By soulboy (213.105.239.19 - 213.105.239.19) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 09:34 am:

I,d like find out about the extent to which the Andantes were used on Motown's most famous recordings, as a casual listener i would say they were utilised on a large percentage of disks cut during the golden era, however i am not sure as they used personnel from other stars at the label as well, anyone have any info on this??

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 09:52 am:

John L gave an excellent reply to this question a while back. You'll find his posting under this heading:

Tera Shirma Webisode: New Episode!

Msg date: Saturday, January 12, 2002

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.4.101 - 213.122.4.101) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 10:24 am:

well remembered ritchie!

it's worthwhile reminding folks that they can use the 'search forum' function on the left of the screen.

the amount of detail on here is overwhelmingly good and we've only just begun.

thanks to everyone who has enriched my knowledge of my favourite city.

By John Lester (213.1.130.71 - 213.1.130.71) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 04:39 pm:

A good starting point for the Andantes is Brenda Holloway's "When I'm Gone"...use that as your base and then listen for the similar sound.

You will actually be quite surprised when you listen closely to some of the songs from the Supremes, Marvelettes and even my little lovelies themselves........the Velvelettes

By soulboy (213.105.232.85 - 213.105.232.85) on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 10:29 pm:

I would give these girls some credit. Their distinctive harmonies are an essential part of the Motown sound. I don't think we'll ever know for sure the full extent of their contribution.
As i have said, i suspect they played on a large proportion of the output by Motown. What surprises me is the use of them on some of the male groups such as the Four tops. On Bernardette i think you can them singing a high harmony part.
Most of the stars at Motown must have had one hell of job duplicating the harmonies for their live shows.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 02:05 pm:

Good point. I remember going to see Junior Walker in the early seventies. Walk In The Night just wasn't the same without those gorgeous harmonies!

I also guess that Mary and Cindy had to learn "their" backing vocals from the records! ;o)

By Bob Olhsson (68.53.120.100 - 68.53.120.100) on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 02:25 pm:

They were on an awful lot, especially prior to the last couple years in Detroit.

By soulboy (213.105.236.90 - 213.105.236.90) on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 10:13 pm:

Is it true that the supreme's records from about 67 (after the name change and flo's dismissal) featured mainly the Andantes on harmony vocals.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 10:26 pm:

I don't think there's much doubt. Listen to Love Child, for example, then compare it with Diana's Ain't No Mountain High Enough. Same voices?

By harryweinger (68.37.255.124 - 68.37.255.124) on Friday, April 26, 2002 - 12:42 am:

If you ever meet Louvain Demps or Jackie or Marlene, and you're in a shop or a restaurant where there's a radio playing, they can instantly sing along with their parts on Motown songs... almost any of them... that's when it really hits you how many they sang on. I was so taken with their contributions to the label in general, and the the Four Tops recordings specifically, that, with the full support of the Tops I created a special section about them in the booklet of the Tops box set, 'Fourever.' Those ladies are truly special - gracious and delightful.

By supremeross (199.250.233.4 - 199.250.233.4) on Friday, April 26, 2002 - 02:45 pm:

Hey Harvey,

Do you know if Motown ever intends on releasing any of the Andantes/Blackberries recording? I think that would be a real treat to have.

Fan in Atlanta by way of Kalamazoo

By john lester (213.122.199.124 - 213.122.199.124) on Friday, April 26, 2002 - 09:45 pm:

Supremeross....

I am SO disappointed in you..coming from Kalamazoo and not even one teeny weeny mention of the VELVELETTES.

LOL!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, April 26, 2002 - 09:53 pm:

Maybe Supremeross already has a gal in Kalamazoo as well as an invisible rabbit.

By john lester (213.1.137.237 - 213.1.137.237) on Saturday, April 27, 2002 - 08:38 am:

Ritchie

???? ......you are just TOO clever for me

By supremeross (155.229.206.18 - 155.229.206.18) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 02:28 pm:

Hey John L., I sooo love the Velvelettes also, in fact my mother went to high school with Betty Kelly. (that also tells you something about my age).

When Martha Reeves was out promoting her autobiography, I took my book to be signed and I mentioned that I was from Kalamazoo and we briefly talked about the Velvelettes and Betty Kelly.

By john lester (213.122.203.171 - 213.122.203.171) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 10:08 pm:

ooooooo

That "V" word just gets me going.

I talked to Betty on the phone once (merci HW) She was so wonderful to talk to........very endearing and gracious. I was thrilled.

By John Lester (213.1.131.178 - 213.1.131.178) on Sunday, May 26, 2002 - 09:53 pm:

Another song which demonstrates the Andantes harmonies....Jimmy Ruffin's "Baby I've Got It"....

I am trying to work out the lyrics though...can anybody help with the ????...pity I don't have it in true stereo (hint hint!)

The girls sing

He's got it bad
He's got it bad
?????????
Look at him now
Yeah Yeah OOOOO

Do I really need an excuse to play this great non album track from my youth!

By Chris. Freston (213.122.88.192 - 213.122.88.192) on Sunday, May 26, 2002 - 11:43 pm:

John.My best guess would be... He's had it bad before but... It fits and makes sense. What do you think?

