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...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.
And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
NATURAL HY
on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
(COLD SHOW OPEN)
"Sweet Inspiration" - The Sweet Inspirations
(Apr./May 1968, highest chart pos. #5 R&B/#18 Hot 100/#20 Cash Box)
Kicking-off today's show, you just saw and heard The Sweet Inspirations
singing in sweet harmony on their single "Sweet Inspiration," a top 5 hit
for the gospel-tinged soul quartet in the spring of 1968. The group was
led by Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston and the aunt of
Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick.
CLICK TO START VIDEO!
Calling all my beats, beards, Buddhist cats, big time
spenders, money lenders, teetotalers, elbow benders,
hog callers, home run hitters, finger poppin’ daddies
spenders, money lenders, teetotalers, elbow benders,
hog callers, home run hitters, finger poppin’ daddies
and cool babysitters. For all my carrot tops, lollipops
and extremely delicate gum drops. It's your pal
on the radio, Hyski ‘O Roonie McVouti ‘O Zoot -
“The South Philadelphia Kid” - "The Potentate
of The Keystone State." Callin' uptown, downtown,
crosstown - here, there, everywhere. Your man with
the plan, on the scene with the record machine.
Hey you midnight movers and uptown groovers,
knock me your lobes— are you ready for this?
More fantabulous Chi-town soul from
the guys this time-- The Dells!
and extremely delicate gum drops. It's your pal
on the radio, Hyski ‘O Roonie McVouti ‘O Zoot -
“The South Philadelphia Kid” - "The Potentate
of The Keystone State." Callin' uptown, downtown,
crosstown - here, there, everywhere. Your man with
the plan, on the scene with the record machine.
Hey you midnight movers and uptown groovers,
knock me your lobes— are you ready for this?
More fantabulous Chi-town soul from
the guys this time-- The Dells!
"Wear It on Our Face - The Dells
(May/June 1968, highest chart pos. #27 R&B/#44 Hot 100)
Chicago soul at its finest - "Wear It On Our Face" - from the group
once called The El-Rays. Now they're known and loved as The Dells.
once called The El-Rays. Now they're known and loved as The Dells.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
You're listening to Natural Hy with yours truly
Hy Lit of The Shady Bunch on S-P-M-M...
the station with personality. Time to pop in
to Queens, New York, home of a trio called
The Toys. What a sound this is. Can you
dig it? If you can't, baby-- "May My
Heart Be Cast Into Stone!"
Hy Lit of The Shady Bunch on S-P-M-M...
the station with personality. Time to pop in
to Queens, New York, home of a trio called
The Toys. What a sound this is. Can you
dig it? If you can't, baby-- "May My
Heart Be Cast Into Stone!"
"May My Heart Be Cast Into Stone" - The Toys
(April 1966, highest chart pos. #85 Hot 100)
The Toys, the group that gave us the chart topper "A Lover's Concerto" in '65,
back with another great one in '66-- "May My Heart Be Cast Into Stone."
If you're just tuning in you're on a Natural Hy
with me, Hyski, on S-P-M-M Radio - where
all the cool oldies come to play.
with me, Hyski, on S-P-M-M Radio - where
all the cool oldies come to play.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
In '62, Motown diva Mary Wells hit big
with "The One Who Really Loves You."
That same year Mary's label mates,
the marvelous Marvelettes, waxed
their own version of the song, and its
a classic in its own right. Check this!
with "The One Who Really Loves You."
That same year Mary's label mates,
the marvelous Marvelettes, waxed
their own version of the song, and its
a classic in its own right. Check this!
"The One Who Really Loves You" - The Marvelettes
(from 1961 album Smash Hits Of '62)
From a 1962 album that included killer covers like "Twistin' The Night Away,"
"Good Luck Charm" and "Dream Baby" plus their latest hit "Twistin' Postman,"
"Good Luck Charm" and "Dream Baby" plus their latest hit "Twistin' Postman,"
those were The Marvelettes with another great sound from Motown, their
version of the Mary Wells hit "The One Who Really Loves You."
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
THE VIDEO NOW!
