Mary Wilson's Voice: Perfection

**imakicola** · 03-20-2017, 12:10 AM

I've always loved her beautiful, soft, sexy voice. And loved when she would soul it up! Mmm.

Anyway i thought I would start an appreciation thread for her voice. She truly was amazing!

I found a video on YouTube called "Mary Wilson CAN'T Sing," which is actually a video compilation of some of her strongest vocal moments intended to prove that yes, Mary actually CAN sing and very well.

https://youtu.be/UN48C0_2e0w

I've always said that Diana Ross was the key to the cross over success of the Supremes. But can you imagine if Mary wasn't a Supreme but had her own modest solo career already at Motown? She wouldn't be the background Supreme that wrote a book...she would be a name herself. Probably a more modest success and obviously Berry would have had the groups and Supremes given more attention, but Mary would be one of the classic Motown vocalists, and less of a background story.

Then people could say sentences like "Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Mary Wilson" instead of her name already implied but just being referred to as "The Supremes" or DRATS.

I honestly LOVED "Ooh Child."

And "Early Morning Love." Wow. "You Are the Heart of Me." True I think many of the old Supremes songs aren't really a good fit for her voice [[Reflections and Back in My Arms seem to be a weird fit) but she really belts out some of those later songs where she truly shines. Floy Joy. You Danced My Heart Around the Stars.

Swoon!

**DJMoch** · 03-20-2017, 12:19 AM

I love Mary's voice especially in the 70s Supremes incarnation, when she got to do a lot more vocal-wise. Super sexy and sensual, songs like "Can we love again", "You are the heart of me" and "Early Morning Love" are just heavenly to my ears.

huntergettingcaptured · 03-20-2017, 12:44 AM

Put me in the Mary Wilson Appreciation camp as well. Way before the internet gave every naysayer a voice and platform, I had never heard this thing about Mary not being able to sing. I was in love with her smokey style. One thing that always crossed my mind is that with Diana being the lead and the focal point of the group, I thought it was pretty cool that Mary got a lead on "Supremes A-Go-Go" and then with her version of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." The "Floy Joy" single and album were further revelations of how good Mary was. She definitely had a style of her own- nobody else sounded like her and I mean that in the best way. Hearing her sing, wow; it honestly has a very potent effect on my very soul!

**luke** · 03-20-2017, 08:18 AM

I was confused with this thread at first and watched the video. However It truly illustrates what a great singer and stylist she is. Not long ago I saw a video of her singing If I Were Your Woman and if my eyes were closed I'd think it was Gladys Knight. More is coming for Mary Wilson and she sure deserves acclaim.

**TheMotownManiac** · 03-20-2017, 08:31 AM

I've loved Mary's voice the first time I heard it which was Baby Don't Go. SHe has a unique, soothingly rich sound and caresses ballads as well or better than the best of them. I just saw her in Vegas last month and she still sounds as good as she always has - her voice has only improved with age. She's currently trying to put together a scaled down version of Sophisticated Ladies and you must see it if it happens as those songs were just meant for her! QUOTE=imakicola;377141]I've always loved her beautiful, soft, sexy voice. And loved when she would soul it up! Mmm.

Anyway i thought I would start an appreciation thread for her voice. She truly was amazing!

I found a video on YouTube called "Mary Wilson CAN'T Sing," which is actually a video compilation of some of her strongest vocal moments intended to prove that yes, Mary actually CAN sing and very well.

https://youtu.be/UN48C0_2e0w

I've always said that Diana Ross was the key to the cross over success of the Supremes. But can you imagine if Mary wasn't a Supreme but had her own modest solo career already at Motown? She wouldn't be the background Supreme that wrote a book...she would be a name herself. Probably a more modest success and obviously Berry would have had the groups and Supremes given more attention, but Mary would be one of the classic Motown vocalists, and less of a background story.

Then people could say sentences like "Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Mary Wilson" instead of her name already implied but just being referred to as "The Supremes" or DRATS.

I honestly LOVED "Ooh Child."

And "Early Morning Love." Wow. "You Are the Heart of Me." True I think many of the old Supremes songs aren't really a good fit for her voice [[Reflections and Back in My Arms seem to be a weird fit) but she really belts out some of those later songs where she truly shines. Floy Joy. You Danced My Heart Around the Stars.

Swoon![/QUOTE]

mpn1jco · 03-20-2017, 06:25 PM

Both Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong are very talented singers.

