By Eli (151.197.110.143) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 05:41 pm:

Vonnie and I had a wonderful day today hanging
out with Jimmy Scott and his wife Jeanie(Soul Sister)
We went to Val Shiveley's record shop and had a great time reminiscing and taking pictures.
Jeanie and Vonnie bought some classic 45's and other goodies.
Tonight it's off to Zanzibar Blue to Jimmy's show.

Jimmy and I plan to record a set of contemporary tunes with his own uniqe flavor.

By Eli (151.197.110.143) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 05:54 pm:

Opps..that should be "unique"!!!!

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 06:01 pm:

Bobby

I've seen Val Shively's advertised so often but can't recall where it is? PA somewhere rings a bell.

I think I saw the shop on British TV last year briefly.

David

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 06:06 pm:

P.S. is this Little Jimmy Scott who recorded for Giant?

"It rained 40 days and nights"?

Perhaps not! but I dig that record so much.

By Eli (151.197.110.143) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 06:13 pm:

It is the legendary Little Jimmy Scott who started out with Savoy in the 50's and is quite an icon in the Jazz world.

Val Shiveley's R&B records in in Upper Darby Pa just in the Western suburbs of Philly five minutes from my house.
When you come to Philly I will take you there and I promise that you will be amazed by the inventory and memorabilia!!

By LQ Nay Nay (198.81.26.231) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 06:52 pm:

I wanna go there Bobby



LaQuisha

By 65memories (66.72.184.39) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 07:16 pm:

Eli...
My wife and I are big Jimmy Scott fans...we have four CD's and have worn one of them out (titled "All the Way"). From liner notes, it indicates that Jimmy's years with Savoy were the worst years of his career. Any truth in that? Another question..."Everybody's Somebody's Fool." a record that served as a milestone in Jimmy Scott's career...was it written by Lionel Hampton and is there a story behind that recording? Maybe Jeanie knows. It must be great to be able to hear the experiences of a musical icon firsthand.
Gary Torgerson

By Leoscasino (66.72.200.3) on Friday, May 09, 2003 - 09:32 pm:

Jimmy Scott is our hometown hero. He lives a few miles from me. I am thrilled that he is being recognized (again). He is an absolute legend. Here in Cleveland, we are proud!

By Eli (141.151.56.122) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 02:28 am:

All I can say is WOW!!! What a night.
Vonnie and I attended both sold out shows at Zanzibar Blue, Philly's premier jazz venue.
One of the blockbusters was the piano and vocal performance of Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word and it was a standing ovation and then some.
Also Motherless Child and Everybody's Somebody's Fool, which was his first recording albeit uncredited with the Lionel Hampton Band in 1949 on Decca. The record read "with vocal"!!!

Jimmy held court backstage with his many tales of the road and of the ruthless record men.

We are going back tomorrow for another two shows.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.4) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 02:48 am:

Bobby,Vonnie,
great to hear great things about great artists like (Little)Jimmy Scott.
Thanks for the info.
mel.

By GrahamD (62.254.0.9) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 11:12 am:

Bobby,please post Val Shivelys address please,we are in Philly later on in the year and would like to visit the shop. GrahamD

By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 12:04 pm:

LIKE I SAID ELI,YOU ARE A LEGEND AND YOU HANG OUT WITH LEGENGS..LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT,IT DON'T GET NO BETTER THEN THAT!

By 65memories (66.72.181.173) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 12:49 pm:

Bobby...
Thanks for the information. If you get a chance, regale us with some of those Jimmy Scott "tales of the road."
Gary Torgerson

By Eli (151.197.117.133) on Saturday, May 10, 2003 - 01:45 pm:

Vonnie and I are blessed to have Jimmy and Jeanie as our friends and the fact that Jimmy is the living legend that he is, and a walking encyclopedia of Jazz from its humble beginnings, astounds me.
Here is a man who has had as personal friends
Billie Holiday who's funeral Jimmy personally officiated, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Lionel Hampton, Big Maybelle, you name them,he knew them.
The dealings with Herman Lubinsky and Savoy records were legendary.

There is no one, and there will never be anyone quite like him.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 05:39 am:

Bobby sends in this stunning photo.
L-R Bobby, Jimmy Scott, Chuck Gamble (President of Philadelphia Intl Records)

By RD (63.188.33.16) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 08:32 am:

Little Jimmy Scott was working at a restaurant in Cleveland before being rediscover this last time. I can't recall the name of the place.

