| Author | Message | ||
  Catdaddy (catdaddy) 1-Arriviste Username: catdaddy Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.181.132 |
Excuse me if this subject has been covered on this forum before, but can anyone fiill me in on the professional career of Barney Perkins? I've enjoyed much of his work from the 80s and 90s, especially Anita Baker, but it wasn't until recently that I discovered he engineered some of the greatest hits of Invictus, Hot Wax, and the other assorted HDH labels. I do know that he is no longer with us. Can anyone fill me in on his career? Thanks in advance! | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 218 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.252.13.151 |
Hi Catdaddy, A lot of folks on this SDForum do know a lot about Barney Perkins, I'm sure they can fill you in... I just so happen to live next door to some of his family (Daughter), and I'm sure they will fill you in also... so just hold on, somebody will respond to your request shortly. | ||
mike s (mike_s) 3-Pundit Username: mike_s Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
There was a thread re Barney on the previous forum which came up just a few months back. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 1-Arriviste Username: catdaddy Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.72.134.161 |
Mike S, I became a member of the forum only recently, right on the tail end of the old forum. Do we still have access to that forum? Thanks! | ||
mike s (mike_s) 3-Pundit Username: mike_s Post Number: 50 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
Hey Catdaddy Don't know for sure. Try clicking on Search Forum at the top... Mike | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 1-Arriviste Username: catdaddy Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.72.134.161 |
Mike S, Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately, nothing from the old forum came up. All I got was one small reference about a Barney Perkins CD credit, and the rest referred to Barney Rubble of the Flintstones(?). I guess the old forum has been put to rest. I even performed a Google search, and not much came up at all. Anyway, thanks for the help. I'll keep an eye out on this thread and others for info. | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 4-Laureate Username: 1wicked Post Number: 158 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
Catdaddy: Try the search engine "Dogpile"....you'll find a lot of info on Barney Perkins. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 1-Arriviste Username: catdaddy Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.72.134.161 |
1wicked, Thanks for the link. There's a few interesting tidbits, but nothing in the way of a full out tome on Barney's career. The search goes on... | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 4-Laureate Username: 1wicked Post Number: 159 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
But...there appear to be links to magazine articles that will (perhaps) give you what you desire. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 1-Arriviste Username: catdaddy Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.72.134.161 |
1wicked, I haven't given up on the link. I'm still searching through them. A lot of them mention Barney in passing - one article talked about a set of Bose monitors that Barney recommended to him - that kind of stuff. There's a few more results I need to go through yet. It's a shame, though. I can search Roger Nichols' name, and all kinds of articles and bios come up. I'm sure Barney had the same level of career that Roger has, and probably with more name artists (the Steely Dan connection gets you everywhere, I guess). If you run across something that you think might be of interest to me, please let me know! Thanks again! (Message edited by Catdaddy on June 23, 2004) | ||
roger (roger) 4-Laureate Username: roger Post Number: 109 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.35.87.17 |
Hello Everyone. I found this information on allmusic.com http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg .dll?p=amg&uid=UIDSUB040406231 241402752&sql=R113581#APPEAR Hope that this helps. Roger | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.72.134.161 |
Roger, That definitely fills in a lot of gaps. Thank you. If you ever have a line on bio or interviews, please share. | ||
Chazz Dixon (voycecz) 1-Arriviste Username: voycecz Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Barney was a really nice Brother. He left Invictus and went to ABC Dunhil. He co-wrote "Want Ads" the Honey Comb. For a while he was Barry White's sound man and later Smokey's live sound man in the late 80's also. He was always good to me. Chazz (Message edited by voyce-cz on June 24, 2004) | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.72.134.161 |
Thanks Chazz! | ||
Chazz Dixon (voycecz) 1-Arriviste Username: voycecz Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
Your welcome. If I can get some time I'll post a pic or two of Barney working. Barney also engineered Anita Baker's live shows for a bit too. Chazz | ||
mike s (mike_s) 3-Pundit Username: mike_s Post Number: 57 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
