By brown8644 (68.134.173.164) on Saturday, June 14, 2003 - 10:52 pm:

Hi, Dennis in the Standing in the shadows of Motown the Book and CD's their a track of James
with you at a session. Whats are the chances of
this every being released. You guys sounded great.
Thanks!

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 01:28 pm:

Hi Brown. Thanks. I have a CD of James, drummer Melvin Davis and me playing live at a bar in Detroit in 1968. So far I don't have any label interest. There is also a track we cut and wrote at Motown called Fever in the Funkhouse. I don't know what happened to that either.

Dennis

By brown8644 (198.26.118.37) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 02:21 pm:

Thanks, Dennis I have a copy of Fever in the Funkhouse. Let me say it's slamming. I listen
to it quite often. I look forward to your material being reissued and any new material you
have coming out. Can you please update us on
what you currently have in the works. It's a great
honor to be talking the with Great Dennis Coffey.
Thanks your response is a joy.

By Marcel Visser (62.194.44.181) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 03:29 pm:

Hi Dennis,

I might be interested in putting out the recording you talked about. Please hit me on my e.mail?

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 03:37 pm:

HEY MARCEL!!!...IF IT'S THE GIG AT MORRIE BAKERS THAT DENNIS IS TALKING ABOUT...I WAS THERE...AND THE PERFORMANCES AT THAT CLUB WERE ALWAYS TOP RATE...WITH LOCAL MUSICIANS ALWAYS TRYING TO PUT ON A GOOD SHOW FOR THE FELLOW MUSICIANS IN THE AUDIENCE...AND I'M SURE IT WOULD BE A GOOD INVESTMENT!!!...STU

By MotownForever (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 03:56 pm:

Dennis:

Motown released "Fever In The Funk House" on the Motown Year By Year Series: 1969. Although that series is now out-of-print you may still be able to locate a copy.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 01:59 am:

Dennis,
Did you play on the mid / late 70's Fantastic Four album (the 1 with them in sharp suits & a lady on the front, the title escapes me at present). Your name doesn't appear on the sleeve apart from co-writer of 4/5 of the songs on there -- Andrew Hamilton being a writer of a couple of the other cuts).

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 06:47 am:

I Didn't mean to type Andrew above as the writer in question was Al (Kent) Hamilton.

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 07:06 am:

I had the pleasure of hearing a track from one of these shows at Dennis's home.

If it's the Frolic one....It is wonderful!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 11:01 am:

Dennis:
Kevin Goins - KevGo here.
Like MotownForever, your track "Fever In The Funkhouse" was released on that Motown Year By Year 1969 anthology (sadly discontinued). The tune was credited to James Jamerson.

I circulated your latest CD to labels here in NYC & I listened to your live disc from 1968. I'll call you later with details. I may have someone who is interested in your recordings with Jamerson.

Looking out for you!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By JSmith (195.93.50.10) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 01:05 am:

Dennis,
the Fantastic 4 LP I was talkin about is 'Got To Have Your Love' and although the record label is devoid of producer / arranger info, each track has the data laid out against it on the sleeve. You produced (in conjunction with James Epps) & arranged 5 of the cuts including the title track.
What can you remember about the project (cut at Pac 3 and Artie Fields but mixed in Philly).
None of the musicians who played on the sessions are detailed though but guess you handled guitar duties.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:17 pm:

Hey Kevin. Thanks. I appreciate your help.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:23 pm:

Hi JSmith. I remember working with Sweet James, Cleveland and the other guys. I probably played some guitar on the record as well. I also played on their records when they were at Golden World (Like the Whole World is a Stage and others) Mike Theodore and I also did their road charts and their show at the Uptown Theatre in Philly. There is a funny story about it in my book. They were nice guys to work with and very talented.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:27 pm:

Hi Brown. Thanks for the compliments. I am shopping a new CD called Flight of the Phoenix and Right Stuff Records is supposed to be releasing a compilation CD on me this year.

By Deputy Janet (198.26.119.85) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 03:19 pm:

Hi Dennis,

I just recently purchased a copy of "Instant Coffey" and I'm enjoying it to the utmost. Was James Jamerson the only bass player throughout the whole album?

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 06:01 pm:

Hi Deputy Janet. I'm glad you are enjoying the album. Jamerson was the only bass player on the album and he did a fantastic job as usual! Of course I let him do his thing and didn't tell him what to play except in a few songs where the bass part was atonal or in sections of the Sonata.

