By LindaSue (67.118.253.223) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 03:13 am:

Who made the song "does your mama know abut me" I believe it's from the 60's or late 70's and I'm looking for a song by the delfonics It had a marching drum sound and some of the words were "with these eyes with these hands".

By Ju (152.163.253.70) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 03:33 am:

1st question - Boobby Taylor & the Vancouvers. Supremes cover on Love Child album IIRC.

By Phil (212.129.41.215) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:37 am:

"Does your mama know about me" was written by Tom Baird and Tommy Chong, who was the guitarist of the group.We can learn this, and lots more, in the great book "Motown : The Golden Years", by Bill Dahl & Weldon McDougal. Highly recommended !!!

By mike s (195.93.34.12) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:38 pm:

2nd Question- the Delfonics track was probably "With These Hands" , on the album Sound of Sexy Soul and on some of the Delfonics Greatest Hits recent releases,including Arista and Buddah.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:48 pm:

"Does Your Mama Know About Me" was recorded by Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers for the Gordy subsidiary. Berry Gordy produced the session.

As Phil mentioned, Vancouvers' guitarist Tommy Chong co-authored the song.

If you find the CD of the Vancouvers' only Motown/Gordy release, grab it. It's a great album with some wonderful gems (also includes their follow-up hit "Malinda", which was produced & co-written by Smokey Robinson).

Here's the illustration:
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDMISS70311061755232183&sql=Arekmikk6bb19

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:50 pm:

BTW - "Does Your Mama..." was recorded & released in 1968.

The song's message is as poignant today as it was over thirty-five years ago.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Nosey (66.153.113.238) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:57 pm:

I have a story about the touring Vancouvers. In 1968 I saw Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers at the Uptown in Philly. Unbeknownst to me, he had the Originals touring as the Vancouvers and at that time, I didn't know who C.P. Spencer was let alone he was my cousin. I was probably on the 3rd or 4th row so I had a good look at the group. So my first introduction to him was seeing him on stage at the Uptown and didn't know who he was. (I originally "saw" him in 1962 at his father's funeral but I was @ 13 and didn't remember him.)

Did the Originals sing on Malinda? After all these years, I always forget to ask him that!

By Juicefree20 (68.161.24.249) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 12:57 pm:

I have to say that with all due respect, the definitive version of Does Your Mama Know About Me was recorded by Formerly Of The Harlettes in 1978. This group featured former members of Bette Midlers Harlettes. The late Sharon Redd sang the lead & this was simply her best vocal performance, her 80s dance hits, not withstanding. If you've never heard it, find it, you won't be disappointed!

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 01:30 pm:

Another "Forrest Funk Moment" :
In '68,at the Regal in Chicago while with the Vibrations who were staring on the show,
The "real" Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers were on the show at the height of their popularity.

I loved 'Does your mama" so much that Tommy Chong(later of Cheech and Chong)who played guitar and sang backup kindly wrote up a chord sheet for me.

During that week, Robbie King(rip)was mugged on Indiana ave around the corner from the Rberts Motel where we were staying.

Later that week I was also almost muged as I was coming out of the cleaners with my purple crepe suit with silver trim.

They came up to me and said "where ya gon' , white boy"?, and so I told them that I was the axeman for the Vibrations at the Regal, and somehow it must have impressed them so they let me go, so I invited them to the show, but they never did come. They missed a great show.
The J-5 (before Motown) were the openers.
I was up in Bobby Taylor's dressing room and he said 'hey Eli, man I gotta tel berry about these kids"!!

By Common (209.2.55.170) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 01:48 pm:

Hello everyone,

Didn't Phoebe Snow do a remake of 'Does Your Mama Know About Me'? I could've sworn she did.

Peace!

By Nosey (66.153.113.238) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 02:35 pm:

Eli: What's an axeman? Also, that's a great story about actually hearing Bobby Taylor say that about the J5!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 02:47 pm:

Nosey:
The term "axe" is slang for a musical instrument. Therefore "axeman" means musician.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Phil (212.129.40.5) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 03:15 pm:

An axeman is a guitarist, I think, and Bobby Taylor "discovered" the Jacksons, but not Diana Ross, even if she "presented" them, on their first album !

