Author Topic: West Grand Blog (Read 80913 times)

humboldt · « **Reply #30 on:** April 09, 2021, 02:53:31 pm »

Motown's Hot 100 Songwriters

I'm a bit confused. Why does IJH have far fewer hits than Mickey? According to IJH himself about 99% of their compositions were credited to them both whether or not they were involved. It was an agreement that they had.

Motown's Hot 100 Songwriters — Adam White

CREATORS OF THE CROWN JEWELS This seems as good a moment as any to recall that Motown was founded by a songwriter. And to recall that Berry Gordy built his business and its success on the hig...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

Roger · « **Reply #31 on:** April 10, 2021, 07:39:13 am »

Quote from: humboldt on April 09, 2021, 02:53:31 pm

Motown's Hot 100 Songwriters

I'm a bit confused. Why does IJH have far fewer hits than Mickey? According to IJH himself about 99% of their compositions were credited to them both whether or not they were involved. It was an agreement that they had.

https://www.adampwhite.com/westgrandblog/2021/4/8/bivgpopwu15gmxckvw6l6p8ivdbrmd?

They may have had a "Gentlemens' Agreement" (along the same lines as Lennon-McCartney or Jagger-Richards) and sometimes they both get a mention on DFTMC, but that isn't how it always appeared on the record labels .... here are a few examples

Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston ...
https://www.45cat.com/record/tamla54104

Velvelettes ...
https://www.45cat.com/record/25007

Stevie Wonder ...
https://www.45cat.com/record/t54130

"Street" ...
https://www.45cat.com/record/g7033

Roger

humboldt · « **Reply #32 on:** April 16, 2021, 05:06:14 pm »

Let George do it, another interesting back story.

Let George Do It — Adam White

REPRESENTING ‘A SMALL RECORD COMPANY’ IN DETROIT   The man who helped to deliver Motown’s first film soundtrack album had a backstory like few others at the company.  &a...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

humboldt · « **Reply #33 on:** May 10, 2021, 05:59:32 pm »

All about Rick James who was not really as good as he thought he was!

Rick to the Rescue — Adam White

‘STREET SONGS’ CONTINUES TO BE SEEN AND HEARD   Forty years ago, Motown Records needed what Rick James delivered.       With his albu...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

'For Once In My Life' the story of Orlando Murden - who?

A 'Life' Story, Retold — Adam White

A SONG THAT SPANS THE DECADES   For the composer of one of Motown’s most-recorded songs – if not the most-recorded – Orlando Murden is something of a mystery man. By contrast,...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

The portrait of a black man.

Hail, the Conquering Hero — Adam White

WITH INSPIRATION FROM AN ARGUMENT AT STUDIO A   Napoleon Bonaparte doesn’t usually make an appearance in West Grand Blog.       But in ...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

humboldt · « **Reply #34 on:** May 15, 2021, 04:02:05 pm »

Six Brave Souls about Motown CEOs post Gordy. Of course Motown is a name only these days as all music released on it stinks!

Six Brave Souls — Adam White

THE OPTIMISM OF POST-GORDY PRESIDENTS   Following in Berry Gordy ’s footsteps at the pinnacle of Motown Records was always going to be a daunting task.   &nbsp...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

humboldt · « **Reply #35 on:** June 07, 2021, 07:49:02 pm »

'What's Going On' at 50! Motown's most overrated album

Nothing ‘Going On’ — Adam White

HOW BRITISH INDIFFERENCE MET MARVIN’S MASTERWORK   What on earth is there left to say about the album which today (May 21) celebrates the 50th anniversary of its original release? &a...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

Mostly about Jack

Mr. Tambourine Man — Adam White

FINDING THE FREQUENCY IN THE SNAKEPIT There are but a few still alive.       Funk Brothers , that is. And so it was a delight to see Jack Ashford...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

humboldt · « **Reply #36 on:** June 11, 2021, 08:07:18 pm »

Flipping Motown. 'B' sides that became hits including the revolting MOR 'My Cherie Amour'!

