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Lou Johnson - Frisco Here I Come

Northern Soul legend Lou Johnson is best known for his recordings of Bacharach-David songs and for the classic Big Top 45 "Unsatisfied." Unfortunately, save for the minor hit "There's Always Something There To Remind Me" (yes, the original version of that song), commercial success eluded Johnson. (See this YouTube video of Johnson performing "Unsatisfied" in The Strange World of Northern Soul and read more about Johnson there.)

"Frisco Here I Come" was pulled from Lou's 1971 Volt LP With You In Mind for single release. Although none other than Allen Toussaint was involved on the production end of things, this catchy piece of get down didn't go anywhere, and for contractual reasons it could not be included in the appropriate volume of The Complete Stax-Volt Soul Singles. It's a pity, because over the stepping groove, great background singers and swirling strings, Johnson captures the desperation behind the song's lyrics. "I don't need a computer to tell me something's wrong," Johnson laments. Great stuff.