By drums (208.251.209.82 - 208.251.209.82) on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 04:45 pm:

Hello Forum members!!

I just want to leave a message about Bobby Eli!!!

He is not only one of the most knowledgeable people in the music industry, he is also one of the nicest and friendliest people that I have ever met!! Outstanding!!! I thank you and your family for all of the stories,advice and knowledge that you have bestowed on me and all of the others here and throughout the world!!

I am humbled and I am learning about where music that influence me came from and I will never forget it!!!!

Thank you again!!

Daren Metz
Noble & Cooley
Sabian
ddrum
Dunnett Snare Drums

By phillysoulman (152.163.204.177 - 152.163.204.177) on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 05:06 pm:

Hi Daren,

I am truly moved by your sincere compliments.
It makes an "oldhead" such as myself truly appreciated by my peers.
It is truly a pleasure knowing you and you play your ass off, and definitely follow in the footsteps of Benny, Pistol, Uriel and Earl.
I am looking forward to utilizing your talents in the studio. You and Babbitt would be "da bomb"

Bobby Eli

By Rich (162.33.234.77 - 162.33.234.77) on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 08:37 pm:

Hey Bobby, somewhere on the net I saw a reference to a single you did on Melron entitled Big Butters Pt1 b/w Pt 2. I've never heard the tune, but I was curious about it. Any recollections on that one.

By Polly Esther (152.163.197.68 - 152.163.197.68) on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 08:58 pm:

I can tell you about big butters, that was one of the only songs that Bobby sang on. It was a pre-historic cousin to RAP. Len Stark who owned Melron Records was a 47 year old dock worker who dabbled in lyric writing. His son Barney befriended Bobby when he lived in North Philly. He mentioned that his father wrote lyrics and that Bobby should hook up with his father. Bobby was thirteen at the time. The first project they did together was a girls group that went to Bobby's school, they were called the Sweethearts. Mr. Stark took his money that he earned from his day job and had Bobby get some of his musician friends together and go into Reco-Art studio which later became Sigma and record Bobby's first ever production called You'll Always Know on Harris Records it is extremely rare. Right around this time Mr. Stark started Melron named after his sons Melvin and Ronnie. The first artist was Rocky Brown. There was studio time left over on Rocky's session so Mr. Stark showed Bobby some lyrics that he had written about a ficticious fisherman named Big Butters. Mr. Stark prompted Bobby to recite the lyrics to a hastily constructed 5 1/2 minute backing track with the out of tune Del Rio's doing the backing vocals. Everything was recorded at the same time. Bobby had a acetate made up and gave it to Rockin Robin who was a radio personality in Philly. He put it on without listening to it and hastily took it off the turntable never to be heard from again until it magically resurfaced on a Best of Melron CD compilation that Philly Archives released in 2000. Melron is truly one of the rarest of rare pre Gamble and Huff record companies. This is the only time Bobby lent his lead vocals to any recording. There are several rarities where Bobby does some "backing vocals", one of them being Aki-Wawa by Cupit on Neptune Records, Bo did it on Marmaduke Records. Those are several that I know of offhand.

By Polly Esther (152.163.197.68 - 152.163.197.68) on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 09:02 pm:

Want to verify that my e-mail address is correct.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 09:20 pm:

hi to polly esther.

i thought for a minute you were mr eli!

fantastic detail.

By Rich (162.33.234.77 - 162.33.234.77) on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 09:50 pm:

Yeah, Great detail. Its almost like you were there. Man, I thought we were talkin' 'bout some BIG BUTTERS up in here not a ficticious Fisherman ... Unless of course he was fishin' for Big Butters... Now I'm with ya! Hey, What'd he use for bait.

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 05:43 pm:

Polly,

Thanks for the info. on Melron - a real mystery label until Philly Archives resurrected them.

Bobby,

I know you did a lot of worl with Len Barry -
did you work on the Electric Indian album -
in fact are you the ELectric Indian ??

For the benefit of readers who might not know
this one - Electric Indian was the name given to a bunch of Philly sessionmen who had a surprise
instrumental hit "Keem-O-Sabe" on United Artists
in '69.

By phillysoulman (205.188.192.154 - 205.188.192.154) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 06:09 pm:

Hi Davie,

Interestingly, the Melron cd has some songs on it that are rehearsals done in my house in north Philly!! I dont know where Dave Brown dug up that stuff. I was still in school and the audio/video dept. used to lend me their tape recorder thinking that I was practicing the technical stuff. Little did they know that I was recording all of these people that used to come to my house to rehearse and try to make things happen.
During this time is when I met Len Stark, who "founded" Melron. He was your typical cigar chomping type that you might find working the docks. In fact, he did work on the docks!!
His publishing company, Moonlake was named after a celery distribution company that he saw on a crate. His lyrics left a lot to be desired but this was my "grand entrance" into the world of record production so I appreciated the chance that he gave me. the stuff on the cd is the rarest of the rare!!!

