David Meikle

I’m just realising what a difficult subject this is. I’ve skimmed over the early part of Florence Ballard’s book and there is no mention of Correc-tone. The book was written by a third party long after Florence's death however. According to that book Primettes did bv’s for Pickett at Robert West’s Lupine label. Secondly, as you can see from Graham’s sources, Robb Klein helped with audio files etc. when this was uploaded to SoulfulDetroit. I know that Robb is a keen and knowledgeable part of our scene but I am surprised that he did not ask Graham for clarification on his Andantes notes. Not criticising Robb just wondering. On a lighter note I found an old article I had written about Robert West on SD and to my surprise I said that Primettes did backgrounds for Correc-tone. LOL. That was written before Graham’s excellent article. The list of people Graham interviewed is impressive and he never put pen to paper without asking the same question to all interviewees. But passage of time clouds peoples memories and unless someone has the master tape of that wonderful song the mystery goes on.

Graham took this photograph of Robert in downtown Detroit after yet another interview.

Graham lived in Windsor for a considerable length of time and interviewed many music people during that period. He also spent many a day with Robert Bateman who did A&R on the record. Robb knows Graham so try a PM for some clarification.

You can trust Graham Finch for the answer. https://soulfuldetroit.com/web16-correctone/index.html click link to get to page two where you will find the answer. There is more info later in the webisode too.

If you like all forms of Soul go for the Atlanta sound of Tragar-Note. Fifty tracks including some obscure artists. Try Sonia Ross or Alice Swoboda.

I visited Weldon McDougal at his home in Philadelphia circa 2003. I mentioned to Weldon that I was a big fan of the Mirwood sound but could find no reference as to who was doing the backing tracks at Emperor Production Studios. He picked up the phone and called Brenda Holloway who said immediately that it was The 103rd Street Rhythm Band. In one of Kent's cd booklets Ady Croasdell notes that Brenda and her sister Patrice were both in the Belles group which recorded briefly for Mirwood.

I cannot see any of our big collectors giving up on this manic love affair. There are also millionaires involved now who wont even be bothered about what is going to come around. The rest of us are heading for the twilight zone so it might be worth cashing in a few to compensate for those holidays missed all those years ago. If the inheritors get off the mark quick then power to them but leave them a note in advance on pricing. A very complex subject but I cant see anything other than a market with no future.

RIP Mary Wilson who was one of a trio who made all our lives better. A remarkable pop group with a legacy way beyond comprehension. However, strange comment from Roburt in my opinion. The much maligned BG proved time and time again that he knew what he was doing. Would he have sold more 45’s if he had shared the leads as Roburt suggests? No! It was a business for goodness sakes! Finally, hopefully Mary will be buried in Woodlawn rather than Detroit Memorial Park. Mary Wilson will never be forgotten as will Florence.

Can’t believe how good this sounds! Possibly better than any of the other volumes which is remarkable.

Thanks for finding this thread which I missed. I can undertand the need to find the Haystack Bros 45 but what a bland song! Found the yellow one on youtube and I like it a lot.

Thanks for identifying the Goodloe brothers properly. Cheers also for Joe Jones of the Jones Brothers. I wonder if Minnie Jones was related to Joe Jones as Ken wrote for both. Love Jones Brothers “Good Old Days” too.

Ken Goodloe was in the Pentagons, The Shields, The Chesterfields, The Themes, 21st Century, Soul Patrol and The Corduroys. He wrote two of my fav NS records in The Themes-No Explanation Needed and Minnie Jones “Shadow of a Memory”. I think he is far left on this photo with his brother Ted standing next to him.

I’ve been listening to this on and off for nearly 51 years. Incredible slab of Northern Soul that always delivers.

“Groovy Generation” will always make my Top 20. I was lucky get the chance to play a digital copy on a cd player in United Sound Systems. Later that day I headed to Clay McMurray’s studio on Livernois where we discussed Thelma Records in some detail. Clay wrote down the backing group information on this sheet of paper and tried to sketch his memories of the interior of 6519 Grand River Avenue. You can see “Mr. C” noted at a table by the door. That was Thelma (Coleman) Gordy’s Father, who ran the business.

I’ve watched this video many times not only because I love the song but also because I love the dee jays passion playing it. I met Mitch Ryder in Detroit’s Casino in 2004 and “bored” him to death about his garage music impact on our scene. The dee jay is someone I don't know but the credit says Glenn Walker-Foster. Well done Glenn (with thanks to Jud for capturing it). https://youtu.be/MSTjE1tfNAQ

Thanks for the tip Seano. This wasn't just about the pain that Teddy went through, it was also a reminder of the dangers of making music in those halcyon days. Enjoy your vinyl people but don't forget the pain.

JMM told Graham Finch that she relied on Danny Dallas for her early recordings. In those days he was working at Special Recording Studios which was at 138 Duffield It was owned by Fred Flowerday and my notes on Special show it as being there between 1960 to 1964. It moved next to Mike Hanks building on East Grand Boulevard in 1966. JMM also used facilities at WCHB radio station in Inkster for her Northern Recordings. It looks like it was one or the other. Can't be more specific but Graham was a regular visitor to her house on Santa Barbara when he lived in Windsor.

Edward sketched La Beat’s premises for me almost twenty years ago. RIP Edward, latterly known as Ahmad Abdulaziz.

Hi Pip Enjoyed that! What do you recall about Garnet Mimms? Did you back him on “I’ll take good care of you”? How long did you get to learn the songs? Was this in London? etc etc.

Many thanks MDS aka Rod!

Can anyone please tell me what this is circa 9 minutes. Sounds like the punchline is “Help me“ but I haven’t got a clue. Anyway sounds amazing to me.

My own favourite from The Blue Album. RIP Sharon.

Our scene was very special in those early days thanks to guys like Tony. It’s terrible to hear of his passing. RIP Tony Jebb.

Both Labron Smith of Nightchill and Ken Sands Magic City’s Sound Engineer told me that Ernest Burt was shot in his premises in the seventies. Ken told me that Ernest staggered into the street and into his car which was across the other side of the road. With the door ajar and the hand brake off he passed away leaving the car to drift slowly down Grand River Avenue. I found this clip from the 1981 edition of the Detroit Free Press which appears to have been some kind of inquest outcomes for fatal killings in the city.

I asked Robert Bateman if he would draw me a sketch of the Magic City studio layout. He duly obliged and signed it for me. The stairwell leading from the image’s front right hand door is shown on the left. The word window is scribbled above and below the word Studio. The control room is at the foot of the sketch. I know it’s rough but hopefully someone finds it interesting. Robert Bateman R.I.P.