1976 Billboard Disco Compilation Consensus Charts!!!

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Originally Posted by markydefad

Westbound, distributed by 20th Century, is releasing both the C.J. & Company and the Detroit Emeralds LPs on December 20. Both were to be out last month but were held up due to cover artwork. Unfortunately, some test copies had been played in several discos, creating a number of problems for both Westbound and 20th Century—with all sample copies returned to the labels.

[this gets delayed again for some reason...C.J. & Company doesn't chart until late April, 1977]

The Detroit Emeralds LP, "Feel The Need," is built around a new version of its classic "Feel The Need In Me."...

[Again, this one is delayed also...doesn't chart until late April, 1977.]

The delay was due to Westbound's backing-out of the distribution deal with 20th Century, and going with Atlantic instead.

[markydefad]

What's It All About, Mar-keeey???

(Is it just for old disco we live???..... well IS it????)

December 11, 1976

It's exactly two weeks before Christmas--(did I mention it's my birthday? oh, nevermind! )--and not much new stuff is being released. Unlike Hollywood, which saves it's best stuff to release in December--in hopes of 1) Oscar nominations and 2) family holiday Xmas bucks--the record industry seems to sit December out.... very little new stuff is dropped, as they say today. (too much competition from xmas record chestnuts playing on the radio???? "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" anyone?)

Donna Summer still sits atop the Billboard Disco Top 40 for her 5th consecutive week, retaining the 13 charts she had last week..with 157 points, down 7 points from last weeks point total of 164.

"FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE" stats: (157 points/13 charts)

#1 = Baltimore+DC/LA+SD/Miami/Phoenix
#2 = Atlanta/NYC
#3 = Chicago/Pittsburgh
#4 = Boston/Philly
#9 = Dallas+Houston
#10 = New Orleans
#12 = Detroit ("Spring Affair/Summer Fever/Autumn Changes")

Not charted: Denver (has never charted )/ San Francisco (dropped last week after 7 weeks of charting..but will return next week @ #4!!! )/ Montreal ("Spring Affair" will chart there in January, 1977 on Quality Records )

Elsewhere on the chart....
Tamla & Motown are repped very strongly on this weeks chart.
--Stevie Wonder peaks his 4 track bundle (3 of the 4 tracks have over 100 points this week) from "Songs In The Key Of Life" @ #2;
--Thelma Houston sprints up to #3 with her smash "Don't Leave Me This Way" in her 3rd chart week (already #1 in NYC; #2 in Detroit; #3 in Boston & LA+SD);
--The Originals slip from #2 down to #4 with their former #1 "Down To Love Town";
--The Supremes crack the Top 10 for the first time with "You're My Driving Wheel" landing at #7 (4 other Supremes titles are still "bubbling under" the Top 40 at this point in time);
--further down the chart @ #23, Eddie Kendricks has a 3 track bundle lead by "Goin' Up In Smoke";
--2 covers of vintage Motown round out the Top 40: @ #27 David Matthews covers the old Supremes hit "You Keep Me Hangin' On"
and @ #36, Buffalo Smoke covers the Marvin Gaye classic "Stubborn Kind Of Fella" (#1 in Philadelphia!...but not charting in Detroit or anywhere else except Baltimore+DC).

"Bubbling Under" The Top 40....
--The Supremes chart 4 more tracks from their LP @ #41 ("Let Yourself Go"), #57 ("Come Into My Life")' #68 ("I Don't Wanna Be Tied Down") and #81 ("Love I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good");
--Thelma Houston bundles 2 tracks from her LP @ #45: "Anyway You Like It" and the Stevie Wonder cover "Don't Know Why I Love You");
--Speaking of Stevie, another track from his LP, "As," gets a #72 ranking, courtesy of a Phoenix charting;
--The Dynamic Superiors debut 3 titles from their new LP...all with the word 'away' in their titles! : "I Can't Stay Away" @ #77...and bundled @ #87 "Stay Away" & "Looking Away" and "away we go"..
--Lastly, a second cover of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" done in a medley with another Supremes classic "Stop! In The Name Of Love" debuts @ #76 by Roni Hill on the soon to be extinct Roulette label.

