Any Frank Guida / Norfolk Va experts here?

 

Always frustrated me this: I know the Rockmasters were Frank Guida's Norfolk Va outfit (and "Raining Teardrops" was penned by Guida and partner Joe Royster). I assume, but don't know for sure, that the session musicians who originally made up the Church Street Five played on this (I know who they were and have tried to track them down but most if not all have now passed away to ask), but any clues as to who the vocalists were?

 

And as an aside the Rockmasters - Sapphires similarity in parts - any possible connection or just mere coincidence? Did Guida / Royster have any connection with Swan or credited individuals on "Who do you love"...

Edited April 5, 201411 yr by Windlesoul

I know the released 45 does not do justice to the version Kent put out on CD, half the reason i sold mine, every time i played it, it just wasn't like the Kent one, which I love to death...

There's this info on the net ............

“Raining Teardrops” by Rockmasters: Singer Joe Webster was the voice behind many songs for Frank Guida's labels over the years – with the Wild Ones, the Anglos and here with the Rockmasters – and also cut some memorable sides for Noah Biggs' Shiptown label. This atmospheric ballad may be his finest recorded achievement as well as the prettiest song to ever come out of the Norfolk Sound studio.

............ https://www.virginialiving.com/the-norfolk-sound/

More on Joe Webster ..............

............ The Showmen may have moved on (label-wise), but this didn’t curb Noah’s talent scouting activities. After Joe Webster and the Anglos made their mark locally, they headed off to New Jersey to record “Incense” which following an initial release on the Orbit label went on to gain national & international distribution. The track would be quite influential as it became a massive sound on the British mod scene of the mid 1960’s.

Many of the guys on the Norfolk soul scene collaborated at times. So the likes of Lenis Guess and Jerry Williams worked with Frank Guida and later also with Noah Biggs. In fact, Jerry's brother, Wilson Williams, sang vocals on cuts .................

........  In summer 1965, Little Ida (Ida Sands) & Little Daddy (Joe Webster of the Anglos) were teamed up in Virtue Recording studio (1618 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia) to record under the supervision of Jerry Williams. Shiptown’s connections with Philadelphia were to be continued, the strings on some of their later cuts being handled there by the likes of Leon Huff ....... "¨"¨"Let's Do That Thing Part 1 / Part 2" followed in 68 with the Soul Duo's (Ida & Joe Webster) "This Is Your Day / Are You Lonely For Me Baby" following in 69 (this was licensed by Jubilee Records & released in mid 69 as Josie #1007). The same pairing's "Can't Nobody Love Me / Just A Sad Xmas" came out a little later. 

 

The above taken from the 'Barbara Stant: Unsatisfied Woman' thread on here.

Hello Roburt

So is this Joe Webster,  also Joseph Webster of 'My love is so strong' on Crow fame?

an old topic on Soulful Detroit might glean a bit of info....

 

https://faac.us/adf/messages/165088/173358.html?1211983890

Edited April 6, 201411 yr by chalky

I know the released 45 does not do justice to the version Kent put out on CD, half the reason i sold mine, every time i played it, it just wasn't like the Kent one, which I love to death...

Would you know where I could find a sample of the Kent version ?

whats your email? the Kent one has vocals to the fore, the released 45 they sound way in the background, id have to listen again to say whether the backing is any different, but the vocal alone for me made it sufficient enough to not need the 45..

 

M

Edited April 6, 201411 yr by Mal C

This sounds interesting, I'm now eager to know which cd  its on

I've got rhe 45, the vocal seems ok to me but there is a high pitch background noise in the mix, almost like feedback which doesn't seem so bad when played out

Hello Roburt

So is this Joe Webster,  also Joseph Webster of 'My love is so strong' on Crow fame?

I don't believe Joe & Joseph were the same guy as Joseph cut for Crow Records that had Flaming Arrow plus Detroit / Atlanta / Macon connections. 

I could easily be wrong though.

More info on those labels on these old threads ...........

Edited April 7, 201411 yr by Roburt

I've got rhe 45, the vocal seems ok to me but there is a high pitch background noise in the mix, almost like feedback which doesn't seem so bad when played out

 

Its ok, the 45, but its not a patch on the Kent CD release, this is from the Classiest Rarities series folks, most folk on here already have it, take the time to compare them and you will hear the difference.... as I said I was happy to let the 45 go, keep the Mp3.... never thought Id ever say that!

 

Cant stand that Joseph Webster 45, awful track, backing is great, just hate he way he sings it.... he a far better singer than he is on that 45...

 

M

Edited April 7, 201411 yr by Mal C