IMHO, if I was doing the music for WDAS, I would play the HIT 45 version of most of the records...because that is what was played in the heyday of Soul Music. Most people bought the 45...which (in Motown's case) were mixed FOR AM radio and the 2 1/2 inch speakers on transistor radios and for one CAR radio speaker.
It's legendary that the producers would mix the song ON speakers that were the size of a MONO car speaker (until perhaps the early '70s.) So frankly, I'd play the MONO version which were mixed that way for more PUNCH. And ain't that what it's all about? Punch! They should JUMP out of the radio. Ok...then the argument occurs that most people who listen on their computer speakers with decent fidelity would miss out on the stereo. Well, up until about 1969-70 most singles were mixed down to mono from 3 or 4 tracks to get the optimum PUNCH that was desired. Ask any recording engineer from that time period. When that drum hits on "Nowhere To Run" you KNEW it was Motown. You KNEW it was gonna hit you in the gut even on small speakers. Purists would LOVE to hear the singles. Only the stereo snobs who wouldn't know mono if it hit them in the face would mind.
Ok...Devil's Advocate time. "But wait," you say... Most people now only KNOW of the STEREO version of Gladys Knight & The Pips version of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine." That may be true, but the single is actually a whole different mix...and a different TAKE on the vocal and instrumental from what I recall. I have a Motown Gladys anthology with that MONO mix. It sounds so much BETTER than the stereo and is a bit LONGER too! So...then who is LISTENING to WDAS-AM and who do they wish to attract? Not you. Nope. It's a 59 year old who still knows AM exists. They will NOT attract a 20-something **(unless they reallllly love music of your older uncle's or father's life.**) Nope...it ain't about most of the posters here. It's about the guy in North Philly who hasn't heard HIS or HER music on the radio in a LONG time. I think this station should focus on classic soul and some earlier R & B sounds and some of the best '70s records...and once or twice an hour, play a STONE-COLD R & B obscurity or a record that USED to be played on WDAS or WCAM or WIBBAGE or WFIL. Why NOT play "Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache," by The Bandwagon (which isn't obscure to people FROM Philly) or a big hit that virtually nobody plays anymore like "Groovy Situation" by Gene Chandler. Again, that one isn't obscure to a "national" audience if you're striving for internet listenership. There is a possible market for WDAS AM in ENGLAND of all places where "Northern Soul" has been the rage for quite some time. The most HIP people in the UK love this stuff. It's Beach Music times 10. The more obscure the better. I know I'm gonna take some heat from some of my pals in the biz who say, "Just play the hits." Well...of course; but you CAN play "Mind, Body & Soul" by Flaming Ember on a SOUL station, even though the group was WHITE! They had Holland/Dozier/Holland producing and writing as IF they were Levi Stubbs and the Funk Brothers were performing. I'm telling you, there is a market for this...but realistically on AM radio (if that's the immediate goal) I'd be playing for people who love soul music no matter what color or sign you are...and play some DEPTH...'cause DEPTH makes you stand out from the ordinary "Good Times and Great Oldies" crappola. You MUST play "MY GIRL" and "LOVE TRAIN," but geez...play me "Shake A Tail Feather" by James & Bobby Purify once for every 3 times you play "I'm Your Puppet." 'Nuff said. Discuss. BE BIG!
