THE INK SPOTS
A única coisa que se pode dizer sem medo de errar é que os Ink Spots foram um dos quartetos vocais negros mais importantes da
história do "R&B" e do "doo-wop", e que foram fundados em Indianapolis em 1930, sendo aceitos - tal como os Mill Brothers
pela comunidade branca dos USA. A partir daí a infernal troca de nomes, de componentes, o vai-vem, o entra-e-sai forma um quebra-cabeças impossível de ser ententido. Houve mais de CEM PARTICIPANTES(a maioria "extra-oficialmente") ao longo da carreira dos Ink Spots que, como de praxe, deu sub-produtos, filhotes, etc., praga que se alastrava entre os grandes conjuntos vocais negros.
Enfim, prá quem gosta e tem paciência, aí embaixo está tudo contado, "ipsis literis".
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THE INK SPOTS
The Ink Spots were formed in the early 1930s in Indianapolis. The original members were :- Orville "Hoppy" Jones (bass) Ivory "Deek" Watson (tenor) Jerry Daniels (tenor) Charlie Fuqua (baritone). Besides singing, each one of them used to play guitar, trumpet and other instruments, as well. The Ink Spots were a popular black vocal group that helped define the musical genre that led to rhythm & blues and rock and roll, and the subgenre doo-wop. They and the Mills Brothers gained much acceptance in the white community.
The original members came from other groups to form a new vocal, instrumental and comedy group, appearing regularly on radio in Ohio. At that point they changed their name to "The 4 Ink Spots" at the request of bandleader Paul Whiteman. Later that year, The Ink Spots achieved international success touring the UK with Jack Hylton's Orchestra. They sing in a style something between the Mills Brothers and the Three Keys, and accompany themselves on three tenor guitars and a 'cello - which is not bowed, but picked and slapped like a double bass.For the next two years, their popularity grew through radio programs and tours. They had their first smash hit with "If I Didn't Care", a song written by Jack Lawrence, on Decca, in 1939. Charlie Fuqua was drafted in 1944, and was replaced by Bernie Mackey. Hoppy Jones, an important personality to the group, died in late 1944, near the height of their popularity. Bill Kenny and Deek Watson then began feuding, leading to fragmentation in 1945, when Watson went on to form a group called the Brown Dots (which later became the 4 Tunes). He later formed a host of offshoot Ink Spots groups in the 1950s and 1960s. His place was taken in the original group by Billy Bowen, and Jones' by Cliff Givens (who was replaced after a short time by Herb Kenny, Bill's brother). Mackey left at this time and was briefly replaced by Huey Long.Charlie Fuqua was discharged in 1945 and returned to the group later that year, replacing Huey Long.
This lineup recorded into the early 1950s, when Herb Kenny left and was replaced by Adriel McDonald. Bowen left the next year
and was replaced by Teddy Williams. Ernie Brown substituted for Williams for a short time. Fuqua parted with the group and
was replaced first by Jimmy Cannady, then by Everett Barksdale. Fuqua would lead a separate Ink Spots group in the future.
Around 1954, Brown and Barksdale both left, making the group Bill Kenny, Adriel McDonald, new member Henry Braswell, and an unknown fourth member. At this point the group split. Braswell was out and would never tour with any Ink Spots groups. Bill Kenny sang solo, with an instrumental backing band (consisting of the returning Everett Barksdale, Harry Prather, and Andrew Maze). They toured as "Bill Kenny and his Ink Spots" through 1953. Kenny performed with Joe Boatner's Ink Spots in the summer of 1962. The group's pianist at the time of the split was Fletcher Smith, he would later perform in Orlando Roberson's Ink Spots. The only other link to the original group was Adriel McDonald. He continued touring with a new group:the returning Huey Long, Walter Springer, and Orlando Roberson. Henry Baxter later replaced Springer. In the late 1950s,
Roberson and Long were out (both would perform with and lead other Ink Spots groups), and former Clover John "Buddy" Bailey and Abel De Costa were in. McDonald and De Costa became the group's only consistent members through the 1960s. Bob Williams replaced Bailey and Jimmy McLin replaced Baxter. Later both were out, and William "Frosty" Pyles and former Raven Joe Van Loan were in. Then these two were replaced by Richard Lanham (later Grant Kitchlings) and Matt McKinney. At this point, McDonald fell ill and the group split. McDonald did not tour further with any Ink Spots groups. De Costa joined Bernie Mackey's group (which had already existed for some time). McKinney joined Bob Williams Ink Spots (new at this time). Kitchlings would join Mackey's group (at a later date than De Costa). Note, however, that several other members that had left the group at earlier times, notably Charlie Fuqua and Deek Watson, had started their own Ink Spots groups by this time. Legitimate members of the Victor and Decca group included Jerry Daniels, Bill Kenny, Deek Watson, Charlie Fuqua, Hoppy Jones, Bernie Mackey, Huey Long, Cliff Givens, Billy Bowen, Herb Kenny, Adriel McDonald, Ernie Brown, Teddy Williams, Jimmy Cannady, Bob Benson, Asa "Ace" Harris, Bill Doggett, Ray Tunia, Harold Francis, Fletcher Smith, Henry Braswell, and Everett Barksdale. As far as is known, these are the only singers and accompanists who deserve to be called "original"
Ink Spots (that is, those who were in the group that recorded for Victor and Decca), although dozens, possibly hundreds, of others have claimed that honor over the decades. Some singers have tenuous ties to Deek Watson's or Charlie Fuqua's offshoot groups; many, with no credentials whatever, just claim to be "original" members. As far as is known, the only surviving member of the Decca group in 2006 was Huey Long, who turned 102 in April of that year. (Wikipedia)
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THE INK SPOTS : THE BEST OF (compilation)
Pelos anos das gravações, ( 1935 a 1945, aproximadamente) é certo que a formação dos INK SPOTS ERA:
Jerry Daniels ou Bill Kenny
Deek Watson
Charlie Fuqua
Orville "Hoppy" Jones
TRACKS/FAIXAS
01 - Your Feet's Too Big
02 - I Wish You The Best Of Everything
03 - If I Didn't Care
04 - Just For A Thrill
05 - It's Funny To Everyone But Me
06 - Address Unknown
07 - My Prayer
08 - Memories Of You
09 - I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You
10 - Bless You
11 - When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano
12 - Whispering Grass (Don't Tell The Trees)
13 - Maybe
14 - We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)
15 - Java Jive
16 - I'll Never Smile Again
17 - Do I Worry?
18 - My Greatest Mistake
19 - Ring, Telephone, Ring
20 - I Can't Stand Losing You
21 - That's When Your Heartaches Begin
22 - I Wish I Could Say The Same
23 - I'd Climb The Highest Mountain
24 - We'll Meet Again
DOWNLOAD :
AQUI (Parte 1)
AQUI (Parte 2)