By Soul Sister (65.43.153.219) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 06:11 pm:

Anyone wanting to know more on Jimmy pick up his biography released Oct.2,2002 by Dacapo Press titled "Faith In Time" The Life Of Jimmy Scott by award winning writer David Ritz, the writing part of the book was actually completed almost 2&1/2 years ago. There's alot left out and alot has happened since then but the publisher's only gave David so much space to write the story but there are plenty of legendary tales that are in the book. It's now in the works of being made into a major motion picture for HBO, negotiations are presently underway. The soft-cover of the book will be released soon with corrected information on the photos. Bobby, thanks for the kind words and man, it was great hangin'with you and my soul sister Vonnie!! S.S. Jeanie

By Soul Sister & Js Way Jazz (65.43.153.219) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 07:12 pm:

Jimmy asked me to relay this message: "Thank you to everyone for your interest, it's a blessing to still be out here performing and Iam grateful for all the friends and fans I have had the pleasure of meeting along the way, and to everyone here at the forum." "Bobby & Vonnie it's a blessing to have friends like you and Iam sincerely grateful." Jimmy Scott

By Soul Sister Js Way Jazzz (65.43.153.219) on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 10:01 pm:

"65memories; The story of"Ëverybodys Somebodys Fool". While at the Apollo this girl brought by a song she wrote, took it to every singer in "Gates"band (Hamp), no one wanted anything to do with the song, someone suggested she take it to Jimmy Scott's dressingroom to see if he wanted to sing it, well the meter was off so Jimmy and one of the musicians took the song and re-worked it. The young lady's name was Regina Adams, she was the writer, but Jimmy & Duke helped rewrite/rework it, they never got credit. Gladys who was Gate's wife & business manager put his name down as writer's credit. Anyway Jimmy sung the song, Gates offered Jimmy a deal to record it, he did on Decca with Gate's band, it became a national jukebox hit and No, 6 on the r&b charts. When the record was released it said Lionel Hampton's Orchestra with Vocalist, the reason Gate's did this back then with all his artists (with the exception of Dinah Washington) was that if a featured singer left the band (which many did due to Gladys's notoriously low salaries), Gates could substitute another of his singers to sing the song. When Jimmy left the band Gates made Irma Curry sing his songs, tho'everyone knew it wasn't Irma but Jimmy on the recording. I understand Irma was upset and even told Jimmy she didn't want to sing his songs but that man(Gates) made her, she said everyone hollered for Jimmy to sing his own songs. Irma was even credited for the 45 later on which was a mistake as everyone who knew that song knew it was Jimmy. But for a big band back then the singers were interchangeable. I have another bootleg story with Bird & Jimmy live at Birdland but I'll leave that for another time. Jeanie

By Eli (141.152.252.122) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:55 am:

Hi Jimmy and my Soul Sister!!!

Thanks for being so gracious to Vonnie, Denise and myself.
It was such a thrill to be engulfed into such a mesmorizing experience and I will cherish it always.
Jimmy.. I cant wait to start the project man.
In the meantime I will be getting the song ideas together.
Your friend,

Bobby Eli (and Vonnie too!!!)

By 65memories (198.109.0.231) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 09:43 am:

Soul Sister
Jeanie...
Thank you so much for relaying the information and the "real facts". We wish you and Jimmy continued success and I look forward to reading the book and also hearing that "bootleg" story about Bird and Jimmy. The relating of your experiences is another reason why this forum is so valuable. All My Best,
Gary Torgerson

By matt (208.130.56.167) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:18 pm:

i've always been confused about this. is this the jimmy scott who recorded for giant? what about for eastbound? same person? or not?

By Soul Sister Js Way Jazz (65.43.153.219) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:27 pm:

65memories/Hi Gary; Got a minute in-between booking "gigs", the phone has been driving me crazy since we been back (smile) oh well, its better it rings than not. Charlie Parker... As you know thru the years entertainers often catch each other's shows when gigging in same town if they have the chance. In 1951 Jimmy left a gig in Conneticut came back to Manhattan went to Birdland to catch Bird's show. As Jimmy was coming down the stairs Bird was blowing Ëmbraceable You" from the bandstand he spotted Jimmy coming down the stairs and waived to him to join him on the stage. Bird told the band to start the song over, asked Jimmy to sing, he did so. Jimmy didn't know it was being recorded at the time. Columbia put out the Bird album"A Night At Birdland" with Jimmy singing Embraceable You on it, only it was listed as (female blue's singer) Chubby Newsome on it! The reason they did it like this (even though Jimmy wasn't aware of it at the time) was Jimmy was under contract to another record company. was what the reason given anyway. Today its out on CD in both Bird's boxed set and on a single CD on the Swan label. Jimmy sounds so so young on it. There were many times Jimmy never got singing or writer's credit on recordings that were his and never got royalties on recordings he did that were released but none more than on Savoy Records, but he's not the only one with that particular label that got screwed there were many including Little Esther. Big Maybelle. and list goes on... It's interesting history in the industry.

