Renaissance (Miracles album)
Encyclopedia
Renaissance was a critically acclaimed 1973 album by R&B group The Miracles
on Motown Records' Tamla label, noted as the first-ever album by the group not to feature original lead singer Smokey Robinson
on lead vocals. Instead, his replacement, new lead singer, Billy Griffin
did the lead chores on this album.
decided to leave as well. Tarplin,after staying for a year, decided to leave the Miracles and began touring and working with Smokey. Claudette retired to concentrate on raising the couple's two children, Berry and Tamla. The other Miracles, Bobby Rogers
, Pete Moore
, and Ronnie White,decided to conduct a nation-wide search for a singer to replace Smokey. After auditioning several hopefuls, the group decided on Billy Griffin
, a native of Baltimore
, Maryland
. In the 2006 Miracles DVD release The Definitive Performances (1963-1987)
, Miracles Pete Moore & Bobby Rogers, commented that the group decided on Billy because, in addition to being a great singer,he also demonstrated " some writing ability". Smokey Robinson served as the album's executive producer, and took pains to add, in the album's liner notes, that Billy was "a determined young man with a fresh new sound, who is sure to become dynamic in the industry". In his answer to "unnamed skeptics" who claimed that The Miracles couldn't make it without him ...his reply was, concerning the new lineup, " All you have to do is listen".
Renaissance included several songs from noted writer-producers....including Marvin Gaye
, Willie Hutch
, Leon Ware
, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren
, Pam Sawyer
,and others. Griffin proved to be a more-than-capable lead singer,and Bobby,Ron and Pete's vocal blends were among their best. The album's first intended single was "What Is a Heart Good For" which was performed by the group on a July 13, 1973, telecast of NBC
's The Midnight Special
which marked the group's first national television appearance with Billy... and was hosted by Smokey himself. Radio began playing the uptempo single (Tamla 54240), when it was inexplicably withdrawn, and replaced with a ballad "Don't Let It End (Til You Let It Begin)", which, while not a bad song, may have been a poor choice for the group's inaugural single: the weakest song in an otherwise very strong album. As a result "Don't Let It End" only reached #56 Pop,#26 R&B on the Billboard
chart,and without a big hit single to promote it, Renaissance only reached #174 Pop,#33 R&B on the Billboard album chart. An undeserved fate for an album otherwise filled with potential hits that never saw the light of day as singles, including "Nowhere to Go"...a powerful song featuring all of The Miracles on lead vocals, the Willie Hutch written-and-produced "I Didn't Realize the Show Was Over". (Interestingly, Hutch also contributed to Smokey's first Post-Miracles solo album
), and Marvin Gaye's "I Love You Secretly"- a song about inter-racial love. Critics at the time gave the album almost universally positive reviews. However, the group's next album, Do It Baby, based on their #13 million-selling hit single of the same name ,would fare far better. The Miracles' Renaissance has never been re-issued on CD. However, several of its songs have appeared on the 2003 Motown compilation CD The Miracles-Love Machine: The 70's Collection.
Personnel: The Miracles
Selected songs from The Miracles' Renaissance: (1973) From YouTube:
Allmusic-
The Miracles: Renaissance - reviews:
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
on Motown Records' Tamla label, noted as the first-ever album by the group not to feature original lead singer Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
on lead vocals. Instead, his replacement, new lead singer, Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.-Biography:...
did the lead chores on this album.
History
Once Robinson decided to retire from the group to concentrate on his duties as Vice President of the Motown Record Corporation, Miracles members Claudette Robinson (Smokey's then-wife) and Marv TarplinMarv Tarplin
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
decided to leave as well. Tarplin,after staying for a year, decided to leave the Miracles and began touring and working with Smokey. Claudette retired to concentrate on raising the couple's two children, Berry and Tamla. The other Miracles, Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
, Pete Moore
Pete Moore
Pete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
, and Ronnie White,decided to conduct a nation-wide search for a singer to replace Smokey. After auditioning several hopefuls, the group decided on Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.-Biography:...
