Saturday, September 22, 2007

Three Tenors Of Soul

I've had some information in from Bobby Eli on his new project "Three Tenors Of Soul".

On September 25, 2007, The Philadelphia Sound is reborn on a highly anticipated and historic new recording featuring the lead vocalists from three iconic groups of Philly’s golden era: The Stylistics’ Russell Thompkins Jr., The Delfonics’ William ‘Poogie’ Hart and Blue Magic’s Ted Mills. The Three Tenors- All the Way From Philadelphia will mark the first time that these dynamic vocalists have ever been captured on record with one another.

Three Tenors of Soul – All The Way From Philadelphia is the completion of a dream for producer Bobby Eli. “For a long time I have wanted to put together a sort of super group featuring three falsetto voices that were well known during the 70s,” says Eli. “The top three groups that epitomize the sweet soul sound of Philadelphia are the Delfonics, Stylistics and Blue Magic. Each of the guys - William, Russell and Ted - have their own distinct sound. Although all are natural tenors, they each bring to the plate their own identity. The trick was getting songs that would work with all three and I think I have nailed it!”

All The Way From Philadelphia showcases a refreshing mix of newly energized R&B classics as well as one Hall & Oates original, the title track, which has never been recorded. The tracks on the CD feature all three tenors either as a group or one as the lead while the others harmonize background vocals. Russell Thompkins Jr.’s smooth and refined tenor takes the lead on such stellar versions of Barry Gibb’s “Too Much Heaven,” The Average White Band’s “A Love of Your Own” and Yvette Davis’ “How Could I Let You Get Away,” a song that Russell Thompkins Jr. has long wanted to record and that was originally recorded by the Spinners. Ted Mills’ sensual and soulful vocals are showcased on Maurice White’s classic “Fantasy,” from Earth, Wind & Fire’s triple platinum selling All 'N All LP, as well as on “Grateful” an original by producer Bobby Eli co-written with Vinnie Barrett. All three tenors shine on such classics as Hall & Oates’ 1 1981 hit “I Can’t Go for That” which also features Hall & Oates as does the title track. The three tenors also coalesce on the Gamble & Huff gem “Where Are All My Friends” which was a hit for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes and the Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager’s “That’s What Friends Are For,” originally sung by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of Ron Howard’s film Night Shift but which is far better known by Dionne Warwick’s cover with Gladys Knight, Elton John and Stevie Wonder.

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