What if you had the choice to make a Capitol compilation album?

[jsmith]

the "Capitol Soul Special" 8 track promo L.P. that came out in the U.K. in 1977 + at the same time as some 12" E.P. releases by TAVARES, THE SYLVERS and NATALIE COLE
Roger, I bought copies of each of the above as new releases. Still got them here somewhere. The 8 track promo was / is a very nice item !!!

[roger]

the "Capitol Soul Special" 8 track promo L.P. that came out in the U.K. in 1977 + at the same time as some 12" E.P. releases by TAVARES, THE SYLVERS and NATALIE COLE
Roger, I bought copies of each of the above as new releases. Still got them here somewhere. The 8 track promo was / is a very nice item !!!

JSmith .. I did exactly the same, I think I might still have them all .. I know I still have the SYLVERS and NATALIE COLE 12"s as I recently played them.

Roger

[soulster]

Well then Soulster .. we have our fair share of "Greatest Hits", "Best Of", "Ultimate" etc. etc. etc. Soul/R&B compilations too .. heavily advertised on T.V. and Radio, and those may well "fly" off the shelves. We are often confonted with "Ultimate Motown", "Soul of Atlantic", "Best Disco of the '70s", etc. etc. etc. compilations aimed at anyone who could use a copy of "Rescue Me"/"Reach Out"/"Tears of a Clown"/"Rock The Boat"/"Thats The way I Like It"/"Rock Your Baby"/"Midnight Hour"/"Respect"/"Baby Love" / "Carwash"/"Le Freak"/"My First, My Last, My Everything" etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

We have tons of those comps here too, sold at the local Target ans Wal-mart.

Here is an "80s Soul" collection from 2008 .. called "Nite Flite", 37 tracks on 2 C.D.s .. at least half the tracks on it were BIG U.K. hits and I think all of them made at least the Top 40.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nite-Flite-V.../dp/B001766CE4

And three of those songs were from the 70s. I hate it when they do that!

The point I was trying to make, though I obviously failed, was that not every U.K. compilation has to packed full of rarities. That "Something For The Weekend" C.D. is a mixture of big hits and a few less known tracks. AND, collections that are full of obscurities are not necessarily going to sell well. They will most probably sell enough to cover the cost of producing them [[otherwise the likes of Kent/Ace would have closed down years back) but they don't "fly" and you would be unlikely to see them in High Street record stores [[what remains of them) or in your local supermarket.

And I was looking at it from a marketing standpoint.

Anyway, in the original post there was no mention of suggesting a collection that would "fly" in the U.S. or in the U.K. for that matter, only something that we would like to see and that might have a "unique" concept.

Yes, but it has to be considered. Compilations have to be planned very carefully.

[roger]

And three of those songs were from the 70s. I hate it when they do that!.

Well, actually Soulster .. the compilation isn't actually described as an "80s Soul Collection", that was my description .. I guess that as 34 out of the 37 tracks are from the 1980s it qualifies ..

And I was looking at it from a marketing standpoint..

Ugh!!

Roger

[soulster]

Well, actually Soulster .. the compilation isn't actually described as an "80s Soul Collection", that was my description ..

That's better.

Ugh!!

We may not like it, but that's the cold reality. The record industry is still a business.

[jsmith]

Lots of majors [[Capitol, RCA, WB, Atlantic) have been putting out comps of 'old tracks' since the early 70's coz it costs them next to nothing [[& when CD's came in, the whole process was sparked off yet again).
They already own these tracks so have no licensing, buying in, recording costs & the cost of throwing a few of them together & pressing up albums or making CD's is minimal. If they decide to just 'put them out there' without spending promo cash [[& this does work with specialist music genres like soul), then the sales figures don't have to be large for them to easily recoup their investment in these releases.
In 'quiet months' for new material, this can keep in-house pressing plants, CD manufacturing facilities, art & design depts, marketing guys ticking over doing something & not just 'sitting about'.
Many majors even go to the expense of 'hiring in' name DJ's [[Richard Searling, Fat Boy Slim aka Norman Cook, Snowboy, Robbie Vincent -- all UK examples) to better make the content of these releases meet market requirements [[their own in-house A&R staff usually have no idea at all which of their old non-hit tracks are popular).
The hot current trend with regard to UK comps [[for 70's / 80's tracks), is to hire in the likes of Tom Moulton [[or similar) & get him to remix old faves. This way you can sell comps of the same tracks twice -- a comp of the original [[say 12") versions and then a few months later, a comp of the 'new' remixes.
If a major is on the ball [[few really are) they can 'work' their old catalogue to good effect at little cost to themselves.

