Today's piece of Sunday Soul comes courtesy of "The Empress Of Soul", Gladys Knight. Along with her brother Merald ,sister Brenda and cousins Elenor Guest and William Guest she formed their first vocal group in their native Atlanta in 1952. Calling themselves the Pips, the youngsters sang supper-club material in the week, and gospel music on Sundays. After a few years recording for various labels they signed to Motown's Soul subsidiary where in 1967 they scored a Number 2 hit with their terrific version of I Heard It Through The Grapevine, two years prior to Marvin Gaye's take on the song. Her expressive, powerful voice has influenced many singers but none of them can hold a candle to the incomparable Gladys Knight.
Grapevine
Merald. What a great name.
ReplyDeleteThe definitive version of Heard it Through the Grapevine.
ReplyDeleteThey were one of my Daddy's favorites...Midnight Train to Georgia still knocks me out every time...8,000 listens later.
Would have to agree Erik. Always loved Marvin's version but Gladys' is the one for me. Smokey Robinson also does a great version that was never officially released as far as I know...
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