By Chancellor of Soul (66.207.40.18) on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 03:56 pm:

Hi Dennis,
I know you played on so many great sessions
but is it true that you played on the Floaters'
" Float On" sessions ??? If so, can you get me
details on what was it like to play on that
particular song ???? I know also that this was
during the same time, you were producing your
group, " CJ & Co".

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.195.184) on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 08:22 am:

Hi Mike. I was the arranger on Float On. I also played guitar on some cuts. There was a young guitar player on the session from the band. He was trying to get the echoplex effect on the record that I used on the intro to the Dramatics in the Rain. The problem was he didn't have an echoplex unit. He was really trying hard so I felt I had to help him. I stopped playing guitar and gave him my echoplex unit to use and showed him how to get that effect. We recorded the record at Pac 3 in Dearborn.

Dennis

By Chancellor of Soul (64.12.103.21) on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 11:17 am:

Thanks Dennis ! Have a great weekend !

Take care,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By LBJ (63.88.160.101) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 01:58 pm:

one of the most boring songs that has ever been written produced or put on vinyl,float on. I;AM SO AND SO , AND THE BORING COURUS. give us a break

By Sly fan (64.169.107.6) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 03:01 pm:

Mr. Coffey: I understand you are the guitar player on "In The Rain"..but here a something that I have been dying to find out because Stax doesnt list the musicians on that album except for "The Movement ot The Bar Kays" but "In The Rain" is not their sound...is the "The Funks" playing on that (the bass of Mr. Jamerson really gives it away..).

Thanx a mil..

Float On is STILL a great record..(to each his own). That whole Floaters album was great, "No Stronger Love" should've been a hit!!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 04:22 pm:

Damn, Dennis! Another fave of mine and you arranged it!
"Float On," "Devil's Gun", "Dearly Beloved", "Scorpio", "Cloud Nine", "In The Rain".
You were a very busy man...
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 09:26 pm:

Hi Sly Fan. I did the echoplex intro part on In the Rain. I don't believe it was the Funk Brothers on that record. We recorded it at United Sounds. I am not sure who else played in the band at the time. Sometimes the sessions begin to run together. I did a remake of that record a few years ago with Ron Banks. I think it was for a rap group.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 09:28 pm:

Hey KevGo. I had a lot of fun doing it!

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 09:40 pm:

Hi Dennis:

Jackie Moore ...Time

I noticed you and a Ray Minett are listed as the guitar players on this track. I guess there was a typo and Ray Minett should be Ray Monette. Can you clarify.

This song is one of my favourite dance records. I really dig the gripping guitar intro. Simply captivating.

What was the vibe like in the studio working with Dave Crawford and Brad Shapiro.

By Rich (162.33.234.3) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 12:11 pm:

Hey Dennis,

This thread reminded me that Tiki played drums on the sessions you and Mike Theodore produced for the first CJ & Co album (Devil's Gun). I was curious if you recall playing with or using Tiki on any other sessions and what he was like in the studio. I never saw him play, but LOUD is the one comment that tends to come up again and again.
Peace, Rich

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 08:59 pm:

Hi Soulpuss. That was Ray Monette on the session. I also worked with Brad and Dave in Muscle Shoals and Nashville recording Wilson Pickett. They were good producers and fun to work with.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 09:01 pm:

Hi Rich. I remember doing sessions with Tiki at Pac 3. He was a good drummer and did play loud. I didn't think he was too loud for the session. He was a funky player and did a good job for us.

By Soulpuss (24.102.217.36) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 10:01 pm:

Thanks Dennis. You and Ray certainly put down some tricky guitar wizardry on Jackie Moore's "Time". I just had a listen to it and I was dancing up a storm.

By Sly fan (67.115.72.242) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 01:17 am:

Thanx a mil Mr. Coffey!! Wow..so you were the one who started the craze with the echoplex because I rembember hearing it in Gladys Knight and The Pips' "Make Me The Woman You Come Home To (Not The One You Leave Behind)". Amazing song!! I love the drum patterns on that song too..

I also wanna thank you soooo much for your contributions to music...I rememeber listening to "Ride, Sally, Ride" the other day just shaking my head in disbelief..like damn this dude is too funky..

