Dave Moore

News breaking in the US that Ronnie Spector has passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Proper black music icon who helped form the 'Wall Of Sound' that elevated black girl group sound. Thought it be nice to post a few snippets of the lady at her best..... here's one from me..... Sleep well Mrs Spector.... job done and with done with a bucketload of style and class. Dave

Have all 3 of these (and a few more), one of my favourite songs of all time. Little Anthony is the Gold medal Winner for me. Dave

I didn't realise at the time I did the book what his contribution was to the story of Sigma. Kinda feel there's a piece missing now! Dave

Yes but not really much to add. The Dreamlovers were mentored by Buddy Caldwell and then Jerry Ross and released quite a few 45s in the 60s on lots of labels and I'm sure you;e aware. Their history is documented in my book. Their transition to Brother's Guiding Light and the inclusion of David Morris for the Getting Together 45 is also well documented. The inclusion of Doug Banks is something that I was never able to fully establish during my research. Dave

That's a nice piece Andy! Did you ever meet Bud Ross? Dave

I don't think people necessarily do that. Just because you're a bit bored of a particular record doesn't mean you look down your nose at it. Just means you don't want to spend all night yawning at the bar. Dave

I guess if you're asking a DJ in the Main Rooms at the Tower or Winter Gardens then you'd expect that response as that's what the Main Rooms at the events are about, although to be fair there is a lot of different genres on show at both these large events. I'm primarily relating to events that draw geographical crowds, a little more localised. I like the 2 roomed events best as at least it delivers some variation. There's certainly a place for lots of oldies at most gigs but just wish DJs would take a chance on stuff that's been gathering dust for decades alongside a couple of unknowns and litter them in amongst them. Dave

Been back in England almost full time for 3 years now after a 20 year haitus. My view is that the same old people are swamping their local areas every weekend (Fri/Sat and now even Sundays!) Same faces, same DJ Line Ups, same promoters booking same mates. I think for quite a few it's all really about them DJing and to be honest most would do it in a telephone box if asked. It's a recipe for staleness and that's what has been delivered. Of course if you're relatively new to it all then you're happy to listen to Tomangos, Salvadors, Gwen Owens, Eddie Parker, Epitome Of Sound etc week in week out but I recently left a venue once I'd heard the above plus Paul Anka, Holly St James, Jay Traynor. I think it's just the way the crowd has changed and the impetus for new sounds has taken a back seat to familiarity. The promoters must share some responsibility for this as well as the DJs. Give the DJs a brief, ask them to freshen up a little. Don't be afraid of some dancers leaving the dancefloor every now and then, you all have 'rescue' records, (or should have). Play a fresh sound at the beginning of a set then play it as you last 45 again. And do it again at your next booking which will inevitably only be a few days away! Nothing worse to a music fan than listening to a stream of 45 year old rarities that leave a DJ open to accusations of "playing with his wallet because he's ears are painted on". Get a few of yer brilliant 'ten bobbers' out. I've had the above conversation with a number of DJs and it's usually met with.... 1. The crowd dictate what I play. (Really?) 2. The promotor books me to fill the dancefloor. I guess there's no magic wand and trying to replicate the days when new records were instant successes are long gone as the demographics/dynamics have changed but let's get back to taking a chance on records we believe in every now and then, records we think should be heard by dancefloors and drop them regularly in amongst the 'usual suspects' in order to entertain the whole room including the guys at the bar yawning! Here's one for instance, brand new, I bought ten copies and all ten flew out when I played it to people. Bet it doesn't make any playlists though eh? Dave

Wanted: 6Ts04 : Peggi Woods - Love Is Gonna Get You 6Ts14 : Peggy Gaines - When The Boy That You Love Any help appreciated, Dave

I'm not 100% convinced that The Rotations are actually the vocalists on 'Dime/Nickel'. There is at least one Virtue Studio Acetate crediting The Inspirations. (A group that also recorded with the guys involved). Jimmy Bishop (Arctic Records) went to Detroit with the intention of pitching a hook up between Motown and his own company to Berry Gordy. Unsurprisingly it didn't materialise and Berry showed him the door. Bishop then recorded some tracks at Ed Wingate's Golden World Studio using the Funk Brothers which John Rhys Eddins engineered. Berry got wind and sent his 'boys' round who 'took names' and demanded the tapes. They then went outside, unravelled the tapes and rolled them in the street thus rendering them useless. After this episode JRE set up a duplicate tape machine ensuring that if they came back they would still have the tracks intact. (As told by John Rhys Eddins). Weldon McDougal told me a very similar tale, though he thought the sessions may have actually been at Motown. (I think Weldon may have thought that GW was Motown as later when he worked at Motown it was). The tapes from these session were subsequently taken back to Philly and The Dyno-Dynamic team of Weldon, Luther Randolph and Johnny Stiles recorded the vocals and the end product saw releases on the Arctic label. There are still a few anomalies exist over the Detroit/Philly link ups... for instance the Joe Douglas - Crazy Things - Playhouse 45. The label is stand out Philly and the flip is a Bobby Martin song but no one seems to know how the Jack Ashford/Mike Terry song ended up on the flip. Dave

There's a great story about these (and other), tracks by John Rhys Eddins who engineered them in Detroit. It includes Berry Gordy's 'lads' taking the tape off the machine and unrolling it down the street! Dave

The Chess Valentinos were a Chicago based outfit (the Womack Brothers). "Sweeter" is a Funk Brothers recording. Dave Don't quote me but I kinda remember that Guy told me he obtained them from Ed Wolfrum. Dave

Can't remember that specific 45 but one that's always confused many 'DJs' on the mic is. Valentinos - Sweeter Than The Day Before - Chess Even a cursory listen to the backing track tells you exactly where (and who), is responsible for it. As confirmed to Tats by Bobby Womack himself. Dave

Great asset to the site Mike. Dave