became a classic Northern Soul track and is listed as number 382 on the Northern Soul All Time Top 500 (although I think these sorts of lists are rarely reflective of the quality of music out there, so how they are compiled is anyone’s guess).