So, in December of 1976 it's safe to say Motown loves Disco and Disco loves Motown...and vice versa and versa vice...

DEBUTS:

The phenomenal Loleatta Holloway makes her first disco chart appearance with "Dreamin'" this week, charting @#31...courtesy of 2 city rankings from Atlanta and Detroit...Billboard spells her name "Lolita" as I probably would have also!!! Where'd her mama get that spelling???

Undisputed Truth's followup to "You + Me = Love", "Let's Go Down To The Disco" gets another one of those "immaculate conception" chartings at #40 with not one chart listing it!!! Is this an example of payola or a record company favor, I wonder???? The track is rather weak in comparison to its predecessor...which is still hanging tight @ #12. Like The Emotions' "I Don't Wanna Lose Your Love"..."You + Me = Love" is a record that took its time to expand from market to market...and while it is burned out in the the bigger cities like NYC & LA...it is still killing in Atlanta, Baltimore-DC, Chicago, Detroit, Miami & New Orleans. The Emotions chart in almost exactly the same city sequence, just drop Baltimore-DC and Chicago and add Dallas+Houston and Denver. They have 'legs' as they say in the business..."staying power" as Queen once sang .

"Bubbling Under" debuts include a few gems: Silvetti's "Spring Rain" charts courtesy of Montreal [Billboard spells his name: "Bebu Silvesti"...and will continue to do so after he's charted in the Top 40...oh the problems of chart compiling via the telephone..."well it sounds like that!"

The first T.K Disco 12-inch debuts from Wild Honey..."At The Top of The Stairs" co-written by Leon Huff...how did this escape the Philly International artists??? or did someone attempt and fail???

Natalie Cole's "Mr. Melody" gets chart action from Montreal...it peaked @ #10 on the Soul chart in the U.S...but never got any disco chart mentions...but now it does.

Pittsburgh likes something called "Wiggle, Wiggle, Wiggle" by Cream De Coco..on a Salsoul subsidiary, Free Spirit...don't know this one....

CHART CHANGES

So Seattle is benched this week after repeating the same chart for 4 weeks...thereby releasing a slew of titles it was holding hostage: "The Rubberband Man"/"The Best Disco In Town"/"This Masquerade/Breezin'"/ "Let's Make a Deal" (medley)/ "Run To Me"/"You To Me Are Everything" & "Doin' It"

Seattle is replaced by New Orleans...[see their entire chart in part 1]...Their chart is notable for bringing back the Bee Gees for another week!

Denver is currently in week #3 of their 4 weeks of reporting the same chart and Montreal begins their 1st of 3 weeks of the same chart this week.

"DANCING QUEEN": The Disco Hit That Wasn't????

Reading Tom Moulton's column heralding the Atlantic release of the beautiful ABBA record, makes me wonder what went wrong with ABBA and the discos???? Moulton indicates ....

"Atlantic has just released "Dancing Queen," the worldwide hit by Abba. The intro is similar to "Arrivederci Roma," then goes into a beautiful haunting melody with a subtle rhythm style not unlike the TK sound. The lyrics are about being in the mood to dance. The record is so subtle, but so effective, that it undoubtedly will be the group’s first disco hit. Atlantic is also releasing a 33 1/3 rpm 12-inch single of the record."


In an interview with a Swedish disco fan, Moulton confessed:

"What song does he regret turning down the opportunity to mix?: "Dancing Queen" by ABBA; ("I told Atlantic Records, that record doesn't need me! And I'm sorry I ever said that, because I would have loved to make a long version of "Dancing Queen. I mean, I just love that song. But really, I thought it was flawless")."

