The Persuasions

The story of the Persuasions begins in February or March of 1962 as Jimmy "Bro" Hayes remembers it. It was one of those beginnings which seemed serendipitous at the time, yet in retrospect seems fated. You see, all the future members of the Persuasions moved to New York City independently, from different states. They hadn't gone to school together or grown up together. Yet starting about 1960, every day they all went to a basketball court at Green and Washington (pictured on the We Came To Play album) to play with about thirty or forty other guys. After playing, everyone would sing together. Jimmy Hayes heard some of the voices were singing in harmony, but he couldn't identify the individuals. One evening he invited the group as a whole to come to his apartment to have a rehearsal and get together a little group, knowing that his tiny apartment couldn't hold everyone, nor would everyone show up. Four other guys showed up that night. They began to sing before even knowing one another's names. We know them as the Persuasions. They feel it was a spiritual thing.

For a few years they sang in basements, garages and in the subway, where they found a great echo. One of their garage sessions was recorded while they were "just messing around." It was being played in a Jersey City record store which piped the sound onto the street (Stan Krause's?) when David Dashev walked by, heard it and sent the tape to Frank Zappa, who loved it. The decision to go to California and record was a momentous one as a couple of the group had families and they all had jobs. When they said OK they didn't even have a name. Jimmy Hayes was reading the Bible and saw Persuader in it. When he explained to the group his idea, because they were going to have to persuade people to follow a cappella music, everyone agreed immediately. At the time lots of groups ended their names with ions (Temptations, Impressions, etc.) so rather than Persuaders they became Persuasions. Frank flew the guys to California in 1968 to record on his Straight Records label. The album released was a combination of the studio recordings and some very early live tracks. It was a beginning.

In l969 the Persuasions recorded an album in two tiny studios in Jersey City, NJ. It wasn't released until ten years later. The big label to pick them up was Capitol Records, who released three albums in the early 1970s, including "Street Corner Symphony," which had some tunes listed on the charts and has been their best selling album. The middle of the seventies was a time of upheaval and experimentation. Record labels just didn't know how to market the group. A&M Records tried to make them into a pop group on a couple of instrumentally accompanied albums. Jayotis Washington left the group for a while to be replaced by Willie C. Daniels. The guys zeroed back into their a cappella roots on their one release on Elektra, "Chirpin'," and have never strayed since, though they have done various background gigs for Joni Mitchell, Ned Sublette and many others.

It hasn't been a smooth path for the five Persuasions. Both the ups and downs have been in their lives aplenty. It was as low as it could be when Herbert "Toubo" Rhoad passed away, on the road, in December of 1988. It was up when Spike Lee had them perform on the television special about a cappella music in 1990. That show and the CD released, entitled "Do It A Cappella," was an important moment for both the Persuasions and a cappella music. For the field in general, it put it on the map in a way that had never been done before. For the Persuasions, it established their position in the field as the premier group. They had sung their songs through the decades of a cappella drought and kept the spirit of a vital music alive. Now, as the field of a cappella music flourishes once more, we have to thank these five guys. Jerry Lawson is the lead singer, one of the best ever, who also was primarily responsible for creation of their original music. Jayotis Washington is the first/second tenor who came from Detroit and adds the Motown sensibility to the group, in addition to the beautiful, soaring, high tenor. Perhaps "Sweet" Joe Russell has the most powerful voice at second tenor, but for sure, though all but Jayotis began their singing in southern churches, he adds the gospel element to the group. Jimmy "Mr. Bass Man" Hayes is, well, the bass singer. Not only is his one of the deepest voices singing a cappella but the foundation of all their music begins with his vocal line. As he's the one who initiated the whole thing, so his role as foundation of the group has dual meaning. Then there was Herbert "Toubo" Rhoad, whose solid baritone just glued everything together. Thanks guys.

