By Millie (65.59.41.149 - 65.59.41.149) on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 03:34 pm:

Hey Marshall!
Now you've got your own thread! Had I known you were going to be appearing at the Arc in Ann Arbor today, I would have been there. Congrats on the new LP too! We love having you on the site, and hope you continue to contribute to it!
Millie

By Mark Speck (65.56.216.122 - 65.56.216.122) on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 05:31 pm:

Hi Marshall and welcome aboard. I'm a fan of yours!!

Best,

Mark

By mhcrenshaw (172.151.88.80 - 172.151.88.80) on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 02:39 am:

Yikes.. It didn't even occur to me to mention my own upcoming gig when I was corresponding with you folks last weekend. I've always been pretty slack when it comes to self-promotion. Next time I'm coming through the Detroit area I'll be sure to mention it here. I spent all weekend obsessing over Detroit, reading a book called "Origins of the Urban Crisis" by Thomas Sugrue and trying to read this entire bulletin board. And playing a few gigs in my spare time. Millie, as detroitgal mentioned, I left the Detroit area in 1977 and have been in and around New York since 1978; Right now I'm in Brooklyn and Woodstock.

By Eli (205.188.198.49 - 205.188.198.49) on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 04:06 am:

I'm bi-polar, that is I am in Park Slope, Brooklyn and Philly.
Where in Brooklyn are you??
We are on 15th and Prospect Park West, on the route of the recent Gay Pride Parade.
I particularly enjoyed "Dykes on Bikes"

By john coe (12.2.233.107 - 12.2.233.107) on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 07:28 pm:

The "Someday,Someway" Marshall Crenshaw? I totally wore out your debut lp for Warner. I don't think I have it anymore but I remember trying to figure out what that model of Fender guitar on the back cover was. My memory seems to recall a short scale with no model decal or something like that.

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79 - 12.245.225.79) on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 - 10:04 pm:

For a Soulful Detroit related treat, check out Marshall's live versions of "S.O.S." and "Look at What I Almost Missed" on the reissued version of his classic first LP
Steve K.

By mhcrenshaw (172.158.33.18 - 172.158.33.18) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 01:20 am:

Hi folks.. Bobby, we're neighbors. I live about 10 blocks from you in Park Slope. If you ever want to hook up, my e-mail is cheryl1389@aol.com/.
John, that was a Fender mandolin on the back of my album. Right after that photo was taken I traded it for a '55 Gretsch Duo-Jet. LTLFTC, thanks for mentioning those R&B covers on my re-issued 1st album. I couldn't really sing that stuff, but.. It's pretty good for a garage band. "S.O.S." by Edwin Starr, "I've Been Good to You" by Smokey, and "Look What I Almost Missed" by The Parliaments. All Detroit tunes; at least I had good taste in covers..

By harryweinger (68.37.216.64 - 68.37.216.64) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 01:41 pm:

OK, I have been dying to tell this, and MC says it's cool, so here goes:

Some of you may be aware of the 2-CD Deluxe Edition of Marvin Gaye's classic album, WHAT'S GOING ON. (One of the last Motown recordings done in Detroit, and certainly the last where the Funks were all together.) If you are not aware, just go get it ferchrissakes.

Besides all of the amazing extras - like a live version of the album - the first disc closes with what I named 'The Foundation': it is a mix of the basic rhythm track, with the strings laid on top at the right moment. It starts with Jamerson's bass, soloed (bass students take note), then elements are added as the track builds - bass, piano, guitars, strings, drums, fingersnaps, a hint of background vocals to remind you of the title.

Hearing WGO like this is a mind-blower. But it may never have happened if not for Marshall, because that mix was his idea. Knowing he was a Jamerson devotee and a huge fan of the album, and also recognizing we had mutual friends and we had sort of once worked together - and, oh, that I have a cassette of wild & rare Detroit singles from him - I called MC up and invited him to the mixing and mastering session. He was quiet... hushed would be more like it, as we all were that day.

Then an email came suggesting we let the world hear the great bass playing against the high strings - both an insight to the foundation of this song and a tribute to the guys who made it.

So, hey, MC, if I haven't said it already, allow me to say it publicly: Thank you for that insight, and thank you for loving what you do and what came before - and sharing it.

True story.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 02:03 pm:

HW & MC

Thanks for sharing that with us. I bought my copy the minute it was available... I mean, after thirty years, I just couldn't wait one moment longer for the augmented package. The Foundation is a high spot (in a set admittedly full of high spots), so it's great to hear the "story" behind it... especially as it's the kind of thing only some demented fanatic would think of doing. (I use the term carefully, as many folks would consider us all to be "demented fanatics" on this Forum.)

