The respected southern soul man’s complete A-Bet recordings and more, including four previously unissued gems.
For almost 20 years Nashville-born Freddie North was a mainstay of Music City’s R&B and soul scenes. His warm, Jerry Butler-like baritone guaranteed him steady work as a demo singer and as a live performer. It also brought him releases on a number of labels – including University, Capitol, East West and Phillips International – before hooking up with Nashboro Records in 1965, where he combined his singing career with a position as the company’s Head Of Promotion.
Over the next few years Freddie released a string of fine recordings, including the hit singles ‘She’s All I Got’ and ‘You And Me Together Forever’ and an album, “The Magnetic North”. His hits appeared on Nashboro’s Mankind label and were produced by soul music legend Jerry Williams Jr. Most of the sides he cut with Williams have long been available on Ace. Here on “What Are You Doing To Me” we present his complete earlier recordings for the company’s A-Bet imprint and the remainder of his Mankind sides, including four previously unissued titles. Collectively they paint a satisfying musical picture of an artist who deserved to have been more consistently successful.
Freddie was with Nashboro until the company was sold in 1977, following which he reverted to his birth name of Carpenter and started a ministry. He preached at Edmondson Chapel MB Church in Nashville for 11 years and since 2001 has been the pastor at Bethel MB Church, where he still sings on occasion. Those who request to interview him about his music career are routinely met with a polite refusal. Like many who have reaffirmed their faith in later years, he has distanced himself from his former life. Frustrating for fans, of course, but something to be respected. Hopefully this collection of highlights from his recording career might ignite something from which future interviewers will be able to benefit. For now, though, Kent Records invites you to feel the pull of some marvellous soul music from the magnetic Freddie North.
Tony Rounce
