New Birth

[splanky]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfi7BU5qoNs

I selfishly and un-apologetically want an Unsung on this group...

[marv2]

New Birth is one of those special groups that take me right back to the early to mid-70s. I can't remember if it was "It's Been Such a Long Time" or " I Can Understand It" that got me hooked.

[Motown Eddie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfi7BU5qoNs

I selfishly and un-apologetically want an Unsung on this group...

Me Too! Hopefully they get to do an Unsung episode for The New Birth next season.

[nativeNY63]

New Birth is one of those special groups that take me right back to the early to mid-70s. I can't remember if it was "It's Been Such a Long Time" or " I Can Understand It" that got me hooked.

For me, it was I Can Understand It. I believe Bobby Womack covered it.

[splanky]

For me, it was I Can Understand It. I believe Bobby Womack covered it.

You have that backwards. New Birth covered and updated[[IMO) Bobby...

[splanky]

They went from four girls to one, my favorite, Londee Wiggins, still brought it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW00e_fQIRU

[nativeNY63]

You have that backwards. New Birth covered and updated[[IMO) Bobby...

Thanks. Story of my life, Splanky!

[MIKEW-UK]

The New Birth's major hits receive a lot of airplay. But there is some great work which doesn't get an airing. How's about this track for an example of great harmonies and lovely brass..... 7 minutes of pure pleasure.

[marv2]

When they came out with "Dream Merchant" around 1975, I didn't know it was a cover of Jerry Butlers. I was too young to remember Jerry's at that time:

[MIKEW-UK]

Marv, you are making me feel positively ancient. Not only do I recall Jerry releasing Mr Dream Merchant, I bought it!

[marv2]

Marv, you are making me feel positively ancient. Not only do I recall Jerry releasing Mr Dream Merchant, I bought it!

I'm sorry Mike, but I was in grade school and looking forward to playing in the snow! LOL!

[RanRan79]

The New Birth's major hits receive a lot of airplay. But there is some great work which doesn't get an airing. How's about this track for an example of great harmonies and lovely brass..... 7 minutes of pure pleasure.

Yeah, I actually tend to favor their album cuts than the more well known singles. "All God's..." is a really good one. I also play this one a lot:

[RanRan79]

And this one is another fav.

[Motown Eddie]

For me, The New Birth's 1973 LP, Birthday, was the breakthrough album for the group. Featuring "I Can Understand It", "Gotta Get a Knutt" & "Until It's Time For You To Go", the record put the group on the map for all time. Also, we've got to mention the instrumental half of The New Birth Inc., The Nite-Liters. One of the great Funk bands from the early '70s, they recorded the classics "K-Jee", "Afro Strut" & "We've Got To Pull Together".

[splanky]

As one fourth of the girl group The Mint Juleps who as far as I know never got to record until they were inducted into the New Birth collective I listened to Londee Wiggins grow
on vinyl. In full bloom she came into her own in the groups later work...
Patiently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RDd9VlKWoI

Leslie and Alan Frye cut to the bone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xcwjjs9gqI

[marv2]

As one fourth of the girl group The Mint Juleps who as far as I know never got to record until they were inducted into the New Birth collective I listened to Londee Wiggins grow
on vinyl. In full bloom she came into her own in the groups later work...
Patiently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RDd9VlKWoI

Leslie and Alan Frye cut to the bone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xcwjjs9gqI

Splanky would you know if Susaye Greene was ever an official member of New Birth?

[splanky]

Splanky would you know if Susaye Greene was ever an official member of New Birth?

No, Susaye, was never an official member of New Birth. Harvey Fuqua just brought her
in to do the lead vocal on Until It's Time For You To Go because he felt Londee wasn't up
for the demands of the track...Susaye, her illustrious self, could tell you more if she saw
this thread and wanted to comment...

[sansradio]

I'm wild about this one:

[marv2]

No, Susaye, was never an official member of New Birth. Harvey Fuqua just brought her
in to do the lead vocal on Until It's Time For You To Go because he felt Londee wasn't up
for the demands of the track...Susaye, her illustrious self, could tell you more if she saw
this thread and wanted to comment...

Thanks Splanky.

[arr&bee]

Wasn't our old friend[ann bogan]in new birth?

[marv2]

Wasn't our old friend[ann bogan]in new birth?

Yes, I believe she was.

[splanky]

Ann came in with the Wilson brothers, the three previously having been Love, Peace and
Happiness. She didn't stay in the group long as I suspect there may have been friction
between her and Londee who was still developing her sound. Too her friends, The Mint
Juleps gradually left. I only remember one [[Tanita Gaines, I think) getting a lead on a
track One Way Bus. Anyway Ann did her work on Honey Bee...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLy7Q1sZzG4