By Ian W (213.122.78.24 - 213.122.78.24) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 10:16 pm:

David, this guy deserves a new slot to himself! He introduced himself on the forum as the writer of Lonette's 'Stop' but I thought I'd look up some other things he wrote/produced/arranged on my notes and on the fantastic BMI website. Here goes:

Artist	Title	Label	Publishing	Co-Writers
Joe Matthews	Ain't Nothing You Can Do	Kool Kat KK-1001B	Chetkay/Red Cap
Joe Matthews	(You Better) Check Yourself	Kool Kat KK-1001A	Chetkay/Red Cap	Willie Hampton
Monticellos	Don't Hold Back	Red Cap RC-102B	Maclare
Spyder Turner	Don't Hold Back	MGM K-13692B	Maclare
?	From One Fool To Another	?	Stone Agate	Martin Coleman/Pam Sawyer
?	Give Yourself The Right To Be	?	?	Martin Cohen/Pam Sawyer
Strides	I Can Get Along (Without Your Love)	M-S 202A	Chetkay/Theo-Coff/Red Cap	John Griffith
?	I Don't Know Why I Love You	?	?	John Henry Glover Jr
?	I Gotta Cover A Whole Lotta Gr	?	Stone Agate	Martin Coleman
?	I Love You Dear	?	Stone Agate	Pam Sawyer/J H Glover
?	I'm Going Crazy	?	Stone Agate	Martin Coleman
?	I'm Thankful	?	Irving	Isbell Alvertis
?	I Need You More Now Than Ever	?	Stone Diamond	Martin Cohen/Richard Drapkin
Emanuel Laskey	I've Got To Run For My Life	Thelma T-110A	Thelma	Taynke L Jones/Bill Wiggins
?	I've Got Too Much Time On My Mind	?	Stone Diamond	J H Glover/Pam Sawyer
?	I've Gotta Have Somebody To Re	?	Stone Agate	M Coleman
?	I Got Hurt	?	Stone Agate	James Dean/J H Glover
?	If You Stop Loving Me Don't Ever	?	Stone Agate	M Coleman/James Dean
?	Is There A Place In His Heart	?	Stone Agate	M Coleman
Billy Kennedy	It's A Groovy Generation	Thelma T-109B	Thelma	Don Mancha
?	It's Gonna Take A Whole Lot Of	?	Stone Agate	Janie Bradford/M Coleman
?	Label Me Love	?	Stone Diamond	James Dean/J H Glover
?	Let Now Be Now Let Love Be Love	?	Stone Diamond	J Dean/J Glover
?	Life's A Ball	?	Stone Diamond	J Glover/Brenda Sue Wayne
Kris Peterson	Mama's Little Baby Is A Big Girl Now	Pelikin 102A	Artie Fields Prod	Richard Drapkin
?	Man Without Love	?	?	J Glover/Pam Sawyer
Eddie Hill	Nothing Sweeter (Than You Girl)	M-S 207A	Chetkay/Red Cap
?	Only Time You Love Me Is When	?	Stone Agate	M Coleman/Pam Sawyer
?	Please Let Me Know	?	Stone Diamond	J Dean/J Glover
?	Please Take Me Back	?	Stone Diamond	J Dean/J Glover
Fellows	She's Always There	Solid Hit SH-110B	Red Cap	J Glover
Lonette	Stop Don't Worry About It	M-S 208B	Chetkay/Theo-Coff	Dennis Coffey/Melvin Davis
?	Such An Empty World Without Yo	?	Stone Agate	J Glover/Pam Sawyer
Emanuel Laskey	Sweet Lies	Thelma T-108B	Thelma	Don Juan Mancha
?	That's All Behind You	?	Stone Diamond	M Coleman/Richard Drapkin
?	Think It Over	?	Thelma	Don Mancha
Billie Kennedy	This Is A Groovy Generation	Thelma T-109B	Thelma	Don Mancha
Linda Rae?	Time To Love Is Now The	?	Maclare	Roy R Fernandez
Four Tops	Walk With Me Talk With Me Darling	?	Stone Agate	J Dean/J Glover
?	Where Would I Be Without You	?	Stone Agate	M Coleman
?	Who Pulled The World Out From	?	Stone Diamond	J Dean/J Glover
Samson & Delilah	Will You Be Ready	Red Cap RC-101A	Red Cap	Anthony Mitchell
Samson & Delilah	Woman	Rec Cap RC-101B	Red Cap	Anthony Mitchell
?	You Brought My Love To Life	?	ForGeorge/Red Bank	Isaac Franklin Suthers Jr
Spyder Turner	You're Good Enough For Me	MGM K-13617B	Maclare
?	You Want Hearts And Flowers	?	Stone Agate	M Coleman
?	Your Love Is All I Need	?	Stone Agate	J Dean/J Glover

