Tag: Spinners

Feature LP June 23, 2022June 23, 2022

Thursday 6/23/22 11am ET: Feature LP: Spinners – Pick Of The Litter (1975)

Pick of the Litter is the sixth studio album by American R&B group The Spinners, released in August 1975 on the Atlantic label. The album was produced by Thom Bell and recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia.

Pick of the Litter is generally considered the last of the quartet of classic Bell-produced studio albums the Spinners released between 1973 and 1975, and to mark the end of the most creative phase of the group’s career – while future releases would have memorable moments, contemporary critical opinion is that none of the group’s later material matches the enduring quality and top-notch consistency of these four albums.

Pick of the Litter became the Spinners’ highest placing album on the Billboard 200, reaching number eight; however it was the group’s first Atlantic album to miss the top of the R&B albums chart, peaking at number two. The album includes the distinctive “Games People Play”, one of the group’s signature songs, which became their fifth single to top the R&B chart and a top 5 hit on the Billboard singles chart. The second single “Love or Leave” also made the R&B top 10.

Although not credited on the album sleeve, “Just as Long as We Have Love” includes vocal contributions from Dionne Warwick.

“Honest I Do” 4:00
“I Don’t Want to Lose You” 3:42
“Love or Leave” 4:59
“Sweet Love of Mine” 4:20
“All That Glitters Ain’t Gold” 3:47
“You Made a Promise to Me” 3:56
“Games People Play” 4:41
“Just as Long as We Have Love” 4:06

Billy Henderson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynne, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson – vocals
Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton – backing vocals
MFSB – strings, horns
Tony Bell, Bobby Eli, Don Murray – guitars
Thom Bell – keyboards
Bob Babbitt – bass guitar
Andrew Smith – drums
Larry Washington – congas, bongos
Dionne Warwick – vocals on “Just as Long as We Have Love” (uncredited)

Feature LP March 3, 2022March 27, 2022

Thursday 3/3/22 10am ET: Feature LP: The Spinners – Dancin’ and Lovin’ (1979)

The Spinners are an American rhythm and blues vocal group that formed in Ferndale, Michigan, United States, in 1954. They enjoyed a string of hit singles and albums during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly with producer Thom Bell. The group continues to tour, with Henry Fambrough as the only original member.

The group is also listed as the Detroit Spinners and the Motown Spinners, due to their 1960s recordings with the Motown label. These other names were used in the UK to avoid confusion with a British folk group also called The Spinners. On June 30, 1976, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2015, they were nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Dancin’ and Lovin’ Review by Ron Wynn (AllMusic)
While soul purists recoiled in horror, the Spinners climbed off the ropes and soared back into the spotlight by recasting themselves as a modified dance/crossover band with soul/R&B influences. It worked in the short run, as their remake of the Four Seasons’ “Working My Way Back to You,” mixed with their own wailer, “Forgive Me Girl,” made a nice sandwich at number two pop and number six R&B. It took nearly a year, but they were revived. While they wore the formula out with a similar follow-up, it gave them a fresh start and the necessary credibility to eventually return to their customary sophisticated soul. Released 1979

1 Disco Ride (Single Version) 06:24
2 Body Language 06:26
3 Let’s Boogie, Let’s Dance 05:56
4 Medley: Working My Way Back to You / Forgive Me, Girl 06:04
5 With My Eyes 06:43
6 One, One, Two, Two, Boggie Woogie Avenue 05:05

Current members
Henry Fambrough (1954–present)
C.J Jefferson (2020-present)
Jessie Robert Peck (2009–present)
Marvin Taylor (2009–present)
Ronnie Moss (2013–present)

Former members
Pervis Jackson (1954–2008; died 2008)
Billy Henderson (1954–2004; died 2007)
C. P. Spencer (1954–56; died 2004)
James Edwards (1954)
Bobby Smith (1954–2013; died 2013)
George Dixon (1956–63; died 1994)
Edgar “Chico” Edwards (1963–67; died 2011)
G. C. Cameron (1967–72, 2000–03)
Philippé Wynne (1972–77; died 1984)
John Edwards (1977–2000)
Frank Washington (2003–09)
Harold “Spike” Bonhart (2004–09)
Charlton Washington (2008-2020)

1970s A to Z January 18, 2022

Tuesday 1/18/22 1pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1973 A to Z – Part 16