The "New" Miracles - "What Good Is A Heart For?"

[marv2]

This was the first single from the "New Miracles" in 1973. Always a favorite of mine. Check it out:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYtUwd7GXA8

[TomatoTom123]

Yesss please, love that!!! Billy Griffin is a brilliant singer. Thank you Marv!

[marv2]

He's never been given the recognition he deserves.

[Luciano]

Thanks and I agree Marv. One of my favorites by them. I hope more footage of this group emerges. It seems they did Soul Train a few more times from pictures Billy has posted.

I would also like to see a live CD release or full concert performance of them.

Did you ever see them live? If you did can you tell me what you thought. Curious how Billy sounded on Smokey's songs.

[marv2]

Thanks and I agree Marv. One of my favorites by them. I hope more footage of this group emerges. It seems they did Soul Train a few more times from pictures Billy has posted.

I would also like to see a live CD release or full concert performance of them.

Did you ever see them live? If you did can you tell me what you thought. Curious how Billy sounded on Smokey's songs.

I never got the chance to see the Miracles with Billy Griffin live. I have spoken with him a few years ago. Nice gentleman and very appreciative of those who have appreciated his work!

[detmotownguy]

He's never been given the recognition he deserves.

Great find Marv. Thanks

[marv2]

Great find Marv. Thanks

Hey DET you're welcome. How are you?

[Luciano]

I never got the chance to see the Miracles with Billy Griffin live. I have spoken with him a few years ago. Nice gentleman and very appreciative of those who have appreciated his work!

Thanks Marv for the quick reply.

[MIKEW-UK]

Hi Marv, nice to see The "New " Miracles getting some credit. Thanks for posting.
I think "I Love You Secretly" is a Motown Masterpiece. Not surprising, given it is written by Marvin Gaye, Anna Gaye and Elgie Stover, and produced by Marvin. Sounds so much like the other terrific compositions in that style by Marvin and Anna, produced by Marvin.... 'The Bells' by The Originals, 'Baby I'm For Real - The Originals ' , and Just To Keep You Satisfied by either The Originals, The Monitors and Marvin himself.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U-vNzTFiJ4

[MIKEW-UK]

And another with a terrific rhythm track....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeRL4ph88M0

[MIKEW-UK]

and their biggest hit in their 'New' ensemble..


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

[arr&bee]

What is a heart good for is a great miracles song[that whole album is good]..the miracles didn't seem to miss a beat in the early seventies even without smokey.

[marv2]

Hi Marv, nice to see The "New " Miracles getting some credit. Thanks for posting.
I think "I Love You Secretly" is a Motown Masterpiece. Not surprising, given it is written by Marvin Gaye, Anna Gaye and Elgie Stover, and produced by Marvin. Sounds so much like the other terrific compositions in that style by Marvin and Anna, produced by Marvin.... 'The Bells' by The Originals, 'Baby I'm For Real - The Originals ' , and Just To Keep You Satisfied by either The Originals, The Monitors and Marvin himself.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U-vNzTFiJ4

They were really a great group from 1973 -77 or so. They scored multiple times but I guess that was not good enough. They went on to Columbia Records.

[marv2]

and their biggest hit in their 'New' ensemble..


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


It was not only the biggest hit for the new grouping, it was the biggest hit for the Miracles overall, from the beginning!

[BayouMotownMan]

Wrong again Marv, What Is A Heart Good For was NEVER issued as a single. Billy's first single with the group was Don't Let It End [[Til You Let It Begin). What Is A Heart SHOULD have been the first single, but according to Billy in a telephone call with me many years ago, The Stylistics were hot and Motown felt this song was appeal to those record buyers. It didn't.

[blackguy69]

Marv, Do it Baby and Love Machine were their only hits. Don't let it End peaked at 56 and Don't Cha Love it peaked at 58. The other releases either bubbled under 100 or never charted.

[blackguy69]

Correction, Don't Cha Love it peaked at 78. Also they appeared on Soul Train 3 times. 1973, 1974 and 1975

[marv2]

Correction, Don't Cha Love it peaked at 78. Also they appeared on Soul Train 3 times. 1973, 1974 and 1975

They appeared twice and performed "What Good Is A Heart For?" twice on local Detroit television.

[arr&bee]

I remember them appearing on a local show in d.c. And singing[wigs an lashes]love that song.

[marv2]

I remember them appearing on a local show in d.c. And singing[wigs an lashes]love that song.

JAI, Billy Griffin is from Baltimore.

[arr&bee]

Thanks marv,i had forgotten,maybe that's why they appeared locally back then,

[marv2]

Thanks marv,i had forgotten,maybe that's why they appeared locally back then,

I am almost certain that would be one of the reasons why. I know they performed on television locally in Detroit because of the Miracles roots. They performed "What Is A Heart Good For" each time like it was their current single, so as far as I am concerned it was! LOL!

[arr&bee]

I love you secretly is an absolute gem...[when we meet i feel guilty cause want for you to long for me like i long for you]only motown,only motown!!!

[marv2]

Marv, Do it Baby and Love Machine were their only hits. Don't let it End peaked at 56 and Don't Cha Love it peaked at 58. The other releases either bubbled under 100 or never charted.

blackguy69, but what great records they were! "Do it Baby" was so popular that my high school marching band played it at halftime during the 1974-75 football season.

[marv2]

I love you secretly is an absolute gem...[when we meet i feel guilty cause want for you to long for me like i long for you]only motown,only motown!!!

You know the good cuts JAI! That was an rather awesome album for Billy's debut.