By Chancellor of Soul (66.207.40.18) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 05:06 pm:

Another Motown jam that I love and that's rarely
played was recorded by Carolyn Crawford in 1964
called, " My Smile Is Just A Frown Turned Upside
Down". This is the song written of course by the
great Smokey Robinson, where he first used the
Paliacci line, which was later used in his No 1
hit, " The Tears Of A Clown", 1970.
What do some of you Soulful Detroiters think of
this wonderful tune???

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By Nish (216.148.244.38) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 05:10 pm:

When I saw the title of this thread, I knew I had to jump on this one! That's one of my favorite songs. First, Carolyn has such a sweet voice, and the lyric is typical Smokey, perfect and identifiable. I like the version by the Tempts with Eddie on lead too.

By dvdmike (12.84.7.215) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 05:28 pm:

Carolyn replaced Anita Baker as lead singer for Chapter 8 in 1984. She also released a couple of singles on Philadelphia International in 1974-75.

By Chancellor of Soul (63.78.189.114) on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 05:32 pm:

Hey Nish,
Mine too. Smokey discoved her or as the story
goes, at WCHB's talent show in 1964. The song
has sort of a 1964 feel when you listened to it.
There's nothing like that early Motown sound.
I love it !!!!!

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By Mr. Markus (206.215.13.50) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 01:20 pm:

Carolyn wrote her Motown debut single, "Forget About Me," released in 1963. I think she was 15 when it was released. You should hear her BLOW on that one. I also love "My Smile is Just a Frown," but it's totally different than "Forget About Me."

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 01:48 pm:

Actually, it was Berry who discovered her. I met
Carolyn from Martha Reeves. She told me her idol
was Mary Wells. In the talent show Berry was at
(or was judging) she sang and played piano--
"Laughing Boy" and "Operator" (both Wells' hits)
and that's how she came to Motown. Berry asked
her if she had any originals and she played him
"Forget About Me". I also really like "When
Someone's Good To You" featuring the Temps on
background. She and her mother were called in
to a meeting at Motown and told they were going
to either get behind her, Kim Weston, or Brenda
Holloway (this was when Mary Wells left).

By John Lester (217.40.219.199) on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 02:47 pm:

Brenda also did "My Smile........." west coast style a la "How Can I"

By supremeross (64.245.39.99) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 04:47 pm:

Was Brenda's version ever released? Have you heard it personally?

By dvdmike (12.84.13.2) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 07:45 pm:

Has anyone heard Carolyn's Philadelphia International stuff? I have "Just Got To Be More Careful" on a British import CD

By John Perrone (152.163.188.68) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 01:54 pm:

DVDMIKE...can you talk a little more about Carolyn's Philly International work....I'm very
interested in this. Thanks so much! John

By John Lester (213.123.142.119) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 04:01 pm:

1. No............well, not yet!

2. Yes......

By dvdmike (12.84.8.199) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 07:06 pm:

They released 3 singles on her, "Just Got To Be More Careful" b/w "Saving All The Love I Got For You" (PIR 3553) in 1974, "It Takes Two To Make One" b/w "No Matter How Things Are" (PIR 3570) and "Good & Plenty" b/w "If You Move, You Lose" (PIR 3580) in 1975. I doubt she recorded enough material for an album. I believe Gamble & Huff produced all or most of her songs, but Bobby Eli was there, so he would know.

By Scratcher (65.132.76.191) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 08:09 pm:

The songs on Phylis Hyman's Philly International album was first recorded by Carolyn Crawford. The incident upset her quite a bit. Ms. Crawford lives in Detroit and is very accessible someone should get her on the forum to tell the story.

By dvdmike (12.84.12.112) on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 08:45 pm:

Which Phyllis Hymam album?

By Vandelron (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 12:32 am:

Carolyn has sometimes appeared as a Vandella with Martha.

By Scratcher (65.132.79.37) on Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 02:48 pm:

DvdMike, the Living All Alone album.