Can anyone fill in the blanks - perhaps even Clay himself?

Ian

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 10:37 pm:

ian, i don't know where to start!

i think our friends in detroit will know we mean business.

yes, clay mcmurray is right up there with the best.

he already knows that billie kennedy is possibly my fav 45 of all time.

you may have missed this, but me and my mate harry were lucky enough to get into united sound one day last april.

i asked the current tenant, tommy rodgers,if he would play a track from my thelma compact disc.

when he did, it was booming around studio B, i promise.

a wonderful, wonderful record - the epitome of northern soul and a special moment for us.

if clay mcmurray has given us one of the best 45's ever? - wow!!

By John Lester (213.122.201.32 - 213.122.201.32) on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 11:32 pm:

The stone Agate.Stone Diamond are Motown songs...eg...The Only Time You Love Me Is When You're Losing Me...Gladys, Originals..YOu want Hearts and Flowers - Originals...

You miss out alot of Clay McMurray productions this way.....

Clay is still producing....the most recent Pree album has a great selection of tunes and you can still hear that old Detroit influence there.

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 12:43 am:

Clay has a genuine love for producing music. So many years ago a singing group walked into Tera Shirma Studo A. They were from out of town, I don't remember where and some sort of record meeting went sour on them. I told them to hang around because Clay usually stopped in in the afternoon. When he arrived I introduced them and Clay took them into the studio, which was empty that afternoon, and rehaearsed them on some things.They must have been in the studio for 3 hours. I'm not even sure if Clay had any intentions of doing something with them or not, but his dedication to music kept him in the studio with these guys.
I think Clay McMurray is one of the most talented producer / writers to come out of Detroit and deserves all the recognition we can give him.

By The 3rd (68.80.0.162 - 68.80.0.162) on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 03:19 am:

Clay was also a promotin man,I meet Clay when I was on the road, one day I was in my office in Detroit and Norman Witfild came in with Clay and said this is my main man he is producing and writeing now,Clay is a great producer and my friend.
WELDON A. Mc DOUGAL III

By John Lester (213.122.197.93 - 213.122.197.93) on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 09:36 am:

Wasn't it on this site, we learned Clay also used to sell insurance!

Thank goodness he switched professions otherwise we would have missed out..

By John Lester (213.122.197.93 - 213.122.197.93) on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 09:38 am:

Wasn't it on this site, we learned Clay also used to sell insurance!

Thank goodness he switched professions otherwise we would have missed out..

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 05:29 pm:

Ian,

here's a few missing credits

GIVE YOURSELF THE RIGHT TO BE WRONG ABOUT ME
The Originals

MAN WITHOUT LOVE
The Originals

YOU WANT HEARTS AND FLOWERS
The Originals

THE ONLY TIME YOU LOVE ME
Gladys Knight and The Pips

I GOT HURT
The Supremes

LABEL ME LOVE
Different Shades of Brown - Tamla

I LOVE YOU DEAR
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles

I DON'T KNOW WHY I LOVE YOU
David Ruffin (?) - "Feelin' Good" LP

IS THERE A PLACE IN HIS HEART FOR ME
Gladys Knight and The Pips

By John Lester (213.122.204.138 - 213.122.204.138) on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 10:49 pm:

Davie..yeah....as you say, JUST a few..

