Dave Moore

'Hi, You've reached Weldon Arthur McDougal the Third, I can't get to the phone at the minute but leave a message and I'll get back to you....HOOOOOOHAAAAAH!!' The words above are what greeted you if you called Weldon on Friday afternoons. He had an almost ritualistic routine of going to the movies every Friday to see the latest escapism movies and I think he used to still, at over 70 years old, wonder at the movies and he felt they were the access to a whole new world. To speak about movies with Weldon wes like listening to a nine year old who was always enamoured by the cinema experience. I'll miss those chats. Weldon's contribution to the world of music is well documented and he provided access to many of Philly's revered soul locations for many on this forum I'm sure. Record hounds, music fans, soul detectives, or just passing visitors, Weldon had the same enthusiasm for everyone. He could cajole, bluff, beg, borrow and steal his way into and out of many situations that would perplex lesser folks! Here's a few personal memories of mine : The Scam Artist: On a trip to Philly with Dave and Janet Ferguson 'Hey Dave (Dave Ferguson), give me your room number in case I need to call you later.' As Dave settled his hotel bill he realised Weldon had put all his valet parking on his bill! The Enabler ME: 'Weldon, Can you get us in to see Pete Humphries?' (Legendary Sigma Sound Engineer and current owner of MasterWorks (Frankford Wayne)). 2 hours later Dave F and I were sifting Gamble and Huff master tapes and listening to Pete's pet project with the TSOP catalogue library on the Fat Controllers chair in his private listening room. The Raconteur Many people featured in Weldon's tales of a musical life, many of them not too complimentary! But he always had a way of finishing the stories off with a funny down to earth comment. When Kev Parker and I were being 'entertained' by him at Red Lobster (Man, Weldon could chomp down those prawns like they were going out of fashion!), he finished off one story with the immortal punchline....'Man...I ain't gonna be with no woman ain't got no personal hygiene'. The story will have to remain under wraps but if you catch me out I'll tell you the whole story The Musical Maestro Playing Virtue acetates and Harthon records in a hotel room....'I like the way you can tell a good record fom the first few seconds Dave, Like me....You got good ears Man! The Friend Weldon - 'The real heroes of Philly Sound were Luther and Johnny. Luther was the magic music maker, Johnny was the magic organiser and it all made my job easy I just had to sell the magic'. Weldon (on phone) - 'Hey Dave, is Bev there? I wanna wish her a Happy Birthday!' (We used to call him on his birthday and sing Happy Birthday to him then put the phone down. Weldon (To Jason and I) - Guys, You've done a wonderful thing. Not many people in Philly know exactly what we did at Frank's place, (Frank Virtue's studio), but they sure do now! You really did a number on us! At Hitsville 2 in Florida, the Harthon Trio were treated like royalty by the Hitsville Gang, Limousines, autographing 45s, CD sales, posters, interviews etc etc. This culminated in us playing a solid hour of their music with the dancefloor full throughout. It was the first time they'd ever seen people dancing like that to their music and it was all a little overwhelming for them. A great memory shared by us all and one of the highlights of my time as a black music fan. Weldon's illness took him but it didn't beat him. He made the decision to move on rather than go through the tubes etc that may have extended his time here. That's the measure of the man, a full blown, larger than life, effervescent character who's beaming smile lit up many a conversation. You could never be 'down' with Weldon, he always left you feeling upbeat. And that's how I'll always remember him. Taking on the world, excited by the next opportunity that was going to make hima millionaire. But he knew how rich he really was, you only had to llisten to him talk about his Grand daughters to realise that. I return to Spain on Tuesday and that evening Bev and will dig the Dyno Dynamics 45s out and celebrate Weldon's music, while remembering the man and the special times we spent together. Sleep well my giant friend, you take many people's best wishes with you and of course.....Congratulations on a job EXTREMELY well done Sir. Regards, Dave PS. If anyone is not fully familiar with Weldon's work click on the video below that Jason put together.

Tim, Nevers een a Superlatives. You got one? Regards, Dave

Tis true. I'll be back later with thoughts. Regards, Dave

There is a possible release upcoming of Ollie's stuff. It's not 100% confirmed but if it happens hopefuly it will do him justice. I'm almost there with the research side of things on Ollie's story. It's been a long and at times frustrating trail but it'll be wort it in the end I reckon. Regards, Dave PS. Dave F ..... one of my Top 10 'lunches' of all time. Up there with 'The Wiz' et al. Happy Days! We need another trip Mate!

