NS527 Jimmy Ruffin [196?] - He Who Picks A Rose [Soul Unreleased]

527 Jimmy Ruffin [196?] - He Who Picks A Rose [Soul Unreleased]

b/w:	Who's Leading You On
Format:	45
Label:	Soul (Bootleg)
Cat No:	S-20661
Year:	196?
Value:	£25-£45

Originally recorded, but unreleased, by Jimmy Ruffin.  I understand that during 80s/90s unreleased Motown tapes were discovered by Chris King and Pat Lowry and I assume that this was on the tapes and was probably played 'out' on an acetate.  It was bootlegged on a counterfeit white promo Soul label around 2002/03.  If anyone has further more accurate info please leave a comment.

The song was released on Motown by The Temptations in 1968 on 'Wish It Would Rain' LP, Edwin Starr as flip to 'War' in 1970 on Gordy and appeared on his '25 Miles' LP, and Rare Earth did it in 1976 on 'Midnight Lady' LP.  The Carstairs recorded a version on Okeh in 1969.

Jimmy is the elder brother of ex Temptation David Ruffin.  He is best known for his 1966 Motown hit 'What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted' which was originally written for The (Detroit) Spinners.  He was never able to repeat it's success and was more popular in the UK than US. He left Motown in 1974, had a hit on Chess / Polydor with 'Tell Me What You Want'  and another on RSO 'Hold On To Love' 1980 and eventually moved to the UK in the 80s.

This track is available on a white label Soul bootleg or on Jimmy Ruffin The Motown Anthology CD released in 2004 and various Motown/Northern compilation CDs.

Since the original posting made in 2010 this side has been released on a Tamla Motown 45: The Motown 7's Box Rare And Unreleased Vinyl Volume 2 box set in UK in 2014 with Gladys Knight & The Pips - If You Ever Get Your Hands On Love of the flip.

Biography

Jimmy Ruffin Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Edwin Starr [1970] - He Who Picks A Rose [Gordy 7011]

Released as the flip to his US Pop #1 and world-wide hit 'War'

Carstairs [1969] - He Who Picks A Rose [Okeh 4-7329]

The Carstairs performing 'He Who Picks A Rose' live @ Blackpool Mecca 1998

Video footage of The Carstairs at Blackpool Mecca Nov 1998.  The audio is not live.

I attended this event and have some VHS footage which I'll try to digitise.  Also appearing was Frank Wilson who did  a live version of 'that' record!  He also signed one of the 2 known copies for the then owner Kenny Burrell at this event.

The Carstairs performing The Salvadors 'Stick By Me Baby' live @ Blackpool Mecca 1998

Video footage of The Carstairs at Blackpool Mecca Nov 1998.  The audio is not live.  You can safely assume that The Salvadors will not lose any sleep over this version!