lorchand

Hi Carl, First, thank you again for the info on the Sound Exchange. I posted an inquiry on Soulful Detroit and some folks actually belong to it and have received checks. Yea! I'm glad you've had some up front and close experiences with artist from here. Sounds like you have interesting stories to tell too! Glad you found this thread. Lorraine

Sorry Tony, As a member of this family, I had to show two sides of the story. I'm glad I did. Going back home now. Carry on. Lorraine

Dear viphitman, You are right. It is the love of the art that makes us share ourselves for people like you. For every Levine, there's probably 100 Carl Dixon's and others who make everything better. Thanks to Germany and thank you for the compliment. Lorraine

Thank you Carl. Where have you been all of my recording life? Can you go after Simon Soussan for me now? Wow, this is what I'm talking about! Lorraine

Now I know people can do good things and should get credit for it. However, being one of many artist who has material listed on YouTube by Mr. Levine and has sold tapes containing my image and sound over the past fifteen years and has never received a statement or a dime in royalties, you can imagine where he sits on my list! I have contacted Mr. Levine and he informed me that no money has been made, therefore, no one can be paid. He also said, "no royalties or statements will be forthcoming until fifty percent of the expense has been recouped." Now, how many people will know when fifty percent is recouped? Will we ever know? Soooo, Mr. Levine is not in good standing with me at this point and if anyone of you are friends of his, help him to upgrade his business practices. It would cost me more to pay a lawyer than in what I probably would receive, but now you all get a better understanding of how hard it is to trust folks in this business. We might love it and can't leave it, but it's those that deceive us that makes it a bumpy ride. Lorraine Chandler

Hey Ian (geordie) Johnson, Thank you for the welcome. I'm glad that you've enjoyed the music in the north east of England. Tell the siblings I said 'hi' and thank Dad for his taste in fine music. Lorraine

Hi Simon It's great to be in this gang and yes I do listen to modern soul music. I love the rhythm of raggae and latin music. I'm just so glad music is music again. I enjoy good singing and entertainment regardless of the style. One of my favorite groups of fusion (hip hop and R & B) is the Black Eye Peas. I think they were in the beginning of the turn around. While I'm 'old school', Beyonce, Cee Lo Green will have me tapping my foot. Lorraine

Hi GarySoul82, Greens. I cannot get enough greens (Collards, Turnips, Mustard or Cabbage). Greens and Cornbread. Ummm, ummm, ummm! Short story. I was a baby around six months old and I wouldn't stop crying. Being the first born, my mom had no idea what to do. She called and told an elder I was fed, clean and loved but I wouldn't stop crying. I had lungs like a fog horn and was getting louder. The elder (who baby-sat me) said "when I'm with her, I give her 'pot liquor'." (Pot liquor is the seasoned water that vegetables are cooked in). She said I'll be right over, get her bottles ready. Umm, umm, good ole' pot liquor. Knocked me right out and I slept like a baby! Isn't that cute? Had to tell the story. But to answer your question more specifically, greens (any kind), fried chicken (really anything fried), creamed corn, cornbread and mashed potatoes. Yes, yes, yes! High blood pressure, high cholesterol, here I come (and it still knocks me right out and I sleep like a baby!). Lorraine

Hey Ed, By the time RCA picked up What Can I Do, I was off and running writing for other artist. Remember, it came out locally, then picked up by RCA, so there was lapse in time when the record was re-released. Yes, I did gig with What Can I Do and Tell Me Your Mine and it was fun while it lasted. In answer to the Yvonne Baker question, I never did meet her and didn't know about her until I re-recorded all of her releases. I thought I had 'new' material, not 'used' material. I am going to refer you to my answer in post 364, so I won't have to retype everything. Also, take a look at posts 269, 391, and 327 for other references. Looks like I am writing the book here. Have a wonderful day, Lorraine

spot, on 05 September 2011 - 06:12 AM, said: Lorraine you probably won't recall but we were shown around Motown by yourself & Frances Nero (Who's birthday it was) after a 4 hour plus bus journey on partially flooded highways when we came on Soul Trip USA, Chicago & I've got a treasured photo of You & I stood outside before we went off to the "Memphis Smoke" to meet up with a whole bunch of Artists. Sweet memories indeed. Take care, be safe always & remember, "I can't change , the way that I wear my hair,even change the style of clothes I wear,ooh baby,ooh baby", Spot (Pete) & Gail. Hey Spot and Gail! Sing the song! How can I forget. That was a great time. I thought you might post the picture. My agent, Jeanne Sorensten asked if I could drop by. I already had a really mixed up day planned on the calendar and said I'll try but didn't promise. A week later I was doing my running around when I saw some coaches outside of Motown and I knew it was the U.K. group. I just had to say 'hi' out of courtesy to the out of towners. I was dressed for doing some running around and plus, I'm at home. (Any excuse will do to look bummy). Anyway, folks didn't know me but it was all right if they went back home and said "some strange black lady walked up to us and said welcome to Detroit, my name is Lorraine Chandler and I hope you are enjoying your stay." That was the least I could do when someone comes all that way and I see them in my neighborhood. It was so funny, I didn't RSVP back to Jeanne so nobody knew I was coming to participate in the tour. The folks touring Motown (when some found out who I was) asked was I going back to the restaurant. Again, I said I would try. I decided to go and meet them there later and get some take out food while there. First, the restaurant was closed for the group and they wouldn't let me in because I didn't have a pass. Then, I asked the door person to find Jeanne. She was out of town and could not help. Then I asked for Fran (Nero), who finally let me in. Did we not have a good time??? Had so much fun I forgot to get some food to go! I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. Forgive me for not mentioning the other artist who were there but this is your reply and you have to do that. I just know it was wonderful and I'm glad I took the time to meet such wonderful people and I hope we can do it again! Lorraine

