Girl had some serious hits here in the NYC area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUUQokztLrA
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Girl had some serious hits here in the NYC area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUUQokztLrA
I for one LOVED Miss Carol. I actually thought the very first album was the best. But I bought them all and several of the greatest hits collections. If somebody does one of those three CD packages on her, I will snatch it up in a heartbeat!
Its a pity on those greatest hits cds they split up the medleys!
Best to get the original albums on vinyl.
Glad to see a few of us still remember Carol Douglas and her wonderful lps!
I didn't see this thread until now. I, too, bought all of Carol Douglas' LPs and then replaced them all with her CDs. Her first album with "Doctor's Orders" remains my favorite.
I'm gonna go with Carol's MIDNIGHT LOVE AFFAIR under the care and direction of John Davis [[ secret disco even though peaking at #1 disco) .
BTW , guessing UK members are well aware of this , but how many here statewide know DOCTOR'S ORDERS was a remake??
Begging the question ,was disco at least to some degree , an advent of Great Britain?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pynx-NMVrqs
I think Boogiedown's comments about "Midnight love affair" are good - for me, this is the track which made me become aware of Carol Douglas. I bought an LP in the Netherlands, which had this track on it [[the LP was called 'Steppin' Out') - and I've always loved that track, and play it fairly often on CD.
Her version of Dancing Queen is also very good too [[can't quite match ABBA - but very, very listenable / danceable).
That was news to me, Boogie. According to Wiki, Carol Douglas reported that her producer at the session played her Sunny's version of "Doctors Orders" as a demo. Who knew that the producer turned out to be none other than the man himself -- Meco Monardo! [[For contractual reasons, Meco had to relinquish production credit to Midland International Records.) Now it makes sense -- I've always thought the back-up girls on Carol's version sound like Meco's girls -- Arlene Martell, Vivian Cherry, Linda November, and Helen Miles. Good to.know there was a method to my madness!Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
Here's the Wiki link verifying the above:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doct..._Orders_[[song)
BTW, I've never heard Sunny's version before, nor have I ever heard "Doctor's Orders" taken at such breakneck speed! Even hip-hop dancers would have trouble keeping up! 😎
Aha , you hadn't known that Carol's DOCTOR'S ORDERS was a Meco production Gary? Well good , I got you on that one then !, This song and [[first) his NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE by Gloria Gaynor, hitting the charts crystallized a new sound and the arrival of a new genre now identified as 'disco' imo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
ADDED : although NCSG was released and charted first, I'm not convinced DOCTORS ORDERS wasn't actually recorded first , and a lot of the DCA/ Meco sound wasn't begun there due to imitating the Sunny recording .
Yeah, John, you got me good!!! I'm assuming that by "DCA", you're referring to the DCA Experience [[Arlene, Vivian, Linda & Helen) who recorded the Disco Bicentennial album. You know, they were also billed as Wing & A Prayer. Oh, and Simon Said. Possibly under other names as well. Off-hand, I don't remember. [[That reminds me, Boogie -- did you see that I replied to your last post from several days ago in the Van McCoy thread?)Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
Most of Carol Douglas' CDs seem to be on questionable labels, some known for using vinyl sources instead of masters [[e.g. Hot Productions). What are considered the best sounding? Unidisc is another of those labels that doesn't always inspire consumer confidence...
Yes , the DCA Experience and the DCA stands for Disco Corp. Of America, and wiki has said for years it was founded in 1973 by "Meco, Tony Bongiovi, and a third person ". Any idea who the third person is, Gary ? And why the mystery [[Mysti!! lol!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
Hope you are enjoying your Simon Said 45. Had you noticed it was written by Tommy James ?I was curious , so I looked it up on YouTube and found it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQV4mfdc7A
interesting that Meco found it and knew he could do something with it. Tommy James is another favorite for me but does anybody hate Tommy James ??
