Soulful DetroitArchives - July 2004 � ARTIST JO ARMSTEAD Previous Next

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Don (don)
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Post Number: 311
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 6:44 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Many books and bio's have mentioed this contribution to soul music pretaining to the 60's. Writer, Producer, Label Owner, extrodinare, etc. I wanted to ask those on SDF what are your favorite songs writen or co-written and produced by for herself and for other artist.
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Ron Murphy (ron_murphy)
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Post Number: 93
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 2:04 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"A Stone Good Lover" which I think was her best recording, and then "I've Been Turned On" .

both of those are extreme heavy duty soul, and they are among my all time favorites...I love Joshie Armstead.
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Rodmann (rodmann)
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Post Number: 248
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Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 2:42 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Jo's 'I Got The Vibes'! It's got a very exciting arrangement and Miss Armstead really belts it out! It's definitely one of my all-time favorite Soul records. There's also an excellent slow jam by her that I like called 'Won't You Join The Band'. It's a 1970's recording but I don't think that it was released until the 90's for some reason. I don't know this for a fact but I read it somewhere. That's really a shame because it's a damn good tune.

Her late 80's single 'In The Right Place' also gets some spins in my house. And let's not forget about the good stuff she wrote and produced on Garland Green like 'Plain And Simple Girl' and 'Jealous Kind Of Fella'.

The lady was bad and deserves a lot more attention and props than what she's gotten. I'm not sure why she didn't go on to superstardom like her old writing partners Ashford & Simpson?
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Robb_K (robb_k)
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Post Number: 363
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Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 3:52 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Stone Good Lover! Hands down! She was a GREAT writer, too. I love ALL her stuff!

But shouldn't THIS thread be on the REGULAR SD Forum???
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Don (don)
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Username: don

Post Number: 312
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 11:52 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

No, I decided not to. Since this is the SoulfulDetroit Clubhouse I wanted thread here?
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roger (roger)
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Post Number: 134
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 1:01 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hello Everyone.

I'm also confused as to why this isn't in the main forum!!

Anyway .. As to JOSIE JO ARMSTEAD .. I don't have much of her solo material but I would have to mention her NS evergreen "I Feel an Urge Coming On" on Giant records, which has one of the most percussive and dynamic backing tracks that I have ever heard .. with Jo pouring out her soul over the top of it perfectly!!

There is also a great ballad by her I have on a Stax compilation C.D. called "Stumbling Blocks and Stepping Stones". As "I've Got The Vibes" also came out via Stax it makes me wonder if there was an L.P. of her material.

I also like "Right Place Right Time" ( lovely piece of mellow soul )which Rodman has already mentioned. I have a 12" of this on the Preacher Rose label which I believe is quite in demand nowadays.

Roger
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 313
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 1:58 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

To follow-up to my thread above. At times things on the regular form has a bit of undercurrent of resentment. I figued when Lowell & David started SDC Forum I was seeing once threads that was saved from the regular form before? No, I haven't been in any disagreements or any verbal wars. I can't blame David and Lowell on preventing other's from doing so, kinda.
______________________________ ___________________

My old skool buddy I haven't seen since HS brought me a copy of Josie's Best Of on Collectables, a reissue co. He said he knew she was my favorite singer, songwriter, producer. He reminded me he got turned by artist of the same caliber. Well, she's got a brand new found fan now.

I do have some sides on her Giant and one Globe (somewhere if I can find it) though I don't have her Gamma sides any longer. Basicly I had all of her productions of artist she's worked with in the past.

My favorites are

Lookie Lookie b/w We Find Him Guilty-The Kittens (ABC-PARAMOUNT).

A family friend Betty Everett; I like those those sides Jo wrote for her for VEE-JAY. I can't recall
1-2 sides I had.

A Stone Good Lover- Another Reason Why I love Her-There's Not too Many More (Left Like Him)-*I've Been Turned On- I'm Gonna Show You (How A Man Is Supposed To Be Treated)-Never Had It Like This-Living In A song, Give A Little Loving done by Ms Jo.

and Never Try To Love No More (I can't recall the flip-side because it's scratched)(De Lex)by Jo.

