For Smitty Era Manhattans fans

[splanky]

I've always loved this song but I never saw this video until today...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTW0FYw6gxU&feature=g-vrec

enjoyed the mess outta it. Dang, gotta find more like it..

[nosey]

Dang, Splanky I agree with you 100% but my favorite by Smitty is "Im The One Love Forgot".

[MIKEW-UK]

Amazing video! Thanks so much for posting.

Re "I'm The One Love Forgot", great versions both by The Manhattans and The Pretenders on Carnival.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZanelLrjIM0 Manhattans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTCpGhztKf0 Pretenders

[splanky]

Mike, I meant to tell you I was floored by The Pretenders version of the song. It's such a shame that they didn't become bigger because Pat Tandy had one of the most soulful voices
I ever heard. I also have read a lot of her comments about the groups break up and what she calls the hijacking of the band name by Chrissie Hynde's group. Still I wish she could have found another group or began a solo career earlier as I see she's still singing but won't raise
her profile above diehard older fans. It's too late in the game for that....

[MIKEW-UK]

Hi Splanky, thanks for the update.....I found this video of Pat Tandy [[ now known as Madame Pat Tandy) recently performing "At Last"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_TCvOLyUaY

http://www.madamepattandy.com/cds/

[nosey]

Hi Splanky. Never heard of this group before and thanks for posting about them. I love listening to music of groups that got past me.

[splanky]

Nosey, I can't take credit for that, Mike found that link of the Pretenders...

btw, I routinely research youtube for many acts I'd missed or only heard one or two songs from. I am constantly finding things that make me say what if so and so got the push that
a girl named Diane from the Brewster projects in Detroit got?:)....

[nosey]

Thanks MikeW. Another favorite is "To Bring Me Back Baby". Again, Smitty was the man!

[MIKEW-UK]

I know this is Gerald, not Smitty, and it's a bit later in their career, but I play this all the time and for those who may not know it, I think you'll find it VERY interesting......intro by Bobby Womack who also wrote and produced it...and recorded it himself of course...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZVvX0RqDgs

[splanky]

Mike, you know I never even heard Gerald and the guys version of Bobby's song until today...I kinda slacked off listening to the Manhattans later in their career for various reasons I won't go into but they sang the mess outta I'm Through...is probably one of my
favorite BW cuts, had a lot of personal meaning to me...Anyhoo @ Nosey, I
wish that there was live/or lipsinc footage but you mentioned a killer track I don't
presently own and I'm going to have to resolve that....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbfyM_MVm0

drips soul like a leaky faucet drips water...

[MIKEW-UK]

Hey Splanky,
You might know Richard Poindexter co-wrote 'It's Gonna Take A Lot To Bring Me Back' - he is the composer of so many terrific songs, notably for The Persuaders with hits such as 'Thin Line Between Love And Hate'.

Try these versions of 'It's Gonna Take A Lot To Bring Me Back'
The Icemen - Gino Armstrong & James Stokes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2U2hNyIn0g

Gloria Barnes? on a Jimi Hendrix bootleg -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSa1K0XrUJw

cheers Mike

[nosey]

MikeW & Splanky you guys keep sending me to youtube! Love, love, love your choices in music. I'm on my way now............

[MIKEW-UK]

nosey, the Youtube search function and tagging function is imperfect, and it is sometimes more luck than skill that one can track down some of the more obscure videos.

Case in point, I have searched many, many times for a video of The Independents - well today I finally stumbled over this video of them performing - thought I'd never get to see one! Charles Jackson surely had a great voice and some terrific albums, both solo and with The Independents. Also Marvin Yancey went on to Silk. So nosey, back you go to youtube for this fine performance and bonus, good sound quality.......:o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi7VNyJNgAY

http://www.myspace.com/chuckjacksonmusic

and Silk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjpSABP00uU

[nosey]

Eye candy for sho. My type of man back then! Funny, my sister friend and I were just talking about this the other day: a guy had to have a big afro and sideburns back then in order for them to get any play. As an afterthought, the song was nice, btw. LOL

[tallone]

I like this post. Its too bad that many people on this page did not get a chance to see George "Smitty" Smith back in the day. Smitty did not have the greatest voice, in fact I believe Gerald's voice has more quality. However, Smitty could put such "emotion" and "urgency" in his voice, that it made up for everything else. Not to mention the fact that he was great showman in his own right. When you think about it, Smitty has been gone for a long time, and the age of 31 is far too early to leave. But he has left a rich legacy and his is truly missed. Gerald had some big shoes to fill, which he has done and continues to do.
Miss you Smitty, "even now."

[nosey]

I hope Soul Sister peeks in from time to time to see that we haven't forgotten one of the great loves of her life. Smitty you voice is truly missed.

[Kamasu_Jr]

I hope Soul Sister peeks in from time to time to see that we haven't forgotten one of the great loves of her life. Smitty you voice is truly missed.

I also thought of Soul Sister when I saw this thread. She knew some stuff, didn't she? I wonder how Mr. Scott is doing?

[Soul Sister]

Thank you Nosey, tallone, & Kamasu ~
"Smitty" singing lead for The Manhattans 1965-1970 was a force to be reconded with. They were one of the best stage acts of the era. The audience was wired to "Smitty", he tore the house down at the Apollo and every other show they did!!!!!!

Soul Sister
**********

[Soul Sister]

"Smitty" ~ 1970 ~
5938

Soul Sister
**********

[Soul Sister]

Replaced the photo, let's see if this one holds up!! LOL!!!

[smooth]

Soul Sister...

Love me some Manhattans!

I am very familiar with Smitty having grown up Downtown on 8th street in Jersey City.
His showmanship and emotion were without comparison.

Geralds voice was more charasmatic especially on those Monster hits later in the groups progression.

Smitty successfully laid the Lead vocal foundation for Gerald.

Abraham Smooth Wilson

[Soul Sister]

Hi Smooth,
Didn't know you were from J.C. We lived on the hill on Bramhall. Yes, "Smitty" sung from way down deep in his bones. :)
Love your music too!!
S.S.
***

[smooth]

Hi Soul Sister...

You are too kind...Thank You So much!

I also lived uptown at 33 Claremont Avenue off of Garfield before leaving for College at Florida A&M.

Small but Beautiful World full of Good Soulful People.

You have made my Day!

Abraham Smooth Wilson

[Soul Sister]

OH WOW! I use to live off of Garfield too on Linden.
Small world indeed. :)
Smooth!

S.S.
***

[Soul Sister]

The photo on the world famous Apollo Theater wall of fame ~
5979

Top: "Smitty"
Middle Row: Sonny, Richie
Bottom Row: Blue, & Kenny

S.S.
***

[tallone]

Hey Soul Sister,
Good to see you back on scene. Words can't express just how good and how deep Smitty truly was, both as an person and as an entertainer. And I agree with Smooth, Smitty did indeed lay down a mighty good and strong foundation for Gerald to follow.

[JIVE FIVE Mary G.]

Hey there, tallone,

"Smitty" did it for me. I much prefer the early Manhattan recordings with him on lead. I know Soul Sister knows this. I purchased a Manhattan's compilation CD from Stan Krause at Stan's Square Records in J. C.. Soul Sister took me there. What a store, and Stan and his wife are lovely people. I told Stan I wanted a set with Smitty's leads. He sings from somewhere deep in his soul.

A question for you, tallone. Do you have the duct tape and Ben Gay ready?? lol

~~Mary~~