Colouredman

Following on from last weeks photo of Nabay, I thought I’d follow up with the other photo everyone also wanted to see: Gardenia ‘Dena’ Barnes. I was lucky enough to meet her on the same trip I met Nabay in 1991. She was actually very easy to find surprisingly; one lead; one phone call from that lead to her daughter and that was it. The day Jacqui Kavanagh and I met her she was actually in mourning at the wake of a close friend, with other ladies at a friends house, but she was still happy to meet us. She was a lovely lovely lady, and I feel so priveledged to have met and interviewed her; probably the most emotional experience of my whole collecting life. More so when she told me that meeting us, and finding out about how much her songs were loved over here.... had....... ‘not just made my day, its made my life’. ... priceless! Again, this is a teaser for more to come, but I thought now was the time for a quick photo. Sadly she’s not with us anymore, but those lyrics and that plaintive sweet voice will live on with us all forever. Again, remember you saw this photo here first. I hope you all enjoy seeing this photo as much ad you’ve enjoyed her songs. Tim

Following on from last weeks photo of Nabay, I thought I’d follow up with the other photo everyone also wanted to see: Gardenia ‘Dena’ Barnes. I was lucky enough to meet her on the same trip I met Nabay in 1991. She was actually very easy to find surprisingly; one lead; one phone call from that lead to her daughter and that was it. The day Jacqui Kavanagh and I met her she was actually in mourning at the wake of a close friend, with other ladies at a friends house, but she was still happy to meet us. She was a lovely lovely lady, and I feel so priveledged to have met and interviewed her; probably the most emotional experience of my whole collecting life. More so when she told me that meeting us, and finding out about how much her songs were loved over here.... had....... ‘not just made my day, its made my life’. ... priceless! Again, this is a teaser for more to come, but I thought now was the time for a quick photo. Sadly she’s not with us anymore, but those lyrics and that plaintive sweet voice will live on with us all forever. Again, remember you saw this photo here first. I hope you all enjoy seeing this photo as much ad you’ve enjoyed her songs. Tim

Cheers guys👍🏽

Hi Eddie, hope yre well mate. He cut other things but not as ‘Nabay’ and earlier.... not our genre. Yes Nabay has a theory about why it never did anything.... a very interesting one which Ill go into when i publish. Eh up Andy? U ok? Yeah yre right about that fist and forearm; it’d be a sure fire knock out.... just like his record lol.

Hahaha, sorry mate; someone else beat you to it😂

For serious collectors: a Detroit collectors dream! DETROIT MEGA MEGA MEGA rarity! Rarer than Frank Wilson???.......very possibly; I’ll let you decide...... Offers invited for: DARRELL BANKS: ‘OUR LOVE IS IN THE POCKET’: Alternative mix! GOLDEN WORLD STUDIOS ACETATE!! 10 inch with blank flip side. This isn’t just mega mega rare and unique; it’s a fantastic awe-inspiring piece of Detroit Music history memorabilia, from a studio so significant and key to the music genre we love so much. How many of us have ever seen ANY Golden World Studios acetate??. If so, have you ever seen one of such an iconic Detroit anthem as this? Just seeing the ‘Golden World Studios’ text is a treat for the eyes. The song itself is of course, the epitome of fast, class, Detroit Northern at its absolute finest, and seemingly (to mine and others ears), a different mix too; than the ‘45’ On Revilot. Closer in fact, to the LP version. An absolutely unbelievable find! Interestingly the label mistakenly has written on it ‘Picture me and you’ (The Tony Michaels Golden World song), and then underneath has the correct title. Right at the end just as it fades, Darrell ad libs a couple of extra words, which also don’t feature on the LP or 45 versions. It looks as though this was supposed to be the version to be released, and then seemingly superceded by the ultimately released version on Revilot. This version I think is about 9 seconds longer (2:46 I think)than the LP version (2:37); the Revilot version is 2:34. It’s a a 52 year old acetate so it’s obviously seen better days, but apart from a couple of seconds of run-in, the audible condition is pretty good with strong audio and nothing too much distracting from that. It’s certainly playable but let’s face it, after playing it once you’re probably gonna frame it if you have any sense. It came from Rosemary McCoy one of the co-writers of the song; a lovely elderly lady who I had the pleasure of meeting. She had worked with so many key producers; (Gene Redd for example),and label owners during the 60’s. As a consequence of her involvement in 60’s Detroit and New York soul and R&B, I was able to buy this acetate and many many other great and rare records and acetates from her; Gene Toones was another one which comes to mind. This Golden World Studios acetate is very possibly one of the most incredible pieces of Detroit Music memorabilia EVER! A complete ‘one-off’ as far as I know; so very very serious bids only please; this is self evidently a genuinely mega-rarity, (not just something hyped up to be rare!). So bid accordingly if you’re interested; please don’t just offer me 10 shillings and sixpence and your Grannies used undies, coz I’ll inevitably have to decline, and thereby insult you and your lovely Granny, lol.

