By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.35) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:30 am: |
Can anyone give any in-depth information on the fantastic pair of
Valerie Ashford and Nick Simpson.
I do have a substantial amount of info on them,
but only on actual records or various song sheets and the great tracks that either one or the other or both have been involved with.
Any info about material with Motown and especially the time with Verve records,for me,
would be very much appreciated.
Mel(A Huge Ashford & Simpson Fan).
By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:56 am: |
For openers Mel old pal you have the last names reversed.
By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:08 am: |
Oh my favorite songwriters of all time..
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.64) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:19 am: |
Ralph,
major error,
I think I need GLasses.
MEL.
By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:23 am: |
STEADY AS SHE GOES "OL" BUDDY!!!
By Sue (152.163.188.68) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:24 am: |
No recording info for you Mel, just to say they were incredible onstage at the Apollo, at the SITSOM world premiere. I'm still amazed that Valerie doubled for Tammi Terrell's voice, so I was interested to hear how much she'd differ on "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" from the Tammi vocal that's etched in my brain forever ... (I'll always prefer Tammi's vocals but Valerie did an incredible job filling in ...)
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:27 am: |
Mel:
HERE'S THE "SHORT VERSION" OF THE A& S STORY
Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simspon met in Harlem back in the early 1960s when Nick visited Valerie's church & spotted her singing in the choir. They started songwriting and recording as early as 1963 (as Val & Nick on the Port label)along with fellow New Yorker Josephine "Joshie" Armistead. Many of their tunes were recorded by groups such as Candy & the Kisses and the Sapphires (the group's producer Jerry Ross was a huge supporter of A&S and even hired them as background singers on his productions). When Ray Charles cut their tune "Let's Go Get Stoned" and made it a hit, Motown came knocking on their door (Gordy was a huge fan of the productions coming out of the Big Apple & I guess wanted that flavor at Motown). A&S split their time between Detroit (working with Marvin & Tammi) and NYC (doing backgrounds for Jerry Ross, Burt Bacharach - Valerie sang on Dionne's "I Say A Little Prayer", and Quincy Jones - Valerie on the "Walking In Space" LP). Nick had a solo deal with Verve when the label was experimenting with R&B and Pop (the label also had the Pointdexter Brothers & Howard Tate). They stayed with Motown until the Diana & Marvin LP (1974)& signed with Warner Bros the year before(by this time Nick & Val became husband & wife). Their Warner Bros recordings of the 1970s are considered by fans as their best work ("Send It", "Found A Cure," "It Seems To Hang On"). Moved to Capitol in 1984 ("Solid", "Count Your Blessings," "Street Opera") and stayed there until 1990.
Today Nick & Val live in Manhattan (Upper West Side)where they operate their publishing concern (Nick-O-Val Music)and a soul food restaurant (the Sugar Bar - great food & atmosphere!). They are also the proud parents of two grown daughters.
Hope this helps...
KevGo
By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:30 am: |
Nick and Val are true artists in every way..
Their heart and soul remains in their work for decades...
Vickie
By Steve L (209.100.86.4) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:30 am: |
Sue,
If I'm not mistaken, you can hear Valerie singing "Ain't No Mountain" on the Marvin & Tammi The Complete Duets 2 disc set. Valerie recorded a "demo" vocal on the original backing track.
-Steve
By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:31 am: |
let me change that to centuries or even eternity..
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.9) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:36 am: |
Thanks Sue,
I have a song sheet of the Aint no mountain High Enough,as well as others,plus a couple of Verve records by them.
I have always refered to them and heard people talk about them as Ashford and Simpson,which explains yet another error on site.
Bloody christian names,anyway these threads wouldnt be the same without me making my now customary mistakes.
At least you know what Im on about.And I now depart practicing in my Spoon Shoes etc.(Vickie knows what I am referring to there).
Many thanks once more for my tolerent friends.Ah well,the show must go on,such is life.
Mel.
Stu,
A case of to much corn liquer this lunch time for me,methinks.
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.9) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:38 am: |
Kev and everyone,
Many thanks for all this in-put,as usual a wealth of knowledge.
Mel.
By Vickie (205.188.209.38) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:43 am: |
Mel - it's ok..no matter how you say it...Nick & Val , Val & Nick, Simpson & Ashford , Ashford & Simpson..
