By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 08:14 am:

Here's the URL for a great interview with Andre

www.furious.com/perfect/andrewilliams.html

thanks to the southern soul list for this one.

Anyone interested in the southern soul scene,
Stax, Hi, Muscle Shoals etc. should check out this mailing list at

www.yahoogroups.com/group/southernsoul

In its own way it's as important as the SD forum.

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.59.246) on Thursday, November 28, 2002 - 12:45 pm:

Thanks, Davie!

I have been an Andre Williams and Gino Parks super fan ever since 1961, when we worked at Motown together.

I also love Candi Staton and the Muscle Shoals/Rick Hall sound. Have you seen this site?

http://www.candi-staton.com/

This is going to be a riot to look into these sites. Thanks again!

Mike McLean

By RJ Spangler (64.12.97.7) on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 12:00 am:

I am hoping to bring Geno Parks to Detroit this winter. He is currently living outside Atlanta.
Geno is still a great vocalist. Bill Dahl does a great job telling his story in his book on Motown for Krause Publications. -RJ

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 03:49 am:

I haven't heard one Gino Parks record that didn't knock me sideways. He is one fine vocalist!

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.34) on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 02:08 pm:

Hi Mike,

Glad you enjoyed the Andre Williams interview.

Thanks for the Candi Staton link - seems she's
not too interested in any of her old records
preferring to concentrate on her gospel work.

We're still patiently waiting for Rick Hall to
agree to re-releasing her great FAME tracks
on CD. He keeps being told that the audience for this music is not getting any younger but it
doesn't seem to make any difference to him.
Still, I live in hope.

I must warn you that the southern soul list is
highly addictive.

By RJ Spangler (152.163.188.68) on Friday, November 29, 2002 - 08:26 pm:

You are right Ritchie, Geno is BAD. I am told GENO is his preferred spelling! He sounds like he just stepped out of 1958! -RJ

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.41.150) on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 12:09 am:

Fellows,

Let me get Andre Williams out of the way first:

Shortly after I went to work at Motown, in January, 1961, as a technical person soldering wires, Etc., Andre Williams arrived upon the scene.

I had been in awe of Robert Bateman, and I still am! But Andre Williams was so utterly fantastic that I was simply blown away! Andre recorded several songs in which he was the soloist. Tooooo die for!!!!!

Next thing I know, Andre brings Gino Parks into the studio, and he records "Same Thing" and "That's No Lie" (Motown H-711/710.) Mickey Stevens got the writers, but somehow, I feel that Andre was involved with Mickey and Gino in the overall product. I could be wrong.

All I know is that my life ended when Andre Williams left Motown, and it has never been the same since. Gino left at about the same time.

It was the age of innocence for me. Being only 22 years old at the time, I felt like "all that is fare, decent, and worthwhile," had been yanked out from under me.

I went on for ten more years, soldering wires at Motown, to allow the music to be recorded, but I never felt right again. I quit in 1972.

Since then, I have worked in the field of motion picture sound. It has helped me to understand what happened.

I lost the greatest chance I ever had to be with really great natural artists. (Andre and Gino)

Finally, "after years of phychotherapy," I have finally come to understand that such a loss, to such overwhelming trauma, is so profound and dibilitating that it is now clear that my problem is perfectly normal, and should lead to my spending the rest of my life bummed out about everything.

What am I supposed to get excited about? The Dixie Chicks?

Now you tell me that Gino is alive, and one can see him perform!

Lovely!!

Now I can cry all night over all the performances that I could have seen, that I missed.

There are more dues to pay about going to work at a black record company then the fact that your car is often broken into.

Gino Parks and Andre Williams are alive.

I want to break down and cry. Where was I all this time????!!!!

Mike McLean

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 12:12 pm:

Mike:
I speak to Andre from time to time and interviewed him for two CD compilations that the Tuff City label released ("Rib Tips & Pig Snoots" and "Whip Your Booty!"). He shared with me many memories (fond and otherwise) of his Motown experience but most importantly he felt that those who worked behind the scenes were the ones who really "ran" the company and your name was among those he mentioned.
Next time I speak to him I will mention your comments.
Regards,
Kevin Goins - "KevGo"

By RJ Spangler (205.188.209.38) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 02:12 pm:

Geno has been off the scene for years. He has recently retired from selling insurance and wants to get back out. I sent Alberta Adams on a southern tour 3 years ago with my friend Doug Demings band and Geno showed up at her Atlanta gig and he sat in for a few tunes. Since then, I brought him up to Detroit for one show and I hope to bring him back again this winter to play some live dates and hopefully record. -RJ Spangler

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.59.50) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 03:15 pm:

I just noticed the posting about the correct spelling being "GENO" as opposed to the spelling on the Tamla 45 ("Same Thing"/"That's No Lie") which is "GINO." I will keep this in mind.

So Geno had to spend his life selling insurance, while I feel that he is one of the greatest artists that ever lived. That just goes to show how out of touch with the taste of the common man I am.

Andre Williams is noted for his earthy material such as the "Rib Tips & Pig Snoots" and "Whip Your Booty!" mentioned above. I am also known for my tendency to be preoccupied with such subjects. I seem to be compelled to discuss such things constantly. I feel that it is a form of rebellion related to all of the repression of sex that was rampent while I grew up.

If you see Andre, please tell him that I remember Fay, and also his song:

Rosalee, stay off of that bell honey when we're kissing,

Cause Pappa don't like no midnight remonising!

Mike McLean

By Lynn Bruce (64.53.143.164) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 03:43 pm:

I'm running before it's to late

trying to get away from that jail-bait

it's a rough temptation

but a common invitation

that'll take you out of circulation

I'm talkin about that younger generation

so take my advice fellows, for goodness sake

fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, is JAIL-BAIT!!!
```````````````````````````````````````````````````
What can I say, it just popped in my head reading Mikes last post about Andre Williams.
SLAITE,LYNN

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.40.89) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 12:51 am:

Lynn,

Thank you more then I can say!

What a thrill!

I am gonna go out and buy a whole bunch of Andre Williams CD's!

Your soul mate,

Mike McLean

By acooolcat (210.201.192.210) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 07:15 am:

Lynn - that's one of my fave' 50's Detroit recodings that you've transcribed. I think Andre made a follow up for Fortune called "Jail House Blues" - which I also like.
During the 60's he recorded for Frank Brown (& Ed Wingate) and wrote numerous songs fro various artists. One in particular that I like is called "Love is Like A Holiday, recorded by Joann Duvall (sp), and another woman whose name escapes me at the moment. I know they were both released on a label called "Hot." Does anyone know who owned that one?
Graham

By thecount (64.53.143.173) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 08:07 am:

Hey MIKE,when you get those great Andre Williams cd's,make sure you learn how to do the "BACON FAT"
you just go,didily-didily-didily-didily-womp-womp
didily-didily-didily-didily-womp-womp-womp
aahhhwww but the chicken was never like this,
play it for people you understand,
aahhwww down in the alley.
Listin to the sax part in "BACON FAT"
All ANDRE recordings were great group harmony.
To me Andre Williams was in the early becomings of the birth of DOO-WOP.G.R.A.B. A. T.U.S.H.=
(group rythem and blues and teen urban streetcorner harmony) "COUNT"

By mhc (172.144.243.86) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 10:03 am:

I'll never forget the first time I heard "Jailbait", on Fred Zalenka's show on WDET, one night back about 1977. From the first split second of the record, when that shrieking trumpet jumps out of the speakers, all the way to the end, I was f*ck#ng speechless. "Jailbait" is the BEST. Over the years, I've picked up other Fortune 45s by AW, which are all nearly as good as "Jailbait": "Bacon Fat", "Pullin' Time", "Jailhouse Blues", "The Greasy Chicken", et. al. There's another thread going, "What Is Funky Music?".. If "Bacon Fat" doesn't qualify as "funk", then there's no such thing..

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.29) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 10:51 am:

Taken from a promotional pic on Andre Williams.
Andre is back!!
Fortune has returned
with a 45rpm SMASH!
The new adrenalin-packet,Hot Selling,
The Original...
GREASY CHICKEN AT 3 DOLLARS EACH!
The Cash Box Award Of The Week.
The greasy chicken(2:32)(Trinon BMI-Andre Williams)
Come on Baby(2:37)(TrianonBMI-Andre Williams)
ANDRE WILLIAMS (Fortune 839).

Andre Williams who has had several territorial hits,comes up with one in his latest,Greasy Chicken,that looks very much like it could be his biggest,and possibly a real big one from any standards.
It's a crazy novelty with a treatment that is loaded with chuckles.Its the story of another dance-such as his succesful BACON FAT.