By phillysoulman (205.188.192.154 - 205.188.192.154) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 06:17 pm:

Electric Indian was a Len Barry concoction, originally on Marmaduke and sold to U.A.
The players were Myself and Tim Moore on guitars, Daryl Hall!! on piano,Vince Montana on vibes,Jim Helmer on drums and Tommy Sellers on bass.
Tommy went on to arrange Rock the boat by the Hues Corporation.
Len had an obsession with all things Indian as well as Chinese, so he did one called Egg foo wawa!! Len and I did go on to write many songs together such as Zoom by Fat Larrys Band and Lovetown By Booker Newberry the 3rd which I also produced.

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.5 - 62.254.0.5) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 06:46 pm:

Bobby -

Here's a poser for you... a track I just picked up this week.
The Knights & Arthur � Do You - on Gamble 202
Short but sweet at about 1' 57"
Couldn't help wondering if you know something about it..?

By John Lester (213.1.131.185 - 213.1.131.185) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 08:51 pm:

Electric Indian....my my my..I have that album

Keem O Sabe
I Heard It Through the Grapevive
Spinning Wheel
Storm Warning
Rain Dance

Geronimo
Only The Strong Survive
My Cherie Amour
What Does It Take To win YOur Love
1-2-3

USA 6728.

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 08:59 pm:

Hi Bobby,

Thanks for the info. on the Electric Indian
album. So apart from your good self and Vince
Montana that lineup seems to be, more or less,
the same as Gulliver a group who had an album
on Elektra which, if I remember rightly, included
the original (?) version of "Christine" .

By phillysoulman (64.12.101.178 - 64.12.101.178) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 10:59 pm:

Hi Davie,

Gulliver was a studio group that John Madara and Dave White put together initially for pop recording sessions in the vain of the then fashionable Beatles-esque way of making records.
Madara was a bit of a copycat type of producer who relied on otherds for their input.
So he recorded the guys under the guise of Gulliver to give it the so -called "British" vibe.
It sank along with The Titanic!!

By phillysoulman (152.163.207.178 - 152.163.207.178) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 05:40 am:

I just want to give an abridged list of some of the songs that we played on.
Backstabbers, Love train,For the love of money,
Used to be my girl, Ill be around, Could it be im falling in love, Mighty love,( the following with Babbit and Andrew Smith) Rubberband Man, Love dont love nobody, Then came you, I dont want to lose you, Smile we have each other, Mama cant buy me love ( Elton John), Sweet love of mine (spinners) , Pick of the litter album From here to eternally album
(back to earl and ronnie et all) If you dont know me by now, Bad luck,The love I lost, I miss you,
Wake up everybody, Dont leave me this way,
Ill always love my mama, You make me feel brand new, stone in love with you, People make the world go round, Betcha by golly wow( originally done by Connie stevens with title Keep growing strong), Rock and roll baby Stop look and listen,
Tsop, Love is the message, When will I see you again, Ten percent , My love is free, love sensation, Fame, young americans, Disco Inferno,
Runaway love(in chicago) If my friends could see me now( in chicago)The Horse, Boogaloo down broadway, Didnt I blow your mind, Ready or not here I come, Walk right up to the sun Hey love
My fingers are getting tired. Those are but a few.


Eli

By recordboyusa (208.61.5.193 - 208.61.5.193) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 06:10 am:

How about the vocal version of "Keem O Sabe" by Len Barry? "I'm a man, I'm a man, and I know just what I am, I want a keem o sabe"! I love it!

Bobby, I didn't know you were on "Bo Did It". Who were the Hidden Cost?

Thanks,
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com

By John Lester (213.122.202.82 - 213.122.202.82) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 11:59 am:

I need to get that vocal version..I bought the album expecting it to be on there

where can I get it these days?

By The 3rd (68.80.0.162 - 68.80.0.162) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 02:45 pm:

There is a book comeing out next year,about the sound of Philadelphia,this will tell the story of all the great thing that Bobby has done. I can't think of a record I have done
that Bobby Eli was not on.And I can tell you guys
he still plays his ass of.My main man,and best friend.
WELDON A. Mc DOUGAL III

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 03:13 pm:

Can't wait for the book! Infact, we have an anticipated film at some stage, 2 Motown concerts in London to look forward to and your book. I would never have known any of this unless I had stumbled across 'SoulfulDetroit', purley by typing in 'AL Kent' in Google can you believe. Thanks to David and Lowell...again!!