Bob Olhsson and Clay worked together on Gladys Knights If I Were Your Woman...

Clay also produced smash UK hit "You Got To Have Love in Your Heart" for the Supremes and the Tops and also that masterpiece that got away...God Bless Whoever Sent You..for the Originals - if that don't send shivers down your spine, then man you are dead!

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 06:57 pm:

Ian,

Here's a couple that weren't in your listing -

IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN (Sawyer-Ware-McMurray)
Gladys Knight and the Pips Soul 35078 10/70

MAKE ME THE WOMAN THAT YOU GO HOME TO (McMurray)
Gladys Knight and the Pips Soul 35091 11/71

These two are probably my all-time faves out
of the endless number number of great Gladys
tracks

By Ian W (213.1.186.89 - 213.1.186.89) on Sunday, February 10, 2002 - 10:05 pm:

David, John, Ralph, Weldon, Davie,

Well what can I say! Thanks to all you guys for the info. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know most of the Originals and Gladys Knight stuff. But I'll try and remedy that! The one that stumped me most was 'Label Me Love'. I found that some of the tracks listed on BMI are titled slightly differently to the track listings. There is a great website - www.bsnpubs.com - which gives a good listing of Motown and many other album track listings. I guess you have seen it already. It's amazing what you can find on the net!

One more thing, has anyone got/heard of an item on Clay's label Red Cap:

RC-102 - Judge Suds and the Soul Detergents - The Rockin' Courthouse
Shi Dank (Just Dance)

It seems to share the label no. with the Monticellos fabulous 45.

ps. Groovy Generation rates highly with me too!

Ian

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 06:02 pm:

Hi Ian,

Re that Judge Suds record - i've seen it listed
(in a US dealers list years ago) but have never
actually seen a copy. Don't know why it's got the same number as the Monticellos.

I wouldn't be embarrassed about not knowing seemingly obvious things - I'm sure we've all got
glaring gaps in our collections - you can't
buy everything - but .. isn't the point of
this forum to learn and turn each other on to things we don't know ?

I agree about bsnpubs.com - a very useful website
I refer to it a lot.

Another good one is allmusic.com which is
actually based in Detroit or thereabouts - it was started up by one of the guitarists in Iggy Pop's
very first group, the Iguanas. Well worth
checking out - it's the best general music
encyclopaedia I've come across. If I get time
I'll do a fuller post about this site but in#the meantime give it a try - it's mainly album
based but there's some surprisingly obscure
things there -- the Challengers III for a start
(one for all you Marvelettes fans out there )

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 06:06 pm:

Ian,

Before I forget "I'm Thankful" the co-writer
is Alvertis Isbell who you probably know better
as Al Bell, head of Stax Records in the seventies.

Don't know if this was ever recorded - BMI list
a lot of songs that might never have actually
been cut by anybody.

By Ian W (213.122.170.22 - 213.122.170.22) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 09:12 pm:

Davie

I didn't know it! You learn something every day! Well said about acquiring knowledge from each other.

Ian

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Thursday, February 14, 2002 - 10:00 pm:

Ian,

Re. allmusic.com - I checked their site and found
an excellent article on Clay's career which
mentioned a few things I'd never heard of - the
Paul Parrish album for one.

Have a look - key in "Clay McMurray" in the search box then hit the enter key.

By Clay McMurray (66.73.177.45 - 66.73.177.45) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 11:51 am:

Davie G.
Paul Parrish was a folk/pop artist from Detroit that I produced and I believe the label was the Music Factory distributed by MGM and the deal was made for me thru a guy name Clarence Avant. Mike Theodre and Dennis Coffey were the arrangers. I was still a pup when I produced this one and one of the few black guys producing white folk/pop music besides Tom Wilson(A Harvard Grad with a degree in Economics) who produce The Velvet Underground. Tom taught me a few tricks of the trade when it came to making folk/pop records. And for those who did'nt know it was recorded at Tera Shirma Studio's in Detroit. I believe Paul, who was a clever songwriter could have been a big act in that era but he was a bit too "Abstract" as a person and the label was'nt sure how to promote him. Check out the album if you can find one it was good and quite a bit different from most of my other work,the material was somewhat classical.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:19 pm:

Clay M - I have a link on the net for the 'Pree' album and am having a listen now, at work! I like the track 'Can't help lovin'! Proper brass and a nice tinkling piano - I think, at this bandwidth! Can I ask, if it is not to rood on here about the nickname you must have for the strings guy on the session - I would call him 'Stringray', if he was here, as we had a puppet tv programme in the 60's called that!

