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  Kev-Lo (7273747576) 5-Doyen Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 195 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.231.233.239 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo you know these two particular soul artists that we lost years ago were great.And they both have fantastic voices.And definitely should not be forgotten SMITTY of the original Manhattans It all started in the mid 60's when soul the era was at its peak this talented singer had a dynomite sultry voice that took soul music by storm.With songs like CAN I,WHEN WE WERE MADE AS ONE,ALONE AGAIN ON NEW YEARS EVE,I CALL IT LOVE and I'M THE ONE THAT LOVE FORGOT.Definitely made the Manhattans one of the greatest soul groups ever.This soul icon is gone but he is not fogotten And Soul sister I must say you were apart of a true soul legend.He is definitely missed by me and so may other soul fans all over. DONALD MCPHERSON the original lead singer of the MAIN INGREDIENT born and raised in Harlem New York had a very unique and soulful voice with songs like YOU BEEN MY INSPIRATION,SPINNING AROUND,I'M BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU,and Curtis Mayfield's I'M SO PROUD.These songs melted the ladies hearts and had the guys singing on the street corners Donald McPherson's life was cut short in July of 1971 He died of Leukemia but his music lives on | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1268 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
HI kev-lo; Nice tribute to my ex-love George "Smitty" Smith, as well as to Mr. Donald McPherson (R.I.P.). Here are some photos of "Smitty & I" from back in the day:  | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1269 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1270 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1271 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1272 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1273 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 560 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
Lookin' good! How'd you get your hair to stay like that? My mum used so much spray and didn't work! LOL  (Message edited by LadyMystique on August 14, 2004) | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1274 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
LOL! LOL!! Thx. How's it going Lady Mystique. We want your pics. posted too & EVERYONE'S!!! S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1275 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Lady M; My hair looked bad in those pics. because I cut it myself, ugh!!LOL! LOL!!! I used to use a certain hair spray back then, the name escapes me now but it was a white can with brown swirls on it. Oh! I also teased it. S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1276 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Here's a few of "Smitty" doin' what he did best (for those who didn't catch them last year):  | ||
Lady Mystique (ladymystique) 6-Zenith Username: ladymystique Post Number: 563 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.33.227.92 |
Oh yeah you will see me posted soon! My mum tried so much and all of a sudden she decided to go natural, which I think was the best choice because it grew so much, you couldn't see her face! LOL | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1277 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1278 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Cam (cam) 3-Pundit Username: cam Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.229.141.139 |
Soul Sister: Oh yeah. That can contained Rustoleum Clear Lacquer. Cam | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1280 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1281 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1282 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Cam; It was a laquered hairspray, lol! For real! S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1283 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
kev-lo homie, I hope I didn't bootleg your thread!? S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1284 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
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Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1285 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
"Smitty" with neighbor & friend, Singer John Burt:  | ||
paulie3$hoes (paulie3hoes) 4-Laureate Username: paulie3hoes Post Number: 123 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 70.16.134.166 |
eh scusa did sumbody say bootleg.. now youse are tawkin my langwidge!!2#$%^&, capice? | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1286 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
"Smitty" with friend, Singer Jimmy Chandler:  | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1287 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Thats enough for now ! S.S. | ||
Juicefree20 (juicefree20) 6-Zenith Username: juicefree20 Post Number: 1906 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 24.46.184.162 |
Hi KevLo, I will agree that Mr Smith made some great songs. It's just too bad that I was a little too young to know about him in those days. He was such an excellent singer & I wish that some footage of his performances existed. Rarely do I see the experts speak his name & I feel that he is a lost Soul hero. It's nice that you mentioned him. Soul Sister: As usual, thanks for sharing these candids with us. By the way, is there any footage of Smitty in existence?? Any TV appearances or the like? I sure hope so! Kev: You also mentioned Mr McPherson. He is also, a most underrated singer. I mean Donald was SMOOOOOTH! I loved Spinning Around & You've Been My Inspiration. Man, his phrasing on You've Been My Inspiration....WOW!!! What a perfect performance & those harmonies!!! When that harp comes & they hit that harmony, it sounds like Angels are singing!! A perfect slice of Sweet Soul, indeed!! Man, they just don't make them like that anymore!! | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1288 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Hi Juice; There is footage of 'Smitty & the group' on PBS original soul music show, channel 13 N.Y. area, the program was called "SOUL", I sure wish I could get a hold of a copy! I wish there was some Apollo footage, he tore it up!!! The place was going wild, esp. the girls !! S.S. | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 5-Doyen Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 230 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 67.35.243.106 |
