Robbk

Thanks.

Was this an unreleased cut from their ABC or Curtom periods, or just a fairly obscure ABC LP cut? Or was it unreleased from the time gap between the lapse of their VJ contract, and their signing with ABC, and it's a Curtis Mayfieldless Impressions recording, like those that were picked up by tiny New York labels in 1960-61?

I have since learned that Val Brown was Frank's son. The 4 Hollidays/ Four Hollidays (Jimmy Holland's group), were from Detroit, and resided in Detroit, but also recorded for some Chicago labels. The Celebrities were a Detroit group, which had Dennis Edwards as their lead singer, for some of their existence. I don't know if Frank Brown was an owner, or full owner of Detroit's Boss Records (which had no connection to Ric Williams' Chicago-based Boss Records (of 1962-63).

Thanks! I listened to the Johnny Earl cut. He is DEFINITELY NOT Tommy Good. I can't imagine why a poster would think this singer was Tommy. The 2 voices sound NOTHING like each other. I'd like to listen to the "Other" Motown cut by a Johnny Earl, who a poster has heard is NOT the same Motown "Johnny Earl" as sang on this CD. Why would they have 2 different Johnny Earls recording for them within only a few years of each other, and not insist that they differentiate their names in some way??? That doesn't make sense. That occurring with songwriting credits (2 different Frank Wilsons at the same time) is bad enough (should have made one or both use a middle name initial); but for a singer, they should have insisted on having the 2nd (later - signed) singer, use a middle initial. I didn't like most of the songs on the snippets. To my taste, the unreleased material is getting into the dregs now. No spectacular find on this one. It was interesting to hear Marv Johnson sing in his normal (non-falsetto) voice. I have now heard a Serenaders' song I don't like (first one out of 20+ from 1957 to now). The version of "Baby Hit and Run" sounds like Billy Gordon's put on (not natural) gravelly voice. I assume it must have been an unused first take, as the other take I've heard with him on lead was much better, although I like William Weatherspoon's version best (even better than Dennis Edwards' (although all 3 are good, and much better than this one). I was also verey disappointed in Jimmy Ruffin's version of "I Feel Like I'm Falling In Love Again", which I had hoped would be much better, like The Fantastic Four's version, which is my favourite song by them.

Can someone tell me where I can hear at least a snippet of The Johnny Earl song? Maybe I'll be able to identify the voice. And yes, there were tapes and acetates of "tryout sessions". That's likely what the Skip Cunningham recordingis. I doubt that he had ever been given a Motown Records singing artist contract. I'd love to hear "We Call It Fun" by The Hit Pack, as well. I WILL get a copy of the entire CD, but, until I get it, i'd like to hear snippets of all its songs

I should have stated: "before moving to 'The North'.

The information above is confusing. It makes it appear that Armstead was born in Washington State. But later, it states clearly that he was born in Mulga, Alabama. He lived there until joining The US Armed Services (Army?). After he returned, he moved north with his family, to Detroit. He spent his only his later years in Washington State, and died there. Joshie was born in The South, and lived there before moving to The North (New York and Chicago).

The recording sounds like the singer could be Norma. But it is difficult to be sure. The voice doesn't give telltale clues that it is another person.

Thanks! I figured "Shy" wasn't her real surname. I bought her Brunswick and Dakar records. I also remember "Spring Fever" but didn't buy it.

Is that the same woman as Chicago Soul singer, Jean Shy? I've always thought that that surname couldn't be her born family name. Maybe if it was spelled "C-H-I it stood for "Chicago"- hence "Jean Chi" . Maybe that was her nickname, later used as a stage name. But after becoming her official stage name, she spelled it "S-H-Y" instead of "C-H-I" to avoid people thinking it should be pronounced like "Chee"?

That can't be a Maltese cut. Is it known to be a Carnival production, or a later recording?

That looks like an original to me. I have several Lauries with the record/credit information sides reversed. That isn't a "sign" that such a label indicates a bootleg.

He was a French Citizen of Moroccan extraction. Had he ever become a British citizen? Does The UK allow new citizens to keep their existing citizenship as a dual citizen?

Morocco, although legally, a protectorate, was treated by France for most of their hegemony, like a colony. There were many French citizens living there, and, as in Algeria, Moroccans could become French Citizens. That process is how Soussan's family (or he, himself) became French citizens, and were able to move to France. And, of course, Simone (Simón) resided in France for quite a few years before moving to England. He grew up there.