They are awesome...I'm sure if they read this they would feel they are one in the same too..
You are ok in my book..
as always
Vickie
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.9) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:44 am: |
Kev,
totally forgot about the stuff on
the great Port Record Label.
Yet another great label,which would take up a whole thread,
so many superb sides on it,
cheers mate,
Mel.
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.9) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:47 am: |
Vickie,
you are most definatly okeh in my book,
Many thanks sister,
MEL.
I Have again put the spoon shoes away.
By Common (209.2.55.140) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 12:32 pm: |
Hello everyone,
Kevgo: Just a side bar: Valerie Simpson made a solo LP for Motown in '72(I think!) called "Exposed" before leaving the company. Supposedly, the company was trying to mold Valerie in to "diana ross" type singer. But, of course, Val wanted her own identity.
One of their b-side cuts "Dark Side Of The World" is a favorite of mine. Both versions were covered by Marvin & Diana, but I tend to lean towards Diana's version, simply because it hinted at the how great A&S had a way of bringing out the performance in Diana.
Peace!
By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 12:35 pm: |
I remember they wrote for the Shirelles and for
the Crystals(after this group left Phil Spector
for United Artists Records). And, of course,
they wrote the major Ray Charles hit "Let's Go
Get Stoned". At Motown they did some great things
on the Marvelettes (featuring Wanda) and also with
Martha.
By TonyRussi (68.18.34.83) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 12:55 pm: |
Well heres my 2 cents:Mel, thanks for starting these great threads.I love Ashford & Simpson also not only as great writers/producers but performers as well.My brother & I met them during the 80's at a radio promo where they sang live to prerecorded tracks(about 4 songs).Well I had been drinking some wine & while we were backstage I just started singing "Destination Anywhere" and Nick & Val joined in for a few lines...then we all broke out laughing....I can't sing! I loved the work they did with the GREAT Martha Reeves, "I'm A Winner"," It Ain't Like That", and "Tear It On Down".I would love to go to their restaurant!
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.57) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:05 pm: |
Tony,
Many thanks to your brother and your fine
self for all the great and valuable input that you have both given us.
What a record,
Destination Anywhere is!
Everything that I have heard from them have all been superb(and then some)
Its always great hearing the stories from the people that were actually there,or closely linked in one way or another.
Regards
Mel.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:08 pm: |
Common:
Valerie cut two solo LPs on Tamla.
"Exposed" was released in 1971 featuring our glorious Funk Brothers (they were credited on the album's back cover). Nick & Val produced the album in Detroit. Unfortunately "Exposed" was released the same week Motown released Marvin's "What's Going On" LP which blew every album out of the water sales-wise.
The second LP "Valerie Simpson" (1973) featured the single "Silly (Wasn't I)" and was produced in Los Angeles (Nick & Val behind the boards). Great album.
Both LPs were issued on a "Best of Valerie Simpson" CD in 1991 (went out of print a couple of years ago).
You're right about the "marketing angle" Motown was using with Val but she was too sexy naturally to be pidgeon-holed into anyone's "image".
Regards,
KevGo
By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:19 pm: |
The restaurant was called "20/20", I think, but
I believe Nick told me they got out of that be-
cause it was too much work and they didn't
realize what they were getting into.
By Common (209.2.55.140) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:33 pm: |
KevGo:
Thanks for providing more information. I didn't know that Val LPs were once on CD. I'm hoping to luck at some of the local record stores & maybe I'd find it. BTW, did the CD include any unreleased material on it?
Peace!
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 01:51 pm: |
Common:
The Valerie Simpson CD might have been discontinued. That's a question maybe our friend HW can answer.
No, it didn't have any unreleased material on the CD.
Regards,
KevGo
By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 02:51 pm: |
One of my favorite memories were Nick, Val,and Teddy Pendergrass at Live Aid..When they sng "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand"
a tear jerker with Teddy..
Vickie
By Ralph Terrana (ralph) (209.240.198.62) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 08:21 pm: |
Just like to add my thoughts here. Nick and Val were a class act as people. It was always a pleasure to see them when they came to Detroit to work. You knew you were in the presence of people that were unique and special.
