Does anybody have any background info about this group or label? I wonder if it is something to do with Saginaw Michigan but the labels address refers to Tennessee. I picked it up off of ebay recently for an incredible deal for the quality of music. Thank you for any info folks. 

Steven

Here is a youtube link to a video to reference. 

 

Hi Steven

I love the slightly wonky production and playing. A lovely song that reappears on the same Hermitage, Tenn based label as by The Rivieras (Saginaw 503).  The only other Saginaw release that I know of is by Ruby Donivan 'Two Red Marks' (Saginaw 505).

One of the writers is Frank Innocenti and later in the 60s he was reasonably successful as a Nashville producer for Excello records. He'd been around Nashville since the early 50s and owned Speed records.  You'll see his writing and production credits on Excello records from time to time including on Mildred Woodard's brilliant 'Don't Let No body Know' (Excello 2283). It got at least two issues although someone at Excello corrected Mildred's grammar as the second issue came out as 'Don't Let Anybody Know'. Just listened to my copy and I'd suggest that Mildred Woodard and Dorothy Stewart are/may be the same singer. Perhaps she was Frank Innocenti's muse.

 

 

 

Edited January 30, 20178 yr by Stormcock

The flip to 'Don't Let Nobody Know' which I have just added to discogs is 'I've Waited So Long', a fine deep ballad. The writing credits on this are Innocenti - Stewart. It's the same flip side as on the Saginaw release. A co-incidence?  This may well be Dorothy Stewart of the Julettes fame.  

Edited January 30, 20178 yr by Stormcock
Clarification.

Hey there Stormcock, Thank you for your insight. I listened to the mildred track just now and I personally think they sound like different voices. Mildred's voice to me sounds much harsher even with the style of music production behind her. I am not doubting you at all, anything is possible you know... I really enjoy Dorothy's version of  I've Waited So Long as well. I actually got away with paying only $15 for the (NM) Dorothy 45 and seen elsewhere online it going for over $100. Very pleased with my find. 

Aside from this record, there were just a few more I had questions about and maybe perhaps you have knowledge about them. I will send you a pm regarding the few other 45's. 

Both production sound very "southern", and nothing like the recordings I've heard from Saginaw, Michigan and upstate Michigan.  Saginaw may be an Algonkian word that still survives among some Native American tribes in Tennessee, as well as in Michigan.  There are Native North American tribes in Alaska and Canada, whose Athabaskan language is related to The Aztecs in Central Mexico, The Apaches and The Navajos.  So, some words used as place names in one US state, could also be used in another on the other side of the country, or even the continent.

I'm guessing that that Saginaw record has nothing, whatsover, to do with Michigan, or that the label owner may have come from Saginaw Michigan.  The Detroit label was located in The Greater Boston, Massachusetts Area, and had no apparent connection to Detroit, Michigan.

10 hours ago, RobbK said:

Both production sound very "southern", and nothing like the recordings I've heard from Saginaw, Michigan and upstate Michigan.  Saginaw may be an Algonkian word that still survives among some Native American tribes in Tennessee, as well as in Michigan.  There are Native North American tribes in Alaska and Canada, whose Athabaskan language is related to The Aztecs in Central Mexico, The Apaches and The Navajos.  So, some words used as place names in one US state, could also be used in another on the other side of the country, or even the continent.

I'm guessing that that Saginaw record has nothing, whatsover, to do with Michigan, or that the label owner may have come from Saginaw Michigan.  The Detroit label was located in The Greater Boston, Massachusetts Area, and had no apparent connection to Detroit, Michigan.

Hi Robb, That's really interesting. I'll also hypothisise that the Juliettes were so called after Mount Juliet near Hermitage in Tenneesee.

I agree that both these records are southern productions. The label has a Hermitage, Tennessee address so your guess turned out to be an educated one. Frank Innocenti was based in Nashville in the 50s and 60s so it's likely that the Saginaw label labour originated from a Nashville studio. 

Edited January 31, 20178 yr by Stormcock

18 hours ago, djspproductions said:

Hey there Stormcock, Thank you for your insight. I listened to the mildred track just now and I personally think they sound like different voices. Mildred's voice to me sounds much harsher even with the style of music production behind her. I am not doubting you at all, anything is possible you know... I really enjoy Dorothy's version of  I've Waited So Long as well. I actually got away with paying only $15 for the (NM) Dorothy 45 and seen elsewhere online it going for over $100. Very pleased with my find. 

Aside from this record, there were just a few more I had questions about and maybe perhaps you have knowledge about them. I will send you a pm regarding the few other 45's. 

 I really can't remember how much I paid for it or why I bought it. I think it was one of a number I bought from a guy in New Orleans.  Whatever, it was good to be reminded of it's existence. As you say its a delight. The flip is the superior side I think.   You are probably right about the differences in the singer but both do have a certain rasping quality. Mildred sounds an older singer but then maybe we are hearing her younger voice in Dorothy. We'll probably never know. 

Yes, some things will remain a mystery. I did send you over a short list of records I am after.