The Supremes - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

[antceleb12]

Pardon me if this has been posted before, but I just had to post this. I've never seen this before and was amazed to find this.

From the Montreux Casino, 1976. Susaye delivers a solid vocal.

[milven]

Absolutely amazing. And it was so nice to see Mary and Sherrie applaud Susaye at the end.
This configuration of The Supremes was great. Wish they would have gone on, maybe dump the gowns and change their name to something like MSS. Mary finally had the confidence she needed to sing the great ballads that she was doing at the time - and since - and Sherrie and Susaye were already strong leads. What could have been.

Thanks for posting

[Bluebrock]

They perhaps should have re-named themselves as the New Supremes because wonderful though they were they bore very little resemblance to the previous line ups in both sight and sound. For me the Supremes died when Jean left but that doesn't mean MSS were anything less than fabulous, but I never really regarded them as the Supremes. Just my opinion and please don't crucify me for saying that. I love the final 3 Supremes albums and I applaud Mary for the great efforts to keep the name alive but she was fighting a losing battle against a disinterested record company who did not value them. This line up had so much potential.

[mysterysinger]

GLOS. Gorgeous ladies of the Supremes.

[kenneth]

Susaye was, and is, a great singer of standards. Even though this song was fairly new at the time, it had the feeling of a standard, an "instant classic," kind of like "For Once in My Life." What a great, great singer.

[BigAl]

In the taped MSS performances I've seen [[sadly, I never got to see that lineup in person), it has always looked and sounded to me almost like some kind of competition among the three of them. Scherrie had the powerhouse pipes, Susaye had the astonishing range, and Mary had gained confidence almost to the point of cockiness. The vocals went all over the place, as did the choreography, and many times it sort of seemed to devolve into something nearly chaotic, and all subtlety was lost, along with a sense of cohesiveness. Not that it wasn't entertaining and musically compelling, but, as Milven and Bluebrock have noted, the act didn't say "Supremes" to me anymore. It truly was "Mary, Scherrie and Susaye" by that time — every gal for herself. A trio, certainly, but not really a group anymore.

[detmotownguy]

They perhaps should have re-named themselves as the New Supremes because wonderful though they were they bore very little resemblance to the previous line ups in both sight and sound. For me the Supremes died when Jean left but that doesn't mean MSS were anything less than fabulous, but I never really regarded them as the Supremes. Just my opinion and please don't crucify me for saying that. I love the final 3 Supremes albums and I applaud Mary for the great efforts to keep the name alive but she was fighting a losing battle against a disinterested record company who did not value them. This line up had so much potential.

I enjoyed your posting. MSS sure had a lot of talent. As far as the name change, Mary always said there was value in the name. But I understand the name issue. When ever I would lend out the last 3 albums, people would say I didn't know they sounded like that.

[honest man]

In the taped MSS performances I've seen [[sadly, I never got to see that lineup in person), it has always looked and sounded to me almost like some kind of competition among the three of them. Scherrie had the powerhouse pipes, Susaye had the astonishing range, and Mary had gained confidence almost to the point of cockiness. The vocals went all over the place, as did the choreography, and many times it sort of seemed to devolve into something nearly chaotic, and all subtlety was lost, along with a sense of cohesiveness. Not that it wasn't entertaining and musically compelling, but, as Milven and Bluebrock have noted, the act didn't say "Supremes" to me anymore. It truly was "Mary, Scherrie and Susaye" by that time — every gal for herself. A trio, certainly, but not really a group anymore.

So right exactly what id have said,they were painful and embarrassing listening and watching cringe.cheers

[Bluebrock]

honest man - I think you are being harsh here. These ladies had talent to burn but they did not have unity. Much as I love Scherrie and Susaye they never really looked like what I would term as a classic Supremes line up. They lacked the grace and sophistication of previous line ups but must certainly not the talent. A better manager and record company support could have worked wonders.

[kenneth]

I liked lots of the songs of the earlier lineups, but to me the MSS lineup was the first one that made a real impact on me, both visually and musically. I was very young at the time the first two lineups were around and to me they seemed kind of quaint with their matching gowns and wigs which seemed to belong to an older generation. But in all fairness, by the time I was aware of the group as a group, apart from their singles, Diane was already on her own.

The MSS lineup was the first one that, to me at least, seemed current. I guess they were actually wearing some of the same gowns from the DMC era [[I think they wore the TCB gowns, for example) but they just seemed younger and hipper. I still think they made the best albums. The JMC lineup made some very good ones, my favorites being "Touch" and "New Ways." I think the only DMC album which stacks up that well, and still holds up, is "Love Child." But the MSS albums, especially "High Energy," are more cohesive and true "albums." Of course I know Susaye was not on "The Supremes" and only partly on "High Energy," but the two songs she sings on were to me the album's highlights.

I never got to see MSS live but on the clips I've seen they are anything but cringe worthy. I still find them dynamic and exciting in a way which the other lineups weren't.