Slowing things down now with a smooth
groove guaranteed to put you on a
Natural Hy. Back to Chicago we
go with The Impressions and
an updated version of an old
favorite-- "I'm So Proud."
groove guaranteed to put you on a
Natural Hy. Back to Chicago we
go with The Impressions and
an updated version of an old
favorite-- "I'm So Proud."
"I'm So Proud" (updated ver.) - The Impressions
(from 1970 album The Best Impressions: Curtis, Sam & Fred)
A group of guys who always made the best impression,
Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, with a rerecorded
1970 version of their 1964 hit "I'm So Proud."
Here's another sound from that same year, 1970,
as we switch from sweet Chi-town soul to rockin'
white soul from, of all places, Motown Records.
as we switch from sweet Chi-town soul to rockin'
white soul from, of all places, Motown Records.
CLICK TO START VIDEO!
This dynamic psychedelic blue-eyed soul band was the
first all-white act to score a hit for Motown. They even
had a subsidiary label named after them - Rare Earth.
The tune on my table right now is their breakthrough
hit, a cover of a song written by Smokey Robinson
and originally a hit for The Temps in 1966. Dig
Rare Earth shouting "Get Ready, here I come!"
"Get Ready" - Rare Earth
(May/June 1970, highest chart pos. #1 Canada,
#2 Cash Box/#4 Hot 100/#20 R&B)
You just listened to the husky voice of lead singer Gil Bridges
fronting his band Rare Earth on their 1970 million seller "Get Ready,"
a cover of a top 30 hit by The Temptations that charted four years
earlier. Rare Earth's version went top 3 on Cash Box, top 5 on
Billboard and zoomed all the way to #1 in Canada.
fronting his band Rare Earth on their 1970 million seller "Get Ready,"
a cover of a top 30 hit by The Temptations that charted four years
earlier. Rare Earth's version went top 3 on Cash Box, top 5 on
Billboard and zoomed all the way to #1 in Canada.
That's all for now. You've been ridin' on a Natural Hy
with me, Hyski, here on S-P-M-M. Stay tuned for my
Shady Bunch pal Dr. Don Rose and his Rose-Colored
Glasses, coming up on the B side of news, and I'll be
back soon with another stack of boss goldens, every
spinner a certified winner. I wanna see your face
in the place... so keep your ear right here.
with me, Hyski, here on S-P-M-M. Stay tuned for my
Shady Bunch pal Dr. Don Rose and his Rose-Colored
Glasses, coming up on the B side of news, and I'll be
back soon with another stack of boss goldens, every
spinner a certified winner. I wanna see your face
in the place... so keep your ear right here.
CLICK TO START VIDEO!
To play us off the air, one of the coolest sounds ever.
They're The Presidents, a trio from, where do you think?
Washington, D.C. - with their crossover hit from 50 years
ago, "5-10-15-20 (25-30 Years of Love)." Now this is Hy
They're The Presidents, a trio from, where do you think?
Washington, D.C. - with their crossover hit from 50 years
ago, "5-10-15-20 (25-30 Years of Love)." Now this is Hy
Lit reminding you to be good, be nice, be kind, maintain
your cool, don't be nobody's fool. Later, my friend!
"5-10-15-20 (25-30 Years Of Love)" - The Presidents
(Oct./Nov. 1970, highest chart pos. #5 R&B/#11 Hot 100)
Hey Tom,
ReplyDeleteYou introduced some great 60s sounds this morning. "Get Ready" is the only song I knew in your set but that's probably because of not only it's a #1 70s tune. I do recognize some of the featured 60s band names like The Dells & The Marvelettes, even The Impressions and Presidents sound familiar but that might be because you've shared them in the past. Is that possible? I've never been really good with knowing who does what and I'm certain these old groups I've listened to their stuff and just didn't know who they were. Thanks for the fab sound of yesterday. You really know how to put good content together, my friend!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThanks for racing over to take the early bird honors this time, dear friend!
