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Topic: A Soulful Tale Of Two Cities

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Richard
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A Soulful Tale Of Two Cities
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Ray


I read in the magazine Record Collector that you and a whole host of  Philly and Motown musicians  are involved with a project called "A Soulful Tale of Two Cities" with Philly International producer Phil Hurtt. I wonder if you could provide us all with some more information about this.


Many thanks.


Richard Norris



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RAY MONETTE
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HI RICHARD,


LET ME FIRST SAY WHAT A FANTASTIC JOB YOU HAVE DONE WITH THIS WEBSITE!!


THE "SOULFUL TALE OF TWO CITIES" PROJECT WILL BE RELEASED SOON.IT WAS PHIL HURRT'S BRAINCHILD.HE HAD THE IDEA TO HAVE THE MFSB MUSICIANS AND PHILLY ARTISTS RECORD MOTOWN SONGS.THEN THE FUNK BROTHERS AND MOTOWN ARTISTS DO PHILLY SONGS.ON OUR END THE MUSICIANS ARE BOB BABBITT,URIEL JONES,EDDIE WILLIS,SPIDER WEBB,TREATY WOMACK,ROBERT JONES,AND MYSELF.


THE ARTISTS ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST,BUT KIM WESTON,BOBBY TAYLOR,THE THREE DEGREES,BUNNY SIGLER,GEORGE CLINTON,AND EVEN EDDIE HOLLAND ARE SINGING,JUST TO NAME A FEW.


WE HAD A BALL RECORDING OUR PART IN DETROIT,AND MFSB DID THEIR THING IN PHILLY.


THERE ARE TWO SINGLES COMING OUT,AND THEN A 30 SONG DOUBLE C.D. TO FOLLOW.


HERE'S THE LATEST FROM PHIL HIMSELF.


We did an advance test with several key markets across the country over the weekend; this included a live interview with Lennard Brown of 98.7 kiss FM, We had so much fun it should have been illegal; the feedback has been very encouraging.
 
Now here's a bit of news for you; as of tuesday July11th the new "Soulfultale" website will be up and running; the two singles "Got to give it" up (bunny Sigler) and "Love Train "(Bobby Taylor) will be available for download. You will be able to pre order your copy (copies) of the double  CD which contains 30 of your favorite songs  recorded by your favorite artist. There is a significant discount if you pre-order. This is our official beginning.
RAY

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UK Dave
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Motown meets Philly (and vice versa). What an interesting idea. I can't wait to buy the CD.


Off topic - Great to be able to keep track of what you are up to Ray. You've been my favourite guitarist since One World came out in '71. I never realised till recently that you were also playing on all those Invictus records I bought.


Rare Earth - The Greatest Band I Never Saw (or sadly should that be Rare Earth - The Greatest Band never to play the UK?).


Good Luck Ray...and great to see that Gil and the current line-up continues to fly the flag in fine form. Another CD to look forward to soon!


 



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RAY MONETTE
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DAVE,


THANKS VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS.BEFORE I JOINED R.E. I WAS A STUDIO MUSICIAN IN DETROIT FROM 1965-1971.MY FIRST SESSION WAS A SONG CALLED "COOL JERK".THAT'S WHEN I MET BOB BABBITT AND EDDIE WILLIS.


LEAVING R.E. WAS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST DECISIONS I EVER HAD TO MAKE,BUT IN ANOTHER WAY IT WAS LIKE GOING FULL CIRCLE BACK TO OLD FRIENDS.GIL AND I ARE STILL BEST OF FRIENDS AND WE KEEP IN TOUCH.I'M ALSO VERY GLAD TO SEE THE BAND DOING WELL AND CARRYING ON THE TRADITION OF GREAT LIVE SHOWS.


BY THE WAY.....OUR FIRST EUROPEAN TOUR IN 1989 HAD A DATE IN LONDON.WE ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT ONLY TO FIND THAT OUR WORK PERMITS HAD NOT BEEN DONE.WE COULDN'T PLAY THE SHOW,AND SPENT THE NIGHT IN TOWN. BUMMER!!!!


RAY



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UK Dave
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Ray


I happened to be in Amsterdam when I discovered and bought the Live In Switzerland CD. Then later I was there again and bought Different World. I saw Rare Earth albums when I went to Bilbao in Spain a few years back. I realised then that RE had visited Europe. I'd have flown over to Europe had I known at the time!


I met General Johnson when Chairmen of the Board visited my home town back in 1975. He's a big hero of mine and he's penned some great songs, one of my favourites being "Somebody's Been Sleeping (In My Bed)" by 100 Proof Aged In Soul. Am I correct in thinking you played on that track?


Did you meet Norman Johnson during your time in Detroit? I got the impression on meeting him that he wasn't (how can I put this?) somebody who welcomed being in the public eye.


What a shame you got to London but never played. I live about 2 hours away, but I'd have come down and bought you all a pint of beer. Yeah, six pints, pricey but worth it for all the pleasure you've given me over the years.


