By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 12:32 am:

This is my first time to the forum. I am honored to have found it and be a part of the impressive list of Performers, Artista, producers, Writers, etc, some of who I personally know.
To introduce myself, I am a songwriter who started with the Gamble & Huff Family at philly Int. Records in 1969. I have written and co-written such songs as "Love Won't Let me Wait", "Sideshow", "I just Don't Want To Be Lonely", "Three Ring Circus","Just As Long As We Have Love", and many others. My Partner, Bobby Eli and are still writing after 30 plus years. I would love to hear from you.

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 12:37 am:

P.S. Who is that gorgeous guy named Ralh. WOW!!!!

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 12:39 am:

OOPS, sorry about the misspelling of your beautiful name RALPH>
When in doubt, do it right!!!

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 12:51 am:

Vinnie

Aside from the fact that "any friend of Bobby's is a friend of ours" - your credentials speak for themselves.

And - Just Don't Want To Be Lonely has been a favourite song of mine ever since I first heard it as a new release - Main Ingredient on an orange RCA 45. Thank you for all the pleasure it's brought me.

I quote from a Reggae cover version I have:

"I don't care if the time sets the sun to the moon. Let the stairs find you there at the end of the room."

D'you think somebody should tell them the real words?

Welcome to the Forum, and may you be as happy here as we are to welcome you :o)

By recordboyusa (208.61.5.193 - 208.61.5.193) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 12:54 am:

Vinnie,
I wonder how many babies were conceived to the sound of Major Harris singing "Love Won't Let Me Wait"?

Welcome to the forum!

Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 01:34 am:

Vinnie,
Thanks for the nice compliment.I have to admit I was relieved to learn you were female. In my old neighbohood the name Vinnie had a whole different personality. Usually an Italian dude wearing a sleevless t shirt, gold chains and leather jacket and saying a lot of deep things like " hey baby....nice rack "
Well if you're a friend of Bobby's you're a friend of mine. Nice to know you.
Ralph

By The 3rd (68.80.164.254 - 68.80.164.254) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 01:49 am:

Hi Vinnie,looks like the ganges all here, If you see Vinnie you would know she is not a guy, she look real good, and can still wright to.
WELDON A. Mc DOUGAL III

By Poly Esther (205.188.198.44 - 205.188.198.44) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:05 am:

Dear Vinnie,

I want to say that it is a pleasure to see you on the forum. I have always admired female writers and your credits are dynamite. Continue your writing.

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:06 am:

Weldon Arthur Mcdougal the III
Where have you been!!!. I still adore you and hope to hear from you. My daughter, "KAMILAH" is finishing her first CD and you should hear some of the cuts..HOT.
Telly me

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:13 am:

Aw geeze Wendall...I'm not sure I needed to hear that about Vinnie. I already seem to have a reputation for liking the pretty ladies. Vinnie....maybe we can have coffee sometime???

By phillysoulman (205.188.198.44 - 205.188.198.44) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:21 am:

Yo Vinnie,

It's back to the big time baby!! The charts are waiting for us. Up until now , the only chart that I had to look forward to was my electrocardiogram!!! And I want to dispel any rumours,by saying "THE BROAD HAS A NICE RACK"!!!

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:24 am:

Well just pour a lttle gasoline on the fire why don't you Bobby!!!

By Ann Drogenous (205.188.198.44 - 205.188.198.44) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 02:47 am:

All these years as a fan of Philadelphia sweet soul music,I also was under the impression that
Vinnie Barrett was an Italian American male who had possibly altered her surname from Baretta to Barrett, for commercial appeal.
The music of Barrett and Eli so deeply affected me,when Love won't let me wait played on the radio,I fantasized about the love of a guy named Vinnie!!! Well now I know the truth, so sorry about that!!

A.D.

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 03:07 am:

Dear Ann:
There was a gorgeous guy named Vinnie in New york
in the 60's who recorded Phil Flowers, and we were the Flowerettes. I took his name with my last name to get Vinnie Barrett. So you really did fantacize about a terrific Vinnie.
Thanks for the beautiful compliment.

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.32 - 205.188.200.32) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 03:15 am:

I truly would like to say that in every way possible, my love and passion for music came from Berry Gordy, Hitsville, and all the great, great Artists who put thier footprints in the sands of music time. What a town that must have been, riveting with melody and movement. Motown was the foundation of my aspirations for being a songwriter. I have met and befriended 80% of the motown family, including having finally had the privalege of meeting and shaking the hand of Berry Gordy himself. What an honor. This Music is forever. Let it play!!

By Clay McMurray (66.73.179.179 - 66.73.179.179) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 07:19 am:

Hey Vinnie,
We've never met but I know your music and lady you got it going on. Major Harris's hit inspired
me and a whole lotta folk in this MAD business of music. I sincerely hope that you still have some ink in your PEN and that you, Bobby or even myself might have an opportunity to show the industry what a real song is suppose to sound like. Bobby is good people and if he worked with you I'm sure you gotta be cut from similiar cloth.
Welcome to this fast train. Peace
Clay

By Carl Dixon London (195.153.219.170 - 195.153.219.170) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 07:55 am:

Hi Vinnie

I've seen your name on some of my favourite records. I became aware of you and Bobby via two routes - for Bobby via A Salsoul LP I bought around 1975 and you via an all time favourite of mine called 'Got to get you Back' by The Sons of Robin Stone - which I think is one of the coolest names for a group ever!! I love the song and it has very happy memories for me. I even have the 'Tom Moutlton' re-mix on a UK released Atlantic LP too. A little bird even tells me the refrain goes 5/4 time, which explains why we all had step problems in the disco when it came out! Sidewhow - well, I was shocked to learn the original was by Blue Magic! I lived in Holland at the time Barry Biggs released the reggae version of it. When I moved back to the UK, it was years later when I found it was Blue Magic, who I adore of course. I love their 'Look me up', which you guys did not write. However, that and 'The Sons..' were always played in the Philly section at 'Baileys' in Hull. That is were I learnt the craft of always reading the record credits, just incase 25 years down the line I would be chatting to anybody connected to the song!!! As for 'Just don't want to be lonely...', well, the lights went low and the dancefloor filled with smoochers, so I thank you for that!