Casanova (You're Playing Days Are Over)-You Made A Believer Of Me. Can't recall other Zodiac sides she wrote & co-wrote for Ruby Andrews (Maybe too that was her over there?).

Come On And Sock It To Me. A very soulful title at the time done by Syl Johnson (Twilight)

Jealous Kind Of Fellow (can't recall the flip)(MCA-Uni). Also, Love Now Pat Later b/w Love Now, Pay Later by Garland Green (Revue).

That's How Heartaches Are Made b/w Ooo Baby...I Can't Stand A Woman Two Timming A Man b/w I've Got
A Memory by Bobby Hutton (Blue Rock-Mercury).

It Rain 40 Days and 40 Nights(Globe or Giiant?).

Once I collected the Shirley Wahls and Shirley Scott sides. "Yeah-yeah-yeah" I know the work she's done with Fenton Robinson (him too).

I wasn't fond of the Smokie Smothers sides when I passed on it 2 decades ago. I was at a vinyl shop, when the owner played it for another custommer. When he played the single I was dumbfounded & felt like you know? Now I see where Mr. Mel Collins was coming from?

DON
Chgo, IL
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 314
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 2:09 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Roger,
Those songs you mention of your last paragragh's are on the same Collectable lp too, my buddy dubbed for me. I'll treasure it as a personal keepsake for my own listening pleasure.

Don
Chgo, IL
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Rodmann (rodmann)
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Username: rodmann

Post Number: 251
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 4:09 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was wondering why this topic isn't on the main forum as well. Don, I'm not sure why anyone would have any "resentment" for a topic about one of Soul music's finest female writers and producers? I'm not being confrontational, I'm just trying to understand.
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mel(andthensome) (mel)
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Post Number: 328
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, July 16, 2004 - 4:12 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don
I can never pick a fave at anything
but my first recollections of j/armstead was way back in 1972 after hearing 'I feel an urge coming on'inst and vocal which I still have today.
cheers
mel
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Don (don)
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Username: don

Post Number: 316
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.164.86
Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 4:39 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

To all SD'ers excuse my earlier statements, I was feelin' a bit under the weather. My apologies to all if it may offend all for my senseless statement. Please, I truly apologize.

Well, you all got your wishes. This thread is here on The Main Forum.

I wonder if anyone has any other info about Joshie Jo Armstead?

PS
A Special Thanx to Ralph for saving this thread, I owe you one. "O Happy Day!"

Don
Chicago
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Rodmann (rodmann)
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Post Number: 266
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.221.46.59
Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 6:54 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don, I had no idea that Josie wrote Ruby Andrews' 'Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over)'. I've always assumed that Swamp Dogg AKA Jerry Williams wrote it since he produced it. WOW!
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 340
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Posted From: 68.75.190.238
Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 8:00 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You know Rod, I use to hear that she wrote it, and she's credited. If Swamp Dogg did write it i didn't know? Then if it's true by what you say, then you won't get any debate from me. Her and Ruby are 2 of the nicest people I knew of.

Too bad I didn't go to the East of The Ryan here when Ruby had her Birthday Party there about 2-3 yrs in a row. What I miss is the musical comroderie of how it use to be.

The single "Casanova" the single I still have is a bit worn on both sides, so I can't see who is credited for writing the song. I konw she produced it that I know. Another song I read that Jo didn't get credit from was Garland Green's "Jealous Kind Of Fellow". I heard this was due to the record company or his management?

Rodman, one thing is true her "Won't You Join The Band" is a stompper. "Another Reason Why I Love Him"..."I'm Gonna Show You (How A Man Is Supposed To Be Treated"..."Say Thank You Tonight"..."There's Not To Many More Like Him" and "Never Had It Like This Before" are totally awesome. I can't really say that I have a favorite
cause that would be a lie to say.

I had at one time many moons ago Josie's first two singles as a solo artiston the Infinity and Tey-ster labels out of NY. I heard just recently on another NS website that these are highly sought after. I once had them not anymore.


PS
I suggest if you cop her Best Of reissues from Collectables believe me you won't be let down. I'm on the hunt when all goes well, I want to cop the 2 reissue lp and a best of the Lovelites and/or Patti & The Lovelites.