I'm happy that you enjoyed Hy Lit's latest SPMM radio show and discovered some songs that are new to your ears. Yessum, The Dells, Marvelettes, Impressions and Toys have all been on my blogs before doing different songs. As you might recall, The Toys were in a recent post performing "Attack" in a scene from the movie It's a Bikini World. However this is the first time I have posted The Presidents doing their signature song and only major hit "5-10-15-20." It was a very big record in my neck of the woods and a great example of the cool, smooth, soulful vocal group harmony recordings that were popular at the time in Philadelphia and elsewhere around the nation, and the style of mewsic Hy Lit liked to play on his original radio and television shows. The cover of "Get Ready" by Rare Earth is one of the last Dell songs I remember playing on the jukebox before I quit going to the Dell and got married. :)
Thanks again for coming by, dear friend Cathy, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Tom,
DeleteI'm glad I remembered that you did share all these 60 sounds in previous posts. The magic of mewsic from that decade can't be matched. As I've said many times, the younger generation can learn much from those early mewsical genius. These days most everyone is unimaginative and sound like everyone else. Looking forward to listening to good old oldies found right here on SPMM!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you again, dear friend. Thanks for coming back over!
I totally agree, Cathy. While older folks are often accused of viewing the past through rose-colored glasses and accused of being biased when they claim the mewsic of their youth was the greatest, I believe an objective analysis would show that the sounds of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s truly were better than most of the stuff today's young people are exposed to. It always excites me when the younger generation takes an interest in mid 20th century culture, especially young singers and musicians who cover the songs of the past authentically.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, dear friend Cathy. I hope to see you tomorrow when Daisy Skye Johnson offers a preview of her new SPMM radio show!
This was fun music to wake up to today. I noticed that there was little dancing back then and there was more hand action than foot action. Three or four steps was all that was needed.
ReplyDeleteHi, Arleen!
DeleteHow's it going up there in PA today, dear friend? Thanks for coming over and tuning in to the latest edition of Natural Hy, hosted by Philadelphia broadcast pioneer Hy Lit. I'm glad you commented on that amazing rare clip of The Sweet Inspirations doing their simple gestures as they performed their signature song "Sweet Inspiration." I was overjoyed to come across that clip when it recently showed up on YouTube. I had never seen it before.
I'm glad you had fun waking up to the type of music Hy Lit brought us in the 60s and 70s on his radio and TV shows. His legend lives on.
Thanks again for being here, dear friend Arleen. Please take good care of yourself and I hope to see you again soon!
I feel like hitting all the songs, because man, this is a great set!
ReplyDeleteThe Sweet Inspirations sound like they're singing in church, and I mean that as a compliment. No doubt they honed their craft on Sunday morning.
I probably would have remembered The Dells better if I had listened to more WVON or WJPC (formerly WGRT), the two big AM soul stations in Chicago. They had a great sound that really should have crossed over more. WLS was a little better about the crossover artists than WCFL was, particularly in the early '70's, but still, I don't remember this one, and I think I should.
Thanks for reminding me that The Toys recorded "A Lover's Concerto." I like this one a little better, and I really liked "Concerto."
No matter who does it, "The One Who Really Loves You" is a great song. I ran over to YouTube to hear Mary Wells sing it after the Marvelettes, and I've been listening to all the versions there are. Bobby Rydell did a nice sounding cover, as did Monica Rocha, who I had never heard of. Like I said, a great song.
The Impressions are another great band from Chicago that, again, I would have heard more of if I had explored the dial more.
And, of course, there's Rare Earth's incredible cover of "Get Ready," which I featured as a "Song of the Day" almost exactly one month ago. (https://thesoundofonehandtyping.com/2020/07/10/song-of-the-day-rare-earth-get-ready/) It's another of those songs that mean a lot to me personally, because it came out right around the time I was starting high school. It's part of the "soundtrack of my life," you might say. Ditto The Presidents' big (and only, maybe) hit.
This set really took me back!
Hi, John!
DeleteI'm excited to see you, good buddy! Thanks for joining the fun as Hy Lit presents the 4th installment of his SPMM radio show Natural Hy.
Wow, I'm glad you dug Hy's playlist, John. I always proofread and play the songs on my new posts first thing on the day they are published, just to experience the shows for my own entertainment. As I listened to these songs this morning, I concluded that this Hy Lit volume does indeed kick butt - "every spinner a winner" as Hy might have said. It boasts a rare video clip and several other seldom heard soul gems including a couple that were released on albums during the period.