And of course...I dont know if you know but "Scorpio" is a Hip-Hop anthem that DJ's and Break Dancers are in love with and STILL play to this very day at parties.... what was it like recording that session and who were the musicians on that song... Thats a very intense piece..

Did you ever get a chance to work with Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers or Bill Withers??

Who is the drummer on "Have A Nice Day" by King Errison..how is King these days?? thats a baaad conga player!!

I didnt know Tiki was on the Devil's Gun Lp..wow another great drummer..May his soul rest...

As a guitarist, who were your main influences??

Do you ever come out to LA??

Thank you for taking the time out sir..It is an honor..

A-Ski aka
Sly fan (LA)

By LBJ (63.88.160.101) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 07:18 am:

In a Detroit news artical by Sue Whitehall Joe Messina is credited with the Intro to Its A Shame.I thought that you took credit for this work
Who played the intro on this song?You or Joe Messina of the Funk Bros

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 05:47 pm:

Thanks, Sly Fan. I knew Bill but never recorded with him or Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers. The musicians on Scorpio were Funk Brothers, Earl Van Dyke on keyboards, Uriel Jones and Pistol Allen on drums, Bob Babbitt on bass, Jack Ashford on tambourine and Bongo Eddie on Congas. The guitar melody was myself, Ray Monette from Rare Earth and Joe Podorsek. I did all of the guitar rhythm parts. I used to watch Wes Montgomery play and also had the chance to visit with him. He was probably my favorite back in the early days. I liked B.B.King and T-Bone Walker too. I was in LA a few years ago. I also lived in LA for three years in the seventies.

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.38) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 05:56 pm:

Hi LBJ. I remember Eddie Willis and me doing Shame, Shame, Shame. Joe could have been on there too but I don't remember that. It was a long time ago. I think things get a little confusing after so many years because good documentation was not kept on who played on what. An example of this is Eddie Willis was listed on a CD as the guitarist on the intro to Just my Imagination by the Temptations. That was me on the intro with Eddie playing an answer part.

By Sly fan (63.207.60.239) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 06:15 pm:

Thank you for taking time out Mr. Coffey in answering my questions!! WOW!! The FUNKS are on "SCORPIO"??!! Wow!! That Bob Babbit gest busy on that bass..I was always curious on that was..

The "FUNKS" lived up to their name!!

I am not worthy..I am not worthy..

Thank you Mr. Coffey..

PS: That Black Belt Jones Theme is still a killer too...I love the concept you did with the voices on that song..who is the conga player and drummer on that song?

By stephanie (64.63.221.140) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 07:58 pm:

Dennis,
I would call you Mr Coffey but I think of the Coffeemaker..I just wanted to say there is a friend of mine who is 21 years old and Im 40...he said that when he saw Freda Payne singing (and he is crazy about Freda) that the highlight of the night was to see how excited YOU were playing your guitar behind Freda singing.

I thought you might like to know you have touched a whole new generation because he also knows about a lot of the other music that you play on.

I didnt know you produced CJ and Company though I loved Devil's Gun..the things you find out on this forum are incredible...
Stephanie

By stephanie (64.63.221.140) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 08:00 pm:

Hey Mr Coffey,
Have you seen this>

http://www.denniscoffey.com/

Stephanie

By Caleb (63.208.117.58) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 09:37 pm:

Sly fan,that's some of the most happening bass work on Scorpio(Babbitt also known as Big B slash Bienboski).

By ChuckK (12.10.219.46) on Friday, April 11, 2003 - 11:12 pm:

Babbit's bass on Scorpio was ahead of its time back then. See the scene in SITSOM where Jack Ashford and Ralphe Armstrong talk about not being able to get a recording session as a bassist in Detroit if you couldn't play the Scorpio solo that Babbitt played. Dennis' production of that album, in my humble opinion, was also ahead of it's time. Just another piece of Dennis' skill and artistry as an incredible musician and producer.

By Sly fan (67.115.74.118) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 12:58 am:

Caleb/Chuck..Yes!! It makes me want to look for more of Babbit's work!! He kills it on that track (Scorpio)..His solo sounds as if he were "scatting". He was ahead of the game without a doubt..