Don
Chicago
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Ron Murphy (ron_murphy)
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Post Number: 94
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Posted From: 68.42.90.140
Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 10:32 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

it should noted here that "Casonova" by Ruby Andrews was recorded in Detroit at Sidra Records recording studio and it was produced by George McGregor and Mike Terry.
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Rodmann (rodmann)
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Post Number: 269
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Posted From: 12.221.46.59
Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 2:30 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK now I'm confused. I don't have Ruby's 'Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over)' single on vinyl but I've been listening to it in mp3 form for years. I love downloading but I hate the fact that you don't get any info about the production, writers and musicians.

I've always assumed that Swamp Dogg wrote and produced 'Casanova' because it's listed as one of his "song achievements" on his website. Here's the link to the exact page:

http://www.swampdogg.com/song% 20achievements.htm

Will someone please clear this up for me?

Don you're right. I need to get Josie's best of CD!

Does anyone know exactly when Miss Armstead's brilliant 'Won't You Join The Band' was released? It's clearly a 1970's song but I read somewhere that it didn't get released until the 90's! Is that true? How could such a gem be allowed to sit on the self all those years? You would've thought that somebody would've released on some label when it was originally recorded!
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 342
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Posted From: 68.75.60.223
Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 9:59 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm surprise when Jo was in her height and with the success of her producing, writing and various labels, that it seems odd that her songs I mention earlier weren't released as singles at the time when they we're recorded? Ron and Rodman, I can believe it. No wonder the Ruby Andrews was moving towards a more gritty & funkier direction.

Don
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Michael/Cleoharvey (cleoharvey)
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Post Number: 38
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.172.21.238
Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 10:35 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Are you talking about Joshie Jo Armstead? I had a chance to meet her about 20 years go at the house of Ashford & Simpson. They were/are great friends of the duo. Joshie wrote with them (A Friend of Mine) and sang back-up with them on some of the great songs that they produced for other artists, including Diana Ross, The Supremes, Martha Reeves, et al.

I had heard that she moved to Chicago and was working there. I am not sure whether she is still there are not.
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 345
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Posted From: 68.75.60.223
Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 10:46 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Mike, only KevGo can answer that question.

Also I heard she was a ghost writer for alot of Ashford & Simpson's material and their Motown stuff as well?

Don
Chi-Town
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Rodmann (rodmann)
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Post Number: 277
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Posted From: 12.221.46.59
Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2004 - 5:06 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Michael, I've always wondered if Ashford & Simpson maintained their friendship with Josie. It looks like they were such a hot writing trio and then suddenly Josie was out and A&S went on to superstardom! LOL. It's nice to know that they're still friends though. I had no idea that Josie sang background on A&S's Motown productions.
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Soul-Brother (soulbrother)
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Post Number: 121
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Posted From: 84.135.156.136
Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 1:33 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Can I point y'all to the webpage..more about Josie there
http://www.soulcellar.co.uk/Jo shieJoArmstead.html
'Won't You Join The Band' and 'Stumbling Blocks' are both 'must have' recordings

Regards

Barry
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Rodmann (rodmann)
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Post Number: 289
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Posted From: 12.221.46.59
Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 4:33 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ok thanks Barry. I see now that Josie's 'Won't You Join The Band' was originally released on her Stax album in 1975 and she RE-RELEASED it in 1991. I was afraid that a great song like that sat on the self for almost 20 years.
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Ron Murphy (ron_murphy)
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Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2004 - 10:34 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hey Rodmann: I went to the link you provided for Jerry Williams and I think what he's showing is the songs in his publishing, but he's not saying he produced the recording itself. the original recording was 1967, but there was a remake called "Casanova 70" by Ruby
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Juicefree20 (juicefree20)
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 1:49 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

