By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Monday, February 11, 2002 - 08:29 pm:

thanks for offering to contact jack, bobby.

i got a nice e-mail from him last month.

if you can find out the following, that will be another beer i owe you :-

-did pied piper productions have an office or a studio in detroit? if so what was the street address?
-where was the hesitations album recorded?

he may have missed my e-mail asking these questions.

these 2 questions have bugged me for about 3 years!

By jack ashford (216.78.128.22 - 216.78.128.22) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 04:43 pm:

I don't know if you got my last message Bobbybut if you did let me know. It's about me doing a session in Detroit on Kenny gamble. He was singing a song called Aint it baby on the Polar lable I think .Jack Ashford

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 04:57 pm:

Jack,
So good to see you hear.Glad you could make it. I'll stand out of the way now. I'm sure you're about to get hit with many questions.

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 06:13 pm:

Hi Mr Ashford

Thanks for dropping in to the forum. It's a real honour. Wow!

I have a question for you. Do you still own that original large tambourine you used on all those sessions and would that have been you playing the vibes, say, on 'Love is like an itching in my heart'? That was the first song I analyzed on my 8 track sequencer to see how you all did it!! Do you still do sessions now and was it that tambourine on the 'Drummers of Motown' CD I mentioned to you before? And lastly,for the moment,is that the same set of vibes that are in the Motown studio now, by the far wall, that you played on, or could they be a replacement?

Cheers

Carl Dixon

By phillysoulman (64.12.102.169 - 64.12.102.169) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 07:01 pm:

Hey Jack!!!

For a minute in the sixties, Jimmy Bishop, who was a d.j. on w.d.a.s. radio, ran a joint venture label with Jamie/ Guyden called Arctic records, i would surmise because everyone told him that he had a "cool" style on the radio.
He was originally from Ypsilanti Michigan, near Detroit and on the radio in Michigan.
He knew Ed Widgate so he tried several sessions at Golden World as an experiment.
As I recall, they were: Aint it baby by Kenny Gamble, Ladied Man by The Volcanos, some sides by The Ambassadors that appeared on Atlantic and a few more which I can't recall, although I probably will eventually!
When he came back we were at Virtue studio doing a Harthon session and Jimmy was raving about the
faders on the board because he never saw ones that were not rotary ones(as in the scrotum)
He describd, in detail on how the engineer worked them with his fingers!!! He was amazed.
Not to much later , Virtue got one too, but as an engineer he left a lot to be desired, althouh the studio had a classic vintage feel because those were vintage times.
It was on parallal with Stax, and Royal in Memphis with its "crudeness"
A better or free lance engineer would have set it miles ahead from the others.
Listen to Boogaloo down Broadway, "The Horse"
Yes Im Ready, Storm Warning, most of the Harthon things even Hey there lonely girl and you will see what I mean.

By John Lester (213.1.129.43 - 213.1.129.43) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 09:04 pm:

Hi Mr Ashford...

Can you tell us about some of your more memorable moments...both good and bad.....playing the music we all hear still rave about!

I got my hotel sheet at the ready!!!

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Friday, February 15, 2002 - 11:20 pm:

hello jack

thanks for coming on to the forum.

in my opinion you are one of the most important people in terms of quality music in sixties detroit.

i am so interested in pied piper productions.

i would love to know if pied piper had an office in detroit or even a demo studio. if you could provide me with any addresses, i could photograph the locations in april and show some more serious history to the forum.

pied piper means a lot to me and to many fans in the united kingdom. hope you can help.

By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 12:24 am:

Mr Ashford and Mr Terry - Wow!! - what an incredible combination!
As I'm on honeymoon I'll be brief - thanks a million for creating some of the greatest music ever.
Cheers, Graham

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 08:26 am:

Ain't it baby - that was Kenny Gamble and the Romeos?? I must dig it out -never thought it was recorded at Golden World!

By Clay McMurray (66.73.177.45 - 66.73.177.45) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 10:36 am:

Big Jack,
What's up? How does it feel to be an ICON, A Movie Star, and a real musician who's still in demand and has the chops to prove it? When are you coming back to the "D" and get some more of that free money you made when we went out?(smile)
You really know what to do. I miss you man, and it was great hanging out even for a short stay. I'm wishing nothing but the best for the film I got a sneak preview and it's great and you really know how to tell a story,some of the things you said in the film had me on the floor, because I knew it was the real deal. Hearing your interpetation was amazing. Stay well Big Bro and give my best to Shar. Pree sends her love and is looking forward to seeing you on the return. You still owe me a few overdubs that we did'nt get to do,but we'll hook it up next time. I already told
Babbit to be sure to bring his Bass LOL Looking forward to your input on the forum you are better than READERS DIGEST. E-mail me if you need anything, Peace
Clay

