Thank you dear Man. You have been the epitome of what makes a gentleman and true friend---plus you're brilliant! I still remember when you gave me that Careless Whisper Mix and The Doo Wop Box and so much more. I have missed you so much. Do you still have your blog? Anyway, hurry back. Strong rockin back n forth hugs and love!
Sweet Baby...You are like sunshine on a cloudy day ♥ I'm going to have to have some appetizers and treats for you when you come by. LOL! I just love you my Tone.
Got to give credit where is credit is due, you have gifted me with so much old school music, so i thank you for everything. Lots of love to you my brother
Mmmm, it's banging in here! I love the new background. That with the music, Ohhhh BABY!!!! LOL! I'm thankful for you Tone. I love real people like you. We have had a ball through our musical journey so far. Your two comments have me on the MOON! That Praful is fierce! He does not play! I love all of his music. Yep! You are featured and deserve to be. I just love you to pieces! ♥ Thank you for building me up so good too.
Hey Tone! I figured out how to convert these players into the older and prettier transparent player. It took me a long time but I did it. Just though you would like to see your's converted....E
Dear Wonderful Tone!! I am so happy and thankful for your donation! You're laughing but don't realize how accurate you are. If nobody contributes, I promise you they will be gone soon. Why should they benefit from all of this if not willing to pay a few pennies to keep it going? I can't form my mind around a reason. I'll see how many contribute and take it from there. Then the new clientele will be required to pay to join. It's just that simple. Thanks Again My Good Man! You are thee absolute best! *hugging you* And thanks for the goodies I received today that you sent in the form of music. ♥
I can't think of ANYTHING better that has happened to this site than...YOU! You make my insides jump and leap for joy !!!! You do...!!!!! That playlist on my page is like hand-picked jewels from the tree of music's best, but it would mean NOTHING without someone that appreciates it and expresses such the way you do. That's why I feel the way I do about you my Tone. What a precious you are. And I am feening for another mix like the one playing now. It sounds GREAT!!!!
The history of the Butlers/Raw Soul is dense, but for all of us music nerds, that's normal. It is not totally clear what year the Butlers actually formed but they released their first single in 1963 on Liberty Records. That single was "She Tried To Kiss Me" and another single followed on Guyden entitled "Lovable Girl." After the Guyden single the Butlers took a break not recording another record until the single "Laugh, Laugh, Laugh" was released on the Phila label in 1966. The group also backed Charles Earland and Jean Wells on one Phila single ("I Know She Loves Me").
As you might be noticing, the Butlers were doing a fair amount of recording but not achieving much success. The group's recordings sold regionally but never had the promotion to make an impact on the national scene. After the single with Phila, the Butlers moved to the Fairmount label (part of the Cameo-Parkway family) and released a handful of singles, some being reissued singles of the past. The Butlers were with Fairmount for 1966-67 and then moved to Sassy Records. Sassy released the group's greatest single (in my opinion) "Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)" b/w "If That's What You Wanted." A copy of that 45 sold for just under $500 last summer on eBay. Even though that isn't that much in the world of record collecting--it's still a hefty sum. The Butlers released another single on Sassy ("She's Gone" b/w "Love Is Good") that appears to be even
harder to come by then the "Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)" single.
The true history become a bit blurred here as the AMG biography states that the Butlers last record was released on C.R.S. in 1974 (". However, between 1971 and that single, Frankie Beverly formed a group called Raw Soul and released a number of singles. Some of the songs recorded by Beverly during this period are "While I'm Alone," "Open Up Your Heart," (both on the Gregor label) and "Color Blind." "Color Blind" was released by the Eldorado label and rerecorded by Maze. Beverly's big break came when Marvin Gaye asked Raw Soul to back him on a tour. Gaye helped Beverly/Raw Soul get a contract at Capitol. Beverly decided to take the group in a different direction, a name change occurred, and Maze was created.
The above isn't the most complete history of Beverly but hopefully someone will know a way to get in touch with the man or his management because a comprehensive pre-Maze history needs to be done on Frankie Beverly (his real name is Howard, by the way). Below you'll find every Frankie Beverly (pre-Maze) song available to me right now ("Color Blind" will be up soon).
If you have a song that is not included below, shoot it over to funkinsoulman (at) yahoo.com and it will go up in the next Frankie Beverly post (later this week--highlighting Maze). Also, if you have any more information please share your knowledge. The Butlers material has been comp-ed sporadically (usually imports) but the entire Maze catalog has been reissued and is available.
Enjoy. "She Kissed Me" (Fairmount, 1966 or 1967)
"I Want To Feel I'm Wanted" (not sure which label or year) "Laugh, Laugh, Laugh" (Phila, 1966) "Because Of My Heart" (Fairmount, 1966 or 1967)
"Love (Your Pain Goes Deep)" (Sassy, 1967)
"If That's What You Wanted" (Sassy, 1967)
Frankie Beverly is one of those cats that has lasting power. He started in the music business doing a tour with doo wop group the Silhouettes and then formed his own group called the Blenders. The Blenders never recorded a single, Beverly wouldn't appear on wax until forming the Butlers a few years later. Along with Beverly, the Butlers included Jack "Sonny" Nicholson, Joe Collins, John Fitch, and Talmadge Conway.
Beverly would later enjoy great success fronting Maze and Conway would become a
well-known penning Double Exposure's
"Ten Percent" and the Intruders' "Memories Are Here To Stay."
While Maze is a phenomenal group, Beverly's work before that group will always stand out as his best (imo).
The Butlers produced tunes that most Northern Soul fans would kill for and Raw Soul gave the funksters something to pursue. If, by chance, you know of a way to get in touch with Frankie Beverly or his management, please drop me an e-mail. It would be absolutely great to do an interview with him about his pre-Maze work. He's still playing out, most recently doing a New Year's Eve show in Atlanta.
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Checking in on my favorite...you. How are you?
I miss you! Hoping all is well!
ToneZone ❥
Yeah Man!!!! *clapping*
Welcome Back Tone!
Thank you dear Man. You have been the epitome of what makes a gentleman and true friend---plus you're brilliant! I still remember when you gave me that Careless Whisper Mix and The Doo Wop Box and so much more. I have missed you so much. Do you still have your blog? Anyway, hurry back. Strong rockin back n forth hugs and love!
I miss you and love you Tone...
So good to see you Tone! #36 is playing (My JAM!) The whole playlist is superb. I love your background too! Love and Hugs!
How are you doing my Tone? I miss you terribly!
Sweet Baby...You are like sunshine on a cloudy day ♥ I'm going to have to have some appetizers and treats for you when you come by. LOL! I just love you my Tone.
Got to give credit where is credit is due, you have gifted me with so much old school music, so i thank you for everything. Lots of love to you my brother
Brother Tone, Tone My Brother, How You Been Mr. Music Man? You Got It Sounding Good Over Here :-)
Mmmm, it's banging in here! I love the new background. That with the music, Ohhhh BABY!!!! LOL! I'm thankful for you Tone. I love real people like you. We have had a ball through our musical journey so far. Your two comments have me on the MOON! That Praful is fierce! He does not play! I love all of his music. Yep! You are featured and deserve to be. I just love you to pieces! ♥ Thank you for building me up so good too.
I love you my Tone ♥
Thank you Tone, from my heart ♥
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