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Sharon Davis' Motown Tracking column (September)

I’m really stuck for a lead story this time. Not because there’s no news but because I can’t choose which is the most important. They all are in their own way, so will start at the top of the pile of paper on my desk and work down. Logic, Sharon, logic!

Let’s TCB… The Temptations’ Law Of The Land, Eddie Kendricks’ Girl You Need A Change Of Mind, Commodores’ Machine Gun join the Jackson 5’s Forever Came Today, Diana Ross’ Hangover and The Boss, Teena Marie’s I Need Your Lovin’ and Thelma Houston’s Don’t Leave Me This Way on a hu-mongus 4 cd package titled A Complete Introduction To Disco 1970 - 1980. Fan-bloody-tastic! And it was released on August 30.

JAKI GRAHAM

You may have seen the news item relating to Jaki Graham posted a few weeks ago. Well, do you remember that she was a Motown artist - albeit by default? In 1990 Jaki teamed up with Paul Hardcastle to record a version of the Jimi Hendrix classic Voodoo Chile. They called themselves Kiss The Sky and watched the single climb the UK chart. Next was Living For You with a sampling from Minnie Riperton’s Loving You, but that’s besides the point. A little while later the Kiss The Sky cd was released by Motown: the cover carried an illustration by Jose Ortega but no pictures of the two artists. You could, however, find their names on the inner sleeve, with scanty information that included the project was written, produced and mixed by Paul except, of course, Voodoo Chile. Anyway, other tracks were – You Don’t Have To Change, So Easy, Your Heart Got In The Way, It’s You, Don’t Take Your Love Away From Me, We Can Make It Happen, What Does It Take, It Don’t Seem Right and Same Place Same Time. It was an interesting release; the calibre of the material was some of Paul’s finest. It certainly should have done good business, but, one assumes, Motown didn’t have the dosh to promote it properly, so it went to Motown heaven where unsold music of excellence goes. Now, of course, the cd is much in demand.

BOYZ II MEN

Now let’s cross the Atlantic and spend a short time with the one-time Motown mega group - Boyz II Men. Although they were raised in Philadelphia, the group signed a recording deal with Motown and made money immediately. Their debut album Cooleyhighharmony passed 14 million in sales but 1994’s II exceeded that by a couple of million! It was a remarkable career for four young men who based their sound on tight a cappella harmonies and strong emotional ballads, like End Of The Road and I’ll Make Love To You. Their distinctive style is recognisable the world over and, member Shawn Stockman told The Wichita Eagle, that this was actually developed when they were growing up, and when Philadelphia was receiving recognition as a R&B metropolis. [I"]We were fortunate to have that type of music and that type of history at our disposal (at the time). If that music wasn’t on the radio, then our parents were playing it at home.” Originally a five member group, Boyz II Men was whittled to a quartet when they signed to Motown, and when, of course, their musical influences were totally diverse.. ”Being musicians, we couldn’t help but listen to what was going on and to what, at the time, was hot.” Shawn said, citing New Jack Swing, hip-hop, R&B, gospel, pop and rock. It was a rich time for music – “and we tried our best to scoop it all up.”

Today, Boyz II Men comprise three – Wanya Morris, Nathan Morris, Shawn – and are signed to Decca, following further recording deals with Universal, Arista and Koch. Their last two significant releases are probably, Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA in 2007, and last year’s Love featuring re-makes of love songs which I wasn’t that fond of I’m afraid. Although still a high profile act, Shawn says his lifestyle has slowed down, and he loves enjoying the best of both worlds. “We’re still able to physically perform at the level that we need to…nothing has changed. (But now) we can go home, raise our kids, be husbands and enjoy life. We can go to the store and buy milk and eggs (too).” So, I suppose you could say, the guys have grown from boys into men!! Sorry – devil made me write it! By the way, the group celebrate their 20th anniversary next year, so let’s hope for something special eh?

MOTOWN RELEASES...not quite!?

As you can appreciate, I’m often asked questions that I can’t answer. A most recent one was - why is Motown leasing out its product and not releasing them itself? I couldn’t answer that. So contacted a man who would know – Harry Weinger. He told me that if you’ve got any queries like this, then feel free to contact Harry at classic.motown@umusic.com and he’ll personally answer them. So to the reader who sent me the question, do your stuff girlie. As it happens, am listening to Ace Records’ limited edition of The Satintones Sing! cd as I’m typing this. Particularly interesting are the final two tracks – Solid Sender and I’ll Never Love Again because they feature Chico Leverett with the Rayber Voices of Detroit. In fact, it’s a solid collection. Plan to listen to Barbara McNair’s Front Row Center next. Yes, I’m intrigued as well!

