Ian Dewhirst

OK, I just googled him. Blimey. He has a pretty impressive discography and claims that he and James Jamerson 'double bassed' on many key sessions. No mention of "Tears Of A Clown" that I can see though, but I guess some of those sessions were murky, especially if there were several takes of a song (as we know there were in tons of cases). They probably all played on different versions of it I guess. I've got the Motown session listings here but I don't think they actually list the players...... His website's a 'lil clunky but there's some interesting stuff on there.... https://www.novastarinteractive.com/TonyNewton_BassBio.htm Ian D

And who's Tony Newton then? I could always get my mate to drop him another line to inform that he DIDN'T play that bassline even though Tony Newton says he did. This seems to happen quite a lot with bassists LOL..... Ian D

It's funny isn't it? It's taken me the best part of 45 years to actually understand that line of the song. It wasn't until my mate explained it last night that the penny actually dropped. Smokey at his lyrical best plus I love the way he 'sampled' one of his own previous songs...... Ian D

Just got this from the guy I was discussing this with last night...... "I'm pretty sure it was Tony Newton who did the original session in '66 (I found his website and emailed him, and he's replied to confirm this). He was playing live with Smokey Robinsons & The Miracles at the time and was also the bass player who came to the UK with the Motown Review (Jamerson busy with studio work). So it was this version that was the UK single in '70". Ian D

Just having a disussion with a mate and he's curious as to who played bass on "Tears Of A Clown", especially since the record has a curious history. Can anyone confirm who? Also, were there any alternative versions to the original instrumental? Thanks for your help! Ian D

Especially for anyone who comes second......... The Controllers - Somebody's Gotta Win, Somebody's Gotta Lose https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygwZvbISyIY Ian D

I saw em @ Sheffield Fiesta in 1972 and that's the best live gig I've ever seen. They were incredible......they must have liked Sheffield! Ian D

Great duet cover of Earth, Wind & Fire.... Dionne Warwicke & Isaac Hayes "Can't Hide Love" Ian D

Baby Do The Philly Dog - The Olympics Philly Dog Around The World - Jummy Raye Philly Dog - Herbie Man The Snake - Al Wilson Ian D

I tried to license it for "Inspired! Blood, Soul, Sweat & Cheers" - my 'Olympics' compilation - it would have been brilliant to kick off CD2 with but alas all efforts to trace Sonny Casella (owner of Sonny Records, New York) came to no avail. I even rang David Kassner (son of Ed) who originally issued it in the UK on Seville but the trail went cold for him too. A real shame. It sounds just fantastic again! Ian D

That's right mate. I'm furiously compilng albums which will go into a nuclear-proof bunker which won't be opened until 3000 ad. It's pretty difficult to figure out what they'll be listening to in 988 years though........ Ian D

At least we're getting radio plays LOL! Plus I just checked Will's recent playlists - he's been hammering "Holy Spirit" which is great. In all honesty I think there's only 4 or 5 tracks on "Inspired!" which are very tenuous but they'll work brilliantly if used in the right context. Ian D

Can you imagine THIS getting a play or or two over the next few weeks? Absolute Soul perfection. Doesn't get much better than this for me! Bettye Swann - When The Game Is Played On You Ian D

Rain, rain, rain, rain.......can anyone guess what the theme of the show is this week LOL? I've been out 3 times this week and got drenched every time. The worst was on Thursday for a cruise and barbeque down the Thames when I not only got drenched but also got Garlic poisoning! That was some journey home that night...... Still at least I haven't been at any rain-drenched festivals so far this year thank God! The good news is that my Olympics album is finished and ready to go just in time for when the games start in 10 days whilst I'll be in Turkey recovering. So check out "Inspired! Blood, Soul, Sweat & Cheers" packed full of goodies and out on the 23/7/12! Meanwhile we have a radio show to do........ Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 15th July 2012 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Featuring...... Eddie Kendricks * Intense feat Jazmina * Jo Boyer * Crown Heights Affair * Eddie Drennon & BBS Unlimited * GQ * Faith Evans * Madagascar * Marvin Gaye * The Chi-Lites * The Van Dykes * Lee Andrews & The Hearts * Jeanette Williams * Prophecy * Smoke * The Fantastic Johnny C * LTG Exchange * The Ohio Players * Barry White * Sylvia * Ray Parker Jr * The Real Thing * Billy Griffin See you @ 2.00pm hopefully. Ian D

