There has been talk on the Southern Soul List of the trip made by some New Orleans singers, musicians & an arranger to Detroit at Berry Gordys invitation back in 1962 [[or 1963).
By all accounts, Joe Jones was the guy who took them all up to Detroit but he was quickly sent home because he "talked too much".
Johnny Adams was among the original troupe that headed north but his contract situation was muddy and Berry sent him home, declining to deal with any entanglements.
Earl King [[who also made the trip) always really rated Wardell Quezergue's arranging skills but was also impressed by the speed at which he normally worked - whether arranging, writing or copying/fixing parts. His abilities & way of working ensured Wardell was a big hit at Hitsville. Earl has said that the local Detroit arrangers were very selective and took a long time to produce anything. Apparently, once the Detroit writing teams found out about Wardell's arrival/abilities - and how quick he'd give them something - the recording schedule filled up with people planning to cut his arrangements.
Earl King has said that Smokey Johnson [[drummer) was with the group but never mentioned any other of the actual musician's names [[the rhythm section guys).
The Nola team worked day after day in Detroit, for $12 a song. Wardell spent part of the time charting stage arrangements for Stevie Wonder and other Motown artists.
By all accounts the Nola team cut many Motown rhythm tracks in their spell in Detroit, lots of which ended up gaining release.
Has it been documented [[in the Motown archives) which actual tracks the New Orleans guys worked on and who all the musicians involved were ?
No doubt the likes of Robb K [[with his love of the early 60's recordings) will have looked through the recording files and maybe can recall some of the names listed down.
Any input on this subject much appreciated.
I have a copy [[somewhere) of the 'Blue Evolutions' CD on which a couple of the tracks featuring the Nola guys escaped but it ain't to hand at present [[I seem to recall this had detailed info on each track featured on the CD).
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