BERRY NICE INDEED

Well, if I could afford it, I’d buy it. Berry Gordy’s former residence in Detroit’s Boston-Edison neighbourhood is up for sale for the princely sum of $1.395 million. The nine bedroomed house has five full bathrooms, four half bathrooms and a five-car garage. It also has a 4,000-square foot pool house, with bowling lanes and a billiard room. The house, known as the Motown mansion, was built in 1917 and features Italian renaissance design plus old world craftsmanship, like a marble-columned ballroom and a black walnut panelled living room. Um. Maybe not.

MARC GORDON RIP

A little sad news here. Marc Gordon, manager of The 5th Dimension died in June in Los Angeles, at the age of 74 years. He’d been ill for a number of years. Known for his songwriting talent, high energy and ‘joie de vivre’, Marc was the director of Motown’s West Coast Operations during the early sixties, and produced some of the company’s biggest acts like The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and “Little” Stevie Wonder. However, his greatest success came when he left Motown in 1966 to discover The Versatiles, who had actually auditioned for Motown, but weren’t signed up. He asked the quintet (Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr, Florence LeRue, LaMonte McLemore and Ron Townson) to find a hipper moniker – and The 5th Dimension were born! As their new manager, Marc connected them with Johnny River’s Soul City record label, and the rest was Grammy, gold and platinum history. Marc also managed Tony Orlando and Dawn, Thelma Houston and Willie Hutch at one point. According to the (original) quintet’s biographer, Robert-Allan Arno – “Marc was a trailblazer, an indelible part of the history of The 5th Dimension, of music history. He was a seminal figure during the proverbial ‘Age of Aquarius’ who helped bridge the pop and soul charts, subsequently uniting diverse audiences during a turbulent time in our country.”

A SUPREME DIANA ROSS PERFORMANCE

And that’s a very loose link to Diana Ross with Love Hangover being the connection. Got it? Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence caught one of Diana Ross’ recent US concerts. “The show was fab as usual” Lynda said. “I want to thank her for incorporating Scherrie and me on the video opening of the ‘Reflections’ part of the show. She did lots of Supremes’ hits on this show too. And she looked fantastic, sounded great and wore the most fabulous gowns! She is the consummate performer and gets better with age. Truly in a class by herself! Kudos Diana!” Read more by visiting scherriepayneandlyndalaurence.com Also, Scherrie Payne reports that Supreme Cindy Birdsong is writing her autobiography. If you need any visuals Cindy, give us a nudge. My email is motowntracking@sky.com Talking of books I’ve been asked what my latest project is. W-e-l-l. I never like to tempt fate but can say I’m working on a Divas Of Motown coffee table book. With photographer Ivan Constable who took blinding pictures of the ladies in London, I’m compiling visuals of all the company’s ladies (please, please don’t let me leave anyone out is my current daily prayer!) There’ll be some stunning shots and some not so stunning but, I hope, informative text to go alongside. It’s a work in progress with no publication date as yet. Meantime, on the back burner are two other projects – one relating to a male Motown superstar and the other to a female Motown trio. Nearly forgot, for the time being, my planned Motown Tracking book due to be published by Bank House Books this year has temporarily been put on hold. Working with me on that book was a young researcher, Felix Mensah, who is quite brilliant, and he’s sent me a series of Motown Fifties; which I think you’ll find fascinating. So to kick orf, here’s the first two, and more will be included in future columns.

This first list...

Felix writes, is a selection of now HARD TO FIND MOTOWN RELEASES IN THE UK, with catalogue numbers.


