lorchand

Eddie Parker almost had me in tears when he recorded But If You Must Go. Truly soul felt and delivered. Lorraine

When I think about a near perfect production that includes a dynamite arrangement and mix with an excellent soulful vocal and lyrics that speaks of finding that perfect love, it boils down to... At Last by Etta James. Lorraine

Lorraine

Hey Carl, I wish you all the best on your new material. It's nice to know you are still believing and still reaching! I guess if you live long enough, good things will happen. Jeanne Sorensen sends her regards and said you have a good heart. Isn't that sweet! Am I behind the times? Heard a rumor about EMI. Are they having trouble? Have a wonderful day. Lorraine

Hi Carl, You are correct. Session musicians and background singers should go to raroyalties.com to collect. This has been a beautiful thing. I don't know how fast this process is because I'm still uploading information but it is the beginning. Thanks to you, I'm informing all that I know. Lorraine

What a beautiful voice he had. It saddens me that so many of my music associates and part of the Pied Piper family are leaving. This seems to be a revolving door in the past couple of weeks. I thought that The Metros had made it over the Atlantic. It saddens me that they didn't, you would have enjoyed them. My condolences to his family. Lorraine Chandler

Hey Paul, I haven't heard The Ring in centuries and of course I thought it was a good song too! But yes, Sandra's last name is now Feva and has been for some time. Lorraine

Jack Ashford just informed me that our writing partner George W. Rountree and music conductor for the Four Tops has passed. I have no other information than that. Lorraine Chandler

Hi Paul, To be honest, I don't know if Sandra's was before or after Gladys'. Because Sandra sounded so close to Gladys, she did demos for her to learn new songs while on the road. It has been my pleasure to entertain you. Thanks for the support and the reply. Lorraine

Hi Richard, In my most humble opinion, a person is gifted with a unique sound or not. The gospel sound found in some churches and past down through generations in choirs usually had two or three people with a voice that could tear up the church. It was a voice that ripped into your soul and did some serious cleansing. I'll try and keep this short. Singing in the choir and flipping over to sing in the 'world' had consequences. Remember, in the 50's, rock and roll and rhythm and blues was considered the music of the devil. Thank God, he intervened. He opened the door and showed us the path through such artist as Ray Charles, Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Holiday, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, and Patti LaBelle just to name a few. Now that gospel music has its own niche in the music business (finally) and gospel performers are getting paid big bucks over here, there isn't the need to cross over. If you don't listen closely to the lyrics, you can't tell if you are finger popping to a religious or secular song. Sometimes it's a blend of both. But remember, its the voice that's God given. When that voice comes along, you can't touch it. Many may sound like it and imitate it. But 'it' is it. How many Mahalia Jackson's have we had? As long as we have good gospel choirs (and directors), you'll have the singers. But how many will break through and be successful in the music business is another issue. The 60's was just the beginning, not the end. How the 'gospel' sounding singers will effect us in 60 years is anybody's guess. I went to a gospel concert with groups from all over the world. When I closed my eyes, I couldn't tell the difference between a white or black group, a renown choir over a start up one or the Asians from the Latinos. And that included the lead singers! I was blown away. So what does that tell you? Hope I kinda answered your question. You all are getting a little deep here! Lorraine

Paul (60ssoulboy) asked for my opinion as an artist on this subject and I have to say that I agree the comments so far. I found everyone to be so succinct! This is one area I knew about, but left to others to deal with, even with my own label. Back then it was all about getting the deal and getting paid. As an artist, you don't think about the behind the scenes activity. You're looking for the next gig and hoping to get paid for that. This is why the Motown story is so fascinating to me. It truly was my frontier in life. Whatever they say about Gordy, the buck stopped with him and what he did was no easy task. Promotion and distribution is another world but a major one and most artist don't get involved with it. All an artist wants to do is hear and make their music and management wants to keep it that way. Lorraine Chandler

Hey Billy, I was taught to reply to a greeting (if able). I am doing great. Thank you for stopping by. Lorraine

Hi Paul, I did visit your thread. I agree with what has been said and will reply there later. Yes, I was aware of distribution because I knew distributors and the business. But from an artist view, we don't have one. We just want the record played and sold. An artist has to get ready to promote and/or work in the region where the product is selling. Management would not want the artist to dwell on such things. I wouldn't. The last thing I would need is some singer(s) telling me how to distribute. Sorry. Will visit you in a little while. Lorraine