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 09:53 am:

Hi Sly fan. I am not sure who I used on Black Belt Jones because I don't have album credits to refer to. I think I used Jazz Crusaders Wilton Felder on bass and Joe Sample on piano. The drummers I used a lot back then were Ed Green and James Gadson. I also used Joe Clayton and King Errisson on congas. I am putting the final touches on the US version of my book, Guitars, Bars, and Motown Super Stars which will be released here by the University of Michigan Press. There are more session stories in the book.

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 09:57 am:

Hi Stephanie. After I taught Wah Wah Watson how to use a Wah Wah pedal, he used to call me Coffeemaker. A few years ago, he sent me a new Wah Wah pedal in appreciation. Thanks for the compliments.

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 10:01 am:

Hi Caleb. Babbitt was a also a killer on bass in live performances. I played with him in bands for a lot of years. The last band was my Detroit Guitar Band on the road. That solo on Scorpio was ahead of its time.

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 10:11 am:

Hi ChuckK. Thanks for the compliments. I still love making music and records. I had the opportunity to live out my musicial dreams and looking back, I now realize I was one of the lucky ones.

By Sly fan (67.115.73.113) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

Thanx a mil Dennis!! I WILL pick up that book when released...

I noticed you mentioned album for Black Belt Jones..Was there an album that was suppose to be released because the only thing that exists is the 45...I never knew why Sussex didnt release the album..thats a great soundtrack (courtesy of the movie..)..


WOW!! The Jazz Crusaders!! James Gadson!! aww maaaan, I am overwhelmed!!

By Kegtapper (63.208.186.125) on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 11:08 pm:

Mr Coffey- Will your upcoming book have the discography of the song credits?

Were you given sheet music for songs like Psycheldelic Shack, or was it free form, letting you do your thang?

Also coming up in the 60's thats when I started noticing the psychedlic sound, especially the WAH-WAHs man... You made me wonder what kinda instrument made that sound. Feel honored to be even in the same forum with a legend.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 09:32 am:

Hi Sly Fan. I didn't record an album to support the Black Belt Jones music. There was just the single. There is supposed to be a compilation CD of my Sussex material released on Right Stuff records this year. I also have an entertainment lawyer in LA shopping a new jazz CD on me called Flight of the Phoenix.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 09:47 am:

Hi Kegtapper. My book has nine pages of a selected discography. I say selected because I know there are probably twice as many that I can't recall. When things were busy, I was doing 18 three hour sessions per week. We usually recorded about three songs a session which came out to over 50 songs per week. At Motown we were given sheet music that included three staffs. The piano part with some bass lines and some guitar parts were all on this sheet. The entire rhythm section was given the same sheet. All of the special effects introductions were my own creations. The figure on the intro to Cloud Nine was written but I expanded it by using the wah wah pedal. All other intros from Psychedelic Shack to Ball of Confusion and even Just My Imagination were my own ideas. I also include Friendship Train and the solo on Smiling Faces. If it wasn't for our fans buying our records we would not have been successful. We all appreciate it.

By Sean (67.83.160.82) on Sunday, April 13, 2003 - 11:04 pm:

Dennis what kind of guitars where you recording with in those days? I have seen pictures of you with a Gibson Byrdland, and a Gibson Firebird. I noticed in recent photos you are playing a Gibson ES335 with the pickup covers off.

Sean

By Larry (12.141.160.25) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 12:12 am:

Dennis,

Is that you on Edwin Starr's WAR?
Man what a raucus session. Great stuff.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 08:18 pm:

Hi Sean. I used the Gibson Firebird on most of my sessions at Motown and Golden World. I used the Gibson Byrdland on my Hair and Thangs Album and for jazz gigs. I still have them both. I now use a Gibson ES345 converted to mono with the pickup covers off. I used that guitar on most of my sessions in LA. I also have a Gibson 335, two Hondo acoustics and a Washburn Classical.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 08:22 pm:

Hi Larry. Yes that was me doing the distortion guitar up high and the solo in the background on War. I also played it with Edwin for the other DVD of the PBS Special that wasn't shown on TV. Edwin was a great singer and super nice guy.

