Soulful DetroitArchives - July 2004 � Sugar Pie DeSanto on Soul Clock Previous Next

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Rodmann (rodmann)
5-Doyen
Username: rodmann

Post Number: 219
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.220.110
Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:02 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Does anyone else like the vocalist Sugar Pie DeSanto? I've been fascinated with this woman every since I purchased the "James Brown's Funky Divas" compilation back in '97 or '98 and heard her song 'A Little Taste Of Soul'. She draws you in with that wonderful name and then floors you with her robust vocals! She's got such a great big voice but she's a tiny little woman.

My favorite Sugar Pie tunes are her two duets with Etta James 'In The Basement' and 'Do I Make Myself Clear', her remake of Mary Wells' 'The One Who Really Loves You', 'Do The Whoopie', 'Git Back', 'Hello, San Francisco' and of course 'A Little Taste Of Soul'.

Has anyone ever seen or owned her two Soul Clock label singles (Soul Clock 106 & 1003)? I've never seen them around in all my years of collecting. How are they? Who was involved with the Soul Clock label? The only thing I know is that The Whispers also had some recordings on Soul Clock.

I'm also curious about her three Jasman singles ('Hello, San Francisco', 'Straighten It Out With Your Man' and 'Git Back'). I know that these singles were released sometime in the early 70's but what was the exact year? I've got mp3 copies of 'Hello, San Francisco' and 'Git Back' but no information.
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Carl Dixon (carl_dixon)
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Username: carl_dixon

Post Number: 36
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 195.153.219.170
Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:14 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I did a gig a few weeks ago, with vinyl and played 'Get to Steppin', which is the other side of 'Do the Whoopie'. It is a great tune. I am curious about this record and have had it since 1974. I would like a CD of it and any other material.
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Rodmann (rodmann)
5-Doyen
Username: rodmann

Post Number: 220
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.220.110
Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:24 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Carl. I've got the 'Do The Whoopie'/'Get To Steppin' single on Brunswick as well. I can't recall what 'Get To Steppin' sounds like off the top of my head though. All I know is that both sides were produced by Tyrone Davis.

What Sugar Pie material were you looking for?
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Carl Dixon (carl_dixon)
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Username: carl_dixon

Post Number: 37
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 195.153.219.170
Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 11:49 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The quality of the 'whoopie' single is superb, both sides. I figure more of her recordings would be the same. I need to purchase a cd or two of hers and pay my dues. I remember I looked around and found little if any, years ago, but tonight, amazon.com has a number of CD's. So here goes! You must play the other side of the single.
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Destruction (destruction)
4-Laureate
Username: destruction

Post Number: 93
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 69.139.236.125
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 12:03 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rod,

Waddup. First time I heard of Sugar Pie was on a comp of Chicago Soul at least 10 years ago. The song I heard, and still my fave by her is "Soulful Dress", 'spaghetti straps instead of sleeves', 'don't you girls be getting jealous, when I snatch up all your fellas, Cause I'm at my best when I'm wearing my soulful dress'...or something like that. I also like the cut with Etta James, but Soulful dress puts a smile on my face each and every time.
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mel(andthensome) (mel)
5-Doyen
Username: mel

Post Number: 173
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 81.154.240.120
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 12:16 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have a great pic of sugar pie and various 45s
by her
great artist

mel
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Rodmann (rodmann)
5-Doyen
Username: rodmann

Post Number: 221
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.220.110
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 12:49 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Carl, several of Sugar Pie's early to mid-60's Chess/Checker singles have been released on CD but I've never seen any of the late 60's Brunswick or Soul Clock on CD. Two of the Jasman singles 'Git Back' and 'Hello, San Francisco' are available on two separate collections though.

What's up Destruction. I've heard 'Soulful Dress' a few times somewhere (probably mp3 because I don't think I have the single) but I can't remember what it sounded like. I'm gonna find it and take another listen to it though because of your recommendation.

Mel, do you have any of the Soul Clock sides?
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Phil (phil)
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Username: phil

Post Number: 87
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 213.36.128.234
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 4:42 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rodman, I have her LP on Jasman, "Hello San Francisco", where it's said that the songs "Straighten it out with your man" and "Git back" are from 1974. There are two versions of "Hello San Francisco", one from 1968, and the other from 1971. The LP is from 1984.Her first LP on Checker is fine, but the one to have, for me, is "Down in the basement", from Italy, covering her more soulful tracks from the Chess period. This LP has some very detailed liner notes on her recording career, but no mention of the Soul Clock singles.
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Wonder B (wonder_b)
6-Zenith
Username: wonder_b

Post Number: 512
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 80.15.111.200
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 4:44 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is a fabulous 5 pages feature on Sugar Pie Desanto in the great UK mag IN THE BASEMENT Issue 27 (aug-oct 2002).
Her complete discography is listed of course and starts with :
Boom Diddy Wawa Baby/A Man Goin' Crazy (Federal 12216) issued in 1955 (!)

