This is the longest gap we’ve had between posts on Motown Junkies since we started, and I thank you for your patience. Part of the delay is that I’ve got a lot to say about the next entry (really!), and it’s made me want to commit to something I’ve been mulling over for a while.
Quick question: who would be interested in buying an expanded, extended version of the first part of this blog in the form of a book? (A physical paperback and/or an ebook).
What I’m looking at is an unofficial track by track history of the life and times of Motown, with rewritten single reviews joined by brief coverage of albums and some new essays on the wider social-historical topics (as related to the Motown story) that have been touched on in individual reviews.
If the response is good I’m looking to put together a Kickstarter to cover the production costs of the paperbacks, but I’d like to know if people would be interested first…
Please rest assured that the blog will continue whatever happens, and that there are a lot of entries in the pipeline very soon.
Thanks for reading!
Steve (aka The Nixon Administration)
Motown Junkies 
Obvious question is cost but as long as it’s reasonable then count me in. I prefer a physical book. Yes, I’m that old!
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I’m looking at doing a series of paperback volumes of a few hundred pages of text each (I don’t know exactly where the divisions will fall but conceptually I think the first one will take us to the end of 1963), so it depends on production costs, but I think certainly less than £10 a pop. It will be something to read rather than a reference work. I don’t want to make money off this, I just don’t want to lose money either…
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Great idea — have you talked with Dave Randle?
Al
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Thanks Al. I’ve not spoken to anyone apart from you guys (and a couple of people who’ve been down the self publishing route), I don’t really have the time or inclination to try and get it published. All I’ve got is a rough draft/outline manuscript and a mockup cover. And a dream. But mostly the mockup cover.
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It would be a wonderful companion to the Complete Motown Singles booklet. Count me in too !
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I would most definitely be interested in purchasing such a book. Good luck in avery endeavor. I really appreciate the blog!
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I’m in. Real book, please.
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Great idea. Like David i’d much prefer a book.
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I second that emotion! Great idea. I’m in.
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yes! but a real book, no ebook!
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You know my thoughts – we’d all prefer a printed book, something you can put on your bookshelves, but the realities of the publishing world in 2014 are such that it is becoming more and more difficult to get a commitment from traditional publishers. Had my book been a printed version, it would probably have been restricted to 250,000 to 300,000 words, so as an e-book I could stretch it out to nearly 500,000. For all that, it might be worth also looking at print on demand or Lulu, limiting your financial exposure but giving people a physical book.
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Thanks Graham. (If anyone hasn’t yet bought Graham’s excellent Motown Encyclopedia yet, please rectify this fault immediately.)
The idea is definitely to go down the self-publishing route, rather than trying to get someone to actually publish it. I get a lot of e-mails asking for a physical book version of the blog and the plan (such as it is) would probably be to cost it up and then run a Kickstarter campaign to raise the money to cover production costs for a sensible number of copies (the ones which aren’t already spoken for I can then sell all over). If the Kickstarter fails, I can look at a Lulu or other POD solution.
(of course, if any kindly passing publisher reads this and WANTS to publish my book, I’m not going to say no…)
Famous last words, but I hope the books will be a manageable size and there won’t be too many of them – but the idea will be to divide them up so that they’re roughly equal, so it may be that we jazz through the end of 1963 in the first one and then the next one only takes us to 1965 and so on.
While I’ll be adding new material (albums, new essays) and expanding certain of the older reviews, I’ll also be taking some stuff out to put in the separate essays (it’ll all make sense, don’t worry); it won’t just be me printing off all the reviews and binding them up, the idea is the resulting book will be something that makes sense to sit down and read from start to finish, as well as to dip in and out of.
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Yes count me in for a physical book form-but make sure you include all the important information that people like Robb Klein have submitted is also included ,its all so important!Best of luck!
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I shared your email with Dave Randle of Bankhouse Books, and he would like you to contact him.
daverandlemcij@aol.com
Good luck! I think it might work for both of you.
Al Abrams Middleman
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Thanks very much! That certainly would be a welcome development… I’ve e-mailed him now.
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Nixon,
Would definitely want a book. As someone else said, yes I’m that old. And I’ve been a book seller most of my life and my second life is now working in a music library so…..