Hi John! DCA stands for Disco Corporation of America? I did not know that! The third guy along with Meco and Tony is most likely Jay Ellis, and Harold Wheeler was the music arranger who may have done some producing as well. I remember reading several years later that the team eventually split up due to the actions of one of the four members. The writer purposely didn't want to mention any names, nor did he tell what had happened that was so distasteful, but it was definitely not Meco and I'm pretty sure it wasn't Harold, as I think I've seen Harold's name associated with Meco's in later years. It would have to have been either Tony or Jay. It's left me wondering what happened ever since.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
I'm surprised to hear that you're a Tommy James fan. I've never been a fan, but I've gotta admit his version of "Love Song" is really nice -- as pretty as or even prettier than Simon Said's rendition. Damn, John! Now you got me torn between the two!!! LOL!!! Yes, I had noticed Tommy's songwriter's credit on the label copy of Simon Said's record and I was surprised, figuring that Meco or one of his team had written it. It's not really far-fetched, though, since Tommy and Simon Said were both on Roulette records. Their paths were bound to have crossed sooner later when one thing led to another.
No, I still don't know who "Mysti" is, John. I Googled it recently but found nothing. If I find out anything, I'll let you know.
Yes I bet that third person was TonyQuote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
Bongiovi.
Hadn't you mentioned you thought Mysti might be Sondra Simon? Or I dreamt that
youtube.com/watch?v=F6DuttlQqY0
Nope! You dreamt it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
Ha ! ....well, You didn't name someone else then ? Ava Cherry?Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
My computer won't behave. let me try that YouTube link again:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6DuttlQqY0
hard to tell , voice is doubled....
No, John, I didn't mention Ava Cherry; although Vivian Cherry is one of Meco's back-up girls. [[Sisters, I'm wondering?)Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
You know, I think you may have stumbled onto something. Despite the double-tracking, the lead singer on Simon Said's "You And Me [[Just like In The Movies)" sounds exactly like Mysti. I think the Mysti mystery is solved!
BTW, you got me again, Buddy! I wasn't aware that this Simon Said "You And Me" 45 existed! Do you know what's on the B-side?
As long as were at it, what other Simon Said 45s were released? At the moment, all I have is "Smile" on Atco and "Love Song" on Roulette.
!Ha you're funny Gary! hey, I just replayed DISCO SYMPHONY and the voice is doubled there too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
PUT SOME MORE FLAVOR ,arranged by Harold Wheeler! , is the b side of AT THE MOVIES but I don't see it on YouTube .
here's another release by Camouflage though:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYr410oNquE
arranged by Brad Baker ....
You know what, John? I knew that title sounded familiar. I used to own the 12" Single of Simon Said's "You Got The Power" but my copy was on the orange and black Roulette label. As usual, I bought it sight-unheard, based solely on the writer/producer credits. With Meco producing on a Tom Moulton Mix, I expected big things. I must confess, I never played it much because it was weak compared to Meco's other productions which are typically highly melodic and arranged beautifully by Harold Wheeler. "You Got The Power" by Simon Said is pretty much the same two chords over and over throughout the nearly 8:00-min. track from start to finish. I hope I haven't knocked the hell out of one of your favorites!Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
Once again , we kind of have matching ears. YOU GOT THE POWER would go into my discard pile . we approach these records with the highest of hopes based on who's behind them ..........but EVERY artist , producer has hits and misses . Maybe this one is missing the Harold Wheeler touch , but the name Brad Baker on it gives me hope. YOU GOT THE POWER is weak overall like you said and its vocally sung too raw for my taste , and her interest in this gentleman comes across as nothing more than a desperate slut ....kind of like Cher ....TAKE ME HOME , TAKE ME HOME , TAKE ME HOOOOME !!! lol!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
But back to Brad Baker , his name is never far from Gregg Diamonds [[Andrea True etc.) like Kipps is never far from Mccoy.
Do you know the works of Meco's Showdown? Brad Baker is involved there .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=272&v=PihVdVILC4o
but I'm not thinking you'll particularly like that Showdown number Gary:rolleyes: . Guess I was leading in to this same song by Andrea True. It's interesting how these producers , like Van McCoy, will reuse different songs with different acts hoping that by applying certain tweaks, it will gel into a hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsQSAFvfNFc
hmm that was never a favorite of mine, listening to it now after a few years , I like it even less. Not all these ditties survive the test of time !
