Show Posts - Silly Wasnt I

Yes, it's a grand photo - who took it, I wonder? (Perhaps my pal Phil Chapman, who was always there.)Starting from the left, you have Mr. Grapevine, partners Nigel & Stephen Daws, our brain-box Roger, the Motown expert Paul Hunter, in the window are the late Martin Hughes and his expert brother Keith, my other half Simon, me and Mick Patrick on the floor, Mrs Maggi Grapevine, Roz Bell, Annette, John Lester and Alan (I forget his surname), Deutsch Jan (in the window) with David Bell, Mikey, the lovely Kevin Melville, our pal David Nathan, and my oldest friend Bob.A nicer bunch of people would be hard to find!Have I missed anyone?SWI

You've done a grand job for we Motown fans here, John. Long may MT continue!SWI

I knew BRASS BAND by Marlena Shaw - in fact my pardner and I identified it for young Andy S when he played Diana's take for us and he didn't know the song:-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr48QNDEf3USWI

Don't know this one but those are great reviews on Amazon!SWI

A press release:-LOS ANGELES, CA (October 13, 2020) – Today, Stevie Wonder used the occasion of the 36th birthday of his second oldest son, Mumtaz Morris, to announce something he has never done before. With a spirit of celebration, he released two songs at once. “Can’t Put It in The Hands of Fate” feat.Rapsody, Cordae, Chika, and Busta Rhymes and “Where Is Our Love Song” feat. Gary Clark Jr., are songs that provide instruction and inspiration for today’s global challenges.   Released on Wonder’s new label, So What The Fuss Music, marketed and distributed by Republic Records/Universal Music Group, both songs are written and produced by Stevie Wonder and are available now on all digital and streaming platforms. “Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate” features four of hip-hop’s visionary artists: rising star Rapsody, GRAMMY® Award-nominated Cordae, critically acclaimed Chika, and eleven-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated New York legend Busta Rhymes. Their collaboration across genres and generations exemplify the power of the need for action demanded by the song.   “Where Is Our Love Song,” featuring four-time GRAMMY®-winner guitarist, Gary Clark Jr., identifies what is needed as the world grapples with historic challenges, posing the question, “Where are our words with hope, prayer for peace, and our desperately needed song of love?”  Everything and everyone have been affected by Covid-19, especially the underserved Black and Brown communities. All of Stevie’s proceeds from the record royalties of “Where Is Our Love Song” will be donated to Feeding America.  “In these times, we are hearing the most poignant wake-up calls and cries for this nation and the world to, please, heed our need for love, peace and unity,” stated Stevie. ABOUT STEVIE WONDERStevie Wonder is one of the most celebrated and iconic figures in popular music. At the age of 12, he was the youngest recording artist to achieve a #1 single with “Fingertips, Part 2”, and also the first to simultaneously reach #1 on Billboard's Hot 100, R&B Singles and Album Charts. To date he has amassed 49 Top Forty singles, 32 #1 singles and worldwide sales of over 100 million units. Stevie has won 25 Grammy Awards, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award and Stevie’s iconic album, Songs In The Key of Life, is archived in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress, for its cultural, historic and aesthetic significance. Equally laudable are his humanitarian efforts, philanthropic leadership, and generosity of spirit. In 1983, Stevie spearheaded the realization of “Martin Luther King Day” as a national holiday and his song "Happy Birthday," became the rallying song for the movement. His participation in the 1985 “We Are The World” fundraiser for hunger in Africa is a music industry milestone while his involvement to put an end to apartheid in South Africa is legendary. He is the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, is a Commander of France's National Order of Arts and Letters and has been inducted into, among others, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the NAACP Hall of Fame. Stevie is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and is a designated U.N. Messenger of Peace with special focus on persons with disabilities. Stevie Wonder continues to be a pivotal influence in U.S. and world events, demonstrating the activism that has made him such a vital voice for social progress and world harmony. -----Good news!Good songs?SWI

That is beautiful, John. Thanks for reminding us of this great track.I think I can read on the label that it was arranged by H B Barnum. I knew HBB did a lot of uncredited work for Motown but had always assumed it was way back in the early Sixties.Now I can't remember if this was on an album....SWI

My computer won't let me get to it, John.Sorry.SWI

One of Van McCoy's last projects involved a Johnny Nash album. This was released in 1979This lovely track comes from that album and the YouTube poster notes that it was remixed by Van McCoy & Charlie Kipps.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtR5N-7hgGkThe album was LET'S GO DANCING. Anyone here have it? I'm interested in the Van McCoy connection.SWI

Wow - thanks for that, Ivor.I spy some more tracks covered by Diana Ross. It'd be nice if somebody could dig up the original versions from those old vaults...SWI

Thanks for that detail, EB. I thought Lamont Dozier and Van McCoy had been involved somewhere in those albums.I don't recall ever hearing that they were released on CD in Germany - it gives us some treasure to track down!SWI

Thanks, Ivor. Presumably it is a Jobete song.SWI

I'm inclined to agree with you Paul and John - it ain't Motown to me - but if Tata is there (or it's one of those Norman Whitfield productions) then I'll give it a go.SWI

Love FROM HEAD TO TOE, too. But can't choose between Chris and the Miracles - such a catchy song.SWI

Thanks Roger and John!My eyesight isn't as good as it used to be - is that Beatrice Verdi's name I see in the composer credits?Not heard it before but that's a lovely song.SWI

Thanks for that, John - I didn't know Millie had recorded it. She certainly had a good ear for a good song!SWI