Saundra Mallet/Edwards and the Vandellas

[lakeside]

http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/saun..._the_vandellas

Was Saundra Edwards the lead singer of the Vandella's at one time? I knew she was in the Elgins.....but Vandella's?

[captainjames]

For a very short time if memory serves me correctly. I believe she was a Vandella before becoming an Elgin.

[reese]

Saundra wasn't a Vandella. Annette and Rosalind just backed her up on a single and received label credit, just like they did when they backed up Marvin Gaye.

[lakeside]

Saundra wasn't a Vandella. Annette and Rosalind just backed her up on a single and received label credit, just like they did when they backed up Marvin Gaye.

Thank you Reese, I wondered about that. Glad to see they got credit.

[BigAl]

When I checked it out on YouTube, I saw that someone had commented that it sounds more like Martha than Saundra, and it really does.

[robb_k]

She really DOES sound a lot like Martha. I don't remember her sounding so much like her when playing my 45. Could it be that THIS recording ISN'T from the 45, but is from a demo sung by Martha??? I can't play my 45 now, as I am not with my Motown 45s now.

[reese]

I thought it sounded quite a bit like Martha as well.

Interestingly enough, in an interview with IN THE BASEMENT, I think Martha says she isn't even on this recording and she seemed a bit peeved that Annette and Rosalind did it without her.

[johnny_raven]

When I checked it out on YouTube, I saw that someone had commented that it sounds more like Martha than Saundra, and it really does.

This sounds sped up from the single version. That might explain why it sounds like Martha.

[marv2]

Gloria William was the lead sing of the Vandallas back before they changed their name from The Del-Phis.

[RanRan79]

It does sound a lot like Martha but I can tell that it isn't. I wonder why the Vandellas were given these background credits at Motown but most other background vocal groups at the label weren't.

[theboyfromxtown]

I thought it sounded quite a bit like Martha as well.

Interestingly enough, in an interview with IN THE BASEMENT, I think Martha says she isn't even on this recording and she seemed a bit peeved that Annette and Rosalind did it without her.

That is EXACTLY what Annette and Rosalind told me when they autographed the copy I won in the auction at the Embassy Fair in 1990. I recall that you also went to that fair. Martha was not happy.

[reese]

That is EXACTLY what Annette and Rosalind told me when they autographed the copy I won in the auction at the Embassy Fair in 1990. I recall that you also went to that fair. Martha was not happy.

That was a great weekend. Can't believe it has been almost 27 years ago.

[robb_k]

It does sound a lot like Martha but I can tell that it isn't. I wonder why the Vandellas were given these background credits at Motown but most other background vocal groups at the label weren't.

The Temptations, Four Tops, Andantes [[also as Beljeans and Paulettes), Love-Tones and RayBer Voices also received background credits. The Spinners and Originals didn't.

[RanRan79]

The Temptations, Four Tops, Andantes [[also as Beljeans and Paulettes), Love-Tones and RayBer Voices also received background credits. The Spinners and Originals didn't.

Thanks for the info Robb. What were the Tempts and Tops credited on?

[robb_k]

The Temptations were credited backing up Liz Lands on "Keep Me", and also Marvin Gaye and Little Stevie Wonder I can't remember the songs. The Four Tops sang background on "Come On Home" by Holland-Dozier, and also another late 1963 release.

[theboyfromxtown]

That was a great weekend. Can't believe it has been almost 27 years ago.

I only believe it when I get a letter in the post telling I will get my pension soon! lol

[lockhartgary]

The Temptations sang background on "Try it Baby" by Marvin Gaye.

[144man]

I can't hear any difference between the Saundra Mallet version and the LaBrenda Ben & the Beljeans one. Are my ears letting me down?

[theboyfromxtown]

There are distinct DM's for each artist [[2 in fact). Interestingly, the DM is not mentioned on Saundra's 45

[144man]

Can you point me to the times of any differences on the two recordings, or to where Saundra and LaBrenda's voices sound different from each other.

[westgrandboulevard]

144man....

I'd describe Saundra's as the sharper pitched voice of the two leads.

LaBrenda's is a lower toned voice [[I can hear Martha in her voice, but without that distinctive top 'rrrring' and vibrato Martha has in her vowel sound).....

For a difference, try LaBrenda's "hhhhhug me tight, and kiss me right" at .50 seconds, then listen to Saundra, who sings it much crisper.....

[144man]

Thanks, westgrand.

I'll try that.

[144man]

144man....

I'd describe Saundra's as the sharper pitched voice of the two leads.

LaBrenda's is a lower toned voice [[I can hear Martha in her voice, but without that distinctive top 'rrrring' and vibrato Martha has in her vowel sound).....

For a difference, try LaBrenda's "hhhhhug me tight, and kiss me right" at .50 seconds, then listen to Saundra, who sings it much crisper.....

You're right. I just played them back-to-back and LaBrenda Ben's voice is definitely a bit deeper than Saundra's. However they sound so alike that I'm still not sure, if either one was played to me at random, whether I'd be able to correctly identify which one I was listening to.

[westgrandboulevard]

Assuming you have the discs at home [[your earlier post on the 'What song...' thread suggests you might.....), then you could consider asking someone in. Hand them the discs, so they could note their own sequence for play [[say two or three times each, in random order), and see how well you do with identifying the singer? Could be interesting.....

To be fair, I'd generally recognise Saundra's voice anywhere, simply because it is familiar.

However, if I hadn't already known the other version of 'Camel Walk' was La Brenda's voice, I would have struggled to identify her, and so have to just say 'it's not Saundra'.....

[144man]

Interesting! I don't think Saundra's voice on "Camel Walk" sounds anything like it does on ANY of her other early solo recordings or tracks by the Elgins. If I didn't know otherwise, I would have said that "Camel Walk" and "It's Gonna Be Hard Times" were by two different artists.

[lakeside]

Can anyone out there give me a little background information on LaBrenda Ben and also,
who were the Beljeans?

[144man]

There's some info on LaBrenda Ben and the Beljeans in the review of and comments on her version of "Camel Walk" on the Motown Junkies site.

http://motownjunkies.co.uk/index