Does anyone know whatever happened to the girls in this group? I believe they recorded an album for Motown and it was never released? I think they may have also done some background vocals at Motown?
Does anyone know whatever happened to the girls in this group? I believe they recorded an album for Motown and it was never released? I think they may have also done some background vocals at Motown?
Last edited by lakeside; 11-14-2016 at 10:26 AM.
What I have managed to find out about them...
The group was a trio consisting of Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields and Clydie King. All three had been singing backing vocals for many different artists throughout the sixties and, in 1970, they decided to get together and record for Motown as The Blackberries.
They provided backing vocals for artists recording in Motown's California studios at this time. They also recorded some of their own material, and had one single scheduled for release, "Somebody Up There" b/w "But I Love Him" on Motown's MoWest label [[as MW 5020F). They have reportedly cut enough stuff for a whole album that never materialised! One track, "Kidnapped", surfaced on volume four of the Cellarful of Motown! compilation album series.
The group left Motown in 1973 and went to A&M records, with Billie Barnum replacing Sherlie Matthews. There the trio released two more singles, "Twist And Shout" b/w "Don't Change On Me" [[1973) and "Yesterday's Music" b/w "Life Is Full Of Joy" [[1974).
... and that's all I know!
Last edited by TomatoTom123; 11-14-2016 at 10:56 AM.
Thanks Tom, I had no idea Clydie King was ever in a girl group. Interesting background .It'd be great if they'd release their material onto CD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNPaQ1cmYNE
Sounds like it could have been written for Martha and the Vandellas.
Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields, Clydie King
The Blackberries with Berry Gordy
The Blackberries with Smokey Robinson
In 2013 the group's proposed MoWest single was properly released [[with the B-Side titled "But I Love You More") and it is included on the 1971 Complete Motown Singles compilation
Were they like the West coast Andantes?
And Sherilie coproduced I Guess I'll miss the man
Sherlie Matthews was also part of 6-member group, Celebration, who had an eponymous album released on MoWest in 1972.
The Blackberries also recorded and tour with Humble Pie.
Carlena "Flora" Williams was also a member of the group and can be heard singing lead on their A&M B-side "Life Is Full Of Joy."
The ladies that were in that group were much in demand session singers and have sung backup for just about everyone in the 70s and 80s.
I believe I'm right in saying that Paul Williams of Reel Music/P&C fame was considering in releasing the ladies' unreleased MoWest album but, sadly, his operation folded before that came to reality. Anyway, here's the track listing:-
THE BLACKBERRIES – THE BLACKBERRIES
MOWEST – MWS106
1) Somebody Up There
2) Kidnapped
3) Love [[Original Session Notes Title: "Love Is")
4) Can You Feel It Babe
5) Hey Little Girl [[Do You Want Some Candy?)
6) I Found A Friend
7) But I Love You More
8) Let's Get Married
9) Love Child
Ivor
Clydie performing...
Bookmarks