1. JUST LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE - BRENDA HOLLOWAY (ZB 4191) 

2. A FUNKY SPACE REINCARNATION - MARVIN GAYE (TMG 1138)

3. GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE - DIANA ROSS (TMG 849)

4. MEDLEY-TEMPTATIONS & FOUR TOPS (TMG 1320)

5. SMILING FACES SOMETIMES - TEMPTATIONS (TMG 832)

6. INNER CITY BLUES - MARVIN GAYE (TMG 817)

7. TELL ME IT'S A RUMOUR - ISLEY BROTHERS (TMG 877)

8. FRIENDSHIP TRAIN - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (TMG 756) 

9. LET IT WHIP - DAZZ BAND (TMG 1270)
10. SUPREMES MEDLEY - DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES (TMG 1180)

11. I CAN'T GIVE BACK THE LOVE - RITA WRIGHT (TMG 643) 

12. I WANT YOU - MARVIN GAYE (TMG 1026)

13. A LITTLE BIT FOR SANDY - PAUL PETERSON (TMG 670) 

14. BETCHA CANT LOSE - MAGIC LADY (ZB 42003)

15. LEAVE ME NOW - BLACK RUSSIAN (TMG 1220)

16. IT'S A LIFETIME THING - THELMA HOUSTON & JERRY BUTLER (TMG 1074)

17. SATURDAY NIGHT, SUNDAY MORNING - THELMA HOUSTON (TMG 1130)

18. TROUBLE MAN - MARVIN GAYE (TMG 846)

19. I AM LOVE - JACKSON FIVE (TMG 942)

20. NOTHING'S TOO GOOD FOR MY BABY - STEVIE WONDER (TMG 558)

21. USED TO BE - CHARLENE & STEVIE WONDER (TMG 1287) 

22. I WAN'T TO GO BACK THERE AGAIN - CHRIS CLARK (TMG 638)

23. NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK – THE VELVELETTES (TMG 806)

24. TIN CAN PEOPLE - GLORIA JONES (TMG 910)

25. CHILD OF LOVE - CASTON & MAJORS (TMG 938)

26. IN AND OUT - WILLIE HUTCH (TMG 1285)

27. I GOT A FEELING - BARBARA RANDOLPH (TMG 708)

28. LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN - PHIL CORDELL (MW 3015)

29. A REAL HUMDINGER - J.J BARNES (TMG 870)

30. WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET - STONEY & MEATLOAF (RES 103)

31. LET'S MAKE A DEAL - SYREETA & G.C CAMERON (TMG 1094)

32. CAN I GET A WITNESS - BARBARA RANDOLPH (TMG 1133)

33. HERE I AM BABY - THE MARVELETTES (TMG 659)

34. BAD WEATHER – THE SUPREMES (TMG 847) **

35. HEAVY LOVE AFFAIR - MARVIN GAYE (TMG 1232)

36. SCRATCHIN - MAGIC DISCO MACHINE (TMG 1004)
37. POPS WE LOVE YOU - DIANA ROSS, STEVIE WONDER, MARVIN GAYE & SMOKEY ROBINSON (TMG 1136)
**38. BABY HIT & RUN - THE CONTOURS (TMG 886)

39.[ B]JUST MY SOUL RESPONDING - SMOKEY ROBINSON (TMG 883)
**
40. YOU CAN'T TURN ME OFF - HIGH ENERGY (TMG 1087) 

41. YOUR LOVE IS SO GOOD FOR ME - DIANA ROSS (TMG 1104)

42. DO I LOVE YOU (INDEED I DO) - FRANK WILSON (TMG 1170

The second...

MOTOWN PASTICHES


1. HEARTACHE AVENUE - THE MAISONETTES (1982 on RSG)

2. STOP BREAKING MY HEART - TOM JONES (1966 on Decca)

3. NOBODY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY MIND BUT ME - TAMMY ST JOHN (1966 on Pye)

4. A MAN LIKE ME - JIMMY JAMES & THE VAGABONDS (1972 on Stateside/EMI)

5. LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO MY HEART - SHIRLEY & THE SHIRELLES (1969 on Bell)

6. YOU CAN DO MAGIC - LIMMIE & THE FAMILY COOKIN’ (1973 on Avco/Phonogram)

7. SWEET ILLUSION - JUNIOR CAMPBELL (1973 on Deram)

8. LITTLE BY LITTLE - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD (1966 on Philips) 

9. RUN BABY RUN - THE NEWBEATS (1965 on Hickory)#

10. THERE'S A PAIN IN MY HEART - THE POPPIES (1966 on Epic)

11. SUPERGIRL - GRAHAM BONNEY (1966 ON Columbia/EMI)

12. SURRENDER YOUR LOVE - THE CARROLLS (1966 on Polydor) 

13. I GOT MY HEART SET ON YOU - THE TOYS (1968 on Musicor)

14. WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE - THE FLIRTATIONS (1969 on Deram) 

15. HOLD ON TO MY BABY - THE CAVALIERS (1967 on RCA) 

16. CAN'T HELP LOVING YOU - PAUL ANKA (1966 on RCA)

17. THE SLOW FIZZ - THE SAPPHIRES (1965 on ABC)

18. COULD IT BE YOU - SHARON SCOTT (1967 on RCA)

19 .WALK,WALK, TALK, TALK - DAVE BERRY (1966 on Decca)

20. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU - LYDIA MARCELLE (1966 on Manhattan)

21. MY MAN IS A SWEET MAN - MILLIE JACKSON (1972 on Spring)

22. APPLE, PEACHES, PUMPKIN PIE - JAY & THE TECHNIQUES (1967 on Mercury/Phonogram)

23. I HEAR THE CHURCH BELLS RINGING - DUSK (1972 on Bell) 

24. RIGHT NOW & NOT LATER -THE SHANGRI LAS (1965 on Red Bird)

25. IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE - DUSTY SPRINGFIELD (1965 on Philips)

26. STONEY END - BARBRA STREISAND (1971 on CBS)

27. GOOD THING - THE FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS (1989 on London)

28. BE MY BABY - VANESSA PARADIS (1992 on Polydor)

29. LIKE I DO - FOR REAL (1996 on Rowdy)

30. LOVE REALLY HURTS WITHOUT YOU - BILLY OCEAN (1976 on GTO)

31. I'M NOT BUILT THAT WAY - THE HESITATIONS (1965 on Kapp)

32. RECOVERY - FONTELLA BASS (1966 on Chess)

33. SUGAR PIE GUY - LINDA CARR & THE LOVE SQUAD (1975 on Chelsea)

34. GOODBYE (NOTHIN TO SAY) - JAVELLS FT NOSMO KING (1974 on Pye Disco Demand)

35. LOVE HIT ME - MAXINE NIGHTINGALE (1977 on United Artists)

36. I'M UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF LOVE - FELICE TAYLOR (1967 on President)

37. QUITTING TIME - BIG MAYBELLE (1967 on Rojac) 

38. YOU'RE READY NOW - FRANKIE VALLI (1966 on Smash)
#
39. COOL JERK - THE THREE CAPS (1966 on Atlantic) 

40. LOVE IS AFTER ME - CHARLIE RICH (1966 on Hi)

41. IN ORBIT - JOY LOVEJOY (1967 on Chess)

42. FIND ME LOVE – JACKIE DE SHANNON (1967 on Liberty)

43. GIVE IT SOME EMOTION - TRACIE (1983 on Respond/A&M)

44. CHURCH OF THE POISON MIND - CULTURE CLUB (1983 on Virgin)

45. SWEET SWEET LOVIN’ -THE PLATTERS (1967 on Musicor)

46 .IN THE BAD BAD OLD DAYS - FOUNDATIONS (1969 on Pye)

47. BRINGING ON BACK THE GOOD TIMES -THE LOVE AFFAIR (1969 on CBS)

48. LIGHTNING STRIKES - LOU CHRISTIE (1966 on MGM)

49. 123 - LEN BARRY (1965 on MCA) 

50. ALWAYS HAVE, ALWAYS WILL - ACE OF BASE (1998 on Mega)
 
(# Charted in the UK Top 50 when re-issued in 1971)


A FEW LITTLE TRACKINGS

Her version of The Temptations’ Ain’t No Sun Since You’ve Been Gone included on Dusty…In Deutschland dvd due to be released by Zone Records…….A young Jermaine Jackson on the Dynamite Videos dvd just out from Wienerworld, the same company to release The Temptations Live In Concert!. Full reviews to come, but what niggles me greatly is the lack of support information. A little inner sleeve highlighting details about the artists and the disc’s content would add so much to the purchaser’s pleasure. Not everyone knows Jermaine’s history, and sometimes being Michael’s older brotherl just isn’t enough. There I’ve said it. Am available at a reasonable price! ...The Temptin’ Temptations will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year. Please Motown let’s celebrate this iconic occasion with style and excitement…...In a recent US interview, Smokey Robinson was quoted – “I live a life that I absolutely love. When you earn a living doing what you absolutely love, that’s a blessing. I don’t ever forget that. Especially in a business like show business, where people come and go overnight. I am very blessed.” ….A brand new Michael Jackson compilation is in the pipeline for November release. It’s said to contain a couple of songs left over from the Bad album, plus another from Thriller, and a possible five reputedly recorded with Will.i.am. Also, Michael Jackson: The Video Game, a hybrid karaoke and dance simulator, is also due at the end of this year…..I often think that when artists cut an album of cover versions, it’s a cop out, or they’ve got no new material of their own. This can’t be the case of Phil Collins surely, with his Going Back compilation. To be fair to him, I’ve only heard a handful of tracks and wasn’t impressed: maybe it’s his voice not suiting that wholesome R&B musical atmosphere. Dunno. “I want the songs to sound exactly like the originals.” He didn’t want to bring anything new to these already great records, he said, but rather try to – “recreate the sounds and feelings that I had when I first heard them.” The fact that three Funk Brothers – Ray Monette, Eddie Willis, Bob Babbitt – are featured on all the tracks does give Phil a little credibility I guess, but I have to ask, if he didn’t want to change anything, why don’t we just listen to the originals? ..…Have heard this Barbara McNair cd through to the end now. Released by Sepia Records, it’s a collection of show tunes. What a stunningly marvellous voice she had - rich, articulate, smooth and clear. Sadly, she died from throat cancer in in 2007. Tell you what, I feel an article coming up in the future about this distinguished singer who recorded some ultra soulful slices for Motown. What say you?