[Methuselah2]

When I watched this video, it just re-inforced my long-held feeling that had Motown been interested in making a biopic about Tammi Terrell, they had their star right in front of them: Susaye. It seems so apparent that Susaye would have captured Tammi in every way. I can't think of anyone else but Susaye who could have done it so perfectly, so compellingly. Thanks so much, Antceleb, for this video; hadn't seen it before, so it was a huge pleasure.

[captainjames]

Can you just imagine how great this would have been if released on one of their albums. Susaye SANG that song !!!

[thanxal]

Ms. Greene is a remarkable singer. She remains my favorite. I'd love to see the Partners show.

[luke]

Great discussion. I have seen a couple of cringe worthy disco performances...frenzied vacuousness. If they had lightened up on the disco they would have made a greater impact because there was an excitement about MSS.

[detmotownguy]

I liked lots of the songs of the earlier lineups, but to me the MSS lineup was the first one that made a real impact on me, both visually and musically. I was very young at the time the first two lineups were around and to me they seemed kind of quaint with their matching gowns and wigs which seemed to belong to an older generation. But in all fairness, by the time I was aware of the group as a group, apart from their singles, Diane was already on her own.

The MSS lineup was the first one that, to me at least, seemed current. I guess they were actually wearing some of the same gowns from the DMC era [[I think they wore the TCB gowns, for example) but they just seemed younger and hipper. I still think they made the best albums. The JMC lineup made some very good ones, my favorites being "Touch" and "New Ways." I think the only DMC album which stacks up that well, and still holds up, is "Love Child." But the MSS albums, especially "High Energy," are more cohesive and true "albums." Of course I know Susaye was not on "The Supremes" and only partly on "High Energy," but the two songs she sings on were to me the album's highlights.

I never got to see MSS live but on the clips I've seen they are anything but cringe worthy. I still find them dynamic and exciting in a way which the other lineups weren't.

That was quite a post !!! I liked the 70's Sups the best. But of course the success of the original trio will never be attained by anyone else. I also thought that MSS were very good; like you said a bit more current. I really liked the production on their last effort. I also thought that the High Energy album was very good. Mary's ballads on high energy were a highlight fo me. I really wish they could have released one more to see what would have happened. I do think they were kinda stuck between pleasing older fans with the 60's stuff and trying to capture newer younger fans. Like Mary said, they never lacked for talent!

[luke]

Did they record anything for another album?

[kenneth]

That was quite a post !!! I liked the 70's Sups the best. But of course the success of the original trio will never be attained by anyone else. I also thought that MSS were very good; like you said a bit more current. I really liked the production on their last effort. I also thought that the High Energy album was very good. Mary's ballads on high energy were a highlight fo me. I really wish they could have released one more to see what would have happened. I do think they were kinda stuck between pleasing older fans with the 60's stuff and trying to capture newer younger fans. Like Mary said, they never lacked for talent!

Thanks Detmotownguy!

When you said you liked the 70s Sups the best, did you mean JMC?

I think at the time there weren't many girl groups doing that well. Labelle, Honey Cone, 3 Degrees, all had some hits. Clearly, as you point out, there were so many changes and girl groups weren't quite making the adjustments, except for possibly Labelle who went way out with their costumes and stage persona. I think this supports what you say, that they were stuck between the older 60s image while trying to capture newer fans.

[detmotownguy]

Thanks Detmotownguy!

When you said you liked the 70s Sups the best, did you mean JMC?

I think at the time there weren't many girl groups doing that well. Labelle, Honey Cone, 3 Degrees, all had some hits. Clearly, as you point out, there were so many changes and girl groups weren't quite making the adjustments, except for possibly Labelle who went way out with their costumes and stage persona. I think this supports what you say, that they were stuck between the older 60s image while trying to capture newer fans.

No actually the 70's Sups as a whole are my fav probably due to my age. I think what HDH wrote for them was nothing shortof a miracle. But I remember when JMC came out it was the big buzz of the neighborhood. As far as labelle is concerned, all the older kids in the neighborhood flocked to the concert. Their wild costumes did the trick. But seriously, I don't think that type of change would have worked for our girls. I just don't know what would have worked. Maybe the name dated them.

Thanks

[luke]

No question Labelle changed the game. It was also their energy,variety of music, each had a particular personna and their writing their own songs often. They were different and quite interesting. I think the Three Degrees put together the 70s girls group sound well..elegant yet up to date.

[supremester]

Although a lot is blamed on lack of support by Motown, it couldn't be farther from the truth. 3 LPs in 18 months were released and all had some success - which meant that the songs were getting out there. Trade ads, TV and in-store displays went out with each release. High Energy spawned a Top 40 single and was the second biggest LP of The Rossless Supremes - and one of Motown's biggest LP's on 1976. That didn't happen by itself - Motown wisely paid attention to the revolving door critique and instead of photos of yet ANOTHER line-up, they used a crafty drawing of The Supremes in a classic pose that made it seem much more familiar, or at least, much less unfamiliar. I think what you all are saying above is true - it was a very rough time for groups period - especially girl groups.