Flipping Motown’s Hits — Adam White

HOT 100 HOSPITALITY FOR THE OTHER SIDE “Dad, what’s a B side?”       Try explaining that to your children – or grandchildren – in a world...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

Roger · « **Reply #37 on:** June 12, 2021, 04:49:32 am »

Quote from: humboldt on June 07, 2021, 07:49:02 pm

'What's Going On' at 50! Motown's most overrated album

https://www.adampwhite.com/westgrandblog/going-on-what?

Mostly about Jack

https://www.adampwhite.com/westgrandblog/black-jack?

Curious that Adam White makes no mention that "Save The Children" was taken off the "What's Going On" LP as a UK 45 and managed to creep into the lower end of the British charts. Still, that has already been discussed elsewhere.

It's also strange to read John Abbey's recollection of events ... as I recall, he didn't think much of the "What's Going On" single at first and gave it a so-so review on its UK release but then changed his mind when he heard The LP and went into print as saying that he thought that it (and the LP) were great. As for him "never having been much of a Marvin Gaye fan" .... what heresy!!! Next we'll have someone stating that they dislike "My Cherie Amour"!!

Roger

humboldt · « **Reply #38 on:** July 18, 2021, 06:04:16 pm »

Latest blogs.

Ruffin Revisited

Ruffin Revisited — Adam White

THE IMPORTANCE OF LEVERAGING YOUR ASSETS   You could call David Ruffin a disruptor.       Welcome to a reprise of the single most-read WG...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

All about 'Walk Away From Love' which I never liked! David went from being huge to small, just like Mary

The Glue of Robert's Gibson

The Glue of Robert's Gibson — Adam White

THE RHYTHM OF THE REIGN OF ROBERT WHITE   The most famous four bars ever recorded?       In the 21st century world of digital music, Rober...

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All about Robert White.

Above and Beyond

Above and Beyond — Adam White

PAINTING MOTOWN’S STARS WITH LOVE AND HOPE   This September, giant images of Diana Ross were due to be projected onto monuments and buildings in major cities around the world. It wa...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

All about 'murials' - they would have looked good in Hilda Ogden's living room!

The Lasting Legacy: Motown 2021-22

The Lasting Legacy: Motown 2021-22 — Adam White

ON FILM, ON TOUR, ON DISC, AND EVEN ON CASSETTE   Need a cup of coffee right about now?       If so, better make it Maxwell House. Thanks t...

Adam White · adampwhite.com

All about 'ON FILM, ON TOUR, ON DISC, AND EVEN ON CASSETTE'

A Moonglow Rising

A Moonglow Rising — Adam White

HARVEY FUQUA: MAKING MUSIC, SHAPING CAREERS FOREVER No other record company of its era devoted as much energy or as many resources to developing its artists’ careers. That’s the reason an ...

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All about Harvey Fuqua, even Murial Young gets a name check!

McMotown · « **Reply #39 on:** July 19, 2021, 06:10:59 am »

Hi Humboldt, am I reading it right you never much cared for David Ruffin's 'Walk Away From Love'

. Hmm I wonder if there is anyone else who agrees with you. To me it's David at his best as is the whole 'Who I Am' album.

humboldt · « **Reply #40 on:** July 19, 2021, 07:23:45 am »

Quote from: McMotown on July 19, 2021, 06:10:59 am

Hi Humboldt, am I reading it right you never much cared for David Ruffin's 'Walk Away From Love' . Hmm I wonder if there is anyone else who agrees with you. To me it's David at his best as is the whole 'Who I Am' album.

I've never liked it McMotown but then I have never cared for Van McCoy.

guest23 · « **Reply #41 on:** July 19, 2021, 07:42:24 am »

What about "When you're young and in love"?

humboldt · « **Reply #42 on:** July 19, 2021, 07:45:06 am »

I knew that someone would mention that, there is an exception to every rule

guest23 · « **Reply #43 on:** July 19, 2021, 12:13:09 pm »

John
I don't mean to imply anything about your knowledge on Soul Music, but please don't think that " The Hustle"and other disco stuff represents Van McCoy' s songwriting and producing abilities.
His catalogue from the mis 60s compares with antbody of the period.

guest23 · « **Reply #44 on:** July 19, 2021, 12:14:21 pm »

what about this?

Motown Treasures

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