OK Mark, I've thought and thought and I don't see that much change. Sure, I would love some top sellers (and get paid for them) but I always had a dilemma on what I wanted to do. I love the stage and I'm a better performer than singer, but I loooove writing and producing . Some things that happened in my career I had no control of and the mistakes I made helped me to learn the business. Remember, there was no school for the new frontier of rhythm and blues music. It was an 'on the job' training scene. If I knew about the internet and the prospect of no vinyl (in the late 20th century) back then, I would have taken more pictures and film of folks in the industry and chronicled more of what I did. (You all did a excellent job of that). To know I would not hold an album or 45 in my hand (outside the ones I purchased in real time) would be devastating and unbelievable! While I'm truly executive material, I love music more and I am/was too militant/radical to work for a major record company (I would always bend the artist way and not administration's). But to make policy, you have to be political and I was never good at that (maybe that means I'm not the executive I thought I was). It was always about the quality of the product for me. So saying this, I might be in the same position I am in now even if I knew the future but maybe with more cash. Lorraine

Dear Ian, Your post is a statement of beauty. I have always commented on how you all treasure your history and I admire that. The Northern Soul folks carved out a piece of history, live in it and protect it. There is something to be said for that. Your statement stands alone and I'll just say thank you for the compliment and continue to think of how to answer Mark. Have a good one. Lorraine

Hi Garysoul82, Yes, I had the pleasure of meeting him and carried a conversation with him-once! After a string of hits, he upped and moved with you all. He appeared to have a wonderful personality and he put on a good show. I like good entertainers. Thanks for the question. Lorraine

Hey Mark, I need a little time to think about this one. I shall get back to you. I didn't want to you to think that I skipped you. I am, but I'm coming back! Lorraine

Hi Soultrainer, The pleasure was mine. I'm glad you enjoyed the show. Without faith where would we be? Thanks for the support and the reply. Lorraine

When I first heard that "Whop Bop a Loo Bop," I said this man put the rhythm into soul. His voice has range and wow, can he riff. He can play that piano and what a showman. He's been the most copied performer in the world and has inspired many more. He is still pretty and he is none other than Little Richard. Lorraine Chandler

Hey Mark, The invasion didn't bother me. I love music and it was still music, and those mopped head boys were doing their thing. Everybody was singing, "yeah, yeah, yeah." I would imagined it rubbed the pop singing white groups a bit here, but in this business, it's cyclical. One day you are up...and the next day... It was just their turn. Period. And you do what you said, wait it out. Good material though. Being covered by the British bands on R&B material was nothing new. White artist have being doing that over here for the longest, ask Little Richard about it. I wouldn't think someone would feel bad about it unless it's released the same time you put yours out. As an artist only, it might sting a bit, e.g., Peggy Lee covering Little Willie John's, Fever. If you are the writer of the song, the more people record it, the merrier! (The reverse, Whitney Houston singing Dolly Parton's, I'll Always Love You). It's good to know that your music/songs are appreciated all over the world and its the highest form of flattery. My girl Dusty. Loved Ms. Dusty. Woman could sing and I would totally agree with you regarding her soul status. Sorry she's not with us today. I enjoyed her music. One of your better exports. Lorraine

You didn't leave your name but thanks for the question. Live Twice was submitted and then we prayed. To be asked was the honor. We knew some of the competition but as in any competition, someone has the edge. It wasn't us. I will always be proud of the effort and to know we were on the short list in the end is comforting. Ady Croasdell found an earlier version and frankly, I like it. It's a working tape but It's more commercial sounding. Of course I hear all the errors but the tempo is faster, music is kicking, etc. It's a compliment to be compared to Sandra Richardson. Actually, I love her gospel/R&B sound. She edges on Gladys Knight a bit, but that's alright. She did a wonderful job on Stay Here With Me. Love her voice and working with her. Lorraine

Hey Carl, Just joined sound exchange and checking into CD Baby. Gave you credit for informing me of the site. Talking with Jeanne later. Lorraine

Hi Aid, Good to hear from you again. It is I who is humbled and blessed that we can talk this way. No, I never met Yvonne. Nor was I aware that I covered her songs. (see post #361/4 and #364/4). Ashford and Terry presented them to me raw and it's amazing how much they (we) turned out to sound the same. Mine a little earthier because I have a deeper voice. I like her version too. Lorraine

Pete, I'm going to be good. Ask me this on my thread, New Member, Lorraine Chandler. I love communication! Lorraine

Just a little opinion: Those of us in the music business love it or we wouldn't be in it. But its just that, music and business. Two sides of a coin. Sunshine and rain. As artists and/or creative persons, when we perform or asked to do something to enhance/promote the career, you have no idea what the situation will be like decades later. Who heard of the internet or dvd's twenty or thirty years ago? Some folks have a vision and see further and should be rewarded for their creativity and insight. Those who participate in that vision or service and promised to be rewarded should be afforded the common courtesy of communication and compensation, if any. Being disappointed with a situation doesn't mean a negative, it just is. And it's just that, a disappointment. You all have asked me about 'behind the scenes' stories. They all are not pretty, but you move on. They say you cannot choose your family, well I'm here and I'm family and I love you all and I'll try to be as open and honest as I can...sometime..most of the time...more so than not... Lorraine