It was maybe over a year a go I first heard knowingly this 'out', courtesy of Butch at the 100 Club. I say 'out' because I had heard it, in the comfort of my own home on my PC. It didn't set anything on fire back home on the pc; but out loud in a club it all made sense. This is a fantastic bit of 'soul' that needs to be heard loud out to be fully appreciated or indeed at home, but not on pc, please.

Anyway, I tracked the band down not literally; the US would've been hard enough but thinking of going to Thailand would not have been top of the list for me or any one else!

I have been sitting on this info for a while now and as time marches on; it is unfair that this story (in words and pictures), very, very brief that it is, remains only in my hands...so

Salt & Pepper 'Man Of My Word'

I have been in contact with Steve Jarrell (saxophonist) of Salt & Pepper for a while...and...for starters 'Linda' was the plug side!...well over to him for the very short, but very interesting story...

Hey Dave,

Me again. Do you know the story of Salt & Pepper? We were all service guys based at Utapao Airfield, Thailand in 1969-70. The 6 piece group consisted of Ed Mobley, lead vocals, me (Steve Jarrell), lead vocals and sax, Tony Nardi, keyboards, Dan Sullivan, Bass, B.T. Bailey, drums and Jim Plummer, guitar.

We formed the group and played the service clubs and on weekends we played in Bangkok and Jack's American Star Bar and also at Charlie's Hideaway in Pattaya Beach, Thailand.

We recorded the songs that Ed had written and put them on Toni's custom label. We were the first Americans to ever record in Southeast Asia. The record became hit in Bangkok and received airplay on the Armed Forces Radio Network.

I still keep in touch with Tony. Tony keeps in touch with Ed. I have talked with Jim a couple of times. Dan Sullivan passed away a few years ago and B.T. is unheard from since the all left Thailand. It was a great experience. I will attach some photos of the group for you. Thanks again for your interest and please keep in touch.

Best wishes,

Steve

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Hi Dave,

I looked in my basement and I was only able to come up with one copy of the Salt and Pepper 45. And, of course, I want to hang on to that one. I will look for more and if I can stumble across a couple, I will send you one. I am amazed that the record made it's way to England. I don't think we printed by about 500 copies. The year I think was 1969. The label was Tony's and we didn't have any distributor so I don't know how you guys heard it. I am truly amazed! Thanks for contacting me and stay in touch.

Are you into beach music? Not beach boys but Carolina Beach music. Check it out. Also go to youtube and type in Steve Jarrell and the Sons of the Beach and check out some of my other stuff. I'm still performing regularly.

All the best,

Steve

/////////////

P.S I will be sending Steve a link to this thread; please contact him about the record etc; but don't embarrass him or you by trying to buy his copy I already tried that and it didn't work ;-)

Edited November 14, 200915 yr by Dave Abbott

Sorry Miff, wrong group, the lot we're talking about recorded in Bangkok! They were in the forces posted overseas.

Did anyone come up with a scan on this one, I'd love to see the label.

Ady, there's a scan of it on the following youtube clip ............

I don't actually know if I'm doing anything wrong here, so Mike The Mod, if I am -

Please accept my apologies. And remove either the link or the whole post.

Ta.

Ady, there's a scan of it on the following youtube clip ............

I don't actually know if I'm doing anything wrong here, so Mike The Mod, if I am -

Please accept my apologies. And remove either the link or the whole post.

Ta.

That's great, thaNKS.

aDY

Hi I only just read these posts and I gotta say I agree with Matt Bolton. I dont get out as much as I used to and when I do its usually the same old songs you hear - but this one had me running to the decks to find out what is was - I was knocked but by its sheer energetic force. It may not be the most perfect "soul" record but its passionate an truthful. I'm glad its been re-issued as what chance now of an original ??

Good one guys. Thanks for laying down the song in the first place.

Rob Messer

ok fellas, 6 days 20 hours to go on the copy on Manships auctions...any guestimate final price predictions out there ? Currently at £511.00

ok fellas, 6 days 20 hours to go on the copy on Manships auctions...any guestimate final price predictions out there ? Currently at £511.00

£2764.00 end price

As a footnote to this thread, the track is now out on vinyl and CD and I recently received this mail from group leader and label owner Tony Nardi

"Hello from Colorado. We received one of the CD's just as we were leaving Hot Springs, Arkansas. We had made a quick trip to Chicago for a family wedding, then drove down to Hot Springs for just 24 hours to take care of some business. As we were leaving town we stopped to pick up our mail and there was the package from the UK. We were completely blown away by the production. We certainly appreciated your kind words in the sleeve notes, as well as your dedication to accuracy. We talked to the other band members as we were traveling back to Colorado. They were very excited as well. We told them we'd send them copies as soon as we received the others. One of our daughters is in Hot Springs and will send them to us as soon as they arrive so that we can disperse them properly.

Eddie (lead singer) stayed here in Colorado while we were gone and we couldn't wait to show him the CD. He really got a kick out of it as well. We can't tell you how much we appreciate the professional job you did, and the respect you showed all the artist involved in this project. We hope it sells well for all of us. Thanks again. It's an honor doing business with you.

Tony and Karla Nardi

Thanks to all the Soul Sourcers who generously helped and if you've any other hot contacts feel free to run them by us at Kent.

Good Guys Don't Only Win In The Movies!

As a footnote to this thread, the track is now out on vinyl and CD and I recently received this mail from group leader and label owner Tony Nardi

"Hello from Colorado. We received one of the CD's just as we were leaving Hot Springs, Arkansas. We had made a quick trip to Chicago for a family wedding, then drove down to Hot Springs for just 24 hours to take care of some business. As we were leaving town we stopped to pick up our mail and there was the package from the UK. We were completely blown away by the production. We certainly appreciated your kind words in the sleeve notes, as well as your dedication to accuracy. We talked to the other band members as we were traveling back to Colorado. They were very excited as well. We told them we'd send them copies as soon as we received the others. One of our daughters is in Hot Springs and will send them to us as soon as they arrive so that we can disperse them properly.

Eddie (lead singer) stayed here in Colorado while we were gone and we couldn't wait to show him the CD. He really got a kick out of it as well. We can't tell you how much we appreciate the professional job you did, and the respect you showed all the artist involved in this project. We hope it sells well for all of us. Thanks again. It's an honor doing business with you.

Tony and Karla Nardi

Thanks to all the Soul Sourcers who generously helped and if you've any other hot contacts feel free to run them by us at Kent.

Good Guys Don't Only Win In The Movies!

Fantastic.

Nice one Ady,

glad someone reputable released it before it got bootlegged

Edited July 26, 201014 yr by grouse

Nice one Ady,

glad someone reputable released it before it got bootlegged

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Well said George great story great music if i ever get a original copy i,ll make sure i keep it hiden from you so i dont end up swoppin it with you when im drunk he he

x Ian C

Here, Here; nice one :-)