Author Topic: The Elgins  (Read 467 times)

Paul Nixon

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #15 on: May 13, 2020, 02:09:03 am »
Funnily enough just listened to a podcast - radio show by a 'respected' DJ laying claim to a track by the Monitors - if that's Richard Street singing I'd be happy to do the Queens washing for a week

Snakepit

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #16 on: May 13, 2020, 04:12:42 am »
I used to do a Motown column in a respected NS fanzine. The idea was to promote overlooked tracks..not unissued stuff.

B sides and lp tracks. Several DJs approached me.."got any more" etc....stuff easily available but ignored. Thete was a period when Motown was virtually banned.

Silly Wasnt I

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #17 on: July 15, 2020, 10:50:21 am »
Way back in June 2007, I was trying to ascertain whether or not Saundra had passed away. At the time, it was merely a rumour. I reached out to my pal Simon White, the DJ and soul music writer, because he had been involved with Ian Levine's Motorcity project, nd this was his response:-

As for Saundra, Ian Levine asked Yvonne Allen about this recently, and
according to Yvonne, Saundra did indeed pass away "four or five years
ago" but it seems her family wanted it kept private. It made
made me quite sad to hear this news. I spent time with Saundra while
she was in London recording with Ian and in fact had a few little
tourist days with her showing her round the capital. She was lovely.

-----
I was saddened that the re-grouped Elgins went with Yvonne rather than Saundra I had the sense that there was some bad blood between the gentlemen of the group and Saundra - there were unpleasant rumours - but I assumed it was simply that she decided to give up singing just when the Elgins seemed to be close to being big stars at Motown.

SWI

humboldt

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #18 on: July 15, 2020, 07:08:34 pm »
Saundra had a very unique voice which was instantly recognisable. 'Put Yourself in my Place' is one of my special favs. It's sad that she left the music business at such a crucial time in her career. All the sources that I have read say that she died in 2002 but no age was given.

Silly Wasnt I

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #19 on: August 18, 2020, 03:49:25 am »
Now, this one should have been a contender for 45 release:-



I recall Paul playing this to me down the phone and I was so deaf, I couldn't hear it properly.

Apparently, this is another Dean & Weatherspoon gem. DFTMC reckons that Yvonne Allen is singing lead but it sounds like Saundra to me!

SWI

humboldt

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #20 on: August 18, 2020, 06:37:21 am »
Eric you could well be right. Their Motown Anthology states that it was cut with Saundra on lead but was later overdubbed by Yvonne? Now that ? means that there is uncertainty as to who is actually singing. Perhaps Paul Nixon may now be able to clarify the matter?

Paul Nixon

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #21 on: August 18, 2020, 08:42:57 am »
My god Dean and Weatherspoon were such talented guys no wonder they named an English pub after one of them. This was a curious thing my ears said Saundra the paperwork intimated but did not say it was Yvonne - I think I may ask her that's the easiest way. The dates when Saundra ;eft and Yvonne joined are so wooly that it was alsmost impossible to be certain which it was.

humboldt

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #22 on: August 18, 2020, 10:29:32 am »
Thanks Paul. Either way it's a great track.

Paul Nixon

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #23 on: August 19, 2020, 02:02:30 am »
I heard from Yvonne overnight - this track was definitely not her and therefore must have been recorded right on the cusp of Saundra leaving and vonne joining....

humboldt

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #24 on: August 19, 2020, 07:08:09 am »
Thanks Paul. So Eric you are correct :) I thought that it was Saundra too but was not 100% certain.

Silly Wasnt I

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Re: The Elgins
« Reply #25 on: August 19, 2020, 09:58:28 am »
Many, many thanks for clarifying that with Yvonne, Paul.

I have heard Yvonne singing in recent years, as an Elgin, and she doesn't sound much like Saundra to me.

Now, who is going to tell Keith and Ritchie that they have got it wrong on DFTMC?

SWI