**TomatoTom123** · 03-20-2017, 08:59 PM

I love Mary's voice! She's a great singer. Those deep, smoky, Mary Wells-esque vocals. I LOVE "Floy Joy" and "Automatically Sunshine". And "This Is Why I Believe In You".

**arr&bee** · 03-21-2017, 12:47 AM

I've been in love with mary and her voice since[the tears].

**imakicola** · 03-24-2017, 12:00 PM

I find the end of this to be particularly superb!!

https://youtu.be/15pbfKS4k8k

**luke** · 03-24-2017, 12:43 PM

Can't open it

**RanRan79** · 03-24-2017, 01:39 PM

That smokey tone she has, especially on the ballads, is superb. During the 60s, ballads is where Mary shined. She was great on "Tears", "Baby Don't Go", "Sunset" and "Our Day Will Come". I wasn't impressed by "Pretty Baby" and I've come to just about hate what she did with "Come and Get These Memories". But then the 70s rolled around and I think that was a decade made for her voice, all those sexy, slow cuts. And she could tackle the uptempo very well at that point too because I love her on "Early Morning Love". Had she secured a record deal in the 80s and put out music like "Sleeping In Separate Rooms" I think she would have been a solid artist and able to carve out a discography that stood alone from her work as a Supreme.

**sansradio** · 03-24-2017, 02:14 PM

Six words: "Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You." Incredible! The only version that matters...puts Dionne's to shame.

**RanRan79** · 03-24-2017, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by sansradio

Six words: "Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You." Incredible! The only version that matters...puts Dionne's to shame.

Oh she's great on "Teardrops" and "You Are the Heart of Me". I wouldn't say she put Dionne's versions to shame, but great just the same. I certainly prefer Mary's leads on these songs to Dionne's though. Also the live version of "Teardrops" on Dick Cavett [[I think) is excellent. Mary sounds fantastic and Scherrie and Susaye back her up beautifully.

**detmotownguy** · 03-24-2017, 11:09 PM

Originally Posted by RanRan79

Oh she's great on "Teardrops" and "You Are the Heart of Me". I wouldn't say she put Dionne's versions to shame, but great just the same. I certainly prefer Mary's leads on these songs to Dionne's though. Also the live version of "Teardrops" on Dick Cavett [[I think) is excellent. Mary sounds fantastic and Scherrie and Susaye back her up beautifully.

The blend of MSS nearly rivals the harmony of the early Sups. As someone mentioned here, Mary has a very unique and pleasing voice. Her voice added something very special to the sound of The Supremes.

**marv2** · 03-24-2017, 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by detmotownguy

The blend of MSS nearly rivals the harmony of the early Sups. As someone mentioned here, Mary has a very unique and pleasing voice. Her voice added something very special to the sound of The Supremes.

Mary has this unique talent of being able to blend perfectly with whoever her singing partners were. I remember hearing this scratch demo years ago of Mary, along with Scherrie Payne and Cindy Birdsong for the song "This is Why I Believe In You" and was floored at how Mary led them through all that layering of vocals like she was a Baptist church choir director! LOL! I mean Mary did everything from cueing them to ad-libbing on top of Scherrie and Cindy! I wished I could find that and Scherrie's He's My Massa" comedy recording again.

**detmotownguy** · 03-25-2017, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by marv2

Mary has this unique talent of being able to blend perfectly with whoever her singing partners were. I remember hearing this scratch demo years ago of Mary, along with Scherrie Payne and Cindy Birdsong for the song "This is Why I Believe In You" and was floored at how Mary led them through all that layering of vocals like she was a Baptist church choir director! LOL! I mean Mary did everything from cueing them to ad-libbing on top of Scherrie and Cindy! I wished I could find that and Scherrie's He's My Massa" comedy recording again.

Yes yes yes I remember that sound footage! A perfect example of Mary's skills in leading the group. I bel the producer could also be heard working with the ladies. She is not given enough credit for leading the group. We need to find and save that sound footage for posterity. The hunt begins!

**RanRan79** · 03-25-2017, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by marv2

Mary has this unique talent of being able to blend perfectly with whoever her singing partners were. I remember hearing this scratch demo years ago of Mary, along with Scherrie Payne and Cindy Birdsong for the song "This is Why I Believe In You" and was floored at how Mary led them through all that layering of vocals like she was a Baptist church choir director! LOL! I mean Mary did everything from cueing them to ad-libbing on top of Scherrie and Cindy! I wished I could find that and Scherrie's He's My Massa" comedy recording again.