Hi Garysoul82, Sorry, I'm not aware of Sharon Soul. I am familiar with Sharon Jones whom I like a lot. I don't know if I have influenced any other singers. If I have, no one has told me. Thank you for the reply and compliment. Lorraine

Hey Ed, You've asked a question I really have to think on. But as a singer, She Don't Want You overwhelmed me. I was in awe. It was a big arrangement and Herbie Williams just outdid himself. Those horns are something else! The background is smokin' (Thelma Hopkins/Joyce Vincent (Dawn)) and of course Mike Terry on the sax solo truly blows me away. The mix was hot, hot, hot. You drop that needle and that record pops! I truly could not handle it. As a writer, Stay Here With Me by Sandra Richardson had good story lines. It just cracks me up. That woman was truly mixed up! She doesn't need him. I love the piano (Earl Van Dyke) and wish it was featured more. Lorraine

MAK, on 03 September 2011 - 06:05 AM, said: Hello again Lorraine .What a fabulous post , as for selling only 500 copies , I would buy them myself to pay back the pleasure you gave me when I was nimble enough to dance to a record without the aid of a zimmer . You mention a few other artists in your post and it got me wondering if you ever see (which I'm sure you do ) any artist , writers , producers . It would be great to hear from other legends as yourself on here . We all understand how artists back then were ripped off , and I just thought we could give back some of what they deserve and make them feel that all was not in vain . Tony Hi Tony, That is so sweet of you to try and make everybody happy. However, it is what it is and we just go on living. Unfortunately, I do see some folks from time to time at funerals. Most of us are at an age where we are enjoying life and the grandchildren and telling stories about the past. Some are still out there, looking for that recording deal or gigging in whatever group they can sing with. I haven't seen Rose Batiste in years but I heard she's doing well. I see Pat Lewis every now and then but I can keep up with her. As you know, Betty LaVette is working and doing quite well. She's put the time and hard work in and now it's paying off. Good for her. Every now and then I run into one of the Metros and we talk, as the same with the Smith Bros. (11th Commandment) and you know my buddy, Eddie Parker, I have to check on quarterly. I just left a Chuck Jackson show and saw some folks (group singers) I haven't seen or heard from in over fifteen years. That was good. Again, from time to time I run into folks and I am glad they are healty and well. Lorraine

Hey Ed, Yes, Ed, I'm finding that anything you want to know about soul music from the 60's through the 80's, Soul Source is quite knowledgable. It's library of people is unbeatable. I shall pass your sentiments on in our next phone call. I'm still trying with Eddie and one day he might surprise us and decide to send a e-mail...somewhere. Lorraine

Hey Ed, Yes, Ed, I'm finding that anything you want to know about soul music from the 60's through the 80's, Soul Source is quite knowledgable. Their library of people is unbeatable. I'm still trying with Eddie and one day he might surprise us and decide to send a e-mail...somewhere. Lorraine

Hey Paul, I missed your reply, or you typed it in white! Lorraine

What made me better in the music business was Mr. Kelley. I can't believe he's gone. He was my administrative teacher. "Lorraine, put it in a folder." That was his saying. "When someone brings up a topic or song, it's in a folder and you just reach in a grab it." I always called him Mr. Kelley. Always. We would fight and argue and I would cry. The soldier in him made him tough and he said he had to toughen me up. He said I was too soft for the music business. Kelley was responsible for teaching me distribution and promotion. He put me out there when women were a true minority in promotion. I was in New York, by myself, in my twenties, trying to get our material played. He was something else. I tried to get him to write a book. For years I begged him. I told him I was tired of hearing his same old stories, let the world know what went on behind those walls of Atlantic, Motown and HD&H. If I'm considered a legend, Mr. Kelley would say, "she's supposed to be." He would never give me credit, but called me for everything. I'm not the only one. Kelley was a teacher and shared his knowledge of the music business. You will probably hear other stories. It's because of him that I could represent the 'behind the scenes' aspects of it. I had hard but wonderful teacher. I will miss our marathon phone meetings (all we did was argue and fuss). Lorraine Chandler