Yes, John - The Sweet Inspirations sound like they are singing in the church choir, and indeed those ladies started out doing just that. Their churchified recordings fall just inches across the line between gospel and secular. Thanks for the lesson about Chicago AM radio in the late 60s. It's a shame you weren't exposed to more of these fine soul sounds in your youth. The Dells were huge in my region, and the song featured here, "Wear It On Our Face" was a biggie on Hy Lit's Philly based Bandstand style TV Show. Thanks to a strong antenna and living on a hillside, I was able to watch his Saturday program from my home in York.
I also totally agree with your assessment of The Toys. Their biggest hit "A Lover's Concerto," is terrific pop soul, but I liked "Attack" more, and this one, "May My Heart Be Cast Into Stone," has grown on me to become what I consider the best of all - a super cool soul slab.
"It starts with a great song," Shady sez, and "The One Who Really Loves You" is a great song. I'm glad you enjoyed this cover so much that you checked out others on Y/T including Mary Wells' original hit version.
In my experience it is rare for a re-recorded version of a song to measure up to the original. However, on their 1970 album The Best Impressions, Mayfield and his men impressed the dickens out of me with great new versions of "I'm So Proud," "Gypsy Woman" and "Amen." I owned that album and played it heavily.
I will check out your Rare Earth post. Their cover of "Get Ready" is also an important song on the soundtrack of my youth. I owned that album and loved listening to the full length version of the song which took up the entire side of the LP. The other songs on that first album are also great. Twenty or more years ago, I belonged to an online music forum and exchanged comments with two of the original Rare Earth band members. The band suffered a number of losses though the years as members died young. I'm thrilled that you also remember this one and only big hit by The Presidents.
Thank you so much for your visit and excellent comment, good buddy John. Take care and I hope to see you again soon!
Most of those are new to me. Looking back, such an innocent time, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for coming by on day one, good buddy!
The songs Hy Lit plays on his SPMM radio show represent a period of time from the mid 60s through mid 70s when sweet, innocent soul harmony was still in style, before the rise of Disco, Punk-Funk and Rap. As such, it is a time period cherished by many nostalgic Boomers.
Thanks again for setting your dial to Natural Hy on SPMM Retrosonic Radio, good buddy Alex!
These are wonderful songs to listen to and I love that video of the gals who pop up and then down from the bushes. Whitney's mom had a powerful voice and I like it better than her daughter's to be honest. I just enjoyed all of these because they seem sweet overall.
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for coming over so quickly, dear friend!
I'm happy you enjoyed listening to this latest volume of Hyski's Natural Hy radio program. I try to make the playlists authentic as possible based on my memories of the records Hy loved to play on his Philadelphia TV show which I watched regularly.
I'm glad you appreciated the rare vid of The Sweet Inspirations. I had never seen it before and was thrilled to discover it a few weeks ago. About to turn 87 next month, Cissy has outlived her daughter Whitney who died at age 48 and her niece Dee Dee Warwick who struggled with narcotics addiction and also died young at age 66. Cissy's cousin is the well known opera singer Leontyne Price who is now age 93.
Yessum, this latest batch of boss goldens from Hy Lit offers sweet soul music at its finest. Thanks again for coming, dear friend BB. I'll see you tamale!
I like the Rare Earth version of Get Ready. It has me wondering.... is it theirs I really remember or The Temptations' version. I'm guessing the The Temptations' rendition. It sounds great, though.
ReplyDeleteA lot of good 60s sounds today, Shady.
Pat says hello.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteThanks for coming over and joining the fun, dear friend!
Shady always sez "It starts with a great song," and "Get Ready" is a great song. I can't decide which version I like more, the Temps original or the remake by Rare Earth. Both were popular plays on the Shady Dell's dance hall jukebox.
I'm delighted you enjoyed Hy's song set. Thanks again for coming by and thanks for letting me know that my buddy Pat says hello. I always like to visualize him curled up near you as you write your comments and replies. :) Can you tell I miss my Toto?
