** O'jays - Working On Your Case **

[Premium Stuff]

Hi everyone

The O'Jays Working On Your Case has always been one of my all time favourite 'proper' Northern records.

Have always thought of this as one of their West Coast rather than Detroit recorded numbers.

However, the arrangement is credited (both sides of the 45) to Herbie Williams (Pied Piper)

I presume this was arrangement only, but anyone know whether there was a closer Detroit connection on this one please?

Totally top class drumming

Cheers

Richard

Edited April 17, 2011 by Premium Stuff

[Premium Stuff]

Top drawer

O'Jays - Working On Your Case (Minit)

Edited April 14, 2011 by Premium Stuff

[Baz Atkinson]

WILLIAM POWELL at his very very best imho-along with "let it all out" -probably my fave tune by them-never looked at mine will dig it out -loads of West Coast/Detroit arragements -good spot mate !!

BAZ A.

[45cellar]

[Mike Lofthouse]

What a double sider!!!!!

[boba]

FYI, the producer doesn't give you any info as to where it was recorded, Ed Wright, Cleveland DJ who became the O'Jays manager, produced both sides

[Sean Hampsey]

The flipside "Hold On" has always been a huge fave of mine. Fabulous record.

Sean

[Harry Crosby]

The flipside "Hold On" has always been a huge fave of mine. Fabulous record.

Sean

Mine too, allthough The generation, allways brings back fond memories

[steve]

[Guest SoulRenaissance]

FYI, the producer doesn't give you any info as to where it was recorded, Ed Wright, Cleveland DJ who became the O'Jays manager, produced both sides

An interview in Soul Up North with Ed/ Arthur Wright didn't shed any info on the origins of this recording, i think he only mentioned that he'd produced it. Took note of it at the time as i'd clocked the Herbie Williams credits.

We also have "No time for you" with the same producing/ arranging credits, and also Shawn Robinson "My dear heart".

Two numbers before "Working on your case", also arranged by Arthur Wright. Produced by Detroit producer Robert Staunton who brought it from Golden World at some point, as it's an unreleased Barbara Mercer Golden World recording.

[Garethx]

Don't think there's a connection between Ed and Arthur Wright? As Bob A mentions above Ed was the group's manager and the production credit is more likely contractual than technical. Herbie Williams arranged at a number of studios while working for Pied Piper: Detroit, Chicago, NYC to name but three documented locations.

As others have said a truly fabulous double sider and one of the true building blocks of what became the 'Northern Soul' sound. Think of the splash this would create in 2011 had it been unknown/rare/unissued.

[Guest SoulRenaissance]

Don't think there's a connection between Ed and Arthur Wright? As Bob A mentions above Ed was the group's manager and the production credit is more likely contractual than technical. Herbie Williams arranged at a number of studios while working for Pied Piper: Detroit, Chicago, NYC to name but three documented locations.

As others have said a truly fabulous double sider and one of the true building blocks of what became the 'Northern Soul' sound. Think of the splash this would create in 2011 had it been unknown/rare/unissued.

Wasn't sure if Ed and Arthur were the same person til it was mentioned on here, never really delved into it.

[Anoraks Corner]

Above is the styrene copy...here is the vinyl demo:

[Paul McKay]

Here's both sides of the UK demo from 4th Feb 1972, the day before my 18th birthday!

[Guest turntableterra]

i wish they could make up their mind who wrote it, hold on side..............better version IMO and richards big cover up

[boba]

i wish they could make up their mind who wrote it, hold on side..............better version IMO and richards big cover up

are you a big fan of that ted wilson record?

[George G]

I believe this was cut in Los Angeles. "Working..." was an Intertains/Entertains song, hence the Larry Hancock co-credit (they performed it live) before the O'Jays recording. Ed Wright was a DJ at WABQ but he quit there and moved to LA to work for Minit records in late 1966. The O'Jays lived in LA from '66 until '70.

[boba]

I believe this was cut in Los Angeles. "Working..." was an Intertains/Entertains song, hence the Larry Hancock co-credit (they performed it live) before the O'Jays recording. Ed Wright was a DJ at WABQ but he quit there and moved to LA to work for Minit records in late 1966. The O'Jays lived in LA from '66 until '70.

thanks for the info!

[Kev Moore]

Wasn't sure if Ed and Arthur were the same person til it was mentioned on here, never really delved into it.

Ady Croasdell should know the answer to that one as he's good friends with Arthur Wright.

Best

Kev

Edited April 26, 2011 by Kev Moore

[Premium Stuff]

Was pondering on the issue about the Herbie Williams (Pied Piper) credit on this massive Northern sound tonight.

 

I decided to post something up on here - to see who knew what about it.

 

Thought I would have a quick Google first and threw up this thread - mine from April 2011        

 

Anyway, still interested if there's any more.

 

Also - Mr Croasdell - got any info on this please?

 

Cheers

 

Richard

[Rich B]

Not sure if its a good thing or a bad thing, but I first heard "Working on your case" on the Dave Simmons r&b radio 1  show played by his guest, Pete Waterman no less! Would have been about 1973 - loved it from that day to this.

 

And without wishing to be contentious ( I have owned a copy) the Generation doesn't hold a candle to the O'Jays for me.