Discography

Sing U2

Even Better Than The Real Thing Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own Angel of Harlem The Wanderer I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Stuck In The Moment You Can't Get Out Of When Love Comes To Town Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World Pride (In The Name Of Love) One Mysterious Ways

A Cappella pioneers and legends The Persuasions, who headlined to standing O's at the A Cappella Summit in San Rafael a couple of years ago, have been one of the most prolific recording bands we know of, with 19 titles in the Primarily A Cappella catalog, 20 counting "Sing U2." In the past few years, the Persuasions have treated us to CDs covering the work of some of their (and our) favorite groups: The Beatles ("Sing The Beatles"), their patron and mentor Frank Zappa ("Frankly A Cappella"), The Grateful Dead ("Might As Well") and now "Sing U2." The Persuasions' soulful, deep-bass a cappella takes on these groups, some of the most influential musicians of our time, are just what the doctor ordered! 10 songs, some favorites are "Even Better Than the Real Thing," "Angel of Harlem," "The Wanderer," a marvelous cover of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of," "When Love Comes To Town," "Trying to Throw Your Arms Around The World," a surprising Doo-Wop interpretation of "Pride" (In The Name of Love), "One" and "Mysterious Ways." This is sweet, soulful stuff that we regard as the ultimate tribute to U2 and the other groups, and we can only hope that the series continues for as long as possible. Who could be next—Bob Dylan? Hendrix? The Stones? Led Zep? Ray Charles? Janis Joplin? Listen, guys, whoever you pick will be perfect, and a gift to their fans and yours everywhere!

Listen to "Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World" in Real Audio.

A Cappella Dreams

I Have A Dream There's A Train In the Ghetto She's A Lady Don't Good Luck Charm Ain't No Sunshine Dock of the Bay The Clock Steal Away When She Was My Girl Rainy Night in Georgia Please Send Me Someone to Love Peace in the Valley When the Saints Go Marching In

In 1962 Jimmy "Bro" Hayes invited the 30 or 40 guys he had been singing with at a basketball court to his house to get together a little group. Four guys showed up, and they went on to form pioneering a cappella legends The Persuasions. The last few albums of these giants of a cappella have applied their trademark harmonies to their favorite music“a gospel collection, a children's record, the music of Frank Zappa (who gave them their first record contract), the Beatles and the Grateful Dead. "A Cappella Dreams" is a tasty smorgasbord of 15 hits. "I Have a Dream" is a Solomon Burke song based on the words of Martin Luther King, three songs made famous by Elvis, Mac Davis' "In the Ghetto," "Don't" and "Good Luck Charm," Tom Jones' "She's A Lady," Otis Redding's "Dock of the Bay," "Ain't No Sunshine," the Four Tops' "When She Was My Girl," the Brook Benton song "Rainy Night in Georgia," Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love"“these are anthems of a cappella soul. The Persuasions give us fans a gift with every recording and every live performance! Nice liner notes with all the lyrics.
Listen to "I Have A Dream" and "Ain't No Sunshine" in Real Audio.

8254 CD $15.98

Sing The Beatles

Eight Days A Week Oh! Darling Come Together Rocky Raccoon Octopus's Garden Love Me Do With A Little Help From My Friends From Me To You Yesterday Ob La Di, Ob La Da Don't Let Me Down The Ballad Of John And Yoko Imagine Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Jerry Lawson, Jayotis Washington, Ray Sanders and Jim Hayes are the legendary Persuasions, and this is 14 of the Fab Four's most popular tunes, done as soulful a cappella doo-wop. The cover is a dramatic and somewhat ironic photo of a crowd of frenzied, screaming white English girls being held back by a wavering line of English bobbiesÇironic because of the different receptions and rewards given to contemporary musicians, the veteran Persuasions and the young, white Beatles, both lovers of the same soulful black American R&B. The Persuasions survived, though, to become fathers of a burgeoning a cappella movement, and to bring us another juicy, deep-bassed doo-wop classic. "Eight Days A Week," "Oh! Darling," "Come Together," "Rocky Raccoon," "Octopus's Garden," "Love Me Do," "With A Little Help From My Friends," "From Me To You," "Yesterday," "Ob La Di, Ob La Da," "Don't Let Me Down," "The Ballad Of John and Yoko," "Imagine" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." This is the real "Rubber Soul!"

2585 CD $14.98

Startdust

Stardust The Vow Swanee A Thousand Miles Away The Sun Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me EBB Tide I Won't Be The Fool Anymore Man O Man Old Man River Rev's Medley Gypsy Woman

Over the years we have enjoyed the Persuasions' tributes to Frank Zappa, who gave them a break getting into the music business, the Beatles and the Grateful Dead. We saw them blow away the audience at the A Cappella Summit. But "Stardust" was recorded at two tiny studios in New Jersey in 1969, and not released until a full decade later. We hear (and see, in some vintage photos and a poster) the five Persuasions when they were just starting out building their huge legion of fans. Twelve songs, like "The Vow," "Swanee," "A Thousand Miles Away," "The Sun," "Ebb Tide," "I Won¼t Be the Fool Anymore," "Old Man River," "Rev's Medley" and "Gypsy Woman." Sweet, soulful, pioneering a cappella Doo Wop, straight from the source!