Take care, dear friend Kelly, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Greetings from AB, Canada where the weather is exciting and yet unpredictable ... am off radar for a while as harvesting my garden b4 it's 2 late. Much love, c.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteThanks for reporting in, dear friend! I hope you enjoyed Hy Lit's radio show.
Are you saying fall is already nipping at the air up your way, with winter soon to follow? I don't envy you having to endure a harsh winter on top of the hardships created by the virus most of this year. I hope your garden yields abundantly.
Thanks again for saying hello, dear friend cat, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Good morning from Chicago Shady! My sister came and stayed at the Pines for a week and I brought her home and stayed to help her with some projects here. The groups featured are familiar sounding but the only tune I really knew was Rare Earth's Get Ready. Whitney Houston certainly had talented genes that came before her. Very sad she struggled with addiction that cut her life short. I hope all's well with you and your family. Poor Arnold has to visit the vet here with what I think might be an ACL tear in his leg. It's always something! Take care!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThanks for visiting from Chicago, dear friend! First, I'm sorry to learn that my buddy Arnie is in pain and possibly has a torn ligament. I hope you get answers and a good treatment plan from the vet and hope he feels better soon. I also hope Midge is doing well these days. I'm happy to know the two of you are spending so much time together.
Yessum, the Rare Earth cover is the biggest crossover hit in this set of songs presented by Philadelphia broadcast titan Hy Lit, and therefore I am not surprised it is the only song you knew before today. I'm sure you remember The Dells, a group from Harvey, Illinois, who were huge in Chicago and across the country, and, of course, Curtis Mayfield, who is also from Chicago. It boggles the mind how much church-based singing talent came out of Cissy Houston's family. Sadly Whitney and Dee Dee went astray and both died young.
Yessum, we are AOK down here, sweating out the season and eagerly awaiting the first cool front which should sweep in from the north around mid December. :)
Thanks again for making time for a visit, dear friend YaYa. Take good care of yourself, your sister and Arnie, and be careful on the drive back home. See you soon!
Hello there Shady! Once again I am late to the party I'm afraid. I have a post which I should finish today finally. Wish I had some good excuse for being MIA but not really. I only knew a few of your songs and "Get Ready," was the one I knew best. I can't decide if I like the Rare Earth version or the Temptations. Both make me want to get up and dance though. Hope you and the Mrs. are doing well.
ReplyDeleteHi, Janet!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend! I hope you and Benny are doing well out there in Cali and taking your daily walks.
Seems most of the readers who have commented so far know "Get Ready" better than the other songs on Hy Lit's playlist. That's a good thing in Shady's world, because my goal is to introduce friends like you who were raised in other part of the country to little known recordings they missed the first time around. Years ago I learned from another California friend how few artists and songs she knew that were a big part of my youth growing up back east. The songs in this post were hot on my local radio station and played heavily on radio and TV in the Philadelphia and Baltimore markets, both of which were close enough to my home so that I could watch great DJs like Hy lit and Jerry Blavat doing their shows on TV. That's why I chose to honor both of those Philly broadcast legends by making them DJs on SPMM Radio.
Thanks again for popping in. I'm thrilled that this batch of sounds put you into a dancing mood (and on a Natural Hy). Please take good care of yourself, dear friend Janet, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Heck! I'm a day late, but finally made it. Hi Hy! You brought in some pretty good tunes again this time. You always manage to surprise me with something new and something old.
ReplyDeleteI remember "Sweet Inpirations" and liked it so much, not realizing that in the future, I would hear great songs from nieces and granddaughters of these talented ladies!
I don't remember "Wear It On Your Face", and I liked it, as it is full of energy. "I'm So Proud" is a slow and smooth one, Hy. Care to dance?
"A Lover's Concerto" was a hit for the Toys, and I liked it, but I am not familiar with any other of their songs. "May Your Heart Be Cast Into Stone" is another example of these girls great singing talents.
Wow! Rare Earth! As much as I love the Temptations, I have to go with Rare Earth's version of "Get Ready"! You hit it the nail on the head, Hy, with this one. Gil's husky voice brought this song to major "POP" status! I have this in my "favorites" folder!
