Fish ain't bittin' - lamont dozier

[marv2]

Just because. Just because it is a great song.......


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKVu_kNH0EE

[Quinn]

Yessir. One of the songs Lamont prepared about a year before he defected from The Hollands. "Out Here On My Own" and "Black Bach" are both great examples of the creative chemistry that existed between He and McKinley Jackson. Produced Freda Payne's album,Produced Clarence Carter's album,Hooked up a joint for Popcorn Wylie,Did a single for Reggie Garner,Was Billboard's "Best New Artist" in 1974. Yes my man Marv, for a time he and McKinley tore it up at ABC Records, but it started here. Still waiting for the unreleased "Prophecy" album from 1975 that was completed shortly before his contract expired and he went with Warner Brothers. Hope those tapes didn't go up in flames,I think we'd have that one freshly remastered by now.

[arr&bee]

Sorry guys i hate this song,yes i have it but never have liked it.

[marv2]

sorry guys i hate this song,yes i have it but never have liked it.

why??? Lol!

[marv2]

Yessir. One of the songs Lamont prepared about a year before he defected from The Hollands. "Out Here On My Own" and "Black Bach" are both great examples of the creative chemistry that existed between He and McKinley Jackson. Produced Freda Payne's album,Produced Clarence Carter's album,Hooked up a joint for Popcorn Wylie,Did a single for Reggie Garner,Was Billboard's "Best New Artist" in 1974. Yes my man Marv, for a time he and McKinley tore it up at ABC Records, but it started here. Still waiting for the unreleased "Prophecy" album from 1975 that was completed shortly before his contract expired and he went with Warner Brothers. Hope those tapes didn't go up in flames,I think we'd have that one freshly remastered by now.

McKinley Jackson did a joint appearance in NYC with the Holland Brothers a few years back hosted by Harry of Universal.

[arr&bee]

why??? Lol!it's just an ugly stupid thing...aaaggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!#@@@##$%$$## ##@!&&^*[[*&&^^^%%$#@@@!!!!!!??????.....exclamation point...yuck!!!!

[marv2]

it's just an ugly stupid thing...aaaggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!#@@@##$%$$## ##@!&&^*[[*&&^^^%%$#@@@!!!!!!??????.....exclamation point...yuck!!!!

It's cool. I understand. I have more than my share I didn't like. Heck, I even started a thread about some LOL

[woodward]

Marv, thanks for posting. This is the first time I have ever heard this song. To be honest, I have heard a lot of songs that don't motivate me, however, if this were available today and I was still buying 45s as I did way back then, I definitely would buy it.

[marv2]

Marv, thanks for posting. This is the first time I have ever heard this song. To be honest, I have heard a lot of songs that don't motivate me, however, if this were available today and I was still buying 45s as I did way back then, I definitely would buy it.

This song was extremely popular on "Soul" radio in the Spring and Summer of 1974, I think I learned all the words in a week. LOL!

[Boogiedown]

I think he wandered off topic by getting political , too jarring , but I always enjoyed this song [[TRYING TO HOLD ON moreso)

Two things, why did Lamont seem to be a little downtrodden/sullen during this period? Man, the man has a history of writing umpteen number one songs! That has to be quite satisfying. Why so heavy ?

Second, I wonder how many in the Soul Train Gang even fully understood who this was, that was performing in front of them ?

[144man]

Was listening to "Fish Ain't Bitin'" only a couple of weeks ago and that got me onto Four Tops' "Midnight Flower". Those ex-Invictus staff tracks were good.

[marv2]

Was listening to "Fish Ain't Bitin'" only a couple of weeks ago and that got me onto Four Tops' "Midnight Flower". Those ex-Invictus staff tracks were good.

"Midnight Flower" more memories of the Summer of '74. The nicest song ever about a hooker! LOL!

[MIKEW-UK]

The Holland Brothers were essential and indispensable to Lamont’s success at Motown.

Equally essential and indispensable to Lamont’s success post Motown was McKinley Jackson. He was Lamont’s other half in most of Lamont’s creative endeavours both for himself and for Clarence Carter, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Freda Payne, Popcorn Wylie, Ben E. King, Margie Joseph, Zingara, Future Flight, The Originals, Bobby Hutton, Garland Green, Z Z Hill, Aretha Franklin, etc etc.

Four of the Prophecy tracks from the lost album were released as part of the Expansion Records CD on Lamont Dozier’s ABC output.

cheers

Mike

[marv2]

I think he wandered off topic by getting political , too jarring , but I always enjoyed this song [[TRYING TO HOLD ON moreso)

Two things, why did Lamont seem to be a little downtrodden/sullen during this period? Man, the man has a history of writing umpteen number one songs! That has to be quite satisfying. Why so heavy ?