This line-up was clearly very talented, but needed true management. As great as Susaye is on this song, the arrangement needed some editing and the staging is atrocious. The focus should have been solely on her, without Mary [[and presumably Scherrie) "performing" behind her. Susaye was providing plenty up front without distractions from behind her, smiling, moving, doing cornball, unmotivated gestures. I'd have had them standing still, in 40% less light, doing muted bg with Susaye in a spot to make it more special. Like DMC's Sullivan Impossible Dream: it's a tour de force by Ross and Mary & Cindy provide what's needed without distraction. Every single performance I've seen of this group has been visually cringe worthy. A real manager might have been able to get this vocal powerhouse trio moving. I don't, for a second, blame Motown - they were losing acts right and left and had very few hit makers. MSS had a very promising start with High Energy, Motown wasn't going to piss that away.

[sup_fan]

interesting thread and i'm really happy to see that, while people are sharing differing and justified opinions, the discussion is remaining civil and not bashing one girl or another!

i really like how some of described MSS as current. i've always been searching for a way to describe them and i think that fits very well. their sound was definitely current. i think their stage show wasn't though. visually was too tied to the "old Sup" image and style. by 76 they were definitely locked in the disco category. with mary doing well with ballads. but their act, costumes, etc didn't always fit with the disco look. also i agree about the above comments that a better manager could have refocused the stage act and helped update and streamline it. but pedro was determined to launch mary so the idea that this was a "group" is a bit limited. the majority of the group decisions were not voted on by the group but rather Mary/Pedro.

[supremester]

I agree, The New Supremes would have been more appropriate, but more importantly, make a distinction that this was a new act altogether. JMC suffered many defections from DR&TS, and may have picked up some fans as well - but not many. With a new name, Jean may have had less comparisons to Ross which annoyed her and were counter productive to the overall well being in the group. Also it would have given Jean a chance to be more herself and not have to sing in Ross' style or be as locked into a formula - especially musically, that wasn't her natural style. "Jean Terrell & The Supremes" would have been good also. Even as an unknown, The Supremes were so high profile that her name would have meant somethig very, very soon. They had the talent, the best producer, best designers, best arranger and launched with a #1 platinum single still on the chart - they had everything but the correct name.

They perhaps should have re-named themselves as the New Supremes because wonderful though they were they bore very little resemblance to the previous line ups in both sight and sound. For me the Supremes died when Jean left but that doesn't mean MSS were anything less than fabulous, but I never really regarded them as the Supremes. Just my opinion and please don't crucify me for saying that. I love the final 3 Supremes albums and I applaud Mary for the great efforts to keep the name alive but she was fighting a losing battle against a disinterested record company who did not value them. This line up had so much potential.

[Bluebrock]

Very well put supremester. We obviously have similar views here.

[milven]

Although they weren't billed as The New Supremes, many dee-jays introduced their records with that name in the early '70's and many fans also referred to them as The New Supremes. There are probably articles in magazines at the time where they are referred to as The New Supremes. It wasn't until years later that we referred to them as the '70's Supremes.

And yet with all the publicity at the time of DIana going solo and the group carrying on as TheSupremes, I still remember an annoying lady at a table next to me at the Copa who I overheard saying "Which one is Diana?".

It had to be difficult for Jean to always be compared to Diana

[marybrewster]

In the taped MSS performances I've seen [[sadly, I never got to see that lineup in person), it has always looked and sounded to me almost like some kind of competition among the three of them. Scherrie had the powerhouse pipes, Susaye had the astonishing range, and Mary had gained confidence almost to the point of cockiness. The vocals went all over the place, as did the choreography, and many times it sort of seemed to devolve into something nearly chaotic, and all subtlety was lost, along with a sense of cohesiveness.

I agree. By the MSS era, it seems as though the Supremes were three lead singers, versus a lead and two backups.

There is a video of "I'm Gonna Let My Heart" [[perhaps from Merv?) and towards the end it's a free-for-all.

[marybrewster]

Although they weren't billed as The New Supremes, many dee-jays introduced their records with that name in the early '70's and many fans also referred to them as The New Supremes. There are probably articles in magazines at the time where they are referred to as The New Supremes. It wasn't until years later that we referred to them as the '70's Supremes.

And yet with all the publicity at the time of DIana going solo and the group carrying on as TheSupremes, I still remember an annoying lady at a table next to me at the Copa who I overheard saying "Which one is Diana?".

It had to be difficult for Jean to always be compared to Diana

The first "new" Supremes LP I bought [[from the Goodwill; this was probably in the mid to late 80's) was "New Ways". I had never heard or seen such a thing and I spent HOURS studying the back photograph, trying to figure out which one was Diana, LOL.