[soulster]

However, if you want to reissue a top rate comp/boxed set, then you spend the money for tape research, proper mastering, liner notes, artwork, design, marketing...so it still costs some money to create a comp. Let's not forget licensing important songs the company may not have the rights to. Then there is legal clearance for some songs.

[roger]

Well .. look what I've just found .. a digital only compilation called "The Soul Of Capitol Records".

1. A Lil' Lovin' Sometimes Alexander Patton 2:22
2. Crazy Baby Ruben Wright 2:40
3. Kissin' Her And Cryin' For You The Checkmates Ltd. 2:22
4. Baby Mine Thelma Houston 2:35
5. Can't She Tell [[Feat. Sly Stone) Billy Preston 2:53
6. Queen Of The Go Go Rex Garvin 2:17
7. Turn Away From Me Patti Drew 2:11
8. Searchin' For My Soul H. B. Barnum 2:25
9. Groovin' At The Go-Go The Four Larks 2:31
10. Reach Out For Me Willie Tee 3:33
11. Lover And A Friend Eddie Bo And Inez Cheatham 2:37
12. So Is The Sun World Column 2:50
13. Comin' Home Mosaic Tweed 2:29
14. Someone For Everyone Betty And Charles 2:15
15. Uh Huh Yeah The Salty Peppers 2:28
16. Hold On, I'm Comin' General Crook 2:31
17. Three People In Love Mack Rice 3:23
18. Evidence Patrice Holloway 2:30
19. The Writing's On The Wall Skylark 3:01
20. I Believe In Miracles Mark Capanni 3:02

Seems it was "released" last year ...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Soul-Of-.../dp/B004VUSTEE

Best not tell Soulster ...

Also I've found this '60s discography of the U.S. Capitol label, which I've been trawling through ..

http://www.eighthavenue.com/capitol.htm

I was wondering what a Capitol collection of Motown tunes might be like ..

I've loved the version of "You Made Me So Very Happy" by LOU RAWLS ever since i first heard it [[confusingly as part of a "Blue-Note" compilation).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY_LJr3-jl0

Right near the end there is a version of "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You", [[the VELVELETTES song) by LINDA CARR [[presumably of LOVE SQUAD fame) .. I wonder what it is like ..

http://www.discogs.com/Linda-Carr-Di...elease/2838244

AND .. there is a version of "Ain't That Peculiar" by BETTYE SWANN .. here it is on You-Tube ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGW7kMq0ieo

Roger

[jsmith]

A UK based specialist label guy has secured [[from Robert Bateman) the rights to a peviously unreleased master - "Seven Days" by Teddy Green [[aka Greene). This is a beat ballad that was set to be released on Capitol in the 60's, but they passed on it. Teddy was a member of The Royal Jokers.
"Seven Days" will be released on a CD album "still OUT ON THE FLOOR TONIGHT" which is the follow up to the 1979 Inferno Records album of the same name -- 33 years to release a follow up is a bit of a wait but there you go!.
They are still sorting out the details of the full track listing but all being well they will also release a limited edition 6 track 10" sampler from the album, and "Seven Days" will be one of the tracks.

[roger]

Well, it looks that my idea of a Capitol-Motown set could be a non starter due to lack of material.

There is the version of "Uptight" by NANCY WILSON ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmA3v...eature=related

And an intriguing looking version of "Mickeys Monkey" by a group called THE MAC TRUQUE

http://itsgreatshakes.blogspot.co.uk...y-capitol.html

I wonder what that one sounds like ..

I was thinking of suggesting the those remakes of "Money" and "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" by THE BEATLES .. but they weren't issued originally on Capitol in the U.S. as the marketing "experts" at Capitol thought they would never sell ..

However .. in a very similar vein there is a version of "Needle In A Haystack" by an Australian group called THE TWILIGHTS ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37BBmRnJnwY

And of course there is still the '70s and '80s to consider .. such as the O'BRYAN version of "Still Waters"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37BBmRnJnwY

Plus L.P. tracks ..

AND .. we could always stretch it a bit and include the DOBIE GRAY version of "River Deep, Mountain High" which is rather good ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhfoYzIrsAE

Though this was recorded way before Motown ever got their artists to sing the song ..