Favourite Ray Monette guitar solo? One that springs straight to mind is the one on Do It Right from the Midnight Lady LP. Brilliant!


Good Luck with the Funk Brothers project. I'll be watching out for you.



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Richard
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Hi Ray


Many thanks for the reply. I look forward to hearing the cd when it comes out.Thanks also for the kind words about the site, it's a labour of love for John and myself running the site as we have both been following the band since the early 70's.


Ah yes I remember the cancelled Dingwalls gig in 1989, I came across an advert in  a London listings magazine for the show so I made the journey to the venue to find the place closed and a poster saying cancelled due to "illness". Oh well they say every cloud has a silver lining it was in this case, walking back to the train station to come home I noticed a poster for the concert which had details of the German promoter, so I dropped them a line to find out some more details as to what the band was up to, and I got a very lengthy reply telling me all about the bands activities. Now knowing that the band were touring Europe I was able to catch you twice in Amsterdam on the next two tours, and meet you guys on both occasions.


Ah great memories.


Richard



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RAY MONETTE
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DAVE,


THE COUNTRIES THAT WE TOURED FROM 1989 WERE HOLLAND,GERMANY,SWITZERLAND,AND AUSTRIA.WE ALSO DID ONE TOUR OF SPAIN.EVERY TOUR WAS A BLAST!! THE EUROPEAN FANS ARE THE GREATEST.


I HOPE TO GO BACK WITH THE FUNK BROTHERS SOME TIME SOON.


I DID SESSION WORK FOR H.D.H. FROM THE TIME THEY LEFT MOTOWN UNTIL 1971,WHEN I JOINED RARE EARTH.I DID PLAY ON THE SONG IN QUESTION.WE SAW THE GENERAL IN CHARLOTTE A COUPLE YEARS BACK.HE CAME DOWN TO SAY HI DURING OUR SOUND CHECK.FREDA PAYNE HAPPENED TO BE ON THE SHOW WITH US.SHE STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL SESSION CHARTS WITH HER THAT WE USED IN THE STUDIO!!


 


NORMAN AND I CROSSED PATHS A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS,BUT I DIDN'T KNOW HIM VERY WELL.


MAYBE I'LL SEE YOU IN LONDON WITH THE FUNKS AND WE CAN HAVE THAT PINT.


THANKS AGAIN FOR THE GOOD WORDS DAVE!!


RAY  



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RAY MONETTE
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RICHARD,


THAT "ILLNESS" EXCUSE SEEMS TO BE A STANDARD IN THE BIZZ.WE HAD A SHOW IN DETROIT BACK WHEN ,AND THE GEAR NEVER SHOWED UP.THEY SAID IN THE PAPER THAT I HAD FALLEN IN THE SHOWER.


I REMEMBER THE SHOWS THAT YOU CAME TOO ALSO.LIKE YOU SAID "GREAT MEMORIES" !!


HOPEFULLY...WE'LL MEET AGAIN WITH THE FUNKS.


BY THE WAY.....THE C.D. WON'T BE OFFICIALLY RELEASED UNTIL SEPT. 12,BUT HERE'S A LINK WHERE YOU CAN GET AN ORDER IN EARLY FOR A DISCOUNT.THEY ALSO HAVE TRACK LISTINGS,PICS. AND BIO'S.


http://www.soulfultale.com/masters.htm


RAY



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UK Dave
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Ray


I don't suppose you'd care to reveal any Philly songs you particularly enjoyed recording? I'm sure you enjoyed them all, but did you (and/or the Funk Brothers) come away feeling that you'd well and truly bettered any of the originals?


Don't worry about upsetting the Philly boys, I'm sure they won't be reading this LOL but if they are, maybe I can ask them the same question in reverse?


Regards


Dave



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RAY MONETTE
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HI DAVE,


WE HAD A BLAST RECORDING ALL OF THE PHILLY SONGS!! IT'S HARD TO SINGLE ONE OUT,BUT PERSONALLY,I ENJOYED PLAYING "WHEN THE WORLD IS AT PEACE" FOR ONE.BUNNY SIGLER WAS OUT IN THE STUDIO WITH BOBBY ELI'S GUITAR SHOWING ME HOW THE MAIN LINE WENT.THERE WASN'T A CHART ON THAT ONE.IT'S REALLY A COOL LICK,AND WAS A LOT OF FUN PLAYING.ALSO,"CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT"(EDDIE HOLLAND VOCAL) REALLY CAME OUT GREAT!! WE DID A REGGAE THING TO IT.


AS FAR AS DOING THE SONGS BETTER.I THINK WE JUST BROUGHT THEM OVER TO THE MOTOWN WAY OF LOOKING AT THINGS.BUT......CHARLES COLLINS(DRUMMER EXTROADINAIRE) ASKED BABBITT WHY OUR SINGLE(LOVE TRAIN) SOUNDS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THEIRS.


ONE THING THAT MIGHT ENTER INTO IT IS THAT WE PLAY TOGETHER ALL THE TIME.