Hopefully price would be reasonable but I would be willing to pitch in on a kickstarter as well.
This site is so worthwhile, not only for your incisive comments but also in the commentary from the regulars. But it should definitly have a printed matter adjunct. If I still ran a bookstore, I’d buy a couple of crates and fly you over for an autographing party.
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I’m 100% for you, sir! I, too, would rather have a physical book than an e-book. It’s more intimate. So is Motown music (at least to me). I’ll be looking out and saving up for the box set!
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Count me in. I too would prefer the paperback option.
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I missed this post! – I keep checking the INDEX for the long-awaited Supremes post, and not finding it, I decided that the Internet was becoming a decidedly less interesting place these days, and went off to practice, or compose, or mow the lawn … OF COURSE I want a book. I think it’s worthy of Cambridge – or Oxford – something on the order of The Cambridge Companion to Motown – or Julian Budden’s detailed three-volume traversal of all of Verdi’s thirty-odd operas — but perhaps Motown has not yet attained full academic respectability (though Junior Walker IS quoted and transcribed in the Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone!!). ANYWAY. Whatever the ultimate publisher, I certainly want one.
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With all the effort I’ve put into this website, – yes,-I’d want a book-but a physical, paper book, not just an e-book.
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Great to hear you’re still around! Yes, I’d definitely go for a book. Preferably one that includes the label scans/picture sleeves/album covers etc. (although your superb essays are the real attraction).
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Yes, it had BETTER include the label scans and album covers! And our comments!
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It won’t, and can’t, include either.
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Oh! Then being on paper isn’t worth a lot over digital. Is that just because of printing costs? I wouldn’t charge you for my scans. Would the others? Or would you have copyright problems from Universal/Motown?
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Printing costs and copyright issues for the scans, yes. As for the comments, I’m not just printing off a bunch of pages from the blog, but rather turning the posts into the guts of a book, weaving them into a coherent narrative interspersed with new material. Publishing/consent issues aside, and also ignoring the doubling of pages it would cause, there’s no way to integrate comments threads or even selected comments into that. I say this without in any way wanting to diminish or underplay the importance of readers’ comments to the blog, or the corrections and research (which will be properly credited if I integrate them into the main text and thanked in the introduction).
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Well, that sounds fair. But, it’s a shame that the reader won’t get to see what we’re talking about. But I understand that the cost would make doing it quite costly, and you are not a charity. Too bad you couldn’t get this officially approved and partially backed by Universal/Motown.
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The blog and the book would be two wholly different experiences. The exchange of views on the blog – and the establishment of a wonderful Motown-centered community – all that is magnificent. But it’s necessarily ephemeral (like so many of the fine things in life!) – But your essays on the songs are as solid and durable as the songs themselves. More so, in some cases! – They deserve to be between the covers of a book. An imperishable and treasurable artifact. I anticipate it with great pleasure.
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well said, John, and I agree!
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I’m a Motown Junkie (since 1969) and I would love to see your new book (project), come into fruition. My twin brother and I, have purchased nearly 90 percent of biographies, books, etc,, along with our original Motown albums and 45s, from 45 years ago!
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There’s not a doubt in my mind I’d want it 🙂 Your words should certainly live as well in a more tangible form than computer screens. I’d also still be able to read them laying down, and in the event of power failures and crashes as well.
It’s very much akin to the difference between Motown music on cassettes and CDs (which look pretty much the same whether there’s something recorded or not), and the original vinyl form, which offers the more psychologically satisfying reassurance of the sound pressed in round, circular, and easily visible lines. The experience of watching a diamond tipped pickup travel across their surface has never been matched by watching a puny digital window tick off minutes and seconds.
Likewise with your majestic words, Steve; holding them in our hands means we get to keep them for the rest of our lives.
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I FIND it surprising how people are not talking about Richard Street’s recently released autobiography on the Temptations. It’s an interesting book—especially the part on how Otis Williams made more money than all of them, and gained underhanded control of the group through Berry Gordy, Jr.
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Maybe because no one knew it existed?? what is the name of it?
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Searched Amazon and can’t find reference to this book. What is it’s title?
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It’s called Ball of Confusion – My Life As a Temptin’ Temptation, but it’s not available on Amazon. Seemingly, it’s only available direct from the publishers, Tate Publishing, as both a paperback and digital download, priced at $15.99 and $13.99 respectively.