By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 09:34 pm: |
Hi Everyone. I played on a lot of sessions at Motown for Nick and Val. I was always impressed by their creativity. They had so many hip chord changes in their music that it was very challenging for the musicians, but we enjoyed it. I took a guitar solo on one of their projects and they gave me album credits. Val told me later that it was hard to get Motown to agree to list the musicians on any album but I think that may have been one of the first Motown albums that gave credits to the musicians. I wish I could remember the album but maybe someone here knows what it was. Hey Flynny, can you help us out here?
Dennis
By HW (68.37.217.106) on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 11:23 pm: |
The timeline for Nick & Val to leave Motown is correct to be around late 1972 - early 1973. While the 'Diana & Marvin' album was issued in late 1973 (1974 must be a typo, Kev), most of the tracks esp. the A&S cut for Ross & Gaye were recorded in the fall of 1972. Nick & Val cut a Motown album that year (still unreleased). They even performed as a duo on stage for the first time in May of '72, at Lincoln Center as part of the 'Soul! At The Center' series, seemingly to promote their imminent duo album. The LP wasn't released and they signed to Warners instead.
Common - "Dark Side of The World" was designated to be a Marvin & Tammi track but it was never finished that way. Marvin cut his vocals, Tammi was not well enough to do any more and soon died. The track was then given to Diana Ross as a solo project.
By P.J. (12.227.35.125) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 12:27 am: |
Actually 3 Valerie Simpson albums were released on Tamla: Exposed -TS-311 (5/71), Valerie Simpson-T-317 (7/72) and Keep It Comin' T6-351S (1/77). However, the third album was comprised of selections from the previous 2 Valerie Simpson Tamla albums. Perhaps Motown was trying to reap some benefit from Ashford & Simpson's popularity while at Capitol.
By P.J. (12.227.35.125) on Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 12:30 am: |
Oops! I meant their popularity while signed to Warner Brothers at that time.
By PhilH (203.221.56.134) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 02:42 am: |
Hey Dennis,
Just finished reading your book, a very enjoyable read!
The album where Valerie gave you credit is EXPOSED (Tamla 311), which I picked up just a few weeks ago. Am I right in assuming that you played the electric sitar on "Sinner Man" and other tracks?
Phil
Adelaide, Australia (birthplace of "White Jack" Brokenshaw, incidentally)
By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 09:40 am: |
Phil,
Regarding " White Jack " and his birth place...there is an interesting piece of trivia.
By Sue (205.188.209.38) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 09:42 am: |
PhilH,
Dennis is busy in Pittsburgh, playing on the latest PBS R&B special, but I'm sure he'll answer as soon as he's back.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 11:39 am: |
PhilH:
Right on about the Coffey credit. It was the EXPOSED album, which was (I believe) the second Motown LP (released on Tamla) to list the session musicians (it had the catalog number following Marvin's "What's Going On" LP).
KevGo
HW:
I stand (somewhat) corrected regarding the Diana & Marvin LP. I was basing the info on the time my sister & I purchased the "My Mistake" single (early 1974).
Regards,
KevGo
By Caleb (209.244.239.16) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 09:01 pm: |
Supposedly Paul Griffin*piano player on ("American Pie"-Don Mclean)taught her how to write.I believe they were married for a little while.He was a serious musician and probably still is. Caleb
By Thommygirl_70 (205.188.209.38) on Monday, November 25, 2002 - 10:02 pm: |
I love that song Silly, Wasn't I, by Valerie. I remember her saying once that she wished that she had of recorded an extra verse to that song! I love it just the same though.
HW, thanks for the tidbit about Dark Side of the World. I didnt know that was supposed to be a marvin/tammi song!
By PhilH (203.221.52.121) on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 02:47 am: |
Caleb,
I think you're right about Paul Griffin once being married to Valerie, but sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago (not sure exactly when - I'd have to dig the GOLDMINE obit out of the closet!). Valerie also did some background sessions for other labels after she and Nick joined Motown - she's definitely on Dionne Warwick's "Do You Know The Way To San Jose" (and so is Paul, playing organ!), as there are photos from that session in Rhino's Burt Bacharach CD-set, and she's also on Quincy Jones' "Killer Joe" (along with Marilyn Jackson - who was also on the Dionne session - and a couple of others that I can't recall now).