So, I wonder why this record was not embraced by the discos in the U.S? Did it need the extended remix that Moulton mentions Atlantic had requested? Was it the length, the slower tempo or the bubblegum image of the Swedish group? The record hits #1 on the Pop charts in April, 1977...a cover by Carol Douglas will chart once in the Billboard Top 40 and will "bubble under" more than once...but I see no mention of the glorious original version on any U.S. city chart, or Montreal, for that matter...and, keep in mind, that next week the anemic "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing" by Leo Sayer will "bubble under!!! If that pop-lite trifle could get a mention, why not the wonderful ABBA record????

OK, enough. TWO more charts (12/18 and the Christmas spectacular 12/25/76) ...until 1976 is complete!

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by markydefad

I mean, I just love that song. But really, I thought it was flawless")."

He's so right, people can argue forever & a day whether it's strictly 'disco' or not, but a more flawless record was never made IMO.

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by markydefad

did I mention it's my birthday?

Sagittarians are so subtle!

[Huffstutler]

Originally Posted by markydefad

In an interview with a Swedish disco fan, Moulton confessed:

"What song does he regret turning down the opportunity to mix?: "Dancing Queen" by ABBA; ("I told Atlantic Records, that record doesn't need me! And I'm sorry I ever said that, because I would have loved to make a long version of "Dancing Queen. I mean, I just love that song. But really, I thought it was flawless")."

So, I wonder why this record was not embraced by the discos in the U.S? Did it need the extended remix that Moulton mentions Atlantic had requested? Was it the length, the slower tempo or the bubblegum image of the Swedish group?

I think it may have been a combination of all but the bottom line for me was it sounded too blasé and "radio" top 40-ish to be in with the big hitters. ABBA had other songs that were more conventional disco than "Dancing Queen". I am sure it held on for so long because of the term "queen" aka "gay" within many of the dance clubs.

And not so much bubble gum image than bubble gum sound for this song but it was the ABBA sound.

One of my favorite and not so well known ABBA songs at time of its release was "On and On and On"

Happy belated birthday Mark!

Eric

[remicks]

*****


Besides SF's ,there's another curious song amongst the regions' #1s :

#1 Tally: (* = first time #1)

4 charts = FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE (Baltimore+DC/LA-SD/Miami/Phoenix)
3 charts = ANOTHER STAR/I WISH/SIR DUKE/ISN'T SHE LOVELY (Chicago/Detroit/New Orleans)
2 charts = DOWN TO LOVE TOWN (Atlanta/Boston)
1 chart = * BOY, I REALLY TIED ONE ON (San Francisco)
1 chart = CAR WASH (Dallas-Houston)
1 chart = DAZZ (Pittsburgh)
1 chart = DON'T LEAVE ME THIS WAY/ANYWAY YOU LIKE IT/DON'T KNOW WHY I LOVE YOU (New York City)
1 chart = PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC (Denver)

1 chart = STUBBORN KIND OF FELLA (Philadelphia)

1 chart = DANCE LITTLE LADY DANCE (Montreal)

Philadelphia's top choice for the second week is :

36) STUBBORN KIND OF FELLA - Buffalo Smoke
(RCA 12-inch single: 7:42) P: Lou Courtney // W: G. Gordy/M. Gaye/W. Stevenson
24 points/ 2 charts = Baltimore-DC/Philly
BDA Top 40: 7 weeks on chart/ Last week: #36 (+/-0)
DCC chart: 7 weeks on chart

Odd that this old Motown redo would be so strong specifically in Gamble and Huff's own backyard .... while virtually going unnoticed in all other regions (including Detroit) except in nearby Baltimore/Washington DC .
Was Buffalo Smoke a local act?

And for me, it becomes even more curious that this song was so big there when it was .... at the end of 1976 ....
I remember first learning of this song at the time of its commercial 12" release while I was at Odyssey Records .... and that was some two years later ... in 1978 !! .

So now I'm wondering how this song came to be re-released so long after its initial play? Perhaps David Todd had been aware of SKOF being such a big regional hit in '76 , then once he got on board with RCA , he couldn't resist taking this song back into the mixing room and attempting to breathe new life into it .... (??)