Cheers

By Clay McMurray (66.73.177.45 - 66.73.177.45) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:19 pm:

Ian,
Here are a few fill-ins that I'm sure of.
1 Give yourself the right-The Originals
2 I don't know why I love you-David Ruffin
3 I love you dear-Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
4 I'm going crazy-Blinky Williams
5 I need you more now than ever-Paul Williams
Jermaine Jackson
Different Shades
6 I got hurt trying to be-Supremes(Jean Terrell)
7 Is there a Place-Gladys Knight-Blinky Williams
8 Label me love-Michael Jackson-Different Shades
9 Life's a Ball- Different Shades Of Brown
10 Man without love-Originals
11 The only time that you love me-Gladys Knight
The Originals
12 Please let me know-Different Shades of Brown
13 Please Take me back-Different Shades of Brown
14 Who pulled the world out from under me-Blinky
15 You brought my love to life-Klique
16 You want heart and flowers-Originals
17 Let love be now-Different Shades of Brown
I'm researching my old files and archives for the others. I'll be back when I'm sure. Thanks for opening the vault, I may recut some of these with a new twist LOL!

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:21 pm:

Clay M - I have a link on the net for the 'Pree' album and am having a listen now, at work! I like the track 'Can't help lovin'! Proper brass and a nice tinkling piano - I think, at this bandwidth! Can I ask, if it is not to rood on here about the nickname you must have for the strings guy on the session - I would call him 'Stringray', if he was here, as we had a puppet tv programme in the 60's called that!

Cheers

By John Lester (213.122.204.12 - 213.122.204.12) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:40 pm:

Clay

All printers are now going ten to a dozen!!!!!

Did you do "Is There A Place......In His Heart FOR Me..." for Martha too?

That version by Blinky was scheduled for her album "Sunny and Warm" (Motown 712)...Side 2 track 4......any ideas why did it not get issued.

By Clay McMurray (66.73.177.45 - 66.73.177.45) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:49 pm:

Carl,
StringRay is cool and yes that's a real baby grand piano on the date. If you like strings check out "Youve Gotten To Me" I'm working on Pree's new CD as we speak and It'll contain some
new and old familiar flavors. If I could get the Funk Bros together or should I say if I could afford to get them all together for about 3 days solid I would really put the Motown spirit back on two inch. Deep down I guess I'll always be a
POP producer, Like Motown to me was a POP record
company with Black artist,that's the only reason it was labeled R&B. It's always had Universal appeal because of the lyrics and the great feeling
it gave to ANYONE who listened. I can produce just about any kind of music,but I'm like the folks in the UK and the rest of the world I like great songs that crawl under the skin tickle the heart,make you move your feet and leave you hummin. Motown had more HOOKS than anyone around and the proof is that they're still around 43yrs
later. Thanks for stopping by Pree's site.

By Clay McMurray (66.73.177.45 - 66.73.177.45) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 01:04 pm:

Hi John,
Yes I produced the version on Martha also, I can't remember them all but when you turn the lite on it all comes back. As for Blinky's version that's the one I like best and I'm not sure why it did'nt make the release. I hope Harry
decides to go with it soon, but you know they're changing the guard at EMI and I'm sure a lot of stuff is just sitting at the shipping docks. I wrote and recorded a song on the Spinners called "Help Bring Me Down" and there has never been a song like this one on that group ever, if I could find my old 71/2 copy I would either recut it or ask Harry to consider releasing it, because it is so, so ,so, so, unique. There is a song on Blinky that was released called "You Get A Tangle In Your Lifeline" that was never really
serviced .I have the 45 and it's a different piece of work also. I recently recut it on Pree and may put it on her new CD. I'm sure if they dug deep down into my CAN at the tape library they would find some of my best work still sitting on the shelf, but that's the way it is.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 01:38 pm:

I have just sent her a mail - her photo links are not working!! Maybe there is a technical problem.