Great pictures, S.S. Thinking about Don McPherson and George Smith's deaths kind of brings me to tears, and it's not because they died at young ages or that they were in one of my favorite groups. My mother, like George Smith and Mary Wells, had spinal meningitis as a baby. She almost died. Luckily, she survived. Last school year around homecoming, I lost one of my friends to leukemia. She was a senior. We were in the school choir together. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1290 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Hi Dinelle; Hope your having a great week-end! So sorry to hear your Mom had spinal meningitis but very glad she made it thru so she could have you . Actually the reporting that "Smitty" had it was due to a misdiagnosis at first then a incorrect report publicly, someone had jumped the gun. "Smitty" actually died from Cerebrial/Subdural Hematoma, in layman's terms his brain hemmoraged. He passed two days before his 31st. birthday. S.S. | ||
Kev-Lo (7273747576) 5-Doyen Username: 7273747576 Post Number: 196 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 4.236.36.36 |
Hi this is Kev-Lo hey soul sister beautiful pictures.And no you did not bootleg my thread and no Disrespect but I have to say you looked hot in those pictures.You guys were a great couple.He was so young. | ||
Dinelle (dinelle_watson) 5-Doyen Username: dinelle_watson Post Number: 234 Registered: 3-2004 Posted From: 67.35.225.253 |
Thanks, Jeanie. I am greatful to have her. Sometimes. | ||
johneflat (johneflat) 4-Laureate Username: johneflat Post Number: 121 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
I loved "IF MY HEART COULD SPEAK". Wasn't that SMITTY singing on that one? | ||
Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo) 4-Laureate Username: kevgo Post Number: 165 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.33.151.184 |
Jeanie/Soul Sister: Thanks to our friends in England, Ace/Kent Records issued many Carnival Records anthologies that featured the Manhattans & beloved Smitty. His vocals were truly amazing and from the photos I can see that you and Smitty were very happy together. Kev-Lo: Now, about Donald McPherson, only one word can descibe this man's talent - FIERCE! IMHO the Main Ingredient's finest hours were during "the McPherson Era" - Donald not only sang lead but was the group's chief songwriter. The body of work speaks for itself - "You've Been My Inspiration", "Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling In Love)", "Magic Shoes", "I'm Better Off Without You" (first recorded in 1967 when the trio called themselves the Insiders) and "Black Seeds Keep On Growing". After he died in 1971, the group rarely attempted writing any songs. Kevin Goins - KevGo | ||
mike s (mike_s) 4-Laureate Username: mike_s Post Number: 124 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 195.93.33.10 |
Put my few words of appreciation in for Donald McPherson. You just don't hear much about him but his work with the Main Ing was first class. So smooth and silky and those harmonies! Cuba added something new to the group and they had great success with him, but Donald was an original. | ||
isaiah imani (isaiah) 2-Debutant Username: isaiah Post Number: 24 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 205.188.116.139 |
Black Seeds Keep On Growin' is one of those powerful message songs which plays step-child to the more popular message songs of that era, but it resonates with me just as deeply as What's Going On or People Get Ready... The song, in effect, got drowned out by the Main Ingredient's other efforts, but it is a classic... Peace! Isaiah | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1296 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
johneflat; "If My Heart Could Speak" has a "special" meaning to me as "Smitty" would sit on the bed next to me and sing it to me. Yes John, it was "Smitty" singing lead on "IF MY HEART COULD SPEAK". S.S. Here's some of "Smitty's other Deluxe recordings: FROM ATLANTA TO GOODBYE THE PICTURE BECAME QUITE CLEAR CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU WITH THESE HANDS STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART GEORGIA ON MY MIND GIVE HIM UP Group taking turns on different phrases: TO BRING ME BACK BABY PEOPLE GET READY "Blue": BY THE TIME I GET TO PHEOBNIX LONELINESS "Gerald": RAINBOW WEEK S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1297 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Hi Kev-Go; Nice to see you showing up more around here again. Yes, I do have one of the Kent complilations from awhile back, as well as all the Collectable ones. We had alot of fun together like two teenagers in high school, lol, "Smitty" was very affectionate and I liked that. Come to think of it "Jimmy" ain't bad in that department either!! Yea, "Smitty" put alot of feeling into his songs & presentation, but nothing compares to seeing him perform "LIVE"!!(s-i-g-h-------)...... . S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1298 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Hi kev-lo; LOL!!! Thanks for the compliments! You need to check out the 'olden day thread' in the clubhouse, LOL!! (CHUCKLE)!!!!!!! S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1299 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
