By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 04:56 pm: |
What exactly was CP Spencer's tenure with the Spinners? And on what songs does he sing lead? AND, his solo output, is it rare?
One of the great Motown tenors from one of the GREATEST vocal groups of all time.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 05:01 pm: |
Nish:
C.P. Spencer was a member of the Originals. Do you mean G.C.Cameron who sang lead on the Spinners' hit "It's A Shame".
Kevin "KevGo" Goins
By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 05:45 pm: |
C.P. Spencer was a member of the Spinners, once upon a time in the sixties. I'm not aware of his taking the lead on any of their records - after all, there aren't that many to compare between....
By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 06:06 pm: |
While we are on GC Cameron, doesn't he do lead on "In My Diary?"
And as for Mr. Crathman Plato Spencer, when I read about him, Ihe is listed as being a one-time lead singer for the Spinners, and his voice is really distinctive to me, so I'm sure I would have known his lead if it were on a Spinners tune of which I'm aware.
But thanks, guys!
By heikki (194.251.240.105) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 01:24 am: |
Hi Nish!
C.P.Spencer was in the very first line-up of the Spinners from 1954 till 1956. So he was one of the founding members. He wasn't on any of the Spinners' recordings, though.
After that he joined the Five Jets, which became they Five Stars in '57. They recorded, among others, Ooh Shucks, produced by Berry Gordy. Eventually - with some changes in the line-up - they became the Voice Masters in '59 (who at different times had C.P., David Ruffin, Walter Gaines, Melvin Franklin, Raymond Dorset, Ty Hunter, Lamont Dozier and Lawrence Payton in their line-up).
In '62 C.P. went solo - as Spencer Sterling - and finally became one of the Originals in '64.
In the Originals he was replaced by Ty Hunter in '71, went solo again (one unreleased album on Soul in '71 and one single on Motown in '73).
In 1978 he rejoined the Originals, in 1988 released a solo album (Love Swept Over You)and is now putting together another solo album with HIS set of the Originals - alongside the official set.
Best regards
Heikki
By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 02:01 am: |
Has anyone here heard the tracks off CP's unissued 1971 Soul album. If there are any good uptempo / 2 step items on it, then I know someone (with connections)who would like to know the titles (for possible inclusion on an upcoming UK compiled compilation CD).
With the same idea in mind, are there any similar items on Jermaine Jackson's unissued Motown Philly cut album. If so, what are the titles that need to be looked out for?
By Nish (66.119.34.39) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 07:59 am: |
heikki, thanks a lot. Is his '88 solo album available? And so he is still active today?
What a great, varied career.
By Heikki (194.251.240.105) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 10:34 am: |
Hi Nish!
I don't think C.P.'s '88 Love Swept is that easy to find anymore. It wasn't easy in the first place, either, but for me there were only about three good cuts.
When I last spoke to him I understood that he's going to use some of that material on his forthcoming cd along with new songs. He also mentioned that this is going to be his last cd.
I forgot to list his tenure with Ian Levine in Britain in '89 and in '90, when he recorded both solo, and with the Originals.
He's building a website of his own on
http://community.webtv.net/TheOriginalsCP.
Heikki
By Nish (66.119.33.167) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 11:18 am: |
Oh wow, thanks so much, Heikki. This is thrilling news. I wish there was some way to improve the distribution for the modern efforts these classic artists produce. Mailing list, independent record shops or something, so the people who want to know can know and purchase in due time. I love the old classics they did, but the new stuff on folks like Susaye Greene, Freddie Scott, GC Cameron (I can't find his 2001 release anywhere, either) keeps the music refreshed and alive.
By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 11:25 am: |
Heikki
Thank you so much for the info... I've just GOT to order those issues of the mag with the Spinners story. If they're not my favourte vocal group, they are so close to the top of my list as makes no difference!
By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 01:41 pm: |
Nish,
Re "In My Diary" - if I remember correctly that
was the first song GC recorded with the Spinners.
By Nish (66.119.33.167) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 03:11 pm: |
This thread epitomizes why Soulful Detroit is just about the greatest soul site ever. Ask a question and I'll be darned if someone won't know in a matter of 24 hours. You all are too much! :-)
And Ritchie, I feel you on the Spinners... I hold them in high regard too. You have to... they had too much talent.
By Heikki (194.251.240.105) on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 03:52 pm: |
Hi Davie!
Actually the first single side G.C.Cameron recorded with the Spinners was Bad, Bad Weather (Till You Come Home)in '68 - the b-side to I Just Can't Help But Feel The Pain. It just preceded In My Diary/At Sundown.
Heikki
By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 02:52 pm: |
Thanks Heikki - that'll teach me to post things without checking my sources first.
"Bad Bad Weather" 's a great track - pity it wasn't a bigger success.