By john dixon (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 03:25 pm:

Despite all the comments on the Posner thread, I found his book staring at me from the new release shelf at my local library. I snatched it, confident that none of you could witness my transgression; after all, free speaks very loudly to me. Anyway, having just finished "To Be Loved" last month, I couldn't believe how much Posner was just re-stating Berry's book in the opening chapters, so I stopped then and there. Time to go to the original sources; what are the titles and co-writers of Martha Reeves' and Mary Wilson's books? My library doesn't have Sue's book and couldn't find it through their library exchange program either. Rats. I've read Otis Williams' book; are there any other essential Motown books that I'm missing?


What is the story behind the songwriting credits of Curtis Mayfield's "Can't Satisfy" being awarded to H/D/H? Who was the whistle blower? Sure it sounds like a Motown song but was it THAT close to "This Ol' Heart Of Mine"? When I hear "My Sweet Lord", I can't stop thinking "He's So Fine". But when I hear "Can't Satisfy", I'm not at all thinking "This Ol' Heart Of Mine"....

Can anyone confirm the rumors that there will be "A Cellarful Of Motown, Volume 2"? I also heard that Motown was going to a release an entire CD of original tracks stripped down to spotlight the Funk Brothers like "Bernadette" and "You Can't Hurry Love" on the SITSOM soundtrack. Any truth to that?

And finally, is there anywhere you can buy a Motown logo t-shirt, like navy blue with the map logo? I would wear that slap out...

I truly appreciate any and all responses.

By Common (209.2.55.168) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 03:56 pm:

Hello John,

I think the co-writer on Martha's book was Mark Bego, but don't quote me & the title is "Nowhere To Run: Confessions of a Motown Diva". Mary's book is called "Dreamgirl: My Life As A Supreme" w/ Patricia Romanski(sp?). I think Patricia co-wrote Mary's second one as well & the title just escapes right about now.....

There are some Motown books that I think are worth reading such as:

Marvin Gaye's "Divided Soul" written by David Ritz

Raynoma G. Singleton's "Berry, Motown, & Me"

Tony Turner's "All That Glittered"(I know I'll probably catch flack for recommending this but I found his book extremely interesting plus if you look on the back of the book, it is endorsed by none other than Eddie Kendricks & David Ruffin!). Strange, I noticed that a quote from Tony's other book "Deliver Us From Temptation" was lifted by Posner & is in his book!

Nowhere To Run-Gerry Hirshey (long out of print but you may find it in the library or check out ebay)

Where Did Our Love Go?-Nelson George (yeah, it's filled with inaccuracies but it doesn't make for a bad read.)

The Motown Story-Peter Benjaminson(this is a very hard book to get but if you can find a libray that carries it, you're in luck!)

I hope this info helps! :o)


Peace!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:16 pm:

Hi John

I'll let someone else fill in the details on the Mayfield/HDH question...

Cellarful 2 IS in the pipeline. That we've been told, but no more concrete details have yet passed the tightly-sealed lips of those in the driving seat.

Re the bare-bones Funks tracks, this has been intimated in respect to the proposed 4-disc Deluxe edition of the SITSOM DVD. If you check out the Motown BB, you'll find there's been some discussion on this topic already.

http://boards.motown.com/

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:32 pm:

John:
Good question re: "Can't Satisfy"/"This Old Heart Of Mine". I remember reading in the Curtis Mayfield/Impressions anthology (released by MCA in 1992) that Curtis had to surrender the rights to that song. Next time I speak to Eddie Thomas (Curtis' former partner in Curtom) I will ask him about this - he was managing the Impressions at the time.

To add onto Common's list, I recommend the book THE MOTOWN ALBUM which is filled with vintage photos from the label's vault.

Also if you can find the original pressing of this album (from 1970), grab it - THE MOTOWN STORY LP boxed set, filled with interviews with the stars of Motown and their hits.

Finally, there's the book from the man himself - BERRY GORDY "TO BE LOVED." The sucker reads like a soap opera in some places but it's a very easy read. Also gives the reader a fly-on-the-wall view on how he and Raynoma built the Hitsville facility from the ground up.