OH kev-lo; I forgot another of Smitty's own favorites on Carnival was "It's That Time Of The Year". Another of mine is "Til You Come Back", also "Baby I'm Sorry". DJ Felix Hernandez's fave is "Follow Your Heart". S.S. | ||
Chancellor of Soul (harlem_144) 5-Doyen Username: harlem_144 Post Number: 205 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.207.40.18 |
Hey Kev Lo & Soul Sister ! SS ....those are some great pics of you and Smitty. Kev I have to agree with you that SS did indeed look hot ! I remember seeing the Manhattans (with Smitty) at the Apollo in one of Rocky G's Battle of The Groups. At the time, they had out " When We Are Made As One". The Fantastic 4 and Linda Jones were on the same bill. SS, do you remember that particular show ?? It was in the summer of 1967. The Manhattans tore that show up with tuxedo suits and white gloves. As far as Donald McPherson, I only saw him once at the Apollo during the summer of 1970. They were on with the Chi-Lites. The Main Ingredient had out, " You've Been My Inspiration" which happens to be my favorite by Donald. Two great leads are in soul heaven jammin'! Great thread Kev Lo ! Peace, Mike Boone (Chancellor of Soul) chancellorofsoul.com | ||
Nosey (nosey) 5-Doyen Username: nosey Post Number: 223 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 149.174.164.84 |
Soul Sister, I loved "If My Heart Could Speak". Thanks for making things clear about who lead what. Girlllllllll, I knew it was hard to resist that singing on the bed! You go girl! | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1307 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Good Afternoon Mike! Sure do remember that show, when "Smitty" sang "I'm The One Love Forgot" the place went insane!!! The girls screamin', sighin', moanin', and reaching out for the stage!! LOL!! Those were some amazing times. The following winter-spring they were performing on the bill with Otis Redding, The Barkays, Carla Thomas, The Jive Five, etc...my old memory can't always recall all, lol!! Take care Mike, & thanks for the compliments too!! Your Apollo buddy, S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1308 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Nosey; AHA HA!! You got that right, just melted my heart away. You can't stay mad at someone who sings like that to you, lol!!\ S.S. | ||
bigdaddyg2k4 (bigdaddyg2k4) 3-Pundit Username: bigdaddyg2k4 Post Number: 64 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.138.55.62 |
This is music history personified. I have yet to begin to explore the legendary career of the Manhattans, before Gerald Alston and all the hits came about. I have a Deluxe 45 of the group, don't know the song off the top of my head, but I know I got it. Can't believe it's been over 30 years since these two music legends passed, and I often wondered "what could have been" if these two gentlemen were still alive today. Don McPherson died 8 days before I came into this world, and I had the pleasure of listening to his work throughout the years, namely the ballads "Spinning Around" and "You've Been My Inspiration", a voice so smooth and talented. Another great reason why I love the old-school era so much. P.S.: Execellent pics SoulSister, by just your name, I thought you were a real sista; but no matter, u still got much love from me. Ironically, my moms (R.I.P.) had a similar hairstyle like yours, and I think she used Aqua Net for her hair, because I can vividly remember the blue can on her dresser. Though I am black (and proud, african-american is WAY overused), nobody believed that my mom was my mom because she resembled you a bit, but some people think like that I guess. In reality, she was part black and Cherokee indian, just a shade lighter-miss her ALOT. | ||
Chancellor of Soul (harlem_144) 5-Doyen Username: harlem_144 Post Number: 206 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 66.207.40.18 |
Hey Soul Sister ! Yeah, Smitty tore that place apart ! I do remember that show with Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Bar-Kays, Jean Wells, and Toussaint McCall. That was the first and last time I got to see him. And you're welcome! Take care, Mike Boone (Chancellor of Soul) chancellorofsoul.com | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1313 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Hey bigdaddyg2k4; Thanks for the approval of my name which was incidently given to me in 1966 by members of the Jive Five that called me their little Soul Sister. A real sista...hmmm...I think in more ways than one. Also thanks for the compliments. I also used Agua Net too in that white & turquoise can, lol! It and that super net one in the bronze & white can were my main hairsprays back in the day!! I bet your Mom was beautiful, so sorry you lost her too soon. I love the Native American culture also, it's so fasinating, like Native flute music too. Bless Your Heart bigdaddy, S.S. | ||
Soul Sister (soul_sister) 6-Zenith Username: soul_sister Post Number: 1314 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 65.43.165.74 |
Hi Mike; Yea, Jean Wells was there and I think Arthur Conely too. Mike, what's your email now? S.S. | ||
Chancellor of Soul (harlem_144) 5-Doyen Username: harlem_144 Post Number: 207 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 63.78.189.114 |
Hey SS ! My e-mail address is: Mikeboone2@aol.com Take care, Mike Boone (Chancellor of Soul) chancellorofsoul.com | ||
Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo) 4-Laureate Username: kevgo Post Number: 167 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 64.33.151.80 |
Isiah: "Black Seeds Keep On Growing" was indeed a strong message song with a beat and Donald's spoken intro made a strong point indeed. Sadly, by the time the single (and subsequent album "Black Seeds") was released, Donald had died and Luther & Tony were in no shape emotionallyto promote the releases, Kevin Goins - KevGo |