Roger

[Ian Dewhirst]

The hot current trend with regard to UK comps [[for 70's / 80's tracks), is to hire in the likes of Tom Moulton [[or similar) & get him to remix old faves. This way you can sell comps of the same tracks twice -- a comp of the original [[say 12") versions and then a few months later, a comp of the 'new' remixes.

I know exactly what you mean but in the cases of "Philly Regrooved" Vols 1 & 2 and "Philadelphia International Classic: The Tom Moulton Remixes" it was a little bit more organic than just 'hiring in' Tom Moulton [[who isn't easily for hire anyway). The Philly Groove project came about because of my relationship with Reid Whitelaw [[who runs Philly Groove) who I met when I was running the Salsoul reissues in the UK while coincidentally also working with Tom on the Salsoul stuff. So "Philly Re-Grooved" was sparked by Reid getting Tom to re-visit the masters and then having Harmless/Demon in place to put the albums out. So I didn't initially solicit the project is what I'm trying to say LOL...

The current Philadelphia International/Tom Moulton project was very much a three way thing between Reid, Tom and myself and a natural really seeing as Demon control PIR for Europe.

I think it's a good thing to constantly redefine the audience. "Philadelphia International Classics: The Tom Moulton Remixes" is one of the fastest-selling albums I've ever worked on and brought PIR back into the UK Top 30 album chart again for the first time in 30 years which is pretty good for music that's 30-40 years old right?

But back to the question. Yes, of course, there's a rockin' Capitol comp which could appeal to a wider audience but it's really all about the way these packages are marketed, PR'd and sold-in these days. The majority of the innovation in these areas generally comes from the specialist indies these days Numero, Ace/Kent, Dap-Tone etc.

A great seller for an indie specialist wouldn't cause any excitement at a major, where it's really all about numbers and mass audience.

Interesting thread.

Ian D

[theboyfromxtown]

However .. in a very similar vein there is a version of "Needle In A Haystack" by an Australian group called THE TWILIGHTS ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37BBmRnJnwY

Roger

Please tell me this is a no-no!

[soulster]

But back to the question. Yes, of course, there's a rockin' Capitol comp which could appeal to a wider audience but it's really all about the way these packages are marketed, PR'd and sold-in these days. The majority of the innovation in these areas generally comes from the specialist indies these days Numero, Ace/Kent, Dap-Tone etc.

A great seller for an indie specialist wouldn't cause any excitement at a major, where it's really all about numbers and mass audience.

Thank you! That's really all I have been trying to say. I may see it more because I am focused more on top 40 hits. The crowd here seems to prefer music off-the beaten path. But, it's all soul!

The main focus of this forum is soul music, but I could compile two nice Capitol sets: one for R&B, and one for hits from all popular music genres in Capitol's vaults.

[jsmith]

RE: I am focused more on top 40 hits. The crowd here seems to prefer music off-the beaten path.
....... that's because this is a 'specialist' music forum ...
... populated by guys & gals passionate about Motown [[& soul) music that was both commercially success AND NOT.

[roger]

Please tell me this is a no-no!

Boyfromxtown .. It seems that THE TWILIGHTS version of "Needle In A Haystack" was a big hit in Australia in 1966 .. which is no doubt why it got a U.S. release on Capitol.

There is quite a write up about the group here ..

http://www.milesago.com/artists/twilights.htm

However I would suggest that you make sure that you sit down, relax and check your blood pressure levels before you read who they think recorded the song first ..

Roger

[jsmith]

Has Teddy Greene's "Cry" been mentioned yet ?. This was released on a US Capitol 45 !!
There was discussion of Teddy on here in the past, it was thought that he might be from Detroit [[or at least been a regular in Detroit clubs).
BTW, the tuva side of his Capitol 45 has its fans as well.
In post 59 above, I make mention of the upcoming release of a Teddy Green track.

[jsmith]

One reason why Capitol enjoyed more success with its soul 45's / LPs in the 70's was because the company 'hired in' specialist guys to promote its soul releases.
Baltimore's WWIN DJ Fat Daddy [[Paul Johnson) was regarded as one of the top black radio DJ's by 1969 [[having started out in 63). He quit DJing to take up a post promoting soul record releases. By 74 he was National Promotions Director R&B at Atlantic Records in NY. He was winning National awards for his work & this resulted in him poached by Capitol.
By 1978 he was well established in LA & working as Capitol's R&B National Promotions Director.
Unfortunately, he died suddenly that year, having suffered a heart attack.

[jsmith]

Fat Daddy back in his WWIN days .......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7quHCi6Y-F0
......... please translate for a poor Brit !!!!!!