Williams could be stepping out here-so look out.The pairing is a middle beat bouncer that is more or less a straight reading for this novelty chanter.
Good workmanlike wax but one which must take a back seat to the GREASY CHICKEN.

NEW BACON FAT '86
Andres latest 45rpm release at 2 dollars 50 each.
SUNG BY
THE DYNAMIC ANDRE WILLIAMS.
Dont miss Andres new blockbuster LP
JAIL BAIT FORTUNE 8019.
Also Available/LP'S at 15 dollars each
FORTUNE LP 8010 FORTUNE OF HITS VOL 1 (N.STRONG & diablos)
FORTUNE LP 8012 FORTUNE OF HITS VOL 2 (N.STRONG & DIABLOS).
FORTUNE LP 8015 MIND OVER MATTER (N.STRONG & DIABLOS).
FORTUNE LP 8016 THE DIABLOS MEET THE FIVE DOLLARS.
FORTUNE LP 8017 TREASURE CHEST OF MUSTY DUSTIES-five jets,hi-fidelities and more.
FORTUNE LP 8020 THE LEGENDARY DADDY ROCK AND DIABLOS.
FOR FASTER SERVICE write FORTUNE RECORDS
P.O.BOX 904 ROYAL OAK, MI.48068.
mel(andthensome).

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 10:57 am:

One of my favorite Andre cuts is "I Just Want A Little Love love Lovin'". It's kind of overlooked because it's an obvious re-write of "I Just Want To Make Love To You" , but it's some serious FONK. The groove and vocal are stellar and there's a great guitar solo (Chico Edwards , I think) , but my favorite part is halfway through the song when the slapback kicks in out of the blue. It's like they were searching for that knob the first half of the song or something.

Steve K.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 11:15 am:

Hey Folks:
At the risk of making a shameless plug, there are two Andre Williams CDs available through the Tuff City Music Group that I had a hand in creating. "Rib Tips & Pig Snoots" feature tracks Andre cut & produced while in Detroit & Chicago from 1965 to 1971. "Whip Your Booty!" spotlights Andre's 1970s dance/funk productions with the group Velvet Hammer. Log onto www.tuffcity.com for more information.
Peace,
Kevin "KevGo" Goins

By mhc (172.150.156.195) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 01:39 pm:

LTLFTC, do you love the weird engineering on those Fortune AW records like I do? How about on "Is It True?" (which, like Jailbait", was done with just one microphone), when he comes in on the chorus vocal; needle-pinning distortion at it's finest! Also, honor must be given to a great one on Chess: "Cadillac Jack". Fifteen years and 216,000 cigarettes after the Fortune days, Andre W. was still brilliant.

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 04:57 pm:

I do love the sound of his Fortune sides. It's kind of hard to define why because I'm not prone to romanticize poor audio in the name of low-fi chic or anything. Some things just shouldn't sound anal and fussed over. Speaking of "Cadillac Jack" , Cub Koda did an interesting cover of that. I bet Cub would dig the hell out of this website.

Steve K.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.44) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 05:18 pm:

A few more tracks from Andre.
Rosa lee/Shoo shoo Miracle records no.4.
I cant stop crying Ric-Tic recordsno.124.
Loose Juice Wingate records no.014.
Do It 1 and 2 Wingate records no.021.
Also can anyone tell me if he recorded with the following,
The Don Juans on Fortune records no.824 called Pulling Time.
The Don Juans on Fortune records no.828 called Its all over.
With Gino Purifoy and Don Juans on Fortune records no.834.
839.
With Gino Purifoy on Fortune records no.837.
Also with
Gino Parks on Fortune records no.847.
With
The Inspirations on Fortune records no.856.
As well as recording for these Labels.
Sport(105)
Avin(103)
Epic((9196)
and Checker records 1187.
1205
1214.
1219.
With thanks,
MEL.

By Nish (216.148.246.70) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 05:23 pm:

Andre Williams' records rival Bullmoose Jackson's as the ultimate guilty pleasure. That was stuff I couldn't touch till I was 18! LOL!

mhc, there is something very cool about Fortune's sound... just garage R&B at it's finest. That's why I love "My Baby-O" by the Five Dollars, because it just epitomizes that sound.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 05:49 pm:

MEL:
How about these Andre tracks

AVIN
Rib Tips Part 1 & 2 (Jr. Walker's "Shotgun" meets the local greasy bar & grill)
Soul Party A Go-Go
Hard Hustling

RIC-TIC