For a moment, I was afraid that no one would mention Won't You Join The Band. That is simply one wonderful ballad. The song should have been much more succesful that it was. It still holds up after all of these years & was infinitely better than many songs that hit the Soul charts. Sometimes, the industry makes no sense. Perhaps the lack of success was a result of limited distribution & the waning focus on Chicago Soul. Either way, this is one tragically neglected song.
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Don (don)
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 8:53 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Soul Brother, that was a great link and my first time seeing it. It's an interesting link of Northern Soul but not much mentioned pretaining
to the several and dozen of artist she's worked with she's co- (and/or) produced, written and wrote for, that many of us are or are not fimilair of with her work...recording the Creations. and another artist I was not aware of that recorded for her label was Blues Great Willie Dixon? I guess that was was all due in part
of her then late husband Mel Collins, who was in tuned to what raw & gritty Chicago Blues sound was all about. I'm surprised she wasn't inspired to write and record more blues oriented tunes, she's done songs in that similiar style as compared to her soulful material.
Don
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BOSS (boss)
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Posted From: 69.156.46.112
Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 3:56 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The only 45 I possess by Jo Armstead is a rather battered "I Feel An Urge Coming On" with the label removed from both sides of the disc, by an over zealous local DJ back when I used to live in the U. K. when unless you were "in the know" artist information was privvy. I still shudder when I think of the damage done to many of these labels by DJ's during the 1970's.

My questions to the group are did Jo Armstead record at one time as Dina (Deena) Johnson or not and was she a member of Body Shop on BUDDAH? If so could someone post the details to any of the above releases.

As for http://www.soulcellar.co.uk/Jo shieJoArmstead.html the flip to DE-LEX 001 is "Lovers Lane".
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Rodmann (rodmann)
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 4:57 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Ron. I thought that it was odd that Swamp would have any involvement in 'Casanova' at all. That song's quite a departure than what he was recording at the time.
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Don (don)
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 7:35 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ron, my late aunt had Ruby's "Casanova 70. I would've inherit it but her friend Merel but me to it. Ron if you don't mind me asking, do you know the flipside of "C 70"? Xcuse Boss, I overlooked that fact thanx man, thanx. Rodman, no problem here man, none at all. Still the fact remains, there's really not enough info on alot of all the other artist Joshie's ever worked with. Oh yea, I forgot Fenton Robinson and the work she's done with him also.
Don
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dvdmike (dvdmike)
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Posted From: 68.253.200.105
Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 7:46 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Joshie Armstead used to be a neighbor of mine, she had an apartment on 52nd & Harper. She moved to NYC several years ago to live with her daughter.
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Ron Murphy (ron_murphy)
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 7:53 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hey Don: sorry I don't know about the flip of "Casanova 70" of which I heard on Collectables CD issue, the flip might be on there but I don't know which one it may be..the flip the original 67 cut is not on it, and I can hear that the original "Casanova" was taken off the record with pops the clicks heard right on the end during the fade.
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 376
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 9:01 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi DVDMike,
I somewhat remember her apartment on 52nd & Harper, though I'm not sure. I remember her place at 56th & Maryland and her & Mel's offices at 81st & Cottage, and we're in the process of relocating by this time. I remember going with Larry of the Vows-Majors and twice with Joan of the Kittens. There I met Black & Val) Ashford & Simpson and others. When I asked Joan & Larry about taking me along, they said to me they don't remember it? Wha? Maybe they didn't want their manager to know about it, she was a dooshbag. I remember going over there with them and there was this older little kid there and we played together, he beat me up. And I remember Joshie coming in and Breakin' it up. That kid was you Michael?! And you got sent home or stayed to yourself in another room, I think she kept me with her when she was writing and praticing tunes with an artist whoever she was working with. If anybody says that Tina Turner got leggs I'll have to disagree, that endowment has to go to Joshie and Ruby Andrews. However what I love about Jo is for her musical skills. Mike one other time there we're 2 daughters, I remember the oldest I don't remember the youngest girl too much, and you Mike. I never forget a face Mike. How I knew you we're that kid was from you're pics of photos on a thread a while ago. Like PJ Willis of WKKC 89.3FM on Tuesday's always say "I ain't mad at cha". No, I ain't mad at cha Mike DVDMike. Don
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 379
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 10:33 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Ron, did you read thread on "Forgotten Funk Brother" a tribute to Mike Terry. I knew she was recording in The D cause here in Chi something was going wrong?. Read it and you'll see.
Don
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 380
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Posted From: 68.75.59.66
Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 10:42 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Now I remember the flip to Garland Green's "Love Now, Pay Later" single....it's "Ain't That Good Enough" on Revue/MCA produced by Giant Enterprises, Inc.
Don
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Don (don)
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Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2004 - 11:44 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Little Jimmy Scott's 40 Days and 40 Nights(Giant)
Don in Chi
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dvdmike (dvdmike)
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Posted on Friday, July 23, 2004 - 11:09 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Which Mike are you talking about? It couldn't possibly have been me, because I didn't meet Joshie until the eighties, when I was in my early thirties. I met her through Willie Henderson.
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Don (don)
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Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 1:28 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Odeh.
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Don (don)
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Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 9:20 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It never ceases to amazes me when I play "A Stone A Good Lover" the sunshine seems to brighten my day with a passionate breezes.
Don
The Windy City
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Don (don)
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Post Number: 419
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Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2004 - 11:48 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wonder if Jo still remembers Joanie from The Kittens & Larry from the Majors?
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Don (don)
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Posted on Sunday, July 25, 2004 - 11:07 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

