Best From Artist 53 - Ashford & Simpson

[Art Figueroa]

Originally Posted by NickNack

Gimme Something Real - Thank you, Art. I still have the lp. :)

You're welcome Nicky. I remember you playing that at The Anvil one morning as your last song...one of those memorable moments.

Art

[paul]

Originally Posted by HustleBaby

Hi Paul :P

You're not gonna believe this - I was at a dance studio monday evening and the dj was playing "It Seems To Hang On" (btw a favorite) and I said to myself that they haven't played this song in a loooooooong time. AND I thought about your best artists thread - my inner suggestions were saying that Ashford & Simpson should be your next pick and LOW and BEHOLD there they were at #53 :o :D !!!!!!!!!!!!! It's amazing how this came up.....maybe I have sixth sense" :lol: :lol: !

another fave is
"Bourgie Bourgie" :P



I can't stand :x "Solid" and "Found A Cure". I never understood the hoopla over these two songs :-?

*DISCO DELIGHT*

Hey Delight :P
I do believe it. I said this before but we are "right there."

I didn't get into "Solid" and "Found A Cure" the way others on this board have. I guess I can see the liking for "Found A Cure" if I look at the bigger picture but "Solid," heh. To each his own.

[NickNack]

Paul,

Please forgive the diversion but my curiosity is killing me :) .

I am really surprised at the number of you who don't care for "Found a Cure". I just always assumed it was one of those 'universally' loved club favorites. I can not ever remember a dance floor not filling when this thing was played. People just loved to hear that intro creeping up under whatever the dj had on the other turntable. That dramatic first scream, "FOUND A CURE!", would have the dancers screaming, hands in the air. The vocals are tight, the rhythm is strong, the beat is hard, the tempo is right there in the mid 120's, the break and the 'endless' break-to-fadeout just drive this baby home. Isn't this the song that inspired Dan Hartman to write "Vertigo/Relight My Fire"? It's gotta have something going on. :D

So, non-fans, tell me what's missing in your opinion. What hits you the wrong way about this song. Also tell me if the patrons in the clubs where you hung out were in agreement with you and if this song didn't get alot of playtime. As I said, just wondering... :o

[HustleBaby]

Hi NickNack :P

All I can say is that "FAC" and "Solid" never hit the spot. I had enough years of enduring those two songs thanks to my mom and other relatives - now she has my sister digging "FAC" :roll: :-? . Let's not talk about the airplay it receives, more than its share!!! Meanwhile "It Seems To Hang On" is played once in a blue moon and "Bourgie Bourgie" is totally non-existant on the radio. I know that they are crowd pleasers but IMO, I don't know how it made the top ten list back in the days. As a matter of fact, I have a compilation with "FAC" and I skip it ALL THE TIME.

*DISCO DELIGHT*

[Forrrce]

Not too sure what puts me off, though it may be the rather mundane melody. Something a bit too happy about it too...I don't particularly dislike the song, it just annoys me a bit.

Oh, its (undeserved) nu-school classic status as entry-level A&S distances me even further. :-? The disco trendies I know champion it now.

[jazz_pilgrim]

Hmm - I don't even remember Found A Cure! :oops:

In which year was it released?

[paul]

Hey Nicky.
You...change a topic...you wouldn't do that :lol:
Hey, FAC was one of those songs that I really can't recall getting much play in the clubs I attended. I heard it a lot on the radio though. The song for all the reasons you mentioned should have worked for me but the sum of all those lovely parts never added to something that moved me to get on the floor or to remain enthused about dancing to it.
I wish i could put a better finger on it and you know what, I'll see if I have it on a compilation cd somewhere and give it a listen again.

[markydefad]

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't like "Found A Cure"--this is a terrific record. :P

But then again, some people love "Cocomotion"...soooo, ya just never know. :roll:

[NickNack]

Paul: If you have the CLUB FLOOR CLASSICS compilation from Warner Bros. it's on there. Thanks for the input. For you it seems like it's just one of those songs that didn't work for you and on top of that the dj's/clubs you attended weren't pushing it.

Jazz: "Found a Cure" was released the summer of 1979. It reached #1 on the club charts, #2 on the r&b charts and # 36 on the pop charts. (I'm reading the notes off the compilation.) This as Ashford & Simpson's biggest single for WB.

Forrrce: I guess this is just one of those 'different strokes' deals. Both Marky and I said the music was "joyous", you find it "too happy". I also disagree about the melody being mundane but hey, it's all good. What I'm really trying to grasp is your last paragraph. What is "nu-school classic status" (deserved or not) as entry-level A&S? Are you saying newbies or younger people finding out about disco think this is the Ashford & Simpson track? If so, then yes, they would be mistaken.

Delight: Sounds like you suffered overkill syndrome. Can well understand and I do agree with you about "Solid". I never really got into it though I would hear it all the time. A&S's Capitol years don't do a great deal for me.

[Forrrce]

Originally Posted by NickNack

[i]Forrrce: What is "nu-school classic status" (deserved or not) as entry-level A&S? Are you saying newbies or younger people finding out about disco think this is the Ashford & Simpson track? If so, then yes, they would be mistaken.

Exactly, NickNack.
I didn't know the track first time 'round (barely into my teens and despite being tall, too chicken to attempt sneaking into clubs) though I've heard it more through my colleagues' continuous airings of the Paradise Garage CD from a couple of years back. I just find it a bit lightweight and obvious. All the praise it receives puts me off just a little bit more.

[paul]

I do have the cd and I'll listen again Nicky.

Hey Marky. If I ever see you and have you in my car for a few hours of LA/SD rush hour traffic, we'll be doing the Cocomotion drive time continuous groove. :lol:

[paul]

Well I listened to it Nicky. I came to the conclusion that I don't like them doing this song, especially Nick Ashford. The music and his vocals aren't complimentary to my ears. Of course on different material I love their sound but not on this. I wondered if Stephanie Mills or even Marky's girl, Diana, might sound better for FAC. That's my 2 cents.

[HustleBaby]

"Street Corner" is another favorite that I forgot to list

*DISCO DELIGHT*

[markydefad]

I recall that "High Rise" and "It's Much Deeper" were pretty kewl...when one was "under the influence of ...uh,... love".

[ol'skinflint]

on the Ashford and Simpson live album called "Performance" they did a medley of some of the songs they wrote that were covered by others. I think it's terrific. It's a vibrant, spirited recording, and Nick and Val indulge in a little battle with each other to see who can get the audience more fired up (Val wins). I think it's one of the best live albums ever, and their rendition of "The Boss" is almost like being in church. And I've always loved many of their songs that others have not mentioned, like "The Debt is Settled", "Outta the World", "Nobody Knows" and even "Why Can't it be Me?", from their album with Maya Angelou.