| Author | Message | ||
  drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.84.118.164 |
Hello sll! I have to tell you about my trip to 212 N. 12th Street today. I had the priviledge to tour a studio in which tons and tons of music that I listened to as a child was born. I dont know where to start!! I got a chance to see all of the gold albums from the Spinners, Harold Melvin , Patti, The Stylistics, and tons of others that werent on the walls (Thanks Gordon  ) I dont know if it was the back room upstairs in the Main Studio, where I got a chance to see some of the vintage drums that Earl Young probably played (Hayman kit and another old Pearl Kit) and some of the guitars that are still in that room (Bobby are you missing some guitars!? ) I dont know if it was the vintage Steinway downstairs that was built in 1912 or the other piano that have created thousands of hits! Or the Hammond B3 that has been there from the beginning! I do know that one thing that was most exciting for me was to see: THE MICROPHONE COLLECTION! Guys and girls, They still have the same mics that were used back during the golden age of Philly Intl! To hold the RCA mics that were used to record so many artists. And to see the mics that were used to mic up Earl Youngs kit! I am truly in shock. The vintage compressers and effects! They even still have the Simmons SDS V Electronic drumset that was used on tons of records that I cant even begin to count! I had the opportunity to sit with the new owners and hear their plans for bringing new talent from Philly and presenting them to the world. I will also be the first artist to use the audio and video facilities that will be built in the upcoming months and Iwill be splitting time between Sigma & Angel Mountain during the mixing process! Anyway, I feel blessed to have a chance to see both the Motown/ Hitsville Studio as a teen and now Sigma Sound! As Bobby Eli knows, I grew up listening to all of that great music and shaped who I am musically today! I hope to continue the tradition of great R&B and I hope to pull some of the magic from those rooms! Thank you again, and If I can figure out how to download pics of my field trip then I will!! Daren Metz Sony Music/Luka Digital Systems, Inc. www.noblecooley.com | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 900 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.163.22.60 |
Daren, Thats great, but it is NOT the same Sigma. Just as United Sound in detroit is not the same United Sound. You need the personell to make it happen. We all shared a common bond and a LOVE for what we did as a TEAM. Seeing all that vintage stuff is all well and good, but applying it is what its al about. The Sigma that we all know and love does not exist anymore. The room is TOTALLY reconstructed and lacks the "magic" and the sonic characteristics it once had so its like many other generic post modern studios of today. I have heard that time worn story of "making things happen again" time and time again, and Im not buying it. Like I said you need the PEOPLE to make it happen. The people with TALENT to make it happen. | ||
drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 148.177.1.212 |
Hey Bobby! I hear what you are saying. But to still see the actual equipment that you guys were using is still the best for me! I wish that I had the resources and the ability to bring the remaining players from that era together to play once more! And I am sure that you guys would still sound great! But I cant do that by myself. (Or can I ? ) But to actually touch the piano that might have been used to play Mighty Love, or the Fender Rhodes that might have been used on Love Train and to be in the place where you guys recorded with Michael Jackson is still AWESOME!!! I am still a music tourist, so any chance I get to soak up some history of these places is great for me. You are right, though. I had a lunch meeting with the new owners of the building and they are dismantling just about everything to make the place better. They are even making the upstairs control room bigger and installing a SSL Series K for 5.1 surround! So it will be more comfortable and user friendly! Bobby, I would be honored if you came down and jammed out a bit before they tear the place apart! Whaddya say! D | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 906 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.163.22.60 |
That may be well and good, but you still need ENGINEERS to man the gear! I dont want to sound pessimistic but they can have all the latest this and that but... where's the personell? Its not the gear its the people who operate it with the TALENT to make it happen! Dont get me wrong , as anything is possible but I seriously doubt if it can happen in todays business climate. You can have all the money in the world but without the right people, forget about it!! As far as the original MFSB section goes, there are only three of us left. | ||
drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 148.177.1.212 |
Hey again, You just dropped a bomb on me man! There are only THREE of you left? (  ) But for the upcoming song that I am doing, I will have 2 engineers recording the session. But the people that are there now said that I can come in and jam out at no charge to get a feel for the place. And who better to jam out with than Bobby Eli? The Cooper Bros. will be there also as well as T. Conway on keys ( and my right hand man and kick ass keyboard player Obadiah Ouzts)! I am doing this session strictly for me and to get a chance to play with some of the people that I look up to musically! D | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 907 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.163.44.131 |
Daren, I will be more that happy to help in any way that i can. Just let me know when you want to do it and I will be there!! | ||
Gee (gausden) 2-Debutant Username: gausden Post Number: 22 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.236.160.80 |
I am with you Eli I here about studio's equipment all the time. I could care less Who is operating it and who is working with the Artists That is what is important. | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 950 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.162.122.205 |
Now THIS is the way Sigma studio 1 looked back in the day when the hits were rolling out of there !  | ||
drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.84.118.164 |
Hi Bobby! Is that the upstairs room or the downstairs room? And who is that playing percussion? The timbales that are sitting there look like the ones in the back room by the mic closet! D | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 966 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.42.56 |
Thats the upstairs room, studio 1. The group recording was Atlantic Starr for their second album. The percussion player was Joey Phillips from A.S. The timbales could have been the house kit, but i'm not sure. | ||