With all the work that J. Jo. Armstead has done and has recorded with the Chicago group The Creations that recorded for her Globe label, is this the same group that recorded sides for some Detroit labels too? Or was it another group from Detroit of Creations. Some some I had had at one time, some songs I can recall, not as of yet aware of some label they came from? Gonna give it a try if anyone here can help me. I think the tunes I'm about to name are of The Creations from Chi-Town. "Plenty Of Love", "Oh Baby", "I've Got To Find Her" and "This Is Our Night". I seem to remember this we're the some songs The Creations of Chicago made. Also we're there any other Chi-Town sides of this same group? Can you help me.
Don
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Robb_K (robb_k)
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Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 4:22 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Don. The Creations also "We're in Love" on Penny Records. It was later reprinted on another (multi-coloured) Chicago label (I can't remember now). They also were on Ric Williams' Zodiac label, with "A Dream". They had 3 releases on Globe. I believe that they were the same group as the one who recorded for Motown, and on other Detroit labels, but not 100% positive.
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Don (don)
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Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 4:10 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Robb, just before I posted last night your friend and my friend Larry told me about The Creations, having cuts sides with Josie's label but also said
he was aware of their Zodiac sides. Larry told me last night, though my mind was peroccupied on somewhere else. I read your post up above to comfirm what's been posted. Also, He told me The Creation's "This Is Our Night" is a Detroit group.
Cause he had that single once before. He knew both
groups. The Creations (out of Chicago) was from the westside maybe one from the southside?, and other members lived about a mile from where he lived. They we're much younger guys in their late teens early twenty's.
Don
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Don (don)
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Username: don

Post Number: 429
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.166.90
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 7:57 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

?
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BOSS (boss)
3-Pundit
Username: boss

Post Number: 32
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 69.156.47.83
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 - 8:56 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don and Robb_K: The Creations on GLOBE is this the group Al Green was a member of?
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 434
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.178.145
Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 6:27 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Boss. The other Creations is a Detroit group from Detroit that recorded for Motown. Hey Boss, I didn't know The Rev was a member of The Creations. I heard once that The Rev stated that he was in a singing group, but I don't ever recall
givin' a mention about The Creations of Chicago? Are you sure we are talking about the same Al, The Rev Al Green here? A couple of days ago I was looking at VH1 Classics and Rev. Green was doing a rendition of "Let The Rain Fall" playing his acoustic, wow! Imagine what it we're to be like if he we're on the now defunct MTV Unplugged singing..."Simply Beautiful".
Don
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Robb_K (robb_k)
5-Doyen
Username: robb_k

Post Number: 388
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 217.232.152.12
Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 6:50 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, Don, for the info on The Creations on Motown as a different, Detroit grouip. I had always wondered about that - especially, as the Zodiac record had the Detroit connection with Bridges, Knight and Eaton working with Ric Williams.