You Got It I Want It (featuring the Funk Brothers!)
Sweet Little Pussycat

ATCO
Pig Snoots Part 1 & 2 (released under the name the Natural Bridge Bunch)

SURE-SHOT
I Heard It Through The Grapevine Part 1 & 2 (released under the name the Quality Controls - same arrangement as Norman Whitfield's but muuuuuchh slower & funkier)

BACK-BEAT
Black Bull (released under the name the EJ's)

And it's all on one CD...
Regards,
Kevin Goins - "KevGo"

By John Rhys (63.198.70.120) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 03:23 pm:

A short note about Andre' Williams....
I was the engineer on the Ric-Tic record, "You Got It, I want It". Andre' came into the studio at Golden World wearing the most outlandish topcoat I had ever seen. It was fire engine red with black piping. It knocked me out. I asked Andre' where he got the coat and he told me Marshall Fields in Chicago.
We finished the session and I went on to something new. Two weeks later Andre' came back into the studio to do another record. I was designated engineer again.
Andre' came into the control room and he had a big box underneath his arm. He walked across the room and handed the box to me. I opened it and guess what? It was a duplicate of the same coat he was wearing two weeks before. He had gone to Chicago and while he was there, he picked up the coat for me because I had liked his.
I still have the coat and wear it at Christmas time.
I'll never forget Andre' for his generosity and talent.

Merry Christmas Andre'. I'm happy to hear you're still kickin'.
Best Regards,
John Rhys Eddins
BluePower.com

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Monday, December 09, 2002 - 04:51 pm:

Fred Zalenka just called me last week -- he's back living in town ...I wasn't hip to his show in the '70s, at least I don't recall it ...too busy listening to the Electrifyin' Mojo maybe ...

By mc5rules (148.61.97.30) on Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 04:51 pm:

Andre just produced John Sinclair's wonderful "Fattening Frogs For Snakes" album of music and poetry that was recently released on Okra-Tone Records.

By M.McLeanTech (66.218.42.29) on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 12:53 am:

All of the above comments are simply wonderful. Thank you all more then I can say!

I have stated this before, on the forum, but one obscure tune that is an all time favorite is "FOR THIS I THANK YOU" sung by Gino Parks. I was present at this recording session, and I know for a fact that Andre Williams had a profound influance on the creative process.

I am lucky enough to have found an LP which has this tune on it: SWITCHED ON BLUES (SOUL 720) which was released in 1969.

The writer's credits is listed as F. Hale, C. Paul, and I. Hunter. These folks were Fay Hale, Clearance Paul, and Ivy Hunter.

At the time, Andre and Fay were deeply in love. I remember standing right there and watching him give the writing credits to Fay, out of the goodness of his heart. As far as I know, Fay Hale never wrote a song in her life. (not to take anything away from this lovely woman)

Of course, we all know who Clearance and Ivy are. Clearance worked for years with Stevie Wonder, and Ivy Hunter was strongly involved with the creation of ASK THE LONELY sung by The Four Tops.

I remember watching the three of them work together to create this masterpiece. What a thrill!

The most famous such experience that I had was watching Berry Gordy Jr. work with the Contours as they actually wrote DO YOU LOVE ME. I was on my way out the door to take the bus home, when I lingered in this very plain, drab room, lit by a naked light bulb, for about an hour and watched them create this song, while working at an old upright piano.

The room was on the second floor of the Hitsville Building, in the Southwest corner. For those folks with little ability to understand what this means, it is in the back of the building, on the side toward the James H. Cole Home For Funerals, upstairs, but below the attic, which is the location of the greatest of all the Motown echo chambers.

Keep it coming! Long live Andre Williams!

Mike McLean

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.87) on Thursday, December 12, 2002 - 08:34 am:

Hey Mike,
Gino Parks
Fire/For this I Thank You
Tamla Records no.54066
Great stuff Sir!
MEL.