For Sale: Superb Rare mid tempo Detroit: JT Rhythm: My Sweet Baby / All I want is you : Palmer. Beautiful mint minus condition. £1500. Very Rare Chicago: Barbara Acklin: Im not mad anymore: Special Agent. Great mid tempo northern; her first record. Looks vg+ but plays pretty much flawlessy, other than a little bit of crackle on run in. £1000. Sunday: Aint got no problems: Alteen. Beautiful condition mint minus label and vinyl (unlike most copies around). £200. Lorraine Rudolph: Keep coming back for more: Jetstream. Pristine mint minus condition. £125.

Cheers Gilly; likewise bro. We should collaborate on a book, but not sure if we’d ever have time to finish it, lol.

It really is Ian, especially when yre told his close friend was Detroit guitar legend Bob Babbitt.

For Sale: Frank Foster: Harlem Rumble Triode Company label. £15. Butch and I got some of these nearly 40 years ago on a record trip to NY. We hit Rich Rosen and he’d just bought out The TARX/TRIODE label set up and gave us these. I have 2 left. Fantastic memorabilia for an awesome northern anthem. Twenty Two Juke Box inserts; either for your Northern juke box if yre lucky enough to have one, or for your pinboard. £20 the lot. Various Original 8 x 10 black and white photos £20 each. Roy Nelson 8 x 10 black and white photo (Elevator Man on Valise) £40. Charles Mann Its all over ABC insert £15. Cleethorpes Weekender 2003 brochure: £10 Original TCB / Detroit Recording Studio poster £15. Jay and Americans: Livin above your head Sheet Music £20.

Well, I found myself in this awkward situation many times interviewing people Id tracked. They find it hard to distinguish between the interest of a specialist music scene, and tht UK music/chart scene etc. Its hard to explain that although a lot of people love and admire the record; its still statistically very small interest overall nationwide; in other words 20,000 Northern fans might love it and want to buy it, but thats not the same as chart action and a million selling number one. I had to lower expectations with that; he was disappointed but understood. Its heartbreakin to tell someone like Nabay how much his so g is loved and at the same time tell him theres no money in it for him. Dont forget, most Americans hve never been to UK and think its the size of a 50p piece! , and therefore also think that something popular means tbe whole of our tiny country.

Yre very welcome; happy to share.

I took this photo in 1991 at his house.

👍🏽

Ive been asked a few times recently about Nabay who I met way back in 1991. I interviewed him at the home he shared with his Mum, and later interviewed his brother in California. I also interviewed his friend who co wrote with him. Dont wanna say too much coz I do intend to publish his story, so dont wanna pre empt the impact of that (pardon the pun lol). He was a lovely humble guy and his Mum was great too. They made me and my girlfriend at the time Jaqui Kavanagh so welcome. He was good friends with Bob Babbitt, and was known locally in his Detroit neighbourhood by the nickname ‘Horse’ because of his strength and awesome street fighting abilities apparently. Another great talent let down by the exploitative music industry. So here it is, as far as I know, the first photo of him our scene has ever seen; remember you saw it here first. I keep hearing and reading so much speculation about him; I thought it was time to show this. I have other photos in colour, but thought this black and white one was a good one for here. Enjoy Tim

j QUALITY NORTHERN MEMORABILIA For sale: some great and rare memorabilia; these are rarer than the records, all genuine and original, not copies. Syng McGowan: Black & White 7” x 5” photo. This came from Betty Feldman alias Bella Flowers who was Syng McGowans manageress and Hope label owner. I met her in the late 80’s. Where you gonna get one of these now??. £75 (I have 4 for sale plus my own framed one; that’s it). As above but the Hope Records is missing from the bottom of the photo and is instead stamped on the back. £50. (1 only) Syng McGowan & The Wayward Sons group 8 x 10 black and white. This photo was taken by Betty when the guys were still in Maryland Penitentiary). They were escorted by armed guard to go and record at the Recording Studios (1 only) £100. Frank Dell 8 x 10 colour photo. Given to me by Frank in the early 90’s, when I met him in Phil Medleys skyscraper office suite in Manhattan. Phil was the owner of the Valise label. £50. The Radiations: 8 x 10 Black and white photo. These guys were a sweet soul group managed by Phil Medley. £40. Great ‘Joe Boy’ postcard which accompanied a release of The Bottle: Gil Scott Heron. £5 Watch this space for more assorted memorabilia; Im slowly goin thru boxes and files I have.

Got the record and need the sleeve? Heres some more all £8 each, and many are great pics Foreign E.Ps.

Got the record and need the sleeve? Heres some more all £8 each, and many are great pics Foreign E.Ps.

Got the record and need the sleeve? Heres some, all £5 each.

Hopefully it wont be too long before im ready to publish.

Yeah i guess its not what youd expect. Im sure we all had him down as being black for sure.

Sorry wrong send.

Hi Stuart, I have one £125. Tim

Yep! His parents were Lebanese. He was a good friend of Bob Babbitt. Ive actually wriiten up his story and interview, but I want to run it past Nabay, and his brother before I publish. Nice guy; sat with him and his Mum and interviwed with a dictaphone. Met his brother on a seperate trip too.

Yes Gardenia passed away a few years ago regrettably. I have a photo or two of her somewhere. Meeting and interviewing her was an awesome point in my life; unreal. Life got in the way and I never got around to publishing the interview. Same for Nabay who I also tracked down and interviewed same trip. Again, I have photos of him. I need to sort it.