8271 CD $14.98

Cain's Blood Praise His Name One Thing You Can't Take Away Dry Bones That's My Desire Walk In Jerusalem Deck Of Cards Tired And My Soul Thank You For One More Day The Storm Is Passing Did You Stop To Pray? Shine The Light

Year 2000 release by this prototypical and legendary vocal harmony group, now reinforced by new member B.J. Jones (replacing the late "Toubo" Rhoad). Though the Persuasions are cast in the doo-wop mold, "Sunday Morning Soul" borrows from the Southern gospel tradition that fashioned the Harmonizing Four, Soul Stirrers and Pilgrim Travelers, to name just a few. It's a blessed union, indeed, and the five sing with an intensity that smolders. Their fundamental harmonies are seasoned with grit and ballast, giving songs such as "Thatºs My Desire" and "Cain's Blood" a condensed earthy depth. It's a sound borne of experience.

2207 CD $14.98

Sincerely

Building a home Members only Life is a ballgame Let's get married/sincerely Change in my life The same one/It's just a matter of time Five hundred miles Who stole the chicken Can't do sixty no more Drive it home

They Still Ain't Got No Band! In this 1996 recording the same four original members, Jerry Lawson, Joe Russell, Jayotis Washington and Jimmy Hayes more than ever are the professors emeritus of a cappella music. They have introduced three generations of people to a cappella music and are still going strong. 32 years later we are given a wonderful recording full of the soul moving, toe tapping, spirit lifting music for which they are known around the world. Starting off with an inspiring call to faith with "Building A Home" they proceed toward the musical morality play "Life Is A Ballgame" which they heard sung over the closing credits of the movie Cobb. Alternately belting and beguiling, we are led though faith, love, chicken stealing and getting old on a great recording. The Persuasions are the best!

2112 CD $14.98

Right Around the Corner

Don't Leave Me Here To Cry Little Red Rooster The Good Ol' Days That's Heaven to Me Right Around the Corner I'm With You I Could Love You If You Let Me Come On and Save Me My Jug and I Oh, Heavenly Salvation Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up I Want To (Do Everything For You) Love is All Around

After an absence from the recording studio following the passing of Herbert "Toubo" Rhoad, the remaining quartet returned once again to share their unique musical sound with us. They sing a selection of songs from some of their old musical sources of inspiration such as Sam Cooke but extend into works the likes of which we haven't heard before such as the slightly odd "Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up," written by their old friend Frank Zappa. Another unusual offering is "Oh, Heavenly Salvation" written by Kurt Weil, Bertol Brecht and Arnold Weinstein which is as classical as they have ever sounded and is the only religious music on the recording. You will also hear music by Percy Mayfield, The Five Royales and The Troggs. So who needs a band, anyway?

2109 CD $14.98

Papa Oom Mow Mow Willie and Laura Mae Jones Moonlight and Music Johnny Porter Looking for an Echo Women and Drinkin' Sixty Minute Man Win Your Love (For Me) It's Gonna Rain Again To Be Loved

Street Corner Symphony

Buffalo Soldier Good Times I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) Tempts Jam: Don't Look Back/Runaway Child, Running Wild/Cloud Nine People Get Ready Christian's Automobile The Man in Me Be Good to Me Baby So Much in Love He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother/You've Got a Friend

With this recording The Persuasions flirted with the "big break." It actually made the charts. "Buffalo Soldier," "Temptations Jam," "People Get Ready" and "Christian's Automobile" are probably the most copied of the ten songs, but the whole album is a treasure. A little story told by Jimmy Hayes puts in perspective the difficulty The Persuasions faced in striving for popular acceptance. He tells of one record company president who signed them and in confusion admitted that he didn't know what to do with them or how to promote their music. He loved their singing but didn't even know what a cappella was! All of us who love a cappella music owe these guys a debt of gratitude, for they spent their lives keeping it alive. For a long time they were the only ones, and now it's thriving once again it's great to have them get the recognition they deserve.

Listen to "Buffalo Soldier" in Real Audio.