By Rich (162.33.235.226) on Friday, June 27, 2003 - 07:45 pm:

Hi Dennis,

I know you've mentioned Tiki Fulwood as drumming on the Devils Gun album you and Mike Theodore produced on CJ & Co. I was curious how he came to be involved in the project and if you and Mike ever used Tiki on any of the other sessions you produced for Westbound around that time such as The Fantastic Four?

Once again thanks for taking out time for the forum.

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 03:39 pm:

Hi Rich. I don't think we used Tiki on any other projects. We probably got his number from Bernie at Westbound because we needed a good drummer for the session.

By John Lester (217.40.234.9) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 04:17 pm:

Dennis

Face To Face with the Truth has been put out in the UK.......fab album. Hope you enjoyed playing as I much as I love hearing it.

....What it is, what it is...somebody tell me......

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, June 29, 2003 - 08:56 am:

Hey John. I enjoyed playing all their stuff. Of course my solo on Smiling Faces was one I had fun doing.

By ErikT.O. (64.228.108.116) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 05:09 pm:

Hi Dennis, I wanted to mention I saw a soundtrck lp for 'Blackbelt Jones' today (new)... the lp looks like a reissue of an old WB lp, dunno if someone's faking it though, since a friend at the store told me he was disappointed by all the karate fighting heard over the music... wander if the soundtrack was pulled from a video or something...? I was tempted by it but had to pass in favour of a Fatback comp I saw...

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 08:15 pm:

Hi ErikT. We did a the main theme and the love theme. There was no fighting over the music I recorded. It was on Warner Brothers. Maybe they released the rest of the sound track, which I didn't do.

By motown fan (63.88.160.101) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 07:34 am:

Happy 70 th birthday to you.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 07:44 am:

Hey Motown fan. I am years away from 70 and it isn't my birthday. I was one of the new guys at Motown in 1968. Where did you get your information?

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 10:19 am:

Dennis...didn't we just go through this? Seems like somebody wants you to be 70 years old.

By brown8644 (166.107.76.3) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 11:36 am:

Hey, Dennis can you talk a little about some of
your favorite sessions at motown and your independent work you've done over the years.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 05:23 pm:

Hey Ralph. I hope to eventually reach 70, but I still have some years to go.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 05:36 pm:

Hi Brown. I enjoyed every day I went to Motown for sessions. We had fun and made some great records. I'll always remember Cloud Nine because that was my first session there. I enjoyed working with Norman Whitfield because he allowed me the freedom to experiment and try new ideas. I also enjoyed working with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm section because it was southern funk. I also enjoyed working at United Sounds with the Dramatics and George Clinton. The first time I went to Bell Sound in New York with members of the Royal Tones to back up Del Shannon was great too. I had a lot of fun making music for a lot of years. I still play guitar and still enjoy it. I am shopping a new CD called Flight of the Phoenix and completing the US version of my book Guitars, Bars and Motown Super Stars which contains many session stories. I guess once you're hooked on music, you stay hooked.

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 06:05 pm:

Dennis

Cloud Nine ws quite a debut. Must have been nerve wracking!

Did you play on the entire album? If so, how long would it take to cut an album of this nature.

It always fascinated me that side A was NEW MOTOWN and side B was CLASSIC MOTOWN.

The A side became CLASSIC too.

Regards
David

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 09:05 pm:

Hi David. Normally we would record three or four songs per three hour session. When we worked with Norman, we would sometimes get two because the songs were longer. I think I did the entire album. I did the special guitar effects but had the experience of doing many R&B sessions at Golden World and other studios so I enjoyed doing classic too. I had played on many hit records before I got to Motown.

By Mr.D (68.40.52.152) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:05 pm:

Birthday greetings to Mr. Coffee. 70 years young and still going strong

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:12 pm:

HEY DENNIS!!!...ON ANOTHER THREAD I DISCUSSED PAUL JACKSON JR.'S NEW CUT OF "IT'S A SHAME"!!!...HAVE YOU HEARD IT???...STUBASS

By Soul Sister (65.43.167.42) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:18 pm:

Happy Birthday Mr. Coffee!!! Wishing you many more to come!!!!!!!