The SOUL CLOCK singles are :
The Feeling's Too Strong/Be Happy (SC 106) 1969
My Illusions/Maybe I'm A Fool (SC 1003)1970

The total count of singles she released stops at 34!

She only did 2 LP's :
Sugar Pie (Checker 2979)1962
Hello San Francisco (Jasman 121829)1974

There's a scan of one of the Soul Clock singles in the article as well.

What she says about Soul Clock... :

<In 1969, Sugar Pie moved back to California and signed with Ron Carson's SOUL CLOCK label.
"What he did was he recorded me a couple and then had me write a couple of tunes for the Whispers which turned out very well. And then after Soul Clock, I think that's when I ran into my current manager, James Moore, because I've been with him for thirty some years...">

Wonder B
If you mess with the 'fro, you gotta go!

(Message edited by Wonder_B on June 24, 2004)
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mike s (mike_s)
3-Pundit
Username: mike_s

Post Number: 51
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 195.93.33.10
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 5:58 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I loved her Go Go Power which came out on a comp some years back of Chess material. Not sure if it came out as a single in the 60s.Her two duets with Etta James were also great
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Don (don)
5-Doyen
Username: don

Post Number: 220
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.163.78
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 7:52 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow Rod, and fellas this info is great to learn! Sugar Pie's Chess/Checker recordings should be in the ownership of Ms. Sylvia Robinson (of Pillow Talk fame) and her son Joey, who handles the business. The old address to her recording studio in Englewood, NJ, is still valid. Too bad there isn't a e-mail address.
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Randy Russi (randy_russi)
4-Laureate
Username: randy_russi

Post Number: 109
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 169.139.180.100
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 8:44 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, I very much like this vocalist. She's still
gigging from what I hear.
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Boynextdoor (boynextdoor)
3-Pundit
Username: boynextdoor

Post Number: 53
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.165.254.51
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 9:18 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Is this the lady that does back flips on stage? Yikes!
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Soulaholic (soulaholic)
5-Doyen
Username: soulaholic

Post Number: 245
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.41.40.105
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 9:21 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here's a link to photo and some discography info.

http://images.google.com/imgre s?imgurl=www.thisoldsoul.com/i mages/sugarpie.jpg&imgrefurl=h ttp://www.thisoldsoul.com/star s/sugar.html&h=499&w=342&sz=20 &tbnid=ua34-Z7xVHcJ:&tbnh=126& tbnw=87&start=1&prev=/images%3 Fq%3Dsugar%2Bpie%2Bdesanto%252 7s%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUT F-8
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Tony Russi (tony_russi)
4-Laureate
Username: tony_russi

Post Number: 154
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.210.40.41
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 9:46 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, Sugar Pie DeSanto is a great soul vocalist and entertainer...although I was never lucky enough to see her LIVE I did buy her 45 "Soulful Dress" back in '65 and the duet with Etta James "In The Basement".In late 80's I got a CD with all her great Chess/Checker stuff including "Slip In Mules"which is GREAT.I remember seeing pix of her back in the day and she was real petite and cute but wow what a BIG voice.
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Wonder B (wonder_b)
6-Zenith
Username: wonder_b

Post Number: 519
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 81.250.32.12
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 2:17 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

mike s GoGo Power was issued on Checker 1160 in 1966 B-side is Good Timin'...

At the time of the interview (May 2002) she was 63 and she was saying :
'Whenever I go overseas, my husband comes with me. He takes care of everything so I can can rest because I'm at the age now when I need to rest.'

Especially if she's going to be doing back flips!

'Yes I still do. A lot of people can't figure it but I can figure it! I just take care about myself!!!'

There you go!!! The woman is just incredible...
At that time she was also talking about the recording of a DVD... apparently the project stalled but who knows...

Wonder B
If you mess with the 'fro, you gotta go!
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mike s (mike_s)
3-Pundit
Username: mike_s

Post Number: 54
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 195.93.33.10
Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 5:34 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Not sure if the Robinsons do still have the Chess rights. I thought MCA, now Universal, had bought them from Sugar Hill. If so, time for Uni to do something with the material as they have with Motown.
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Rodmann (rodmann)
5-Doyen
Username: rodmann

Post Number: 226
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.220.110
Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 5:35 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here's a full Sugar Pie discography that I found:

http://hoppula.tripod.com/suga rpie.htm

For some reason they don't list the years that the Jasman singles were released?