Phil
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 11:56 am: |
Phil & Caleb:
Nick & Valerie (with Joshie Armstead or Melba Moore) sang background vocals on many records here in the Big Apple during the 1960s, especially the productions Jerry Ross supervised when he was at Mercury. Besides the ones we mentioned, here are more:
Jerry Butler - "I Dig You Baby" (they also sang on Lorraine Ellison's original version);"Mr. Dream Merchant", "You Walked Into My Life."
Jay & the Techniques - "Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie", "Keep The Ball Rolling", "Strawberry Shortcake"; the group's two Smash/Mercury LPs
(Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie, Love Lost & Found)
& non-LP singles until 1969.
Bobby Hebb - "Sunny", "Love Loves Love" (a big "Northern Soul" hit).
Quincy Jones - Walking In Space LP, Smackwater Jack LP (duet with Quincy on "What's Going On").
Dee Dee Warwick - "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (the original from early 1967).
I met Jerry Ross in 1998 and he had very fond memories of Nick & Val - or "the Kids" as he called them. He couldn't thank them enough for taking "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" to Motown for the Supremes/Temptations (he co-wrote the song with Kenny Gamble).
Best regards,
KevGo
By PhilH (203.221.55.154) on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 02:47 am: |
Hi KevGo,
Thanks for all that. I didn't know about Valerie being on the Dee Dee track, is she on any others of Dee Dee's? Did you know that Nick & Valerie are also on Dusty Springfields's "What's It Gonna Be" (along with Madeline Bell and Carole King), produced by Jerry Ragovoy in July 1967? Well, you do now, LOL!
Phil
p.s. Hilda Harris & Maeretha Stewart were the other singers I couldn't remember on "Killer Joe" (it helps to look at the CD booklet in such situations!) Now, where do I remember those two ladies' names from? I think maybe a JB session or two, but I haven't got time to check all 40 or so JB CD's in my collection. HW will probably know this off the top of his head, won't you, H?
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, November 27, 2002 - 11:45 am: |
Phil:
The other Dee Dee Warwick tracks Nick & Val sang on were "Locked In (Your Love)," "When Love Slips Away" (both were covered by Jay & the Techniques) & "Yours Until Tomorrow" (written by Gerry Goffin & Carole King), which was the B-side of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me."
Regards,
KevGo
By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 03:48 pm: |
I don't recall which of Valerie's solo LP's it came from, but "Everybody's Got To Give It Up" was a killer song & my personal favorite of all of her solo stuff. As writers and producers, I give Ashford & Simpson props for taking the flak I'm sure they received for working with the Dynamic Superiors ("Shoe Shoe Shine", "Leave It Alone", etc.).....who I think were known as being the 1st openly gay group.
By Tony Russi (68.18.34.83) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 04:40 pm: |
Huh, I never heard that about the Dynamic Superiors not that it matters but it seems that would have come out in some of the mags at the time ect.I never really heard much music from that group...did Ashford & Simpson work regularly with them at Motown?Were they a Detroit group?I think I remember a 45 release by them, a cover of "Nowhere To Run" and that kinda turned me off.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 05:18 pm: |
Tony:
The Dynamic Superiors released many albums on Motown. Their biggest hit being "Shoe Shoe Shine" from 1975. Nick & Val produced many if not all of their recordings during the group's tenure on Motown.
1wicked:
I don't recall Nick & Val getting any heat from anybody over their work with the D.S. nor do I remember the group being knocked for having an openly gay lead singer. What I do remember is that the D.S. were dynamite vocalists & the lead's falsetto was amazing. Growing up, I saw many dudes on the street corner singing their tunes and remarking on how "bad" they were!
Regards,
Kevin "KevGo" Goins
By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 02:15 am: |
It seems very strange, with all their later commercial success, that Motown have never delved into the vaults to liberate any of the tracks included on A&S's unissued album.
Did they perhaps use the songs included on the album and cut them on other of their artists.
One of my all-time fave compositions / cuts of theirs is "Top of the Stairs".