Gosh...The Marveletts. They were so great with "Pleas Mr. Postman" and their fantastic "Don't Mess With Bill". They do a stand-up job on "The One Who Really Loves You." And, these ladies are credited for their contribution in paving the way for future successful Motown ladies.
I loved Mary Wells. She got my MAIN attention with "My Guy", and one of her best is "You Beat Me to The Punch". I am still sad to have lost this great talent at such a young age.
Thank you Hy for bringing these groups together, and showing us how collaborations show us that artists respect and love each other enough to share their talents and accomplishments.
Great post, Hy and Shady! We had temps of 102 yesterday, and I think we're in for the same today. Hope the rest of your week is Shady, dear friend. See you next time.
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for joining the fun, dear friend!
I'm sorry to learn that you are sweltering with triple digit temperatures over there in Texas. You're in worse shape than we are in Central Florida. We continue to get nice cooling downpours almost every day. I have never seen a summer this wet.
I'm excited that you enjoyed the latest offerings from ace DJ Hy Lit, a Philadelphia based TV and radio personality who had it all - good looking, sharp dressed man, rich voice, gift of gab and a heck of a nice guy. Hy is no longer with us, but his legend and his music live on here at Shady's Place. I'm glad you appreciated the sight and sound of The Sweet Inspirations, the group founded by Cissy Houston and Lee Warwick of the family gospel group The Drinkard Singers. Cissy is Whitney's mother and Lee is the mom of singing sisters Dionne & Dee Dee Warwick. I was overjoyed to come across that rare video of the Inspirations performing their biggest hit.
The soul records you don't remember by The Dells, Toys and Presidents were all popular in Philadelphia and in Soul Mecca York, PA. Soulfully inclined Dell rats consider themselves lucky to have grown up in this region and exposed to all this great music, much of it unknown to folks in other parts of the country.
That's another virtual vote for the biggest hit in today's lineup, Rare Earth's cover of the Temptations' "Get Ready." I owned that album and listened again and again to the extended jam on side 2. I remember hosting college parties and playing that super long song for guests to dance to. Yessum, it certainly is a shame that great talents like Mary Wells, Whitney Houston and Dee Dee Warwick died young. So did several members of Rare Earth and, of course, Curtis Mayfield.
I'm delighted that you got so much enjoyment from the latest volume of Natural Hy. Thanks again for swinging by, dear friend Suzanne. Stay tuned. Coming up next Tuesday, it's time to switch from soul to rock as Daisy Skye Johnson aka "Quake" from Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. drops by to host a preview of her new SPMM radio show. I hope to see you then!
Hi, Shady.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're doing well, my friend.
I always see essays on here, and I just don't have much to say. I have no knowledge of music, really. I just know what I like, and what I like is fun, dance-able music. You always bring that. It's fun to take this trips back in time, when sweet apparent innocence and pure talent took hold of the industry. We've declined so much. It's a pick-me-up to visit your bloggy home. I'd never heard any of these particular tunes before from 5, 10...45 years ago.
May you be enjoying all and only good stuff.
Hi, Robyn!
DeleteThanks so much for dropping by, dear friend! I am doing well and I hope the same for you.
I hear you, Robyn, and totally understand what it is like not to know enough about a particular subject to write an essay length comment. I often run into that problem myself on other sites. Your comment here is a very good one. It has substance and is appreciated. I too prefer fun, up tempo dance music to sad, weepy ballads that leave me feeling down and depressed. Yessum, the music makers introduced in this volume by Hy Lit represent a period of time when sweet, innocent love songs were still popular, before it became more fashionable and profitable to record nasty, violent and vulgar material.
It makes me happy to know that your spirits get a boost whenever you visit Shady's Place. That's what makes blogging worthwhile for me.
Thanks again for coming to the party, dear friend Robyn. Take care of yourself out there in California. I look forward to seeing you soon over at your place!