I also remember that despite its enticing white vinyl color .... the 12" did not sell well . On our display rack of the current 12" releases --- racked in order of popularity, STUBBORN KIND OF FELLA never rose above the lowest tier.

Of course that was just one store in SF ..... maybe the song did better elsewhere??
How did the SKOF do that second time out ? Did it chart higher than it did here originally in 1976 ??


Here's its vault listing along with Bernie's comments:

Posted by:
Bernie: DiscoMusic.com (3397)
on Sep 15, 03 | 12:08 pm


Buffalo Smoke

Stubborn Kind Of Fella (David Todd Remix) (12")


RCA Record (US) 1978 / PD-11368
12" 33 1/3 rpm White vinyl

Producer(s) : Lou Courtney

Mixer/Remixer : David Todd (A)

TRACKLISTING:

Side A
Stubborn Kind Of Fella (David Todd7:42)

Side B
Stubborn Kind Of Fella (Original Mix 7:10)


Here's another rarity from Buffalo Smoke brought to us by the folks over at RCA This is a song that most will never hear on the radio or at so called "Disco Nights" at clubs (they're too busy playing "Staying Alive" for the hundredth time).

The ironic thing is that this is a highly sought after song by and collectors alike. Especially this copy on white vinyl with the David Todd remix on the "A" side.

The "B" side contains the original mix which is a little faster, more up-front vocally and has a "cold" intro. Both versions are good but for mixing between records I prefer the David Todd remix even though musically the original is purer and more gospel-like.

_______________________




ALSO : Thanks for now including the previous week's ranking on your Consensus By Points Chart Marky! Interesting to see their movement from the week before ... Happy Birthday



*****

[markydefad]

hmmm...yes those are two oddball choices for #1 records at this point in time...

It appears that the Esther Phillips track is still just the LP cut...the 12-inch which mixes it with another LP track doesn't appear to be released yet. Next week, Esther drops to #7 in SF and "Boy" is "bundled" for the first time on a city chart with "Magic's In The Air"-- but they are listed as (LP tracks); I think the 12-inch is due very soon..then it will go Top 10.

I wasn't aware that Buffalo Smoke got a second release in 1978--I guess the timing I'm listing is from the David Todd remix ...so I should correct that to 7:10 next week; Joel Whitburn only shows it charting this time period in late 1976. "Stubborn Kind Of Fella" loses its #1 in Philly next week to Grace Jones in her first #1 city ranking!

Interestingly, the Top 40 will still list the Grace Jones tracks as "Sorry/That's The Trouble"--but the individual city charts next week, flip the titles to "That's The Trouble/Sorry"! Except in Montreal, that is.

Glad you like the last week's position addition in the "Purely By Points" chart --wasn't sure I could keep the columns straight so I didn't attempt it earlier...and I didn't quite succeed at that anyway --but it does make the information easier to evaluate as to what's moving up and what's goin' down. The chart ebb & flow seems like second nature to me as I live and breathe every minute movement in every damn chart ...but to the casual observer, I hope it clarifies the data.

[remicks]

Originally Posted by markydefad

I wasn't aware that Buffalo Smoke got a second release in 1978--I guess the timing I'm listing is from the David Todd remix ...so I should correct that to 7:10 next week; Joel Whitburn only shows it charting this time period in late 1976. "Stubborn Kind Of Fella" loses its #1 in Philly next week to Grace Jones in her first #1 city ranking!

So David Todd's remixing work didn't resurrect this song .
Bet he was disappointed.


youtube:

Buffalo Smoke: STUBBORN KIND OF FELLA


original or David Todd's remix??? .................. I believe "original" ...................... ????

youtube comment:

eldraco1588

My recollection is that only the single 45 version was played at The Steps in Philadelphia
in the fall of 76 and would cause the dance floor to be absolutely packed.
Later, the 12" extended version was being played and finally became available for sale.
I also have the white vinyl special 12".

_______________________


I did a little more searching and if I understand it correctly, Buffalo Smoke and the song's producer arranger Lou Courtney are one and the same. Lou was born in Buffalo, New York in 1944. He had a brief stint as a Fifth Dimension around '77-'78.


