Salute To VAN McCOY - Part 3: VAN'S ARTISTS [[A-M)

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Mega-amen to that, PMG. Apparently, it was Aretha's express wish that her remaining analog-only '75-'79 Atlantic output never be reissued, but, like you, I nurse hope. Some of the tracks resurfaced on her career-spanning box set of a couple of years ago, so there's every reason to keep our fingers crossed. She was at her vocal peak in these years, IMHO. [I'm friendly with her son Kecalf on social media, but can't bring myself to ask him about such a tetchy subject.]

P.S.: Happy you like Jennifer's "Giving Up"! "Thunderous" is the word!

Yes, Jennifer's version is hot! I just discovered Donny Hathaway's version, as well. Love 'em both!

Regarding Aretha's son, couldn't you just casually remark something like, "Your mom sure recorded some fantastic albums for Atlantic. Do you think there's any chance we'll ever see a CD release of the last few? You wouldn't be pushy, nor would you be demanding [[which would understandably annoy him). You would just be a friend who is merely expressing a sincere interest in his mom's music. That's totally up to you, of course. You're familiar with her son's personality, whereas I'm not.

Hey, if you ever get the chance, I would love to know if Aretha enjoyed working with Van McCoy on her "La Diva" album. Is that something you could comfortably ask him?

[sansradio]

Yes, Jennifer's version is hot! I just discovered Donny Hathaway's version, as well. Love 'em both!

Regarding Aretha's son, couldn't you just casually remark something like, "Your mom sure recorded some fantastic albums for Atlantic. Do you think there's any chance we'll ever see a CD release of the last few? You wouldn't be pushy, nor would you be demanding [[which would understandably annoy him). You would just be a friend who is merely expressing a sincere interest in his mom's music. That's totally up to you, of course. You're familiar with her son's personality, whereas I'm not.

Hey, if you ever get the chance, I would love to know if Aretha enjoyed working with Van McCoy on her "La Diva" album. Is that something you could comfortably ask him?

LOL. I guess you're right. He probably wouldn't mind my asking. I guess I'd just feel weird doing so because of all the contretemps and infighting swirling around the estate these days. Maybe I'll ask about Van first.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

LOL. I guess you're right. He probably wouldn't mind my asking. I guess I'd just feel weird doing so because of all the contretemps and infighting swirling around the estate these days. Maybe I'll ask about Van first.

Yeah, wait until the time feels right [[if ever) regarding Aretha's remaining albums. Do, however, ask him about her working with Van. After all these years, I've never heard a negative word about him. Everyone seems to be enchanted by his music and they still praise him accordingly.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Smallworld, to your knowledge, did Lulu record any of Van's other songs?

[Boogiedown]

Not seeing Darren Green on here:

before Diana's version, there was:




Van McCoy tapping into the Jackson /Osmond craze??





The song I know him best by is LOVE DOESNT GROW ON TREES ... also from Van, is not on youtube ...

cheers!!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Hi Boogie, I wasn't aware of Darren Green's "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" nor "Peek-A-Boo", but I do have his "Love Doesn't Grow On Trees".

I also have Ralph Carter's "Love Doesn't Grow On Trees" from his "Young And In Love" Expanded CD -- which includes both the album version as well as a newly-acquired, previously-unreleased Tom Moulton Mix which double's the playing time. It's a shame that Tom Moulton's mix wasn't released at the time. It's a perfect blend of Van McCoy and Philly Soul.

RALPH CARTER
"Love Doesn't Grow On Trees" [[Tom Moulton Extended Mix)
https://youtu.be/vWHJtqL_X5Q

In fact, I have a one-question quiz for you, Boogie! After listening to the above Tom Moulton Mix, tell me the title of the album which would have been a perfect choice for inclusion of this version. [[I just KNOW you're gonna get this! In fact, I'll be sorta shocked and disappointed if you don't!

[Boogiedown]

woa..... the heat is on! no, that's not my guess, but may as well be

PHILLY MEETS MCCOY ?? DISCO GROWS with TOM MOULTON ?
hmmm

I'm gonna go with GOOD TIMES ...........
...........???

[Philles/Motown Gary]

woa..... the heat is on! no, that's not my guess, but may as well be

PHILLY MEETS MCCOY ?? DISCO GROWS with TOM MOULTON ?
hmmm

I'm gonna go with GOOD TIMES ...........
...........???

No, no, no, Boogie! Maybe I didn't word the quiz question clearly enough. I'm referring to an existing LP release which would have been the perfect collection on which to feature Ralph Carter's Tom Moulton Mix. I could give you a clue as to which label the album appeared on, but I think that would be a dead give-away. Go on, Boog -- give it another go!

