Visiting Motown: The Truth Is A Hit at the Schomburg Center (and looking for what is not there)
So in the midst of my own life dramas, the places that life literally lead me to are always interesting.
I'd heard about the Motown Records exhibit at the Schomburg for some time now and said that I would make
it up there to check it out. It is always interesting how unfortunate circumstances can lead you to
places that you are supposed to make your way to anyway. I am going to be honest when I say that I
wanted to go there to see what was NOT going to be there. But let me speak on what I was surprised to
see.
If I had been a photographer, there would have been plenty for me to take pics of, including the
displays of vinyl (particularly the 45s). i did like that they acknowledged Berry Gordy's pre-Motown
production credits for artists such as Jackie Wilson (with Gordy credited for Wilson's singles "To Be
Loved" and "Reet Petite" on the Brunswick label, but also lesser known artists as well. Now of course
you saw displays of rare Motown albums and pictures and features pieces of acts like Diana Ross & the
Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5. I was looking for two
things in particular. one of which I did find.. sort of.
Buried in a corner of the exhibit was the acknowledgement of a Motown artist that most people who are
Motown fanatics are otherwise unaware of. Chris Clark. Name sound familiar at all? Well, she was and is
a statuesque six foot tall platinum blond, blue eyed white woman who was signed to Motown's imprint
label V.I.P. in 1963. She was known by the UK's Northern audience as the "White Negress" because she
toured with her fellow Motown label mates that were predominately Black. Those northern Soul fans know
her for tunes such as 1965's "Do Right Baby Do Right" (written by Berry Gordy) and 1966's "Love's Gone
Bad" (written by the famed team of Holland Dozier Holland); the latter of which made #105 on the pop
charts and #41 on the R&B charts. In Canada, it made it to #95 on the RPM 100 chart. She did release two
albums on the label; 1967's SOUL SOUNDS and 1969's CC RIDES AGAIN.
Clark is also a co-writer of the screen play for Diana Ross's 1972 vehicle LADY SINGS THE BLUES, for
which she was nominated for an Academy award. She later became an executive for Motown Productions'
film and television division in Los Angeles.In recent years, Clark has worked as an art photographer and
has exhibited her work mainly to art dealers and galleries. Take a listen to her material:
Unless I missed a corner, I did not see anything concerning the late Frank Wilson (1940 - 2012), who was
an African American singer-songwriter and record producer for Motown beginning in 1965. He penned hits
such as "MacArthur Park" by the Four Tops, "Love Child" by Diana Ross & The Supremes, and "Keep On
Truckin" by Eddie Kendricks. Here though is something worthy of note to the average Motown fan that I
did not see at the exhibit in any way. In the early part of his tenure at Motown (which he was with
until 1976), he wrote and recorded a song called "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" in 1966. The story goes
that 250 promo copies of this song were pressed on 45 (7 inch vinyl record) on the moton subsidiary
label SOUL. Between Berry Gordy's lukewarm reception of the voals and Wilson wanting to primarily work
as a songwriter led to the destruction of all but apparently two copies (possible five). One of those
copies sold in 2009 for £25,742. This has made it one of the most sought after collectables of the
Northern Soul scene. (note: Chris Clark also recorded a version of "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)")
Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born again Christian.[2] He became a minister, traveling and
writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and is also involved in the production of gospel music as
well. In 2004, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Vision International University in
Ramona, California and founded the New Dawn Christian Village in Los Angeles.(wikipedia)
Some of the books he has authored includes, The Master Degree-Majoring in Your Marriage and Unmasking
the Lone Ranger, a best seller for men. Both were published by Harvest House Publishers. He conducted
Unmasking the Lone Ranger and Master's Degree seminars nationally and internationally based upon his
books. Wilson has also appeared on numerous television talk shows including, Two on the Town, The Other
Half, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. (wikipedia)
Wilson died on September 27, 2012 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Here is his masterpiece:
an African American singer-songwriter and record producer for Motown beginning in 1965. He penned hits
such as "MacArthur Park" by the Four Tops, "Love Child" by Diana Ross & The Supremes, and "Keep On
Truckin" by Eddie Kendricks. Here though is something worthy of note to the average Motown fan that I
