Song:My Jug And I
Album:Deep Blue: 25 Years Of Blues On Rounder Records
Anyone who reads this blog knows how much I love doo wop. The Persuasions are one of my all time favourite groups. I've seen them in concert several times and even got to sing on stage with them once. Their motto is "We can do anything in acapella". Of course like a lot of doo wop groups, The Persuasions started singing together on New York streetcorners in 1962. So they could be strictly a nostalgia act but they're not. They've always remained contemporary and fresh. The leader and lead singer of The Persuasions is Jerry Lawson (born Jan. 23, 1944 in Fort Lauderdale, FL). Other members were Jayotis Washington (1st tenor), Joe Russell (2nd tenor), Hubert "Toubo" Rhoad (baritone) and Jimmy Hayes (bass). They have always performed acapella. The man who gave them their first record contract was Frank Zappa in 1970. They also recorded for Capitol, MCA, A & M and Elektra in the 70s. A & M got them to work with a backing band but that was unsuccessful. Over the years, they have recorded for Flying Fish, Rounder, Bullseye Blues and Chesky. Toubo Rhoad died in 1988 and he was replaced. Lawson usually sings lead but Hayes is the lead on this version of the Percy Mayfield song My Jug And I. It's from their 1994 Bullseye Blues album Right Around The Corner. This 2CD Rounder various artists comp is good for beginners. In recent years The Persuasions have done a lot of tribute albums to Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead, The Beatles and U2. Jerry Lawson left The Persuasions in 2003 and moved to Arizona. Joe Russell is now lead singer and Reggie Moore joined. Lawson has formed a new group called Talk Of The Town and released a CD in 2007. The Persuasions latest CD The Persuasions Sing U2 was released on Chesky in 2005. Anyone who enjoys great harmonies will love The Persuasions. Here are The Persuasions performing Looking For An Echo on the 1990 TV special Spike Lee Doing it Acapella.
Hi Frank,
ReplyDeleteMy husband is Jerry Lawson, former lead singer, arranger & producer of The Persuasions for 40 years. Thanks so much for your appreciation of their music though the years. I just wanted to make clear that The Persuasions Sing U2 was recorded after Jerry left.
Thanks.
Also thank you for mentioning Jerry's new CD - It can be heard & purchased at www.jerrylawson.biz
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie. I've been a huge Jerry Lawson fan for many years. He's one of the most underappreciated singers of all time. All one has to do is listen to that fabulous Frank Zappa tribute album to realize that Jerry is one of the greatest vocal interpreters ever. Young singers can learn a lot by listening to Jerry.
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