Bobby Eli - that list is superb. You know my feelings about 'I'll always love my mamma'. Would it be appropriate to ask you about that great bit of guitar,where it was not plugged into the sound desk, but externally connected for 'effect'? Or shall I keep my mouth shut?

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 03:57 pm:

weldon

this scan appears in goldmine's excellent new cd 'allnighters3'.

i won't know how good the scan will look until it's on screen.

what it shows is a 'chips productions' sticker on a 45 which is apparently selling for £4,000 ($5,600). the label is 'wales'.

you'll find 'chips productions' on the weldon business card that i uploaded some time ago. use the 'search forum' function on the left to find the card. type in 'weldon' (without the quotes).

By phillysoulman (205.188.197.179 - 205.188.197.179) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 05:45 pm:

Several months back Thaddeus Wales rang me up to tell me that a bloke from the UK called him to enquire about Nothings too good... and told him that he would pay him $300 dollars for it.
Thaddeus later discovered that he had a box of 25 !!!! in his garage. The bloke bought all 25 and sent Thad an overnight bank cheque and Thad was happy. If he or myself would have known the true value, Thad would hve been pleased as punch and a whole lot fatter in the pockets!!
Regarding The Hidden Cost: It was a one off studio knockoff (Mfsb incognito)
The vocals "who did it?" was me, and "Bo did it" was Earl Young. We were just goofing off.
I never knew that there was a Keem-o-sabe vocal version, although knowing Len , it doesn' surprise me. Chips, was a record distributor in Philly that distributed Motown product where Weldon worked before oficially at Motown. It was owned by Harry Chipetz who prior to that was with Cameo-Parkway and after wards became general manager of Sigma sound. He was a wonderful human being and was instrumental in placing the WMOT
situation (Blue magic) with Atlantic, as well as geting the Trammps with Buddah at first and then with Atlantic. He helped Norman Harris and myself to really be known as prducers, as well as manny more. He truly had a heart of gold, and he is truly missed.

Cheers,

B. Eli

By drums (208.251.209.82 - 208.251.209.82) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 06:04 pm:

See what I mean!!!

I learn something new on this site everyday!!!

Bobby, I didnt know that YOU did the guitar hook on "I'll Always Love my Momma"! Question for you, who are the guys doing the monologue on that song?

DM

By phillysoulman (152.163.197.48 - 152.163.197.48) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 07:28 pm:

Daren,
The monologue is by the Intruders goofing off and reminiscing in real time, and it was kept, just as it went down.
Also, since you have demonstrated to me your percussive accumen as well as your knowledge as to who did what, on what, and due to the fact that I have been known to pull rabbits out of hats,
I would love to do some sessions with you and Babbitt, Jack Ashford, Mike Terry Eddie Willis, nd the Brothers Terrana on the technical tip!!!
And when I get a bug up my a** about something, I see it through fruition!!!!

Electronic Eli

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 07:43 pm:

bobby

when you see mr ashford tell him he too is held in extremely high regard.

By phillysoulman (152.163.197.48 - 152.163.197.48) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 08:08 pm:

I spoke to Jack ashford about eight months ago,for quite a long time. He now resides in Memphis. weldon, Jack and I also had a 3 way conversation that was great.
Is anyone aware of "Jack Ashfords' Hotel Sheet"?
He patented that percussion device in the seventies after using it extensively on the Rose Rotce sessions.You can really hear it good on "Do Your Dance" I have one in my collection, albeit a "commercial" one although Jack is the master of its' effectiveness.
I will probably contact him and get him on the forum!!!!

By phillysoulman (152.163.197.48 - 152.163.197.48) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 08:10 pm:

Sorry for the typos!!!

By John Lester (213.1.134.159 - 213.1.134.159) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 09:25 pm:

I got one of those when I bought the album...but I leave the playing for the professionals.

By Bob Olhsson (68.53.120.100 - 68.53.120.100) on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 02:38 am:

Well, Nashville is really central and has the cheapest studio time in the country at the moment. My wildest fantasy is a reunion by as many of us as we can get together!

By John Lester (213.1.133.160 - 213.1.133.160) on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 08:35 am:

Bob

HEAR HEAR!! YEAH YEAH YEAH>>>

Let's have some REAL music for a change

By drums (208.251.209.82 - 208.251.209.82) on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 - 01:15 pm:

Hello again!!

Once again,I am blown away to even be considered to play with the guys that are responsible for my musical upbringing(they didnt know they were but they still were!!!)

