FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 28, 2018

DEAR JERRY: Because "Someday We'll Be Together" (Motown 1156) was the last song by the Supremes with Diana Ross, I always assumed it was written especially for them in 1969, as a finalé of sorts.

Now, after more than 50 years, I was told that "Someday We'll Be Together" was first recorded by another Detroit group, before the Supremes were even known. I guess that means late 1950s or early '60s. But I doubt it was much of a hit.

I believe the source to be reliable, but can you confirm the story?
—Cal Hodges, Springfield, Ohio

DEAR CAL: Regarding the origin of "Someday We'll Be Together," your source is spot-on.

Written in 1961 by Johnny Bristol, Jackey Beavers, and Harvey Fuqua (of the Moonglows), the first pressings, made for promotional use, mistakenly showed the title as "Sometime We'll Be Together" (Tri-Phi DJTP-1005). The artist credit reads "Johnny & Jackey," as Harvey does not sing on this track.

The title was corrected, and in November 1961, commercial copies of "Someday We'll Be Together" were widely distributed (Tri-Phi TP-1005).

Johnny and Jackey were somewhat known, as their first record, "Lonely & Blue" (Anna 1108) was a regional hit (Top 10 in several California markets) two years earlier. "Someday We'll Be Together" made the Top 25 in the San Francisco/Oakland area. None of their tracks made the national charts.

DEAR JERRY: When I first heard "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," by Billy Williams. I was amazed by the unusual use of the horn section, prominently heard before the vocal begins. If there is another pop hit with that same sound, I've yet to hear it.

Is there a special name for that peculiar sound?
—Karla Droubay, Brownsville, Tenn.

DEAR KARLA: I asked a pal who has a brass section background, and he refers to that effect as a triple tongue trumpeteer's bridge.

We'll see if anyone else chimes in on this "triple tongue" topic.