THE HOLIDAYS Getting Kind Of Soulful - New & Sealed 70s Soul Northern CD *Listen

Release Information

There were several groups within the Detroit music scene of the 1960’s that shared the name of ‘The Holidays’. But this cd compilation is dedicated to the one whose main protagonists were the brothers Jack and James Holland. Both sides of their Soul Hawk 45 apart, it is their own productions for the Marathon, Ron-Hol and Rob-Ron labels both issued and previously unissued that have been included in this compilation.

This compilation opens with the 1969 ‘Popcorn’ Wylie’s produced “Maybe So, Maybe No”   (Soul Hawk 1008), released under the group name of ‘The New Holidays’. This current in demand 45 featured Jack and Jimmy Holland, Maurice Wise and former Motown group ‘The Contours’ ex member Joe Billingslea.  The flipside of this release “If I Only Knew” is also featured being an excellent cover version of a previous Jimmy (Soul) Clark recording “If I Only Knew Then (What I Know Now)” which was recorded at a later session to “Maybe So, Maybe No” and featured a slightly different line up with Joe Billingslea making way for a youthful Elliot Smith.

By 1972 The Holidays found themselves without a label, so they formed their own, Marathon Records. Their initial release was the excellent double sider “I’m So Glad (That I Met You)/Too Many Times” (Marathon 257).” I’m So Glad” is a great upbeat dancer that’s backed with the ballad “Too Many Times” of which the issued and a longer unissued version are featured. Both songs were written by James Holland and Sylvester Potts another former member of the Motown group ‘The Contours’ and were recorded under the artist name of ‘The Fabulous Holidays.

Into 1973 and their next release was the soulful ballad “Getting Kind Of Serious” (Marathon 18475) a Fritz Hale and Fredrick Charles Hawkins composition backed with an instrumental version. Followed by “Ego Tripping” (Marathon 18475) an upbeat funky little mover backed with the ballad “Lazy Day” written by James Holland, Anthony Hawkins and Fritz Hale.” Again the featured mix of “Getting Kind Of Serious” is a longer unissued take from the master tapes.

During 1975 The Holidays resumed their acquaintance with former record store owner Ronald Holmes a collaboration which led to the release of another excellent double sider “This Is Love b/w The Love We Share” on the Rob-Ron (RR-75) label. “The Love We Share” was recorded twice. Firstly as the issued 45 version under the shortened title of “The Love We Share” and as a unissued longer version under the title of “(Been Together Too Long) The Love We Share” with slightly different lyrics, both versions are featured. During 1976 a further Holland/Holmes collaboration saw the release of the message song “Procrastinate (Why Do We)” (Ron-Hol 76). After this release Ronald Holmes and the Holidays parted company.
 During late 1976 into 1977 Jack and James Holland wrote and produced two further songs which they recorded with Charles Hawkins. The up tempo dance track “You Make Me Weak” and the less frenetic “Lost Love” although never issued at the time both songs gain their initial release on this compilation.  Following a period of inactivity musically The Holidays did have one last roll of the dice in the music business when in 1980 they released a 45 featuring two of their previous recordings “Getting Kind Of Serious” backed with “(Why Do We) Procrastinate” (vocal version), under the artist name of just ‘Holiday’. - Soul Junction

Label – Soul Junction (2017)
Catalogue #SJCD5012
Format – CD Album
Condition – New & Sealed