Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Temptations


The Temptations -Beauty Is Only Skin Deep The group formed in 1960 in Detroit, Michigan under the name The Elgins. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history.  As of 2013, the Temptations continue to perform and record for Universal Music Group with its one living original member, Otis Williams, still in its lineup. The original founding members of the group were Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams. The members were from two former rival vocal groups, the Distants and the Primes. In 1964, Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin. Four years later, Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards. In 1971, the lineup changed again when Kendricks and Paul Williams were replaced by Ricky Owens and Richard Street. The former replacement was soon replaced by Damon Harris. Like its "sister" group, The Supremes, the Temptations' lineup has changed frequently over the years. The Temptations - Aint Too Proud To Beg The quintet offered a rich blend of voices accompanied by stylish, coordinated dance moves. With songs and production from some of Motown’s brightest lights - most notably Smokey Robinson ("My Girl") and Norman Whitfield ("Ain’t Too Proud to Beg") - the Temptations lived up to their billing as emperors of soul. During the gilded age of soul music in general and Motown in particular, the Temptations delivered the intricate harmonies of streetcorner serenaders and the polished choreography of a Sixties soul revue. Moreover, their story is a long, episodic one of perseverance and dedication that extends from their origins in 1961 to the present day. The Temptations - I'm Losing You The Temptations - You're My Everything Lyrics: You surely must know magic girl Cause you changed my life It was dull and ordinary But you make it sunny and bright Now, I was blessed the day I found you Gonna build my whole world around you You're everything good girl and you're all that matters to me When my way was dark and troubles were near Your love provided the light so I could see girl Just knowin your love was near when times were bad Kept the world from closin in on me girl I was blessed the day I found you Gonna build my whole world around you You're everything good girl and you're all that matters to me Baby, you're part of every thought I think each day Your name is in every phrase my lips sing Every dream I dream is about you Honey I can't live without you Baby (baby), baby (baby), baby You're my everything, you're my everything, yes you are (Don't you know you're my everything) You're the girl I sing about in every love song I sing (You're my everything) You're my winter baby, my summer, my fall and spring (You're my everything) Now I was blessed the day I found you Gonna build my whole world around you You're everything good girl and you're all that matters to me You're my everything, you're my everything, yes you are (Don't you know you're my everything) You're my everything, you're my everything (Don't you know you're my everything) You're my everything, you're my everything (When my way was dark and troubles were near, your love provided a light so I could see girl. Just knowing your love was near, times that were there kept the world from closin in on me girl. The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain This song was written by Roger Penzabene. His first song in the trilogy was "You're My Everything", written as a testament to his love for his wife. After learning of her cheating he was heartbroken. He then wrote "I Wish It Would Rain' describing his pain, then finally "I Could Never Love Another" to finish the trilogy of how he felt. Unable to handle the extreme pain and unwilling to leave his wife, he wrote the last two songs as personal statements to her, publicizing the pain she caused him. After both songs were completed and recorded, tragically Roger committed suicide. Lyrics: Sunshine, blue sky, please go away, My girl has found another, and gone away With her went my future, my life is filled with gloom, So day after day, I stay locked up in my room I know to you it might sound strange, But I wish it would rain (oh how I wish that it would rain) Oh yeah, yeah, yeah Hurt so badly I wanna go outside (such a lovely day) Everyone knows that a man ain't supposed to cry Listen, I got to cry, cuz crying, just, Eaaessee the pain, oh yeah To the world outside my tears, I refuse to explain I just wish it would rain (oh how i wish that it would rain) Oh let it rain, rain, rain, rain (oh how i wish that it would rain) Ooooooh baby Let it rain (rain, rain) Oh yeah, let it rain Day in day out, my tear stained face Pressed against my window pane My eyes search the skies, well, desperately for rain Cause rain drops will hide my teardrops and no one will ever know That I'm crying (crying) crying (crying) When I go outside To the world outside my tears I refuse to explain, I wish it would rain (oh how I wish that it would rain) Rain, rain, rain (oh how I wish that it would rain) ooooh baby Let it rain I need rain to disguise the tears in my eyes Yeah, You know I'm a man, I ain't got no pride, Til it rains, I'm gonna stay inside, Let it rain, Let it rain Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah... Oh how I wish that it would rain... The Temptations - I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) The Temptations- I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - 1969 The Temptations - Just My Imagination The Temptations - Some Enchanted Evening The Temptations - Live In Concert

