| Author | Message | ||
  T.L. Harris (tl_harris) 2-Debutant Username: tl_harris Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Hello Everyone, I was having a discussion with some friends of mine about the song �Yes I�m Ready� by Barbra Mason, and written and produced by Weldon McDougal, and the more we talked and thought about it, �Yes I�m Ready� was the real beginning of the Philly soul sound. No one before �Yes I�m Ready� really brought the rhythm section together with the horns in such a way. That production and arrangement was really ahead of its time and laid the foundation for what was to be known as the Philly soul sound. I would like to know everyone else�s opinion on this subject. Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated greatly. T.L. Harris | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 439 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
I've heard people (including Barbara herself) say this but I'm not sure if it's 100% correct. Barbara's 'Girls Have Feelings Too' is the earliest example of "The Philly Sound" that I've heard and it was released in late 1964/early '65, about 6 months before 'Yes I'm Ready'. I'm not sure why credit is never given to the excellent 'Girls Have Feelings Too'? | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 288 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
I also produced,"Girls Have Feelings Too" Weldon A. Mc Dougal III Barbara Mason  | ||
Rhythm & Blues Showcase (rb_showcase) 2-Debutant Username: rb_showcase Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.175.243.148 |
Nice picture Weldon! You have quite a collection! | ||
T.L. Harris (tl_harris) 3-Pundit Username: tl_harris Post Number: 31 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Great picture of Barbra, Weldon. T.L. Harris | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 289 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
here's a photo of the Girls that did the background on "Girls Have Feeling's To" The Tiffanys  (Message edited by weldon on August 20, 2004) | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 441 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
OMG Mr. Weldon! I had no idea that you produced 'Girls Have Feelings Too'! Wow. I've always assumed that Jimmy Bishop produced 'GHFT' and 'Yes I'm Ready' since he had so much involvement in Barbara's career. I've read Miss Mason's story in the book "Ladies Of Soul" and she tells all about how you recorded all of her early singles but it still didn't sink in until now. Wow! Mr. Weldon, words can not describe to you how much I love 'Girls Have Feelings Too'! I've got a near mint promo copy of the single (with no producer credited on the label for some reason?) that's been one of the most prized items in my collection for years. I hadn't even heard of this record before I owned it. I won it the single in an auction along with a slew of other records and I could've cared less when I won 'GHFT' since I had bid nothing but the minimum $3.00 on it. That all changed once this gem hit my turntable! LOL. I was hooked as soon as I heard that stuttering intro with The Tiffanys chanting "Girls-Have-Feel-Lings-Girls-Have-Feel-Lings". I love it! It's ingenious how you used that same intro on the fadeout. Man I love that song! A perfect record from beginning to end. Mr. Weldon, you and everyone else involved in that single outdid yourselves. Is it possible for you to share anything you remember about the production with us? Great pics by the way Mr. Weldon! This is why I love SDF!  (Message edited by Rodmann on August 20, 2004) | ||
dvdmike (dvdmike) 5-Doyen Username: dvdmike Post Number: 281 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.208.234.85 |
I've been wondering myself about who produced the Barbara Mason material on Arctic. I've heard or read Jimmy Bishop and/or Weldon McDougal, but I'm a bit confused. Also, did you, Mr. McDougal produce Eddie Holman's Harthon stuff or was it Luther Randolph and Johnny Styles? Who was the arranger for Eddie's records? Thank you, Mike | ||
Nosey (nosey) 5-Doyen Username: nosey Post Number: 236 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
I read these posts about how you collectors get so excited when you find one of these great records I feel the same way but my exhilaration is different in that I actually danced to these tunes at house parties and neighborhood dances when these records came out. I get the same "warm fuzzies" but for different reasons. | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 290 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Mike, I told this story so many times,Harthon records, was started by me and Johnny Styles,Luther Randolph, was working with John, they had a band called the Manhattens, I had a group called The Larks,I also had Barbara Mason,and the Tiffanys,about a year after we started,Jimmy Bishop was added to are partnership, To here the rest of this story there is a book comeing out in Oct 2004,"House On Fire The Rise And Fall Of Philadelphia Soul"I arranged all back ground vocals, for all the artist on Harthon records,The Larks, Barbara Mason, Nella Dodds,The Twilights,and Eddie Holman,The Larks did all the vocals on all the early Eddie Holman songs,get the book | ||
isaiah imani (isaiah) 3-Pundit Username: isaiah Post Number: 54 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 66.119.33.135 |
T.L., great post, man!(smile!) Weldon's told this story at SDF a couple of times, but it gets lost in a lot of cognitive dissonance - which is a technical way of describing what happens to folks when what they WANNA believe comes into conflict with what is truth... Weldon's a humble guy - mad humble... He's not going to blow his own horn to the degree that he gets into a competitive thing with other "horn players..." Plus, he's still producing artists, like Shirley Slaughter, whose voice reminds me a lot of Stephanie Mills... So, I wont blow his horn for him, here, either... Like he said, the Philadelphia Sound book will be out in the fall... It should give us all a lot to discuss at SDF... Hopefully, this humble man will finally get the recognition he deserves, and folk will stop making false attributions and ascriptions to others as the force behind the SOUND... Peace! Isaiah | ||
David Meikle (david_meikle) 5-Doyen Username: david_meikle Post Number: 338 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 81.130.211.124 |