phil hurtt (phillyfossil) 1-Arriviste Username: phillyfossil Post Number: 8 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 68.37.87.187 |
Bobby , I just got chills, "good photo". STANDBY! | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1082 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.35.84 |
Hey Phil, take two Tylenol and call me in the morning!!(smile) | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1089 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.35.84 |
Here's a pic of theSigma strings in studio 2 circa 1975  | ||
drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 16 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 148.177.1.212 |
More Pics! More Pics! More Pics! D | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 5-Doyen Username: david_meikle Post Number: 292 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 82.1.161.230 |
Great stuff Bobby. As usual, thanks for sharing. | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1096 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 70.16.130.2 |
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Rick (bassik4) 2-Debutant Username: bassik4 Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 141.158.250.4 |
Hey Bobby, First and foremost,I give you 'props' on your work with MFSB.You guys were an inspiration to me as a player and as a bassist I listened to James Jamerson,Ronnie Baker,Larry Graham and etc. I have a musical question for you. On the first MFSB album, I saw another bassist on the roster named Anthony Jackson.Is this the Anthony Jackson who the top bassist in New York and master of the 'Conta Bass'? Did you find his style lot different from the way Ronnie played when you recorded with him? Bt the way, My condolences on Ronnie Baker and Carl and Roland Chambers as well. Take Care, Peace! | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1097 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 70.16.130.2 |
Hi Rick, Yes, ineed it was the same Anthony Jackson. he was somewhat of a prodigy, as he was barely eighteen when he did those sessions. his playing was at the time more on a jazz tip than our guys and therefore fit right in with the jazzier side of MFSB. And thanks for being a devotee of our music. | ||
Uptight (uptight) 4-Laureate Username: uptight Post Number: 106 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.161.239.218 |
I don't know him, but I'm glad to see you are willing to share some of your insight with Daren. I hope great things come out of your meetings. | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1108 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 70.16.130.2 |
Absolutely so. Daren is an awesome drummer and he knows a lot of great cats, so I just know that it will turn out great. | ||
Rick (bassik4) 2-Debutant Username: bassik4 Post Number: 14 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 68.162.110.99 |
Bobby, Whatever happened to Zach Zachary? A while ago I've heard he had a trio back in Philly,is he still around? He's such a dynamic saxophonist.What are your thoughts and comments on Pamela Williams who played sax for Patty LaBelle? Did you ever work with her? | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 1142 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.163.46.22 |
Hi Rick, Yes, Zach is still around and plays the occasional gig. And I do know Pam. I never really did any gigs with her per se, but she is a dynamite player and I loved her work when she played with Patti, and so maybe one day we will do a gig or two especially on some sessions.. | ||
bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 3-Pundit Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 56 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.102.169.8 |
Another devotee of the Philly Sound says it is always a treat to see pics from the legendary Sigma Sound Studios and learning more about the music that made Philly a household name. LONG LIVE MFSB! | ||
here i am (here_i_am) 3-Pundit Username: here_i_am Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.240.18.38 |
HE GUYS...here you have "The Three Degrees" at Sigma Sound Studio.....the place where they recorded their two worldwide hitalbums..."The THREE DEGREES" including When Will I See You Again, I Didn't Know, Year of Decision and Dirty ol' Man...the second one called "INTERNATIONAL" feat. a vocal version of TSOP, Take Good Care Of Yourself, Get Your Love Back, and Long Lost Lover...We love those Philly albums  | ||
Rick (bassik4) 2-Debutant Username: bassik4 Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 68.163.35.164 |
Cool pics on the Three Degrees. Does anybody know whatever happened to Dexter Wansel? It seems like he was left out of the mix. | ||
yoyoshep (yoyoshep) 2-Debutant Username: yoyoshep Post Number: 19 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
I've been into the Sound Of Philadelphi since I was ten in 1972. It was then that my uncle Johnny showed my dad the Backstabbers album and said to him:" D this is a bad album!" I always wanted to go the Philadelphia and see the city where all this great music came out of. Procastination and the business of life keep me on the west coast where I am from. Finally in April 2002 I made a music pilgrimage to Philadelphia. I took time off from my job and left my understanding wife and two kids for two days. I saw the outside of Gamble and Huff studios (No tours were available there). I saw the Gamble and Huff exhibit at the African American Museum. That was great! There were rare pictures of Gamble and Huff and many of the Philly artist from there personal collection. There was also the piano that Leon Huff composed on. The real treat was visiting Sigma Sound Studios. I called there and arranged for a tour. When I arrived it was a blast seeing all the gold records on the wall. The secretary gave me a tour of the studio and I took some video. After the tour I asked the secretary if Joe Tarsia still worked there. She said; "Oh he is here today upstairs in his office." I asked her if it would possible to meet him. She called his upstairs office then told me to go upstairs. Mr. Tarsia is truely one of the nicest people you would want to meet. He was very gracious with his time and answered many of my questions. While we were talking the phone in his office rung. Mr. Tarsia answered the phone and said; " Yea Kenny there is this guy here from California visiting. Say a few words to him." To my shock Mr. Tarsia gave me the phone and I began talking to Kenny Gamble! Afterwards I left the studio and returned to California the next day. This was truely a blessing and a great trip! | ||
drums (drums) 2-Debutant Username: drums Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.84.118.164 |
Yoyoshep, Now I know how you feel! D |