Just remembered that Barney also engineered most of the great Beverly Glen releases including Womack, Johnnie Taylor and Anita Baker. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.72.134.161 |
That Beverly Glen stuff was great, especially Bobby Womack. What happened to that label? I somehow remember Anita and the powers that be had a falling out... | ||
motesartsound (uncle_derrald) 1-Arriviste Username: uncle_derrald Post Number: 6 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 67.123.189.5 |
Several years ago, Mix Magazine put out a wonderful obituary written by Maureen Droney (now L. A. Editor for Mix Magazine, and a former staff engineer at The Automatt in San Francisco--1978-1984) on the last page indicating his start in Detroit for the H~D~H associated labels Then as soon as the "Motown exodus" reached its pinnacle, he worked at ABC Recording Studios (Los Angeles) as a staff engineer in the mid-to-late 1970's. The first time I've spotted Perkins' name was on the Natalie Cole 1977/8 album "Thankful" (Capitol ST-11708) as recording and mixing engineer at ABC. Perkins later moved on to work for Kent Duncan at his Kendun Recorders in Burbank with an impressive track record, espcially with the Motown clients, as well as the Bevery Glen acts, such as Chapter 8, Johnnie Taylor, and Anita Baker. Perkins kept the 619 South Glenwood place as his home base, even when Duncan quit the studio business, and the location became Encore Studios, owned by Daryl Casine. Barney Perkins was one of the FIRST African-American recording engineers who had his hands on the top recording consoles in the world, Solid State Logic whilst at Kendun. Sometime around the early 1990's at age 45, Barney Perkins died of a massive stoke, which I forgot where in Southern California. A B/w photo in Mix (his obit) shows him as overweight, but nevertheless, a dedicated engineer who would arrive in the studio before he goes to sleep, even if it is on call from a client. FOOTNOTE: Perkins and another Automatt alumus, Leslie Ann Jones were ABC in-housers, before closing shop in 1978. She's now Engineering Director for Skywalker Sound in Marin County. Mixed by me, Derrald | ||
motesartsound (uncle_derrald) 1-Arriviste Username: uncle_derrald Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 67.123.189.5 |
Catdaddy: That's the details I've read about the late Barney Perkins. | ||
mike s (mike_s) 3-Pundit Username: mike_s Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
I think Otis Smith who founded Beverly Glen cut out with his money and ran! I heard rumours of unpaid royalties, poor promotion and problems by the label of getting money from distributors, a common difficulty for small labels, I believe. Shame because although shortlived, BG Records had a great track record of quality. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.181.132 |
motesartsound, Thanks very much for the info. It seems to me that Barney was a pioneer for African-American engineers. I'm pretty sure there were others, but none come to mind right now. mike s, You're right about the quality of the Beverly Glen Records. Great musicians, great sound (Barney), and great arrangements. My favorite arrangement was the one for Johnnie Taylor's "What About My Love". Good stuff. | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 252 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.249.44.28 |
Just FYI, Barneys Daughter Butterfly, should be on line later this evening to talk about her Dad. | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 255 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.249.44.28 |
She just left my house, and I told her that someone is inquiring about her Dad. She should be on later tonight, to respond. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 16 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.63.82 |
Thanks, ~medusa~!! | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 261 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 155.139.68.10 |
Catdady, Barneys' Daughter(Butterfly) is having a problem with her computer...I learned this morning. I'm sure when things get right, she'll be here to iniform you of your inquiry. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.63.82 |
~medusa~ Once again, thanks. You've been pretty persistent help with all this, and I'm grateful. | ||
motesartsound (uncle_derrald) 1-Arriviste Username: uncle_derrald Post Number: 9 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 67.114.128.125 |
Catdaddy: There have also been a great list of African-American engineers aside Perkins. There's Calvin Harris from Motown in West Hollywood, Stephen Shelton, out of Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, Ollie E. Brown, another So Cal guy (freelancer), Danny Leake and Stu Walden at Universal in Chicago. More on Leake in a quick bit. Plus there's Phyllis Hyman's ex husband, Larry Alexander from NYC's Power Station (now Avatar), and last but not least, the legendary Jimmy Douglass who was Atlantic Studios (one of thier best), now usually works for Timbaland (the producer) mainly at Manhattan Center in NYC. Interesting item to add here about Leake and the others I will name here, Danny Leake is Lafayette Leake's son. The dad was a session player for Chess/Checker. Guy Costa, Tech Director at Hitsville L. A.; Dad: Don Costa, A top L. A. arranger for ABC-Paramount and Sinatra. Lelie Ann Jones? Daughter of Comic Spike Jones. There's also Michael deLugg, an engineer who was at Mediasound in NYC, son of Milton DeLugg. Think of Merv Griffin's shows in NYC, or later, The Gong Show band. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.63.82 |
