Harold Melvin (25 June 1939 - 24 March 1997) was one of
the driving forces behind Philadelphia soul, leading his group the Blue Notes
to the top of the charts during their stint on Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's
Philadelphia International label.
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Pendergrass first joined the Blue Notes' backing band,
but
demonstrated so much vocal talent that after John Atkins left in 1970,
Melvin soon elevated him to the post of lead vocalist. This move helped them
land a deal with Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia International label in 1972,
just as the company was taking its place as soul music's new epicentre;
Pendergrass' voice was similar to that of Dells singer Marvin Junior, whom
Gamble & Huff had courted heavily. By this time, the Blue Notes consisted
of Melvin, Pendergrass, bass vocalist Lawrence Brown, baritone vocalist Bernard
Wilson, and tenor vocalist Lloyd Parks.
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With Gamble & Huff now supplying top-quality material and production, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes would become one of the most popular groups in R&B over the next few years. Their
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Further singles, including "The Love I Lost (Part
1)" (1973) and "Where Are All My Friends' (1974), enhanced
Pendergrass" reputation and led to his demand for equal billing in the
group. Melvin's refusal resulted in the singer's departure in 1976.
However,
while Pendergrass remained contracted to Philadelphia International and enjoyed
considerable solo success, Melvin And The Blue Notes, with new singer David Ebo
and Jerry Cummings and Sharon Paige also in the line-up, moved to ABC Records.
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Despite securing a UK Top 5 hit with "Don't Leave Me
This Way" and a US R&B Top 10 hit with "Reaching For The
World" in 1977, the group was unable to recapture its erstwhile success.
Cummings and Wilson left in 1977, with Dwight Johnson and
William Spratelly brought in to replace them. Paige left in 1980 and Ebo was
replaced by Gil Saunders in 1982. By the early 80s, the group was without a
recording contract, but continued to enjoy
an in-concert popularity. They
signed to Philly World in 1984, achieving minor UK hit singles the same year
with "Don't Give Me Up" and "Today's Your Lucky Day".
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Melvin continued to tour with versions of the Blue Notes
steadily into the '90s, and Paige eventually returned to the fold as well.
Sadly, Melvin suffered a stroke and never fully recovered; he passed away on
March 24, 1997, in his beloved hometown of Philadelphia.
(Edited mainly from
AllMusic & NME)
1 comment:
For “Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes - The Very Best Of” go here:
https://www111.zippyshare.com/v/G0rrxpuC/file.html
01. Bad Luck (06:24)
02. Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back) (03:26)
03. Wake Up Everybody (03:39)
04. If You Don't Know Me By Now (03:24)
05. The Love 1 Lost (03:32)
06. Yesterday 1 Had The Blues (03:46)
07. Don't Leave Me This Way (03:52)
08. 1 Miss You, Pt. 1 (03:18)
09. Where Are All My Friends (Album Version) (03:17)
10. To Be True (04:39)
11. Hope That We Can Be Together Soon (03:37)
12. Be For Real (Album Version) (07:25)
13. I'm Weak For You (Single Version) (03:22)
14. You Know How To Make Me Feel So Good (05:15)
15. Tell The World How 1 Feel About 'cha Baby (03:37)
16. Keep On Lovin' You (Album Version) (03:40)
17. Cabaret (01:45)
A comprehensive round up of Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes tenure at Philadelphia International between 1972 and early 1977 running from I Miss You to Don't Leave Me This Way in a fabulous collection that keeps on giving. All 11 singles from that period are included in this great 17 track retrospective, some of which it's difficult to believe weren't UK hits. Of those that were If You Don't Know Me By Now, The Love I Lost and Don't Leave Me This Way will be the ones probably known to casual observers. Rest assured most of the rest of this collection is of equal quality, with just a slight tapering off towards the end of the album with otherwise very pleasant tracks. Teddy Pendergrass features large on many of these tracks from one of the very best 70's vocal groups. Gamble and Huff's Philadelphia house style is very much in evidence throughout which assures the high quality of this selection.
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