By MEL&THEN SOME9 (81.174.192.40) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:50 pm:

Dennis
wasnt it on the Cloud Nine session that
you improvised or were experimenting with the use of the then un heard of Wah-Wah peddle?

Apologies if not
I have spoke to you before about this I think Dennis.
I was going through some stuff and saw a piece regards your work at that time around 1970ish.

Anyway Dennis
you know I have a lot of your great material like bobby eli your a legend and a totally nice guy.
To think that way back in 1970
I first heard you on Real Humdinger and You gotta pay the price etc
to which all made me even then begin my long and at the time a seemingly never ending task of actually obtaining your fine works.

Today all these years on
I have at least a good 90% of your various works
and to think that I am a pig headed collector of just the rare soul stuff or in that vein.

But still appreciate a maestro when I hear one
dis-regards what material is going down.

Anywayt I am waffling again,
I have said it before but will keep on saying it
DENNIS COFFEY
LEGENDARY MUSICIAN
AND ALWAYS FINDS THE TIME NO MATTER WHAT TO ALWAYS RESPOND TO EVERY QUESTION ASKED.
they say the bigger the movie star the nicer they are,
well the same can be said regards musicians
They dont come any bigger and nicer than
DENNIS""Wah-Wah"COFFEY
Thanks for the music Dennis.

keep on rockin' the joint
mel(andthensome)

By P.J. (209.114.157.233) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 08:55 pm:

According to its webpage "Mr. Coffee" has only been around since 1972. Dennis Coffey was a new guy at Motown in 1968.

By RODS (195.93.50.10) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 09:07 pm:

Dennis, Im reading your book. £19.95!! I could have bought an OK record for that. How did you find time to record when you appear to have spent most of the time in bars claiming you weren't involved in fights.
Did you get paid for all those hip-hop cuts that sampled your "Scorpio" and if so you must be bloody loaded.
I met John Merlino in East Texas about 6 years ago. Colorful character to say the least. Would you happen to mention him in your book.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 07:08 pm:

Hi everyone. It is not my birthday and I have years to go before I am seventy.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 07:11 pm:

Hi Stubass. I've heard Paul before and he's a good guitarist. I have not heard his version of It's a Shame. I will listen for it.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 07:15 pm:

Hi Melandthensome. I did experiment with the Wah Wah pedal on Cloud Nine at the Motown Producer's Workshop. Norman Whitfield liked the sound and used me on the session. That's how I started doing sessions at Motown. Norman used me all of the time and let me experiment with special guitar effects and everyone else started using me.

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 07:22 pm:

Hi Rods. I learned to play guitar by working in bars and kept my fingers in shape by minding my own business. Most of the musicians at Motown did sessions during the day and played in bars at night. I did get paid for a few hip hop cuts but not all. I saw a list yesterday and I was amazed at all of my stuff that had been sampled. I am still working every day so I guess I'm not bloody loaded.

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 07:30 pm:

IT'S AN AWESOME CUT DENNIS!!!...I'M SURE THERE WAS SOMETHING PAUL LIKED ABOUT YOUR ORIGINAL THAT PROMPTED HIM TO WANT TO CUT THAT PARTICULAR TUNE!!!...STU

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 08:15 pm:

Thanks Stu. I will check it out. Say hi to your brother for me. The last time I saw Bruce was in the 70s in New York. I was doing a charity TV show with my band and he was there with Paul Anka. After the show, Paul wanted me to go to Japan and work with him. I had to refuse but I bet it would have been a blast.

By Rasputin (68.40.52.152) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 08:15 pm:

Keep on playin age is only a state of mind, Very few people can play like you at any age"Happy 70th

By drums (155.91.6.71) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 08:30 am:

Hi Mr Dennis!!!

First, I want all to know that Dennis Coffey is the MAN!!! (You guys already knew that ) I have had the opportunity to talk to him this weekend and get great stories about his time at Motown!!! Awesome!!

I listened to the New CD and I thought it was great!!! I especially liked track9 & 10. On one of the tracks, you used some type of guitar effect and it was PHAT!! But then it shut off and I didnt hear it again. I would put that effect in the entire song, but what do I know!! ()

Anyway, Happy 70th!! And Thank you for answering all of my questions!!! I am humbled by the great calls that I am getting!!

