| Author | Message | ||
  Chancellor of Soul (harlem_144) 4-Laureate Username: harlem_144 Post Number: 138 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.78.189.114 |
Hey Bobby, Is it true that while John and Gene were in the studio, as the mike was on, John came up with instant lyrics, on the spot ??? Thanks ! Mike Boone (Chancellor of Soul) | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 345 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 70.16.139.47 |
Not true. The song was already written before it was recorded. All PIR songs were written way ahead of the sessions, and they knew exactly what was going to be recorded. | ||
Chancellor of Soul (harlem_144) 4-Laureate Username: harlem_144 Post Number: 143 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.207.40.18 |
Thanks | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 334 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.26.122.12 |
Eli...did the writers/producers always know who was going to record them? | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 406 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.57.199 |
Hi Lady M. I dont quite understand your question. record what and whom? | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 338 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.26.122.13 |
I apologize...after reading it, I can understand what you are saying.  I meant to say if a song was written or produced, was it usually for a specific person or group to do...because to me, songs like BACKSTABBERS and IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW sounded like they were written/produced especially for the O'Jays and Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes respectively. | ||
Manny (manny) 4-Laureate Username: manny Post Number: 146 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.11.139 |
Hi to all, soulful brothers & sisters! Hi, mystical Lady Mystique! I believe (for having read it) that "If You Don't Know Me By Now" was write specially for The Dells under another title. Also, at Sigma Sound i remember some other songs as "Things Gonna Be Better" that Bunny Sigler write for the O'Jays and finally interpred himself. Or "Let's Clean Up The Ghetto", concieved for Lou Rawls for his "All Things In Time" LP (finally interpreted by diverse PIR artists, including Lou in the intro). Or "Picture Us" writed by Bunny Sigler for The Cruisers and finally recorded by Bunny (or perhaps by the two acts, ?). Here are a Philly authority for tolds to us more things by first hand! Peace & Soul Food | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 407 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.57.199 |
Hi Lady M. Yes, for the most part the songs were written specifically for the intended artists who were up for production. Most of the writers and producers in Philly had a knack for honing in on an artists nuances and therefor creating and customizing songs especially for them. John Whitehead was a prime example of a writer realy honing in to an artists style and nailing it. Obviously Thom Bell and his crew were masters at creating for the Spinners. Thom, Joe Jefferson, Bruce Hawes and Charles Simmons were the Spinners alter egos! Thom and Linda Creed always customized their songs especially for each artist. P.I.R. had a big chalkboard in the hall that listed up and coming and possible projects and the writers would try to come up with their best efforts. There were however, times when a song was meant for another artist but was recorded on another. On the first Bluenotes album, some of the songs were slated for the Dells , but when the deal didnt go down, one of the Bluenotes band members said: "hey Gams, why dont y'all try our drummer Ted singin them songs, cuz he sounds just like that cat Marvin from the Dells"! And the rest is history. | ||
SDF (handsome) 4-Laureate Username: handsome Post Number: 110 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 170.118.158.14 |
Also Dexter Wansel & Cynthia Biggs customized songs for The Jones Girls, right Eli? Handsome | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 5-Doyen Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 409 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.57.199 |
Most definitely so. Dexter and Cynthia were magic together. Nights Over Egypt, classic stuff indeed. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 971 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
I always loved the story about how The Love I Lost, was originally supposed to be a ballad. However, they thought better of it & WOW!!! What a song!!! I'm just wondering if there's a mix of the ballad version lurking around somewhere. Bobby????? | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 413 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.57.199 |
Hey Juice, I dont remember that version of the song ever getting past the "rundown" stage in the studio. All I remember is Huff saying: "man, Im not feeling it, hey Earl,lets pick up the tempo, put it right here.....1-2-1-2-3-4- and the rest is history, the "disco beat" was born that day, thanks to Earl Young!! | ||
sea (sea) 2-Debutant Username: sea Post Number: 26 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
Eli, What happened to Joe Jefferson? | ||
Gil (gil) 1-Arriviste Username: gil Post Number: 10 Registered: 5-2004 Posted From: 192.44.136.113 |
I appreciate this site more each time I drop in. You never know when you're going to get a history lesson. Thanks Eli! | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 416 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.22.200 |
Sea, Joe is still very active in the biz writing and producing. I spoke with him just last week. He is one very talented brother! | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 344 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.26.122.13 |
Hey thanks for the info all! I didn't know Bunny Sigler is a writer/producer as well as a singer. Plus it is interesting that the Dells didn't cut that song intended for them. History was made indeed! | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 422 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.22.200 |
Lady M, Bunny is one of the most prolific writers in Philly. His name can be seen in the credits of MANY Philly albums and he also was the producer of Instant Funk, and many more. The Dells never got to record those songs because for some reason the deal was never consumated. However, G&H did record the dells for PIR in the early nineties but the album, imo wasnt very good. | ||
Manny (manny) 4-Laureate Username: manny Post Number: 153 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.11.34 |
Hi again, soulful friends! Appart from Gamble-Huff-Gilbert, McFadden-Whitehead-Carstarphen , Bell-Creed, Eli-Barrett, Wansel-Biggs, Sigler, etc. there are many other writers in Philly wich i'm wondering what happen with him: I remember diverse names associated with Thom Bell and the Spinners: -J. Ericksen -J. Jefferson (previously mentioned) & C.B. Simmons -Anthony Bell, Le Roy Bell, C. James (James & Bell, also a vocal duo act) -Phil Hurtt (also performer as solo act) And many others as Alan Felder, T.G. Conway, Vongh Gray, Bruce Hawes, (some ex-members of rock soul act "Spiritual Concept"), Ron Tyson (today a Temptation!), M. Burton, Tony Wortham (in the 3 x CD Philly box says he died!), Phil Terry (who co-write with Jack Faith and i ignore if is the same Phil Terry of The Intruders...) What a great and prolific family! (This is worthy for another especific trhead!) Peace & Soul Food | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 354 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.37.228.106 |
Oh Ok Eli...thanks for the info! | ||
Heikki (heikki) 3-Pundit Username: heikki Post Number: 62 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.17.199.27 |
Hi Sea! As an addition to what Bobby answered you, I talked to both Joe and Bruce for the Spinners story and they're both doing fine. Bruce: "We three (Charles, Joe and Bruce) did not have a formal break-up. We went on to do other things on our own. We are still very close and only await a feasible opportunity to collaborate together again." Bruce is residing in Florida. Joseph: "...I'm working with another old artist, who's trying to make a come-back...do you remember Frankie Smith and Double Dutch Bus?" Best regards Heikki | ||
sea (sea) 2-Debutant Username: sea Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Eli & Heikki Thank you both for the info....greatly appreciated. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 987 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Man Bobby, Could you imagine The Dells with all of those G&H cuts??? When I imagine what you & Vinnie, Thom & Linda, Gene & John would have come up with for Marvin & the boys, I shake my head at what we missed out on. The one thing that they needed through the mid 70s - 80s, was great production. IF ONLY...... | ||
Manny (manny) 4-Laureate Username: manny Post Number: 165 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.124.12.250 |
Hi! I agree with you, Juice. BTW, The Dells have a 70's album produced by Philly master Norman Harris. Hope I find it someday. Peace! |
