Doctor Bob

This is sad news, I had the pleasure of meeting Denise a number of times in visits to the USA as well as interviewing her for my radio show on Kiss FM -London back in the day. An incredible talent, a lady of strong character, who didn't suffer fools. My fave from Denise Lasalle is the 60s release 'A Love Reputation' on Tarpon / Cadet (USA). A superb singer who will be surely missed to those of us who favor the real deal. My condolences go out to her family and friends. R.I.P Denise Lasalle Dr Bob Jones.

Yes Andy, the whole trip was so surreal , great time.

Tommy Tate passing is very sad news. It was unfortunately expected as a dear friend in the USA Richard Kuebler had kept me up to date on Tommy's health and condition over the past 12 months. My thoughts go out to his family and friends at this sad news. I was fortunate to meet Tommy in Feb 1990, on a trip to Malaco Studios, Jackson Mississippi. I was talking with Malaco's Wolf Stevenson in his office when Tommy come in to chat with Wolf, who in turn introduced us. Tommy asked if I was going to to Muscle Shoals? as there was a recording session booked with the rest of the Malaco crew over the next week or so. Wolf then suggested that Tommy and myself travel to 'Muscle' together, later that day. I of course said yes, be a fool not to, but first Tommy had some vocals to put on some tracks at Tim Whitsett's Urgent Studios. I felt like I was in a dream, talking with Tommy Tate and now going to Urgent, this was definitely the real deal. On our way to Urgent, we went to Tommy's fave soul food restaurant and as we walked in I could see I was the only 'white face' in the place, there was a deadly hush as we walked in, but Tommy smoothed the way by saying , 'it's ok this is my friend Dr Bob Jones' , he's from London England, he's cool he's with me' I was then greeted and introduced to everyone. At Urgent, Tommy said 'I before I start there's a few cats you need to know' and I met Tim Whitsett, Frederick Knight, Jewel Bass and my dear friend Denise LaSalle, they were at Urgent to add some vocals to some of Tommy's songs. After Urgent we traveled the long journey around 5 hours from Jackson Miss, to Sheffield Alabama. Tommy, myself and Tommy's driver. We talked the whole of the way about Soul Music and life and in my eyes Tommy was an immense talent, and real gentle spirit, whom I'm so glad to have met and spent some quality time with and most importantly call a friend. Even when we arrived at the Holiday Inn in Sheffield, Tommy asked if George Jackson had arrived as he wanted us both to meet. That was Tommy always thinking of the people close to him. R.I.P my Soul Brother from Mississippi, you will be truly, truly missed . Big love & Soul Dr Bob J.

He has an earlier live album released via Victor Records Japan in 1978 entitled 'Otis Clay - Live' a double album with an equally impressive soundtrack. A1 Rehersal: Die A Little Each Day. A2 I've Got To Find A Way (To get you back). A3 I'm Qualified. A4. Let Me In. B1. Precious Precious. B2. If I Could Reach Out (And Help Somebody). B3. I Can't Take It. B4. Slow And Easy. C1. Is It Over. C2. That's How It Is ( When You're In Love. C3. All because Of Your Love. D1. Turn Back The Hands Of Time. D2. Trying To Live My Life Without You. D3. I Die A little Each Day. Recorded at Toranomon Hall Tokyo April 11th-13th 1978.

This is sad news, it greeted me yesterday on 9th Jan by a text message from close friend Andy Martin and again a F/Bk message from Tony Rounce. I didn't believe it at first, because not sure how the rest of you on Soul Source do it but I have a crazy habit of thinking my soul heroes will live on forever. Otis like the late George Jackson , the mighty Sam Dees and the late great Terry Callier have been close friends of mine for 30 odd years of my near 50 years in black music. I've been truly blessed to not only meet these guys, but also to spend quality time in their company away from the spotlight and recording business. Otis I met in the UK when interviewing him for Black Echoes and he was such a 'special, gentle spirit' totally respectful of my roots and upbringing as I of his music and career. We swapped stories and music and after about an hour I felt I had known him all my life. His talent was monumental, his phasing and delivery of ballads quite overpowering to the listener and yes the real soul scene worldwide will a sad place without his might southern vocals that brings a smile to our faces. He that that special gift of putting pure emotion into those vinyl grooves. My sincere thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time. R.I.P. big man I can honestly say the soul world just won't be the same without you. And thank you so much for your music legacy which will definitely go on forever.

