Dienstag, 15. September 2015

The Blossoms (4) aka The D.C. Blossoms



The Blossoms (4) aka The D.C. Blossoms
(Washington, D.C.)

The Blossoms (4)

Discography:

The Blossoms (4)

1962 - I'm In Love / What Makes Love (Okeh 7162)

The D.C. Blossoms

1966 - I Know About Her / Hey Boy (Shrine 107)

1966 - This Is Your Last Chance (Shrine) (unreleased)


Group members:

The Blossoms (4)

Jacqui Burton
Vicki Burton
Jeanette Talley
Roberta Miller

The D.C. Blossoms

Jacqui Burton
Vicki Burton
Jeanette Talley

Biography:

In 1958, a quartet of girls christened themselves the Tropicals and began to perform in local Washington DC clubs. Their repertoire consisted of many of the hits songs of the day and old favorites that would get an audience up on their feet. The group, all hailing from the DC area, consisted of sisters Jacqui and Vicki Burton and their longtime friends Jeanette Talley and Roberta Miller. What the girls wanted more than anything was to get a recording deal and become stars, but their first break was a long time coming.


In 1962 they were seen by Clyde Otis, who offered them his services as their manager and secured a contract for them with Okeh Records. Before their first visit to a recording studio, in August 1962, a change of name was required, so the girls became the Blossoms. The group cut enough tracks for an entire album but only one single, "I'm In Love", was released. The 45 failed to make any impression and the girls were released from their contract.

The D.C. Blossoms

Despite their immense disappointment, they continued to tread the boards. When they heard about the formation of the new Shrine label, they went along to get themselves a piece of the action. By this time Roberta had retired due to ill health, leaving the remaining trio to sign with Shrine. A change of name was required to distinguish them from Darlene Love's West Coast group, so the girls became the D.C. Blossoms. Shrine Records released “I Know About Her” b/w “Hey Boy” in 1966, but this record also failed. The D.C. Blossoms disbanded shortly after this release.
Sources:


Songs:

I’m In Love

What Makes Love

I Know About Her

Hey Boy

This Is Your Last Chance


Montag, 14. September 2015

The Cooperettes



The Cooperettes
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)


Group members:

Angie Cooper
Debbie Cooper
Janette Cooper
Tina Cooper

Discography:

The Cooperettes

1966 - Goodbye School / Goodbye School (Sing Along) (instrumental) (Brunswick 55296)
1967 - Everything’s Wrong / Don’t Trust Him (Brunswick 55307)
1967 - Shing-A-Ling / (Life Has) No Meaning Now (Brunswick 55329)
1968 - Peace Maker / Trouble (ABC 11156)
1969 - Spiral Road / Trouble (ABC 11197)
1969 - Win All Your Love / Satisfaction (I-D-B 1009)

Benny Sigler (bb The Cooperettes) (uncredited)

1968 - [Benny Sigler - Who You Gonna Turn To] / I Can Give You Love (Phil L.A. Of Soul 314)
1968 - Can It Be Changed (Lash) (unreleased)
196x - Is Lincoln Still On The Penny (Lash) (unreleased)

Timmy Carr (bb The Cooperettes) (uncredited)

196x - Got No Time (Lash) (unreleased)
196x - I Want My Lovin’ From You (Lash) (unreleased)

Biography:

The group included the Cooper sisters, Janette, Debbie, Tina and Angie. They raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and They started singing in church in the early 1960's as The Little Cooperettes. They shortened their name to The Cooperettes when they switched to R&B. The girls were managed by their mother Ethyl Cooper who arranged a recording contract with Brunswick Records. Their first single “Goodbye School” was a big seller in Philadelphia in 1966.


Their second 45 “Everything’s Wrong”, released in 1967, was also a local hit in Philly. This song is a great, mid-tempo dancer, with a Shirelles feel to it (interesting since the tune was co-written by Wes Farrell, who penned “Boys”’ for that group).


They traveled all over the USA and did shows in Europe too. Black Soul Radio Pioneer Sonny Hopson got the group a deal with ABC Records with the Morris Bailey song “Trouble.”  The sisters also backed up Benny Sigler, Timmy Carr and others. The group disbanded in the early 1970’s. The Cooperettes had a second wave of popularity with the Northern Soul scene, when “Shing-A-Ling” was reissued in the UK in 1975. Debbie Cooper died in 1989 and Ethyl Cooper passed away in 1998.

Link:


Songs:

Goodbye School

Everything’s Wrong

Don’t Trust Him

Shing-A-Ling

 (Life Has) No Meaning Now

Peace Maker

Trouble

Win All Your Love

Satisfaction

I Can Give You Love

Can It Be Changed

Is Lincoln Still On The Penny

Got No Time

I Want My Lovin’ From You