The Sweet Inspirations had one notable fan: Elvis Presley. He liked them so much he hired them. From 1969 to 1977, the four (eventually three after Whitney's mom left) girls were backup singers for all of Elvis' live shows. They can be seen in the concert films Elvis--That's the Way It Is and Elvis on Tour, on his live TV special from Hawaii, and, if you can bear watching an Elvis who kind of looks like Broderick Crawford with a pompadour (though he still sounds fine), another concert that was taped not long before he died and was aired on TV posthumously. The Inspirations were one of three or four groups of backup singers who appeared on stage with Elvis AT THE SAME TIME. I capitalize that because this is something that drove his manager Colonel Tom Parker crazy. It seemed to him--and I can't disagree--unnecessary as Elvis on stage all by himself with nothing but a guitar that (by his own admission) he knew only three chords could probably guarantee a sold-out show. But by that point in his career Elvis was interested in displaying his musical influences (as well as looking for ways to keep himself interested as he became increasingly bored with his own performance), and the Sweet Inspirations represented his love of black music (Elvis has often been accused of "cultural appropriation", but he never hid the fact that he played types of music invented by others.) The Inspirations were often Elvis' opening act, and the backup singers closest to him on stage, serving as sexy foils whenever the King felt like clowning around. In Elvis--That's the Way It is, he flirts with them quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember there being an act called Rare Earth (unless I have them confused with Earth, Wind, and Fire), but don't know any of their songs. Had I turned on some oldie station and heard them performing their version of "Get Ready" without knowing it was them, I probably would have thought it was The Temptations.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming by, good buddy, and for adding so much to the discussion as SPMM boss jock Hy Lit presents the 4th edition of his show Natural Hy!
Good good good informations... about the sweet sweet Sweet Inspirations, Kirk, and I very much appreciate it! I didn't know all these details about The Sweets backing Elvis Presley at live shows during his comeback years. It makes sense that the two acts were a good fit because Elvis had kept his career alive during The Beatles and British Invasion years by recording gospel albums. I went over to YouTube and watched the video that contains outtakes from the documentary This Time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yerT3cblvp8
I also did some extra reading, mainly interviews with Sweets member Myrna Smith who is prominently featured in that documentary. She said they recorded their big Atlantic hit "Sweet Inspiration" at the studio in Muscle Shoals, Bama. Somehow Elvis Presley's people got hold of their recording and brought it to Elvis's attention. At the time The King was shopping around for both a male and a female gospel-tinged backing group to perform with him on stage and sweeten the sound of his live shows. The moment Elvis heard the group's "Sweet Inspiration" single he knew they had the sound he wanted and they were immediately signed to the tour. Sadly Myrna Smith and Sylvia Shermwell, two members of the classic lineup of Inspirations that recorded hits for Atlantic, both took ill and died in 2010.
Endowed with 20-20 hindsight, I am often amazed at some of the decisions made by Berry Gordy and others in charge at Motown. At times they seemed to stumble their way to success. The white psychedelic rock & soul band Rare Earth wanted to release this cover of "Get Ready" as their first single on Motown's new subsidiary label Rare Earth, but the company refused. Going against the band's wishes and instincts, Motown chose instead to release the song "Generation, Light Up the Sky" as the debut. The record flopped. For the band's second single, Motown agree to go with "Get Ready" and it shot to the upper reaches of the U.S. chart (all the way to #1 in Canada), far surpassing The Temptations' original. After scoring a hit with their version of The Temp's "Get Ready," Rare Earth followed with another Temptations cover "(I Know) I'm Losing You" which made a run at the top 5, again topping the chart performance of The Temps. Rare Earth went on to enjoy a string of hits in the early 70s that included "Born To Wander," "I Just Want To Salivate (Celebrate)" and "Hey Big Brother." If your ears can't tell Rare Earth from the Temps it is probably because Rare Earth lead zinger Gil Bridges has soul to spare.
Thanks again for your visit and for taking time to compose this very informative comment, good buddy Kirk!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteYou have me dancing into this rainy Friday with such joy and gusto. I'm only familiar with the Marvelettes and I absolutely love them. :) While I wasn't familiar with the other artists, I like the sound and rhythm. I'm going to take a second listen when I cook dinner later. Parents are away this weekend.
