This is the second Larks group, the 1st group was Eugene Mumford-Tenor, Thermon Ruth-2nd Tenor, Raymond Barnes-1st Tenor, Alden "Allen" Bunn-Baritone, David McNiel-Bass, they did "My Reverie", "Darling" all for Apollo. This group of Larks is David "Boots" Bowers-Bass (King OdomQt./King Odom Four), Orville Brooks-Baritone (Jubilaires, Golden Gate Qt), Isaiah Bing-Tenor (King Odom Qt/King Odom Four) Orville Brooks is doing the lead this 2nd group recorded for the Apollo subsidiary Lloyds.. I also knew Don Julian and he was aware of the early Larks groups.
would make the GOLDEN GATE QUARTET proud...tenor eugene mumford would briefly join THE GATES in their adopted Eupopean homebase....gene sang a stunning version of white christmas that appears on numerous GATES albums that were issued and reissued for decades throught europe....a briilant quartet it is wonderful to have this pricelees footage that captures their AWESOME talent
This was a very popular song during the 1960's. Several quartets covered it, as well as groups like the Clara Ward Singers, and soloists like Louis Armstrong (as some people have already mentioned), Brooke Benton and Cleophus Robinson.
Very jubilee/spiritual style singing. Absolutely love indulging in this stuff. Real tight weave on the harmony, with clipped syllables. And one of the finest groups in vocal harmony history, no doubt. CHRISTINE VITALE, radio host THE GROUP HARMONY ALLEY on WFDU-FM Sundays 7pm - 10pm EASTERN 89.1/FM in the NY/NJ metro area and streaming live at wfdu.fm A foray into the roots of the DOO-WOPP/ R&B vocal group experience
Love this. Any one knows if this has been released on record . Just getting better better each time you listen to it. Look at the sheer fun they are having.
Excellent! I second the Elvis comment, he was actually a big fan of vocal groups both gospel and secular and both black (including the mills Bros.) and white (the Blackwood Bros.) so it's likely he did hear of this group.
My bad if im bothering you if you don’t know this yet you can research it to. I think The Larks went into the studio on October 5, 1950 and recorded this track originally written by Robert Macgimsey but they went into the studio and recorded it on that date. Then it was released in 1952 and this is them on the Ed Sullivan Show lip syncing it from the studio recording in 1952. So this recording right here of them is a 1952 recording when the song was released of them lip syncing it.
I am not the poster, but I first saw this on the USA Network as part of the "Night Flight" program. They used to show the old "Showtime At the Apollo/Harlem Revue" shows which were a combination of studio performances and Snader Telescriptions (when it's a Snader clip, look closely; you will see a short cartoon of curtains parting). There is no audience, but the performances are live in the studio. I have not seen this for over twenty years, so thank you very, very much Fair DealDan!
Great to see/hear this. I wasn't familiar with it, only have the easly available reissues of Don Julian (& The Larks) stuff - Shorty The Pimp and Savage soundtracks.
@HeywoodJadumi My Reverie is the best song I've heard by this great group but I must admit I haven't heard many of their songs more than a few times (except for 'Reverie'). This one is really good and quite different from others I've heard by the Larks.
All of the great black gospel groups could light their fires and heat their skillets with very minimal accompaniment. A guitar or a piano--if that much--was all they needed to cook. And some sang a capella, of course.
Until now, the only version I was familiar with was the late Bobby Scott's (of "A Taste of Honey" and "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" fame) - his recording was the flip of "Chain Gang" (not the Sam Cooke song, alas) which was released as a single in late 1955 on the then-new ABC-Paramount label.
@doowopsylv Stolen Love by the Larks was just posted by "TheNickNicola" Enjoy! BTW, I agree with you that this is a great song, but I've always preferred "My Reverie" with Gene Mumford on lead.
Actually there was a third group,called the Larks,a caucasian group.This is a great version of Shadrach,Meshach and Abednigo,the 3 Hebrew children who were placed in a boiling cauldron by Nebuchadnezzar for failing to worship his pagan Gods,yet they failed to burn!This was one of the earliest miracles recorded in the Bible.
Say wait a minute Dan - are you talking about Gene Mumford's Larks or Don Julian's Larks? Two separate groups. This looks like Mumford's Larks and nothing to do with Don Julian, or do I have this backwards?