[jack020]

Found a perfect promo copy of Anacostia 2 lp here in Holland/Amsterdam this week

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Found a perfect promo copy of Anacostia 2 lp here in Holland/Amsterdam this week

Congrats, Jack! There's nothing like a surprise music treat to make your day!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Okay, Boogie, the answer to my quiz question regarding which album Ralph Carter's "Love Doesn't Grow On Trees" [[Tom Moulton Mix) should have been included on is:

VARIOUS ARTISTS - "Disco Trek" on Atlantic Records which was released in 1976 and contained solely Tom Moulton Mixes.

"Disco Trek" LP cover photo:
https://www.discogs.com/release/3705...ous-Disco-Trek

The tracklist for the Philly Soul songs included:

Side 1

1) BLUE MAGIC - "Look Me Up
https://youtu.be/82ZzaNyEzxY

2) SONS OF ROBIN STONE - "Got To Get You Back"
https://youtu.be/nGV1yY2VTJo

3) SISTER SLEDGE - "Mama Never Told Me"
https://youtu.be/QiGRVgq0neE

4) RALPH CARTER - "Love Doesn't Grow On Trees" [[Tom Moulton Mix)
https://youtu.be/vWHJtqL_X5Q

5) CLYDE BROWN - "You Call Me Back"
https://youtu.be/YEaMT0PmVFM


Side 1 was all Philly Soul which was pure Tom Moulton! [[Side 2 was Southern Soul which, to my ears, sounded nothing like the Tom Moulton Mixes that we had grown to know and love.)

As you can see, I've inserted Ralph Carter's "Love Doesn't Grow On Trees" into the Track 4 slot above. It really fits perfectly and should have been included on Side 1 of the "Disco Trek" album above instead of being hidden in the vaults all these years. [It just hit me that Ralph's recording was on Mercury Records, which prevented it from being included on an album of Atlantic artists. It's a shame, as Tom Moulton's mix of Ralph's track is identical to his mixes heard above.

[Boogiedown]

thanks for sparing me Gary ! I was way off base and wouldn't have solved it correctly.

.... it must have been Darren who recorded it first so it's a little surprising as well that that version didn't wind up on the Disco Express comps.


yes the second side ... has a different flavor ...well, it does have this :



which will get the full Philly treatment:

[Philles/Motown Gary]

I'm truly surprised that the "Disco Trek" album title threw you for a loop, Boogie. When I think of serious Disco/Dance Music collectors on the SDF, I automatically think of you; Jack, and me. [[If I've inadvertently left anyone out, forgive me.)

As long as we're on the subject, Boog, I've been meaning to ask you if you're familiar with the Canadian Disco artist Patsy Gallant. Being the completist that I am, I checked out all of her CDs which were readily available on Amazon a few years back. I ended of buying all but two of them, which seemed different from her regular sound. Back in the day, she was a big seller in Canada, hosting her own TV variety show on which she performed regularly. Oddly enough, she had only one dance hit here in America which was "From New York To LA" -- featured in the outstanding "Disco Discharge" CD series which Jack posted recently.)
https://youtu.be/yld9-pva5PE


My favorite of Patsy's is her rendition of Van McCoy/Melba Moore's "Stay Awhile With Me".
https://youtu.be/C8uAYFvok4Y


Before now, were you familiar with her, Boogie? Before the "Disco Discharge" series was released, I had never even heard of her. So glad I finally discovered her! Here's hoping you'll like her, too!

[Boogiedown]

not in real time..... only in recent years... and just a bit. I feel as though I bought a promo record by her on Private Stock records.

Her voice is fantastic! Clear and crisp.... a little bit of France Joli to it ...
here's Patsy singing Van on The Raes:



and here are The Raes doing their hit followed by Martin Stevens doing his:



a lot of good disco came out of Canada.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Boogie, sorry to keep you hanging. I totally agree with you -- Patsy has a wonderful voice, as do her powerful back-up singers! [[Those girls can really sing!)

I had no idea that [[Canadian) Patsy Gallant had any releases on the [[American) Private Stock label, but I checked it out and you're right!

PHOTO "From NY To LA" [[Private Stock PROMO 45-124) [[Mono/Stereo)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/35332723571...mis&media=COPY

PHOTO: "Sugar Daddy" [[Private Stock PROMO 45-171)
https://images.app.goo.gl/TpCwyuEwfKc3vsgE6

Stock copies of the above two 45 releases were on the [[Canadian) Attic label.

