Any information on the Blackberries?

[lakeside]

Does anyone know whatever happened to the girls in this group? I believe they recorded an album for Motown and it was never released? I think they may have also done some background vocals at Motown?

[TomatoTom123]

What I have managed to find out about them...

The group was a trio consisting of Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields and Clydie King. All three had been singing backing vocals for many different artists throughout the sixties and, in 1970, they decided to get together and record for Motown as The Blackberries.

They provided backing vocals for artists recording in Motown's California studios at this time. They also recorded some of their own material, and had one single scheduled for release, "Somebody Up There" b/w "But I Love Him" on Motown's MoWest label [[as MW 5020F). They have reportedly cut enough stuff for a whole album that never materialised! One track, "Kidnapped", surfaced on volume four of the Cellarful of Motown! compilation album series.

The group left Motown in 1973 and went to A&M records, with Billie Barnum replacing Sherlie Matthews. There the trio released two more singles, "Twist And Shout" b/w "Don't Change On Me" [[1973) and "Yesterday's Music" b/w "Life Is Full Of Joy" [[1974).

... and that's all I know!

[lakeside]

Thanks Tom, I had no idea Clydie King was ever in a girl group. Interesting background .It'd be great if they'd release their material onto CD.

[lakeside]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNPaQ1cmYNE

Sounds like it could have been written for Martha and the Vandellas.

[luke]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clydie_King#/media/File%3ABobDylanClydieKing1981.jpg

[luke]

Www.venettafields.com

[TomatoTom123]

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Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields, Clydie King

12017
The Blackberries with Berry Gordy

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The Blackberries with Smokey Robinson

[TomatoTom123]

In 2013 the group's proposed MoWest single was properly released [[with the B-Side titled "But I Love You More") and it is included on the 1971 Complete Motown Singles compilation

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[luke]

Were they like the West coast Andantes?

[luke]

And Sherilie coproduced I Guess I'll miss the man

[144man]

Sherlie Matthews was also part of 6-member group, Celebration, who had an eponymous album released on MoWest in 1972.

[TomatoTom123]

Were they like the West coast Andantes?

Yea, I have always thought of it like that :)

[brother_love]

The Blackberries also recorded and tour with Humble Pie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tNoSmlnxwQ Carlena "Flora" Williams was also a member of the group and can be heard singing lead on their A&M B-side "Life Is Full Of Joy."

[brother_love]

That's Billie Barnum top left and not Sherlie.
12016
Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields, Clydie King

12017
The Blackberries with Berry Gordy

12019
The Blackberries with Smokey Robinson

[brother_love]

Clydie also sang with The Raelets, Foxy and Clydie King & The Sweet Things

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12031 Thanks Tom, I had no idea Clydie King was ever in a girl group. Interesting background .It'd be great if they'd release their material onto CD.

[TomatoTom123]

That's Billie Barnum top left and not Sherlie.

Sorry, yes, you're right :)

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[marv2]

The ladies that were in that group were much in demand session singers and have sung backup for just about everyone in the 70s and 80s.

[Laserdk]

Thanks Tom, I had no idea Clydie King was ever in a girl group. Interesting background .It'd be great if they'd release their material onto CD.

I believe I'm right in saying that Paul Williams of Reel Music/P&C fame was considering in releasing the ladies' unreleased MoWest album but, sadly, his operation folded before that came to reality. Anyway, here's the track listing:-

THE BLACKBERRIES – THE BLACKBERRIES
MOWEST – MWS106

1) Somebody Up There
2) Kidnapped
3) Love [[Original Session Notes Title: "Love Is")
4) Can You Feel It Babe
5) Hey Little Girl [[Do You Want Some Candy?)
6) I Found A Friend
7) But I Love You More
8) Let's Get Married
9) Love Child

Ivor

[Laserdk]

Sherlie Matthews was also part of 6-member group, Celebration, who had an eponymous album released on MoWest in 1972.

And a mighty fine album that was too. One of my 70s Motown favourites.

Ivor

[MIKEW-UK]

Clydie performing...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nph9B2dSXk