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  Jimmy Mack (luke) 5-Doyen Username: luke Post Number: 234 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Long article on the Chantels in today's NYDaily News. The writer, David Hinckley who has often championed R and B states that many feel MAYBE is the best vocal group recording ever, and certainly the best girl group recording ever. PS Ive seen Arlene on TV as well as the other Chantels alone and with her and I must say they hold their own with or without Arlene--they are classy and have senational harmonies to this day. | ||
dvdmike (dvdmike) 4-Laureate Username: dvdmike Post Number: 135 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.253.211.120 |
I wonder why Unca Marv Goldberg didn't write an article on them. They recorded "Maybe" in an ex-church in midtown Manhattan. Does anyone know the name of that studio? | ||
Cool Ju (cool_ju) 3-Pundit Username: cool_ju Post Number: 33 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.138 |
The guy responsible for them Richard Barrett(?) was in hear a year ago but he was kicking azzz and taking names! Too bad it couldn't have been a friendly visit, he probably won't be back now. He could've told us all about the Chantels. I agree that "Maybe" is a contender for that top spot. That Chantels stuff was good, darn near all of it. Hey can you post a link to that article, if possible? | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 638 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.21.244.254 |
ARLENE SMITH is The Chantels, her voice made the beautiful lead they became known for since the 50's! There can only be one Arlene! as 'WonderB' would say, "If you mess with the fro you gotta go"! LOL! LOL!  | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 639 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.21.244.254 |
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Nikki (45rpmgal) 3-Pundit Username: 45rpmgal Post Number: 44 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.206.46.218 |
I have David Hinckley's article in my files which was sent to me by someone, but I cannot find it in the Daily News to link to (and I don't think I'm allowed to do a copy/edit/paste and post it here). The Chantels today consist of Sonia Goring Wilson, Lois Harris Powell, and Renee Minus White (three of the original Chantels), and current lead Ami Ortiz. (Until Jackie Landry (also an original Chantel) passed in 1997, she was also singing with the current group.) THIS group of Chantels has the copyright name! When Arlene Smith appears, she is booked as "Arlene Smith former lead of the Chantels", or something similar. Although Ami is not Arlene, her voice is equal to hers in quality and sound of the original songs. There is a Chantels thread on the old forum where I posted several pictures of the group, and where there is a discussion about Ami vrs Arlene! Nonetheless, today's CHANTELS are by far (IMHO) one of the finest, most professional legendary groups on the scene today. And they are all extremely humble and warm people. If you have a chance to catch a performance by them, you won't be disappointed! I met Richard Barrett at the Great Day in DC events in 2000, and found him to be pleasant, professional, and appreciative of his fans. I don't recall him being on this forum, and if so, him being unpleasant in any way. The Chantels, as well as Richard Barrett, will be honored at this month's Tribute to the Pioneers events in DC. In harmony, Nikki http://www.harmonytrain.com (Message edited by 45rpmgal on June 02, 2004) (Message edited by 45rpmgal on June 02, 2004) | ||
Cool Ju (cool_ju) 3-Pundit Username: cool_ju Post Number: 34 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.12.116.138 |
Nikki, Richard Barrett posted on the Three Degrees thread on the old forum. He was pissed because some folks were talking about him (not in a good way) and he came on to defend himself. It's too bad that he had to visit under those circumstances, because I'm sure a few of us would have liked to talk to him about his music. I'm a fan of his sound and would haved loved to hear the stories he could have told Ju | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 512 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 70.16.133.139 |
Mike, Some time ago I was told " by a connected source' that Maybe, as well as most of the NYC End recordings were done at Regent Sound, which was noted for their unique live echo chamber. Bob Lifton was the engineer. | ||
roger (roger) 4-Laureate Username: roger Post Number: 88 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 217.35.87.17 |
Hello Everyone. I'm a little too young to have heard THE CHANTELS the first time around, although I have a couple of their recordings, including "Maybe". There is also a tremendous version of "Maybe" by THE THREE DEGREES on the Swan label from 1964/65. IMO it is much better than their subsequent re-make of the song on Roulette around 1971, it is very light and rhythmic and has quite an ethereal quality. Very different from THE CHANTELS original and the two versions can't really be compared. Both acts were, in their time, managed by RICHIE BARRETT, hence his appearance on the Three Degree thread that Cool Ju mentioned. Getting back to the subject of this thread, I remember that in one of his early columns in "Blues & Soul" DAVE GODIN quoted SMOKEY ROBINSON as saying that THE CHANTELS were one of the greatest influences on his music in the early years. Roger | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 513 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 70.16.133.139 |
