By Greg (192.147.58.6 - 192.147.58.6) on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 08:10 pm:

Does anybody have any information about Wilbert Jackson? I understand he was half of "Two Friends" with Clyde "Steve Mancha" Wilson. I'm interested in finding out more about the group and the records they recorded. Does anyone know if Wilbert Jackson is still around somewhere and how I can get in touch with him?

Please feel free to email me off-list.

Many thanks,
Greg Tormo
Hoboken, NJ

By acooolat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 03:13 am:

Greg, I'm in touch with Clyde and interviewed him a few years ago. We talked about the above 45, but I'll have to play back my interview tape to find out what he said.
Best wishes, Graham

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 03:02 pm:

This forum keeps amazeing me! Ask a question and SOMEBODY will have an answer.

By Greg (192.147.58.6 - 192.147.58.6) on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 03:54 pm:

Thanks Graham!

I'm very interested to hear what Clyde Wilson said about the duo. I'd be very interested in speaking with Wilbert Jackson if at all possible regarding the record. Wouldn't mind talking to Clyde/Steve either (does he even refer to himself as Steve Mancha?)

Although I'm still kicking myself for trading away my copy of "Did my baby call" all those years ago. Doh!

Greg

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 08:38 am:

Greg, I played the tape - Clyde said he met Wilbert at High School. They auditioned at Tri-Phi (HPC) with something like 58 songs that they'd written. Harvey liked about three of them.
After Berry and Harvey joined forces Clyde (and I guess Wilbert too) signed with Motown. I know they both wrote The Monitors' uptempo number - Number One In Your Heart - and Clyde also wrote quite a few others songs, including some for Tammi.
He joined Don Davis c.1966 but I didn't ask him about Wilbert. I could 'phone him and enquire for you. Drop me a line for any other info...
acooolcat@yahoo.com

Graham

By Greg (192.147.58.6 - 192.147.58.6) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 02:25 pm:

Thanks Graham. It's very much appreciated. Putting together pieces of a puzzle like this is fun and enlightening, yet sometimes very difficult.

Greg

By Davie Gordon (213.18.222.34 - 213.18.222.34) on Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 04:32 pm:

Greg,

As far as I know there was only one Two Friends
disc

"Just Too Much To Hope For" / "Family Reunion"
on HPC 100101 / 2 ( HPC = Harvey Production Co.)
produced by HArvey Fuqua. Probably from 1962.

Haven't heard it but I assume "Too Much" is the
same song that Tammi Terrell did on her "Irresistable" album as Harvey had a habit
of resurrecting old songs.

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 03:04 am:

Greg, I spoke to Clyde today and he's seen your posting. He said he'll be back here soon. He also told me that he sees Wilbert Jackson about once a month.
Graham

By Flynny (213.1.132.155 - 213.1.132.155) on Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 04:24 pm:

Yes, "Too much....." is the same lyric as Tammi's, but with (IMO) a superior backing track to her take...love the vibe work they utilised! The track reminds me of a Bob & Fred kinda sound without the strings. The flip (official A.side) is fast and frantic.
There's another 45 on H.P.C. (101002) by Davern Neally, which is very Eddie Holland sounding in a Motown '62-ish kinda way!

By acooolcat (211.78.28.71 - 211.78.28.71) on Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 12:48 am:

Mmmmm.. Flynny... Do you have all the details on that 45?
Graham

By Flynny (213.1.129.104 - 213.1.129.104) on Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 08:42 am:

Much to my horror, I haven't...and I've owned the disc a few times too! :-0

I've noted that the A.side is called "If you love me baby" and it's defo catalogue number 101002. Maybe one of the kind souls I've sold copies to can help out?! ;-)

When I got my first copy in the 80's I was dead excited as I'd never seen it listed anywhere before and it isn't always in Motown related discogs...thought I'd struck gold...however, I've had a few copies over the years so maybe not as tough as once thought, yet still pretty obscure!

Anyone know who the artist is, or is it a made up name? Like I said, very Eddie Holland and/or Marv Johnson '62 Motown-ish IMO.