PATSY GALLANT
"From N.Y. To LA" [[Original 12" Version)
https://youtu.be/bmVcnJL2H-E

"Sugar Daddy" [[No, not Motown's song by the J5!)
https://youtu.be/-iDbxhD9EjI

Here are some additional Patsy Gallant tracks worthy of a listen:

"Are You Ready For Love" [[No, not Thom Bell's song on The Spinners nor Elton John!)
https://youtu.be/d4znMnLDAMI

"It's Raining This Morning"
https://youtu.be/lqUWGj21_tk

"O Michel" [[English Version)
https://youtu.be/pgrJovaqtHg

O Michel* [[French Version) [[Better Mix)
https://youtu.be/XGNEg1-7_hw

"Together Again"
https://youtu.be/m8jmqKtIYcU

"World Of Fantasy"
https://youtu.be/ciCbtUQrJw0

"I Love You In The Morning"
https://youtu.be/thdCPv6VTn0

"All The People In My Life"
https://youtu.be/NJ3nHxwStAE

[Boogiedown]

thank you for sharing Gary! The record I own is SUGAR DADDY.... I like the energy of FROM NY TO LA its one of those records I'd appreciate an instrumental B side...not because Patsy's vocals are bad , not at all. I just don't care for the way the lyrics are constructed.



She gives it her all. good stuff!

Gallant continued performing ... and she's still got it too [six years ago] on Mark Steyn

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Thanks for posting the "Mark Steyn Weekend Show", Boogie. I watched the entire 1-hour show and enjoyed every minute of it! You're so right -- vocally, Patsy has still got it! I can't, however, get over how much she's aged over the past few years. I love Patsy's new Edith Piaf tribute CD. Her live performances are really appealing. Unfortunately, I see that Amazon had it but it's no longer available. Damn!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Boogie, Patsy did such a great job on Van McCoy's "Stay Awhile With Me", I wish she had recorded an entire CD honoring him. Unfortunately, she didn't. But what she did do, she did beautifully.

Here's a live TV performance of Patsy singing "O Michel" while having some fun harmonizing with her three back-up girls. Yet another example of Patsy's live stage performances equaling the same high quality of her studio recordings.

https://youtu.be/c7bqSiTPO84

[Boogiedown]

its good !!
I have no idea what she's singing but she says it exquisitely!

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Yeah, I know, Boogie. Patsy and her back-ups make you love it without even knowing what they're singing about. I especially love their harmonies and their on-stage camaraderie! It's obvious they love what they're doing. I just wish the camera work was better. It makes the girls -- even Patsy -- look short and squatty -- like in a fun-house mirror!

[smallworld]

Smallworld, to your knowledge, did Lulu record any of Van's other songs?

There is but one Van McCoy song in Lulu's discography, which is a shame as Van's brand of romanticism would have slotted right in to one of her later '70s/early '80s albums.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

There is but one Van McCoy song in Lulu's discography, which is a shame as Van's brand of romanticism would have slotted right in to one of her later '70s/early '80s albums.

What Van composition did Lulu record, smallworld? [[Forgive me for having to ask. If Van produced it, I would have known it like the back of my hand. If Lulu [[or any other artist) merely recorded a Van composition -- produced by someone else -- I'm not necessarily aware of it.)

[mark speck]

Benny Mardones did a great version of "To Make a Long Story Short". I prefer it to his hit of "Into the Night", a song I could never get into.

Best,

Mark

[mark speck]

The Marvellos
"In the Sunshine"
Modern 45xM1054

Written by Van McCoy
Produced by Ed Cobb for Green Grass Productions
Arranged by Lincoln Mayorga

This is a breezy sweet/Northern soul hybrid, evocative of a warm Summer day. The flip, "Down In the City", while not written by Van, is also great.

Best,

Mark

[Philles/Motown Gary]

Benny Mardones did a great version of "To Make a Long Story Short". I prefer it to his hit of "Into the Night", a song I could never get into.

Best,

Mark

Hey Mark, I checked out Benny Mardones" version of "To Make A Long Story Short" and you are so right! What a beautiful and powerful production it is! I wouldn't be surprised if Van himself smiled down his approval from Heaven!

BENNY MARDONES
"To Make A Long Story Short
https://youtu.be/TcvTvX5KsuQ

Gotta disagree with you about "Into The Night", though. I've loved it from the first time I heard it. My partner had just died from a heart attack 4 days before Christmas 1980. This song got a lot of airplay at the time. Its structure, chords, and musical beauty gave me consolation.

BENNY MARDONES
"Into The Night"
https://youtu.be/zWHjJt4833I

[Philles/Motown Gary]

The Marvellos
"In the Sunshine"
Modern 45xM1054

Written by Van McCoy
Produced by Ed Cobb for Green Grass Productions
Arranged by Lincoln Mayorga

This is a breezy sweet/Northern soul hybrid, evocative of a warm Summer day. The flip, "Down In the City", while not written by Van, is also great.

Best,

Mark

I like this, Mark. I'd never heard it until now. It's interesting that Ed Cobb produced it by himself, as he and Van have always co-produced Van's compositions.

THE MARVELLOS
"In The Sunshine"
https://youtu.be/EmoStTp_MWo