moteartsound, I just about forgot about Danny Leake, and I live here in the Chicago area. I had a chance to meet him once, and he is definitely one of the greats, as well as a very nice person. Thanks for the other names, also. I am familiar with all of their work from reading many album credits, but did not know they were African-American. I need to do more research... Thanks again. | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 5-Doyen Username: 1wicked Post Number: 172 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
And don't forget Leanard Jackson (who I recently had the pleasure of meeting). He seemed to be at the board for ALL of Whitfield's post-Motown projects...and is still active. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.63.82 |
1wicked, Do you know whee Norman did most of his post-Motown stuff? Did he have his own place? | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 5-Doyen Username: 1wicked Post Number: 174 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
Catdaddy: I'm not sure....maybe Wonder B or someone who has all/most of the Whitfield Records catalog can take a peek at the credits and give you the answer. Currently, Mr. Jackson does a lot of work with Leon Haywood at his Eve-Jim studio...and one of their recent releases had Brenda Lee Eager on background vocals...so to answer an earlier question...I guess she is still active in the industry. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.63.82 |
Thanks! | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 280 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.252.127.250 |
I spoke to Barneys Daughter today, and she's still having a problem with her computer...she says it took her a while, but she has been trying to register and should be on soon. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 22 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.63.82 |
~medusa~ Thanks again. I haven't been part of this group long, but I love this place. Everyone is so friendly. This goes for 1wicked, motesartsound, Chazz, mike s, and Roger as well. Thanks to you all. I mainly like to just read all the fantastic posts in the forum, but I hope I can help one of you out one day when you need some info. | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 282 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.252.127.250 |
Ok, Catdaddy, I just received an E Mail from Barneys' Daughter, again, she's having trouble registering on the Forum~ HERE IS THE MESSAGE I RECEIVD FROM HER~ From: "alpha perkins" <alpha_perkins@yahoo.com> Add to Address Book Subject: Soulful Detroit registration form To: medusa9e2003@yahoo.com Hey, Lillian. I'm still having trouble downloading the registration form for the Soulful Detroit Forum. I think my computer is too slow. I'll send tech support an e-mail tomorrow. So, you don't have to post this if you don't want to. Besides, your name is on the e-mail. So delete it before you copy. Thanks, Butterf | ||
motesartsound (uncle_derrald) 1-Arriviste Username: uncle_derrald Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 67.123.188.67 |
Catdaddy: There is another name I've forgotten of African-American recording engineers, Lionel Job, from (the long-gone) Minot Sound Recorders in White Plains, NY (remember the group Starpoint), as well as Michael Franks. Also there was Gerry Block from Sigma Sound in NYC (Talking Heads, Stephanie Mills). An Interesting fact on Jimmy Douglass: According to Wex (Jerry Wexler's autobiography), Douglass was discovered by Wex as a bagboy at a grocery store in NYC, who at that time was dating Anita Wexler (deceased to AIDS complications via drugs), as Jerry had noticed that Douglass had an ear talent for music. Douglass' credits go as far back as The Rascals, Les McCann, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack in the early 1970's (Atlantic Studios) to Missy Elliot or Justin Timberlake as of now (freelancer at Manhattan Center's studio 7... check out thier page at www.mcstudios.com), and still working to this day, non-stop. Happy jury duty to me, Derrald! PS to the Terrana two-some: What's your input/output on those new SSL's? There's a 9000K in SF at San Francisco Soundworks! dlm | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 5-Doyen Username: 1wicked Post Number: 176 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
Catdaddy: No thanks necessary...that's what we do here. Take your shoes off & sit a spell...enjoy the fine folks who wrote it, played it, sang it, engineered it, mixed it, bought it, lived it, breathed it...or just love it...right here at SDF. There's NO place like it anywhere. | ||
Catdaddy (catdaddy) 2-Debutant Username: catdaddy Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.72.99.140 |
motesartsound Thanks for the link, and for the sidebar on Jimmy Douglass. From bagboy to top engineer - what a career path! I'll have to pick up that Wexler book. |