RAY


 



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Jason Hamilton
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Ray???????


Do you remember me? I was really good friends with Adam. I was just looking up the fam and stumbled across this site. I think I found the most recent post from you so I am hoping you still check this thread. Anyhow, I just wanted to say hi, and see how everybody is, speaking of that, can you help me get ahold of Adam?


 


Jason



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john
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http://www.soulfultale.com/r_monette.htm

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RAY MONETTE
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HERE'S THE LATEST UPDATE ON THE PROJECT. THE PRE-ORDERS WILL SHIP VERY SOON,AND THE DOUBLE C.D. WILL BE IN STORES IN DECEMBER.


RAY



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RAY MONETTE
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Hi Everybody!!!

Soulful Tale of Two Cities - Tuesday Nite (6-9pm ET) on WGLS-FM!!!

DJ Dave Goodman is dedicating two thirds of his WGLS-FM R&B Show -
WGLS-FM 89.7 Live Broadcast and Internet Stream..
WGLS-FM Broadcast & Live Stream
to broadcast & premier multiple cuts from the double CD scheduled to ship mid December...

The Masters Of Funk Soul and Blues - ..A Soulful Tale of Two Cities...

For anyone that may not know what we've ALL been up to since January... chances are good that you'll get to hear many of these cuts featuring the killer artists listed here, all backed up by The Funk Brothers & MFSB - The Masters Of Funk Soul and Blues! ...lovingly aka PhilaTroit!!!
Ok, Here's the List:

Disk One - Philly does "Motown"
1.     Higher Ground/ feat. Jean Carne
2.     Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing/ feat. Bunny Sigler
3.     Ain't That Peculiar/ feat. The Philly Degrees
4.     Dancing in the Street/ feat. Kathy Sledge
5.     Knocks Me Off My Feet/ feat. Russell Thompkins Jr.
6.     Fire and Desire/ feat. Bunny Sigler& Jean Carne
7.     The Girl's Alright/ feat. Phil Hurtt
8.     Just My Imagination/ feat. Ted Mills
9.     Isn't She Lovely/ feat. Jimmy Ellis
10.     Ooh Baby, Baby/ feat. Bunny Sigler
11.     My Cherie Amour/ feat. Major Harris
12.     My Baby Loves Me/ feat. Barbara Mason
13.     Baby, Baby, I Need You/ feat. Phil Hurtt, Carl Helm & Bunny Sigler
14.     Just Ask the Lonely/ feat. William (Poogie ) Hart
15.     Got To Give It Up/ feat. Bunny Sigler
Disc Two - "Motown" does Philly
1.     Ain't No Stopping Us Now/ feat. Ali "Ollie" Woodson
2.     Betcha by Golly Wow/ feat. Freda Payne
3.     Me & Mrs. Jones/ feat. Lamont Dozier
4.     One of a Kind Love Affair/ feat. The Velvelettes
5.     Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time/ feat. Carolyn Crawford
6.     Love Won't Let Me Wait/ feat. George Clinton
7.     Love Train/ feat. Bobby Taylor
8.     When Will I See You Again/ feat. Freda Payne
9.     Close the Door/ feat. Lamont Dozier
10.     For the Love of Money/ feat. Ali "Ollie" Woodson
11.     Expressway to Your Heart/ feat. George Clinton
12.     Sunshine/ feat. Bobby Taylor
13.     TSOP(& D)/ Masters of Funk. Soul & Blues (MFSB) .
14.     Sadie/ feat. Bobby Taylor
15.     When the World is at Peace/ feat. George Clinton, Bobby Taylor, Kathy Sledge, Ali "Ollie" Woodson & Kim Weston



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RAY MONETTE
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WELL IT;S FINALLY HAPPENING.THE PRE-ORDERS HAVE SHIPPED,AND THE OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE IS JAN. 16TH.


I GOT MY COPY,AND THERE'S SOME GREAT SOUNDS GOING DOWN!!


RAY



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Jay
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Got mine a couple of days ago and can't stop playing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 


What a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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RAY MONETTE
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GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT JAY!!! A LOT OF LOVE WENT INTO THE MAKING OF IT.
BY THE WAY.......IT'S AVAILIABLE ON C.D. BABY. THEY HAVE A NICE WRITE-UP ON THE SITE.

RAY

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John
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Just a follow up about what Ray says about the CD being around on CD BABY.  The great thing with this site is that you can hear some of the tracks to get an idea of how good this cd sounds.   Check out this link for a taste!
http://cdbaby.com/cd/mofsab

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RAY MONETTE
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THANKS FOR THE LINK JOHN. IT'S ALSO AVAILIABLE ON AMAZON NOW.

RAY

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mIKE
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RAY MONETTE wrote:

THANKS FOR THE LINK JOHN. IT'S ALSO AVAILIABLE ON AMAZON NOW.

RAY



i JUST ORDERED MINE smile CAN'T WAIT.



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