By jack ashford (216.78.128.86 - 216.78.128.86) on Saturday, February 16, 2002 - 10:35 pm:

Clay I want to say that you and your wife made the trip complete forme . I enjoyed our visit so much. I am recovering from a health set back when I got back. but I am on the mend . God is great. I am looking forward to seeing you when I return your friend forever Jack

By The 3rd (68.80.164.254 - 68.80.164.254) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 10:04 pm:

Hi jack this is Weldon A. Mc Dougal III,lots of people don't know you are from Philly,and played on some of my productions on Harthon,then you went to Detroit,and realy got down,(smile)your interview
in Motown The Golden Years book,is out of sight you told it like it was,hope you are will.
your long, long, long, time friend.
WELDON

By phillysoulman (205.188.192.177 - 205.188.192.177) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 10:19 pm:

I feel like Rip Van Winkle finally waking up from a deep sleep and recollecting all the musical nuances and the nuts and bolts of my past, including the fact that Jack Ashford is originally from Philly and worked with at Virtue on some Harthon stuff. I am now banging on my head now to loosen the screws!!!
Vince Montana probably tells people that it is him, so the truth shall be told!!!!

Eli

By John Lester (213.122.194.200 - 213.122.194.200) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 10:28 pm:

Bobby..don't bang your head too much......we NEED you here with us!!

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 10:45 pm:

i've never read that before weldon.

jack ashford is a very gifted man.

thanks

By nodoubtt@bellsouth.net (216.78.76.34 - 216.78.76.34) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 04:18 am:

Iv'e been blessed to have u in my life Jack and i'm learning to appreciate u more more everyday. We luv u ,Tanzi Rene & London Fogg

By nodoubtt@bellsouth.net (216.78.76.34 - 216.78.76.34) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 04:18 am:

Iv'e been blessed to have u in my life Jack and i'm learning to appreciate u more more everyday. We luv u ,Tanzi Rene & London Fogg

By detroit gal (64.12.102.184 - 64.12.102.184) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 04:46 am:

I've talked to Jack, and never knew he was from Philly, either. I would have compared notes on neighborhoods with him had I known. I know he was a jazz cat before he fell in with the Motown players ... it was Marvin you first played with, right Jack?

P.S. I had a sneak peek at the Funks movie too and there's a treat in store for everybody!

By jack ashford (216.78.130.10 - 216.78.130.10) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 05:17 am:

Well I think I'll just sit hear with tears in my eyes and enjoy this.Tanzi you know how much joy you have brought to my life . You have been loyal to me ever since we met. I'll never forget that.I'm sorry that I don't have the energy to be as active with you as I once was but time is healing,also preys.Tell London hello. Ilove you. Jack Ashford

By jack ashford (216.78.130.10 - 216.78.130.10) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 05:20 am:

Sorry about the type O

By jack ashford (216.78.130.10 - 216.78.130.10) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 05:27 am:

To Detroit Gal; Yes I started at Motown with Marvin Gaye. In 1963 I met him in Boston when I was playing with Johnny hammond Smith. He heard me and Offered me a job to leave the group.But Iam writing a book and allof that will be in it. But thank you so much for caring . God bless you. Jack Ashford

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 07:41 am:

Jack

there are so many books on the bubble at the moment. We all want to buy a copy and read your memories, so we can treasure them and the songs you have been involved in, forever. We are so privileged to know about their development before they are published and in the shops.

By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 01:41 pm:

Hi Jack, Will your book cover all the different Detroit labels/productions you were involved with? When do you expect it to be finished?
I love the 45 by Ray Gant & The Arabian Knights that came out on Jay Walking (c. 1974); something you did with Lorraine. Tony Hester - another tremendous talent - had a 45 on the Giant label that I think you were involved with. These are cherished songs and you have my eternal gratitude for helping to put them on vinyl.
I have a few clips advertising The Funk Brothers at Phelps and also The Chit Chat. If you need copies let me know. Those must have been tremendous days/nights.
Cheers, Graham

By jack ashford (216.78.131.121 - 216.78.131.121) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 03:59 pm:

I thank you for asking these questions because I had no way of knowing anyone was thinking of me in that way.Mymbook should be finished around the fall of the year. Ithas been in the making for 10 years.This might be the only book ever written from the inside of the company that Berry didn't have to proof read before it came out.(smiles) It is not a kiss and tell type ,it just what happend at some sessions and all of the things that people have been asking through the years.And also from the point of were it happend ,IN THE STUDIO.And as far as all of rhe lables I worked on. That is imposible to do because had I not have to sneak around and do cash dates there would be a record of most of them.I get flashes sometimes of different dates that I did such So many Stax sessions that I can't name them all. Johnny Taylor to Bobby bland. With Monk Higgins arranging.ETC. Wilson Pickett To Candy Staton,to the Mighty Clouds of Joy.To WilsonPickett,Earl Clug, Nancy Wilson. And Idon't know Mike Terry And I did.The Ojays toBobby Bland and on and on.So you see you will enjoy the book.I would enjoy the Club Things you mentioned. Thanks again and keep tuned. Jack Ashford

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 07:22 pm:

jack

remember and tell us plenty about pied piper in your book and include as many addresses as you can!

memorable music.