And finally to MC: I love that album title - "The Nine Volt Years". Only a die-hard R&B freak could come up with something like that.

By harryweinger (12.110.192.128 - 12.110.192.128) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 04:10 pm:

"The Nine-Volt Years" - a wonderful record

By Sis (67.25.223.54 - 67.25.223.54) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 05:57 pm:

HW - Superb job on the 2CD Deluxe Edition of Marvin Gaye. Happy am I with "What's Going On". We just can't get enough of it.
Sis

By mhc (172.135.77.18 - 172.135.77.18) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 06:13 pm:

Of course there are people here who were Present At The Creation of Motown and Philly Soul music, and the rest of us, who can only dream of having been there (and do). That day in the studio with Harry was, I guess, as close as I'll ever get to having Been There. When I walked into the studio they were listening to the multi-track of the Marvin Gaye Day-Homecoming concert. Harry soloed the bass track and asked me if I thought it was Jamerson. After about 2 notes I said Yeah, I think it's definitely him.. Something about the way the instrument sounded, the way the notes were buzzing, plus I just FELT that it was him. Turned out it was.. (as confirmed later that day by a phone call to Uriel Jones.) Then later we listened to the multi-track of the song "What's Going On" (actually a 24 trk copy of the 16 track master.) The first time through it really blew my mind to hear all the familiar elements of the record, but de-constructed; dis-assembled. Then Harry left the room and I asked the engineer to just keep running it. On one pass I listened to just the Fender bass and the strings. The string arrangement on that song is such a f*cking masterpiece. To just hear it by itself was a jaw-dropping experience. It's some of the warmest, most sensual music I've ever heard. All the strings were on one track and the recording had this dark, beautiful sound to it, dripping with atmosphere. (Was Russ Terrana the engineer? I have the Ben Edmonds book, but not here with me..) When I called Harry the next day, my suggestion was to have a track on the CD with just the strings and Fender bass, like I'd heard that day. I think that the way he approached "The Foundation" was actually an improvement on my suggestion. I hate to take up a lot of space, but I remember something from another time that I visited Harry at work. He was working on The Temptations boxed set and had a tape of the Tempts at the Greystone Ballroom on the day that David Ruffin appeared in the group for the first time. Somebody from the group introduces him (Here's the new guy, etc..), he comes out and goes right into "Action Speaks Louder Than Words", which the crowd recognizes; the girls scream when they hear the first lines. There's a cool Only In Detroit moment for you..
Anyway, it's like I told Harry; all Motown fans are lucky that it's him doing the reissues. He's definitely got it wired.

By detroit gal (64.244.93.44 - 64.244.93.44) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 08:24 pm:

I hope Motown gets the "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" Funk Bros. soundtrack so Harry would be involved -- with his access to the vaults, it'd be astounding. --SW

By Sis (67.25.204.185 - 67.25.204.185) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 08:30 pm:

MHC - I love those strings on that piece. That particular piece, Disc #1, track 19, just gives me chills everytime I listen to it.
Can you talk HW into releasing that Graystone tape? :o)
Sis

By detroit gal (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Wednesday, June 12, 2002 - 08:40 pm:

There's something more going on with that track ("What's Going On") than the sum of its parts ...I would love to hear it deconstructed, but I suspect it'd still be a mystery to me.

By hw (68.37.216.64 - 68.37.216.64) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 12:06 am:

5{tales out of school now! ;)
But this is the place to do it.

I almost forgot about that time in the vault for the Temps. "Actions" nearly made it onto the Temps box set and again for another collection... alas, the Temps backgrounds are way out of tune.

Another Detroit moment: a few months after that Greystone tape, the Temps are doing the Fox Theatre annual Xmas show. "My Girl" has just been issued as a single. Paul Williams introduces it as, simply, their 'new single on the Gordy label.' No one has really seen David do a lead vocal except for the occasional performance mentioned above. So the girls in front are screaming, "Eddie, Eddie...!" By the bridge they're yelling for DR. (This performance available on the Temps' Lost & Found CD, BTW.)

By Sis (67.25.210.145 - 67.25.210.145) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 01:57 am:

HW - I do have Tempts Lost & Found. I will listen for that. I haven't purchased "My Girl". I wasn't sure whether I should. I guess I will.
Sis

By Vickie (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 03:39 am:

Only here can you get such wonderful, honest insight and tributes to this wonderful music,
Thanks Harry for sharing that with us..
Brilliant!!!