By DF (24.168.8.162) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 04:14 am: |
It seems that in the 60s, every great record label had a great house band. It also seems that in the late 70's-early 80's, the house band concept was ran by the individual producers themselves as opposed to the record labels. Examples of this are Quincy Jones and Rodgers/Edwards. Ashford and Simpson is another example. Nick-O-Val's rhythym section of Ray Chew (keys), Francisco Centeno (bass) and John Sussewell (drums) was one of the best ever!
By HW (68.37.219.140) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 08:22 am: |
Hilda Harris and Maeretha Stewart were NY session singers whom James Brown used on several of his NY recording dates.
By Millie (68.40.209.129) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 09:00 pm: |
Just ask Rosalie Trombley about the Dynamic Superiors! She was in a soul food restaurant with them one night when a guy walked in wearing a black cape. He was carrying what looked like an umbrella, however when he saw what he obviously needed to see, the "umbrella" turned into a sword which he kept swishing around. Someone yelled "take cover" and they did...Rosalie and the Dynamic Superiors underneath a table waiting for this maniac to leave the restaurant, which he did. The all got back up on their chairs, finished eating their grits (Rosalie's first time), and life went on as usual! Someone should sit down with Rosalie and ghost write her book...she's got stories you guys wouldn't believe! Trust me, as one of her best friends, I've heard just about all of them!
By 1wicked (64.32.154.94) on Thursday, December 05, 2002 - 03:08 pm: |
KevGo...I hope they didn't receive any flak, but considering the times, I just figured it was kind of inevitable. People were a lot less accepting of certain things at that time & certain moves could almost result in career suicide.
DF...you got that right !! Ashford & Simpson's rhythm section was killer !! The personnel you mentioned + the late Yogi "Mr. Hock" Horton (frequent drummer prior to Sussewell and Chris Parker) were among New York's finest ! A & S's original instrumental track "Bourgie' Bourgie'" showcases the players and is simply a moster track. (Though the players are slightly different...Gladys Knight's version smokes too !)
By R&B (138.238.41.214) on Saturday, December 07, 2002 - 03:52 pm: |
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THE CUTE LITTLE SONG{SILLY}BY THE CUTE VALERIE SIMPSON ON THE TAMLA LABLE 1971?CUTE...
By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 12:13 pm: |
R&B
I love that song !!
"I believed in you
thought what you said was true
it never occurred to me that you'd tell a lie
ha, ha, ha
Silly, wasn't I"
Great record!! I also loved "I Don't Need Nobody's Help" where Valerie starts out acapella and then instruments slowly join her as the song goes along. I would love to hear that re-done.
By LTLFTC (12.210.76.205) on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 05:32 pm: |
I don't know who the top studio guys were in Rome back then, but if Nero would have cut in Detroit in the 60's or 70's he probably would have used Dennis Coffey. Who wouldn't if they could?
Steve k.
By Ralph Terrana (ralph) (209.240.198.62) on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 07:41 pm: |
Outsider,
You may notice I deleted your posting. I didn't appreciate the crack at all pal. If Dennis Coffey says he played on something it's because he played on it. It is a credit to his superb musicanship that he seemingly has played on just about everything.
By dvdmike (12.84.19.192) on Monday, January 06, 2003 - 08:12 pm: |
I thought that posting was a bad joke or at least in bad taste. At first, I thought it might have been a friend of Dennis's just ribbing him a bit. But Ralph is right, that posting was an insult to his integrity. I don't think that any of the great people that post on this sight need to b.s. anybody. Their reputations speak for themselves.
By Greg C. (166.84.229.219) on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 06:46 pm: |
I'm glad some folks on this thread mentioned The Dynamic Superiors. I was crazy about 'em. Their first two Motown albums "The Dynamic Superiors" and "Pure Pleasure" were A&S productions and they were surperb. "Leave It Alone", from their first album was my song and spoke volumes! Ashford and Simpson are excellent writers and composers and have always been ahead if you know what I mean.
My favorite composition by them would have to be "Somebody Told A Lie" from the 1976 "Come As You Are" Warner Brothers album. I felt it!
By dvdmike (12.84.12.239) on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 07:22 pm: |
Joshie Jo Armstead used to live near me in Chicago. She told me some things about her early days with Ashford & Simpson. She said they did a lot a session singing in NYC, including "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb and "1-2-3" by Len Barry. She moved to New York several years ago to live with her daughter and I haven't heard from her since. Has anyone seen or heard from her lately?