Daren Metz
Sony Music

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 09:11 am:

Dennis,
You mention enjoying playin with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm section, I guess this was in 'their' studio.
Just thought I would pass along the info that Malaco have put the MS studios up for sale (with / without the recording gear which is also available seperately I believe).
What can you remember about playin at the studio & it's vibe ???

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 05:50 pm:

Hello. Everyone. It seems everyone wants me to be seventy. Sure no problem but expect to see me jamming into my eighties and ninties. :<).

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 05:52 pm:

Hey Darin. Thanks for the compliments.

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 06:00 pm:

Hi JSmith. The studio at Muscle Shoals was in a square cinder block building. The inside of the studio reminded me of the "snakepit" at Motown. It was oblong in shape. Of course the musicians were great. We only got about one song every session (three hours) down there because the pace was more laid back. At Motown, we got three or four songs per session. The sound down there was pure southern funk. They also used the Nashville numbering system instead of written music. I enjoyed working with the guys down there.

By Millie (68.85.157.79) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 06:07 pm:

Hey Dennis...
I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, it's the coffee maker, Mr. Coffee who's celebrating a 70th birthday! Does anyone know if Mr. Coffee was around 70 years ago? As far as this Mr. Coffey is concerned, if he's 70, then I'm one lucky woman!!!!

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 10:17 pm:

Is it Dennis' birthday? If so, Happy Birthday Dennis!

By RIP (63.88.160.101) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 07:39 am:

Mr. Coffey, on a past tread you stated than you played the intro to It:s a Shame, Then later it was stated that Stevie Wonder play it on a clavonite , Who is right This is one of my favorite songs.


P.S. Happy birthday may you have 70 more

By p.J. (209.114.157.189) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 09:01 am:

As I have posted above, Mr. CoffeE was founded in 1972. If I am doing the math correctly, that makes the company and process, Mr. CoffeE, 31 years of age. Mr. Dennis CoffeY has revealed to us neither his birthday nor his age, but has only told us that he will not be celebrating his 70th birthday this nor in the next several years.

By LBJ (63.88.160.101) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 09:27 am:

with age comes wisdom,as we all know mr. Coffey is not only a very wise man, but a great player. lets all celebrate his age and lets hope he will keep on playing for many more years

By john c (12.2.233.107) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 03:22 pm:

RIP,

I think Sue meant that the Clavinet doubled the guitar(s) part. She got that from GC Cameron. Sounds like 2 guitars to me.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 06:54 pm:

Hi RIP. It was Eddie Willis and me on guitars. We could have been accompanied by Stevie on Clavinet.
Hey PJ. You got it right about my birthday.

By History buff (68.41.196.236) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 11:00 pm:

To clear this mess up how old are you anyway

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 06:53 pm:

Hi History buff. I have almost 10 years to go before I reach 70.

By Passen By (68.41.196.236) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 10:50 pm:

By your web page and your list of recoardings you must have started recoarding ay about 9 or ten .

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 08:44 pm:

Hey Passen By. I did my first record date at the age of 15. What web page are you referring to?

By Heikki (62.71.79.239) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 08:34 am:

Hi Dennis!
As I'm right now writing the Philippe Wynne bio (as part of the Spinners story), could you please tell us, what were the Wynne Jammin' sessions like, and how do you remember Philippe.
Best regards
Heikki

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.72) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 08:56 am:

Hey Dennis
whats your son up to these days?
I remember reading some while ago that he was helping you out in some way regards recording or general participation in the studios with you.

I apologise if I have got crossed wires here
but I am sure he was doing something(wasnt he?)

regards
mel(a wah wah pedal impersonator,but only with my mouth)

By Eli (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 11:58 am:

In my opinion, it is of no relevance or importance as to how old we are for what we
accomplish(ed) is timeless and ageless an an evergreen , to paraphrase ms. Streisand.

As the saying goes, "Age ain't nothing but a number", and personally speaking, my number ain't up yet, thank you!!!!!

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 04:12 pm:

Hi Heikki. Most of the time, the only people in the studio at Motown were the musicians, producers and arrangers. Once in awhile an artist/producer would be there but that was rare so I don't have any stories for you. I did enjoy playing with the Spinners on the recent PBS Special. They are a great group!

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.252.68) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 04:17 pm:

Hi Mel. My middle son was recording a group he was working with but recently decided to take a break and went to spend some time with my oldest son down south.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.110) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

Thanks Dennis
mel