O'jays

**mikey** · 08-24-2010, 07:35 AM

Early cut from the dudes from Canton,Ohio. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j1G2QK_3EU
Is this on a 45?

**robb_k** · 08-24-2010, 11:45 AM

Yes, it was released as a 45 as Imperial 66011. It was also on their first Imperial LP.

**mikey** · 08-24-2010, 12:33 PM

Someone told me the artist might be H.B.Barnum.

**robb_k** · 08-24-2010, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by mikey

Someone told me the artist might be H.B.Barnum.

H.B. was The O'Jays producer, on his own, local L.A. labels and while they were with Imperial. But he didn't sing on that record. That lead was one of The O'Jays [[other than Eddie Levert).

**davie gordon2** · 08-25-2010, 02:57 PM

Robb, Imperial 66011 is credited to H.B.Barnum - with the uncredited O'Jays on background vocals.

"Rented Tuxedo" is not on their Imperial album - it was only issued as a single and didn't get reissued until the O'Jays "Working On Your Case" album [[UK Stateside, 1985)

**robb_k** · 08-25-2010, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by davie gordon2

Robb, Imperial 66011 is credited to H.B.Barnum - with the uncredited O'Jays on background vocals.

"Rented Tuxedo" is not on their Imperial album - it was only issued as a single and didn't get reissued until the O'Jays "Working On Your Case" album [[UK Stateside, 1985)

Thanks for clearing that up. I'll have to stop going by my faulty memory. Was H.B.'s name the only name listed on that 45?

**davie gordon2** · 08-25-2010, 03:09 PM

Here's a scan of the B-side

**robb_k** · 08-25-2010, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by davie gordon2

Here's a scan of the B-side

Of course, I have that. I just forgot that that title was on the record. I was sure I heard that song by The O'Jays, and it was also issued on Imperial. For some reason, that record wasn't among my Imperials. But, I also get confused in my memory, which early '60s songs were sung by H.B, and his other artists on his small L.A. labels[[Little Star, Ray Star, Polo, Good sound, H-III, Mun Rob,and Mark-Fi) , and those he had the O'Jays record with Imperial. For example, "Dotted Line" and "You Crack Me Up", both sung by The O'Jays early during their Imperial stay, were released on Polo, by Jimmy Norman, H.B., himself also had releases on some of the songs he gave The O'Jays.

I have to learn to go look things up before talking off the top of my head. After so many of these mistakes, you'd think I would learn that lesson. But, I don't think I have the time to go research every time I want to comment on a thread. Still, if I don't do that I should ALWAYS couch my comments in "I believe" or "I THINK I read this", or "I think I remember this".

The worst part of getting old is thinking you are saying one thing when another thing comes out of your mouth. The same thing also happens in writing.

Good thing Davie is here to undo the damage my "false facts" could do in misleading future readers, as statements printed on The Internet can be multiplied thousands or millions of times, and become thought of as the correct information, based on being quoted in the most sources.