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 11:01 am: |
dvdmike:
Joshie lives in Manhattan's Upper West Side, a few streets up from Nick & Valerie's restaurant. My employer & Joshie are neighbors and they talk frequently. He tells me she's doing fine. You may be able to locate her exact whereabouts through BMI's website (www.bmi.com).
Regards,
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 12:45 pm: |
Nick, Val, and Joshie Jo Armstead were an incredible singing combination in the studio. Although Joshie was later replaced by Ullanda McCullough in the Ashford/Simpson sound, to me it never had the powerfully elegant sound of Joshie singing with Nick and Val. I met her years ago and she was a very lovely lady. I hope she is still part of the business.
By DF (24.168.8.162) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 07:41 am: |
To 1Wicked:
I'm more familiar with Yogi Horton's work with Luther Vandross as opposed to with Nick and Val. I'm not big on synth drumming, but Yogi was the only cat who could make them sound like real traps! Check out Luther's "It's Over Now"
"Bourgie Bourgie" is my favorite alltime A&S track (along with "Stay Free"). But instead of the album version, listen to the Larry Levan mix, on "Larry Levan Live at the Paradise Garage" (2 CD set). The sound quality and Levan special effects are superior!!!
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 11:36 am: |
cleoharvey:
Check out Joshie's background vocals on Garland Green's 1969 hit "Jealous Kind Of Fellow" released on UNI/MCA. Powerful stuff...
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By MR VIBES (195.219.7.13) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 12:38 pm: |
I FEEL AN URGE COMING ON
tHE URGE KEEPS COMING
JJOE ARMSTSTEAD
GIANT RECORDS
By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 03:12 pm: |
I think that one of the great R&B songs of all time is Nick and Val's "Is It Still Good To You." Nick's lyrics are simply unbelievable.
It's been a long time
since you asked me how was my day
and then kissed me before I could say
It's been a long time
Since you told me
If things were changed
You would have it no other way
Just wonderful lyrics. I am also fond of Found a Cure, Stay Free, I'll Be There For You (someone should re-do this song) and the entire Street Corner album.
By skip (12.2.196.17) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 03:26 pm: |
We hear about song writers I would like to know why Linda Creed is never talked about on this forum she's to good to be forgotten God bless Linda Creed.
By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.155) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 03:43 pm: |
Skip - Linda Creed is one of my favourite writers. Her and Thom Bell together were dynamite. She certainly is not forgotten for many reasons. When I learnt of her death I was truly saddened and when I found she had a dedicated web site for breast cancer in her memory, it moved and educated me.
http://www.lindacreed.org/
She was wonderful. Her, Thom and the Philly sound together - what a combination. Stop, look, listen, performed by Marvin Gaye/Dianna Ross filled my eyes in Bridget Jones Diary for these very reasons. She put a sparkle in my life and I am grateful.
By cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 04:00 pm: |
Skip
I agree with you about Linda Creed. I bet if you start a thread with her name you will get amazing response and a great deal of people talking about her. She wrote beautiful lyrics that went straight to the heart. And from what I have heard, although Thom Bell was and is a genius he is not a "day at the beach" to work with. Linda must have been something special.
By Chancellor of Soul (66.207.40.18) on Thursday, January 09, 2003 - 04:35 pm: |
My favorite cut by Jo Armstead is " A Stone Good
Lover", in 1968.
Killer song !!!
Peace,
(Chancellor of Soul)
Mike Boone
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Friday, January 10, 2003 - 03:23 pm: |
Linda Creed is indeed one of my favorite writers of popular song.
"Stop Look & Listen" was the first Linda Creed/Thom Bell song I heard (Stylistics, of course). It remains one of my favorites next to "Break Up To Make Up" and "Betcha By Golly Wow."
Probably one of the most difficult tasks I had as a radio DJ was to announce her passing on the air in 1986 as Whitney's version of "Greatest Love Of All" was the #1 record in the country. The tears flowed as I played the song during my radio show. Linda's music will live on forever in my heart.
Kevin Goins - KevGo