, a native of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. In the 2006 Miracles DVD release The Definitive Performances (1963-1987)
The Definitive Performances (1963-1987)
The Definitive Performances is an anthology of performances by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. It was produced by Reelin' in the Years Productions and the Universal Music Group International,in conjunction with Motown.In addition to the musical performances,this DVD also features the first - ever...
, Miracles Pete Moore & Bobby Rogers, commented that the group decided on Billy because, in addition to being a great singer,he also demonstrated " some writing ability". Smokey Robinson served as the album's executive producer, and took pains to add, in the album's liner notes, that Billy was "a determined young man with a fresh new sound, who is sure to become dynamic in the industry". In his answer to "unnamed skeptics" who claimed that The Miracles couldn't make it without him ...his reply was, concerning the new lineup, " All you have to do is listen".
Renaissance included several songs from noted writer-producers....including Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Willie Hutch
Willie Hutch
Willie McKinley Hutchison, known professionally as Willie Hutch was an American singer, songwriter as well as a record producer and recording artist for the Motown record label during the 1970s and 1980s....
, Leon Ware
Leon Ware
Leon Ware is a soul music singer, songwriter and producer. Best known for crafting the hit album, I Want You, originally recorded for Ware, until friend and Motown icon Marvin Gaye was assigned to the album in 1976...
, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren
Freddie Perren
Frederick "Freddie" Perren was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches &...
, Pam Sawyer
Pam Sawyer
Pamela Sawyer, an American-based songwriter from Romford, East London.Sawyer worked with artists at Motown Records from 1967 to 1977. Before Motown she had been involved in hit records for the Young Rascals and Lulu, and wrote with Lori Burton with whom she also recorded as the Whyte Boots.Sawyer...
,and others. Griffin proved to be a more-than-capable lead singer,and Bobby,Ron and Pete's vocal blends were among their best. The album's first intended single was "What Is a Heart Good For" which was performed by the group on a July 13, 1973, telecast of NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's The Midnight Special
The Midnight Special (TV series)
The Midnight Special is an American musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981...
which marked the group's first national television appearance with Billy... and was hosted by Smokey himself. Radio began playing the uptempo single (Tamla 54240), when it was inexplicably withdrawn, and replaced with a ballad "Don't Let It End (Til You Let It Begin)", which, while not a bad song, may have been a poor choice for the group's inaugural single: the weakest song in an otherwise very strong album. As a result "Don't Let It End" only reached #56 Pop,#26 R&B on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
chart,and without a big hit single to promote it, Renaissance only reached #174 Pop,#33 R&B on the Billboard album chart. An undeserved fate for an album otherwise filled with potential hits that never saw the light of day as singles, including "Nowhere to Go"...a powerful song featuring all of The Miracles on lead vocals, the Willie Hutch written-and-produced "I Didn't Realize the Show Was Over". (Interestingly, Hutch also contributed to Smokey's first Post-Miracles solo album
Smokey (album)
Smokey is the first solo album by Motown legend Smokey Robinson after his departure from The Miracles. It was released on Motown Records' Tamla subsidiary label in 1973.It featured the single "Sweet Harmony" which was his tribute to his former singing partners in The Miracles, Bobby Rogers, Pete...
), and Marvin Gaye's "I Love You Secretly"- a song about inter-racial love. Critics at the time gave the album almost universally positive reviews. However, the group's next album, Do It Baby, based on their #13 million-selling hit single of the same name ,would fare far better. The Miracles' Renaissance has never been re-issued on CD. However, several of its songs have appeared on the 2003 Motown compilation CD The Miracles-Love Machine: The 70's Collection.
Track listing
- "What is a Heart Good For" (Arthur RossArthur RossArthur Ross may refer to:*Art Ross , Canadian ice hockey player and General Manager of the Boston Bruins from 1924-1953*Arthur A. Ross, Academy award nominated American screenwriter for Brubaker...
