Baby Hang Up The Phone didn't chart here in the UK but I was aware of the terrific smooth soul sound and Carls voice. Another fascinating insight into the political workings of the music industry. Raw talent and great material/production is not enough on its own. Faces have to "fit" many palms have to be greased and even then the cut throat rivalries can destroy a career before it's even begun. The sample tracks from the unreleased album are as good as any of the contemporary soul tracks of the era by Philly acts such as the Stylistics, Blue Magic etc. Thanks once again for sharing these golden nuggets.
Thank you for sharing the story John. Now I know a bit more about Carl Graves. It's so sad that other people could have so much control over Carl's and your careers and creativity back then. But for as much as things didn't work out, your production and his voice have still touched lives, including mine. My other fav song of Carl's is Be Tender With My Love which of course the Bee Gees went on to have a massive hit with around the same time.
Why weren't "Baby Hang Up the Phone" and "Walk Softly" included on Carl's 1975 self-titled album? I searched for Carl on the Discogs website and both songs were left off the album. The LP was produced by Spencer Proffer for The Pasha Music Organisation. Both songs were released together as a single in '74, but I think they should've been on his album too (just my opinion). Thank you, for that fun insider story. It's refreshing to hear about other artists and labels from the seventies beyond Aretha Franklin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Motown, etc. Everybody in the industry played a part in music history.
A&M had already moved on from our unreleased album. When the new producer took over from me, he had an exclusive on the new project. I am sure that the promotion department was never consulted about including our tracks.
Billy Crash Craddock had a #2 Country hit at the end of 1975 with Walk Softly. Great song and I believe Carl Graves version should've been a smash as well. Great Soul sound.
Jamaica is a huge lover of what we call soul music. We grew up with this music on JBC FM, and that station passed the baton to KOOL97 FM Jamaica. All of the music you mentioned is well known and much loved. If Carl Graves should ever appear on a show there, he'd be shocked to hear everyone singing along.
