By yoyoshep (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, June 07, 2003 - 11:33 pm:

Hope That We Can Be Together Soon, what a cold song by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes Featuring Teddy Pendergrass and Sharon Paige. Mr. Eli can you give some background on how that session was? You did some fantastic guitar work on that song; the wah wah parts, the melody line hook just graet! I know that the song was originally sung by Dusty Springfield on her Brand New Me album. Expert arrangement by Bobby Martin.

By dvdmike (68.72.93.248) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 09:28 am:

The song was originally recorded by Dusty Springfield for her "A Brand New Me" LP. The original title was "Let's Get Together Soon". The session was produced by Roland Chambers and Ugene Dozier at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia on October 16, 1969. Roland also wrote the chart. The "A Brand New Me" album was released on January 15, 1970 on Atlantic SD 8249. There was no single release.

By Eli (151.197.38.58) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 11:54 am:

Yoyoshep,
The rhythm track to the Harold Melvin version was produced by Harold aand it featured his drummer, bass player and keboard player along with Vince Montana, Larry Washington and myself on both guitar parts.
It was recorded in studio 2 at Sigma(downstairs)
Sharon was a girl that Harold was grooming at the time. Technically, it was not booked through P.I.R. as Harold was doing it as a "demo" and paying for it himself.
Joe Tarsia phoned Gamble and told him that he should hear what Harold was doing in the studio and well, the rest is history.
Gamble finished it up and got Bobby M. to do the charts and him and Huff got total credit for it and ..VOILA!!!

By gdwms (65.176.145.179) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 04:42 pm:

Is it true,that Harold is singing most of the duet
with Sharon and Teddy comes in near the end of the
song.I have trouble distinguishing between the two.

By Greg C. (207.103.134.38) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 04:58 pm:

Eli

Man, I'd wish you'd write a book. Your knowledge of the whole PI experience and the music business would make for intense reading. I admire your candor and truthfulness without resorting to sniping. Just the facts... You're a class act.

I still love the Philly Sound. That music was inspirational, powerful, and timeless and served as a soundtrack in my life during the crazy 70's.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.216) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 05:00 pm:

Gdwms, Harold's the tenor; Teddy's the baritone.

Eli, I like the song in question but the Melvin/Page duet that got the most play in juke joints was "You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good." I know it was less successful saleswise but people loved it.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 06:53 pm:

Hi Yoyoshep, and Mr. Eli--
That particular number by Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes was definately my R&B favorite, it was also 'number one' from 1975... and I cannot understand (since that number was a "million-seller" in that particular year) why local Detroit radio stations at the present, never seem to play that beautiful song rendition, all the while we seeminly only hear some of the others hits by them, all the time, on an all too familiar repeated basis over the radio... at least that's how it is here on the radio in (2003) Detroit....

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 07:03 pm:

Hello Jim Feliciano - I'm glad to know you are back on the scene. I missed you at the Cass Cafe.

There is a dj, whose name escapes me. He plays the Bluenotes, and the other groups that we love to listen to. He often promote some of the soul concerts at the Fox. I will get his name and station number for you.

By Sue (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 08:02 pm:

John Mason's station plays "old school" all day, is it Kiss FM, Sis?

Or Jay Butler on 'QBH? --Sue

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 08:05 pm:

Well hello there, my little SisDetroit!

I'm not sure whether you read my post under the thread 'SoulfulDetroit Event' [06/03 09:10PM], but my expressed apologies goes out to you as well, as all those who had attended (without me being there), just the same... yes, how unfortunate that I missed out in meeting you there that night!

But of course, I'll be seeing you face to face the very next time around, geez... and I hope that's really soon!

Thank you for your kind words-- I'm up an at 'em, back on my feet and I'm feelin' great. Yes, when you get a chance do pass me along that information you had mentioned above, and I will check that one out... as per your personal suggestion, and I thank you!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 08:07 pm:

Hi Sue!

By Eli (151.197.38.58) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 08:43 pm:

Greg,
Thank you so much for your kind and wonderful words.

It still amazes me just how that whole Philly thing came together and how the key players just happened to find one another and wind up at 212 N. 12th st to create that wonderful music which became known as the sound of Philadelphia.

Its true that musical region had their own idiosyncracies and nobody is perfect in the grand scheme of things, but I can truly say that from a monetary perspective , we as studio musicians have never gotten "ripped off" and we all worked together to make it work for one another.
The pay scale was not as high as it is now but for the time it gave us al comfortable livings and those of us who wrote and produced were in the right atmosphere to create those songs.

As far as writing a book goes,I have been asked many times to do it and when the time is right I will get to it.

By yoyoshep (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 11:29 pm:

Eli, thanks a bunch for your reply.

By StingBeeLee (68.43.130.52) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 11:48 pm:

In Detroit, Foody, who is on 92.3 FM, Sundays, from 7-12pm plays Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. Foody also plays all kinds of Detroit records, like the Fantastic Four, the Holidays and some of the Motown stuff you don't get to hear.
If, If, If you can get it, Henry Tyler on WHPR, 88.1 FM from 11:00 pm to the wee hours of the morning plays an incredible taped radio show, chock full of oldies. You can only get it within a 3 mile radius of Highland Park, unless your car is pointed in the direction of the station! I think Harold Melvin sings most of the duet with Sharon Paige, and Teddy comes in at the end. Doesn't Harold also start off "Wake Up Everybody"?

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 12:19 am:

StingBeeLee - That's the one. "Foody." He plays what we want to hear, he has the artist on his show, and he promotes concerts.

Sue - I talked to Melba, she couldn't think of Foody, but she named Ray Henderson WQBH at 6pm, Mon-Fri.

By Sue (205.188.209.109) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 12:35 am:

Yeah it's Foody on 92.3 I was listening to Thursday night -- really good stuff!

Stingbeelee, is Henry Tyler on HPR every night?

I just forgot, Thayrone had a whole show tonight from 7-11 and I missed it. Most radio is so bad I have to seek the good stuff out. I think I can get HPR in, although the Canadian classical station is around that frequency too ...

By John Barry Sheffield (195.92.168.168) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 02:47 am:

Monday Breakfast England UK


Hi Bobbi

That is good news "When the time is right" THAT you WILL WRITE A BOOK, when I read Your Posts, I always feel as if I am sat listening to YA! - that is such a gift, and what a Gift You shared with us with THE MESSAGE IN THE MUSIC! - as a late teen I came to Philly just to find SIGMA but I never did, though I just loved the CITY!

Currently I am saving up to visit Detroit and I am sure this time I will find HITSVILLE!

You are a TRUE GENTLEMAN - MR BOBBI ELI and it is a pure HONOUR to be able to chat with YOU and listen to Your comments and thought on the music we all LOVE so much.

Thanks John

By Eli (151.197.123.83) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 10:39 am:

John Barry.
I am blushing!!!!
When you come to the states again let me know and I will lead the way!!

Sting.... Wake up everybody is all Teddy just in his lower register.

Harold on sang on barely a handful of PIR recordings.

By StingBeeLee (68.43.130.52) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 12:51 pm:

Sue;
WHPR has been fooling around with it's format lately, sometimes Henry Tyler has been on during the nights, sometimes not. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to their schedule. I turn in at 11:00 pm or so weekdays to see what they are playing. Early last week they were playing some 80's trash at night, but then Thursday and Friday (after 12 midnight) I heard a set of Justine Baby Washington, then the Miracles, then early Temptations!! It's still all recorded tape, I believe.