| Author | Message | ||
  Songstress (songstress61) 1-Arriviste Username: songstress61 Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 68.101.247.165 |
OK, I am a huge fan of this group... Many groups from the 70's (like Ohio Players, Bloodstone, Dramatics) have managed to survive and though in some cases there may have been changes, reorganizing etc. many are still managing to bring mature music to their loyal fans.. So does anybody have any idea of what happened to the group "New Birth"? They were truly a band of great vocalists and musicians.. There were about 12 or 13 of them including their female lead, Londee Wiggins, who had one of the purest, sweetest most polished soprano voices that I had ever heard...I love a song they performed with Londee on lead called "Patiently". I also love her rendition of the Gladys Knight song "I Don't Wanna Do Wrong" Then there was their male lead, Leslie Wilson, who had a very distinct and soulful voice. I have not heard his sound replicated to this day.. Leslie led "Wildflower" and "It's Been A Long Time", both beautiful ballads. And there was "Granddaddy" and "The Pains of Love".. And then he got downright funky with "I Wash my Hands of the Whole Damn Deal". The instruments used on this song were amazing compared to what is done today.. Their harmonies were oh so tight.. They played their own instruments (which is so rare these days!) Anyway, this was one talented group of musicians and I would love to find out what happened to these guys and (lady) and to know if they are still performing and if so, where? Anybody? | ||
~medusa~ (~medusa) 5-Doyen Username: ~medusa Post Number: 307 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 68.79.91.244 |
All I do know is the Lead Guy Leslie Wilson did at one time joined the group LTD...They recorded a song "April Love", after Jeffrey Osborns' departure. I haven't heard anything from them since. | ||
1wicked (1wicked) 5-Doyen Username: 1wicked Post Number: 183 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.126.64.72 |
New Birth still gigs from time to time...and the word is that they are currently working on new material for possible release. | ||
Charise (mistrivia1) 4-Laureate Username: mistrivia1 Post Number: 156 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 198.81.16.47 |
Songstress!!! Londee on "Until It's Time For You To Go." I was in, I think the 2nd grade when that came out, but I always liked that song since then. She blows on that SONG. I liked the album cover with the black eggs! Cool covers back in the day!!! | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 250 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.59 |
Who were the male and female singers who sang lead on New Birth's 'It's Impossible'? I love their recording of that song. They gave it a complete Soul makeover (without going over the top) and didn't leave a trace of Perry Como! I never get sick of that record. | ||
C.Patrick Dennis (a_place_for_us) 1-Arriviste Username: a_place_for_us Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 68.253.209.1 |
Ann Bogan (fomerly of the Marvelettes) was a part of the New Birth/Love Peace and Happiness and it is she who does the lead on "I Dont Want To Wrong" (coincidently co-written by her former Marvelette groupmate Katherine Anderson-Schafner. Also Susaye Greene (formerly of the 70's Supremes) does the lead on "Until it's time for you to go". She was hired as a session vocalist because the producer felt that she could perform the song and hit the notes that he wanted. Londee did perform the song live though and she nailed it everytime. (Message edited by a_place for us on July 16, 2004) | ||
the crazy dutchman (andreas) 4-Laureate Username: andreas Post Number: 81 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 62.194.16.136 |
Hi Rodmann, Rumor has it that Jerry Bell, formerly signed to MCA sang lead on your favorite New Birth joint (don't shoot me... it's only a rumor!) LOL Speaking of Jerry, isn't he the brother to Archie Bell? Who has more on that? Anyway, I do know that Londee Loren a/k/a Londee "Lottie M" Wiggins sang lead on "It's Impossible". Best wishes, Andreas Hellingh www.thesoulofamsterdam.com | ||
Eli (phillysoulman) 6-Zenith Username: phillysoulman Post Number: 691 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.236.49.239 |
Jerry Bell isnt related to Archie. Also, I heard that N.B. have a brand new release which is imminent! | ||
the crazy dutchman (andreas) 4-Laureate Username: andreas Post Number: 82 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 62.194.16.136 |
Many thanks for clearing that up Bobby! Their new CD can be purchased at: www.newbirthbrass.com  Thanks again! Andreas | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 582 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 80.11.49.113 |