Mary was the key to the Supremes' harmony in every lineup. Lead vocal wise, everyone seems to be all over the place with what they think of Mary's singing, but she always gets praised for harmonizing ability. I understand her need to find solo stardom after the Supremes ended, but I wish in between record company auditions and book releases that Mary had forged a secondary career as an in demand background vocalist, like a Cissy Houston. I really am surprised that Mary's post Supremes background discography isn't as extensive as one might imagine with her ear for harmony.

**RanRan79** · 03-25-2017, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by detmotownguy

The blend of MSS nearly rivals the harmony of the early Sups.

Perhaps when they [[MSS) were at their best, but to be honest, more often than not I find that grouping to sound as if they were competing with one another to be heard as opposed to finding the harmony. That's why it's my least favorite lineup.

**Bluebrock** · 03-25-2017, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by RanRan79

Perhaps when they [[MSS) were at their best, but to be honest, more often than not I find that grouping to sound as if they were competing with one another to be heard as opposed to finding the harmony. That's why it's my least favorite lineup.

I totally agree again. MSS did not look or sound like the traditional Supremes. Vocally both Scherrie and Susaye were of course excellent , but visually this line up was all over the place. They looked awkward and ill rehearsed on stage. As a long term fan i was secretly relieved when they called it a day. They made some great records of course, but to me they were no longer the Supremes.

**Bluebrock** · 03-25-2017, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by RanRan79

Oh she's great on "Teardrops" and "You Are the Heart of Me". I wouldn't say she put Dionne's versions to shame, but great just the same. I certainly prefer Mary's leads on these songs to Dionne's though. Also the live version of "Teardrops" on Dick Cavett [[I think) is excellent. Mary sounds fantastic and Scherrie and Susaye back her up beautifully.

I have to agree with you here. Whilst Mary is not even in the same vocal hemisphere as Dionne at her peak somehow the Supremes version is superior. Mary's voice is perfectly suited to the song and the production is superior to Dionne's. Strange but true.

**Guy** · 03-24-2017, 02:25 PM

I saw Mary perform a whole live set at the old Sunset Junction Street Fair in Silverlake [[Los Angeles). It was 12-15 years ago. I was not impressed. I also saw her in the film "Only The Strong Survive" and questioned her inclusion.

She certainly is a beauty and likely has many other gifts. She is just a competent vocalist.

**RanRan79** · 03-24-2017, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Guy

I saw Mary perform a whole live set at the old Sunset Junction Street Fair in Silverlake [[Los Angeles). It was 12-15 years ago. I was not impressed.

Isn't that how it is sometimes? Some artists grab you while others leave you cold. What I love about art is that not everyone is attracted to the same thing. Mary does it for some, but not for others. I'm glad she continues to attract folks to her shows.

**Guy** · 03-24-2017, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by sansradio

Six words: "Don't Let My Teardrops Bother You." Incredible! The only version that matters...puts Dionne's to shame.

Sansradio, you typically have excellent taste in music and performers. Other than wigs, make-up and wardrobe, Mary Wilson cannot do ANYTHING that would put the legendary Dionne Warwick to shame.

**sansradio** · 03-24-2017, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Guy

Sansradio, you typically have excellent taste in music and performers. Other than wigs, make-up and wardrobe, Mary Wilson cannot do ANYTHING that would put the legendary Dionne Warwick to shame.

I knew that I should've qualified my statement. Obviously, Miss Warwick is one of the finest vocalists of all time; I didn't mean to cast aspersions on her legendary prowess. However, her version of "...Teardrops..." leaves me atypically cold. The Sups version is the one that moves me most, and Mary's lead is a main factor for me. Sorry to disappoint you; we'll agree to disagree, I trust!

**Ozmo** · 03-24-2017, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by sansradio

I knew that I should've qualified my statement. Obviously, Miss Warwick is one of the finest vocalists of all time; I didn't mean to cast aspersions on her legendary prowess. However, her version of "...Teardrops..." leaves me atypically cold. The Sups version is the one that moves me most, and Mary's lead is a main factor for me. Sorry to disappoint you; we'll agree to disagree, I trust!

Sansradio, I agree with all you say regarding 'Teardrops'.Dionne Warwick is one of the all time greats but her teaming with Holland Dozier Holland didn't deliver the magic for me. For me,Mary Wilson's lead on the Supremes version is the definitive version.