Boss: are you sure you weren't thinking of Garland Green?
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 437
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.178.145
Posted on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 - 7:41 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Told y'all about a Chicago Connection.
Don
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 446
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.166.36
Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 7:35 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Another song by The Creations (of Chicago)produced by Giant Interprises we're "Just Remember Me" for Jo's Globe label.
Don
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 450
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.166.36
Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 12:20 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

?!
Don
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 455
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.186.204
Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 11:01 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Salvadors, the Salvadors (though I can't be sure?) maybe is either a NY or a Detroit group. I can think of where I seen this fact someplace. I got the info from a now defunct music-website, who's name I think recall at the moment. I can't think of their name. It's a song by The Salvadors entitled "Stick By Me Baby" on the WISE WORLD label. I'm not sure if Jo produced it although it is written by her-Ms. Armstead.
A Stone Cold Loving Don
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 458
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.186.204
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 12:14 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Apologies if my typing's a tad off, folks.
Don
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Robb_K (robb_k)
5-Doyen
Username: robb_k

Post Number: 396
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 217.232.147.1
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 3:28 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Don. I think "Just Remember Me" is their best. It sounds just like a 1964 Curtis Mayfield written/Johnny Pate arranged tune. I always thought The Salvadores were a Chicago group, but, I confess that I don't remember them appearing locally. What information do you have about their coming from New York or Detroit?
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mel(andthensome) (mel)
5-Doyen
Username: mel

Post Number: 403
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 81.154.129.172
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 7:25 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

great 45
'stick by me baby'
got a scan for you don
when mail sorted.

stick by me baby
was a huge rare/northern dancer.......

mel
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BOSS (boss)
3-Pundit
Username: boss

Post Number: 33
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 65.92.43.4
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 8:47 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don and Robb_K: Regards The Creations - I totally forgot about this group until Don jogged the old memory bank. In my notes I have this snippet that I wrote many years ago that Al Green was a member of The Creations and since then I've been trying to find out which set - so with the wealth of knowledge on this site I'm fishing here.

The only place that mentions this on a quick search is http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/A l%20Green.html.

A number of years ago I picked up the "Love Ritual - Rare And Previously Unreleased" Cd on MCA hoping to find some information in the liner notes by Colin Escott but there was nothing in the way of his recordings with earlier groups.
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 460
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.52.77
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 11:45 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good Morning Robb K
I don't doubt if there was a Chicago group calling themself Salvadores. The info I gathered was from an now defunct website. I can't remember it right off the top of my head, and I thought about and kept on thinking about when I closed off last nite. When the site's name come to me I'll be gladly to post it. From this same site I gather the info from and was thee best info net Ive ever encountered. I can't prove it we're (maybe/probally) 2 other Salvadores groups cause I never wrote anything down on notes. Though I'am sure of one group being from NY (I can't recall exactly)that had roots from the doowop era. Robb, maybe the song was recorded and leased to a midwest label, since Ms. Armstead did start in NY.
But this is another Theory regarding this group being from the NY area. I'll post something in the following week, ok?
Don
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Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo)
4-Laureate
Username: kevgo

Post Number: 135
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 64.33.151.115
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 6:59 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Folks:
Over tha past two years I have spoken and met with Josephine "Joshie/Jo" Armstead. If I may contribute the following info from my several conversations with her -

Joshie was born in Yazoo, MS and joined the Ikettes right after graduating high school. She was on their 1962 hit "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)"

Joshie left the Ikettes in 1963 to try her hand in songwriting. She relocated to NYC and earned a songwriting contract with Scepter Records. Joshie teamed up with Nikolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson at this time.

The three of them not only wrote songs together but sang background on several hit songs in NYC including the Jerry Ross-produced tunes on Mercury (Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" and Jay & the Techniques' "Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie" to name a few).

They penned several tunes for Scepter acts including "Let's Go Get Stoned" which was first recorded by Ronnie Milsap (a Scepter/Wand "blue-eyed" soul artist at that time!). When Ray Charles turned "Stoned" into a hit, Nick & Val went to Motown, Joshie moved to Chicago.

Joshie met and married Mel Collins in the Windy City and formed the Gamma/Giant labels. During this time Joshie wrote "Casanova (Your Playing Days Are Over)" for Ruby Andrews. Released on Ric Williams' Zodiac label, the tune was credited to Joshie and Mel "Harold Middlbrooks" Collins although Joshie claims to this day that Mel did not co-write the tune. Also the only reason why Jerry "Swamp Dogg" Williams has any involvement with this tune is because he administers Ric Williams' masters & publishing (and has done so since the early 1990s).

