By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:25 am: |
HEY NOW!!!...ENOUGH FOR NOW ABOUT THE MANY GREAT LEAD SINGERS SPOKEN OF ON THE VARIOUS THREADS!!!...WHAT GROUPS PEROFRMED THE *BEST* BACKGROUND VOCALS???...TEMPTATIONS...TOPS...SPINNERS...ORIGINALS...INTRUDERS...CHI-LITES...FIFTH DIMENSION...WISPERS...THE DELLS...THE LIST GOES ON AND ON...AND THATS ONLY PRIMARILY MALE GROUPS!!!...WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE GROUPS WHOSE BACKGROUND SINGERS...THROUGH THEIR SKILL...VOCAL ARRANGEMENTS... AND HARMONY...WERE MOST SIGNIFICANT IN MAKING IT ALL WORK???...STUBASS
By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:28 am: |
For me it (predictably) has to be the Spinners. No matter who was out there on lead, it's their superb harmonies that keep me coming back for me.
Oh, and the Temps ain't so bad either! ;o)
By Scratcher (65.132.79.32) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:29 am: |
My Top Five for backing vocals in no order: the Intruders, the Temptations, the Manhattans, the O'Jays and the Chi-lites. Five more are going to pop in my head as soon as send this message.
By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:36 am: |
And then five more after that Scratch. There have been some pretty awesome back-up singers through the years.
By Common (209.2.55.170) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:38 am: |
Hello everyone,
The Tempts, The Manhattans, The Mighty Ojays(Stairway To Heaven is my all time jam!), The Jones Girls, Debarge(they had some tight harmonies), The Four Tops, The Five Stairsteps, and The Commodores(I hope they count even though they are a band!).
Peace!
By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:41 am: |
ONLY MY OPINION, BEST TWO MAN BACKGROUND - MAIN INGREDIENT, OTHER GROUPS - THE FUTURES, THE BLUE NOTES, THE MIRACLES (especially, after Billy Griffin came along, I think Renniance is the best R&B album of all time, as a vocalist I've never heard a group, such complicated harmonies) TAKE SIX, THE PERSUASIONS, AND THE PERSUADERS
By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:52 am: |
THE SINGIN BUNNY RABBITS[JUST JOKING}THIS IS LIKE TRYING TO COUNT THE STARS IN THE SKY,BUT FOR ME IT GOES LIKE THIS,ON STAGE I HAVE TO SAY FOR PURE HARMONY..THE FOUR TOPS,ON RECORD BECAUSE OF THE VERSES WOVEN INTO THEIR HARMONY..THE MIRACLES!SOMETIMES IT'S MORE THAN OHH'S AND AHH'S!
By Common (209.2.55.170) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:55 am: |
Dell: Thanks for the Bluenotes! I forgot about them! :o)
Peace!
By DELL (12.14.39.66) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:58 am: |
R&B:
GOOD POINT, WHAT YOU HEAR ON YOUR STEREO, SOMETIMES IS NOT WHAT YOU GET LIVE. MORESO TODAY WITH TECHNOLOGY BEING WHAT IT IS, THE GUYS OF YESTER YEAR DIDN'T HAVE COMPUTER COMFORT
By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:11 pm: |
For blending I loved the Supremes (Mary/Flo) and
also the 5 Stairsteps and the Impressions.
By Scratcher (65.132.79.30) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:14 pm: |
Dell & Common, the Bluenotes didn't sing the background on their recordings.
By Nish (66.119.33.135) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:24 pm: |
Well, who said predictability was a bad thing? Of course the MIRACLES have the best harmony to me, followed by The Originals, The Whispers, the Temptations, and the Five Stairsteps, in that order. But the Miracles really do it for me, their background harmonies are just amazingly tight and far from sophomoric.
By Common (209.2.55.170) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:27 pm: |
Scratcher: What? If someone else did the backup work, why did the Bluenotes receive credit? Do you know who sang the backgrounds on their recordings?