Second, I wonder how many in the Soul Train Gang even fully understood who this was, that was performing in front of them ?

Heck, you would be too if Scherrie Payne had broken up with you! LOL!

[marv2]

The Holland Brothers were essential and indispensable to Lamont’s success at Motown.

Equally essential and indispensable to Lamont’s success post Motown was McKinley Jackson. He was Lamont’s other half in most of Lamont’s creative endeavours both for himself and for Clarence Carter, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Freda Payne, Popcorn Wylie, Ben E. King, Margie Joseph, Zingara, Future Flight, The Originals, Bobby Hutton, Garland Green, Z Z Hill, Aretha Franklin, etc etc.

Four of the Prophecy tracks from the lost album were released as part of the Expansion Records CD on Lamont Dozier’s ABC output.

cheers

Mike

I now have to find and listen to those songs. Thank you Mike!

[Quinn]

Heck, you would be too if Scherrie Payne had broken up with you! LOL! I believe Lamont was going through a divorce at the time of both "Out Here" and "Black Bach". Not sure if Scherrie was his wife or not, but I know the contents are about a failed marriage. Being a Detroit resident maybe you can give me some clarification.

[marv2]

I believe Lamont was going through a divorce at the time of both "Out Here" and "Black Bach". Not sure if Scherrie was his wife or not, but I know the contents are about a failed marriage. Being a Detroit resident maybe you can give me some clarification.

As far as I can remember, Scherrie was with Lamont through most of 1974. She joined the Supremes in the Fall of 1973.

[TomatoTom123]

SUCH A GREAT SONG!

"I'm running last in this human race
Trying to get over this hopeless place..."

great line :D

[marv2]

SUCH A GREAT SONG!

"I'm running last in this human race
Trying to get over this hopeless place..."

great line :D

Tom, I was in the 8th Grade when this came out. I remember everyone singing along to it at the big 8th Grade picnic! LOL! Fun times for sure.

[arr&bee]

You had an[8th grade picnic]??? You must've went to school in[utopia]hehehe...the closest we ever got to a picnic was if they moved your table next to the one window that wasn't painted black and you could get a peek at rock quarry across the street!

[marv2]

You had an[8th grade picnic]??? You must've went to school in[utopia]hehehe...the closest we ever got to a picnic was if they moved your table next to the one window that wasn't painted black and you could get a peek at rock quarry across the street!

Yeah at a really big metro park that had horse riding trails, paddle boats, shelters etc etc LOL! Man, JAI y'all had it rough! Much respect!

[TomatoTom123]

Tom, I was in the 8th Grade when this came out. I remember everyone singing along to it at the big 8th Grade picnic! LOL! Fun times for sure.

Wow, great memories marv! Not sure anyone in the UK knows [[or knew) this song at all!!!!

[snakepit]

I can assure you I know it.

[MIKEW-UK]

Nine years ago when I joined the forum, I put into my profile Favourite artist Lamont Dozier, Favourite Album Love and Beauty, Favourite song Trying To Hold On To My Woman. Nine years later not much has changed other than I would say Out Here On My Own is my favourite album. A lot of us in the UK were thrilled to see Lamont issue a genuine solo album as opposed to Love And Beauty which also featured Brian Holland. Out Here On My Own is the top album of all time to my ears.....every song a gem. And the most extraordinary killer fact? Lamont is not credited with composing a single song. McKinley Jackson is the producer and composer/ co composer on every song, not Lamont. That is why I believe McKinley has been as responsible for Lamont's post motown success as much as Lamont himself on all the artists he has recorded

[marv2]

I believe Lamont was going through a divorce at the time of both "Out Here" and "Black Bach". Not sure if Scherrie was his wife or not, but I know the contents are about a failed marriage. Being a Detroit resident maybe you can give me some clarification.

Quinn, to be honest, I was a teenager at that time and was not thinking about Lamont Dozier and Scherrie Payne like that. I know that when he ran into Mary Wilson at a party in LA during the latter part of 1973, she told him she was looking for a new singer for the Supremes. Lamont recommended his girlfriend Scherrie Payne. So that tells me that they were a couple at least during that time.