You were lucky to get it at £14.77!, that's incredibly good value. As you say Amazon are still £43.66 and It's back in a JUNO at £37.99 [Jan 2016], which upon searching around seems the average price. I still want this box set but somewhat hesitant that I might get faulty disc(s) again.

Just to say I've had 2 sets of these comp and they both have playing faults on CDs 2 & 3, which from my experience will not play the last track on each of those CDs. I believe it is a manufacturing fault. Gutted as The Staples are one of my favs and was really looking forward to having this in my collection. So be warned when you purchase this item.

UPDATE on this Box set, it appears Amazon themselves have stopped selling this because because of suspected manufacturing faults on this item There are still private dealers selling this product BUT be warned as I've had 2 x copies of this box set and both copies have faults on CD2 & CD3, where the last track of each skip about 1.20 into the track and will not play after that. As I said I've had 2 copies of this Box set and both have the same fault. I'm gutted as the booklet is extremely informative and the Bonus 7" is a real treat, BUT the manufacture / pressing of the CDs is very poor and Amazon have now withdrawn their sale of this item.BUT is still available on Amazon through private sellers, but be warned as there seems to be a serious manufacturing fault with this release of Gospel / Southern Soul. Amazon sent me a replacement order and YES the same fault occures with CD2 & 3 skipping and not playing on Track 20! I have 2 x CD players and both will NOT PLAY track 20 on CD2 & CD3. I believe there is a serious manufacture fault on this item, at least on the 2 that I've had and unfortunately I've requested a refund on this item. I hope other Amazon users do not experience this problem.

Thanks Mike Will update you with news from Amazon as soon as.

I treated myself to The Staples Singers new box set Faith And Grace: A Family Journey 1953-1976 I missed Juno selling it and ordered it through Amazon. First of all the Amazon outer packaging, a real flimsy cardboard envelope was open and the box set, still sealed in shrink floating round for all to see. Their delivery driver pointed out that the envelope was open, so after checking the seal wasn't broken on the shrink- all seemed ok. On closer inspection the 'new' CDs were badly scratched on Nos 2 & 3, so much so they will not play. I've contacted Amazon and their sending me a replacement Box set and collecting the faulty one I'm just asking wether anyone has experience trouble with Amazon at all? Cheers Bob J

Looking forward to this release, their Riverside output is glorious. Yes this looks like an early Xmas present to myself. A real deal box set. Love & Soul BJ

Following on from this thread by Azza from a few years ago here's a Ron Seagram release from 1985, same label BUT curious that it's printed as Choclate Mama Records, not Chocolate as in the Vise 45. Label address similar, a PO Box , Dania, Fla. So is the Ron Seagram a legitimate release.? Cheers Bob J

Yes, yes & YES!, one of the heroes of Southern Soul for me. I hope it gets a media release on DVD.

I realise that, I was just raising awareness to the Lamont Dozier / Richie Havens white label UK mail-out which to my knowledge never got a stock release, so making it very collectable.

I remember W/Bros UK mail out of 12inch Test Pressings of Lamont Dozier /Ritchie Havens 'Going Back To My Roots' A1 –Richie Havens Going Back To My Roots 5:01 A2 –Lamont Dozier Going Back To My Roots 6:31 B –Lamont Dozier Going Back To My Roots 9:41 Not sure how many of these were pressed, mailed out in 12inch Warners Sleeve with A4 Info sheet taped over the front. White labels. Again can fetch £100+, depending on condition of course. I believe less than 50 copies were pressed / mailed out, so bit of a UK only mail out from Mr Fred Dove back in the day. Definitely a collectors item Cheers Dr Bob J