**vgalindo** · 03-24-2017, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by Ozmo

Sansradio, I agree with all you say regarding 'Teardrops'.Dionne Warwick is one of the all time greats but her teaming with Holland Dozier Holland didn't deliver the magic for me. For me,Mary Wilson's lead on the Supremes version is the definitive version.

I agree also. I love Dionne Warwick and she is in my top 5 of favorite female singers. Have all her albums. However I do prefer Mary's version over Warwicks.

**marv2** · 03-24-2017, 08:02 PM

One of my favorites from '96:

**detmotownguy** · 03-24-2017, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

One of my favorites from '96:

Thanks Marv. I been outta pocket for a while. Catch up soon, take care.

**marv2** · 03-24-2017, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by detmotownguy

Thanks Marv. I been outta pocket for a while. Catch up soon, take care.

You're welcome. No problem. Be safe, be happy!

**marv2** · 03-24-2017, 11:32 PM

She is one of the most versatile singers still out there today:

**144man** · 03-25-2017, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

One of my favorites from '96:

That is rather good vocally. Thanks for posting, Marv.

**marv2** · 03-27-2017, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by 144man

That is rather good vocally. Thanks for posting, Marv.

You are most welcome.

**marv2** · 03-27-2017, 03:30 PM

Here is another favorite of mine................"Walk the Line".

**DJMoch** · 03-27-2017, 04:47 PM

That's catchy, I really like that. Thanks for the post.

**144man** · 03-24-2017, 09:03 PM

When I saw Mary Wilson perform live in the 70s, she was a revelation. I couldn't believe how good she was.

To this day, I don't think any producer has managed to capture the excellence of her voice on record. To me the closest is "Ooh Child" as a soloist and "I Don't Want to Lose You" as a Supreme.

**RanRan79** · 03-25-2017, 02:23 AM

Originally Posted by 144man

To this day, I don't think any producer has managed to capture the excellence of her voice on record. To me the closest is "Ooh Child" as a soloist and "I Don't Want to Lose You" as a Supreme.

Vocally she was good on "Ooh Child" but that arrangement sucked and it didn't compliment her voice at all, IMO. Had the Supremes covered this back in the 70s I bet Mary would have gotten the lead and she would have killed it. I so much prefer Phyllis Hymen's version of "I Don't Want to Lose You" that all the others, including the Supremes version, pales in comparison. Again, Mary is good on it but it doesn't do much for me.

If I were to pick the two studio songs that best showcase just how good Mary is, I would choose "Love Talk" as a soloist and maybe "You Are the Heart of Me" as a Supreme.

**luke** · 03-24-2017, 09:36 PM

This is great. Thx Marv. When and for who did she record this?

**marv2** · 03-24-2017, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by luke

This is great. Thx Marv. When and for who did she record this?

You are welcome Luke! She recorded "Turn Around" for Da Bridge Records. It got some radio airplay in NYC back in 1996-97.

**sansradio** · 03-24-2017, 11:06 PM

Thanks for the support, Ozmo.

**luke** · 03-24-2017, 11:10 PM

I too agree Sansradio!

**detmotownguy** · 03-25-2017, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by marv2

She is one of the most versatile singers still out there today:

Absolute perfection.

**luke** · 03-27-2017, 07:18 PM

As I posted recently Walk was one of the two fave songs of the audience when Mary performed at BB Kings last month. The place went wild

**floyjoy678** · 03-28-2017, 08:38 AM

I agree also. The Jean, Mary and Lynda line up we're exciting live and Lynda had a strong soprano that was much needed to balance out Mary's strong alto, it hadn't been there since Flo left. And I do think Lynda added some spunk and sass back into the group, she reminded me a lot of Florence and I think that was why she worked so well with Mary. But as we all know Jean wanted out by this point and it ended up being very short lived...

**RanRan79** · 03-28-2017, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by floyjoy678

I agree also. The Jean, Mary and Lynda line up we're exciting live and Lynda had a strong soprano that was much needed to balance out Mary's strong alto, it hadn't been there since Flo left. And I do think Lynda added some spunk and sass back into the group, she reminded me a lot of Florence and I think that was why she worked so well with Mary. But as we all know Jean wanted out by this point and it ended up being very short lived...