Andreas I don't think this is the same NEW BIRTH... I think the one you mention is a spin off of the Rebirth Brass Band a well known band from New Orleans... I have been in touch with New Birth's drummer and he's living in L.A and told me nothing about this... Wonder B If you mess with the 'fro, you gotta go! | ||
the crazy dutchman (andreas) 4-Laureate Username: andreas Post Number: 83 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 62.194.16.136 |
LOL of cource you are right. I thought it was fun to mention this group. Hence the name! LOL Even the band members stand out... Tanio Hingle - Bass Drum Kerry Hunter - Snare Drum Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews -Trumpet Kenny Terry - Trumpet Darryl Adams - Alto Sax Kerwin James - Tuba Glen David Andrews - Trombone / Vocals Reggie Steward - Trombone Glen Andrews (Rebirth Brass Band) - Trumpet Corey Henry (Little Rascals Brass Band) -Trombone George Porter Jr - Vocals Vincent Broussard - Tenor Sax Frederick Shepler - Tenor Sax Darryl Jenkins, Tracy Brown - Vocals WOW I can't fool you Blaise!! LOL Andreas P.S. Drop me an email please (I lost your address) I have a few pix I need to get rid off, perhaps your interested. | ||
Songstress (songstress61) 1-Arriviste Username: songstress61 Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 68.101.247.165 |
Medusa, yes I do remember when Leslie joined LTD after J.O. I purchased that album thinking well this might not be so bad after all with J.O. leaving...At least they replaced him with someone I like. I think I remember another song "Kickin Back" to be on that same album. Charise, I also love "Until It's Time". I also do remember the black eggs! Do you remember their "Love Potion" album? This is the one where they were all nude on the cover! It had the Beatles "The Long and Winding Road" on it.. Rodman, "It's Impossible" they took a song like that and gave it their own soulful vibe! I loved it.. C. Patrick, Thanks for reminding me of Ann Bogan. I didn't even know that she had sung with the Marvelettes. I did hear Londee's live version of "I don't want to do Wrong" though. | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 585 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.248.127.206 |
Andreas, you can reach me here wonder.b@wanadoo.fr Wonder B If you mess with the 'fro, you gotta go! | ||
Songstress (songstress61) 1-Arriviste Username: songstress61 Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 68.101.247.165 |
Wonder B, Your friend that played the drums for New Birth, Could you please tell me his name? I do remember a few others from the group... Austin Landers and Charlie Hearndon, Melvin Wilson.. | ||
kevin quinn (kevin_quinn) 1-Arriviste Username: kevin_quinn Post Number: 10 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 151.197.170.250 |
I love their version of "Mr. Dream Merchant." | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1408 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
I love these folks! My favorite LP has got to be the Birthday LP. Got To Get A Knutt, Un til It's Time For You To Go, You Are What I'm All About & I Can Understand It were great. Man it was great to grow up in the 70s with all of that great music. | ||
Destruction (destruction) 4-Laureate Username: destruction Post Number: 169 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 69.139.236.125 |
JF, You musta been feeling me...They were big faves of mine in the 70's. Got to Get A Knutt was a cool party rec. For some reason their version of Until It's Time for You to Go touched me more than Roberta's Flack's version because it was in my musical language. I also liked their version of I Can Understand It more than the original. I always regretted never seeing them live, but I did catch them on a couple of those late night concert shows. Looking back it seems like they just ran out of hits and faded away. | ||
Rodmann (rodmann) 5-Doyen Username: rodmann Post Number: 253 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 12.221.46.59 |
Thanks Andreas. I was always confused about the female vocalist on 'It's Impossible' because she sounds nothing like Susaye Greene and Ann Bogan. I've never heard of this Jerry Bell before but if that's him singing he's one hell of a vocalist! Songstress, I was only familiar with Perry Como's and Frank Sinatra's versions of 'It's Impossible for years! I hated that song! The only reason I purchased the New Birth single was because I had no idea what a Soul group would do with a song like that. Boy!, was I pleasantly surprised.  | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 397 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.222.243.148 |
I have the very best of CD and love every cut on that CD. I love their version of K-Jee, even though I love MFSB's version also! BTW, didnt' some of the members come from Philly as well? I also heard that Leslie was married to one of the female singers. Any truth to that? | ||