did not see at the exhibit in any way. In the early part of his tenure at Motown (which he was with
until 1976), he wrote and recorded a song called "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" in 1966. The story goes
that 250 promo copies of this song were pressed on 45 (7 inch vinyl record) on the moton subsidiary
label SOUL. Between Berry Gordy's lukewarm reception of the voals and Wilson wanting to primarily work
as a songwriter led to the destruction of all but apparently two copies (possible five). One of those
copies sold in 2009 for £25,742. This has made it one of the most sought after collectables of the
Northern Soul scene. (note: Chris Clark also recorded a version of "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)")
Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born again Christian.[2] He became a minister, traveling and
writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and is also involved in the production of gospel music as
well. In 2004, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Vision International University in
Ramona, California and founded the New Dawn Christian Village in Los Angeles.(wikipedia)
Some of the books he has authored includes, The Master Degree-Majoring in Your Marriage and Unmasking
the Lone Ranger, a best seller for men. Both were published by Harvest House Publishers. He conducted
Unmasking the Lone Ranger and Master's Degree seminars nationally and internationally based upon his
books. Wilson has also appeared on numerous television talk shows including, Two on the Town, The Other
Half, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. (wikipedia)
Wilson died on September 27, 2012 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Here is his masterpiece:
These two individuals are huge parts of the history of Motown as well as a slew of other artists that
most have no idea were part of this machine. Perhaps one day we will such complete and fuller
acknowledgement of people who made history there instead of them being forced into a corner where you
might not notice or simply not display. I guess the struggle continues huh?
Rodney Williams
most have no idea were part of this machine. Perhaps one day we will such complete and fuller
acknowledgement of people who made history there instead of them being forced into a corner where you
might not notice or simply not display. I guess the struggle continues huh?
Rodney Williams
so...... Let's Talk about T.J. Saddler: Musician and Producer from Lincoln Nebraska
It is difficult to find music artists that I actually want to listen to. If you have to go according to what passes for a music industry today, then people are going to be at a loss for what is really out there. I spend a great deal scrutinizing music with both the mind of a DJ and that of a music journalist and critic. I'm sent links to a great deal of great music, mediocre tracks and then just pure garbage. And then came Lincoln, Nebraska native producer and singer T.J. Saddler... GOLD HAS BEEN STRUCK!
Currently working on his debut album, Saddler is a self contained music force who is the co-owner of SadSon Music Group, described as a "Purpose built studio" with with his business partner Lucas Kellison. I was made aware of Saddler via SadSon's Director of Artist Development, Amy Dawn Parker some months back after several conversations about various artists we have listened to over our lifetimes. Now I will admit that I am usually skeptical about people who begin to tell me about artists that they work with or represent. Much of that has to do with my early journalism experiences where publicists would try to sell me on the worst product on God's green Earth. T.J. Saddler's brand of soul was exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for.
I invite you to listen to a couple of my personal favorites from his forthcoming project including the uplifting "Blessed" and the butter slow jam "Where Would I Go. This id DJ DOMEWRECKA APPROVED!
Rodney Williams
Currently working on his debut album, Saddler is a self contained music force who is the co-owner of SadSon Music Group, described as a "Purpose built studio" with with his business partner Lucas Kellison. I was made aware of Saddler via SadSon's Director of Artist Development, Amy Dawn Parker some months back after several conversations about various artists we have listened to over our lifetimes. Now I will admit that I am usually skeptical about people who begin to tell me about artists that they work with or represent. Much of that has to do with my early journalism experiences where publicists would try to sell me on the worst product on God's green Earth. T.J. Saddler's brand of soul was exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for.
I invite you to listen to a couple of my personal favorites from his forthcoming project including the uplifting "Blessed" and the butter slow jam "Where Would I Go. This id DJ DOMEWRECKA APPROVED!
Rodney Williams