Susannah posted a fantastic story about the sounds for ATWIAD and the making of "Make Yo' Mamma Happy" with great and interesting detail. Really enjoy these memories!

*

FINGER CYMBALS

By Susannah Melvoin

They are small, circular, and mostly made of brass.

Finger Cymbals, were always part of my family’s arsenal of noise makers. On weekends, the Coleman kids and the Melvoin kids would be dragged willingly to either home so our parents could hang out. But, it was really to get the kids together for some inevitable musical play time.

Here, is where I would find the Finger Cymbals sitting on top of a piano, a kitchen table or a bedside in either house. I loved playing with them. The top cymbal dangled itself perfectly off my middle finger and the bottom mate sat perfectly perched upside down on my thumb. Finger Cymbals do have a satisfying feel to them. I would say, it’s similar to what fidget spinners feel like for anxious kids or grownups, but with the added musical outlet. It satisfies a kind of finger feel for us fidgety musicians. That’s if you don’t have a guitar or large instrument to attend to. It’s a Beautiful, clear-ting of noise joy. These small percussive jewels have a weighty grace and a physicality to them that you can’t deny. But, I digress.

Read full story on Susannah's Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/...1423514267

I really enjoyed reading that! Thanks for sharing!

paulludvig said:

TheTruth123 said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

violetcrush said:

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

violetcrush said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

I really enjoyed reading that! Thanks for sharing!

You are welcome Pink!! I thought she did a great job of describing the history and that moment in time for the recording of the song.

I do too! I've always liked that song and I appreciated her sharing her memories.

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

paulludvig said:

What was the differences between Coleman's version of Around the World and Prince's version? When Susannah writes that David Coleman played the oud, does she mean rather like George Harrison played the sithar? Susannah writes that the Colemans and Melvoins recorded an album together. Is that album available somewhere? [Edited 12/10/18 9:39am]

Regarding the record done by the Melvoin/Coleman kids - I believe Susannah was referring to their group called "Waldorf Salad", which was back in the 70's. Wendy talked about it during her interview with Questlove. I don't know the songs they recorded though.

I hope that Susannah shares more stories about her time with Prince but I would like to hear more about this as well.

pinkcashmere23 said:

paulludvig said:

background recording of Make Yo Momma Happy

OldFriends4Sale said:

[Intro]
Never say die, never say why (Oh yeah)

[Chorus]
Make your mama happy
Make somebody proud
Never say die, never say why
Stand up, touch the clouds

[Verse 1]
Billy got a test in geometry
He didn't study night before
He wants a steady job and a salary
So I guess he got to study more
That's why we are saying

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
Annie went to college, got a Ph.D
Drive a BMW
All the things Annie ever wanted to be
She was when she finished school
That's why we are saying

[Chorus]

MUSICIAN (1997)

APRIL 1997 * MUSICIAN

The Sound of Emancipation

How can you tell when the song you're working on has potential?

Well, see, I can't say anything about that, because I hate criticizing music. If you judge something, maybe that means you get judged back someday. I wouldn't tell you that some song you wrote isn't any good. I wrote this song called "Make Your Mama Happy" that would probably frighten you. And this other song I wrote, "Sexual Suicide," has this horn section that's nothing but baritone saxes; it sounds like a truck coming at you. So who can say?

paulludvig said:

violetcrush said:

paulludvig said:

https://youtu.be/ycPXJ74LzBE

Ahh yes, Look At The Children - that was one of the songs. The Coleman kids and Jonathan. I believe Wendy had said she and Susannah were too young to participate at that time, but later they sang backup for Melba Moore's Sunshine Superman. [Edited 12/11/18 5:00am]

Thank you. I remember hearing that a while back. I didn't know that they sang for Melba.

The drums on Make Yo Momma Happy are fierce to be fair

pinkcashmere23 said:

paulludvig said:

pinkcashmere23 said:

Thank you. I remember hearing that a while back. I didn't know that they sang for Melba.

Mike Melvoin was well connected.

That's true.