I agree about the 'pop' music, but it was a different level and sophistication. The hooks are ageless - it seems to be the key to a 'stomper' and good song!
I will check out 'You've gotten to me' -

Cheers

Carl

By John Lester (213.122.201.175 - 213.122.201.175) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 01:39 pm:

Clay

I can promise you with hand on heart that Harry does his best for the musicians and producers.....he is more than just a good man and he tries real hard, harder than anyone else. Everyone I know, has a lot of time for Harry. However, I am sure he has restrictions (marketing, costs etc) placed on him like everyone else....but he does more than most and he keeps tabs on what is going on both in the States and abroad. I can tell you for sure, he reads alot of what is on the Forum!!! So keep talking, cos he will see it!!

And dont think that your best work will sit on a shelf, Harry is just waiting for the right time to put it out....one of the problems is that databases are by song title or artist. You then have to look up to find the producer. So it's not an easy task. I don't suppose you have a list of them...!!!! (John L rushes out to buy some blank paper in the hope that Clay posts them all!!)

Clay...you always cut killer hypnotic track....You Get A Tangle In Your Lifeline was one such track but did you know, it was not scheduled for her proposed 10 track album. Ok..so Motown got it wrong at times!!!

Now "Walk With Me, Talk With Me Darling".....we have this by someone other than the Tops...did Frank Wilson record this, maybe as a demo or was it you singing???? I suspect you had more input to that production that what its says on the label....you ought to know it so nearly made the Tops box set cos it was a huge radio hit here in the UK and it made the pop charts as well...its a well known song here...but could you explain that lady in the shower on the intro though....I never quite understood the link...!

By Clay McMurray (66.73.177.45 - 66.73.177.45) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 01:53 pm:

Carl,
The listening room site was created by one of my sons friends and there might be a lot of things
that don't work on it, the kids only 18 and still learning,but overall he did a pretty good job, color wise and layout. If you want a bio and a little more info with photo's there is a 12 page
insert in the CD which I'm sure will make a difference. As I mentioned on one of the other forums you can go to cdbaby.com/pree and pick up the CD. Thanks Again for checking us out.

By John Lester (213.122.201.175 - 213.122.201.175) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 01:54 pm:

Blast....I forgot to mention on Walk With My Talk With Me.

First assiged to the Originals, then the Supremes, then the Tops and then back to the Supremes. Not sure the Originals recorded it though, did they?

Can you tell us a bit about co-writer, James Dean (who used to work a lot with William Weatherspoon on stuff like Reaching For Something I Can't Have, Baby Hit and Run and the obvious What Becomes of The Broken Hearted) and also Henry Glover. I also see your name alot with Marty Coleman and I dont know much about him either.

Sorry to ask all these questions..but I am being restrained

By John Lester (213.122.201.175 - 213.122.201.175) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 01:57 pm:

Carl

You will not be disappointed, I can honestly say that. I bought it ages ago and I still play it.

By Clay McMurray (66.73.177.45 - 66.73.177.45) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 02:10 pm:

John L,
I do understand that Harry has his hands full and
he's always been real kind to me and we've shared
quite a few conversations in reference to records.
He is truly a Godsend for all of the artist,writers,producers and their families because he believes in the work and refuses to let it die, which keeps a nice flow of history to the buying public and that's what counts. He should have been around years ago to assist in keeping things orderly,but he well appreciated by me and I trust many others. As for "Walk With Me"
You must have a copy of the studio demo I did, before dubbing Levi in on the master eh? How did that happen LOL As for the lady in the shower on the intro I think that was a gimmick that should have been removed prior to being released, so if it on your version you have a rare one LOL. I'm going to say Good Morning my eyes look rather slanted about now. I was in my studio all day and most of the nite and up writing 16hrs the day before. I'm very close to a wet noodle about now.
Take care my friend and I'll hit you back soon.
Have a great weekend. If you will check both version of "Walk With Me" and see if it's the same track. If so, it probably is my work, if not someonelse recut it.