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Sounds like an interesting book. I read Otis Williams’ book from years ago & didn’t get much out of it – a little too tabloid/soap operaish for me. And I do NOT mean Mr. Williams any ill will — Just not into it.
When I read a Motown book I prefer to read about the musical aspects. Of course, I am sorry for any hardship these people went through but I feel like a lot of the Motown books tend to just rehash all the stories we have read about before. For me, what it comes down to is this … These people are (or were in some cases) human beings like the rest of us with their talents, good sides, bad sides etc. And like me they are extremely imperfect & fallible. Okay, enough preaching from me!! LOL!
Hope all are well & thanks for your nice comments to me.
PS – On the musical side I’ve been in a Kim Weston/Brenda Holloway/Isley Bros mood lately. Good stuff!
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I too would like to add my vote: I would be interested in a series of books if you can swing them. Best of luck.
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Hi Nixon & Gang. Been away for awhile. Would love a book! And let me say to you Mr. Nixon sir… We certainly appreciate all the hard work you have put into this blog! It has provided me with much pleasure. I have wonderful family & friends whom I love dearly & who mean everything to me, but (with the exception of one or two) I cannot discuss music with them like I do with you dear ones.
FYI – My most recent Cat Scan came back great. No cancer! So thanks for your prayers & support.
Best wishes to all my Motown friends! Hope you all are having a good summer!
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Great News Landini, that your cancer is gone!
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That’s just wonderful, Landini – thanks so much for letting us know!
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Wonderful news! I’ve missed your posts.
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The best piece of news I’ve heard yet this year, Landini! 🙂 Excellent.
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Landini, this is joyous news! Thank you for keeping us all updated.
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Wonderful news, Landini! Cause for exuberant rejoicing!
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count me in as well.love coming here. after a long day at work I come home and chill to Motown.enjoy your blog.thank you
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I had a question which is Motown related but would probably never be addressed since the song in question was never a single. So while we are awaiting more awesome reviews from Mr. Nixon, I thought I would address this. So here goes… On Stevie Wonder’s I WAS MADE TO LOVE HER album he did a song called “Everybody Needs Somebody (I Need You). The song is credited to Wonder & Clarence Paul.
I have a James & Bobby Purify collection that has a song called “Everybody Needs Somebody” which appears to be almost the same song. The melody/lyrcis are a little different from the Wonder song, but it is clearly the same song. This song is credited to Schroeder, Crawford. Could the Crawford be Miami Soul Producer, David Crawford? Hmmm the plot thickens!
In the Wonder song, Stevie is actually addressing the girl in question that he has hurt. The Purifys talk about the same girl in the 3rd person.
So, my question is… Why are there these 2 songs (which are basically the same song) credited to different writers? When they are played back to back they sound somewhat different, but they are definitely cut from the same basic cloth.
Anyone know anything about these songs? Just curious. I know I know … I must have too much time on my hands!!! LOL!!!
Thank you in advance!
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That’s a great idea! I’ll be pleased to join.
I’d like to contribute with some ideas…
Comments from Robb Klein (thks Robb, I’ve learned a lot from you!) and other contributors (specially ex-Motown and Record industry staff members) should be included to expand knowledge about these Motown issues.
I truly believe that paperback issue is best for most, but, please, do not discard an e-book option. (Costs should be minor, I presume…), Also an e-book give us additional space on our shelves (for more Vinyls 😉 ) and it can be printed (totally or in part) when necessary.
Best regards to all Motown Junkies staff and fans.
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I would be interested in purchasing your book. My strong preference would be for an ebook rather than a paper book. I simply find the former to be much more convenient in every way.
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There is no possible way for the next entry to live up to this wait. I can only apologise and assure you all there are a lot of new entries queued up after it! It’s just taking me an unfeasibly long time to write about a throwaway novelty soundtrack jaunt.
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I don’t really understand why you’re even bothering to write about a track that was never released on single or ever intended to be, and was not considered for inclusion in The Complete Motown Singles. True enough it exists on acetate, but then so do a lot of other tracks which have been ignored. It was only cynically and dubiously included in the Supremes 50th Anniversary Singles Collection to increase sales owing to the track’s rarity.
