| Author | Message | ||
  bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 4-Laureate Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 83 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.138.55.131 |
Yesterday, I was watching t.v., just flipping through the channels as usual until I tuned into the VH1 Classic channel to watch the "Super '70s" program of all of the classic videos that I seen and never seen before. Right after a Bee Gees video, Elton John's "Are You Ready For Love" video comes on, and I was blown away-literally. The song just really caught my attention, and for the next 3 1/2 to 4 minutes, nothing else mattered. The video was a colorful collage of images of Elton singing the song in his signature soulful voice while images of the mighty MFSB singing the chorus happilly and cheerfully in a montage of smiles and handclaps along the way. I think Bobby discussed this song a while back here, but to tell you the truth, I really haven't had a clue what the song was because I never heard it, until yesterday. "Are You Ready For Love" is another Philly classic discovered, and I'm glad by fate I heard it. I heard it several times by rewinding the tape (I taped the program late last night during the repeat) back to the beginning a listening to it over and over again. This song really made me feel really good, and whatever drama I had at work last night, all of a sudden it faded away like smoke. The end of the video said it all about the song when the late, great Larry Washington said after a laugh, "It's a smash", and he could'nt been never more right when he said it. THIS IS A GREAT SONG! I know everyone (especially of course, Bobby E.) had the drop on this song when it was released as a bonus CD on Elton's "Greatest Hits 1970-2002" collection as a limited edtion last year (which bummed me out because I never did get it when it was availible  ), but I will get the collection never the less b4 the end of 2k4. Why it took me til just now to hear it, the mystery remains..... But 2 my surprise last week when I did see a CD by EJ at Wal-Mart called "Elton John Remixed" a 4 (or 5) song single release with "Are You Ready..." on it. I already got my name on it, and it will be mine by Friday, u can count on it. Folks, I'm saying these things because this song has become a new fave of mine, and I just wanted to express to y'all how I felt about this great tune, that's all. I'm sure you will agree about the same and more. 1 luv. but there are questions I must ask 2 Bobby about this particular song and another artist who has recorded at Sigma, but never heard any songs yet. 1. I know you were involved in the Thom Bell sessions in '77 (the pix u posted recently proved that), and by the way, the 'fro was looking good in the video. What was the vibe during the sessions for "Are You Ready..."? According to the video, all of you were so happy 2 be there, but was your personal perspective of it. 2. Why did y'all (MFSB) travelled all the way to Seattle at Kaye-Smith studios to record w/Elton and not at Sigma? When I saw the credits for "Mama Can't Buy You Love" in Elton's "Greatest Hits 1976-1986" (another compilation which I found out later on was a contractual obligation 2 finish up his tenure at MCA), I was quite surprised the sessions ended up in the Pacific Northwest instead of the "City Of Brotherly Love". 3. Why it took Elton so long (as he did with "Thom Bell Sessions" releasing it in '79-when it was recorded in '77) to release "Are You Ready..."? Elton wasn't ready, Universal wasn't ready, ?????? 4. Did/Did not David Bowie record at Sigma and if he did, what songs/albums did he release and when? Is it rock-based, soul-based,???????? In my ever pursuing quest for musical knowledge, please tell me what really happened? | ||
John Lester (theboyfromxtown) 4-Laureate Username: theboyfromxtown Post Number: 143 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.154.167.21 |
Hey...it was a number one record in the UK chart only recently. It was used in an advert for British telecom | ||
Soul-Brother (soulbrother) 4-Laureate Username: soulbrother Post Number: 141 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.234.179.212 |
The Detroit Spinners.. with John Edwards on lead..did a great version as well Regards Barry | ||
Vonnie (vonnie) 5-Doyen Username: vonnie Post Number: 294 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Bigdaddyg2k4, Bobby is out of town recording with The Flaming Embers. I'm sure he will give you answers to your questions when he gets back in town. He will return around 9-25. | ||
Richard Felstead (felstead2001) 4-Laureate Username: felstead2001 Post Number: 116 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 128.40.91.183 |
All I can tell you is that Pete Tong on Radio One in the UK got hold of a demo version of the remix and started to hammer it. Within a month it had become no1. Many people can't get into the music that Pete plays, but there's no denying the influence of his show "The Essential Sellection" on the british populace. It always has been a great tune, and I was delighted at it's popularity all over again. | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1611 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.199.17.78 |
Big Daddy et al,(especially et al) We recorded the Elton stuff in Seattle because by then Thom had relocated there because of the need of his then wife's need to be in that kind of climate for health issues, and as a result decided to stay. Kaye Smith was the only decent studio in town at the time and they had it re tuned just for us. BTW, those are the Spinners on backing vocals. There are two versions of that video which was basically part of the taped listening party for the sessions. |