Bobby, I am supposed to do a clinic for the company that builds my drums at the NAMM Convention in Nashville. If some studio time can be booked I dont have a problem playing in Nashville pending your schedule. It is easier to use my gear here in Philly though!!

But if you need any help in planning, I am a phone call away!

DM

Again thank you for all of the kind words!!

PS look at the web site MichelleNagy.com. She is a new pop singer signed by Sony and we just signed on to produce an R&B album for her!!

By phillysoulman (64.12.102.181 - 64.12.102.181) on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 01:19 pm:

David,

I've been trying to reach you regarding posting photos onto my thread as I have two that I want to send to whet the appetite for the ones that are to come .

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.151.186 - 213.122.151.186) on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 01:56 pm:

see 'posting images'.

By Phillysoulman (64.12.107.23 - 64.12.107.23) on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 05:46 pm:

Hi Everyone

Here are two photos in my collection that were taken at the Uptown Theatre in Philly circa 19665.
The Uptown Theatre was the preeminant venue for Black Entertainment analagous to the World Famous Apollo Theatre in New York. This particular show included Stevie Wondor, Edwin Starr, Martha and The Vandellas,The Monitors, Deon Jacson and Tammi Terrell. These were a few of the featured acts on the show which was MC'd by the legendary radio DJ Georgie Woods, who at the time was the Godfather of Philadelphia radio. First picture is Tammi Terrell and Deon Jackson. The second picture is Martha Reeves flanked by two members of the Monitors, Earl and Warren.

Bobby Eli

By John Lester (213.122.201.206 - 213.122.201.206) on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 07:28 pm:

Bobby

I am with you there..I am no Bill Gates either...but at least you can say you tried..

My mum always used to say..

He who didn't try, did nothing!

But the thought if what is to come...can you see my mouth watering already!

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 - 07:37 pm:

Stick to your ax Bobby boy.

By Phillysoulman (64.12.101.162 - 64.12.101.162) on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 07:39 pm:

Tammi Terell and Dion Jackson 1966

By Phillysoulman (64.12.101.166 - 64.12.101.166) on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 07:57 pm:

Getting closer to getting it there!!! Had too much LSD

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 10:51 pm:

well folks

i finally got the photos thru and they are quite sensational (i think)(sorry, i know!!).

i've talked bobby into doing a webisode on detroiters performing in philly.

they would be wasted sitting on a forum.

By John Lester (213.1.132.120 - 213.1.132.120) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 08:03 am:

I have n't been able to see anything.....am I doing something wrong?

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.45.85 - 213.122.45.85) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 08:44 am:

bobby has sent them to me by e-mail.

they were being uploaded as 'zip' files instead of 'jpeg' files - hence the problem.

he has agreed that they deserve a more fitting location.

i will try and get this moving by 28th february.

it takes time unforunately.

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:28 am:

This message comes from the deepest depths of my heart. Thank you for being first, a friend, a family member, a terrifically talented Producer, Aranger, partner in songwriting (who could really pull a rabbit out of a hat) smile., a music historian, who knows more music history than any one I know, with a memory like an elephant. a confidant, soul repairer, whenever I needed you, a sushi partner, (Whoo, we could find the most hidden joints in town), and Godfather to my last child, KAMILAH, who is now in the process of finishing her first CD. Look where her influences came from. Here's to God, Life, Love, Health, Great relations, More fun times and more of the Good, Good songs we plan to write for the present and future generations. God Bless You.
" Always One"

Vinnie Barrett

By phillysoulman (205.188.198.44 - 205.188.198.44) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 03:00 am:

Hi Vinnie,

Such profound words have not been uttered to me for eons. I am so pleased that you see me in that kind of light. I am moved to tears.
We do deserve to be on the Mount Rushmore of sweet soul along with Tommy and Linda!! The four of us carved in granite for time immemoriam!!!
In all honesty,sometimes during our writing sessions,I was so stoned that I could have been up on Mount Rushmore!!
Oh, and by the way, you do have a nice rack!!

By darnez (216.28.193.107 - 216.28.193.107) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 04:52 pm:

Bobby,

I understand that you had some dealings with my father, Kae Williams (Philly DJ/Record Producer). I would love to talk with sometime as I am in the process of gathering some material for a possible book about early Philly radio and record industries. Weldon McDougal spoke very well of you and turned me onto this site. It is great.