Rod I'm going to have to look out this recording! Must have it somewhere........ I also love "Bobby is my baby". | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 6-Zenith Username: rodmann Post Number: 442 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.223.151.165 |
David, you're gonna love 'Girls Have Feelings Too'. I remember being shocked the first time I heard it because it's so ahead of it's time! It's hard to believe that it was recorded in 1964! David, I'm sure you'll flip for it as well. Let me know what you think about it when you find a copy. I've never heard 'Bobby Is My Baby' but Weldon recorded another excellent, early song on Barbara called 'Dedicated To The One I Love' (not the Shirelles hit). It's the flip to Barbara's very first single 'Trouble Child' ('GHFT' was her second). 'Dedicated To The One I Love' isn't as groundbreaking as 'Girls Have Feelings Too' but it's a nice slice of early 60's DooWop styled Soul. | ||
Nosey (nosey) 5-Doyen Username: nosey Post Number: 237 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Weldon, whatever happened to Nella Dodds. I remember, "Put A Dime on D9" and I remember her version of "Come See About Me". | ||
dvdmike (dvdmike) 5-Doyen Username: dvdmike Post Number: 283 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.208.234.85 |
I guess I either missed that post or forgot about it. Sorry, Weldon. | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 291 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
I produced "Come See About" I did not do, PADOD9 I talked to Nella about a year ago, I think she was living in Norfork Va,she still singing, she sent me a gospel cd she did | ||
Nosey (nosey) 5-Doyen Username: nosey Post Number: 238 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Thanks Weldon. I knew I wasn't crazy. None of my friends recall her version of "Come See About Me. Do you know who produced D9? | ||
T.L. Harris (tl_harris) 3-Pundit Username: tl_harris Post Number: 32 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
Hello Everyone, And thanks Isaiah, I thought this would be an interesting thread, because some friends and I were talking about this topic and I thought I would bring it to the SD family. You're right Weldon is a super humble guy, but at the same time he also deserves some credit for what he has done. I know the next time some friends and I get together, I know to bring the conversation to SD. T.L. Harris | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 632 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.37.228.115 |
Weldon! Man, your pictures are great! You have a wonderful collection! | ||
Mark Speck (mark_speck) 4-Laureate Username: mark_speck Post Number: 148 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.188.137.54 |
For all us Northern soul fans here, Weldon, since you mentioned the Tiffanys, did you produce their solo single on Arctic, "Happiest Girl in the World"? Best, Mark | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 296 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
YES, Weldon | ||
Mark Speck (mark_speck) 4-Laureate Username: mark_speck Post Number: 150 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.188.137.54 |
Thanks, Weldon. You're the best! Best, Mark | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 297 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
hey Mark, I did'nt know you guys new anything about the Tiffanys, this is the first time I'm hereing of this,are you playing any of the other songs, Weldon | ||
Nosey (nosey) 5-Doyen Username: nosey Post Number: 244 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.153.113.238 |
Weldon as a Philadelphian who listened to the radio especially Georgie Woods and Jimmy Bishop, I don't remember the Tiffanys. Were their records played? I don't recall seeing them at the Uptown and I rarely missed any shows either. Why aren't the Tiffanys known here? | ||
Weldon A. Mc Dougal III (weldon) 5-Doyen Username: weldon Post Number: 298 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.80.162.3 |
Hi Nosey, the Tiffanys worked at the Uptown one time, and there records were played on WDAS and WHAT,nothing happened,and now they are talking and playing in the UK,I have know Idea how they got it over there,the Tiffanys have a few fans here, Weldon | ||
mel(andthensome) (mel) 6-Zenith Username: mel Post Number: 442 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.154.242.59 |
Weldon is with out a doubt one of the true legends on the music scene and not just regards his philly involvement with his personal magical touch all over them. I have had the honour/privalidge to correspond with him over the past few years and to me this guy has been a total open and true genuine gent and then some........ His work is well known over here in the uk and the material he has worked on over so many years is second to none. Since being on this great forum I have spoken with for myself some of my all time heroes and all still blow me away when they take time to post. The Arctic 45s with Dyno-Dynamic productions on the label are Weldons (correct me Weldon,if wrong) plus the amount of artists he has worked with are endless. I am a 100% fan of guys like Weldon with 45s by The 4 Larks/United 4/The Larks/Barbara Mason.....etc etc etc... His Harthon Material whatever the list is endless for me its the Weldons of this world like so many others who post on here that have given myself and coutless others the beat that still makes us want to move our feet.......... I will without hesitation forever give credit to legends like Mr McDougal and others that may not have it over in other parts of the world but in the uk we all know about the real deal guys/chicks etc Let the music do the talking......... say no more...... I could talk for days about the class acts who are all posting here why would anyone doubt them? Regards The Tiffanys check out 'its got to be a great song' Hey Weldon dont ever change man......... regards MEL-O-DELPHIA......... | ||
Mark Speck (mark_speck) 4-Laureate Username: mark_speck Post Number: 156 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.188.113.164 |
Mel beat me to it, Weldon...especially since I'm here in Cleveland and he's in the thick of things over in the UK...LOL! Yes, "It's Got to Be a Great Song" has gotten some spins on the Northern scene (I've yet to hear this one or the Arctic, BTW...guess a visit to the Soul Club website is in order!). This track came out on the KR label (one of Koppelman and Rubin's operations), distributed by Chess (saw the scan on Benji Schlamp's site). I think there may be another single by them, but I'm not sure. Best, Mark |