*****

[SandraDee]

I'd never heard that Buffalo Smoke track until I went to last year's 'Remember The Party' in S.Francisco; it was mixed between Eddie Holman 'This Will Be a Night...' & Amant 'If Theres Love' -it works very well!

[markydefad]

I'm working on the December 18, 1976 chart...don't think I will get it posted this week...but I'll do the tease now...and probably next weekend I'll have it ready for posting.

1) Donna Summer has her best point total week thus far!

2) The Top 10 admits only one newcomer--in it's 3rd chart week.

3) Top 40 debuts include new titles from Boney M, Kool & The Gang, Roni Hill, The Earls, Wilton Place Street Band...and a title by Double Exposure that previously charted as an LP track, returns in a new [oops! correction] Tom Moulton 12-inch remixed version

4) "Bubbling Under" debuts include new titles from KC & The Sunshine Band, Carol Douglas, Joanne Spain, George McCrae, Paul Anka & Odia Coates, Jumbo & Leo Sayer!

5) The full charts, for compare & contrast purposes from:
San Francisco, Phoenix & Dallas/Houston.

All will be revealed.

[thommy2458]

Marky-you are a sly temptress,aren't you? I can't
wait to see the comparison chart and can we talk
about Joane Spain's early eurodisco "Elevator"?
And is that the 12" remix of Anka/Coates "Make It
Up To Me in Love"-by Tom Moulton,right? I think
we should just stay on 1976 forever-we could just
keep discussing these beautiful hidden gems over
and over.
Thom

[markydefad]

Hey Thommy....you are correct on all counts!!!

Well, for me, it seems like I've been doing 1976 for about a decade...so I'm looking forward to finishing it!!

2 more charts...then the year-end wrap-up!!!

Thanks for the support.

[markydefad]

Regarding Buffalo Smoke's "Stubborn Kind Of Fella" that remicks was discussing a few posts ago...

tmob sent this to my private email....and I'm moving it here where it belongs!

I noticed your comments about the Buffalo Smoke 12". Sublime record, and one of
the few cases where the record company refused to give up on a
record. To their credit, RCA really pushed that record well (unlike,
say, Columbia or MCA, which dumped their stuff and forgot about it),
but for some reason it never caught on. I can remember being at the
disco pool and trying to convince members to play it. To this day, I
don't know why it didn't become a big hit. It's one of those songs
I'd still shake my (oh-so-cute) rump to.

[remicks]

Originally Posted by markydefad

I'm working on the December 18, 1976 chart...don't think I will get it posted this week...but I'll do the tease now...and probably next weekend I'll have it ready for posting.

1) Donna Summer has her best point total week thus far!

2) The Top 10 admits only one newcomer--in it's 3rd chart week.

3) Top 40 debuts include new titles from Boney M, Kool & The Gang, Roni Hill, The Earls, Wilton Place Street Band...and a title by Double Exposure that previously charted as an LP track, returns in a new [oops! correction] Tom Moulton 12-inch remixed version

4) "Bubbling Under" debuts include new titles from KC & The Sunshine Band, Carol Douglas, Joanne Spain, George McCrae, Paul Anka & Odia Coates, Jumbo & Leo Sayer!

5) The full charts, for compare & contrast purposes from:
San Francisco, Phoenix & Dallas/Houston.

All will be revealed.

Once again ..I am very confused

It is almost Christmas ....and yet ...where in the heck is the SALSOUL CHRISTMAS JOLLIES LP ??
No mention....... ???


*****

[markydefad]

Originally Posted by remicks

Once again ..I am very confused :c onfused:

It is almost Christmas ....and yet ...where in the heck is the SALSOUL CHRISTMAS JOLLIES LP ??
No mention....... ???

It only "bubbles under"...no Top 40 charting for "Salsoul Jollies." But it gets a few city mentions... actually ONE in 1976 proper...the first is, appropriately, on the December 25, 1976 chart!