AND FINALLY...

And this leads me nicely into my last item as Barbara McNair is included on the long awaited And this leads nicely into the next item because Barbara McNair is included on the long awaited A Cellarful Of Motown Volume 4 due next month. The track’s titled The Real You, and she’s joined by..well, here’s the track listing in its entirety -

Disc: 1

1. Kidnapped - The Blackberries
2. Keep On Tryin' Til You Find Love - Fantastic Four
3. Your Kiss Kiss - Marvin Gaye, Oma Heard
4. My Baby Moves Me - Brenda Holloway
5. Cool, Cool Baby - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
6. The Girls I've Chosen To Be My Bride - Joe Stubbs
7. You Didn't Show Girl - The Temptations
8. My Baby Changes Like The Weather - The Vows
9. Doctor Of Love - The Monitors
10. All I Need Is A Chance - Robert Dobyne
11. The Day You Take One (You Have To Take The Other) - Gladys Knight & The Pips
12. Ain't Gonna Tell You - Frank Wilson
13. Dancing U.S.A - The Contours
14. That's The Way I See Him - The Marvelettes
15. Have A Little Patience And Wait - Mary Wells
16. Three Time Loser - Marvin Gaye
17. Lead Me And Guide Me - Holland-Dozier
18. It's Company Time - The Versatones
19. Twin Brother - Eddie Holland
20. Think Of The Times - Carolyn Crawford
21. You're What's Happening Baby - Four Tops
22. I'll Turn To Stone - Dennis Edwards
23. I Need You More Than Ever - Paul Williams
24. Daddy, Cool - Oma Heard
25. The Real You - Barbara McNair

Disc: 2

1. Miss Lonely Hearts - The Vandellas
2. The House That Jack Built - J.J. Barnes
3. The Philly Dog - Earl Van Dyke & The Soul Brothers
4. Whole Lot Of Shakin' In My Heart (Since I Met You) - The Utopians
5. Only A Lonely Man Would Know - Ivy Jo Hunter
6. It's Gonna Be Always - Blinky
7. Somebody's Waiting For Me - The Contours
8. A Bird In The Hand (Is Worth Two In The Bush) - Gladys Knight & The Pips
9. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight - Tammi Terrell
10. Why Don't You Come Home - Stevie Wonder
11. You Can Do It - The Miracles
12. You Give Me Love To Live For - Debbie Dean
13. Head Over Heals In Love With You Baby - The Spinners
14. I'd Cry - Chuck Jackson
15. In The Summer - The Lollipops
16. Just Let Me Thank You For Loving Me - The Originals
17. I Feel Like I'm Falling In Love Again - Dennis Edwards
18. Sock It Too Um - Jr. Walker & The All Stars
19. Take Him Back If It Makes You Happy - Fantastic Four
20. Born To Be Bad - Edwin Starr
21. She's All I Need In This World - Marv Johnson
22. Mobile Lil The Dancing Witch - Shorty Long
23. Hey Girl, Come On Do The Pearl - The Agents
24. In The Cool Of The Night - David Ruffin
25. Little Miss Loser - Brenda Holloway

Til next time..keep the faith

Sharon Davis x

Please feel free to contact Sharon at her brand new email address motowntracking@sky.com with any Motown news that you feel would benefit others - Thank you.