Darryl

By ErikT.O. (64.228.108.130 - 64.228.108.130) on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 07:37 am:

I don't wanna sound sucky, but this thought keeps crossing my mind while I'm here & on my bike- I'm sure a lot (all?) of us here have various bits of 'theme music' that pops into our head automatically when something not neccessarily musical is occurring. For instance, when I'm not pushing my luck playing a walkman while riding (not to mention other occasional cycling shenenigans but I digress!), the opening bass/ git/ cowbells in 'Engine #9' pop into my head. It's involuntary, but I dig it... on top of that, some dj was cutting into it for brief moments during a hip hop jam on the radio while I was getting a ride home the other night- it had to have been a 'live' ('scuze the potential oxymoron in that term applied to a dj!!) jam since it moved to the opning drum & cowbell of 'Honkeytonk Woman' which would have cost more to sample than the next 5 Dr Dre cd's are likely gonna cost to record... I'm not much of a hip hop fan (by a long shot) but sometimes here on the radio there's only worse stuff happening elsewhere on the dial, I think it's against the law or something for commercial stations to use a playlist exceeding 100 songs at a time, and I might be generous rather than facetious here... listening to 'I'll Bet You' offa 'Totally Northern Soul' compilation... Theresa Lindsay.

By BOB BABBITT (64.12.106.23 - 64.12.106.23) on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 07:20 am:

HEY BOBBY..........BABBITT HERE!!
MAN, THIS FORUM IS GETTING OUT OF HAND.. THE LAST 3 OR 4 MESSAGES I HAVE POSTED I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE......DON'T EVEN KNOW IF ANY ONE READ THEM??????? THERE ARE TO MANY PLACES TO COVER AND IT IS EASY TO MISS SOMETHING........
DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON FIGURING OUT A WAY TO CLEAR THIS UP???

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.1.179.232 - 213.1.179.232) on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 08:58 am:

hi bob
your problem probably lies with having a scedule which keeps you away from a computer.

unfortunately if you don't read the forum every day, it is easy to perceive that you can't keep up with the action.

you're right about one of your posts, so i've put it under your own heading....because they were topics dear to our hearts.

on another, we need to find mike terry as it was a question you posed to him. i think he has a holiday home which does not have a machine.

and finally, the one about danny dallas.... which i'm interested in..... you were going to try and contact him...hence i didn't respond.

any successful forum will have similar problems... i think.

but pleased be assured babbit your input is highly valued.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 02:57 pm:

Like we would intentionally ignore you Babbitt.

By phillysoulman (64.12.102.161 - 64.12.102.161) on Sunday, March 17, 2002 - 05:08 pm:

Happy Saint Patricks Day to my Irish brethren!
I think that I will pop over to Kentish Town for a little nip!!!!

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155 - 62.31.40.155) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 03:49 pm:

For those interested I have just found a cassette I made up of some of my favourite tunes! I made it, because I was going abroad and did not have a record player and could not afford to freight my personal effects out at that time. It was made circa 1976 and shows a commitment to soul music, even at that time. The first track was an import single I bought in a great soul record shop in Manchester�s' Arndale Centre called:

Love attack - Impact!!!! How about that Bobby?
Ferry Avenue - MFSB
Don't play that song - Gene Page
We're on the right track - Ultra High Frequency
Who's that lady - The Isley Brothers
Bein' with you -Tavares
Spinning top -Moving Violations
At the top of the Stairs - The Formations
SOS - Edwin Starr
Whispers gettin' louder - Jackie Wilson
Sugar Pie Guy - Jones (another coincidence Bobby)
Three steps from true love - The Reflections
Am I boring you yet? - Carl Dixon's Pocket
I hope you read them all - Carl Dixon again!
Let's hang on - The Four Seasons
Tangerine - The Salsoul Orch.

The list goes on including:
Why didn't I think of that - The Flirtations
Will it go round in circles - Billy Preston
Where do we go from here - The Trammps

I tended to keep Motown stuff on other cassettes at that time. I remember if it was a lousy night at the disco, I came home and wacked on my Wharfdale DD1's and bunged a cassette in me Pioneer CT5151 and just listened to this stuff 'til I fell asleep.

Do I get a loyalty bonus??

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 03:54 pm:

Carl

As it's an old cassette, you can have 1000 Green Shield stamps!

By Carl Dixon (62.31.40.155 - 62.31.40.155) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 04:05 pm:

Remember them! Oh!, son can you just stick the green shield and co-op stamps in the book please, before you go out and play? You would be poisoned to death by stamp glue as you got 'triple stamps' on weekends.

Just playing the cassette now - Sugar Pie guy. I am on that dance floor lickin' those stamps...

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 04:27 pm:

Carl

I had a bunch of tapes I put together to play in the car "Soul For The Road" would you belive...?

One volume was all uptempo, and my girlfriend back then complained that every time I played this one I invariably broke the speed limit.

