By Larry (64.156.159.98 - 64.156.159.98) on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 05:10 am:

In my search for Jamerson tracks for study and practice I discovered this site, Mr. Babbitt, Mr. Mclean and so many more knowledgeable lovers of Motown. Thank you all and to David and Lowell, specially in his sorrow for his father's passing.

Perfect segue Lowell, for a new oldie I just discovered and the title for this "conversation".

Yes, the song is just a modulation. But, the warmth and Love of Stevie, the melody, his lyrics and the treatment by the band and production has guaranteed This Song a soft place in my heart.
I wonder if Stevie originally meant 'Thank You Lord', but that it wasn't "cool" in Pop to sing unveiled about G-d. I believe it was Brian Wilson who made it Ok for the Pop medium (God Only Knows).

Anyway, Lowell, on behalf of Stevie I dedicate the song to you.

Larry

By John lester (213.1.134.160 - 213.1.134.160) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:15 am:

Besides the other wonderful released version by Billy Eckstine.....the Elgins sing this.

When I first heard it, I thought I had gone to heaven and back........it was incredible....but thinking about it, it's the kind of song that Saundra's voice is suited to.

By John lester (213.1.134.160 - 213.1.134.160) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 04:18 am:

Besides the other wonderful released version by Billy Eckstine.....the Elgins sing this.

When I first heard it, I thought I had gone to heaven and back........it was incredible....but thinking about it, it's the kind of song that Saundra's voice is suited to.

By Larry (209.245.69.46 - 209.245.69.46) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 11:30 am:

John,

Heaven and back describes my feelings as well.
To *bump* into this song 36 years after it was released, and for it to have such an impact on me is just the greatest.

I didn't know this song had a history w/Eckstine and The Elgins. Do you know who wrote it and when? Anyone have info on the Stevie W. session?

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 11:40 am:

Didn't Betty Lavette do a version of the song
on Karen with Stevie's producer / co-writer
Clarence Paul ?

By Ritchie (62.254.0.8 - 62.254.0.8) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 01:15 pm:

Thank You Love - Stevie Wonder/Hank Cosby/Sylvia Moy. Stevie's version was issued in late 1966, on the Down To Earth album (TS272).

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 02:12 pm:

Sounds like a sitar on that record,can anyone confirm?? if it is a sitar,it must surely be one of the earliest examples of it in popular music.

By Larry (216.23.183.2 - 216.23.183.2) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 05:03 pm:

Soulboy,

I know why you'd think Sitar because it sounds so thin, but, I think it's a Telecaster or a Strat.

First time Sitar was used in Pop was The Beatles (Harrison), Rubber Soul, "Norwegian Wood" in '65.
http://www.aboutfamouspeople.com/article1575_5.html (par. 3)

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Monday, August 26, 2002 - 06:28 pm:

I should have known the fact about George and his use of the sitar, i've even got the rubber soul CD somewhere.
However i have owned both a strat and now a tele. i simply cannot get that sound out of mine,if it was done with a single six string guitar then surely it would have had to undergo heavy modifications to get that twang tone from it.