Apologies for the delay folks! Six Million Steps Presents The Original Mastercuts Show LIVE with Ian Dewhirst between 2.00-4.00pm on Sunday 1st July 2012 on everyone's favourite Soul station www.starpointradio.com. Playlist and Download Link below..... Featuring...... 1st Hour Kenny Bobien _ The Light - Jihad's Vox Mix The Dizz & Azza feat Mmelashon - I Want You For Myself Gary's Gang - Let's Lovedance Tonight Jacques Renault Remix Fat Larry's Band - Looking For Love - Womack Rework Willie Hutch - Brother's Gonna Work It Out - Victor Rosado Remix Norman Connors - Stay With Me - Koko Re-Edit Rhyze - Just How Sweet Is Your Love - Walker & Royce Touch Mousse T feat Boris Jennings - Brother On The Run 2nd Hour Maurice Williams - Being Without You Carl Douglas - Serving A Sentence Of Life Dean Parrish - Determination The Silhouettes - Not Me Baby Clyde McPhatter - Please Give Me One More Chance Millie Jackson - A House For Sale Joe Simon - Step By Step Betty Moorer - Speed Up The Dramatics - Dramatics Theme/Treat Me Like A Man Jean Shy - We Got A Good Thing Going Sylvia - Pillow Talk The Spinners - Games People Play R. Kelly - Lazy Sunday - Vespaman Re-Edit https://www.originalmastercuts.com/node/188 Ian D X

Plenty here dude. Nice discounts for bulk buys too - tons of 12"'s and some rare 7"'s too! https://www.discogs.com/seller/Mastercuts Ian D

Available on here Russ:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Windy-City-Soul-Smooth-Chicago/dp/B0031XXXJ8 Ian D

Yippee! Just confirmed:- Friday 20/07/2012 - Lead Review The Times Sunday 22/07/2012 - Must Have Re-Issue The Culture, Sunday Times This is the weekend before release and the opening ceremony for the London Olympics 2012. OK, that's the highbrow audience, now let's get some red-tops! Ian D

Yeah, the same guys who underwrote the Libor rate LOL.......I'll pass......... Ian D

I met Jimmy Conwell's aunt once on a Casino Boat trip in Florida in the mid 90's. She almost fell off her chair when I said I knew all his records and started reeling 'em off............ Ian D

The album which refuses to go away! Now it's in the Top 1000 on Amazon! Sales increasing in the third week it's been out there. It truly must be blessed! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Holy-Spirit-Spiritual-Soul-Gospel/dp/B007O3VO2Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1342042008&sr=1-1 Must be Greg's sterling promotion! Ian D

Licensing music is a laborious process, uses a lot of resources, takes forever and is a pain in the ass for everyone. By the time the negotiation's been done, the paperwork generated, advances paid, legals signed off, masters requested (and possibly even restored or digitised) and been transported etc, etc, you'll be needing to sell 500 minimum just to cover all the costs believe me. Also, every music company is under-resourced these days. It takes me months and months to clear albums and I do this for a living. What's currently happening is that you go into a long queue and depending on the value of the deal or your importance to the licensor, you'll find that this will directly set your priority level. The people who do licensing these days are all pretty stressed with huge workloads, so I guess they're trying to keep on top of their most valuable business. So if Ministry Of Sound, Universal TV or Now That's What I Call Music Vol 2000 (all of which will all sell tens of thousands of CD's), then my guess is that they'll get back to those guys rather than the guy who wants to sell a couple of hundred singles on a song they don't know and on a format they didn't think still existed LOL..... If you want to persue it then have a chat with Paul Mooney as previously suggested and he'll set you straight. You're gonna need some dosh though. I take it you're independently wealthy then? Ian D

Absolutely right. The more environments the better for me as I get bored with just one type of music all the time. Some of the best gigs I've gone to have been when I've wondered into a room playing stuff I've never heard before. Variety is the spice of life as Greg Perry once said.......... Ian D

Cracking record! Always under-rated even with those off key backing vocals which kinda make the record stand out for me..... Ian D

Just a couple of weeks to go! Things are beginning to build nicely and will hopefully peak from the 27th July - 12th August. Some major plays are already coming in and we have a nice piece in the Times coming so anticipation is building nicely. After the disappointments of Euro 2012, Wimbledon 2012 and the abysmal summer we're having, hopefully the forthcoming Olympics will provide some much needed inspiration for us! Ian D