Soul Version Of Dennis Brown Track

[Guest mrs norman maine]

Just listening to a bit of Dennis Brown by the fireside, as you do......as 'Silhouettes' came on, I remembered an old tape I had with a male vocal harmony version of this on it. I can't remember who it's by & asked the gentleman who did me the tape- he can't remember either.

I also lost the tape & track listing about 5 years ago.

I know that The Diamonds did the original & had a hit with it in the 'fifties, but it sounded later than that. Anyone know if there are any other versions? Or was it The Diamonds after all & I need my ears suctioning? (syringing is sooooo last year, darlings).

Help, pretty please!

[Modernsoulsucks]

I think the Rays[with Hal Miller] did the original on XYZ 102 and then picked up by Cameo and released Cameo117. Also was covered by Diamonds on Mercury and so I've read Steve Gibson & Redcaps on ABC.

Herman's Hermits had a big hit with it in '65.

Before being too impressed I just looked up details on internet!!

ROD

[Guest]

Hiya Mrs, The Rays did the original by a couple of months in october '57, Diamonds had the bigger hit nationaly.......How's you?

[Guest mrs norman maine]

Hiya Mrs, The Rays did the original by a couple of months in october '57, Diamonds had the bigger hit nationaly.......How's you?

Fine & dandy Derek! Just PM-ing you, don't be scared !

Thanks to you Rod also. Even if you did look it up on t'internet, it's more than I can manage, so yes, I'm impressed

Anyone know of any sixties versions apart from Herman's Hermits?

[Guest]

Hiya Mrs, The Rays did the original by a couple of months in october '57, Diamonds had the bigger hit nationaly.......How's you?

Let's just correct the above, just checked and found it was the Rays that hit nationally as well as R&B peaking at number 3, not often you got a R&B group topping a white cover in those days!

Checking that PM now, not scared....honest!

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Fine & dandy Derek! Just PM-ing you, don't be scared !

Thanks to you Rod also. Even if you did look it up on t'internet, it's more than I can manage, so yes, I'm impressed

Anyone know of any sixties versions apart from Herman's Hermits?

My dear Mrs. M...

The Futures did it in 1979/80, on one of their Philly International LPs - the same LP as "Party Time Man" if memory serves...

...and of course the Four Seasons did it on Vee Jay, back in the 60s (well, it was part written by either Bobs Crewe or Gaudio, if memory serves, so they would, wouldn't they?...)

TONE

PS - oh yeah, and Steve Gibson (husband of Damita Jo) and the Red Caps also covered it in 1958...

Edited October 11, 2006 by TONY ROUNCE

[Guest Paul]

"Silhouettes" was written by Frank Slay (lyrics) and Bob Crewe (music) in 1957. I really like the Frankie Lymon version which was recorded in 1958 but I don't think it was issued until many years later on a Westside album (ask Tony Rounce about that).

Hundreds of artists have cut this great song.

Although I like reggae, I don't think I have the Dennis Brown version. Am I missing out?

Paul Mooney

[Guest]

Although I like reggae, I don't think I have the Dennis Brown version. Am I missing out?

Paul Mooney

Possibly Paul, give it a bash, Dennis Brown had a great voice and would definately have done the song justice.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Possibly Paul, give it a bash, Dennis Brown had a great voice and would definately have done the song justice.

D Brown was only about fifteen when he cut it (for Derrick Harriott's Crystal label). His voice was amazing then - fully developed, and not yet spoled by having cut literally thousands of sessions or having inhaled copious quanities of marijuana.

For the first ten tears of his career, Dennis was not only the best singer in reggae but one of the best singers in popular music, period...

TONE

[Guest]

For the first ten tears of his career, Dennis was not only the best singer in reggae but one of the best singers in popular music, period...

TONE

Totally agree Tony, sublime voice, got a lot of his earlier things, albeit on compilations but good to have them in the collection whatever the format.

Derek

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Totally agree Tony, sublime voice, got a lot of his earlier things, albeit on compilations but good to have them in the collection whatever the format.

Derek

Here's ten early D. Brown records that no soul fan should be without

1.The Look Of Love (US Clocktower)

2. The Song My Mother Used To Sing (Aquarius)

3.Things In Life (Matador)

4.Stages In Life (All Tone)

5.The Half (Sun Shot)

6.In Their Own Way (Pantomine)

7.Set Your Heart Free (Bull Wackies)

8.One Day Soon (Prince Buster)

9.It's Too Late (Aquarius)

10. No Man Is An Island (Coxsone)

...all sensational records, all all made before 1972 and before he turned 16. He was around 12, with a fully broken voice, when he made "No Man Is An Island"!

I've been a D. Brown since most of these records came out, and I always will be. His premature passing, although largely self inflicted by a latter-life over usage of crack and the inevitable consumption of several pounds of ganja per week, still saddens me. No other Jamaican singer since Dennis came on the scene has carried a similar level of influence - not Gregory Isaacs, not Sugar Minott, nobody. Almost ever Jamaican vocalist that I've even met has cited Dennis to be his all time favourite, many many more than have ever done for Bob Marley...

TONE