Vickie

By Vickie (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 03:51 am:

And thanks Marshall for coming in and sharing your stories too..
Vickie

By Carl DixonLondon (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 08:05 am:

Well Harry/Marshall - I bought that deluxe version yesterday and am listening to track 19 for the first time now. I love Jamersons 11th bar stop on that sixth fret and again later on. Hardly a note in the bar at all, yet he is there playing the bass! How can you stop playing the bass and still make an impact? I agree - the strings are superb! When does the 'deluxe multitrack' version come out? Where we can take each track, and listen to it isolated one by one! Accompany it with a book, training exercises and the like. Release it in the High Street, schools, colleges and universities so people can learn how music should sound like and moreover, how they got that sound through the different stages! Would it sell? I would buy it, but that's me � �Mr Analyse it all the time�! Thank you both, it is wonderful.

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 02:46 pm:

Thinking about it, the irony of actually being there was that things moved so fast that none of us really had any time to savor the experience. A whole lot of the magic had to do with working much faster than people did by the time 24 track came in.

By Sis Detroit (67.25.207.143 - 67.25.207.143) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 03:15 pm:

In one of the video specials on the life of Marvin Gaye, there is a small clip of his performance at the Kennedy Center. You can see JAMERSON playing behind him on What's Going On. I have rewind that tape back numerous times just to see that clip. The clip is just a little longer than a usual clip. "WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT LIVE PERFORMANCE COMING OUT ON VIDEO OR DVD?"
Sis

By HW (68.37.216.64 - 68.37.216.64) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 03:53 pm:

That clip is from Marvin playing live not in DC in May '72, but in Chicago at the PUSH concert five months later, in October 1972. It was originally featured in the documentary, 'SAVE THE CHILDREN.' Whether that ever comes out again should be asked of Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose organization owns the film.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 04:04 pm:

Bob O - a bit like my wedding day! It was great, but I missed all the excitment. I wish I could do it all again. Talking of which, I have just been to collect an annivesary present and had an oppurtunity to listen to this Deluxe CD set again. I must have played disc 1, 4 times already today. One of the duracell batteries popped out the walkman and asked me 'had I quite finished?' because they would like a breather please.

By Millie (207.148.197.36 - 207.148.197.36) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 10:43 pm:

Marshall, I just heard "Rave On" and if you don't sound exactly like Buddy Holly, I'll eat my hat (that is, if I wore hats)! Good Stuff! Now I've got 20 other tunes to listen to, and can't wait!!!
You may sing to me anytime!!!!!!!!

By Sis Detroit (67.25.216.145 - 67.25.216.145) on Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 10:56 pm:

Carl, Haha, that's what my CD player is saying. I am going to look for the video, with hopes of finding the whole performance of Marvin on Save the Children with Jamerson. I gotta have Jamerson live with Marvin. Wow!!
Sis

By fenderpbass66 (151.203.9.165 - 151.203.9.165) on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 07:02 pm:

Marshall,
I wish you plugged where you were playing when this thread started.
I also play at Johnny D's from time to time and would have dropped in to catch your show.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 07:56 pm:

I guess this means it's Marshall Crenshaw Unplugged, then?

By fenderpbass66 (151.203.7.173 - 151.203.7.173) on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 09:27 pm:

Not totally unplugged. Instead of 120 volts, he was playing 9 volts.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 09:33 pm:

Touché

By hw (68.37.218.243 - 68.37.218.243) on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 10:36 pm:

To clarify, SAVE THE CHILDREN has never been on video. Save your energy.

By mhc (172.134.210.231 - 172.134.210.231) on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 02:44 am:

Hi Folks, I said that next time I had something to plug I'd plug it here: I'll be on the Craig Kilborn Show (the one after Letterman) this week. My local cable listing says that I'm on Friday, but the show's website says I'm on Thursday. So I'm betting on Thursday.
You might want to set your VCR.

By Millie (68.40.198.72 - 68.40.198.72) on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 12:05 pm:

Hi Marshall!
Do you have any idea when you'll be back in the Detroit area? I would love to see you! Also, I certainly hope you're planning on joining us in Detroit for the Musician's Reunion next May! I don't know how to work my VCR so I guess I'll just have to stay up Thursday night to see you! I'm so glad you've joined us on the Forum...your contribution has been educational and informative!!

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, June 26, 2002 - 01:36 pm:

I'll second that Marshall. We are fortunate to have you with us on the forum and would love to see you in Detroit next May for the re-union.

By mhc (172.134.147.85 - 172.134.147.85) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 02:16 am:

Thanks you two.. I've been in awe of the FabRuins site since I first laid eyes on it, and it just keeps getting better; with "Soulful Detroit" and the two great forums it's now a part of my daily routine (when I'm at home). Anyway, I will actually try and make it to the Reunion.