I think it was Mary who said that Florence gave her stamp of approval for Lynda, and as far as I'm concerned that's the best endorsement a "replacement" Supreme could get. Lynda did add personality to the group, which IMO was something that was missing since the 60s lineups. I've read accusations that Lynda sings too loud or screams. If so, I haven't heard that in any of the performances I've seen of her with Jean and Mary. If she does it now...well that's unfortunate.

Floyjoy do you think Jean would have still wanted out if Mary had agreed to leave Motown? I suspect that move would have gone a long way to smoothing over some of the tension.

**floyjoy678** · 03-28-2017, 11:41 AM

It's tough to say. I do ponder things like that though, as well as if Flo stayed in the Supremes would Diana have stayed longer, what if Mary just accepted Syreeta as Diana's replacement, yadda yadda.....Overall I think Jean would have stayed if they took a break from touring before switching to a different label. From what I understand without having a hit record that wasn't really an option for the group. It seems like touring wasn't really Jean's thing, she was missing several shows during 1972. Also her and Mary clashed over many things so it's hard to say would they have kept their differences aside being at a different record label.

**Roberta75** · 03-28-2017, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by floyjoy678

It's tough to say. I do ponder things like that though, as well as if Flo stayed in the Supremes would Diana have stayed longer, what if Mary just accepted Syreeta as Diana's replacement, yadda yadda.....Overall I think Jean would have stayed if they took a break from touring before switching to a different label. From what I understand without having a hit record that wasn't really an option for the group. It seems like touring wasn't really Jean's thing, she was missing several shows during 1972. Also her and Mary clashed over many things so it's hard to say would they have kept their differences aside being at a different record label.

I was told that Jean Terrell loathed Pedro Ferrer as did Mr Gordy and Miss Birdsong and Miss Payne and Miss Lawrence and everyone at Motown.

**RanRan79** · 03-28-2017, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Roberta75

I was told that Jean Terrell loathed Pedro Ferrer as did Mr Gordy and Miss Birdsong and Miss Payne and Miss Lawrence and everyone at Motown.

Ms. Roberta I thought Pedro came into the picture after Jean left? Or at least his involvement with the Supremes' business was after she left, no?

**Roberta75** · 03-28-2017, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by RanRan79

Ms. Roberta I thought Pedro came into the picture after Jean left? Or at least his involvement with the Supremes' business was after she left, no?

Oh you are correct RanRan. I apologize, but its true that none of the seventiess Supremes liked him. What decent person could respect a man who beat his wife to a pulp and although Mary is friendly with him know Im told shes still real real uneasy and uncomfortable in his company.

**RanRan79** · 03-28-2017, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Roberta75

Oh you are correct RanRan. I apologize, but its true that none of the seventiess Supremes liked him. What decent person could respect a man who beat his wife to a pulp and although Mary is friendly with him know Im told shes still real real uneasy and uncomfortable in his company.

Agree 100 percent.

**RanRan79** · 03-28-2017, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by floyjoy678

It's tough to say. I do ponder things like that though, as well as if Flo stayed in the Supremes would Diana have stayed longer, what if Mary just accepted Syreeta as Diana's replacement, yadda yadda.....Overall I think Jean would have stayed if they took a break from touring before switching to a different label. From what I understand without having a hit record that wasn't really an option for the group. It seems like touring wasn't really Jean's thing, she was missing several shows during 1972. Also her and Mary clashed over many things so it's hard to say would they have kept their differences aside being at a different record label.

If you don't mind, I'd like to ponder a couple of those with you. Would Diana have stayed longer if Flo were in the group? I don't think so. I think that story would have played out the same because Diana was bound for solo stardom. I do think she [[and Flo and Mary) would have been happier if they communicated and didn't allow outside forces to interfere with their relationships. Perhaps that would have made those last couple of years bearable for one another.

What if Mary had accepted Syreeta? On one hand, I think it's possible Gordy would have taken a more active role in the group's post Diana future. [[Although I have long suspected that the whole Syreeta replacing Diana at the last minute was a patsy move so that Gordy could wash his hands of the group and have a "legit" reason other than the truth, which was no Diana, no Gordy interest.) There would have also been the likelihood of Stevie producing a bunch of stuff out of the gate and I have to wonder what that would have been like and would it have produced any hits. On the other hand, I read a quote from Cindy once that neither she nor Mary got along with Syreeta. If that's the case then the group might have imploded long before it actually did if Gordy had replaced one singer that could no longer get along with Mary and Cindy with another who couldn't.