Vinnie - it is an honour for me to thank you personally for some of my favourite songs that I still listen to now.

Cheers

Carl Dixon

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.54.227 - 213.122.54.227) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 09:17 am:

vinnie thanks a million for taking time to speak us at soulfuldetroit.

i echo all the words above.

please hurry back soon.

david

By Vinnie Barrett (205.188.200.184 - 205.188.200.184) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 11:18 pm:

To all the messages from all the wonderful people, let me say thank you much. I am the honored one, that's for sure. Stay in love and we'll try to keep writing that you are loving, because you are really loved by us..
Always 1
Vinnie

By phillysoulman (205.188.199.32 - 205.188.199.32) on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 07:06 am:

It is so hard to believe that it has been 31 years since I first met that little skinny girl with the big Angela Davis Afro at Sigma Sound having written "Puff-puff and you're gone" for the Broadway Express, for Philly Groove and 29 years since Vinnie and I had our first major hit together on the Main Ingredient's "Just don't want to be lonely". It seems like it was yesterday.
For us to have come up with that song and "Sideshow" "Three ring circus" "Grateful" "Love won't let me wait" "Sweet love of mine" on the Spinners, and many more songs that some consider to be classic soul standards, is truly a feat beyond comprehension!
To this day I truly believe that we were blessed with a special gift that can't be taken away, and the best is yet to come!!!!! Remember the dream!!!!!

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 09:13 am:

Bobby, you and Vinnie are all over my record collection and have been in my life for well over 30 years directly and indirectly. I have mentioned before the 'Just don't want to be lonely' sheet music sits on my piano most of the time and helps me fathom out the Philly chord structure we all love. I just wish I could play the piano - ha ha! I thank you both for being there and for helping me move into this domain of my life with your melodies and words.

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 10:21 pm:

Hi Vinnie,

A belated welcome to the forum - nice to have you with us.

Now thet we know you're a lady ,after thinking you
were a man for all this time, any chance of a
photo ? I'm sure our resident miracle worker
Mr. Eli can help you out with scanning techniques

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 10:41 pm:

I've just had the pleasure of talking to Vinnie today on the phone.I must tell all of you that she is absolutely delightful and extremely knowledgeable about the music business.I was also treated by Vinnie to a sneak preview of some of the things her lovely and talented daughter is presenty recording. Thank you Vinnie. I am honored. Talk to you soon.
Ralph

By John Lester (213.122.204.249 - 213.122.204.249) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 12:46 am:

Sorry for being at the rear here Vinnie...I have been playing my music for a few friends the last couple of days.......

And welcome from me too and I want to echo many of the sentiments already said...I won't embarrass you further..but you ought to know, it was the likes of you that made me decide it was better to have a piece of black plastic than a cheese and tomato sandwich.....that is why I am skinny!!

BTW, you Bobby's story of the candy bar made me roar with laughter!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 12:53 am:

John

I'm a little concerned about your dietary habits. Don't you find that bits of the label get stuck in your teeth?

By John Lester (213.122.204.212 - 213.122.204.212) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 08:31 am:

Ricthie.

You are a cheeky one, I bet your mum had to give you a few clips round the ear when you were young!!!

Anyway, it's no problem....cos I am so old these days I just send off for a new set of teeth and as long as I put a first class stamp on the return package, I am OK!

(You ASKED for that one!!! LOL)

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 10:38 am:

John

Talking about 45s vs food - didn't BG pose the eternal question: "would you spend your dollar on this or a sandwich?"

PS - I'm sure your teeth are just fine.

By John Lester (213.1.132.186 - 213.1.132.186) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 10:54 am:

Richie....

Trust me to being the subject back to you know what.

BG apparently used to pose the question but he used to add...if you were really hungry and you only had enough to buy a sandwich or a record.

Then he would see how long it would take for the guys to decide on the sarnie. Smart bloke!

If he had asked me , I would have NOT eaten for a few years

Now I wonder if BG would come on the Forum and tell the real story!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Saturday, February 23, 2002 - 01:27 pm:

BG on the Forum?

Lou Johnson: "Wouldn't That Be Something?"

Spinners: "What More Could A Boy Ask For?"

Three Degrees: "Maybe"

Temptations: "That'll Be The Day"

Barbara Randolph: "I Got A Feeling..."

Barbara Lewis: "...Baby That's A No No!"

By Ian W (213.122.41.248 - 213.122.41.248) on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 11:03 pm:

Don't mention Beegees here please! How can you be 'More Than A Woman'?

By Vinnie Barrett (152.163.201.207 - 152.163.201.207) on Friday, March 08, 2002 - 03:35 am:

The music on the piano touches my heart.
We are all truly blessed to be here and in the mix. I want everyone to start writing songs. Don't even worry how it begins to sound. It will turn out good. You would be suprised at the ones Bob and I dissed to the trash can or laughed at.