I played guitar on the 3 Degrees Roulette version of Maybe which was recorded in 1970 at A&R Studios, 48th street in NYC. | ||
dvdmike (dvdmike) 4-Laureate Username: dvdmike Post Number: 136 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.253.214.124 |
I figured they recorded their End material either at Bell Sound or Regent Sound, but "Maybe" was recorded in a reconditioned church. The only studio in NYC that I know of that fit that description was Columbia's 30th Street Studio, but I don't know if that was where "Maybe" was cut. | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 5-Doyen Username: luke Post Number: 237 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
U go Nikki--The original Chantels are tremendous--I got chills when I heard them do Look In My Eyes recently. They all live in and around my area so I hope to hear them someday! (I saw a billing for Arlene recently as I believe Arlene Smith's Chantels!") | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 514 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.1.181 |
Mike, 30th street was not built then. Media was in a reconditioned church but it wasnt built then. Where did you hear that it was cut in a church. Mr Barrett told me that it was cut at Regent. | ||
dvdmike (dvdmike) 4-Laureate Username: dvdmike Post Number: 137 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.253.214.124 |
Books and articles that I read told the story of a former church. And as for Columbia on 30th Street, I was under the impression that it opened in the late '40s or early '50s. Johnny Mathis' first LP (the jazz album) was cut there in early '56. | ||
Tony Russi (tony_russi) 4-Laureate Username: tony_russi Post Number: 140 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.210.44.216 |
Does anyone remember when Yvonne Fair was a member of the Chantels?I remember being at Yvonnes house & seeing a pix of her in the group...I think before she joined James Brown in '62. | ||
Spookey (spookey) 1-Arriviste Username: spookey Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Tony, Yvonne was a friend of mine; she later went on the road working with Dionne Warwick. One time I got Dionne all pisted off and Yvonne and I had a good laugh!! | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 4-Laureate Username: randy_russi Post Number: 86 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Yes, sadly, Yvonne Fair was reduced to working as wardrobe mistress for Dionne Warwick. I guess she needed the work and wasn't getting any business as a singer OR actress. Wasn't she great in LADY SINGS THE BLUES? | ||
here i am (here_i_am) 2-Debutant Username: here_i_am Post Number: 27 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.240.18.97 |
HI GUYS...Did you know that Sonia Goring has been a member of the Three Degrees for a short while.....just had to mention that.... | ||
Nikki (45rpmgal) 3-Pundit Username: 45rpmgal Post Number: 43 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.206.46.218 |
I asked Marty, the manager of today's Chantels (and very close friend of the group members for many years) about Yvonne and his thoughts were as follows: Yvonne Fair replaced Jackie Landry during her maternity leave. Yvonne appeared with The Chantels on a bill at The Uptown Theater which was headlined by James Brown and the way he heard the story, the next week she was part of The James Brown Revue and subsequently married James Brown. She later married Sammy Strain. Yvonne died a number of years ago. Nikki | ||
Spookey (spookey) 3-Pundit Username: spookey Post Number: 51 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Randy Russi shame on you!! How can you stand there and say Yvonne was reduced!! -- She wanted to travel and worked with Dionne Warwick at many things!! She owned a restruant in Vegas too!! Randy Boy, wait till I see you, I'm gonna knock that Phil Spector smirk off your face, boy!! Yvonne would probely do the same; her and Miss D were best friends!! | ||
Spookey (spookey) 3-Pundit Username: spookey Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
The Chantels are great alone without Arlene, but when Arlene belts it out; you know she's THE BOSS!! -- No one can ever replace her in the Chantels. She is the Chantels!! | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 4-Laureate Username: randy_russi Post Number: 95 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Spookey, I am not putting her down for it, but don't you think she would rather be working as a singer since that's what she is rather than taking care of Dionne's wardrobe? Unfortunately, I guess work for her in her own right dried up. There's a big difference from being the "star" on stage to being the wardrobe mistress for the "star". Oh, by the way, I look nothing like Phil Spector and don't want to, either!!!!  Talk soon! PS--I know Yvonne had a child with James Brown, but I don't believe they were ever married. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 806 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.161.143 |
