Motown Treasures

Richard Perry Cloud Nine Memoirs of a Producer has just arrived.

I have yet to read the book but browsing the index there are numerous references to Motown artists and other R&B artists. Most notably chapters on Martha Reeves and “Martha”, her solo album, Diana Ross “Baby It’s Me” (my favourite Diana album) and The Pointer Sisters amongst others.

Plenty of other artists are mentioned so I am optimistic this is a biography I will enjoy and learn some hitherto unknown facts.

I read the book sometime ago now. I am a big admirer of Richard Perry so this brief note is biased……

My first introduction to Richard Perry came in 1967 with a obscure single Gotta Get Away by Fantasia. Reminded me of Beach Boys/Turtles and lots of bands around at the time. It wasn’t until years later I realised the producer and co-writer was the same Richard Perry whose career spans some 60 years and CV which reads like a musical Who’s Who. I’m not at all surprised RP bio is non stop name dropping in the best sense. Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon (yes that single), Ringo Starr’s “Ringo”, his best solo album, Leo Sayer “Endless Flight”, Ella Fitzgerald, Captain Beefheart, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Pointer Sisters, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Harry Nilsson, Julio Iglesias/Willie Nelson, Art Garfunkel “Breakaway”, The Temptations, DeBarge, Patti LaBelle, Manhattan Transfer, Randy Travis, Martha Reeves, Jeffrey Osborne, Fats Domino, Neil Diamond and Perry’s labour of love  “God Bless Tiny Tim” to name a few.

Nearly everyone deserves and gets a mention, inevitably there are artists I would have appreciated more information on. Disappointingly no mention is made of Fantasia. The background to Tiny Tim and the sessions I think are the heart of the book and Perry’s desire to do the best by an artist. In a nutshell a very enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys music.

Fantasia link below I hope