Peace!
By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:31 pm: |
HEY NISH,IS IT JUST US OR DO THE MIRACLES HAVE SOME OF THE MOST INTRICATE HARMONIES ON RECORD,WITH AND WITHOUT SMOKEY!
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:37 pm: |
The following have amazing backgrounds in no particular order:
Temptations
Four Tops (especially the ABC-Dunhill material)
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes (BEFORE they were signed to Philly International - they recorded for the Jamie/Guyden family of labels)
Chi-lites
Main Ingredient
Three Degrees
Patti & the Bluebells/Labelle
Stylistics
Blue Magic -granted they & the Stylistics had help but dammit the backgrounds were still kicking!
Whispers
Enchantment
Heatwave (Johnnie Wilder's vocal harmonies were on the money)
Earth Wind & Fire (bah-de-ah, bah-de-ah, bah-de-ah-de-ah-de-ah-de-ah-de-ha...need I say more.)
Emotions
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Scratcher (65.132.79.30) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:39 pm: |
Common, it's common knowledge that the Bluenotes never sang backing vocals on any of their Philadelphia International Records. On "I Miss You" Lloyd Parkes sang the little falsetto in the opening but that's it. Kenny Gamble, Thom Bell, Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler, Ron Tyson and maybe one or two others contributed the backing vocals from time to time. Maybe Bobby Eli can chime in on this one.
The O'Jays sang on their recordings at Philly International but so did others. On "Whens the World at Peace" the backing voices were the O'Jays, their roadie/valet Tracy Mitchell, Bunny Sigler and possibly Phil Hurtt.
By Common (209.2.55.170) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:43 pm: |
Scratcher: I had no clue about this. Learned something new today. Thanks alot!
Peace!
By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:46 pm: |
HEY COMMON: I'LL GIVE YOU THE COMMODORES...SO LONG AS YOU'LL GIVE ME "EARTH WIND & FIRE"!!!...ALSO..."THE IMPRESSIONS"...SHORT ON MANPOWER...HEAVY ON PREDICTABILITY...BUT *ALWAYS* IN THE POCKET!!!...STU
By Scratcher (65.132.79.30) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:48 pm: |
Stu, the original five man Impressions are my seventh choice. I loved "Minstrel and Queen" and "Gypsy Woman."
By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:49 pm: |
GOTTA THROW THIS ONE IN...SINCE IT MAY BE OVERLOOKED BY MANY OF YOU..."THE JETS"...SMOOTH BACKGROUNDS BEHIND SIMPLISTIC LEADS...BUT THEY PRODUCED AN OUTSTANDING PRODUCT!!!...STU
By Scratcher (65.132.79.30) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:50 pm: |
Common, if you want to hear the Bluenotes on record check out the stuff they did before and after Philly International.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:50 pm: |
Common:
Scratcher's on the money on this one and Bobby Eli has said on several occasions here on the Forum who sang on what PIR/Thom Bell-related productions.
The Stylistics & Blue Magic had the same folks singing background on their recordings. William Hart of the Delfonics admitted in the liner notes of their reissued albums on CD that Bunny Sigler, Phil Hurtt and sometimes even Gamble & Huff themselves sang on a few Delfonics tunes.
And let's not forget the Sweethearts of Sigma as well as the late Barbara Ingram & Linda Creed who sang backgrounds on tunes such as the Stylistcs' "Ebony Eyes" and the Spinners' "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love"
As far as Motown goes, every Hitsville producer should bow their heads and thank THE ANDANTES and THE ORIGINALS for their contributions to background singing.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:50 pm: |
AND WE CAN'T FORGET "TAVARES"!!!...I'D BETTER QUIT NOW!!!...STU
By R&B (138.238.41.128) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:51 pm: |
YOU WANNA HEAR SOME SWEET HARMONY FROM THE IMPRESSIONS JUST LISTEN TO..JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:53 pm: |
Stu:
Right on about Tavares - especially on their hit "Check It Out".
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:56 pm: |
COMMON: GYPSY WOMAN...FULL ON IMPRRESSIONS...I'LL GIVE YOU THAT ONE...BUT I ALSO LIKED THE "COMPACT IMPRESSIONS"...WITH CURTIS JOINING IN THE BACKGROUNDS FOR THOSE HIGH REGISTER..."MOVIN ON UP'S" ETC...!!!...STU
By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 12:58 pm: |
One song that absolutely comes alive for me because of the backround singers (especially the bass) is Gene Chandler's
"Duke Of Earl"
I'll throw in
The Dells
The Four Seasons
and most any Doo-Wop ish group you want to send my way (Rays, Edsels, Tokens, Monotones, etc....)
By stephanie (66.54.1.38) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:00 pm: |
The Four Tops and the Mighty Mighty Dells!!!
When it comes to the girl groups hands down its Flo and Mary for the Supremes..
Stephanie
By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:02 pm: |
WOW!!!...JUST CHECKING OUT ALL OF THESE GREAT RESPONSES!!!...I HEAR DETROIT...CHI-TOWN...PHILLY...LOS ANGELES!!!...MY QUESTION...DID MEMPHIS PRODUCE ANY GROUPS OF NOTE WHO LAID SOPHISTICATED BACKGROUNDS TO GROUP BASED PRODUCTIONS...OR WAS THAT *NOT* THE MEMPHIS STYLE???...I'M AT SOMEWHAT OF A LOSS TO THINK OF ANY!!!...STU
By Scratcher (65.132.79.30) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:03 pm: |
The Bluenotes were mostly produced by Gamble & Huff and Whitehead and McFadden, Thom Bell may have contributed some album tracks, here and there, but had little to do with them production wise; but he did sing backing vocals on some Philly tracks. I've never heard of Leon Huff singing background vocals, not saying he didn't, just never heard of it from anybody I know. The normal backing crew at Philly were the ones I mentioned plus the female singers that Kevgo posted, including Barbara Ingram.
Some PI artists like the Intruders, Archie Bell & Drells, the O'Jays, the Futures and some others performed their own background vocals.
By Scratcher (65.132.79.30) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:06 pm: |
Memphis groups with boss backing vocals: The Mad Lads, the Newcomers, the Temprees, Ollie & the Nightingales, the Ovations, the Soul Children, the Astors...
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:06 pm: |
Scratcher:
When I read the item regarding Leon Huff singing on the Delfonics tunes (this according to William Hart) I was a bit surprised, too. I thought of Leon as only being an keyboardist/writer/producer.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Scratcher (65.132.79.30) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:09 pm: |
Interesting, KevGo.
By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:17 pm: |
OK GUYS: THERE *IS* ONE MEMPHIS GROUP THAT I'M SURE SANG BACKGROUND ON MORE NUMBER 1 HITS THAN ANY GROUP MENTIONED HERE SO FAR!!!...DOES ANYONE KNOW WHO THAT GROUP IS (KEVGO...I'LL BE DISAPPOINTED IF *YOU* DON'T GET THIS ONE)!!!...ANSWER IN 1 HOUR!!!...STUBASS
By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:25 pm: |
Ok folks, what about the Pips ? They were some bad dudes as well as :
Temptations
Dramatics
Dells
Miracles
4 Tops
Originals
Fantastic 4
Bobby Taylor & Vancouvers
Manhattans
Labelle
Martha & Vandellas
Supremes (after Diana especially)
Marvelletes
Futures (Silouette)
Impressions (both groups)w/CM and without
Spinners
Chi-lites
Jacksons
Stairsteps
Pockets
Dynamic Superiors
Sorry about the redundancy but these groups were something else.
By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:37 pm: |
KDUBYA: NICE LIST...HOWEVER...I ALWAYS SORT OF LOOKED AT "THE PIPS"...AS BASICALLY "STAGE DRESSING" FOR GLADYS!!!...I REALIZE THAT I COULD TAKE SOME HEAT ON THIS ONE!!!...STU (TOOT-TOOT)BASS
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 01:38 pm: |
Stu:
You aren't talking about Elvis' old pals the Jordanaires, are you?
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By STUBASS (152.163.195.211) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 02:31 pm: |
GOT ME KEVGO!!!...NOW YOU GO *STRAIGHT* TO THE BONUS ROUND (THANKS FOR NOT LETTING ME DOWN)!!!...STUBASS
By Funkyone D J Dollar BILL (216.221.81.96) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 02:37 pm: |
How about The Emotions?Is that who you were thinking of Stu?
By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 02:38 pm: |
If you go to the Shirelles homepage (the one that
Beverly has) there are GREAT photos and an article
from the Aug. 2002 Girl Group Stamps get together.
By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 02:41 pm: |
Were the Pips augmented by any other vocalists in the studio? Clay? Ralph? I think their vocals really add to the records. Especially on "Make Me The Woman", "Midnight Train to Georgia", & "If I Were Your Woman". Good Stuff!
WOO-WOO! (The Pips train whistle vocals).
By Edgar (200.46.12.147) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 03:13 pm: |
The Pointer Sisters - almost everything
The Sweet Inspirations, specially on "Son of a Preacher Man"
Dorothy Moore and friends in "Mr. Big Stuff"
By john c (12.2.233.107) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 03:23 pm: |
Speaking of Memphis ...
I love the bg vocals on AL Green's I'm Still In Love With You. Anyone know who they were?
By Common (209.2.55.168) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 03:55 pm: |
Scratcher & Kevgo: Thanks again! I'm quite surprised by this info because when I picked up the bluenotes greatest hits CD, it never made any mentioned about or acknowleged that there were other backing vocals on their records in the liner notes. I read Teddy's autobio & I don't think he didn't mentioned it either. I'm glad that issue has been brought to light here by Mr. Eli.
Stubass: I think you mean you want MY Commodores for YOUR Earth, Wind & Fire! LOL! I like EWF but I gotta a loyal attachment to Lionel & the boys. Well, when they were making funky music on Motown! :o)
Edgar: How can I forget about the Pointer Sisters? "Yes We Can" & "How Long (You gotta A Chick On The Side)" gave us some dynamic harmonies, especially "...Chick On the Side".
Peace!
By Scratcher (65.132.78.130) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:02 pm: |
Common, the issue of the Bluenotes not singing on their Philly Int'l recordings was brought to light long before Soulful Detroit existed and Bobby Eli posted the info, no slam to either. I first knew about it in the early '70s when the group was having their hits.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:08 pm: |
John C:
The team of Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes sang background on Al Green's Hi Records hits.
Common:
PIR,Philly Groove and AVCO Records never listed who sang background on the records by the O'Jays, Harold Melvin, the Delfonics or the Stylistics when these discs were first released on vinyl. The band members (MFSB) no problem but the backup singers - naaaah!
Atlantic Records did list the background singers on the Spinners albums (Atlantic were one of the few labels that did list detailed session information all the way to the date and location). I remember seeing Barbara Ingram's name credited on the Spinners' debut LP on Atlantic (I do believe Linda Creed was credited too but I have to double-check).
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:11 pm: |
PS - Like Scratcher, I was hip to this years ago, especially when you heard these groups perform on TV shows like "The Midnight Special"a and PBS' "Soundstage." Bobby Eli helped confirm what I suspected for a long time.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Common (209.2.55.168) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:19 pm: |
Scratcher & KevGo: You must pardon my ignorance since to me, being a just a music fan, this is new info. I've never had the opportunity to hear this group on the live tip(I remember the Midnight Special but don't recall seeing the Bluenotes! Must've been asleep on that one!) nor ever read anything about these relevations. I would still support the music nevertheless because this was some of greatest music that came out of Philly. Again, thanks for the info. It is much appreciated.
Peace!
By stranger56 (165.155.160.135) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 04:49 pm: |
For me, without question, the Four Tops had the tightest harmonies. Lawrence, Duke and Obie could throw down with the best of them...in fact, in my opinion, they WERE the best of them!
Listen to Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over, or Main Street People....Listen to the Breaking Through CD for early harmonies...and they kept those harmonies tight right up until Lawrence's passing in 1997. Listen to the Back Where I Belong LP and catch The Masquerade Is Over. Or I Believe In You And Me, on Casablanca. Everyone hears Levi's great vocals on that one, but listen to when the Tops come in on ...Maybe I'm a fool to feel the way I do.....beautiful, tight harmonies. The Tops are my guys for sure!
Jim
By Tony Russi (68.210.2.246) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 05:10 pm: |
Recording wise I love the backgrounds of all the Motown groups when it was them & them only on the records cause they had their own sound. The original Vandellas, Marvelettes(natuarl sounding) and the Supremes. Temptations & Miracles are hard to beat.
By STUBASS (205.188.198.51) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 05:33 pm: |
I THINK THAT THE JACKSON 5...PARTICULARLY AS THEY MATURED AND BEFORE MICHAEL LEFT THE GROUP...GOT BETTER AND BETTER WITH THEIR HARMONIZING!!!...STU
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 06:32 pm: |
Common:
Hey, I didn't know until I was well into my teens that this sort of thing even happened with background singers (and that was how many years ago...well, I'm 36 now, minus..) I still love the music that was created and that won't change!
Stranger56:
What do you think of the Four Tops' ABC-Dunhill material (as well as their last few albums on Motown - "Still Waters","Changing Times" and "Nature Planned It"). These recordings featured more of their singing than the HDH 1960s material.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 07:02 pm: |
And I'm only bringing these 'two' groups in because nobody else had yet, brought these up--
Back in the 1960s, as far as 'background' harmonies which seemed to have 'captivated' my own ears, vocally, had to be the 'Mamas & the Papas', who would blend their harmony oh so well, in all of their recorded hits, especially on "California Dreamin'" and on "I Saw Her Again (Last Night)"....
But-- the one other 'pop' group whose own harmony became their own singing 'staple' was, in my opinion, it had to be (the sound of) the 'Fifth Dimension'... "Go Where You Wanna Go" (by the way this was written and sung by 'Papa' Phillips, and, the M's & P's sang it first), "California Soul", "Working On A Groovy Thing" (this one's my favorite by them), "The Age Of Aquarius"....
The 'Fifth Dimension' and the 'Mamas & the Papas' were in my opinion, 'two' of the most beautiful, best harmonizing 'pop' vocal groups, I think... that ever came out of the '1960s!
By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 07:11 pm: |
TWO GOOD ONES JIM (ACTUALLY, I DID MENTION THE "FIFTH" IN MY OPENING POST)!!!...THE FUNNY THING ABOUT THE "FIFTH"...OR MORE SPECIFICALLY...MARILYN AND BILLY!!!...WHEN THOSE TWO SING TOGETHER...IT'S SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN THE MALE FROM THE FEMALE VOICE...MARILYN HAS A MASCULINE VOICE...AND BILLY SINGS IN AN UPPER REGISTER...IT CAN GET CONFUSING!!!...AS FOR THE "MAMA'S AND PAPA'S"...MY TAKE IS THAT CASS ELLIOT HELD THAT GROUP TOGETHER FROM A VOCAL PERSPECTIVE!!!...STU
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:10 pm: |
Jim & Stu:
Ditto for me regarding the Fifth Dimension - their vocal arrangements & Bones Howe's production work I use as "templates" for the projects I produce and supervise.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:19 pm: |
Oh yes... I see, you took the 'fifth' in your opener, Stu!
But really, you have to agree that the 'Mamas & the Papas' really 'did' themselves in... with their splendid harmony as only they could have sung it best, as it was heard in the background in their "number one" 1966 *smash*, "Monday Monday"!
By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 08:27 pm: |
By the way... the 'Fifth Dimension' made a lot of money for Johnny River's own record label he founded, that in which the 'Fifth' were 'licensed' to record (mostly all of) their 1960s 'soul' pop hits, and the label was... SOUL CITY.
KevGo', I'm sure that you know all about this one....
By nikki (24.46.200.124) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:02 pm: |
Awhile back we featured on one of our internet webcast shows a super solid group called Six the Hard Way on Capitol. Year 1969. Title "Guess Who". Solid soul harmony!! Anyone know anything about this group? Haven't been able to find any info on them. Thanx,
Nikki
http://www.harmonytrain.com
By stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:15 pm: |
Kev, I think the later Motown LPs and the ABC/Dunhill LPs showed a more mature 4 Tops, and I think that was due in large part, strangely enough, to getting away from HDH.
While they represented the Tops' greatest success years, it wasn't until after they joined up with Brian Lambert that they were able to really flex their vocal muscles. Again, it's just my opinion, but, let's not stop there. Their 2 Casablanca LPs, to me, showed some of their greatest work.....WHen She Was My Girl, Tonight I'm Gonna Love You All Over, I Believe..., but also things like Who's Right, Who's Wrong, and I'll Never Leave Again.
If anyone's NOT familiar with these titles, do yourselves a favor and check them out.
Brilliant stuff.
Thanks for asking, Kev.....I love talking Tops!
Jim
By medusa9e (66.73.15.140) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:36 pm: |
hmmmm, I'd say they ALL have my vote.I mean it's like six in one hand and half dozen in the other
hand...I just can't choose, they all have different styles, but they all sound good. Soo.. again, it's like choosing from the stars in the sky... I can't choose from the groups that were named...but it's really somethng to think about!
(Excellent Topic)
By Funkyone D J Dollar BILL (216.221.81.96) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:37 pm: |
Of course if you mention Fifth Dimension you also have to mention Friends of Distinction
By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 09:44 pm: |
DJ DOLLAR BILL: YOU MENTION A TERRIFIC GROUP IN THE "FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION"..."GOING IN CIRCLES"..."GRAZIN"...ETC!!!...VERY NICE HARMONY!!!...THE ONE "DISTINCTION" THAT I WOULD MAKE BETWEEN THE "FIFTH" AND THE "FRIENDS" IS THAT...NUMBER ONE...THE "FIFTH" CAME ALONG FIRST...AND NUMBER TWO...PRODUCED A LOT MORE PRODUCT OVER THE YEARS...WITH...AS KEVGO MENTIONED...BONES HOWE PRODUCTIONS...WHICH WERE SECOND TO NONE AS RELATES TO QUALITY...SO I TIP TO THE "FIFTH"...BUT WOULDN'T SELL THE "FRIENDS" SHORT!!!...STU
By Funkyone D J Dollar BILL (216.221.81.96) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 10:55 pm: |
I just meant it was a family affair and one thing led to another.
By breathtakingguy (65.238.140.228) on Wednesday, May 07, 2003 - 11:10 pm: |
Of the more recent singers, I'd say Wilson Phillips did some nice backround work, as did Expose and The Nolans from the UK. The older groups.....I'd say the 70's Supremes, The Royalettes, Honeycone, The Cookies, The Temps, Spinners and Labelle backing up Laura Nyro....now, that's SOME backround vocals!
By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 04:38 am: |
By the way... FYI,
Talkin' 'bout Johnny Rivers, and the 'SOUL CITY' record label he founded, take some time out, check out his 'great' website, here:
http://www.johnnyrivers.com/
Man... I just love watchin' those ('60s) girls as they danced in that one video 'clip', the night Johnny Rivers made his appearance on the ED SULLIVAN SHOW, on March 19, 1967... with "Baby I Need Your Lovin'".
In that video, it seemed everyone of those (Sullivan) stage 'chicks' 'moved' perfectly right along with the song around Rivers as he sang that number, get a chance watch it... and you'll agree they (those dancers that night) couldn't possibly dance no more to the 1960s than that!
By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:24 am: |
DJ Dollar Bill, Holla ! Lets not forget their clone group, "Creative Source" they were pretty good in their day. The Adantes who were mentioned earlier dam near saved everyone and of course no list would be complete without the "Waters" adding their special vocal touch to countless recordings. As for the Four Tops their backgrounds were so unique from their early years specifically on the cuts "Feels Like Fire" and "Sad Souvenirs". Their backgrounds along with Smokey & The Miracles were probably the most distinctive of the entire group of artists. In fact the Tempts, Dramatics, Blue Magic, Stylistics, (for instance) could all be copied with a little effort and make one wonder ...Who is that ? This was not the case for the Tops and Miracles whose backgroungs sounded like no other.
By Eli (141.151.84.28) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 09:06 am: |
The Sons Of Robinstone were a blue eyed soul group out of Philly whom I produced and if you closed your eyes you would think that Tempts were in the house.
I also loved the blend of Ron Tyson, Phil Hurtt, Carl Helm, and Bunny Sigler along with the Sweeties, Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson and Yvette Benton.
I liked the rough hewn sound of the Mad Lads,
Tower of Power on You're still a young man,
The Tops on Macarthur Park,Manhatan Transfer on everything, Take six,the Jordanaires, Sweet Inspirations, Tempts, the list goes on.
As far as Philly album credits go, they sometimes listed "additional background singers" although they were the real ones.
By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:16 pm: |
Stu:
I hate to repeat what you & I already know but as Funkydollar Bill said, you can't mention the Fifth w/o mentioning the Friends, especially since Marilyn McCoo & Lamonte McLemore (the Fifth) were in the same singing group that had Harry Elston & Floyd Butler (the Friends) called THE HI-FI'S - which was the foundation for both groups. Granted, the Fifth was first but when it comes to pop-soul-jazz with emphasis on the soul, I gotta give it to the Friends.
Jim:
Right on regarding Johnny Rivers' SOUL CITY label, which was distributed by Liberty Records until 1970 - when the Fifth left the label after Liberty was bought out by United Artists and signed with Bell Records (which bought out the Fifth's masters from Soul City - this made Johnny a very rich man at that time).
Soul City was also the home of Al "Show & Tell" Wilson, who had a pop/soul hit with "The Snake" (1968) - produced by Johnny Rivers and (former Motown west coast exec) Marc Gordon.
Kevin Goins - KevGo
By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:28 pm: |
Nikki,
I haven't heard that Six The Hard Way record but
I'm fairly sure they were a studio group formed by West Coast producer Raul Abeyta. There's an
earlier single on, I think, Warner Bros.
I'll check and see if I have any definite info. on them.
Davie
By Scratcher (65.132.77.210) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 01:53 pm: |
Margaret Foxworth, Henry Jones and Linda Jones did the backing vocals on Al Green's Belle album.
By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Thursday, May 08, 2003 - 08:58 pm: |
KEV & DJ: NO ARGUMENT REGARDING BOTH GROUPS BEING DOWN WITH IT...BUT I JUST HAPPEN TO PREFER THE "FIFTH"...DUE TO THEIR GREATER STRING OF HITS...BETTER PRODUCTION...AND PROBABLY...BETTER MANAGEMENT (JIM BROWN WAS A GREAT RUNNING BACK...DECENT ACTOR...BUT I DON'T KNOW...OTHER THAN HIS OBVIOUS INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS...JUST WHAT HE DID TO PROMOTE THE "FRIENDS" THE WAY HE POSSIBLY COULD HAVE)!!!...I ALSO THINK THAT MARILYN AND BILLY JR. ARE A NATURAL MATCH!!!...STUBASS