Sadly, we have learned of yet another departure from this mortal coil.
Philly multi-instrumentalist musician, arranger, composer and record
producer Eli Tatarsky, better known as Bobby Eli, died yesterday aged 77. He
was a founding member and lead guitarist of Philadelphia International's
studio band MFSB.
His contribution to the Sound of Philadelphia cannot be understated as he has almost 1,000 credits for writing, arranging, producing and
performing on Discogs (obviously many for the same recording) but has 282
writing credits on BMI. Coincidentally, he co-wrote "Zoom" with Len Barry for Fat
Larry's Band whose latest single we posted only yesterday and mentioned
their biggest selling song.
His career began in the early 60s as a writer and in the late 60s as a
member of The Landslides along with Philly legends B-Y-H (Ron Baker,
Earl Young and Norman Harris) on an early Gamble & Huff label Huff
Puff in 1968. Produced by Gamble & Huff and arranged by Bobby
Martin, it was one of the first sessions at the famed Sigma Sound Studio
and was the embryo of what would later become Philadelphia
International Records.
The label only released three singles, he played guitar, keys and sang BGVs on a the second by Ruth McFadden (no relation to Gene).
Both sides of the third single by The Producers have been popular on the Northern Soul scene for decades with "Lady Lady Lady" being the
instrumental of Dee Dee Sharp's "What Kind Of Lady" on Gamble (1968).
The first two are dated Oct 1968, so would imagine that this was also
which means it was released the month after Dee Dee Sharp's vocal. The
vocals on "Love Is Amazing" are shared by Kenny Gamble and Miki Farrow.
He played guitar on The Ambassador's Soul Summit LP in 1969 and then on
albums by Barbara Mason, The Intruders, The Sweet Inspirations, Wilson
Pickett prior to playing on some now legendary early Philly Int. albums
by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, The O'Jays and Billy Paul.
His writing credits date back to 1963, some of the better known ones
include Ronnie Dyson's "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" (which was later a
big hit for Main Ingredient), "Love Town" (Booker Newberry III), "Love
Won't Let Me Wait" and "Loving You Is Mellow" (Major Harris), Mr. Magic
Man (Wilson Pickett), "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus" (Blue Magic) and "Zoom" (Fat Larry's Band).
In 1977 he released an album as Eli's Second Coming for Silver Blue
Records.
On the production/arrangement side he worked on recordings by Major
Harris, Blue Magic, Brenda & The Tabulations, Sister Sledge, Keith
Barrow, The Joneses, Atlantic Starr, Jackie Moore, Ava Cherry, Jean
Knight, Jean Carn amongst so many other, perhaps lesser known, artists.
As far as performing goes, the list of artists is endless, as well as
being a member of MFSB, who must have played on most of the Philly Int. recordings, he's played on recordings by Stylistics, Spinners, First
Choice, Manhattans, Barbara Mason, Jimmy Ruffin, Mighty Clouds Of Joy,
Temprees, Delfonics, Whispers, Blue Magic, Dionne Warwick, Major Harris,
Revelation, Modulations, People's Choice, Salsoul Orchestra, Ritchie
Family, Eddie Kendricks, Loleatta Holloway, Double Exposure, Trammps,
Keith Barrow, Joneses, Eddie Holman, Dells, Chi-Lites, Gloria Gaynor,
Jerry Butler. It would be fair to say he played on much of the material
recorded in Philly.
We found a 46 minute interview with Bobby Eli (posted on YouTube only
last year (Mar '22) but the interview was held in 2008) in which he explains the evolution of Philly Soul and his history. It's a 'must listen' if your are a lover of the Philly sound as he relays so much background information on many of the key players.
Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment