By dvdmike (12.84.13.172) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 07:02 pm: |
Did the O'Jays do some recording in Detroit in the '60s? They had a song called "Miracles" from around 1960 that I believe was produced at United Sound by Don Davis. George Kerr produced them for Bell Records 1967-68. I know most of the stuff was cut at Broadway Studios in NYC, but the later stuff like "Don't You Know A True Love", also produced by Kerr might have been cut in Detroit as well. Does anyone have any techical information on these songs?
By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 07:06 pm: |
Mike - we've been down this road before on the Forum, a couple of times. Try searching the Archives. There's some good detail on this question. (I'm a big fan of the group's sixties material, so it was of great interest to me personally)
By dvdmike (12.84.13.172) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 07:49 pm: |
I went back and read the thread. It was great, but my question was not answered. Hate to be a pain, but....
By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Monday, February 10, 2003 - 08:45 pm: |
"Miracles" is a Detroit recording, and as you say Mike - it's a Don Davis (DACO) production. The group also did some songs for Solid Hitbound Productions - but I'm not sure how many tracks were cut.
Graham
By dvdmike (65.208.234.61) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:03 am: |
Does anyone know who wrote "Miracles"? I looked on the BMI & ASCAP websites, but there are a kazillion "Miracles" songs. It would be almost impossible to decipher the right one.
By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.44) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 07:46 am: |
dvdmike,
they were released from King records and they went to Detroit.
Where they were produced by the then youthful and untried Don Davis.
He cut them on 'Miracle's'for Dayco records,which was then leased to Apollo records,but it did'nt result in any serious success.This was around 1961.
After working for another couple of years there break came.
In 1963 they went out to L.A. To record for H.B.Barnum and Imperial records.
I do know that they cut an album which included early compositions by Detroits Mike Terry and also Jack Ashford.
With other early material also by Pam Sawyer and Major Lance.
This was around 65/66.
mel.
By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 02:33 pm: |
Mike,
Their Bell material is almost certainly New
York recorded - most of it is arranged by Richard
Tee.
I'm pretty sure I've got the writer credits for
"Miracles" - I'll check and let you know
By Mick D (217.44.215.178) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 03:14 pm: |
Mike,
According to the track listing on the Goldmine CD "Thelma's Detroit Collective" Don Davis is credited with writing Miracles (1964 Deda Publishing)
Although listening to the track it sounds a little earlier than 64. I would say that Mel's 61 date was probably closer.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Mick D
By dvdmike (12.84.102.29) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 04:40 pm: |
Thank you, Mick D. "Miracles" was first released on the Daco label in 1960, no one seems to know the catalog number for it. It was reissued as Apollo single 759. In my digging, I found some early O'Jays recording dates:
LONELY DRIFTER
THAT'S ENOUGH
Produced & arranged by H.B. Barnum
June 24, 1963 at United Recording Studios, Hollywood
STAND TALL
THE STORM IS OVER
Produced & arranged by H.B. Barnum
October 23, 1963 at United Recording Studios, Hollywood
WHIP IT ON ME, BABY
I CRIED MY LAST TEAR
LET IT ALL OUT
Produced by Tommy LiPuma
Arranged by Nick DeCaro
June 8, 1965 at United Recording Studios, Hollywood
STAND IN FOR LOVE
Produced by Bobby Massey & Larry Hancock(?)
January 27, 1966 at Way Out Studios, Cleveland
WORKING ON YOUR CASE
HOLD ON
Produced by Bobby Massey & Larry Hancock(?)
Arranged by Herb Williams
January 4, 1967 at Way Out Studios, Cleveland
LOOKY LOOKY (Look At Me, Girl)
LET ME IN YOUR WORLD
Produced by Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff
Arranged by Bobby Martin
February 26, 1970 at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia
By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Tuesday, February 11, 2003 - 10:34 pm: |
I don't think "Miracles" was actually released on the Detroit DACO record label. This stands for DAvis and COleman - Robert and Hazel Coleman funded the sessions and later formed Thelma Records. Thelma was their daughter, who was married to Berry Gordy.
There were only 2 records that I know of on DACO - by The Fabulous Playboys and a Joe Weaver 45. The Fabulous Playboys also had a disc leased to Apollo in New York.
Graham
By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 06:42 am: |
I have an O'Jays singles discography on my site, 1960-95 if anyone's interested. It lists all their early 45s, including the King and Daco/Apollo sides.
http://www.ritchie-hardin.com/soul/ojays2.html
By dvdmike (65.208.234.61) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 06:53 am: |
Ritchie, your site has been around for a little while, and it was helpful to me.
By Ritchie (62.254.0.8) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 06:58 am: |
Thanks Mike. Hopefully, it'll be around a little longer too ;o) I just though a quick "plug" might be in order (and on topic, too!)
By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 03:02 pm: |
There are three singles on Apollo that came from
Daco - the O'Jays and two by the Fabulous Playboys. 1961 seems to be the right year -
Apollo went dormant around early '58 but was
resurrected in late '60 with a new numerical series (750 onwards).
I've yet to find any evidence that the O'Jays
disc was ever issued on Daco. If it does exist
it must be helluva rare.
Graham,
The Fabulous Playboys' Daco single was also issued on Apollo.
Could you post the details of the Joe Weaver single ? - that's a new one on me
By GrahamD (62.254.0.8) on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 03:51 pm: |
Yan, Miracles was writen by Don Davis,the A side Cant take it, was writen by Don Davis& Jackson,it does say on the record that it was produced by Daco records but i have never seen a copy.The song miracles was a Beda publication,via Bmi. Hope this snippet helps
Ps, I have just played the above record and it sounds good. GrahamD.
By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Friday, February 14, 2003 - 10:45 am: |
Hi!
Here are some passages what Don Davis had to say about the early O'Jays days:
"I met the O'Jays in Cleveland either late fifties or early sixties. I was working with my trio at a local club while also working as A&R Director for Thelma Records...
I first heard the O'Jays by way of an introduction from Eddie O'Jay, a popular disc jockey and friend in Cleveland...
We immediately signed them and decided to name them after Eddie O'Jay, the O'Jays. Eddie would also manage them as well. Miracles was our first recording and I believe it was written by Eddie. I don't recall "Can't Take It". It may have been written by me...
...The Playboys was also signed to the label. "Tears, Tears, Tears" was their first recording. It was also one of the first recordings James Jamerson ever performed bass on. I believe his first was "Won't You Let Me Know" by J.J.Barnes, also DACO, but sold to John Richburg for national distribution...
(Soul Express)
Heikki
By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 02:06 am: |
I think Don was refering to the style of playing by Jamerson on "Tear, Tears, Tears" - it wasn't his first recording and neither was the J.J.Barnes song - athough this was Don's first involvement in the recording business. I guess that's why he made the comment. I interviewed Don and basically that's what he told me.
Also, The Payboys had previously recorded on Federal as The Ramblers and ...from memory...for Robert West on Contour.
Graham
By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 11:32 pm: |
"Festival Time" was released on the Gordy label, not Soul. Sorry about that bit of mis-information. I guess I was thinking of The Fantastic Four's - I Love You Madly.
Davie - Here's the details of Joe Waeaver's Daco 45...
#1307 - Farm Boy / Standing On The Corner
Cheers, Graham