I haven't either of these on stock issue. I may have the Sam Williams scan from when we did the Johnny Brantley Story, I'll dig around when I get back to Spain. Regards, Dave

Robert Ward is the only GC W/DJ I've ever seen. Regards, Dave

Hi Marc, I thought I recognised it. I've not got the AW La Beat Demo. Palmer for me at the minute. I'd like a nice La Beat WDJ though. The hunt goes on! Regards, Dave

You must have more money than sense Pete. Regards, Dave

I saw the one one Dave site but don't wanna go any higher than 250 (For Mint-), if anyone is prepared to let one go for that I'm yer man. Regards, Dave

I paid quite a lot for a minter over 10 years ago. Always been tough in good condition. Regards, Dave

Can you put a scan of The Mob 45 up Paul? Not seen one with any promo text on before. Nice! You were robbed on the BS. Mine was 50cents. Regards, Dave

Dave, I reckon that's the promo. What's the other La Cindy 45 on White? Brain's gone dead. Also, just remembered: Bobby Reed - You Are - Claytown Never saw one for years and all of a sudden 3 turned up in space of a few weeks. Exits - Under The Street Lamp - Gemini Only saw the odd one until a well known Pittsburgh dealer opened a box of 'em. Carole Waller - This Love Of Mind - USA Some people reckon that there's a pukka WDJ of this too. Anyone know how to tell a real one? Another couple that are quite hard but don't fetch huge amounts of $$ are: Johnny Sayles - My Loves A Monster - Chi Town E Rodney Jones - RnB Time - Tuff Think Pete S had both of these in the last year? Both for 50 quid if memory serves me correctly. Bargains in my opinion. Regards, Dave

Hi, Yep, I collect them too. Sadly, I've no jukebox as yet but like you I feel the juke box title strips add a connection with the discs. I also collect the small Juke Box picture inserts, distributor stickers, sheet music, magazine adverts, cardboard records, mini records, and all the other promo materials that the era used. I'm sure there are lots of us around. Be good to start a thread so people can maybe post some images up? Regards, Dave

Once again it's time to say goodbye to one of our heroes. And this is how I do it... The mid 70s threw up some great soul groups that, only years later, would most of us realise were actually already seasoned professionals. Mr Johnson was at the pinnacle of these groups. The Invictus sides I'm sure, played a substantial part in any of that era's soulfan's education. Commercial success combined with immense soul credibility is not commonplace on our scene but the General achieved both with a mix of songwriting talent, a fantastic distinctive voice and a knack of 'connecting' with his listeners. From the early Philly based soul outings, through the H-D-H Detroit connection and onto the Beach scene's retro scene, he entertained both sets of fans in equal measure and for that he should feel immensley proud. Taken too soon? For sure. But the legacy he leaves behind many would trade with him, I'm sure. It's that legacy that I'll focus on this evening as I dig a few of his 45s out with a few scoops. So.....sleep well Mr Johnson, hopefully you've now reached that "Better Place". We thank you for your timeless music and congratulate you on a job extremely Well Done Sir. Regards, Dave

Pedro got that one. VG. I came second. Regards, Dave

On the Ric Tic W/Demo front I think finding some of them without markings (sol, wol etc), is difficult. Rose Batiste - Holding Hands J Barnes - Please Let Me In Edwin Starr - Agent 00 Soul All proved difficult for me in MINT-. In fact the ES I have is ony a one sided affair (Vocal). I'm sure in the distant past I've seen a two sided one. Anyone? I'll try and scan a few W/D 'oddities' this weekend and join in properly. Regards, Dave

Hety Marc, Pretty sure that's mine! Have to dig it out to confirm! Unless you have one exactly the same? Regards, Dave

Good doc about George Clinton here: GEORGE CLINTON Not exactly definitive but it's good to see the fella still got some fire in his belly! Best, Dave

Damn your eyes Mr Flynn! I'd almost struck this off the wants list as I've never seen one or know anyone who has one. It always made sense that it would exist though. Anyone got a copy or a scan? Best, Dave

Maybe not the rarest but here are a few are nice and easy on stock issue that took me a while to locate as WDJs: Harold Andrews - Since I Talk To My Baby - HLS Johnny Sales - My Loves A Monster Baby - Chi Town The Sunliners - All Alone - Golden World Whispers - Where Have You Been - Roker And one I still haven't got: Belita Woods - Magic Corner - Karen 106 Regards, Dave