By stephanie (64.63.221.126) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 09:11 pm:

I lost my CJ and Company album...WAHHHHHHHH
Stephanie

By Larry (12.141.160.25) on Monday, April 14, 2003 - 10:31 pm:

Dennis,

I'm not surprised it was you on WAR. From what I've learned (and correct me if I'm wrong) your knack for experimentation and unconventional leads landed you a lot of studio gigs and your permanent place in Pop history. It's an honor sir.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 07:34 pm:

Thanks Larry. I always liked to try new things or approaches in the studio. That was one of the things that made it fun for me. I really don't like doing the same things over and over. Maybe I get bored easily or have a short attention span. ;<)

By Rich (162.33.247.113) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 08:23 am:

Speaking of intros Dennis, I remember reading that you played on the session for "I Wanna Testify". I'm curious about the song's classic intro. Was that one played by you and if so, do you recall who's came up with the idea.

Also Dennis, I was curious if you developed several different intros or effects for songs like Psychedelic Shack & Cloud Nine and then Whitfield would use the one he best liked.

I never knew before this thread that you were connected to "Float On", another gold record. Back then everybody's album credits listed the group/band members zodiac sign.

Peace

By young fan (63.88.160.101) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 01:38 pm:

Mr. Coffey " Flight Of The Phoenix" is a copywritten title owned By Time Warner, I would double check with a copyright lawyer before you go ahead with your project, just a word of caution from a fan.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:02 pm:

Hi Rich. I was playing the low guitar figure in the introduction. I believe that was a written part. Eddie Willis was playing the chords in the intro.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 06:06 pm:

Hi Young Fan. I will check. I thought you can't copywrite the name of a song, just the words and music. Maybe you can copywrite the name of a CD. There is no song called Flight of the Phoenix on the CD

By Val Gursky (24.31.197.243) on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 10:23 pm:

Hi Dennis,
It's me, your old buddy from the Pyramids, Val Gursky. My Brother, Bob, turned me on to this good site. Thanks again for playing with Bob & I at our wedding. Playing with you again was just like going back in time. My wife & I are living in Myrtle Beach. If you are ever down this way, please look us up. Your one of the best musicians, in my opinion, that came out of Detroit. Email us sometime @egursky@sc.rr.com
Your buddy, Val Gursky

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 01:29 pm:

Dennis,

Don't worry about using "Flight of The Phoenix"
as an album title - it's not a problem.

The only way you could have a problem is if you
used somebody's name as part of the title,
say, "George Benson's Greatest Hits" - the new
album from Dennis Coffey :-) My understanding is
that you can't copyright a title, how many
different songs are there called "I Love You"?,
it's the intention to deceive or mislead a buyer
that's the crucial point.

Davie

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.188.68) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 08:40 pm:

Thanks for the info Davie.

By young fan (63.88.160.101) on Tuesday, April 22, 2003 - 07:01 am:

Mr.coffey.Flight of The Phoenix Is a Movie, it has a sound tract it is owned by Time Warner. That is why is why i posted this in the first place. I like your music and did not want you to get into a law suit with a giant Corp.

By Young Fan (63.88.160.101) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 02:44 pm:

To Davie try putting out an album with the title Abby Road, The Wall, or any other album title that has been put out before and see how fast you end up in court.

By Young Fan (63.88.160.101) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 02:46 pm:

To Davie try putting out an album with the title Abby Road, The Wall, or any other album title that has been put out before and see how fast you end up in court.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Thursday, April 24, 2003 - 03:27 pm:

Hey Young Fan,

For your information there are four films called
"The Wall" all released after the Pink Floyd
album. The group's own film was called "Pink Floyd
: The Wall" to differentiate it from the others.

There's already been at least one album called
"Flight Of The Phoenix" (in 1994) totally unrelated to the soundtrack of the film you're talking about. Is the film soundtrack you
mention the one for the 1965 film or is it the
soundtrack to a remake - I don't really keep up
to date with films so there may have a been a
recent film called "Flight Of The Phoenix".

There are at least nine songs called "Flight of The Phoenix". I have no idea how many books there
are, other than Elleston Trevor's, that use the
same title.

I don't want to belabour the point but copyright
lies in a complete work. In a song it's the words and music. In a film it evolves out of the script.It's the whole thing not just the words used in the title - the title is just a label - it
is not the work itself.

If it was possible to copyright the use of words,
or combinations of words, in the way you're saying some corporation would have copyrighted
every word in the English language and we'd all
have to pay to talk or write.

Davie

PS the album's called "Abbey Road" - that's a street in London - good job for the Beatles that
the City of London didn't sue their asses for using one of their street names.