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Hi 144man, it’s good to hear from you again. Your patience (and everyone’s!) is appreciated.
On Dr Goldfoot, here’s a rushed, multi-strand answer!
(a) My definition of the Motown canon is wider than that of TCMS, and this falls well within it – I don’t see what makes this ineligible while still admitting Lee Alan or Things Are Changing, never mind the likes of The Only Time I’m Happy or the Velvelettes on IPG.
(b) As you say, while it’s not on TCMS 5 (and I don’t know that it “was not considered for inclusion” but I’ll take your word for it), it’s on the Supremes anniversary singles box, and from there it seems more like we’re finding reasons to exclude it rather than include it.
(c) I’m an inclusionist at heart, and once I decided to go beyond the boundaries of TCMS, for a long time now the motto has been “if in doubt, chuck it in”. Stops me running out of stuff to write about, too – I’ll have as much Motown or pseudo-Motown as is going, thanks waiter!
(d) All of those things aside, in terms of this record itself, it’s actually proven to be a very handy peg on which to hang a much larger essay about Motown’s place in mid-Sixties culture, which is what’s taking me so bloody long to write – I haven’t really spent two months trying to forensically dissect the underlying metaphors of a campy James Bond knockoff.
(e) The editor’s decision is final.
(f) I have drunk *far* too much coffee today. Can you tell?
(g) There is no point G.
(h) I’ve forgotten what I was going to write here, but rest assured it was funny.
(i) ETA for the new entry is very definitely this week, and from there I have the next couple lined up already. Think of it as a summer holiday. For me.
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No doubt you’ll give us the reasons that “Dr Goldfoot” exists on an American International acetate in the review. It’s a pity there was no acetate made of the superior “Surfer Boy”(?).
Is it your intention to review the leased Rare Earth label singles excluded from DFTMC because Motown no longer owned the rights?
As far as inclusivity is concerned I think there is a case to be made for including Cornell Blakely’s first two singles on Rich which are to all intents and purposes as much Motown records as the third single which was included in Motown Junkies because of a legal nicety.
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That “no doubt” is ominous! But I think I can answer. It wasn’t an acetate but a radio promo, sent to stations by AIP to push the movie. For “Surfer Boy”, which I agree is markedly superior (ooh, spoiler!), neither the film nor the group were so high profile as to warrant such a step. But more of this anon.
Yes, I’m putting back the Rare Earth singles TCMS left out, as well as Willie Horton and anything else that was left out for legal rather than editorial reasons.
On the Rich singles, while I think those are more of a judgment call re: Motown / Not Motown than Dr Goldfoot is, if I was at that chronological point today I’d probably lean towards putting them in too (and at least a page of capsule reviews of the Berry Gordy UA and pre-Motown productions), but after Wade Jones and Stevie’s EP I promised myself no more retrospective historical infills for a while! But if the book happens…
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As you’re not reviewing the first two Rich singles, perhaps you could add the scans of them which I sent you to the Cornell Blakely reviews.
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Yup, will do. Thanks! In fact, you’ve spurred me here – when I have a moment (ha!), I’ll work a few extra paragraphs into the first one, to cover the “non-Motown” Rich records to accompany your scans in their proper context. How’s that? 🙂
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That’s great!
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The difference between “Goldfoot” and “Surfer Boy” comes down to the difference between Guy Hemric & Jerry Styner and HDH knowing what to do with the singers they’re changed with. HDH was scarcely threatened by any rivals inside Motown, let alone a house pair from a second-string movie company.
On 25 Anniversary “It’s All Your Fault,” was the ‘newbie” I was most knocked back by (and still am), but had it not been there, “Ooo Wee Baby,” “Penny Pincher,” “Send Me No Flowers” (fantastic finger-snaps on that), and “Surfer Boy” would not have left me feeling shortchanged. The lost Rogers & Hart gems “Manhattan” and “The Blue Room” were no losers either.
He rides, he rides oh so high / Waves that rock and sway / Wooo take my breath away…. – I bet he does, babe! Entirely tasteful but suddenly the image isn’t necessarily surfing anymore, you know? 😮 In 1986, thanks to The Supremes, 25th Anniversary was Christmas in May. 🙂
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