Chain Gang Man, Oh Man It's You That I Need The Sun Don't It Make You Want to Go Home Walk on the Wild Side Another Night With the Boys Gypsy Woman Don't Know Why I Love You Let it Be

No Frills

You Can Have Her Under the Boardwalk / Sand in My Shoes I Was Wrong I Woke Up This Morning I Wonder Do You Love The Lord Like I Do Still Ain't Got No Band Victim Treasure of Love Sweet Was the Wine What Are You Doing New Year's Eve Slip Sliding Away

After his conspicuous absence on Good News, "Sweet" Joe Russell is back singing on four of the songs, "I Was Wrong," "I Woke Up In The Morning," "Sweet Was The Wine" and "Slip Sliding Away." But on this 1986 Rounder Records release we have an unique addition. Bev Rohlehr appears on the other seven songs, adding a sweet lightness on this recording that was never repeated. You really should hear it. The version of "Still Ain't Got No Band" is in the grand tradition. Overall it is a traditional Persuasions mix of some gospel mixed among oldies like Roy Hamilton's "You Can Have Her," Clyde McPhatter's "The Treasure Of Love" and a Drifters Medley of "Under The Boardwalk" combined with "Sand In My Shoes." The real rouser of the record is "Victim." Magnificent!

2103 CD $14.98

Good News

Ain't that Good News Cupid Soothe Me Swanee River/Ol' Man River/Raise 'Em Up I'll Come Running Back to You I Lost Everything (I Ever Had) Message From Maria All I Have to Do Is Dream I Won't Be the Fool Anymore

There was a period in the 1980's that second tenor "Sweet" Joe Russell retired and so the group proceeded as a quartet. Though you would suspect the sound might be a little thin, the balance of voices to which we have become so accustomed seem to go right on without missing a beat. Jerry Lawson is inspired endlessly by the work of Sam Cooke who started a gospel career with the Soul Stirrers before his meteoric R&B career, and David Ruffin who was the great lead singer of the Temptations. Six of the tunes on Good News were originally popularized by those singers. In fact Sam Cooke not only was the original singer, but also the writer of "Cupid" and the co author, with William Cooke, of "I'll Come Running Back To You." Were we to pick the most memorable piece of music on this recording, however, it would be the "Swanee River Medley" which combines "Swanee River," "Ol' Man River" and "Raise 'Em Up."

2102 CD $14.98

Ain't that Good News Cupid Soothe Me Swanee River/Ol' Man River/Raise 'Em Up I'll Come Running Back to You I Lost Everything (I Ever Had) Message From Maria All I Have to Do Is Dream I Won't Be the Fool Anymore

Three Angels Lean On Me T.A. Thompson Hymn Ten Commandments The Lord's Prayer When I Leave These Prison Walls When Jesus Comes Heaven Help Us All Without A Song Three Angels

Persuasions: You're All I Want For Christmas

You’re All I Want for Christmas Jingle Bell Rock Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer The Jesus Song This Time of Year Do You Hear What I Hear Silent Night What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? The Christmas Song White Christmas Hey, Santa Claus Merry Christmas, Baby Christmas Means Love Joy to the World

It's amazing that the godfathers of contemporary a cappella have recorded for thirty years without previously singing a holiday album. But here it is, 14 songs performed as only the Persuasions can. The recording opens with a rollicking rendition of the title tune, and includes a mix of traditional songs ("Silent Night," "Joy To The World") with contemporary tunes (doowoppy "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer," "Merry Christmas Baby").

Listen to "You’re All I Want for Christmas" in Real Audio.

Live at Whispering Gallery

It has always been the quest of quartets and quintets of the doo-wop and streetcorner varieties to seek out the most reverberant settings, to add richness and depth to their sound. Not being immune to this quest, The Persuasions found the ultimate location in The Whispering Gallery of Grand Central Station in New York City and, on April 10, 1988, held a live-to-digital recording session in audio verite, which is to say, all the members singing in a semi-circle around one microphone. It marks the recording return of Joe Russell and is the last complete album recorded by all five members. They open with "The Lord's Prayer" featuring the lead vocal of Joe Russell and proceed through a program of songs most of which they had never recorded before. The recording is an important addition to The Persuasions discography. Songlist 2107 CD $13.98

Watch a video The Persuasions: Oh Heavenly Salvation Great production values from this video from September Songs. (3.35)

Complete Persuasions songlist

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