Don (don) 5-Doyen Username: don Post Number: 331 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.75.189.225 |
That's interest. I like this post. I don't know whatever became of New Birth I for one Am glad their back. I'm curious to know, will is it the whole band or a strip down version. It don't matter, I love their music. Wonder if they'll use their horn section too. A friend of mine said he caught their show and the opening for the show was when the egg would crack open, and the female with the chick outfit would hatch out of the egg. My buddy told me that NB was the first band to have a full blown stage show before it was thought of. The first ever for a funk/r&b band. I wish I had of seen their concerts. 6-7 yrs later P-Funk repeated it in their earlier show in 79, when their Gollyhalastoopid lp came out. I've talk with alot of deejay buddies of mine and said, NB's first two album they cherish and have a sentimental for both lp's. Sometimes I ask myself why. I wonder which came first "the chicken or the egg?" Don | ||
Songstress (songstress61) 1-Arriviste Username: songstress61 Post Number: 7 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 68.101.247.165 |
Don, Though I never had the opportunity to see NB live, I do have most of their material on album and CD that I still enjoy. And I have seen the P-Funk a few times in concert and so what your friend described to you about NB's notion to entertain with visual aids, ala "The Egg", in concert I can visualize that... Hey maybe it did have some influence on G. Clinton's later to come "Mothership" concept during their Earthtour where Dr Funkenstein arises out of the spaceship with his white mink and cane! In any case, weren't those the days? I mean those types of shows truly entertained! | ||
SisDetroit (sis) 5-Doyen Username: sis Post Number: 386 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 68.42.211.240 |
New Birth, The Floaters, and Enchantment will be in concert at the Millennium Center in August. Also, the Floaters will be a MGMGrand Detroit next Friday from 10-1pm. I saw Larry today, we talked a bit, but I didn't have time to mention SD. If I go to the show next week, I will mention SD to him. | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 4-Laureate Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 137 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 65.6.70.55 |
Like Songstress, New Birth is one of favorite bands too. My favorite songs are "I Can Understand It", "Dream Merchant", and of course, the beautiful ballad "Wildflower". Isaiah, if you post on this thread, would you mind telling me why you gave the nickname "Wildflower"? | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 405 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.222.243.148 |
My band is doing I CAN UNDERSTAND IT. We have another personnel change in the band...will this ever end?  | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1418 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hey Lady M, Can you spell S-O-L-O??? That's the problem with some bands....ego. Sometimes these folks need to understand that sometimes the collective whole is stronger than each individual part. That seems to be what's happening with your band. However, there ought to be a law that states that you must have actually MADE IT before you can have a huge ego. Could you imagine how these folks would be if you guys really blow up??? WHEW!!!! Scary thought there! | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 5-Doyen Username: ladymystique Post Number: 408 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 216.222.243.148 |
Thanks for the thought Juice! | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 586 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 81.249.81.182 |
Songstress my friend from New Birth is Robin Russell... Wonder B | ||
Songstress (songstress61) 2-Debutant Username: songstress61 Post Number: 16 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 68.101.247.165 |
Wonder B. I do remember him from my album covers. What is he doing now? | ||
Wonder B (wonder_b) 6-Zenith Username: wonder_b Post Number: 588 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 80.14.7.43 |
He's in L.A gigging... he's staying busy. He has some projects of his own too.  Wonder B If you mess with the 'fro, you gotta go! (Message edited by Wonder_B on July 21, 2004) | ||
mike s (mike_s) 4-Laureate Username: mike_s Post Number: 74 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
Sorry for putting in a negative vibe here but New Birth never did much for me even though I am a great admirer of Harvey Fuqua who found them. Apart from Wildflower, their stuff never got to me. I loved KJee when they were the Niteliters though! |