Good luck!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Mark K (81.131.80.31) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 04:48 pm:

John
Another good Motown read is "Motown the History"
by Sharon Davies, the book published in the UK
in 1988 has over 360 pages and the UK publisher was Guiness Books in the US the publisher was Sterling of New York.
At the end of the book there is a comprehensive discography US & UK>
Sharon Davies is quite an authority on Motown publishing books on Diana Ross and running the fan club Motown Ad Astra in the early 70s.
Cheers
Mark K

By soulie dave uk (62.254.64.5) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:07 pm:

John, I've seen T shirts and polo shirts with the Motown logo for sale at some soul nights in the North East of England so someone is making them. Beatin' Rhythm in Manchester sell clothing with logos on, Motown, Okeh, Stax, etc and their on the net. Hope that helps.

By Vickie (64.236.243.31) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:17 pm:

Dont' forget "Women of Motown" by our own Sue Whitall.She was one of the first if only to elaborate on Tammi info and went to the sources and got it right..

Vickie

By Common (209.2.55.171) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:39 pm:

Two more:

There's one by Virginia Aronson called "The History Of Motown". It's geared to towards the preteen/teen set.

The Motown Story-Don Waller.(It has a complete listing of discography of every Motown record up until '85. Good for those who are diehard Motown collectors).


Peace!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.10) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 05:44 pm:

A history of Motown for preteens? Wow... does it explain what those little round black plastic things were back in '65 B.C.? (Before Compact-discs)

By Uptight! (24.55.6.144) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 07:19 pm:

John, Motown Historical Museum should still be selling the blue T-shirt with the map label. It's been a while since my last visit, but they also had purple T-shirts with the Gordy script label ("It's what's in the grooves that counts.")

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58) on Wednesday, February 26, 2003 - 11:19 pm:

John, I want to second Common's suggestion - Don Waller's book is good just for the interview with Earl Van Dyke. I'm pretty sure it's out of print, so check out ebay.
The same goes for Miss Ray's book too. You should cerainly read this if you've read Berry's autobiography.
Graham

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 09:43 am:

HEY JOHN,I ALSO RECOMMEND[THE MOTOWN STORY]GOOD INTERVIEWS ESPECIALLY THE ONE WITH MEVLVIN UNDER{MEET THE TEMPTATIONS}GOOD MOTOWN BOOK.

By Stephanie (64.63.221.201) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 10:44 am:

I have to tell you all there is one Motown Book by Randy Taraborelli that was awesome and I used to have it and cant find it. Its called Motown
Hot City Wax and Cool and it had pictures and dates of all kinds of Motown happenings.

Anyone on this list who has read that book knows what Im talking about. I think you can get it from the used section on amazon.com I know Im going to get it next week if I can find it or on EBAY but I have not seen that book anywhere for a long time. He also did a book called Diana that is out of print and it was very informative and it didnt have all the negativity of Call Her Miss Ross.

While you are at it pick up Darlene Loves book its still in print and its called My Name is Love great story on Phil Spector and her life and the recording studio.
Stephanie

By TonyRussi (68.18.49.69) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 12:43 pm:

Yes, Susans' book "The Women of Motown" is one of the best. along withMartha Reeves "Dancing In the Streets-Confessions of a Motown Diva", Mary Wilsons'"DreamGirl-My Life As A Supreme" and Berry Gordys'"To Be Loved".

By john dixon (152.163.188.68) on Thursday, February 27, 2003 - 01:28 pm:

Thanks for the superb feedback everybody. I just got back from the library where they've put the Mary Wilson and Martha Reeves books on reserve for me. I was aware that there were a ton of Motown-related books out there and you folks helped me cut through the flotsam.

Uptight, I tried all of the Motown Historical Museum sites and they all seemed to just be information ABOUT the MHM. I thought I had it one time but the home page just played "I Can't Help Myself" and didn't go anywhere.

And if anybody knows the story behind Curtis Mayfield having to give up authorship to "Can't Satisfy"... To me, knowing as little as I do about it, it seems that Motown took an unnecessarily hard-ass stance. I mean, it's not like Curtis was running short on song ideas. On the surface it just looks like the King of Chicago soul tipping his hat in respect to the Detroit sound. Does anyone else think "Can't Satisfy" is THAT close to "This Ol' Heart Of Mine"? There's gotta be more to this story...