Have a great day!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for dropping by and tuning in to Hy Lit's radio show - Natural Hy. This is Hyski's 4th blogcast here at Shady's Place and I think you told me before that your dad remembers him from the glory years of Philadelphia top 40 radio and his TV show on WKBS-48.
I'm happy to know you admire The Marvelettes of Motown. I hope you'll return and work your way through Hy's playlist as you cook dinner. I also hope you enjoy some peace and solitude while you are home alone.
Thanks again for reporting in and have a great day and weekend, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteUnfortunately, didn't do any listening this weekend... was way too busy for that!
On Friday, I walked to Hair Cuttery after my writing workshop ended. 3:15, got there at 3:50, my appointment was for 4, and I thought I would be home by 4:45, I would cook and eat before Shabbat at 6.
The best laid plans of mice and men often go a-rye! Hair Cuttery was restructured and their systems were down. They couldn’t take card, so I said, “let me pick up my stuff at Michael’s and get cash back.” Went to Michaels and after 20 minutes of standing in line, I was told they don’t hold orders. Deep breath in. I had to pick up my medicine at Target, so I went to Target, got my medicine and my flu shot. I picked up two cards and waited in line for 15 minutes.
I finally paid my bill at 5pm, went over to Michael’s and picked up the stuff they didn’t hold for me. I got home at 5:45 and didn’t have time to eat before Shabbat. Shabbat was fun and it was so nice catching up with friends over zoom. I “met” some new people which was fun. The theme was summer camp. LOL! Cooked after Shabbat, but the meal ended up taking longer than I anticipated, so I warmed up GF battered cod. I have the Thai chicken in the fridge, hopefully we can have it one night this week.
Saturday was amazing! I ended up becoming a member at the Franklin Institute. It was cheaper that way and since I like going to their Sciences After 5 and love going to their astronomy events, it made sense. Dad really enjoyed the photos of the presidents, so I’m going to take him in the autumn. I’ll see if mom wants to come, although my membership only covers two. I know mom will want to go at some point, she enjoys the Franklin Institute as well.
Anyway, after spending two hours with the president – I should write about this for my newsletter because the security guard enjoyed watching me take photos with the statues—I enjoyed watching the experiments and dissection. I spent a good 4.5 hours there.
Yesterday I cooked and cleaned. I made crock pot butternut squash soup that I’ll freeze, turkey stuffed peppers that I’ll freeze, chocolate chirp cookies, then had a Kosher paella last night. I ended up putting too much liquid in, which set off the smoke detector and had to open the door and windows. After the smoke cleared, I couldn’t figure out how to get the device off that held the door opened. I had to walk down to one of my neighbour’s and he helped me out. I didn’t want to force anything and break the door, so I asked for help. I was grateful.
Took a listen just now and you powered an hour of productive work! Motown helps me get in the groove and helps me get work done. Now, back to classical. Classical tends to calm me.
Have a great day!
Wow, you had some kind of weekend, dear friend. I'm glad you were able to soothe your nerves listening to Hy Lit's radio blogcast. Stick around and get ready to rock with Daisy Skye Johnson tomorrow morning. Hope to see you then!
DeleteBusy-ness feels nice, especially after 5 months of being at home. However, I'm looking forward to the at home vibe again.
DeleteI'll check it out!
Still wailing and reeling about a (black) guy entering one of our walk in clinics ... armed with a hammer and a machete in order to slaughter one of our beloved (white) Docs. c
ReplyDeleteI don't know the full story, but it is an unfortunate incident, cat. I'm sure it makes working in the healthcare field all the more tense and worrisome for you. Take care up there, dear friend!
DeleteThe thing I liked about The President's recording was the full instrumental band. It's so nice to hear real instruments instead of all that electronic stuff.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a good week my friend!
Hi, Sherry!
DeleteI'm pleased to see you, dear friend! Thanks for coming over to sample the sounds played on Hy Lit's Natural Hy radio show.
Yessum, once upon a time in the record industry, real people played real musical instruments. I'm happy to know you are old enough to remember that far back. :) I'm delighted that you enjoyed Hy's showender song, the smooth soul ballad by The Presidents of Washington D.C. made from "all natural ingredients." :)
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Sherry, and have a safe and happy week!