Phil, I'm not sure how Sugar Pie could've recorded a version of 'Hello, San Francisco' in 1968. Wouldn't it have been released on Brunswick since that's the label she was signed to at the time? I'm confused.

Thanks for the In The Basement Magazine info about the Soul Clock recordings Wonder B. I've gotta get a subscription to that mag! LOL.
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Boynextdoor (boynextdoor)
3-Pundit
Username: boynextdoor

Post Number: 57
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.165.165.13
Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 10:16 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Just heard Sugar Pie interviewed on NPR on a James Brown special. She sounded like she had a pretty good sense of humor. Did anyone else hear this interview?
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Phil (phil)
4-Laureate
Username: phil

Post Number: 92
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 213.36.132.253
Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 6:04 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You're right, Rodman, the dates that I've indicated must be the ones of time of writing, as the part 2 has other credits. It's the same song, but with different lyrics, and different instrumentation, too.All the songs on the LP but two were recorded in 1974, at Funky Features, San Francisco.
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Wonder B (wonder_b)
6-Zenith
Username: wonder_b

Post Number: 541
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 80.11.68.19
Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 1:16 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The ITB discography lists the Jasman singles like this :
Jamsan 4 1972
Jasman 5 1972
Jasman 7 1974
Jasman 8 1974

Wonder B
If you mess with the 'fro, you gotta go!
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Reese (reese)
4-Laureate
Username: reese

Post Number: 97
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.15.168.228
Posted on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 - 3:46 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've only heard two songs of Sugar Pie, and they were the duets that she did with Etta James. In all honesty, I can't tell the two apart on either song. But both sound good.

As far as Sugar Pie's stage show, I read a quote from Maurice White that said he used to get embarrassed by some of the things she would say on stage. In one album's liner notes, Sugar Pie said something to the effect that she was talking stuff way before Millie Jackson.
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mike s (mike_s)
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Username: mike_s

Post Number: 65
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 195.93.33.10
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 5:16 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sugar Pie apparently recorded various sides for Jasman owned by her manager James Moore from when she left Checker in the late 60s through to the early 80s, according to notes on her Down in the Bsaement lp
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Wonder B (wonder_b)
6-Zenith
Username: wonder_b

Post Number: 546
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 81.251.155.192
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 6:22 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well Mike you must have skipped my posts or maybe they don't show up on your screen! LOL
The singles on Jasman are just as listed up above...
I don't see any other singles than the ones I listed in her discography...

If anybody knows about any other releases, let us know...

Wonder B
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Phil (phil)
4-Laureate
Username: phil

Post Number: 94
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 213.36.38.6
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 9:33 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The LP, Jasman 121829, contains the 8 songs that were released on the singles, (though, seeing the dates, they may be different versions ?), plus 2 tracks recorded in 1983-84, another, "Wha'd you do that for ?", with the date 1977, and 26" of dialogue in Nice, France. Help me, Wonder, what's the english word for "de bric et de broc" ?
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Wonder B (wonder_b)
6-Zenith
Username: wonder_b

Post Number: 549
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 81.251.25.189
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 1:12 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Phil : bits & pieces or odds & ends... �� d�pend du sens de la phrase... ou on peut p�riphraser le cas �ch�ant!

Although it's strange because the LP you mention (Phil) is on my discography list with a 1974 release date and title 'Hello San FRancisco'... so how can it contain 83/84 tracks???

Is it a reissue with the same catalog number?

Wonder B
If you mess with my 'fro, you gotta go!
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Phil (phil)
4-Laureate
Username: phil

Post Number: 95
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 212.129.36.28
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 2:08 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, Wonder ! The date on the (yellow) label is 1984.In the book "Black female LP catalog" by your friend Gilles P., it is noted the same.
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Wonder B (wonder_b)
6-Zenith
Username: wonder_b

Post Number: 551
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 81.48.121.12
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 2:57 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Owwwwwwww I shouldn't have missed that one!!!! My apologies to Gilles! hahaha

Wonder B
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Rodmann (rodmann)
5-Doyen
Username: rodmann

Post Number: 229
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.46.59
Posted on Wednesday, June 30, 2004 - 9:11 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ok thanks everyone. Sugar Pie's 'Git Back' (great song and funky as hell!) single sounds as if it was recorded a little before 1974 IMO. It's just got an early 70's sound to it. Maybe it was recorded in 1972 during the sessions for her first Jasman singles and not released until 1974?

Thanks for the Jasman dates Wonder.

Reese, that's a funny comment about Sugar Pie talking stuff on stage. As good as her records were she's probably one of those artists that you have to experience live to understand just how good they are. Foul mouth, backflips and all! LOL.

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