I see this site is acting up again or some idiot is, as pictures are screwed up again as with DVDMIKE'S thread. I wonder if this site's wackiness will ever be straightened out, LOL!!! S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 807 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.161.143 |
Hi Spookey; My sentiments exactlty in referrence to Arlene. Thanks for your "keeping it real" opinion ! S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 808 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.161.143 |
Arlene again!!!  | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 809 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.161.143 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 810 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.161.143 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 811 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.161.143 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 812 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.161.143 |
The above photo was one Arlene sent me from "The Doo Wop Hall of Fame". March 7, 2004. S.S. | ||
Spookey (spookey) 3-Pundit Username: spookey Post Number: 55 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.26.46 |
Arlene Smith is my bestfriend!! -- We share the same Birthday's OCTOBER 5, and Baby Washington's on OCT 13!! SoulSister, those pictures are great and everytime Arlene and I get together, our hearts just melt!! ASK HER!! As for you ... RANDY RUSSI you act up more than this site does!! If YVONNE FAIR really wanted to perform or sing ... Tweeddy Dum, don't you think she could of? Her career might have gone dry but a performing artist never stops!! Like any other entertainer; if she wanted to gig, she'd do it!! So was resting, and who knows, maybe she wasn't feeling so well. Randy doesn't look like Phil but he thinks he is (sometimes). | ||
Thomas Ingrassia (thomasingrassia) 1-Arriviste Username: thomasingrassia Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 4.156.111.89 |
I am new to the forum--and glad to see this thread about The Chantels and Arlene Smith. I am Arlene's manager. For those who live in the Cleveland area, Arlene Smith's Chantels (the approved name of her group) will be in concert at the 6th Annual Rock & Soul Festival at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, on Sunday, June 27. The festival runs from noon to 4 PM. Also on the bill are Sarah Dash (another of my clients) and Peaches & Herb. There will be a meet & greet autograph session following the concert. Arlene also will be a featured guest at the East Coast Soul Patrol Convention, in Willingboro, NJ, July 30/31. In addition to daily meet & greets, Arlene will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Saturday night awards ceremony at the convention. Sarah Dash will be at the convention, as well, and will participate in a panel discussion. I understand that Gladys Horton is among the honored guests, as well. Lots of plans in the works for Arlene. Stay tuned.... Tom Ingrassia TIngrassia Entertainment http://tingentertainment.com | ||
Randy Russi (randy_russi) 4-Laureate Username: randy_russi Post Number: 110 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 169.139.180.100 |
Hi Thomas, Welcome to the soulful detroit forum. Good to have you aboard. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 868 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.220 |
Hi Thomas; Welcome to the forum! I told Arlene about the forum last October when she came to Jimmy's show at the Iridium on Broadway in N.Y.C. Jimmy & I love Arlene, she's great!! Soul Sister a.k.a Jeanie Scott (wife of Legendary Little Jimmy Scott) | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 869 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.220 |
Thomas; Jimmy & I will try and make it to the Rock Hall "gig" on sunday. S.S.J. & J.S. | ||
Thomas Ingrassia (thomasingrassia) 1-Arriviste Username: thomasingrassia Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 4.156.90.143 |
Hope you can make it on Sunday, SSJ & JS--it would be great to meet you. Tom | ||
mel(andthensome) (mel) 5-Doyen Username: mel Post Number: 186 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.154.129.161 |
Love The Chantels 'well I told you' on Carlton records plus 'each night' on End records and the ep on End titled 'c'est si bon' with 6 tracks. mel | ||
Jimmy Mack (luke) 5-Doyen Username: luke Post Number: 282 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.198.48.201 |
Look In My Eyes still knocks me out. All of the original Chantels(minus Arlene) are appearing at a Yale University event in Ct, unfortunately sharing the bill with those thorns in the original Supremes sides--Sounds of the Supremes. |