By 65memories (198.109.0.236) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 01:03 pm:

Thanks, Jeanie...
That problem with Savoy indicates what I had read once in liner notes. Thanks also for the Bird story. My brother-inlaw, a big fan of Bird and Jimmy, plays that boxed set continually. That little bit of history will make his day!

By Soul Sister at Js Way Jazz (65.43.153.219) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 06:03 pm:

Matt; This Jimmy Scott is the legendary jazz vocalist who had some crossover R&B records back in the day when Lionel Hampton gave him the stage name of "Little Jimmy Scott" today he is known throughout the business as Legendary Jimmy Scott. No, he is not the rock/r&b singer on the Giant label. There were a few Jimmy Scott performers throughout the years one a white guitar player, one a black musician/singer who was killed in Denver in 1965, some other dead guy in Europe or England, I never heard of the guy on Giant but there was only one legend named Little Jimmy Scott thats my Jimmy Scott, who's revered by singers & actors & dancers throughout show business, thats not to take anything away from any other performer with the same name just stating the true facts. My Jimmy started professionally in 1943 with Caldonia's Revue, then Lionel Hampton"s band, Paul Gayton's band'and then as a solo artist, He recorded for Universal (not released), Decca, Coral, Regal, Royal Roost, Savoy, King, Tangerine (Ray Charles label, Jimmy was one of Ray's favorite artists and wanted him to be one of the first to record on his new label in 1962), Jimmy also recorded for Atlantic, and his own label "J's Way". In the 1990s he recorded on CD for Sire/Warner,Artists Only!, Milestone/Fantasy, and soon back with Warner. He originaly recorded 10 - 33&1/3 LPs (one never released till CD), many 78s & 45s and about 34 CDs of his own out on varios labels including a Savoy boxed-set. He also recorded on many other atists CDs, compilations, movie soundtracks. He's modeled a little, appeared in a few movies & television, did a Madonna video, and American Bandstand when it first started singing "I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over". There is a biography out now and a major motion picture about his life in the works. Many artist used him as their Singer's Singer' males & females, Nancy Wilson said without a Jimmy Scott there would be no Nancy Wilson. Lisa Minelli said Every singer should get down and kiss his feet. Madonna said he is the only singer who could make her cry. Billy Holiday said when asked what singers influenced her she only named one Jimmy Scott. Ray Charles said He had soul way back when people weren't using the word. Quincy Jones (who was in Hamp's band with him) said Jimmy has a penertrating soul style that tore his heart out every night. Dinah Washington & Big Maybelle called him to sing in their place. When Marvin Gaye was in excile in Belgium he had only one album with him that he listened to day & night that was Jimmy's "Falling In Love Is Wonderful" Album. Sherman Hensley said if could sing like anyone he wished he could sing like Jimmy Scott. Joe Pesci, Frankie Valli, Frankie Lymon, Little Anthony, Little Stevie Wonder, Johnny Ray, Smokey, Michael Jackson, Ruth Brown, Lou Reed, The late Doc Pomus, just to name a few of the artist that loved him. I hope this helps clear up the "who's who"Jimmy Scott question. Thanks, Jeanie M. Scott

By matt (208.130.56.167) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 06:36 pm:

jeanie: thanks for the info! yes, i know your jimmy scott and he's a terrific singer! that's why i'm so confused about who the jimmy scott is who recorded for giant and eastbound. anybody???

By Soul Sister (65.43.153.219) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 07:32 pm:

Matt; All I know is the one on Giant was produced by Mike Terry, someone in Detroit should know more on him.

By Beebopman (68.73.29.216) on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 11:14 pm:

Eli:

Man, all I can say is WOW! To be able to spend time with such a ledgend. But, wait a minute, you're a ledgend too. Proud of you man...and a bit envious.

Beebopman

By MEL&THENSOME (212.159.54.220) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 12:30 am:

Soulsister,
thanks for clearing that up,
I always thought we were talking of the same Jimmy Scott that was on the Giant label that matt mentioned.
Thanks for all the info.
mel(andthensome).

By Eli (151.197.173.36) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

Hey beebopman!
I am not a legend. Just doing my job and blessed to have such great people as friends.
Looking back to all of the people whom I have personally known and /or rubbed shoulders with , the names would fill a telephone book. I am just flabbergasted that there I was, this pudgy Jewish/Ghetto kid right in the midst of all of it.
If there was a time machine I would hop in and relive the whole experience all over again!!!!
Sometimes I ask myself"self, could it be that I dreamt the whole thing??" It just seems so overwhelming at times, and to have lived through it all, It just doesn't get any better than that.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.87) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

Hey Bobby,
your a legend in my eyes brother!
mel.

By Eli (151.197.173.36) on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 - 04:17 pm:

Thanks (and then some!!)