No matter how much the music moves you, tapping your foot on the accelerator is never a good idea!

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155 - 62.31.40.155) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 04:48 pm:

I have done that myself Ritchie! Did I mention that my new walkman, I use in Sainsburys and Tesco's where I do my shopping? It makes shopping a pleasure as I listen to my favourite songs and helps make decisions on what I buy can you believe. I used to do the same as you, have uptempo stuff and a slow one with smoochie stuff to relax me.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155 - 62.31.40.155) on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 05:03 pm:

Bobby - I think I have just heard you..again..on 'Wild Goose Chase'. I used it as a fade off track on the above cassette. Circa 1975 on the elctronic Stylistics thingy! I could be wrong...

By John Lester (213.122.191.39 - 213.122.191.39) on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 09:24 pm:

Those 45's from the Jones.....they were wonderful....part 2 was what I used to go for...but I recall part 2 of Hey Babe being far too short, I could have done with it going on for another 10 minutes.

Didn't Englebert Humperdynck write that song as Gerry Dorsey. LOLOL

(I think that was his real name!!)

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 09:37 pm:

Didn't the Joneses record a song called "The Temptations"?


No, hang on - it was the other way round.

By John Lester (213.122.191.39 - 213.122.191.39) on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 09:47 pm:

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

By Eli (64.12.107.31 - 64.12.107.31) on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 10:45 pm:

The album that I produced was caled "The Joneses"
It has a spy glass looking onto a telephone directory on the cover. I believe that Epic was lax in promoting it properly. The harmonies were second to none and the all around performances were top notch. It was a labour of love to have produced it. The first single was called "Who loves ya"
The Englebert stuff was interesting insofar as I actually showed him hoe to do ad libs!!
He thoroughly enjoyed working with us , and he is truly a class act!!

By Caleb (63.61.181.173 - 63.61.181.173) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 03:55 am:

Bobby,who's playing the sitar on "How I Could Let You Get Away"-The Spinners.Is it you or Norman Harris?Also,have you done any guitar work for Thom Bell as of late?I know you worked for him for many years.

By mixedbyDLM (67.114.128.91 - 67.114.128.91) on Thursday, April 04, 2002 - 05:26 am:

Doctor Eli:
I was listening to a public radio station in Berkeley, CA (not far from where I reside in the Bay Area), KPFA, and a former member of Con Funk Shun, Micheal Cooper mentioned that one of the Jones Girls is deceased. The trio recorded some whuup-"donkey" hits at Sigma for PIR, do you have any recollections of working with this group?
Second, what was this union between Sigma Sound and Alpha International Studios many years back when it was called Sigma-Alpha Entertainment. Did Joe Tarsia severed ties with Alpha International's owner?

That dang studio buff,
Derrald!

By Mark Speck (65.58.48.14 - 65.58.48.14) on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 01:06 am:

I was looking at label scans on the Anorak Records site and came across this scan with a song credited to B. Eli and J. Livingstone:

Pheasants--"Out of the Mist" (on the Throne label).

What's the story behind this one, Bobby? I would guess it is from early on in your career.

Best,

Mark

By Eli (170.115.179.106 - 170.115.179.106) on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 08:17 pm:

Hi guys,
Ive been sick for over a week flat on my back with a bug, or in my case a whole swarm!!
I will ansere the last several posts now.
I was the sitar player on ALL of the Philly hits, as well as any effected part i.e. wah wah , fuzz, echoplex as well as backbeats Norman Harris did all the mellow chords and octave lines usualy doubled with Vince on vibes. Sme songs had me on several parts as on Hope the we can be together soon and For the love of money and many more.
As for Sigma-Alpha, it was in "offer Joe couldn't refuse" if you know what I mean. The Alphea folks were "dubious"

Out of the mist on Throne was the second record that I ever priduced as a kid. Can you fill me in on the Anorak label please?

By Caleb (63.61.181.42 - 63.61.181.42) on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 08:27 pm:

Bobby,have you done any guitar work for Thom Bell lately?

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Friday, April 05, 2002 - 09:10 pm:

bobby
anorak is a web site of label scans. i think you'll enjoy going through it.

http://labelscans.anorakrecords.de/

By Ian W (62.6.78.11 - 62.6.78.11) on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 09:13 am:

David, if you've got a couple of hours free, there are a few Detroit addresses on those labels! But I guess you've already read them all!

Fantastic site, I wish I had a few of those records eg. Brenda Holloway - 'Play It Cool, Stay In School!

Ian

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 09:23 am:

thanks ian

yes i found a few in there.

By John Lester (213.122.192.246 - 213.122.192.246) on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 09:37 pm:

Bobby

Get well soon matey!!!.

