I Believe (Stevie Wonder)
When I decided to do a cover tune featuring Diane, I was looking to take a song that Stevie did that never really got much attention. After listening to countless tracks I decided on I Believe.
Diane put her signature on the tune by going from smooth to rough over the course of the tune.
I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it.
Click below to play "I Believe"
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Diane and I go back to 1983. I had been doing a blues session with Little Mack Simmons and we needed some background vocals. I called some of the regulars but it seemed everybody was busy. I called Willie Clayton and asked if he new any female singers that were available quickly. He gave me Regina Walton's number. I gave her a call and she told me that she had a 4 girl vocal group and that they were available.
I scheduled the session for the following day. The girls showed up ready to work.
They were: Regina Walton, Diane Madison, Mae Koen and Barbara Stallworth with Adaretha Dyer and Teresa Davis along in case we wanted some extra texture.
We sailed through the session and when it was over I asked if they were tied to a label. They said no. I told them I'd be interested in producing an album for them. They had some original material that was pretty good. Regina was the "leader" but I knew right off the bat that Diane and Mae had the voices. I agreed to advance all the costs for the studio time, musicians, post productions, etc. I gave the group the name EVE because this was the Mother Of Creation.
I brought in the usual suspects: Aaron Jamal (synth), Ron Scott (piano), Terry Marshall (clavinet),
Steve Fagiano (drums),Donzell Davis (drums), Marvin Sparks (drums), Tony Carpenter (percussion) Pete Andre (bass) "Chuck-A-Luck" (bass), Keith Henderson (guitar), Richie Davis (guitar), Louie Barbaro (guitar), Aubrey Rivers (sax),
Bill McFarland (trombone), (trumpet).
DIANE ON THE LETTERMAN SHOW
We cut a number of their original songs, but I also did a remake of Stevie Wonder's "I Believe" featuring Diane on lead vocal. She was so awesome, that we cut out one of their other originals from the album and did a revision of "Everything Must Change" which to this day gives me goose bumps.
As we were developing the album, I wondered if the world was ready for an all black, girl rock band. Up til now, no one had tried it. I had the musicians lay down two rockers: "Walk Away" by the James Gang, and "Can I Tell You " by Kansas. There was no doubt that we were going over the top with this concept.
I took the material to "my favorite three".... Carl Davis (Chi-Sound Records) to Eddie Thomas (Cur-Tom) and Leroy Hudson (Columbia).
I got three phone calls. Interestingly enough, all three of them liked different cuts. Carl Davis liked "Everything Must Change" & "Misty Clouds" sung by Diane. Eddie Thomas liked the rockers "Sir Love" and "Can I Tell You, " sung by Regina. Leroy Hudson liked "I Believe" and "I Was A Fool" one from Dianne and one from Barbara.
DIANE ON THE ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW
As we started going through post production, it became clear that Barbara just wasn't cutting it. We replaced her vocals with Mae. By this time, Regina was starting to see the writing on the wall that Diane was stealing the limelight and began trying to tear the project apart. It was at that point when I decided to put Teresa Davis and Adaretha Dyer in to fill up all the holes.
Teresa was commited to The Emotions and Ada was thinking of moving to New York.
I had a hit album on my hands with no group to back it up. Because of the bruised ego's there would be no reconciliation to put the girls together again. Over the years afterwards, I continued to use Diane, Mae, Teresa and Adaretha on every project that called for background singers.
I am thrilled that the four of them, Diane, Mae, Teresa and Adaretha followed through on their careers. I knew they would be the ones that would.
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DIANE AND MAE WITH THE "QUEEN OF SOUL" ARETHA FRANKLIN
Diane and Mae toured with Aretha for three years.
DIANE WITH CELINE DION AFTER A SHOW
DIANE WITH MARY J. BLIGE
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