Wilson Pickett Vs Edwin starr

[Geeselad]

I swore blind I heard this tune at the last Burnley, same backing track as 25 miles, different vocal. forgot about it until recently. I've been playing a few albums of late and came across this by Mr Pickett. Released in 67, two years before Edwin, it certainly has the same instrumental hook, but the reference to numbers in Pickett's tune make it so similar to me. Can't have been a coincidence, surely? 

 

 

 

[Amitwiirly]

1 hour ago, Geeselad said:

I swore blind I heard this tune at the last Burnley, same backing track as 25 miles, different vocal. forgot about it until recently. I've been playing a few albums of late and came across this by Mr Pickett. Released in 67, two years before Edwin, it certainly has the same instrumental hook, but the reference to numbers in Pickett's tune make it so similar to me. Can't have been a coincidence, surely? 

 

 

According to wikipedia Mojo mama was first 25 miles was considered so alike that Bert Berns & Jerry wexler (writers of Mojo Mama) were given writers credits on 25 miles ,Mojo mama also recorded by Don Varner

 

[Bo Diddley]

Hi, 

Thanks for that, I've never heard the Wilson Pickett before.

Are you sure the record you heard wasn't Don Varner? That was getting some plays a few years back. From the credits it looks like DV was co-writer.

 

 

[Amitwiirly]

According to wikipedia Mojo mama was first 25 miles was considered so alike that Bert Berns & Jerry wexler (writers of Mojo Mama) were given writers credits on 25 miles ,Mojo mama also recorded by Don Varner

[Alan T]

There was a thread on here a few months ago asking if the first version was by Hoagy Lands.

Hoagy Lands - 32 Miles Out Of Waycross

 

 

[Dylan]

2 hours ago, Bo Diddley said:

Hi, 

Thanks for that, I've never heard the Wilson Pickett before.

Are you sure the record you heard wasn't Don Varner? That was getting some plays a few years back. From the credits it looks like DV was co-writer.

 

 

With tear stained face on the other side it’s no wonder this hasn’t been played much even though it is great in its own right.

Edited December 12, 2020 by Dylan

[Zoomsoulblue]

13 hours ago, Bo Diddley said:

Hi, 

Thanks for that, I've never heard the Wilson Pickett before.

Are you sure the record you heard wasn't Don Varner? That was getting some plays a few years back. From the credits it looks like DV was co-writer.

 

 

I’ve heard John Vincent spin this a few times

[Geeselad]

On 12/12/2020 at 18:31, amitwiirly said:

According to wikipedia Mojo mama was first 25 miles was considered so alike that Bert Berns & Jerry wexler (writers of Mojo Mama) were given writers credits on 25 miles ,Mojo mama also recorded by Don Varner

Thanks for the that, didn't realise. Worthy of a mention non the less. 

On 12/12/2020 at 18:30, Bo Diddley said:

Hi, 

Thanks for that, I've never heard the Wilson Pickett before.

Are you sure the record you heard wasn't Don Varner? That was getting some plays a few years back. From the credits it looks like DV was co-writer.

 

 

Quite possibly, great version though I think wilson's has it' merits too. 

[Rick Cooper]

On 12/12/2020 at 16:55, Geeselad said:

I swore blind I heard this tune at the last Burnley, same backing track as 25 miles, different vocal. forgot about it until recently. I've been playing a few albums of late and came across this by Mr Pickett. Released in 67, two years before Edwin, it certainly has the same instrumental hook, but the reference to numbers in Pickett's tune make it so similar to me. Can't have been a coincidence, surely? 

 

 

 

The above is from Mick Patrick's booklet to the excellent Ace CD The Bert Berns Story Vol 2, which explains the similarities between Mojo Mama and 25 Miles. Berns and Wexler wrote Mojo Mama aka 32 Miles Out Of Waycross then Edwin Starr wrote 25 Miles which, by coincidence sounds similar, so  Berns and Wexler got writer credits, and a cut of royalties. 

 

[Bo Diddley]

49 minutes ago, Rick Cooper said:

The above is from Mick Patrick's booklet to the excellent Ace CD The Bert Berns Story Vol 2, which explains the similarities between Mojo Mama and 25 Miles. Berns and Wexler wrote Mojo Mama aka 32 Miles Out Of Waycross then Edwin Starr wrote 25 Miles which, by coincidence sounds similar, so  Berns and Wexler got writer credits, and a cut of royalties. 

 

Interesting. The Quinvy single credits "Varner/Crump" as writers. The "Outta Sight" recent(ish) reissue credits "Wexler/Burns"!!