Danny Wagner Lp Query.......motown Involvement?

[Platters 81]

On the LP credits for "I lost a true love " it shows diff credits to the 45.......F wilson V wilson etc...and ive always suspected a Motown involvement  on this and "this thing called love" ...particularly that sax break on the Johnny Wyatt version.....any comments?

 

[Ian Dewhirst]

Good question. Both solid Motownesque pounders. I presume these were West Coast recordings. A tantalising scenario if any meat can be found on the theory.

I was thinking the other day that the general arrangements on Bronco's output were remarkably Motown, especially Felice Taylor. Made me wonder if any moonlighting was going on with the West Coast Motown guys? Wouldn't surprise me one bit if there was.....

Ian D

[Godzilla]

I think there's definitely a connection the other way round ie Barry White with his West Coast Del-Fi/Mustang/Bronco connections playing drums on some Motown recordings.

[Ian Dewhirst]

I think there's definitely a connection the other way round ie Barry White with his West Coast Del-Fi/Mustang/Bronco connections playing drums on some Motown recordings.

 

Ah. I wondered about that. There must have been some cross-pollination going on. I defy anyone to listen to Felice Taylor's "I Feel Love Coming On" and not think it was a Detroit production on first listen.

 

This clip also features the instrumental....

 

Felice Taylor "I Feel Love Coming On"

 

 

Now I'm beginning to get an inkling as to where Barry White was getting his education. Fascinating stuff.

 

Ian D

[georgeblackwell]

On the LP credits for "I lost a true love " it shows diff credits to the 45.......F wilson V wilson etc...and ive always suspected a Motown involvement  on this and "this thing called love" ...particularly that sax break on the Johnny Wyatt version.....any comments?

The Frank Wilson connection is a popular misconception. The Frank Wilson that was Barry White's lifelong friend and some time musical collaborator is not the same one who we know and love for his Motown work. Barry's pal was a completely different chap. V Wilson is Vance Wilson who together with Frank, other brother Henry and David Cason performed as The Remarkables for Madelon Bakers' Audio Arts set up. He also recorded with Brother Vance as Frankie Vance for Revue records. As for the musicians on the Wagner record and also on the Bronco stuff they were part of that notorious L.A. studio outfit Tommy Tedesco's "Wrecking Crew". The bass hook on these records is laid down by the legendary Carol Kaye who together with The Funk Brothers James Jamerson was the most influential electric bass player of the 60's. I am sure most of you will have seen the Funk Brothers movie "Standing in the shadows" If you get the chance you must see the "Wrecking Crew" film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvXvTySfWMU

Edited May 3, 2013 by georgeblackwell

[georgeblackwell]

Also if you have the time check out this feature on Carol Kaye - a true virtuoso and brilliant musician - Quite a dame in her day I reckon.

https://www.snapshotsfoundation.com/index.php/articles/95-carol-kaye-interview-sp-26593

[Ady Croasdell]

The producer Paul Polletti actually told us these were the wrecking crew guys but the great drummer hal blaine couldn't get the rhythm and they sent him out for beers while bazza snuck in behind the drums, did it in one take and hal never knew!

[Guest]

The Frank Wilson connection is a popular misconception. The Frank Wilson that was Barry White's lifelong friend and some time musical collaborator is not the same one who we know and love for his Motown work. Barry's pal was a completely different chap. V Wilson is Vance Wilson who together with Frank, other brother Henry and David Cason performed as The Remarkables for Madelon Bakers' Audio Arts set up. He also recorded with Brother Vance as Frankie Vance for Revue records. As for the musicians on the Wagner record and also on the Bronco stuff they were part of that notorious L.A. studio outfit Tommy Tedesco's "Wrecking Crew". The bass hook on these records is laid down by the legendary Carol Kaye who together with The Funk Brothers Benny Benjamin was the most influential electric bass player of the 60's. I am sure most of you will have seen the Funk Brothers movie "Standing in the shadows" If you get the chance you must see the "Wrecking Crew" film.

[Guest]

The Frank Wilson connection is a popular misconception. The Frank Wilson that was Barry White's lifelong friend and some time musical collaborator is not the same one who we know and love for his Motown work. Barry's pal was a completely different chap. V Wilson is Vance Wilson who together with Frank, other brother Henry and David Cason performed as The Remarkables for Madelon Bakers' Audio Arts set up. He also recorded with Brother Vance as Frankie Vance for Revue records. As for the musicians on the Wagner record and also on the Bronco stuff they were part of that notorious L.A. studio outfit Tommy Tedesco's "Wrecking Crew". The bass hook on these records is laid down by the legendary Carol Kaye who together with The Funk Brothers Benny Benjamin was the most influential electric bass player of the 60's. I am sure most of you will have seen the Funk Brothers movie "Standing in the shadows" If you get the chance you must see the "Wrecking Crew" film.

[Guest]

Hi,I think you have got your Funk Brothers mixed up when you mention Benny Benjamin as the base player.It was actually the greatest of them all,James Jamerson.Benny was the drummer,I have read several articles about Carol Kaye,and yes you are right she was a formidable musician.How ever,after James Jamersons death.She claimed to have played on several Motown tracks that were actually played by James. Chris.

[georgeblackwell]

Hi,I think you have got your Funk Brothers mixed up when you mention Benny Benjamin as the base player.It was actually the greatest of them all,James Jamerson.Benny was the drummer,I have read several articles about Carol Kaye,and yes you are right she was a formidable musician.How ever,after James Jamersons death.She claimed to have played on several Motown tracks that were actually played by James. Chris.

Of course you are right I got my B B's Mixed up with my J J's. I know Carol did a lot of session work for Motown out in L.A. but certainly not on any of their Detroit sessions. Some of these session players were so prolific it must be difficult for them to remember what they did or did not play on. I guess they always remember the sessions that resulted in big hits but the more obscure stuff is probably just a blur. Also tracks were often rerecorded with different musicians or edited with more than one player or over many takes.

[Guest]

Of course you are right I got my B B's Mixed up with my J J's. I know Carol did a lot of session work for Motown out in L.A. but certainly not on any of their Detroit sessions. Some of these session players were so prolific it must be difficult for them to remember what they did or did not play on. I guess they always remember the sessions that resulted in big hits but the more obscure stuff is probably just a blur. Also tracks were often rerecorded with different musicians or edited with more than one player or over many takes.

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply.all very interesting info. Chris.

[Platters 81]

great info all thanks