By detroit gal (64.12.105.46 - 64.12.105.46) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 03:44 am:

Hey mhc,

You've got to do "S.O.S. (Stop Her On Sight)" at your next Detroit gig for the forum ...--S.

By fenderpbass66 (151.203.3.142 - 151.203.3.142) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 11:14 am:

Marshall,
FabRuins???????????????

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.2.208 - 213.122.2.208) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 02:22 pm:

Lowell has another site called 'Fabulous Ruins of Detroit'. http://www.bhere.com/detroit/index.html

It's forum is aka 'discuss detroit' on left of screen.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 03:18 pm:

This is one multi-faceted web site.

By TD (205.188.192.38 - 205.188.192.38) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 04:00 am:

MHC

I just bought the special edition of your first album. I have no idea how I missed you in the 80's.
Since I located this site two months ago, I have seen your many contributions and enjoy reading your responses. I noticed your album at a Best Buy out here in the D.C. burbs and thought that I should get to know you a little better.
Hey I am originally from Warren- which is not too far from Berkley. My family's claim to fame is that Mitch Ryder(Bill Levise or something like that) lived across the street from us when he was a kid. I asked my older brother if he knew him and he said "yeah he used to beat me up".
PS
My 20 year old daughter and 15 year old son were with me when we heard your album for the first time. You have three new fans.
I really love all the songs but really enjoyed "Cynical Girl".

TD

By mhc (172.164.246.119 - 172.164.246.119) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 05:00 am:

Thanks a lot; that's a nice note to get.. Of all my records, that's possibly the one where you can most obviously hear the influence of Detroit music. It's hard to say really, but I was only about two years removed from the Detroit area when I did it..

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 01:58 pm:

Marshall,
I mentioned this on some previous thread but I don't think you noticed it.
Some years ago, here in Monterey, I produced a killer singer named Nancy Jones. In a recent conversation with her she told me she opened for you a few years ago in Asheville North Carolina with a band called Skatfish. She said you more than likely wouldn't remember because of the time that has passed but she said to say hello anyway.She said you all had a great time.

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79 - 12.245.225.79) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 02:48 pm:

Since we're on the topic, I notice that MHC's first album is usually referred to, in many places, as "his best". While I wholeheartedly concur with it's classic status (I have the original and reissue), if I had to pick one MHC disc, I think i'd go with "#447". For those of you who haven't heard it, it has all the heart and craft of his 1st but kind of organically incorporates all these stellar and seemingly unrelated guitar styles into the melodic structures his followers will be familiar with. It's kind of highly evolved, in a subtle and modest way- check it out.
Steve K.

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153 - 136.2.1.153) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 03:36 pm:

OK, for this thread only, I will drift off forum topic and express by unabashed fanboy enthusiasm for "Whenever You're on My Mind" and "Calling out for Love at Crying Time": two as close to perfect pop songs as you could ask for. I love the "Duane Eddy as produced by Don Dixon" twangy flourishes on the latter which always make me smile.

Also, when I saw the title of his recent live CD, I laughed so hard I almost choked.

[Fanboy MHC appreciation mode off. Back to Soulful Detroit mode.]

Regards,
Ken

By mhc (172.157.201.15 - 172.157.201.15) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 04:51 pm:

I can dig that Ken; I certainly don't come to this forum to read or talk about myself, so before I stop doing it, thanks again for the good thoughts and words. "#447" is my own favorite of my records, so I appreciate what you said, Steve. Ralph, I'm afraid that I don't remember Nancy, or the gig, but maybe I'd remember her if I saw her.. Anyway, my stuff is obviously not R&B, but like about %99 of the Rock music that I think is worth anything, it has R&B as a subtext. In other words, I deal with it directly as an influence, and my stuff would never be what it is without the influence of Motown, and other Detroit music. Again, thanks fellas..

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153 - 136.2.1.153) on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 05:17 pm:

By the way, the "back to soulful Detroit" comment was about me and me alone. I certainly don't want to presume to discourage anyone else from saying nice things, but if I don't check myself, I'll go on and on and on.... and forget what forum I'm in.

Regards,

By Bingalls (68.62.11.148 - 68.62.11.148) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 07:37 am:

I carry "Marshall Crenshaw" and "447" with me at all times. In case of emergency. You never know when you will suddenly need to hear perfect pop music.

MHC, have you ever thought of writing a song for Ronnie Spector? Or is there anyone now who could fill those rock/soul shoes? Could Thornetta?