Mastodawn

That Other Place Sep 20, 2025

Going through 1960s music journals at worldradiohistory.com, I came across this review by Penny Valentine, published in Disc & Music Echo (January 28, 1967).

I've had the 45 for quite a few years, and still play it every now and then:

Mattie Moultrie: That's How Strong My Love Is (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aKUx8w-7Ng

One of the very first recordings done for Richard Gottehrer's and Seymour Stein's Sire Productions, this impressive version of a soul classic was issued on the Columbia label, but didn't sell too many copies at the time.

While I do disagree with Valentine's judgement on the quality of Otis Redding's recorded output, I'm still partial to O.V.Wright's original version, which was his first secular recording (on Goldwax), and made it to #109 on Billboard's Bubbling Under chart in the fall of 1964.

Other memorable female versions were later recorded by Candi Staton and Laura Lee - both are excellent. But Mattie Moultrie's over-the-top reading is still something special.

#music #soulmusic #mattiemoultrie #pennyvalentine #otisredding #ovwright #candistaton #lauralee #deepsoul #richardgottehrer #seymourstein

RealSolo Apr 4, 2023

RIP #SeymourStein

#SIRErecords

Bloody genius signing some absolute incredible talents.

You shall be remembered and missed

Smooth Apr 3, 2023

#SeymourStein, Legendary Music Exec Who Signed Madonna and Talking Heads, Dies at 80. https://variety.com/2023/music/news/seymour-stein-music-exec-madonna-talking-heads-dead-1235571169/ via #variety

Seymour Stein, Legendary Music Exec Who Signed Madonna and Talking Heads, Dies at 80

Seymour Stein, whose label Sire Records launched Madonna’s career and signed iconic acts including the Ramones and Talking Heads, has died.

Variety

Steady State Sounds (Brian)Apr 3, 2023

I don’t think #SeymourStein (RIP) designed this #SireRecords logo, but thanks to all the acts he helped sign, I played enough Sire releases in my childhood that I would immediately catch the optical illusion where the large “S” would change to revolving backwards inside the logo while orbiting the center. (It’s a far far better logo than the “Olde English” 60s logo.)

Mufasa Apr 3, 2023

#SeymourStein, record exec who signed up Madonna, dead at 80

Seymour Stein, the brash, prescient and highly successful founder of #SireRecords who helped launched the careers of Madonna, Talking Heads and many others, died Sunday at age 80.

Stein, who helped found the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and was himself inducted into the Rock Hall in 2005, died of cancer in Los Angeles, according to a statement by his family.

https://apnews.com/article/seymour-stein-dead-sire-madonna-a3989ed327fda09760868824cb7a9c74

Seymour Stein, record exec who signed up Madonna, dead at 80

NEW YORK (AP) — Seymour Stein, the brash, prescient and highly successful founder of Sire Records who helped launched the careers of Madonna, Talking Heads and many others, died Sunday at age 80. Stein, who helped found the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and was himself inducted into the Rock Hall in 2005, died of cancer in Los Angeles, according to a statement by his family.

Associated Press

SK Apr 3, 2023

#RIP #SeymourStein

fc Apr 3, 2023

And now #SeymourStein.

Many of our lives would have been very different without his contribution. I know mine would.

#SireRecords #TalkingHeads #Ramones #Madonna #Pretenders #Smiths

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/apr/03/seymour-stein-music-mogul-who-discovered-madonna-talking-heads-and-more-dies-aged-80

Seymour Stein, music mogul who discovered Madonna, Talking Heads and more, dies aged 80

Influential executive co-founded Sire Records and signed Lou Reed, the Ramones and introduced the Smiths and the Cure to the US

The Guardian

Rest In Paradise Apr 3, 2023

Seymour Stein, Record Biz Giant Who Signed Madonna, Dies at 80 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/arts/music/seymour-stein-dead.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #obits #obituaries #restinparadise #music #legend #seymourstein #madonna #talkingheads #icet #thecure #thesmiths #theramones #sirerecords #rip

Seymour Stein, Record Biz Giant Who Signed Madonna, Dies at 80

Steeped in music, he championed Madonna, the Ramones, Talking Heads, the Pretenders and more on his Sire label, and helped found the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The New York Times

Queer Lit Cats Mar 17, 2023

Jezebel: Sex. Celebrity. Politics. With Teeth: Courtney Love Writes Column Excoriating Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Then Edits Her Editor https://jezebel.com/courtney-love-guardian-rock-and-roll-instagram-editing-1850236829 #Jezebel #entertainment2cculture #rockandrollhalloffame #downtowncleveland #pharrellwilliams #gilliangilbert #courtneylove #seymourstein #missyelliott #judymcgrath #theguardian #cyndilauper #irvingazoff #sherylcrow #rock26roll #lyorcohen #chakakhan #musicians #megwhite #cool

Courtney Love Writes Column Excoriating Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Then Edits Her Editor

Love said the Guardian "censored" a particularly bold line in her piece—which still told the institution to "go to hell in a handbag" over its gender disparity.

Jezebel

Jake has moved!Feb 17, 2023

Playlist: History of British Rock (Sire Records, 1976)

I had this cassette in high school. I can't remember exactly where or why I bought it, but my guess is that it probably came from the Columbia House tape club. Or maybe I bought it at the mall because it had a rare Beatles song on it.

It's a weird compilation. Released by Sire Records in 1976, it's no...

#mixtapes #playlists #SeymourStein #Sire #music #blog