THE RAVENS
The Ravens foi um conjunto vocal negro, americano de R & B , formado em 1945 por Jimmy Ricks e Suttles Warren. Sua formação era semelhante à dos "Ink Spots", mas seu repertório era mais variado, incluindo elementos de pop , jazz , R & B e gospel.
Durante algum tempo a sonoridade do grupo se tornou o padrão de sua geração. Sua popularidade era maior em "shows" e concertos do que em gravações e se mantiveram em atividade até o final dos anos 50. Jimmy Ricks dedicou-se à carreira solo e chegou a ser vocalista da Count Basie Orchestra .
(*) Esta compilação foi feita especialmente para o CBVG pelo sempre atencioso amigo JEAN TROMBONE. Valeu, Jean!
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THE RAVENS:
Among the premiere "bird" groups, the Ravens ranked just behind the Orioles as a major R&B ensemble. They included a virtuoso bass vocalist in Jimmy Ricks, who has influenced many other singers, including the Temptations' Melvin Franklin. Ollie Jones, Leonard Puzey, and Warren Suttles were the other original members. They began on Hub in 1946. Maithe Marshall replaced Jones later that year. The group's tenor/bass contrast became very influential among vocal groups. Despite their brilliance, the Ravens didn't have a single number one R&B hit in their careers, although they had eight Top Ten singles from 1948 until 1952 for National, King, and
Mercury. Their most successful were "Write Me a Letter" in 1948 and "Send for Me If You Need Me," although "Ol' Man River," with Ricks' magnificent bass vocal, might be their finest. The group began touring on what would become the legendary chitlin circuit, a series of theatre venues on the East Coast and in the Midwest in which thousands of rhythm and blues groups would perform. From the Uptown and Earl Theatres in Philadelphia, the Howard in Washington, the Royal in Baltimore, the Regal in Chicago, the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh, and the State in Hartford to the crown jewel of theatres, the Apollo in New York, the Ravens blazed a trail for thousands of vocal groups.
(Souce: www.singers.com)
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MINHA OPINIÃO: O excelente grupo vocal The Ravens foi muito influente no período que antecedeu o "doo wop". Apesar disso, sua trajetória não foi das mais longas. O repertório compilado pelo Jean Trombone não poderia ser melhor. Valeu, Jean!
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THE RAVENS: Compilation by Jean Trombone
THE RAVENS
Jimmy Ricks
Suttles Warren
Ollie Jones
Leonard Puzey
Warren Suttles
TRACKS/FAIXAS:
1. Calypso song
2. Oh babe
3. Summertime
4. September song
5. Midnight blues
6.Ol´man river
7.Always
8.Leave my gal alone
9.Without a song
10.Careless love
11.Moonglow
12.Begin the beguine
13.Mam´selle
14.Marie
15.Time take care of everything
16.You foolish thing