[marv2]

Nine years ago when I joined the forum, I put into my profile Favourite artist Lamont Dozier, Favourite Album Love and Beauty, Favourite song Trying To Hold On To My Woman. Nine years later not much has changed other than I would say Out Here On My Own is my favourite album. A lot of us in the UK were thrilled to see Lamont issue a genuine solo album as opposed to Love And Beauty which also featured Brian Holland. Out Here On My Own is the top album of all time to my ears.....every song a gem. And the most extraordinary killer fact? Lamont is not credited with composing a single song. McKinley Jackson is the producer and composer/ co composer on every song, not Lamont. That is why I believe McKinley has been as responsible for Lamont's post motown success as much as Lamont himself on all the artists he has recorded

Mike, Lamont's "Trying To Hold On To My Woman" was the number one song on our Soul music station, WKLR for weeks and weeks to the end of 1973. It was a very popular record.

[snakepit]

"Fish ain't bitin'" received a bit of airplay in the UK.

[marv2]

"Fish ain't bitin'" received a bit of airplay in the UK.

What he sang about is what was going on in the news here at the time. Later that summer, Richard Nixon resigned.

[MIKEW-UK]

Marv, Snakepit, appreciate your responses....this is a fabulous piece of work...

Quite amazing and arguably the last true soul album before the disco disaster which ultimately killed the artform of soulmusic.

[144man]

What he sang about is what was going on in the news here at the time. Later that summer, Richard Nixon resigned.

I was going to mention the song refers to Tricky Dick, who was probably just about preferable to the **** you've got now.

[TomatoTom123]

I can assure you I know it.

Apart from you snake ;)

[Bluebrock]

Wow, great memories marv! Not sure anyone in the UK knows [[or knew) this song at all!!!!
I know it Tom. I still have the 7" import single. I also have it on at least two cd's. It received a lot of airplay on the specialist soul shows of the era.

[marv2]

Wow, great memories marv! Not sure anyone in the UK knows [[or knew) this song at all!!!!

It is always interesting to me how a block of songs can stir up vivid memories. This was one, along with Rock Your Baby by George McCrae, Skin Tight by the Ohio Players, The Love of Money by the O'Jays, along with some others that bring back memories of the summer of 1974 for me.

[snakepit]

I'm with you Mike...although "Black Bach" was my favourite. I had the ABC and some of the WBs aalbums. I know I missed his later stuff but also amongst my VERY favourites is "California Sunset".
I had tickets to see him this year but Alas it didn't happen.

[MIKEW-UK]

snakepit, I also had a refund on the cancelled London concert due to Lamont's health issues. In all honesty, I was not confident I would have come away ecstatic as I am not impressed with the work produced on him by Fred Mollin. I like soul music, not the supper club treatments on Reimagination. Lamont should have stuck with McKinley Jackson.

[MIKEW-UK]

My favourite track on Black Bach..... Put Out My Fire


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OjckvRBpeg

[snakepit]

Yes I was wary of his repackaged Motown hits.. I wasn't looking forward to that element of the show.
About time I played these albums again.

[marv2]

Here's another one that you don't hear often, but I liked very much:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdEwRm-kSJ0

[marv2]

I believe Lamont was going through a divorce at the time of both "Out Here" and "Black Bach". Not sure if Scherrie was his wife or not, but I know the contents are about a failed marriage. Being a Detroit resident maybe you can give me some clarification.

Quinn, no. Lamont went through a divorce in 1968. He married his current wife Barbara in 1980. So between 1968-80 he was single which is during the period he was with Scherrie and also when both "Out Here [[1973) and "Black Bach" [[1974) were released.

[snakepit]

I'm pretty sure that I had my photo taken with Lamont's ex wife at Hitsville in 1994

[snakepit]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C8AmRRW30zY

Classic

[TomatoTom123]

I know it Tom. I still have the 7" import single. I also have it on at least two cd's. It received a lot of airplay on the specialist soul shows of the era.

That is good to know! I don't think Lamont had any solo pop hits in the UK at all, sadly. :)

[Bluebrock]

That is good to know! I don't think Lamont had any solo pop hits in the UK at all, sadly. :)
He didn't sadly. They were ignored by pop radio, but he remained a beloved cult figure with the soul crowd. His "going back to my roots" became a big UK hit by Odyssey, but his own solo stuff had trouble even getting released here let alone becoming hits.

[TomatoTom123]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C8AmRRW30zY

Classic

One of my favourites :)

[TomatoTom123]

He didn't sadly. They were ignored by pop radio, but he remained a beloved cult figure with the soul crowd. His "going back to my roots" became a big UK hit by Odyssey, but his own solo stuff had trouble even getting released here let alone becoming hits.

Shame really Blue :). I love Odyssey's version of "Roots", although Lamont's is pretty amazing in and of itself!!!

[marv2]

When Lamont sings about "Phase I, Phase II....." he is singing about economic plans put forth by the Nixon Administration that were not working for most Americans at that time.