Maybe it's your turn at this !!:cool:
Hey John! "Matching ears"! Yeah, that sounds about right! We seem to have matching taste in just about everything.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
Showdown! I bought their LP back in the day. They're tracks are also present on the Camouflage "A Disco Symphony" CD. Can't say I was ever crazy about Showdown. They don't even sound like Meco. You're right -- they needed Harold Wheeler. He had the golden touch. There are four of their tracks which I found tolerable: "Walkin' In Music", "Keep Doin' It", "Come Down In Time", and "Let's Make A Deal" [[the Gloria Gaynor song, although not nearly as good vocally as Gloria's version). When I got the CD, I marked the tracks I liked on a posted note for future reference, as I always do. I don't think I've ever played the Showdown tracks again since! They pale so in comparison to "A Disco Symphony's" beautiful medley.
I have both Andrea True CDs, but I never paid much attention to the producers.
Yeah, it's true that Van McCoy re-applied some of his earlier songs to newer productions which ended up on his mid-to-late '70s disco productions. That never bothered me because his newer duplicates always sounded ever better than the earlier versions! Faith, Hope & Charity's very early, pre-RCA version of "Wings Of Love" is even prettier on Van's own 1978 vocal version on which FH&C is also present.
""WINGS OF LOVE":
Faith, Hope & Charity [[early '70s):
https://youtu.be/ZWgb3wVDIpw
Van McCoy w/Faith, Hope & Charity [[1978)
https://youtu.be/RzKj9OtGHUw
[I just love Van's voice on his 1978 solo album. [[Sorry, Jack!) And, of course, the recording equipment was much improved by 1978 compared to the earlier production above which sounds primitive.]
Another comparison is FH&C's "You're My Peace Of Mind" and David Ruffin's Motown version of which both are excellent:
"YOU'RE MY PEACE OF MIND":
Faith, Hope & Charity [[1976)
https://youtu.be/znRQk9u6sFM
David Ruffin [[1977)
https://youtu.be/BCExw9dmkZs
[Gotta go with FH&C's own version, as that's the one I knew and loved first.]
One more example of Van's duplicate tune productions is the track:
"LET'S GET INTO SOMETHING":
Richmond Extension [[1975)
https://youtu.be/a25yq3HvWMo
David Ruffin [[1976)
https://youtu.be/KPXZ--eQiXI
And one more:
"GOOD GOOD TIMES":
David Ruffin [[1976)
https://youtu.be/mvU99g4T1eA
Peaches & Herb [[1977)
https://youtu.be/9wmDn8a-waA
All similar but a little different, yet all top-notch Van McCoy.
Once again, we agree, John! I don't like that Showdown song at all. Doesn't sound at all like Meco. And, you're right again, I like Andrea True's "More, More, More" album much better than that second one, although I do have both on CD. [[I still swear you're my musical clone, God help ya!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
You know, Boogie, we can't discuss Meco, Tony Bongiovi, and Harold Wheeler without mentioning their wonderful Marlena Shaw album, "Take A Bite"! With tracks like "Love Dancin' ", "I Thank You,", and an uptempo classic dance remake of Diana's "Touch Me In The Morning", I personally rate this right up there with Camouflage's "A Disco Symphony".
I was hoping to find the entire Side 1 medley on YouTube, but no one has uploaded it intact. We'll have to settle for three of the tracks separately.
"Love Dancin'':
https://youtu.be/XWvyiOeE4jA
"I Thank You':
https://youtu.be/CbGoa--hZBM
"Touch Me In The Morning"
https://youtu.be/1CwmwsEcZck
PS: Get well soon!
Hi Gary, I stumbled upon another one :Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUbyP0ZGSr8
not sure if this came out in response to Dr Buzzard's popularity? regardless would've loved to have paired the two together BITD.
