Pre-PIR O'Jays ... wow, some awesome stuff! Thanks YouTube

[tsull1]

I consider myself an O'Jays fanatic and somewhat of an expert on the group. After some long listening on YouTube tonight I realize I know nothing! I'm tuning into a lot of pre-Philadelphia International Records stuff and man is it good. I've heard some of these like "Look Over Your Shoulder" and so forth, but there are tons I didn't know about. Thankfully many are posted on YouTube.

My first 45 I bought was Love Train/Who Am I, my second LP I bought was "Backstabbers" and then I promptly bought "The O'Jays in Philadelphia" which had some of these older tracks.

Man, this stuff is good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=-rcHAvEWDeM&feature=endscreen

[mark speck]

Get the Sundazed CD, "The Complete Bell Sessions"...it not only contains the full Bell LP, "Back On Top" [[which includes "Look Over Your Shoulder"), but all the non-LP singles for the label and about six unreleased tracks.

Best,

Mark

[Kamasu_Jr]

Get the Sundazed CD, "The Complete Bell Sessions"...it not only contains the full Bell LP, "Back On Top" [[which includes "Look Over Your Shoulder"), but all the non-LP singles for the label and about six unreleased tracks.

Best,

Mark

There's another disc coming out We'll Never Forget You featuring the OJay's
pre-Philadelpia International recordings for Imperial Records from 1963 to 1966.

[sunshineonacloudyday]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph-sHQ17Y78

This one from 1966 is still my all-time favorite O'JAYS song! I love the material they did on Imperial.

More obscure pre-PIR O'JAYS can be found on the excellent LPs, THE O'JAYS SUPER BAD [[Trip Records); and THE O'JAYS MEET THE MOMENTS [[Stang), with some fine songs from both groups. I don't believe either of these albums ever made it to CD.

[nosey]

Thanks Tsull and Sunshine. Like both records and Stand In sounds like something the Manhattans would have sung during that time.

[tsull1]

Get the Sundazed CD, "The Complete Bell Sessions"...it not only contains the full Bell LP, "Back On Top" [[which includes "Look Over Your Shoulder"), but all the non-LP singles for the label and about six unreleased tracks.

Best,

Mark

Thanks Mark! I'm on my way to make a purchase. While I lean towards their PIR stuff, this material isn't far behind and you could really see the group coming of age. One of my favorites is "I've Got the Groove" from The O'Jays in Philadelphia album. Wish they'd play that in concert.

[motony]

always loved their version of "Lipstick Traces" which I guess is the first O'Jays record I was aware of back then, mid 60's.Then next would be stuff like "Deeper In Love" I think that was on Neptune.

[candykamaine]

I love thier version of Look over Your Shoulder from the Pre PIR days.

[manny]

Here are some of my pre - PIR O'Jays titles [[including some Neptune stuff):

- "Rented Tuxedo" [[a kind of "doo-woop - mexican ranchera")
- "Breakdown And Let It All Out" [[IMHO, the best composition by Van McCoy)
- "Little Brother"
- "Just Another Guy"
- "I'll Be Seen You"
- "You're The Best Thing Since Candy"

Best regards to all [[and kisses for the ladies)

[mr_june]

I always liked "Look Over Your Shoulder" also. Reminds me of high school days and summer time. My favorite album by the Ojay's is "In Philadelphia."