You're missed!

By recordboyusa (208.61.5.193 - 208.61.5.193) on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 05:10 am:

Bobby,
Step right up, hurry hurry, and feel better!

Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 05:21 pm:

Bobby called me this morning and assured me he is on the mend. He sends his best wishes to all and will be posting tomorrow.

By john lester (213.122.203.57 - 213.122.203.57) on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 07:47 pm:

That's good news to hear.....

By brianday@cwcom.net (212.137.220.180 - 212.137.220.180) on Tuesday, April 09, 2002 - 08:59 pm:

bobby hope your better now ,when in dublin i was asked a question by some local djs ,in the film the commitments .wilson pickett was played by a shadow ie all we saw was a man in a big caddilac
i was wondering if the man was asked to play himself? can you find out?

By John Lester and all the gang here at soulful detroit (213.122.203.127 - 213.122.203.127) on Tuesday, April 09, 2002 - 09:13 pm:

Bobby....

We're all missing you...and we would hate for you to miss out on all the action that is going on here....try and mend a bit quicker!!

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 09:07 am:

Bobby - get well soon, or better still, immediately!!

I thought you and Vonnie had sneaked a flight to old Blighty for Easter and were going to surprise us all with some choclate eggs!

By Angus (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 09:27 am:

Bobby Eli

You need some Scottish air, a wee dram and some Loch Fyne seafood in your belly. You will be well in no time!!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 09:34 am:

Bobby -

Get well soon. Without you, we can't say "the gang's all here" :o(

By Eli (170.115.179.117 - 170.115.179.117) on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 07:51 pm:

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for al of the wonderful get well wishes. It feels great to have so many great friends who share a common interest. I am looking forward to getting together with everyone real soon for a "live" forum!

Cheers,
Bobby Eli

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155 - 62.31.40.155) on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 09:04 pm:

Bobby - great to see you back! You have some catching up to do.

By Ian W (213.122.76.209 - 213.122.76.209) on Wednesday, April 10, 2002 - 09:37 pm:

Bobby - In the words of Rose Batiste - come back in a hurry!

By Mark Speck (64.158.97.180 - 64.158.97.180) on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 03:32 am:

Did a little thrift store shopping today. I only bought one item, an Engelbert Humperdinck 45 on Parrot produced and co-written by Bobby Eli on both sides:

"World Without Music"/"That's What You Mean to Me"

It has the Silver Blue logo on it. Did you have anything to do with the Silver Blue label, Bobby?
I haven't heard anything on the label but have heard that there is some cool stuff there.

Best,

Mark

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 04:03 am:

Bobby - I hope you're feeling a lot better. We're all missing your warmth, wit and wisdom.
Graham

By Eli (170.115.179.119 - 170.115.179.119) on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 04:21 pm:

Thanks again guys!!
Silver Blue had a moderate amount of output. I was a partner in the records that I produced.
the Humperdinck sessions later were rleased on Epic and were part of his After the lovin' album.

By Soultwine (195.93.32.187 - 195.93.32.187) on Sunday, April 14, 2002 - 02:11 pm:

Bobby
Good to hear you are on the mend!.
On another thread you mentioned the Pearl Harbor label and I wondered what discs came out on that label. Were they as good as George Guess
"No matter what" which is a great Philly instrumental?.Were you involved in that one Bobby?.
Who was "George Guess" ?.
And arising from another thread I wondered how many of you creative people keep copies of all their issued recordings?.
Phil

By Mark Speck (65.57.17.13 - 65.57.17.13) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 03:27 am:

Interesting story about creative people keeping copies of their own recordings: I once read that Stax historian Rob Bowman gave Isaac Hayes a copy of his classic "Black Moses" LP upon learning that Isaac didn't have a copy of it!

Best,

Mark

By Eli (170.115.179.117 - 170.115.179.117) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 04:59 pm:

Hi Guys and gals!!
George Guess was a producer on the fringes of the Philly sound. He tried but never quite achieved the golden ring. He was a great guy and unfortunately he was found dead of natural causes about fifteen years ago.
As far as keeping recordings goes, all of my records that I was involved with are safely put away for posterity! And there were quite a few.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 06:07 pm:

Bobby

You must be the exception to the rule :o)

Almost every artist I've either worked with or come across personally, complained that they lost their records "somewhere down the line"...

By Eli (170.115.179.117 - 170.115.179.117) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 07:14 pm:

By the way, is anyone aware that Connie Stevens did the original version of the Stylistics "Betcha by golly wow" with the title "Keep growing strong" on Bell records.
I suggested the title change to Thom Bell and he took my advice and got a hit to boot!!

