CLAUDETTE ROBINSON (THE MIRACLES)
First of all, I must thank my dear friend and comrade Dillon Fred Gorman for making this happen (his late father, Freddie Gorman, was the man who brought us classics such as “Please Mr. Postman”, “Just Like Romeo & Juliet” and co-founded the Originals of “Baby I’m For Real”/”The Bells”). As many of you know, MOTOWN - THE MUSICAL is running on Broadway here in NYC and has been packing in the house at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. Prior to its official launch, many Motown folks (correction - a LOT of Motown folks!) were here for the previews so when Dillon called me up so we could meet and catch up, I took the offer (BTW - I haven’t seen the show yet and I’ve heard great things so far about the musical). I walked into Valerie Simpson’s Sugah Bar Restaurant where I saw Dillon, his mother, many of Mr. Gordy’s executives from back in the day, Montez Payton (the son of the Four Tops’ co-founder, the late Lawrence Payton) and THIS legend was at the table!
Claudette Rogers Robinson co-founded the Miracles in 1957 with Warren “Pete” Moore, Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, guitarist Marv Tauplin and then-husband Smokey Robinson. Mrs. Robinson recorded and toured with the group until 1965, when she left the road to have a family with Smokey (she still sang on the their recording sessions). After children Berry and Tamla was born, Claudette raised the kids while Smokey embarked on a solo career when he wasn’t at the Motown office (he was the label’s corporate vice-president). Smokey and Claudette were husband and wife until 1987, when the two divorced.
What can be said about Mrs. Robinson? (Pictured here with Smokey, Pete, Bobby and Ronnie in 1971). First of all, she has a great set of pipes as evidenced by the recordings she made with the Miracles. In fact, there are many sides that feature Claudette on lead vocals. Second, she is absolutely stunning! A radiant smile with a warm personality to match. Claudette has seen her share of the good, bad and otherwise in the music biz and I hope that someday she will write a book about her life’s work.
As many of you know, I’ve been a Motown fan ever since I can remember thanks to my elder siblings (they had the records!). To finally meet a legend such as Claudette Robinson was indeed an honor and a privilege. A moment that will always be treasured.
Thanks again to Ms. Claudette Robinson, Dillon Fred Gorman (left) Montez Payton (right), Mrs. Gorman and the many folks there who made this moment a night to remember. Check out Claudette taking lead on this rare Miracles single released on the Tamla label in 1960, "After All" (Video that accompanied this tune assembled by fellow Soulful Detroit Forum colleague, Shelly "SoleMann" King. Color photos courtesy of Dillon Fred Gorman. Black and white photo courtesy of Johnson Publications).
SESSIONS @ STUDIO 58 TV
Launched by music entrepreneur Elliott James, this Sunday night series of live, acoustic soul/R&B shows in the Brick City (uh, Newark NJ, that is!) have brought the best performances from today’s great independent acts. So far, artists such as Angela Johnson, Elijah Bland and Grammy Award winner Gordon Chambers have graced the Sessions @ Studio 58 TV stage. The performances are streamed live on the Internet with video clips posted after the shows. We caught up with series founder/producer Elliott James to discuss Sessions @ Studio 58 TV, the artists who appeared and those will be there in the future. Click the link and check out this SOULFUL CONVERSATION with Elliott!
http://www.mixcloud.com/musicmankevin/a-soulful-conversation-with-elliott-james-sessions-studio-58-tv/
A SOULFUL CONVERSATION WITH BRUCE HAWES
Composer, arranger, producer, engineer. These are just a few of the many hats worn by the great Bruce Hawes. Based in Philadelphia for several years until he relocated to Florida, Bruce co-wrote many hits such as the Spinners’ classics “Sadie” and “Games People Play (They Just Can’t Stop It)”. Bruce learned from the best - his music teachers in school - and worked with music’s finest (Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Thom Bell). He’s also worked alongside artists such as the late jazz violinist, Noel Pointer. Currently, Bruce is putting the finishing touches on his autobiography that will also serve as a great how-to book on how to succeed in this business of music. Click the link and enjoy our SOULFUL CONVERSATION with Mr. Hawes!
http://www.mixcloud.com/musicmankevin/a-soulful-conversation-with-bruce-hawes/
A SOULFUL CONVERSATION WITH WAYNE JACKSON (THE MEMPHIS HORNS)
Fifty-two years ago, a teenage Wayne Jackson co-wrote and blew his funky horn with the Mar-Keys on the Top 5 pop/soul smash, “Last Night”. From there, the adventure began for this legend - cutting tracks as a session man and Mar-Keys member for Stax Records, working alongside legends from Otis Redding to Sam & Dave, touring Europe and then the Monterey Pop Festival, forming the Memphis Horns with sax great Andrew Love, jetting between Memphis and other major cities for gigs, goin’ Country in Nashville with Marty Robbins, leading the horn section on Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” all the way to earning the Lifetime Achievement Grammy with his lifelong friend Mr. Love (pictured here, circa 1968).
Mr. Jackson has a three-volume set of memoirs (In My Wildest Dreams - Take 1, 2 & 3) that he and his wife Amy have published (and yes, his story DOES warrant three books!!). We caught up with Wayne recently for this SOULFUL CONVERSATION (click the link and enjoy!)
http://www.mixcloud.com/musicmankevin/a-soulful-conversation-with-wayne-jackson-memphis-horns/
SPRING INTO REISSUES!
Here are two new CD reissues now available, each with liner notes penned by yours truly.
FREDA PAYNE "SUPERNATURAL HIGH", released in 1978, was the sophomore Capitol album by the femme fatale who brought us the hit classics "Band Of Gold", "Bring The Boys Home" as well as "Deeper & Deeper". As she indicated in the interview for the liner notes, Ms. Payne enjoyed cutting this release for it allowed her to venture into rousing disco ("Happy Days Are Here Again/Happy Music"), ballads ("Just The Thought Of You And Me Together - Supernatural High") and R&B/soul - all produced by Skip Scarborough. The liner notes feature great insights from both Freda and sister Scherrie Payne (who penned "Storybook Romance" for the album and later recorded it with Susaye Greene on Motown). Click the link and check out one of the tunes from this fine album. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3ygcwQds94
G.C. CAMERON “LOVE SONGS AND OTHER TRAGEDIES” was the first ever Motown long-player (released in 1974) from Mr. Cameron after his tenure with the Spinners (“It’s A Shame”) and a bunch of solo singles on the Mowest subsidiary. Chock full of great tunes written and/or produced by Stevie Wonder, Willie Hutch as well as the Muscle Shoals’ production team of Terry Woodford and Clayton Ivey, the album was indeed tailor-made to show off G.C.’s versatility. The liners feature quotes and commentary from interviews with G.C., Terry Woodford, composer/producer Pam Sawyer, Motown engineer Bob Olhsson as well as input from Deke Richards of The Corporation prior to his passing a few weeks ago. The CD contains the original album plus G.C.'s Mowest singles from 1972-74. Click the link for a taste from the disc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9ni_umo-c0
These reissues are courtesy of SoulMusic Records - co-owners are the legendary David Nathan (the British Ambassador of Soul from Blues & Soul Magazine fame) and longtime record executive Michael Lewis.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!
Thanks again for checking out the KGMJ as we enter into the month of May! Look out for more music reports to come (lots of stuff happening soon!) and by all means any feedback is greatly appreciated. Take care and be well!
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