You never heard of "Race Records"? The comparison between the development of white music alongside black music as far as pre-WW2 is concerned is like comparing apples with oranges surely? Just to take a few points from the early 60s even... At the same time JFK and Martin Luther King were still trying to enforce the Emancipation Act of a 100 years before, the playing field in terms of black music and it's delivery to the masses was finally becoming somewhat level. This wasn't due to some iconic law being passed but simply that white people woke up to black music and realised that a lot of what they were hearing was originated in the black community. Some then leant an ear to the real thing. With the advent of the teenager, TV and the boom economy the music business was awash with ideas, talent, budding entreprenuers etc. The conditions were set for black music to cross over to mainstream outlets. The amount of Gospel infused vocals within the black community in early part of the 20th Century played a large part in the 'development' of black American music. It was the black community that migrated from the cotton fields of Georgia etc, many of them first generation free men. It was the black community who found solace in the choirs of the churches in order to gain strength from still being indentured despite their government's decree that they were free. I'll never forget Carl Fisher's words when I interviewed him at length. He finished with this..." Dave, music was fantastic to me but it should never define me as a man. I was born one generation from slavery, and I am the proud father of a doctor and a lawyer (His daughters). That is my greatest achievement. They are what defines me, as a man". Powerful words from someone who lived it. How could that outlook on life NOT influence the music in the genes of the next generation. The upheaval of the 50s and sixties, the opportunities it created for black people as well the trials and tribulations they faced, the second generation of miners, car workers, assembly line workers, the families who had fed the industrial age as the labour force began to spread their wings and did this to the backdrop of Robert Johnson, Billie Holiday, Otis Blackwell, Mahlia Jackson, Jackie Wilson, Harvey Fuqua, John Lee Hooker and yes, Berry Gordy. To dismiss the "Sound Of Young America" as less significant than Beethoven, Glen Miller, Elvis or Lennon and McCartney etc is to fail to acknowledge the contribution that a whole swathe of black 'artists', combined with the talents of a lesser, but just as important, swathe of white 'artists' made to not just the development of American music but the culture of a generation of it's citizens. Finally, if anyone thinks the Polka had as much influence on Jackie Beaver's - Bring Me All Of Your Heartaches - Grandland, as Sam Cooke's - A Change Is Gonna Come has, then go get yer lugs waxed by a professional. I would put forward the theory that black music influenced white music much more than the other way round. Regards, Dave

Baz, Check out the Capitol Records promo item (#6 pic) on Doug's story about the Kondoff's Record Store. Fantastic! And MINT! Great story about a great find. Best, Dave

Wanted: Servicemen - I Need A Helping Hand/Are You Angry - Wind Hit Played out oldie that you never put in yer box nowadays so might as well move it on? I'm yer man. Regards, Dave

Ady, Any sign of a vinyl release for this collection? Best, Dave

Then I suspect you are lacking in awareness my friend. The Casino played a larger part in more youth culture than the 100 Club I would wager, albeit not for the same length of time. I'd also be prepared to bet that the Casino influenced more youth than the 100 club in all it's guises, including the youth fuelled punk scene. The numbers through the Casino doors pro rata must be at least ten fold than the 100 Club. Dismissing the Casino as some dump that put on Northern Soul nights displays a certain ignorance in the true lineage of rare soul in UK. Are you a mod/punk/soulie perchance? (I don't ask in any derogatory way), as if you are part of the mod revivalist movement that blistered onto the Northern Scene in the early 80s, I can fully understand your stance in relation to your perceived importance of the Oxford St 'dump' that put on a few jazz, punk and soul gigs albeit some of the smallest. Concentrating on the soul aspect only (it is after all a soul site), I'd have thought both venues were equally as important in terms of UK soul clubs. Different for sure, but both played a major part in the evolution of rare/Northern Soul. Both ruled the roost at different times, both had unique plays played by unique DJs and followed by devoted fans. I've been present at both clubs when the atmosphere has been electric and I'm sure that ethos will continue in a new location if needs must. I'm sure if a new location is found that the 6Ts R&S Club will find a second wind and hopefully a second lease of life. People will lust after the 'good old days' for a while but after a few "Get Over Its" I'm sure everyone will move on. Best, Dave