| Author |
Message |
 
Rodmann (rodmann)
1-Arriviste
Username: rodmann
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.223.170.105
| | Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 4:05 am: �� |     ���  |
Does anyone have any info on the singer Vivian Copeland who hit the charts (#38 R&B) in 1969 with the excellent single 'He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox) on the D'Oro label. Vivian didn't display any extraordinary vocal talent on this particular track but the song itself is great. I particualarly like the "Big City" sound of the production. Who was Vivian Copeland?
I also was wondering about D'Oro records. Where was this label located? Who was involved? And what other acts did they have? Thanks in advance for any info you folks can give. |
Robb_K (robb_k)
1-Arriviste
Username: robb_k
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 66.81.30.121
| | Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 12:30 pm: �� | ��� |
The record looks to me as if it's an East Coast pressing. The producer is Gene Redd or George Kerr, and the writers, including the Poindexter Bros. are East Coast. It was arranged by Gene Redd. I'm guessing that Vivian is also from there, too. I suspect it's a NJ label, pressed in NYC. |
mel(andthensome) (mel)
1-Arriviste
Username: mel
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 217.42.211.232
| | Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 12:43 pm: �� | ��� |
Vivian also cut another 45
on the Doro Label(no.1005)
titled
'I dont care/oh no not my baby'
mel |
Robb_K (robb_k)
1-Arriviste
Username: robb_k
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 66.81.31.56
| | Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2004 - 11:41 pm: �� | ��� |
She had another on D'Oro: 1002-"Cushion The Blow"/"Chaos (In My Heart)" |
Rodmann (rodmann)
1-Arriviste
Username: rodmann
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.223.170.105
| | Posted on Monday, April 05, 2004 - 1:45 am: �� | ��� |
Thanks guys. My only copy of 'He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox)' is on a CD that a friend made for me so I have no liner notes or credits. I should have known that George Kerr was involved somehow! I've come to the conclusion that the man was a musical genius because I love SO MANY of his productions! From Linda Jones to The Whatnauts to The Moments to Flo Ballard and the list goes on and on. He was great! 
I also see that Vivian had a single on Mala 577 called 'I Don't Care What He's Done/So Nice, I Had To Kiss You Twice' in 1967. 'He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox)' was originally released on D'Oro 1003 in 1969 with 'So Nice, I Had To Kiss You Twice' as the flip but the it didn't hit until it was re-released on D'Oro 3500 later on that year (I think). Robb, I totally agree that D'Oro was probably an East Coast label judging by the sound and George Kerr's involvement
This is all of the info I have. Hopefully someone will be able to shed more light on the mysterious Vivian Copeland and D'Oro Records for us. |
GrahamD (grahamd)
1-Arriviste
Username: grahamd
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 62.254.0.32
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 11:00 am: �� | ��� |
Well here is my 45 of the aforementioned artist!is Ruth Copeland who recorded for Invictus any relation! |
Davie Gordon (davie_gordon)
1-Arriviste
Username: davie_gordon
Post Number: 1
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 213.18.222.35
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 12:46 pm: �� | ��� |
Graham, I doubt very much there's any connection
between Ruth Copeland and Vivian Copeland.
Ruth was born in Newcastle in the north-east of
England - as far as I know Vivian's from the US |
GrahamD (grahamd)
1-Arriviste
Username: grahamd
Post Number: 7
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 62.254.0.32
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 3:45 pm: �� | ��� |
Well Davie you certainly do get an education here! have seen the Ruth Copeland Lp on Invictus but havnt seen a photo of Vivian, Tell me Davie!did Ruth ever do any work with any Uk groups! or solo efforts. |
Mark Speck (mark_speck)
1-Arriviste
Username: mark_speck
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 199.183.76.70
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 - 9:11 pm: �� | ��� |
There's also a version of this song by Susan Phillips on All Platinum.
