Soulful DetroitArchives - July 2004 � These Girls Were Out To Get You Previous Next

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Kev-Lo (7273747576)
5-Doyen
Username: 7273747576

Post Number: 198
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.236.213.45
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 6:43 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi this is Kev-Lo the soul era was pretty much dominated by so many male acts that gave us great music,but there was also some female acts that sang their hearts out and belted out some of the best classic soul songs ever.

THE FASCINATIONS was a great female act that took us by storm.A product of the immortal Curtis Mayfield this girl group was four young ladies BERNADINE SMITH,JOANNE LEVELL,FERN BLEDSOE,AND SHIRLEY WALKER.The groups first Mayfield release was SAY IT ISN'T SO and their smooth version of I CAN'T STAY AWAY FROM YOU,and their late 1966 hit GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET YOU.That was the song that had you jumping out of your seats and dancing.Yes this female group should be rated right up there with all of the other great female acts
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~medusa~ (~medusa)
6-Zenith
Username: ~medusa

Post Number: 524
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 68.250.3.25
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 8:18 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Funny you should mention Bernadine, she's a member of my Church, and she still has a beautiful voice...you talkin' about somebody that can sing? The Lady still has it goin' on like that. In fact, she sounds even better.
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Kev-Lo (7273747576)
5-Doyen
Username: 7273747576

Post Number: 199
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.231.246.137
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 8:44 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi this is Kev-Lo hey Medusa it's nice to know that one of ladies is still around.do you know the whereabouts of the others,if you do please let me know
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Ron Murphy (ron_murphy)
4-Laureate
Username: ron_murphy

Post Number: 124
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.42.90.140
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 8:48 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OOH WEE I have always loved that voice of Bernadine's...I'm so glad to hear she's still singing ,she is in my top 3 soul singers, man I'd like to cut her on some club music right now...she can blow!!!! and I don't doubt for a second that she still can.
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Ron Murphy (ron_murphy)
4-Laureate
Username: ron_murphy

Post Number: 125
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.42.90.140
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 8:51 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

oh yeah medusa ...you might make me join your church.
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~medusa~ (~medusa)
6-Zenith
Username: ~medusa

Post Number: 530
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 68.250.3.25
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 10:01 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

KevLo & Ron Murphy, GUESS WHAT ???
I just got finished talking to Bernadine. She's surprised anyone remembered them.
SHe couldn't believe it.
They are all very much alive...and they're still looking good.

I only talked with her about 1/2hour.
I didn't really know your last name Kev, but I did mention Ron Murphy.
She was so sweet as usual, she even asked me to re~join the choir, (I have to think about that one) smile
For more info, E mail me.
medusa9e2003@yahoo.com

(Message edited by ~medusa on August 16, 2004)
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Ron Murphy (ron_murphy)
4-Laureate
Username: ron_murphy

Post Number: 126
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.42.90.140
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 10:16 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

medusa: check your e-mail..I still worry the first time I send one to anybody...guess I don't trust the system yet.
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~medusa~ (~medusa)
6-Zenith
Username: ~medusa

Post Number: 531
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 68.250.3.25
Posted on Monday, August 16, 2004 - 10:35 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mr. Murphy,
I checked my E mail, and at this time, I haven't received anything.
Try again.
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David Meikle (david_meikle)
5-Doyen
Username: david_meikle

Post Number: 324
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 81.130.211.124
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 3:59 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"I'm so lucky" was another nice song.

Maxine Woods of De-To records was also in the group prior to the above mentioned recordings.
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Carl Dixon (carl_dixon)
4-Laureate
Username: carl_dixon

Post Number: 82
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 82.44.203.80
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 4:07 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Medusa - I have a wall mounted single(Girls are out to get you) and photograph in a presentation of The Fascinations. It was a present from my wife, who knows this is the number one single in my life. It hangs there to remind me how songs should be written and produced. Please tell her from me, she and the girls are never far away from the CD player. I see them everyday when I walk into the room. In fact, for an 'autograph' I would be even tempted to take a photo of the presentation and sent it to you!

Well done Kev-Lo for bringing up these lovely ladies. Have you got the CD of all their recordings? One track features production talk back onto the studio floor where the singers are asked to try the harmonies again, as one of them is a little flat!
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David Meikle (david_meikle)
5-Doyen
Username: david_meikle

Post Number: 325
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 81.130.211.124
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 4:10 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Medusa

I think Bernadine would be interested in this discography from Dave Rimmer's site.

She could possibly clear up the questions thereon too.

Is Shirley Walker really Shirley Lawson? OMG.
http://www.soulfulkindamusic.n et/fascinations.htm

(Message edited by david meikle on August 17, 2004)
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~medusa~ (~medusa)
6-Zenith
Username: ~medusa

Post Number: 535
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 68.249.245.54
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 11:30 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Carl,
Bernadine was so surprised that anyone remembered them after so long. She mentioned that Curtis Mayfield was their Manager at one time. I will be speaking to her again this evening. I did tell her about Soufuldetroit.com. She will be getting in touch with the other members.
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~medusa~ (~medusa)
6-Zenith
Username: ~medusa

Post Number: 538
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 68.249.245.54
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 11:37 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I forgot to mention that I did tell her this wasn't the first time they were mentioned here on SDForum.
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Kev-Lo (7273747576)
5-Doyen
Username: 7273747576