By john lester (213.122.200.199 - 213.122.200.199) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 08:25 pm:

Bobby...I never knew that.......Connie Stevens..wasn't she the one that did "Pink shoelaces"

What I did notice is that you shortened the 45 and so when I got the album, I thought my 45 had a scratch on it.....that recording is what keeps me going...in fact all those Thom Bell Sytlistics albums were wonderful and you then had to go to the Spinners for the continuation. Bobby, tell me this..why did the Stylistics stop recording under Thom Bell...although their subsequent work with Van McCoy (bless him) was good, it did not appeal to me quite as much.

That album was the biz...

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 09:37 pm:

John -

Connie Stevens was the girl from 77 Sunset Strip (showing my age there!) - remember Edd Byrnes?

Dodie Stevens recorded Pink Shoelaces.

Connie's big hits were Sixteen Reasons and a duet with Edd - who could forget the lyrical sophistication of Kookie, Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)??

By ashford (216.78.130.44 - 216.78.130.44) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 01:59 am:

Bobby, Weldon's mother has passed away. Jack

By Eli (170.115.179.117 - 170.115.179.117) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 03:18 pm:

Hi y'all,

I think there was a disagreement over royalties that forced Thom Bell from continuing his Sylistics project. The Van Mccoy things were not of the same calibre except for Lets put it all together.
Jack, I am aware of Weldon's moms passing.

By john lester (213.122.190.54 - 213.122.190.54) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 03:26 pm:

Bobby

The Stylistics - Funky Weekend was a good un too....

Ritchie...I confused Dodie and Connie...but I could never confuse Kookie....BTW, I have the TV theme on disc...I think it might have The Roaring 20's on the flip side or maybe Don't Bring Lulu!!!(now it's ME that's showing my age..ooops)

By Eli (170.115.179.117 - 170.115.179.117) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 03:37 pm:

There is a good Stylistics song on the Expansion Philly cd. It features another lead singer who is quite good, although his tenure was short lived.
There is presently another "Russel" clone due to Russel's bout with various dependencies. I hope that he returns soon.

By john lester (213.122.190.54 - 213.122.190.54) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 03:48 pm:

Bobby...I am not sure what dependencies means but something tells me not to ask!!!!

There were lots of songs on those Stylistics albums that should have been top sides for 45's..from their second album, I could choose

You're As Right As Rain
Pieces (a dancer!!)
Children of The Night..was this a top side in America?
You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)

Peek A Boo and Break Up To Make Up were my most played UK 45's of that year...

But I got fed up hearing Im Stone In Love With You on the radio...a bit like hearing Marvin Gayes' Grapevine..great record but you want to hear something different eventually

By Eli (170.115.179.117 - 170.115.179.117) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 04:00 pm:

You'll never get to heaven and Break up to make up were both top sides in th e usa.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 04:14 pm:

I liked 'People make the world go round' - I think it was a b side - maybe!

By The Count (166.90.225.17 - 166.90.225.17) on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 05:45 pm:

Eli,BABY,----Your the Ginchiest.

By Son of Thunder (65.149.124.26 - 65.149.124.26) on Friday, April 19, 2002 - 03:48 am:

Bobby,who are the musicians on"I'm Doin' Fine Now" by New York City and where was it cut?

By Mark Speck (65.56.61.8 - 65.56.61.8) on Saturday, April 20, 2002 - 04:46 am:

"People Make the World Go Round" was an A side, I believe. It was a chart hit for them.

Best,

Mark

By Eli Tatarsky (170.115.179.106 - 170.115.179.106) on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 06:38 pm:

There once was a producer in Philly named Howard Bogess. He was a big pothead and did some strange things in the studio.
He started on a song caled "When the s**t hits the fan. I was hired for the date about six different times. I will explain why.
It started out on 24 track at Alpha studios. He then made a premix to two tracks of another 24 track. I was hired again as well as Larry Washington on congas. It was than premixed to 4tracks at some old studio at which time I played again as well as some more players. It was then bumped back up to two tracks on yet another 24 track and so forth and so on.This went on for the better part of TWO years!!! The end result was the aforementioned title!!!
I believe old Howard is no longer with us.
He was involved with a rare record by Carolyn Carter on Jamie, but I forgot the name of it.
I think I played on that session three times.
He blew out the monitors at Virtue studios which was no smal feat.( He did have small feet as well)

By GUIDO (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 07:01 pm:

WOW!!! THIS THREAD IS SO CLOSED. SORRY FOR THE DELAY BOBBY. YOU ARE A TRUE SUPERSTAR. CONTINUE ON BOBBY ELI 2