By John Lester (213.122.201.175 - 213.122.201.175) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 02:15 pm:

It IS the same track...but we thought it was Frank....

The track was found in the dumpster at Woodward and my mate bought it from the one that found it(parting with many many of those greennies!)

sleep tight mate!!

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 03:44 pm:

Clay,
Like you I also considered Motown music as pop music because of it's universal appeal. I think your production of the Paul Parrish album is a good example of your " depth " as a producer.
I wish you could get all the fellas together for a few good days in the studio. I'm sure the results would be a treat for all to hear.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Wednesday, March 06, 2002 - 12:55 pm:

Clay

are you using 2 inch for your recording sessions or do you mix and match with hard disk stuff, depending on what and who you are working with?

By Clay (66.73.177.92 - 66.73.177.92) on Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 11:05 am:

Hi Carl,
I must admit that 2inch tape is my choice for all of the recordings that I personally work on and I find it the truest form of making any kind of record,if you know how to use it. I Think the digital technology is wonderful for editing and final mixes, but I like the original punch from 2 inch tape. Plus most people that buy CD's today don't care what you use as long as it sounds good.
Motown music started 43yrs ago on tape and because of that when they're processed digitally I
think because it was originally done on tape they even sound better. Just A/B a Motown CD to most of the other labels, if you listen you'll hear and feel the difference.But, then again this is merely MY opinion.

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 11:35 am:

Hi Clay

I personally agree with your opinion 100%. Not only was Motown's music streets ahead of most of the competition, they also had the edge technically. I note that Mike Maclean (SP?) hasn't been mentioned much on this Forum, but I believe his contribution to Motown's technical excellence is worthy of note.

In the CD age, we should be eternally grateful that the original masters were so well recorded. No matter how advanced digital (re)mastering becomes, it can't compensate for poorly-recorded masters. Thankfully, the majority of Motown's greatest were captured on tape with loving care.

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.107.27.25 - 213.107.27.25) on Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 11:41 pm:

clay
'motown music started 43 years ago.....'

wow! a sharp reminder for everybody.

we ain't gonna be here forever. let's all enjoy each others knowledge while we're here.

By Ian W (213.122.132.18 - 213.122.132.18) on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 02:04 pm:

Clay

I apologise profusely about not replying to your listings - Feb 16th. My only excuse is I can't keep up with all the postings on the Forum! It's unbelievable, each evening more exciting than the previous one. How privileged we punters are to hear from the original sources of our beloved music! Many, many thanks!

David

How true!

By Tyrone (192.128.134.68 - 192.128.134.68) on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 06:36 pm:

Clay MacMurray,
One of my favorite 70s producers and writers at Motown. I am honored and consider this a priviledge to be able to converse with you. The Supremes (w/ Jean Terrell) also recorded "IS THERE A PLACE IN YOUR HEART FOR ME". By any chance, did you produce this verson also or did Frank Wilson produce? I love the song and consider it one of my favorites. I also love Gladys Knight's version as well as "MAKE ME THE WOMAN", "IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN" and I believe you co-wrote "I DON'T WANT TO DO WRONG" along with Gladys.
Mr. MacMurray, I just want to say Thank you for all the hard work and wonderful rewards you have bestowed amongst us Motown fans.

By John Lester (213.1.135.102 - 213.1.135.102) on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 07:41 pm:

Tyrone

Our Clay is STILL keeping us sweet.....you should get the Pree album...I PROMISE you, you will not be disappointed. It's superb, honest it is..

Clay also assisted on Martha's latest "Home To You" with Rudy Robinson. I found Martha's album to be more of a grower album but it's still another album you need to get.

Clay is working on more product to keep us all smiling...so we might need to give him some space to get on with it. Who knows, maybe some of the Forum members might be on it!!!