Post Number: 201
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.236.243.254
Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 10:09 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi this is Kev-Lo hey medusa my full name is Kevin Logan.If you can would you please give Bernadine my e-mail address kevinlogan@peoplepc.com I would like to ask her some questions in reguards to her music
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mike s (mike_s)
4-Laureate
Username: mike_s

Post Number: 132
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 195.93.33.10
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 6:42 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Be interesting to see if Shirley Lawson was in the group. I loved her One More Chance. It appeared some years ago on a Kent UK compilation album. Although it was originally released on Backbeat/Duke, it sounds very Detroit/Revilot. Anyone know more?
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Carl Dixon (carl_dixon)
4-Laureate
Username: carl_dixon

Post Number: 85
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 82.44.203.80
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 8:15 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Medusa - as long as we are around, she will not be forgotten. I hope she is as thrilled as I am, knowing that she is admired from afar and respected for her efforts all those years ago. You must tell her, that 'Girls are out to get you' was the only time I pardoned myself on the dance floor, left a girl dancing on her own and to ask the DJ what the record was. Then the quest began to find it - and it was hard, as it was deleted. What a city you have there. A gold mine of talent under every rock and stone. You do realise I would love to speak to her and better still meet her. Maybe next time I am in Detroit. Please give her London hug, as 'Girls...' and 'At the top of the stairs' by The Formations are side by side in their presentations on the wall in my home. These two records are milestones in my life and she is part of it!!
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SDF (handsome)
6-Zenith
Username: handsome

Post Number: 447
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 170.118.158.14
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 11:22 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi All.

I really didn't know anything about the Fasicinations until SDF first brought them up. I have bought the Curtom Story, which features 2 songs by them: I'm So Lucky & Girls Are Out To Get You. I had actually bought it for the Donny Hathaway & June Conquest, & Leroy Hutson. At any rate, these girls can sing and I wasn't disappointed. I understand in the early days Martha Reeves was a part of this group, according to the small bio in the 2 cd Curtom Story set.

Handsome
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~medusa~ (~medusa)
6-Zenith
Username: ~medusa

Post Number: 554
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 155.139.68.10
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 1:33 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey,I haven't forgotten about you,it was a bit too late last night tocall, butI will talk to her tonight.
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caliluv (caliluv)
2-Debutant
Username: caliluv

Post Number: 22
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 63.251.57.2
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 2:08 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm glad that people still remember this group. "I Can't Stay Away" has always been one of my favorite songs by the Fascinations. A few years ago I was trying to think of a email/screenname and happened to glance at the cd "Out to Getcha" and that has been my screename since. Two things I was suprised to read in the inlet of this cd, was Martha Reeves was once a member of this group and that "Hold On" was recorded first by this group before Gladys Knight on the "Claudine" soundtrack.
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Eli (phillysoulman)
6-Zenith
Username: phillysoulman

Post Number: 1350
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.163.61.188
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 4:02 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

FYI,

The entire background singing group at the GREAT PBS taping last night were from Detroit, including the lead singer of the Debonaires and Ralph of the Floaters.
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~medusa~ (~medusa)
6-Zenith
Username: ~medusa

Post Number: 555
Registered: 3-2004
Posted From: 68.249.245.164
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 5:54 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

KevLo & Graham,
Please check your E Mails now.
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Kev-Lo (7273747576)
5-Doyen
Username: 7273747576

Post Number: 204
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.236.36.199
Posted on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 - 9:31 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi this is Kev-Lo hey medusa once again thanks
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SDF (handsome)
6-Zenith
Username: handsome

Post Number: 456
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 170.118.158.14
Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 11:07 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here are some other songs the Fascinations recorded:

I'm in Love
Hold On (as caliluv mentioned)
Just Another Reason
I've Been Trying

Handsome
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Eli (phillysoulman)
6-Zenith
Username: phillysoulman

Post Number: 1356
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.236.51.40
Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 2:36 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The lady from the Debonaires is Diane Mathis
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Boynextdoor (boynextdoor)
4-Laureate
Username: boynextdoor

Post Number: 74
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 4.165.87.16
Posted on Thursday, August 19, 2004 - 10:20 pm: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Out to GetCha is a great CD. I got mine at amazon.com. It's about $15.95 and well worth it!
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Don (don)
6-Zenith
Username: don

Post Number: 645
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.75.168.193
Posted on Saturday, August 21, 2004 - 8:38 am: ��Edit PostDelete Post���Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hello SD'ers, sorry I got to this thread kinda late. It's all coming back to me Fern Bledsoe, was with The Fascinatoins after all that's what I remember her who she originally started with. I know about her being lead with The Aprils (and/or)Fern & The Aprils on Ran-dee Records.

Last night I didn't have anything to do. So I went into the archieves and came across the Hodges, James, Smith & originally Crawford? I missed out on that thread.

Basicaly, I'm reading over threads and this thread included

and other threads like;

Rare Chicago Soul Acts
Kable Records
Ran-Dee label (Chicago)
Markee label (Chicago)
Krystal Generation (girl group from Chicago)
We Forgot About These Rare Soul Groups
Hodges, James, Smith (& originally Crawford)

I've always said there has always been a Deroit/Chicago/Motown connection, and others in between. It'll make me feel better that you all have the infomation and can make the connections better now unlike before.

Don

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