Author Topic: David Solo  (Read 5343 times)

humboldt

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David Solo
« on: January 30, 2020, 03:56:02 pm »
In the US David's solo career got off to a flying start with the excellent 'My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)' which was a top 10 hit. I expected it to be followed by lots more massive pop hits but it didn't happen. He had the voice, the moves, the look and the fans! So what went wrong?

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Silly Wasnt I

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2020, 03:32:16 am »
John, I have a theory that some of the big singers have such powerful voices that their output tends to blur into one shouty mess. For me, this is true of Aretha and David - I far prefer the ballads, when these great singers reined it in.

That's just my view - and probably not a popular one!

SWI

Roger

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2020, 04:54:19 am »
I thought that the problem with David Ruffin was that he had a reputation for being difficult to work with.

He definitely got on the wrong side of Otis Williams and in the book "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" Otis paints him as being undependable and as someone who preferred partying to singing.  In fact, in the book, Otis seems unwilling to say anything complimentary about David Ruffin and tells a few tales that expose his dark side.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aint-Too-Proud-Beg-Temptations/dp/047026117X/ref=pd_sbs_14_1/260-8775347-4591301?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=047026117X&pd_rd_r=aba33582-b240-4361-adf6-1bf8051093e5&pd_rd_w=g9AVo&pd_rd_wg=Ivtvt&pf_rd_p=b7f777ff-40e2-4a42-b29f-72417639c630&pf_rd_r=P7HB5STAYY8JXEPDKMXF&psc=1&refRID=P7HB5STAYY8JXEPDKMXF

If David Ruffin had a similar impression on others it would help explain why he got little or no promotion between his first solo LP and his hook up with Van McCoy in late '75.
 
Fantastic singer though!!

Roger

humboldt

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2020, 02:19:40 pm »
So really you think that David only had himself to blame. I agree that he was at least 50% at fault but poor material played a huge part too.

McMotown

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2020, 06:48:47 am »
To me David's first four albums were mediocre and never lived up to the expectations of such a talented singer. Then he teamed up with Van McCoy and wow I can just listen to those three albums over and over again. Statue Of A Fool makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up every time I listen to it.

Snakepit

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2020, 07:35:20 am »
I loved the first LP, ( mwwetmylm) liked the second (Feeling good) , not mad about "David Ruffin( Bobby Miller) , lost interest by the time "Me and rockn roll " came along. Sadly the unissued David was...err..unissued.
I think a poor choice of 45s didn't help David...far better tracks available that some 45s Motown used,

Silly Wasnt I

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2020, 11:34:00 am »
This is from David Ruffin's album ME AND ROCK'N'ROLL ARE HERE TO STAY. It's a terrific version of a terrific song.



It's here because the song has been discussed on the Undisputed Truth thread. I don't know if the UK single version was truncated....

Now, I like this Norman Whitfield produced album but I seem to recall that critics were less kind.

SWI

humboldt

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2020, 11:59:53 am »
I like David's version but am not keen on that spoken intro! IMHO 'Me'n Rock'n Roll Are Here To Stay' was one of his best solo albums!

https://www.discogs.com/David-Ruffin-Men-Rockn-Roll-Are-Here-To-Stay/release/1052881

Mikep5

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2020, 09:17:23 pm »
I will always wonder how well David's vaulted lp would have
Done , had it been released instead of My whole world ended. Why wasn't the vaulted lp at least followed up by My world ended. There were two great tracks outside of my world ended, on that first lp. World of Darkness and Message from Maria.Feeling Good, seemed chunked with fillers& a few so so covers.  The best track on there was I'm so glad I fell for you. You can't bank on the success of one great single unless it ends up being a maga hit. There weren't any other tracks that had hit potietial on feeling good. That was a disaster for any artist at Motown as most lps had at least 2-3, Or more maga hits on one lp. Enough to put them on the map. At the time David worked with Norman Whitefield. I initially thought, its about time, as he did so well with The Temptations 70s lps.In fact my expectations were that this was going to be a stellar project that would bring David's career back to life.By this time Norman was getting away from his great 70s sound with the Temptations, and leaning more towards that acid guitar / punk sound that he gave the Undisputed Truth arround this time line.There were two tracks that were classic Norman. Smiling faces, I found very soulful and sensuous. He had the best version of I saw her when you met her.I play this track alot. It has all of the cool eliments that were in a Norman Whitfield track. Hip bass line, thunder sound effects and a string section almost as good as a Bernard Herman sound track.  This reminds me of the fabulouse string arrange that was on Papa was a rolling stone. I do wonder if Norman had produced a follow up lp with David, would he have stretched out a and come up with a more interesting track selection. Then again it might've gone the same rout as that string of lps he cut with the Undisputed Truth in the late 70s.Out side of the two songs I mention the other Tracks on Rockn Roll were ackward and didnt seem to go with any flow.The Bobby Miller lp had some moments but alot of clunkers. I do recall Blood Donars needed getting alot of air play. I think it was in the direction and maby inspired by what Norman was doing with the Temptations around this time. If there were more tracks like it on there If wouldve been a hit lp. The otber tracks leaned twards hard core R&B and some C&₩.
David needed one talented writer and producer that had a focused vision, and established formula to send him to the right place. He didnt get that before or after Van McCoy's departure. For all of the lps produced with Van ,surprisingly there weren't that many bonified hits.


McMotown

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2020, 02:20:11 am »
Yes it's surprising that their weren't that many hits from his Van McCoy albums. The David unreleased CD I liked Each Day Is A Lifetime and I prefer his version of I Want You Back to J5, but I am biased.

Silly Wasnt I

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #10 on: June 24, 2020, 02:43:00 am »
This, for me, is the highlight from David's second solo album. Just love that string arrangement:-



My problem with his earliest albums is that every track is stressful to listen to and one needs an aural rest every now and then.

It's a quirky Leonard Caston production and he co-wrote it with Jeana Jackson (who I don't know).

SWI

humboldt

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #11 on: June 24, 2020, 03:40:49 am »
That's a great track Eric, was it a single? If not it should have been!

Snakepit

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #12 on: June 24, 2020, 04:59:20 am »
I thpught "Loving you is hurting me" on "Feelin good" had potential gor a single release.

humboldt

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2020, 09:45:26 am »
Another great track from 'Me 'n Rock 'n Roll Are Here to Stay'.

 

Silly Wasnt I

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Re: David Solo
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2020, 10:05:35 am »
Love that one, John. G C Cameron did a fab version of it, too.

SWI