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Casey

This cd has one of the best selection of Teddy Prendegast, pre-solo. His voice varies from one song to the other between soft and sexy and rough and gritty. The back up singers (BlueNotes) aren't bad either.

Philadelphia is not one of the first cities that usually come to mind when discussing pop music, but during the seventies this was where much of the best soul-pop music came from, with many brilliant singers and groups showing the world what they were capable of. The Three Degrees and the O' Jays were among the most successful, together with Harold Melvin and the Blue notes, whose lead singer during their peak years was actually Teddy Pendergrass.

Singer-pianist Harold Melvin formed the group in 1954 (yes, I was surprised to learn that) and was its lead singer and songwriter for many years, during which time the group remained a local act. John Atkins took over lead vocals in the mid sixties but the group remained local. Eventually, Harold discovered Teddy who then joined the group, initially as a drummer. After John Atkins quit, Teddy was given his chance as lead singer and things happened quickly. The group were signed to a new label and given new songs by top songwriters, resulting in a series of great hits. Perhaps the name should have also been changed as Teddy was by then the star and focal point of the group.

The group had several major international hits including Wake up everybody, The love I lost and If you don't know me by now before Teddy quit the group in 1976, apparently because he resented the group name with Harold's name up front.

In the UK, the group's biggest hit was Don't leave me this way, which they had recorded in 1975 but wasn't released as a single anywhere at the time. Thelma Houston covered the song in 1977 and topped the American charts but Harold Melvin's original version was released as a UK single and made number five with Thelma's version peaking at thirteen. I wonder what might have been if their own version had been released in Britain and America in 1975. Actually, I love both these versions as well as the 1986 cover by the Communards (with Jimmy Somerville as lead singer) that topped the UK charts.

This re-mastered collection contains all the essential tracks from the Teddy Pendergrass years, including all the tracks I've already mentioned. If you enjoy seventies soul music, you'll love this collection.