By John Lester (213.122.199.43 - 213.122.199.43) on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 08:07 pm:

Tyrone

Our Clay is STILL keeping us sweet.....you should get the Pree album...I PROMISE you, you will not be disappointed. It's superb, honest it is..

Clay also assisted on Martha's latest "Home To You" with Rudy Robinson. I found Martha's album to be more of a grower album but it's still another album you need to get.

Clay is working on more product to keep us all smiling...so we might need to give him some space to get on with it. Who knows, maybe some of the Forum members might be on it!!!

By Dave f.. (62.253.144.105 - 62.253.144.105) on Friday, April 12, 2002 - 12:44 am:

Hi Clay,am i right in beleiving that there were only
three 45s issued on your "Red Cap" lable,i have the
"Monticellos" and the "Samson & Delilah" 45s,the
Samson & Delilah 45 must have sold well as it was picked up by ABC and put out,who were S&D?,also was
"Spyder Turner" anything to do with the Monticellos
as he done "Dont hold back" and "I cant wait to see
my babys face" on MGM as they did on Red Cap?.
Regards
Dave f..

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Friday, April 12, 2002 - 03:39 am:

I think The Monticelos were from New York. Wasn't the Samson And Delilah 45 on MGM too (not ABC)?
Graham

By Dave f.. (62.253.144.20 - 62.253.144.20) on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 01:33 am:

Graham, 100% sure thing it came out on ABC 10954 in
1967,i know that "Joe Harris" was in the "Monticellos" which also came out in 67 and he has Detroit connections he was in groups such as
"The Peps" on "D-Town,Undisputed Truth" on "Gordy"
and "Little Joe & The Moroccos.
Dave f..

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 10:53 am:

Hi Dave - thanks for the confirmation - all I can remember is a black-ish colored label!
I have a list of the group's names (The Monticelos) taken from a Detroit newspaper article when ICWTSMBF was released - Joe Harris is definately not one of them, and it says that they all lived in New York. I'll dig it out and get back to you.
Joe Harris was certainly a member of The Peps though, and he later joined Motown's Undisputed Truth. But I bet you knew that already.
Graham

By Clay McMurray (66.73.179.183 - 66.73.179.183) on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 11:24 am:

For the record guys, the Monticello's were from Buffalo NY, Samson and Delilah were from Ohio, and their release was on ABC not MGM. And Dave would you like to sell the Monticello's and Samson and Delilah's 45 to me since my copies have long disappeared? If you know where I could get original copies of any of my work I'd like to make contact, I'm trying to create a small museum of my work for my children and any help would be appreciated.

By john lester (213.122.193.70 - 213.122.193.70) on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 12:09 pm:

CLAY..have you surfaced from that studio for some air...!!!!!!

Well, I shall allow you time for that...but I want YOU to know that some of us are awaiting your next little masterpiece...

Only kidding, of course...nice to see you!

By Dave f.. (62.253.148.218 - 62.253.148.218) on Saturday, April 13, 2002 - 05:29 pm:

Hi Graham And Clay,
Graham thanks for the updated info on the Monticellos look forward to the newspaper info,
Clay i wish i could let you have them but there part of my Detroit collection of 45s,if i see any for sale in the UK i`ll let you know,i could put them
on a cdr for you with some of your other detroit 45s
IE:Thelma stuff,M-S,Spyder Turner ect,let me know and i will email you to sort it out.
Regards
Dave f..

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 03:39 am:

Hi Clay,
I have a promo' copy of The Marvelettes - That's How Heartaches Are Made.
I'll give it to you when I come over in September.
Best wishes, Graham

By Eric (67.243.186.243 - 67.243.186.243) on Monday, April 15, 2002 - 04:57 am:

Clay,
I have a spare "played" copy of the Samson & Delilah record on the Red Cap label I will give to you. I also have a soul/funk record by Judge Suds and The Soul Detergents on Red Cap that I could put on CD for you. The tracks are:"Rockin' Courtroom"/"Shi Dank" (Just Dance). I think this shares the same label # as The Monticellos (102). From memory I think "Shi Dank" is the Backing track to "Woman" by Samson & Delilah. The Red Cap records are really great especially The Monticellos which is the one that I do not have in my collection but have heard!

