Hi All
Some times on my trips to the U.S. I meet someone and think on leaving them, 'What a lovely person, I must try and do something for them', my meeting with Bill Spoon had just that effect. Met up with him just about a year ago, at his home.
We spent about five hours chatting, playing music of his or that he had been involved in. Whilst doing this he played me a number of un-released 70's and 80's tracks that he had done with his life long friend Lou Ragland. Whilst digging through some records he had I came across a 10" acetate with three tracks that included 'Can't Wait (For The Weekend)'. Asked him if he would sell it, which he was happy to do, he also burned about 10 of the other tracks onto a CD.
Played the CD in the car for almost the rest of the trip over there, it was so compelling. When I got back thought this needs to see the light of day, but the project was to much for me, so contacted John Anderson and Dave Welding to see if they would be interested for their Soul Junction label. John and Dave also saw the merit of the material, so they got to work with Bill in puting together the material for release.
Dave sent me a email a few days ago to tell me the first element of the project was now nearly ready for release, a 45 with the stunning 'Can't Wait' on.
Bill for those that didn't know was once a member of the Cleveland group The Soulmates on Way Out records. Here is a little bio that Dave has put together.
So pleased to see this material hitting the streets.
Dave
William Franklin Bell-Weatherspoon (Bill Spoon) although originally a native of Bessemer, Alabama. Bill first began his performing career when his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio.
In Cleveland Bill's earliest performances were with un-named street corner group which also included his close friend, Riki Dannison (a.k.a. Riki Sonda, the co-writer on" I Can't Wait"). This friendship was briefly interrupted by a stint in the military. Upon their return in1965 they rekindled their friendship and together with Leroy Elie and John Berry they formed the group known as the "Soulnotes" recording "How Long Will It Last" for Way Out records.
Following brief but unproductive spells with Stax records (Memphis) and Polydor records (L.A) Bill later returned to Cleveland. In 1979 a collaboration between Bill, Lou Ragland and West Coast producer Gene Dozier produced Bills most successful recording, a 45 single "Love Is On The Way" for Highland Records.
A decade of inactivity recording wise followed, before in 1990 Bill in partnership with Hense Powell and Herbert Santifer collaborated on the "Talk To Me" project.
This collaboration was to produce the "Talk To Me" album, a four track 12" single containing the previously mentioned "The One Who Really Loves You" and a 7" re-issue single of "Love Is On The Way" all on Hense Powell's Hense Forth Music Co label. The Hense Forth releases although receiving very little exposure or success in the USA, did go on to find a more appreciative audience within the U.K.
For further information please contact
John Anderson or Dave Welding
Tel: +44 (0)121 602 8115
E-mail souljunction@blueyonder.co.uk