By John Lester (213.122.196.71 - 213.122.196.71) on Monday, May 27, 2002 - 08:33 am:

Chris.

You've bl**dy done it......well done!

I daren't tell you what I thought it was....and really I am so happy to finally discover what they sing.....I have only been singing it wrong for 36 years!!

By Keith Hughes (195.92.67.74 - 195.92.67.74) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 11:00 pm:

John

Don't be embarrassed. I have only relased what the opening words of Baby hit and run are from listening to Cellarful on cans ... dont tell ...

Keith

By Sue (205.188.200.148 - 205.188.200.148) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 12:05 am:

Funny thing,
I was talking to Martha Reeves yesterday, getting her to list her favorite Motown songs, and one was "Ask the Lonely" by the Four Tops -- she said it gives her chills to hear Duke Fakir's tenor blend with the Andantes singing behind Levi, "just ask the loooonely" ...that really is a great moment.

By Vickie (64.12.106.21 - 64.12.106.21) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 12:45 am:

Love, Love , Love The Andantes!
Have had the pleasure to talk with Louvain and Jackie for this book and they are simply wonderful women, singers, people.

Vickie

By john lester (213.122.204.100 - 213.122.204.100) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 05:59 am:

Oh yes Keith..and what are they then?

By Keith Hughes (195.92.67.74 - 195.92.67.74) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 10:26 am:

John

Er (hastily listens to CD again) "Watch out for that lady (whooo!)"

So tell me I'm wrong ...

Keith

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 11:25 am:

The song that really does it me is 'cherish' by the four tops, I know it was a non motown song originally, but i had the luxury of never listening to the original (by the Association) until fairly recently.
The harmonies are fantastic both the low and high. The chord changes are wicked,underneath it all Jamerson's bassline kicks ass (as usual).

By John Lester (213.1.128.77 - 213.1.128.77) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 08:09 pm:

Cherish was nearly a UK 45 after If I Were A Carpenter.......if that had happened..there would have been 8 yes 8 tracks from the TOPS "reach Out" album which would have been 45 top sides.

Standing In The Shadows of Love
Reach Out I'll Be There
Bernadette
7 rooms of gloom
Walk Away Renee
If I Were A Carpenter
I'll Turn to Stone (TMG 829)

and Cherish

Not bad eh!!

and I still think Clarence Paul's "What Else Is There To Do But Sit Here And Think About You" is one of the best tracks

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 08:13 pm:

I'll Turn to Stone - one of my favs!

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 09:50 pm:

i am not sure if the 'REACH OUT' LP included a cover version of 'i'm a believer' I remember this as a quite a good version. It seemed that the tops could sound good on almost anything by anyone. That is with or without the help of the Andantes.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 10:25 pm:

OK, switching to another current topic - J.J. Barnes. Could it be the lovely Andantes on his "Please Let Me In"..? Sure sounds like them to me!

By Greg C. (209.71.79.185 - 209.71.79.185) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 01:06 am:

The Andantes had a full debut album to be released on the Mowest label (MWLP 0006 Mowest 106) when their name was changed to the Blackberries. Does anyone know what producers/writers/etc. were involved with the project? I've been dying for years to hear this project!

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 04:12 am:

I think I remember hearing about a singing group called the Blackberries who did a great deal of background work in L.A. during the late '60s. Sort of a west coast version of what Valerie Simpson did in New York.

By John Lester (213.122.201.135 - 213.122.201.135) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 06:38 am:

Sherlie Mathews and Deke Richards....were once announced as producers....but then an album came out by a group called Celebration with those two as producers....then the thread never seemed to get mentioned.

I dont think that it was the Andantes though, it was west coast and likely to be the Blackberries

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 08:47 am:

Ritchie, Louvaine mentioned to me that she did some sessions Golden World until Berry heard about it. She stopped, but I think Jackie may have continued.
Pat Lewis sang background on Golden World/Ric-Tic recordings, as did other members of The Adorables and The Debonaires. I think Pat was also doing sessions at Motown too, and some people I've spoken to have refered to her as an Andante.
Graham

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 09:25 am:

Graham

Thanks - I thought it might be something on those lines. There appear to be male vocals fairly low in the mix too, but that distinctive "Andantes" soprano is certainly in evidence at certain points in the song.

Cheers
R

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 02:57 pm:

It was common to fill out backgrounds with session singers of the opposite sex. The male groups who did most of this in Detroit were the Originals and the Spinners.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 06:03 pm:

I knew I had this info somewhere!

The Blackberries were Venetta Field, Clydie King and Sherlie Matthews, who led the trio. She named the group to denote their colour, and to pay tribute to a certain Mr Gordy. They apparently cut an album for Motown - "Eat It" - which was shelved, and the Blackberries were invited to tour as part of Steve Marriott's Humble Pie. Sherlie was unavailable, so Billie Barnum took her place on the road. Their list of backing vocal credits is impressive, and they shared billing on a very memorable 45, "Are You Ready" by Pacific Gas & Electric.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 07:19 pm:

great pic Ritchie!

Thanks