I like the three-minute instrumental that begins at 2:50 with the scratchy guitar.
ADDED: Just noticed who arranged this 45, Charlie Calello, who of course, arranged the Dr. Buzzard lp. :)
Ha I'm not sure any longer what thread we are on Gary! lol. Seems we've blended the artists and now we've got Van McCoy on this thread! WINGS OF LOVE is quite an elaborate production and I can see why Van devoted time to it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWgb3wVDIpw
would it be a fair guess to wonder if this might be Van testing out his take on the Fifth Dimension's style?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
We agree again . A top notch endeavor by Meco on par with his DISCO SYMPHONY.
For my ears , it's just as effective and as fresh sounding today as it was forty years ago. Marlena is terrific.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc4pGYg5bcI
and its my go to version of the song.
Hey Boogie! Wow! Good work! Where on earth are you finding these rare Simon Said singles? Hard to believe they slipped through the cracks after all these years! [[Did you notice the time length on that single? I never knew that 6:49 worth of music could be squeezed onto one side of a 45! I also noticed that by now, the group was being billed as Sondra Simon And Simon Said. I'm pretty sure I would like the "Momma Can You Meet..." single better if Harold Wheeler had been the arranger. He's got the special touch that makes it or breaks it for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
I have Dr. Buzzard's first RCA CD with "Cherchez La Femme", but I never knew [[or had forgotten) it was produced by Charlie Calello. Ya know, he was also Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons' music arranger, and in 1965 became a member of the Four Seasons himself! Small world, eh!
BTW, what's "BITD"?
Glad [[and not at all surprised!) that we agree on what a great album Marlena Shaw's "Take A Bite" is! By this time [[1979), Meco had really hit is stride. He had already released a slew of his own albums, but did he produce any further artists after the Marlena Shaw album? I honestly can't think of any unless their release snuck past me. [[Wouldn't you love to take a peek into Meco's personal stash of previously-unreleased productions! I sure would -- especially if there were another Camouflage Featuring Mysti gem hiding in there along with some more Marlena!)
And, yes, I love Marlena's dance version of "Touch Me In The Morning". For me, it will never replace Diana's original, but it's right up there among my favorites.
The second and much weaker one was produced by Michael Zager , another hit and miss producer [[ quite a few misses , lol!) but he did give the Spinners' career a much needed revitalizing :Quote:
Originally Posted by Philles/Motown Gary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSYuZNImRw4
Gary , BITD = back in the day :)
I think Meco backed off from producing others by the eighties. The full orchestrated sound which was his forte, was vanishing , almost overnight. And with as much effort as it sounds like he put into Marlena Shaw's album , the lack of pay off must have been very discouraging.
I agree wholeheartedly, John. The Spinners' "Cupid" was weak and disappointing compared to "Working My Way Back To You". That recurring Cha-Cha part in "Cupid's' verse annoyed the heck out of me, although the chorus was certainly pleasant enough, but it still lacked the good-time, make-you-wanna-get-up-and-'BOOGIE' feel of "Working My Back To You".Quote:
Originally Posted by Boogiedown
Oh, "back in the day", okay. Sorry, I'm not up on all the hip abbreviations that you young swingers are into! 😎
Well, ya know, John, the Side 1 medley on Marlena's "Take A Bite" was getting played in the clubs and discos that I attended at the time, and if it wasn't the entire medley, the 12" single of her "Touch Me In The Morning" was always a dance-floor filler. I don't know how well it sold in the stores, but it was a huge success in the clubs, so Meco shouldn't have felt too bad. What might very well have discouraged him was the fact that the dance music scene was now converting over to HI NRG. Meco may not have felt he could compete in that arena, or maybe he just didn't want to. That choppy synthesized sound wasn't for everybody. Some I love, and some not so much. Now, some years later, Meco did attempt a come-back album. I heard some of the 30-second samples on Amazon. Too be kind, I'll just say it was not the type of Meco Monardo production that we had grown to know and love. I really wanted to like it for him but I couldn't.