Hey Tony, Ed and I thank you for clearing this up. I see that my 'pimp' Soussan was at it again. I wonder how much other stuff he did under my name. And on board I shall stay. Lorraine

There are no words. Not only did I learn from them, their songs were the background music to the best times of my life. Two of the coolest people you would ever want to meet and Ashford was the definition of 'cool'. I had no idea that Ashford was ill. What a shock. My condolences to Valerie and the family. Lorraine Chandler

Hi Roger, Thanks for showing the Stereo Dimension label. Haven't seen it in a while. Three days, that's all it took and Baby took it away. A weekend in New York. Boy, those were the days. Might have been in the studio the entire time, but I was in New York! Oh, it was a good session too. Thank you for the compliment. Lorraine

Ed, Ed, Ed, Ed, ED... You beat me down! You did your homework. HOWEVER...This Eddie Parker and the Sunlovers is NOT, I repeat not my Eddie Parker (Love You Baby, I'm Gone). After hearing the song, I'm not sure it's even one of mine even though its says so. People do a lot of things to sell records. Folks will slap on your name and give you credit to make a dollar/pound. I would never see a penny/pence of it (and I haven't) so what the heck. I admit, back then I was turning out songs like flipping pancakes. But I think I would remember that group with that name. I have a call into Jack (Ashford) about the song. It doesn't readily come to mind and I don't remember the production. Someone sent me a song with me singing it and I was blown away. I totally had forgotten about the song. But once I heard it, I remembered it instantly. (I do need a little prodding every now and then.) This song still hasn't registered. I'll get to the bottom of it and let you know. I have a feeling that you will remind me. As for the Ebonys. It was a girl group that did background. As stated earlier, I didn't have to sing with anybody to sing background on my songs, I just did and in most cases, I was the one who wrote the background melodys! If I wrote the melody line, (the song) I would know how to answer it (background). So I just stuck my big mouth in when and where needed. My creed is "make the lead singer work." It all made for a better recording and sound. The last time I was there, the audience started singing the song (I Can't Change) and it blew my mind. Every now and then I think about that and it cracks me up. They knew when to come in, the melody and the words and was jammin'! I'm so proud of my children! As for telling others about the site. I knew about this site and it took me a while to introduce myself (a few years). When I do run across folks I do tell them. Believe it or not, it took some courage for me to come aboard. I'm somewhat computer savvy, but a lot of them are not (Eddie Parker, and he admits too). You have no idea how you will be received or if anyone will know you or your work. To be honest, you can find a lot of folks on Facebook. I find this forum more intimate and I just had to find a way to say Thank You and I you. I am so glad I did. Talk to me anytime, Lorraine

Hey Salliejane, Thank you for the support and the . My performing and returning to you is all in your hands. It's that supply and demand thing. You have to say you want me there and as The Four Tops continue to sing the song,..."to love and cherish you." Lorraine

Hi Chris, Thank you for the support, thank you for the and back at you! Lorraine My dear Ed, It's not that I don't know, all will be revealed in a different way . However, you told me something that I didn't know. I had no idea Eddie Parker led a group call the Sunlovers. I have to ask him about that! It's a very interesting story when Eddie came to the auditions of Pied Piper, and no, I will not elaborate on that here either! I think it's wonderful that you and others are concerned with us 'one hit wonders'. You know it brings joy to me. Maybe if they knew, it would be a wonderful feeling for them to share too. I can't express how happy I am that I decided to join this forum. Now that I'm here, I'm never giving you up! Patience my dear. Did you drink that beer? Hummm, maybe that's the problem. Lorraine

Hi Chris, Thank you for the support, thank you for the and back at you! Lorraine

tomangoes, on 14 August 2011 - 04:08 PM, said: Thats great. Is there also a list of artists etc you worked with along the way? Ed Hey Ed, I don't know if you mean as an artist, producer or writer. I can say starting out as an artist, I was billed with Dionne Warwick and the O'Jays (wish I had that placard) and was in awe over Dionne. She was a superstar with all of her hits (Say a Little Prayer, Walk on By, etc.) and I was singing What Can I Do. She wouldn't remember me but I'll never forget that night. As a writer, Baby Washington needed a song and I was asked to come up with one. I've Got to Break Away was it. It was done in three days and Baby did a wonderful job. I love tailor making a song for an artist. Hearing it from beginning to end (full production) blows my mind. Working with the Pied Piper/Just Productions artists (too many to mention here) was an invaluable experience. We were all learning and honing our skills. Hearing those wonderful voices being molded and blended and then produced on vinyl was something to behold. Finish your beer Ed. Lorraine