Best,
Mark |
Rodmann (rodmann)
1-Arriviste
Username: rodmann
Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.223.170.105
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 8:12 am: �� | ��� |
Wow! Thanks a lot for that scan Graham! This is my first time seeing this single or any other single on the D'Oro label. I'm downright flabbergasted that George Kerr and Richard Tee were involved in the production of this song! Like I said before, I only have a homemade copy of 'He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox) so I had no idea who was involved. Now I see why I like this song so much! It's got two of my favorite producers/musicians TOGETHER! Richard Tee was great. I've been a fan of his work (Stuff, Aretha Franklin, etc.) for years. I especially love the excellent Doris Willingham single 'You Can't Do That' on the JayBoy label that he produced which I've raved about many times on this very forum! It's a small world! |
GrahamD (grahamd)
1-Arriviste
Username: grahamd
Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 62.254.0.32
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 9:59 am: �� | ��� |
Hey Rodmann glad you like the Scann. That George Kerr was certainly Busy back then! must admire the man for his work!I am sure i have some records by him!not a bad voice too!And for Richard Tee,well the man is a Giant in his profession,top Arranger and Producer and writer etc,Have you noticed the other big name on the Label Rodmann!! Ray Darouge!! man this guys work goes way back! Did a lot of work in the Big Apple with Groups like the Street People etc!some awesome recordings!He also made a few 45s himself but I only own a few 45s by him!Great Voice!!
(Message edited by GrahamD on April 07, 2004) |
Robb_K (robb_k)
1-Arriviste
Username: robb_k
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 204.108.65.10
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2004 - 2:10 pm: �� | ��� |
Don't forget that Gene Redd also worked with Vivian Copeland on 1002. So, that small few artist label had a lot of good production people involved. |
Davie Gordon (davie_gordon)
1-Arriviste
Username: davie_gordon
Post Number: 5
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 213.18.222.34
| | Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 8:49 am: �� | ��� |
Graham,
I've yet to find any sign of any pre-Invictus
recordings involving Ruth Copeland.
Did you know she had two albums on Invictus
not just one ?
The last I heard of her was around '76 when she had an album on RCA (US only) which apparently
had some involvement from Hall & Oates who were
on RCA at the same time.
You mentioned Ray Dahrouge - he goes back a lot
further than the mid-seventies Street People,
the earliest I've found, so far, is his being
in a doowop group called Ray and The Darchaes
around '62.
Davie |
Eli (phillysoulman)
1-Arriviste
Username: phillysoulman
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.236.62.71
| | Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 9:55 am: �� | ��� |
The other writer, Billy Terrell is from Philly.
he's done a lot of things with Sigmas in house production company on and off since the mid eighties, including the infamous disco remake of Frankie Avalon's Venus.
He is also a stand up comic, a'la Woody Allen. |
Rodmann (rodmann)
1-Arriviste
Username: rodmann
Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.46.246
| | Posted on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 12:02 am: �� | ��� |
Hey Mark, I had no idea that their was a version of 'He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox)' by Susan Phillips (?). The only other version of this song I've seen around is by a singer named Barbara Jean English. I've never heard it though. It was released a few years back on a Collectables compilation of her recordings for the Alithia label. George Kerr was involved in these sessions as well. I've got a feeling that he may have been involved with the Susan Phillips (?) record since he did so much work with the All Platinum label. He was really trying to get a big hit out of this song wasn't he? LOL.
Mark, how is this version by Susan Phillips and who is she? |
Mark Speck (mark_speck)
2-Debutant
Username: mark_speck
Post Number: 11
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 199.183.107.1
| | Posted on Monday, April 12, 2004 - 10:48 pm: �� | ��� |
Sorry, Rod, but I've only heard of the Susan Phillips version through a mention in Shades of Soul (during a discussion of Vivian's version of the song). I have heard Vivian's version, as a college radio soul show I listen to plays it on a fairly regular basis.
Barbara Jean English is fantastic, and I'd LOVE to hear her version!
Re Ray Dahrouge and Billy Terrell: they have way too many credits to list here. They were involved with both singles by Darryl Stewart (there's a page about Stewart and his relationship with Terrell and Dahrouge on Greg Tormo's site), and they had a single on Metromedia, "Baby Now There's Two of You".
Best,
Mark |
Rodmann (rodmann)
2-Debutant
Username: rodmann
Post Number: 13
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.46.129
| | Posted on Friday, April 16, 2004 - 7:12 am: �� | ��� |
Thanks Mark. I just heard Barbara Jean English's version and it's only OK. 'He Knows My Key (Is Always In The Mailbox' is such a good tune that it would be hard to completely screw it up. Barbara's take on it is a lot slower and a lot less inspired (the vocals and the production). Her voice is a little too "Pop" for my tastes but I do enjoy her hit single 'You're Gonna Need Somebody To Love (While You're Looking For Someone To Love)'. |