, Leon WareLeon WareLeon Ware is a soul music singer, songwriter and producer. Best known for crafting the hit album, I Want You, originally recorded for Ware, until friend and Motown icon Marvin Gaye was assigned to the album in 1976...
) - "If You're Ever in the Neighborhood" (Don Fenceton, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson)
- "I Wanna Be With You" (Willie HutchWillie HutchWillie McKinley Hutchison, known professionally as Willie Hutch was an American singer, songwriter as well as a record producer and recording artist for the Motown record label during the 1970s and 1980s....
) - "Wigs and Lashes" (Larry MizellMizell BrothersThe Mizell Brothers were a record producing team in the 1970s, consisting of Larry Mizell and Alphonso "Fonce" Mizell .-History:...
) - "Don't Let It End (Til You Let It Begin)" (Christine Yarian, Freddie PerrenFreddie PerrenFrederick "Freddie" Perren was an American songwriter, record producer, arranger, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever" by the Sylvers, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, and "Shake Your Groove Thing" by Peaches &...
) featuring lead vocals by Billy Griffin and Ronnie White, spoken word segment by Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late... - "I Love You Secretly" (Anna Gordy GayeAnna Gordy GayeAnna Gordy Gaye is an American songwriter and composer, known as the elder sister of Motown founder Berry Gordy and the first wife of soul legend Marvin Gaye, who used their troubled marriage as the focal point of his critically acclaimed 1978 effort, Here, My Dear, an album from which Gordy...
, Elgie StoverElgie StoverElgie Stover is an American songwriter, composer, producer and background singer, most famous for his associations with uncle Harvey Fuqua and legendary Motown star Marvin Gaye, co-writing two of Gaye's songs from the singer's acclaimed 1971 album, What's Going On.Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio,...
, Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
) - "I Don't Need No Reason" (Leon WareLeon WareLeon Ware is a soul music singer, songwriter and producer. Best known for crafting the hit album, I Want You, originally recorded for Ware, until friend and Motown icon Marvin Gaye was assigned to the album in 1976...
, Pam SawyerPam SawyerPamela Sawyer, an American-based songwriter from Romford, East London.Sawyer worked with artists at Motown Records from 1967 to 1977. Before Motown she had been involved in hit records for the Young Rascals and Lulu, and wrote with Lori Burton with whom she also recorded as the Whyte Boots.Sawyer...
) - "Nowhere To Go" (Clay McMurray, Dennis Jackson, Gary Fears) featuring leads by all of The Miracles
- "I Didn't Realize The Show Was Over" (Richard Hutch, Willie HutchWillie HutchWillie McKinley Hutchison, known professionally as Willie Hutch was an American singer, songwriter as well as a record producer and recording artist for the Motown record label during the 1970s and 1980s....
)
Personnel: The MiraclesThe MiraclesThe Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
- Billy GriffinBilly GriffinBilly Griffin is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.-Biography:...
- Ronnie White
- Pete MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
- Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
- Marv TarplinMarv TarplinMarvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
- Executive Producer :Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
Charts
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
||
| 1973 | Renaissance | 174 | 33 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US Dance |
||
| 1973 | "Don't Let It End (Til You Let It Begin)" | 56 | 26 | — |
External links
- The Miracles-Renaissance at Discogs
- The Miracles- Renaissance: Original album cover artwork : http://www.wikimusicguide.com/Image:Therenaissanvemir.jpg
Selected songs from The Miracles' Renaissance: (1973) From YouTube:
- What Is A Heart Good For
- Nowhere To Go
- I Didn't Realize That The Show Was Over
- I Love You Secretly
- If You're Ever in the Neighborhood
- Don't Let It End (Til' You Let It Begin)
Allmusic-
The Miracles: Renaissance - reviews:
- http://www.dustygroove.com/item.php?id=4nsjcjbh34
- http://music.aol.com/album/renaissance/54678
- The Miracles celebrate the release of Renaissance-their first album with Billy Griffin: L to R : Bobby Rogers,Billy Griffin,Ronnie White,Pete Moore
- http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=21323&aid=55275