In my travels with Graham around Detroit I think he pointed out your studio. So if you want the record & such contact me offline at:wheelcity@hotmail.com. I actually attend a school at Telegraph and 7 mile every Monday so that would be the ideal day for us to meet up if you are interested.

Later,
Eric

By Clay (66.73.178.56 - 66.73.178.56) on Tuesday, April 23, 2002 - 11:30 am:

I'd like to thank Eric for stopping by to see me at my studio and bringing some precious pieces (45"s) that will become part of my mini museum of
my collective product that has been around for some 30yrs or better. Also, I want to say Thanks to Graham for offering the Marvelettes promo. It
great to know that you both are so kind in doing so. Dave, you probably have an arsenal of (45's)
with my name on them and I appreciate your offer to make me a CD of the material. I must still pursue trying to get the original records of any artist that I've worked with and if you have extra
copies or know someone who does please contact me at: ilovemusic2047@netscape.net

Thanks Guys,
Clay

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 03:52 am:

Hi Clay - there are a few "Red Cap" 45s that you were released on other labels, such as Joe Matthews on Kool Kat and Eddie Hill on M-S.
One place you might find 45s is a small store on 8 Mile Road, near John R. It's called Bob May's -Bob is always getting things brought in so I suggest you pop and see him.
Best wishes, Graham
PS; See you in Sept.

By john lester (213.1.135.36 - 213.1.135.36) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 07:57 am:

what a great title for a song...

see you in September..tra la la (LOL)

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 08:00 am:

It'd have to be in a decent TEMPO, but I can't personally see it HAPPENING.

By john lester (213.1.130.71 - 213.1.130.71) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 04:43 pm:

You always have to have the last word....OK I surrender and you win!!!

LOL

By Tyrone (192.128.133.68 - 192.128.133.68) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 12:47 am:

Mr McMurray,
One of my very favorite songs is "God Bless Whoever Sent You". I am also a big fan of the Originals. Since I have never seen the Originals perform live or on tv, can you please advise me who is singing lead on the song and which of the others are co-lead singing on the song? I know the members by name but never knew who sang what.
Another one of my favorite songs that you were involved with is "That's How Heartaches Are Made" by the Marvelettes. Is it true that Wanda is the only Marvelette on this song?

Thanks,
Tyrone

By john lester (213.1.135.121 - 213.1.135.121) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 07:42 am:

Tyrone...

The Originals are appearing in Manchester on June 2...so you still have time to get yourself together

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 07:45 am:

John - are you going to see them?

By Tyrone (192.128.167.68 - 192.128.167.68) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 09:28 pm:

John,
I am in Atlanta Ga (USA). I doubt very seriously if I would be able to make this trip. I have never known the Originals to appear in a city that I lived in or near. But when they do appear in a city nearby, I 'll be there!

By john lester (213.122.203.171 - 213.122.203.171) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 09:55 pm:

Carl

YES I AM..I have my ticket

Tyrone...throw caution to the wind and get on a plane...we are a nice bunch of people really! Maybe we speak a little differently but our bond is our love for the music

By Clay (67.37.75.98 - 67.37.75.98) on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 - 11:02 am:

Hello Tyrone,
I'm sorry it's taken so long but I've been in the studio and out of town. As for "God Bless" by the Originals, Walter starts it out then it's mostly CP until Hank come in with the voice of a storm!!
the last verse is CP and Freddy sings the last 2 lines "If the man above made anything better, he kept it for himself" I hope this info is what you were asking for. Also Wanda was the only Marvelette on "That's How Heartaches Are Made" the Andantes did all the Backup vocals. The Supremes with Jean Terrell was also my production. It's really nice to know that there are real music lovers out there like yourself and I appreciate all of your kind comments about my music. Maybe we can do lunch if you're ever in my area.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 - 02:04 pm:

OK all you Clay McMurray fans ( me included ),
this thread is history!!! Please continue on CLAY MCMURRAY 2