| Author | Message | ||
  Rodmann (rodmann) 2-Debutant Username: rodmann Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Has anyone else heard 1950's/early 60's R&B singer Ruth McFadden's excellent 1972 single 'Ghetto Woman (Part 1)' produced by Gamble & Huff? It's funky as hell! How did a 1950's R&B singer Ruth McFadden end up on Gamble Records 10 years after her last single? Is she related to Philly native Gene McFadden of McFadden & Whitehead? On the promo single that I have (Gamble 2503) both sides have 'Ghetto Woman (Part 1)' on them. One side is Mono and the other is Stereo. Is there a 'Ghetto Woman (Part 2) somewhere? I've always thought that this was Ruth's only single on Gamble but since it is labeled Part 1 it gives the impression that there is a Part 2. I hope that someone can answer these questions for me. I've been enjoying this single for over 5 years and I've always been curious about it and Ruth McFadden. Thanks in advance.  | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 3-Pundit Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 69 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.162.124.32 |
1.Ruth is not related to Gene, just coincidence 2.In the studio, we recorded Ghetto Woman at around six minutes and something. 3.In the very first series of sessions at Sigma, in August of 1968, we recorded a song on Ruth called Rover, Rover which appeared on the short lived Huff- Puff label. | ||
Lars (lg_nilsson) 1-Arriviste Username: lg_nilsson Post Number: 2 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 213.112.151.21 |
Rodman, I also have that great �Ghetto Woman� single. But I have only seen this DJ copy� never heard any part II.  This is the song Eli mentioned�  �other side is an instrumental of same song called �Run Rover Run� So long Lars | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 2-Debutant Username: rodmann Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Thanks Eli and Lars (nice scans!). I use Jerry Osbourne's Official Price Guide To Records as a reference and they don't have anything listed by Ruth McFadden after the early 60's besides this record on Gamble. Thanks for clearing things up! Eli, was the full 6 minute version of 'Ghetto Woman' ever released? Lars, I've also only seen this single as a promo (I have the same one in your scan). I wonder if the actual single was even released? | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 2-Debutant Username: rodmann Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
This is also the first time I've ever heard about the Huff Puff label! Thanks again you two! | ||
Nikki (45rpmgal) 1-Arriviste Username: 45rpmgal Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.206.46.218 |
Ruth McFadden (last I know of) is alive and well and still performing. I've seen her at several UGHA shows and at a few private outdoor bar-b-q's before we moved from NY. She is a warm, bubbly, enthusiastic person with still a vibrant exciting voice! Below are some fotos of her from our last encounters, a few years ago. Left to right: Paul Evans (rock and roll/pop singer/songwriter), Jim Dunn (my "other half") on keyboards, Bob M (forgot last name, folk singer from Greenwich Village), Ruth is behind them. Below that one is a close-up of Ruth (from a different event)once again doing what she loves to do (sing)!!!   Nikki | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 2-Debutant Username: rodmann Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Wow! Thanks Nikki. Ruth looks very young in those pics! That sure doesn't look like a woman who was making records in the 50's to me! What exactly is the UGHA? Thanks again! | ||
count (the_count) 2-Debutant Username: the_count Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.14.221.162 |
RODMAN, http://www.ugha.org "COUNT" | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 32 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Thanks Count. What a great idea for an organization! It's nice that the history of all of the old vocal groups is being documented. Ruth was a member of a group named The Supremes right? Or were they just a group that appeared on her records without her ever actually being a member? | ||
count (the_count) 2-Debutant Username: the_count Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.14.221.162 |
Hey Rod, glad you dig the UGHA. Yes, Ruth was with a group the supremes on one of my favorite Ruth songs,"Darling Listen To The Words Of This Song"(this gets my audio G-SPOT everytime) She also sang with Ruth Mcfadden and THE ROYALTONES(not the detroit Royaltones) and also Ruth Mcfadden and the MOONGLOWS. Always loved Ruth, beautiful voice. There is more Ruth Material i have but i'am away from my stacks of shellac right now. "COUNT" | ||
Nikki (45rpmgal) 1-Arriviste Username: 45rpmgal Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.206.46.218 |
In addition, the Harptones backed up Ruth on "School Boy" (Old Town 1030)in 1956. She also recorded on Apt "Lovin' Time" and Don't Take Your Love", and on Recona "He Hurt Me Again and "It Could Be Sweet Again", then on Sure Shot "Do It up Right" and "I'll Cry". I don't have these 45s - perhaps Lars or someone here has, and can post them. (Thanx for posting the Gamble 45, Lars - never knew about that one before!) Yes, UGHA is an excellent organization going since 1976 preserving the sounds of the 50s and 60s (R&B, doowop, early soul, etc.). And yes, Ruth looks very young, just cute and bubbly! The pictures I took above were from only a few years ago. She was the real deal!!! Nikki | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Thanks Count and Nikki. Count, I also have a few early 45's by Ruth but I can't place them at the moment. I do remember that one was on the Old Town label featuring The Supremes. Wow Nikki, my next question was going to be how long ago those pics of Ruth were. I figured that it had to be over 10 years old since she looks so good in them. But it was only a few years back! Whoa! What's her secret? LOL. Thanks again everyone. This topic has renewed my interest in Miss McFadden and I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for more of her singles! | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 1-Arriviste Username: randy_russi Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Ruth McFadden was a regular for many years on telethons raising money for cebral palsy. I think she became a cp performer because she has a son inflicted with cp. She was always great when she was part of the annual telethon here on TV in the Orlando area. I did manage to speak with her briefly. She usally did a soulful version of "Put A Little Love In Your Heart". Glad to hear she's still singing and still around. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Will someone who has the actual Ruth McFadden 'Ghetto Woman' commercially released single (not the promo!) please confirm that it even exists. I've got that same promo single that's in the scan that Lars posted. In all my years of collecting I've never seen the actual commercial release ANYWHERE. It's always the promo single that has 'Ghetto Woman (Part 1)' on both sides. On the soulfulkindamusic.net website a commercial single with 'Ghetto Woman' Part 1 AND 2 is listed but I'm still not convinced because I've never seen the actual commercial single or read about it anywhere else. Again, will someone who actually has it or has seen it please confirm that it exists? Thanks. | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 2-Debutant Username: randy_russi Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
I remember the song making the Soul Brothers Top 20 in JET magazine back at the time it was issued. I would take that to mean it was selling. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 3-Pundit Username: rodmann Post Number: 62 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.129 |
Thanks Randy. That's odd that 'Ghetto Woman' made the Jet Top 20 but it didn't make the Billboard national Soul chart. I guess times were different back in 1972 because with all of the different local charts it was still possible to have a "regional" hit. The Jet Top 20 showing could've come from the simply airplay that the single was getting in the Chicago area. I'm not sure. I'm still hoping that someone will confirm that there was a commercial release on this single. |