By jack ashford (67.32.80.130 - 67.32.80.130) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 09:59 pm:

The people at Pied piper was Mike Terry and Myself Mikki Farrow Lorraine Chandler,September Jones, Sharron Scott,Willie Kendrick,The Caviliers,The Metro's,Freddie Butler,Eddie Parker,and a few more. Arrangers Joe Hunter,Herbie Williams, Paul riser,Willie Shorter,Mike terry, Shelly Haims was like the manager of the companyand a partner to Mike and myself.We had a deal with Paul Robinson of RCA and to get the deal we had to do business with Pauls friend Gerard w purcell. (unreal) Jack More to come in the book

By jack ashford (67.32.80.130 - 67.32.80.130) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 10:00 pm:

I'm not a typist as you can see.

By Ian W (213.122.169.88 - 213.122.169.88) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 10:05 pm:

Wotcha Jack

Please reserve me a copy! Freddie Butler's 'A Dab Of Soul' album is sex on a stick! You've been involved in some of the best music ever. Eddie Parker - ahh man! Lorraine Chandler, Mike Terry - wow! I think the Sepia label is one of yours. Every record is wonderful especially Joe Buckman with 'Till The End Of Time' (no label credits to Chopin though!).

Many thanks,

Ian

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, February 21, 2002 - 11:34 pm:

jack

thanks a million for that information.

i know many people will be looking forward to the book.

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 06:48 am:

Jack
A lot of soul lovers, particularly in the UK, are just as interested in the non-Motown music you did. If you ever need some reminders or pointers then I'm sure you can depend on this forum to come up trumps.
You probably know that a lot of the RCA material has already been issued on CD in the UK during the past few years. I spoke to Joe Hunter and Lorraine when I was in Detroit last Sept. and Lorraine told me you sound-proofed the kitchen so you could use it for rehearsals.
Best wishes, Graham

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.172.9 - 213.122.172.9) on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 08:50 am:

graham, in the building on whitewood?

By phillysoulman (170.115.179.117 - 170.115.179.117) on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 06:02 pm:

Jack and Mike Terry recently told me that upon a trip to Philly in the mid sixties,they went to visit Philly arranger Bobby Martin in his office in downtown Philly. Apparantly, Bobby's arranging skills have not yet been fully developed so Mike gave Bobby some arranging pointers and ideas which later became the basis of "The Philly Sound"
Also Jack played his vibes on the early Harthon sessions , some of which I was on as well!!!
So their amazing talents spread far and wide beyond belief!!!!

By acooolcat (211.78.0.219 - 211.78.0.219) on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 09:58 am:

David - Yes, the house on Whitewood - hopefully Jack will expand on it.
Graham

By phillysoulman (170.115.179.118 - 170.115.179.118) on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 06:13 pm:

Jack's talents go way back to the very , very rarly Harthon and Dynodynamic things, like Nella Dodds, and The Tiffanys and The Larks, as well as the Volcanos. He played at the 366 club in West Philly where I had my "basic training" with
Herb Johnson and the Impacts.It was a private war veterans club and many of the great names in jazz played there and Jack was right there with them!!!
I was a kid and witnessed firsthand the stylings of the future Motown marvel.
The sound of young America would be naked without \Jack's touch. Just think about it. No relentless tambourine backbeat. No vibes in the chord changes. That was the signature of the sound alomg with the obvious.
Viva la Jack!!!

By acoooclat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 02:31 am:

Well said phillysoulman.
Do you remember Herb Johnson's "I'm So Glad" ?
Love that record!
Graham

By John Lester (213.122.202.122 - 213.122.202.122) on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 11:26 am:

I just listened to the tambourine on Kim Weston's "Take Me In Your Arms", Marvelettes "Too Many Fish In The Sea" and the Dalton Boys "Something's Bothering Me".....

Hearing them reminds me of the Isley's "It Moves Me To Tears"......Just wonderful!

By Ian W (213.122.132.18 - 213.122.132.18) on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 02:22 pm:

John

Re. Dalton Boys, I have another track listed on VIP 25025 - Dalton Boys - 'Take My Hand'. Does it exist and, if so, is it another issue? I guess 'I've Been Cheated' or 'Something's Bothering Me' must be on the other side.

Ian

By John Lester (213.1.134.149 - 213.1.134.149) on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 03:39 pm:

Take My Hand is a track that DOES exist witht he same VIP number...not plentiful I might add.