Joshie continued to work with then-up and coming talent. She discovered Garland Green and recorded him on the Gamma/Giant labels until "Jealous Kinda Fella" was picked up by UNI Records in 1969 (she's singing background vocals). She also cut "Stone Good Lover" among other tunes as well.

Frustrated with the music politics, Joshie shut down her labels, divorced Mel Collins and moved back to NYC in 1970. Along the way she worked with Ashford & Simpson singing backgrounds on a few Motown productions (including Diana Ross' "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Remember Me"). Joshie also did vocal work for Burt Bacharach's solo A&M projects among other works.

Today, Joshie splits her time between New York City (where she has a residence in Manhattan's Upper West Side) and Chicago. She is currently attending school to earn her master's degree and is in the process of creating a one-woman show regarding her life & career.

Before I left NYC, Joshie gave me a demo of a new song she recorded and it is a soulful smoker. She needs an independent label to sign her so she could continue to make great music.

Kevin Goins - KevGo
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 472
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.179.68
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 7:13 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I hear that, I hear that, amen.
KevGo, I found your email, don't mind
if I email you, when I got nothing better
to do?
Don
Chicago-Chgo-Chi Town-The Windy City-The Hawk
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Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo)
4-Laureate
Username: kevgo

Post Number: 140
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 64.33.151.115
Posted on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 7:35 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don:
By all means!
Kevin Goins - KevGo
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Rodmann (rodmann)
5-Doyen
Username: rodmann

Post Number: 315
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.223.151.165
Posted on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 1:50 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

EXCELLENT info on Miss Armstead, Kevin! Thank you! :-)
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David Meikle (david_meikle)
5-Doyen
Username: david_meikle

Post Number: 281
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 81.130.211.124
Posted on Monday, August 02, 2004 - 8:47 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nice message Kev.

We checked our Joshie's old haunts while in Chicago last month.

Some pics will be uploaded in Fred Bridges Story which comes after Mike Hanks.
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 499
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.173.123
Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 8:52 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

David M, enlighten us please.
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 500
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.173.123
Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 9:22 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

When Joshie moved to Chicago alot of people just naturally gravated to Ms. Jo because of her work she's done with Big Maybelle, Ray Charles. Alot of us here we're into her work when she reorded her earlier sides in NYC, on the Tey-Ster and Infinity label and sides Joshie with Ashford & Simpson co-wrote for The Kittens. That's when everyone else from artist, label owners, writers and producers eyes pop open and everyone started paying close attention to who this talented and gifted woman is. She was already known before anyone knew of her, writing songs for Carl Carlton, uh huh, ok.
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 502
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.173.123
Posted on Tuesday, August 03, 2004 - 9:36 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

!!!
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 536
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.186.241
Posted on Thursday, August 05, 2004 - 2:47 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That's what I respect about this marvelous & remarkable woman & a smart business woman. And can like before can run her own business. Regardless who produced, arranged, wrote-co wrote for Giant. IMO, she never trip about the credit. She reminds me and others stated she was like a female Ed Wingate, and gave everyone a chance to collaborate to bring something to the table. We don't see many folks like her and others that's still around like that anymore, with all the sharks & wolfs of the record biz preying on ones talents, now dumbfounded of pass errors wanting to re-live those days again. This is only MOP.
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Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo)
4-Laureate
Username: kevgo

Post Number: 154
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 64.33.205.167
Posted on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 5:17 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Don:
Your reflections regarding Jo Armstead are dead-on. She is a very smart businesswoman and one tough cookie (hell, she had to be - especially during the 1960s).

Last winter I bumped into Joshie in Manhattan's Upper West Side. She was wearing this lovely mink coat (my apologies to the animal rights folks!) and looked very warm and toasty even though the temperature was colder than hell. We had Frappacinos at Starbucks Coffee and when I offered to pay the bill she refused to accept the money and covered the tab. A very sweet lady indeed.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
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Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo)
4-Laureate
Username: kevgo

Post Number: 155
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 64.33.205.167
Posted on Sunday, August 08, 2004 - 5:19 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

David Meikle:
If you'd like I could contact Joshie on your behalf if you would like to interview her regarding the Fred Bridges sessions.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

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