The Four Larks

Listen/Download – The Four Larks – Groovin’ at the Go Go MP3

Greetings all.

I come to you, mid-week, with one of the greatest 45s ever made, and a story to accompany its dulcet tones.

Many years ago, in the early days of the Funky16Corners blog, I got an e-mail from a reader (whose identity is sadly lost in the sands of time) saying how much they dug the blog, and asked for my address so that they could send me something.

So, a couple of weeks pass, and then I get a package in the mail. I opened it, only to be greeted by a genuinely shocking sight.

There in the package was one of my personal holy grail 45s, ‘Groovin’ at the Go Go’ by the Four Larks, in stone mint condition, with a note saying how the sender had come across it at a stoop sale in Brooklyn, knew that I had sung its praises on the blog (mentioning of course how I had been unable to score a copy), and thought they’d send it my way as a token of their appreciation for my efforts.

Now, I should mention – for those of you who are not record collecting obsessives, or Northern Soul fans – that this is no ordinary garage sale/flea market find. This is a record that regularly fetches between 200 to 350 dollars in this kind of condition (way out of my price range) and this sainted soul dropped a mint copy in my lap for nothing.

That, my friends, is what the Jewish members of my family would describe as a mitzvah. A really big mitzvah.

Sadly, I soon lost the box with the sender’s name and address, and despite asking on the blog for contact info, have not heard from them again (if you’re still out there, PLEASE drop me a line).

They should know, that over the years, when I wasn’t feeling the love (blog-wise), that act of kindness was a well that I could return to over and over again to restore my faith in the readership, and mankind in general.

That all said, it is undeniable (at least to me and most Philly soul heads) that the Four Larks ‘Groovin’ at the Go Go’ is a monument to the greatness of the Harthon sound specifically, and Philadelphia soul in general.

The lead vocal by Vivian McDougal is first rate, and the backing by the Four Larks (including her then-husband, the mighty Weldon), and the instrumental backing (flawless) are both among the best of the era, and the tune, written by Philly giant Thom Bell is amazing.

‘Groovin’ at the Go Go’ is a Northern Soul favorite for all of the obvious reasons, including the hooks, bright pop-soul sound and that driving beat.

The 45 holds a place of honor in my playbox, and when I had the opportunity to spin at the legendary Subway Soul night in NYC, I made sure to give it an airing.

I hope you dig it as much as I do, and I’ll see you all on Friday.

Keep the faith

Larry

 

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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived! The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock. They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US). Click here to go to the ordering page.

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

2 Responses to “The Four Larks – Groovin’ at the Go Go”

1. La says:

   March 23, 2016 at 5:10 am

   You go kid. You are the best.
   Got me through hard times.
   Tim

   Hope to see you one year at Boogie festival over Easter near Melbourne Australia

   You would smash it to pieces.

2. Matt says:

   January 30, 2019 at 10:13 am

   Hey Larry! That was me! Not sure how I missed this when you posted it, but I just slipped Groovin’ At the Go-Go back into the jukebox and it got me thinking…