By E (68.236.53.71) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:12 pm:

Im not sure, Ill 'axe" someone if they know.
Maybe Ill 'axe" OJ!!

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:13 pm:

I was an axeman who played the gitfiddle!!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:15 pm:

Phil:
The term "axe" is used to describe any instrument.

The term "axe" was used by horn players and keyboardists as well as guitarists. Being a former "axeman" (saxophonist) I should know.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Phil (213.36.136.200) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 06:23 pm:

Thanks for the info, Kevin. I was not sure, as I've always seen this word used for guitarist.I was a former "axeman", too (guitarist).:o)

By Destruction (199.173.225.2) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 06:30 pm:

Kev,

Technically, you're right about 'axe' referring to other instruments. I've also heard of a sax referred to as an axe, though I've personally never heard of keyboard referred to in that way. On the other hand, 'axe' commonly refers to a guitar.

By Kev-Lo (67.31.70.55) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 09:26 pm:

Hi This Is Kev-Lo hey juicefree20 what's happening I did'nt know that had Sharon Redd passed away when was this and how did she die.Also I was at Shoeman's bar on 125th street this past saturday with the Chancellor Of Soul and we got to meet the Dell's it was a little party for being inducted into the rock & roll hall of fame.I understand that you was suppose to be there I would have to meet you.

By CORNBREAD (66.185.84.74) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 09:26 pm:

I was just shuffling through some of my singles and came across another version of "Does your mama know about me" by Tommy Vann & Professionals. Congress 6001. Arr. by Joe Scott
Flip is "I'm so alone" Writ: Richie Grasso-Myrna March-Gary Hollingsworth. Arr. by Walt Levinski.

Both sides prod. for Good Time People Music,Inc. by Merchin and Palmer.

Can anyone shed some more light on this version?
Congress was a division of MCA.

By Mark Speck (198.211.138.251) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 11:32 pm:

Tommy Vann was a blue-eyed soul singer that had several records--beyond that, I don't know too much else.

Best,

Mark

By Juicefree20 (151.204.159.54) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:46 am:

Hey Kev-Lo. If I'm correct, she died in 1992. Unfortunately, it was listed as AIDS. I would love to have a word with her sister, Penny Ford, of Snap (I Got The Power) & Dangerous fame. I was shocked as she had been gone for nearly 10 years when I learned of her death. Being that most thought of her as a Disco/Dance artist, I never saw a write up of her death. By that time, I was no longer in a record pool, where there might have been a mention in one of the magazines.

I was trying hard to order those tickets. DyvaNaye had given me the info. Playpal lived up to it's name & played with me. I'm still waiting for them to mail me the confirmation of my password. I guess it's a bit too late for that now. My digital camera is in the shop, & I went out & bought another one, I thought that I was going to be in the house. I'm disappointed, as I was looking forward to meeting you guys & I really wanted the chance to shake Marvin & Johnny's hand. Hell, I would have liked to shake all of their hands. Just wanted to show my appreciation & respect for their tremendous talent. I hope to have another chance to do so.

I had often wondered why I never heard Bette Midler speak of Sharon Redd anywhere. Recently, I went to Google & found Bette Midlers website. She has a section where she speaks of all of the former Harlettes & she has a nice picture & some kind words for Sharon Redd. When I locate the link, I'll let you know.

Peace!

By Sudi Kamau (172.208.51.14) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:22 pm:

I remember the migration of the term "axe" from guitarists in particular to musicians in general. In the same fashion, "chops" migrated from horn players (brass players in particular) to being a general term for a musicians physical/technical ability.

By Soul Sister (65.43.144.46) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 02:42 pm:

To the second question:

The Manhattans (featuring "Smitty") also did an excellent version with soulful feeling on "With These Hands", also the title of their 1970 DeLuxe album.
S.S.

By Eli (68.236.53.71) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 04:07 pm:

Tommy Vann was from Baltimore and had a group caled Tommy Vann and the Echoes.

When he left to go solo, the band was called "And the Echoes".