Mind you, "I've Been Cheated" is not exactly one you can pick up for a couple of bob either!

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 04:37 pm:

Hi Ian

Take My Hand sho' does exist... it's got vaguely Beatles-ish harmonies, not dissimilar to Mike and the Modifiers in that way, but the rhythm track is 100% Motown!

Just don't ask where I got it ;o)

By Ian W (213.122.139.198 - 213.122.139.198) on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 08:37 pm:

A hint of jealousy creep in at this point! Thanks guys - yet another record I don't have!

Ian :o(

By Keith Rylatt (195.92.168.173 - 195.92.168.173) on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 08:26 pm:

Hi Jack. Like so many folk in the UK I love & respect your work. Thank you. You might be amused about a poster I saw once for the 4 Sonics, shortly after their transformation from the Velvet Angels. It was for their appearance at the Krusaders Social Club on West Grand Boulevard and at the bottom of the bill was Lorraine Chandler and an unfortunate piece of lay-out by the printer has "EXOTIC TASSEL DANCER" next to her name! In a message to you from February 21st someone signs themself off as `London Fogg` is this the same LONDON FOG & the CONTINENTALS who put out a couple of things on Gold Stars, I picked up Trippin` (an instrumental) by them form McGuires record store in Detroit around `72 and always though it was a Detroit production, can you (or anyone else) help on that?
Keith.

By acooolcat (203.217.188.15 - 203.217.188.15) on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 10:44 am:

Hi Jack,
I have a copy of that poster - I'm sure it'll be the same one; from 1968.
I gave a copy to Lorraine in Sept' but she couldn't remember the gig - I guess you did soooo many. You can see a copy on another web site that I sent it too - can't recall the web address at present - the one about Fortune etc. My minds slowly going!
Cheers, Graham

By James P (217.162.19.199 - 217.162.19.199) on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 03:45 pm:

Herbie Williams still living ?

Does anybody knows where he lives ?

By jack (216.78.129.46 - 216.78.129.46) on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 06:05 pm:

Herbie Williams passed a few years ago in Detroit Mich. He was a very good musician and arranger. Jack

By Tay (216.78.76.118 - 216.78.76.118) on Saturday, April 20, 2002 - 10:53 pm:

Jack
Good talking to you and getting your views . Working hard on the book. I'll be droping in from time to time on the forum.
Take care,
Tay

By jack (67.32.80.41 - 67.32.80.41) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 03:26 pm:

Has anyone visited the site called Richie's cellar? I want to know were he got his information because someone really turned him around. He needs to get his facts together. Jack

By John Lester (213.1.134.149 - 213.1.134.149) on Friday, June 07, 2002 - 10:47 pm:

Jack...can't you ask him..I am sure if he has got anything wrong and it's pointed out to him, I am sure he would put it right.

By jack (65.82.173.207 - 65.82.173.207) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 09:53 am:

Hi Kathy I enjoyed talking to you . I want to see you in Ca. Ok? Jack

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.31 - 195.219.7.31) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 11:24 am:

MR ASHFORD,ID JUST LIKE TO SAY YOU ARE THE MAN. MEL(ANDTHENSOME)

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.31 - 195.219.7.31) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 11:30 am:

MR ASHFORD,I HAVE A DOUBLE-BLANK-SIDED LABELED COPY OF KENNY GAMBLES,THE JOKES ON YOU,DID YOU HAVE ANY INVOLVEMENT ON THIS DISC.MEL(ANDTHENSOME)

By kathie (64.3.192.143 - 64.3.192.143) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 03:34 pm:

Good morning, Too bad that you and Charlene could not make it this week-end. Looking forward to viewing the movie. (and it is not even noon) Later, Kathie

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 02:28 am:

Hello Jack - just to let you know that Al Gardner's "I Can't Stand It" has been occuping my tape-deck for the past few days - an inmmensly pleasurable experience...thanks for making such great music!
Graham

By biggray1 (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 09:09 am:

Hey Jack,regarding the Joe Buckman Recording on Sepia=Till the end of time!! the track is also on the Metros LP Titled the Sweetest One,i have played both tracks back to back and yep Joe's voice is on the Metros Lp,was Joe a member of the Metros!! and please tell us more about the sepia recordings. Number 1 Fan Biggray. God Bless .

By Gabriele (212.171.155.53 - 212.171.155.53) on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 01:20 pm:

Hi Jack,

your a great person other than a great musician!
I could say unique...Good to hear from you!

By Gabriele (212.171.165.5 - 212.171.165.5) on Thursday, August 01, 2002 - 09:11 am:

Jack,

its amazing as you put the vibes in songs like "Forget me not","I hear a symphony","He holds his own"...I think you gave more breath and shading off to the music defining better the melodies and the chords...