Thursday, June 13, 2013

PHYLLIS HYMAN JUNE 1995 SPECIAL



Electrifying performance by Phyllis Hyman - takes time to talk to audience in middle of song -- exposes a little of her inner being to the fans.  This is one stunning woman both vocally and physically -- one who does not seem to be quite assured nor aware of her stark beauty.  She brought so much joy to the world and she may not have ever known or was convinced of her rightful place in the pantheon of balladry.  Her choices of  words, situations, and relationships always seems to "put you in a mood" for one thing or another.  How about you?  How did it ever cause a response in you?

The Jones Girls-Nights over Egypt 1981

Saturday, April 13, 2013

THE STYLISTICS




After the Spinners and the O'Jays, the Stylistics were the leading Philly soul group produced by Thom Bell. During the early '70s, the band had 12 straight Top Ten hits, including "You Are Everything," "Betcha by Golly, Wow," "I'm Stone in Love With You," "Break Up to Make Up," and "You Make Me Feel Brand New." Of all their peers, the Stylistics were one of the smoothest and sweetest soul groups of their era. All of their hits were ballads, graced by the soaring falsetto of Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the lush yet graceful productions of Bell, which helped make the Stylistics one of the most successful soul groups of the first half of the '70s.

                            The Stylistics - Betcha By Golly Wow 1975


The Stylistics was formed in Philadelphia, PA in 1966 from two groups, "The Percussions" and "The Monarchs". Russell Thompkins Jr., James Smith, and Airron Love came from the Monarchs, and James Dunn and Herbie Murrell came from the Percussions.  When members from each group were drafted or went on to further their education, the remaining members under the guidance of their English teacher Beverly Hamilton joined forces and changed the name to "The Stylistics".  After working locally for a number of years, the group was approached by Bill Perry who asked if they would be interested in recording.  Their first song "You're a Big Girl Now" was recorded at Virtue Recording Studio, a local studio in Philadelphia. This song was written by the group guitarist at the time, Robert "Doc" Douglas and Road Manager, Marty Bryant.  The sessions cost Bill Perry a little over $500.00 to produce and was released locally.  It was soon picked up in the tri-state area and before long, it became a number 1 hit in Philadelphia and a few other cities.  Bill was interested it promoting the record national but didn't have the resources. He decided to contact Avco Records and made a deal.  Rumor has it, Bill received over $10,000.00 from Avco of which the group never saw a dime. 

 After the success of "You're A Big Girl Now", Avco wanted to naturally follow up with an album release. Hit veteran producer Tom Bell was contacted and was hired to produce the group's first album. The first song recorded with Bell and his collaborator, lyricist Linda Creed, was the lush "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)".  Bell imported techniques he had perfected with The Delfonics and his arrangements worked perfectly with Thompkins' falsetto. The bittersweet lyrics from Creed were a key factor in creating memorable music. The album was entitled "The Stylistics" and from that album came "Stop, Look, Listen to your Heart", "You Are Everything" and "Betcha By Golly Wow".
The success of the first album was phenomenal for that time along with an unheard release of six singles in total. The ball continued to roll with the release of their second album entitled "Round Two". The Stylistics were becoming known as the Philly group with the sweet love songs.  (Check out Discography for the full list of album releases.) Herbert Murrell and Airrion Love are the remaining original members of The Stylistics.  Friends since junior high school, Herb and Airrion have managed to keep their institution of 70's music alive.  It was thought to be the end of the Stylistics following the departure of their original lead singer, but as in life "THE SHOW MUST GO ON"

During the early 1970s, the group had twelve consecutive U.S. R&B top ten hits, including "Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)", "People Make The World Go Round", "You Are Everything", "Betcha by Golly, Wow", "I'm Stone in Love with You", "Break Up to Make Up", and "You Make Me Feel Brand New".

                      STYLISTICS - YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW
          
                  The Stylistics - I can't give you anything


                               The Stylistics - People Make The World Go Round.

                              The Stylistics - You'll Never Get To Heaven (If You Break My Heart)
                              
                               The Stylistics - Break Up To Make Up

                               THE STYLISTICS

The Stylistics - Hurry Up This Way Again (Slayd5000)