"Persuasions" redirects here. For the form of social influence, see
persuasion.
The Persuasions are an a cappella group which began singing together in Brooklyn, New York in the early 1960s. Jerry Lawson, their lead singer, arranger and producer of all 22 albums covered a wide range of musical genres. Lawson left after 40 years and the remaining 3 originals along with some other guys are making appearances using the name The Persuasions.
The five original members were Jerry Lawson, Jesse 'Sweet Joe' Russell, Jayotis Washington, Herbert 'Toubo' Rhoad, and Jimmy 'Bro' Hayes. Other members have included Willie C. Daniels, Ray Sanders, and Bernard Jones (who currently performs with The Dubs)
The Persuasions could not be categorized other than an a cappella group. They covered the popular music of each decade that they performed & recorded in. Lawson reached back to some of the great music he grew up with and also covered Zappa, The Grateful Dead,Roy Hamilton,Jerry Butler, Sam Cooke and Elvis. The group toured, performed and recorded with Joni Mitchel, Liza, The Dead, Ray Charles and too many more to mention. They appeared on the album New Train by Paul Pena, and their version of "Papa Oom Mow Mow" appears on the soundtrack of Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Frank Zappa was responsible for The Persuasions first LP Acappella. He heard a record of The Persuasions singing over the phone from a New Jersey record shop. Zappa had a great appreciation for Soul & street corner style singing and immediately flew the group to Los Angeles to record their first album. Thirty years later Zappa fan Rip Rense encouraged & supervised the leader of The Persuasions, Jerry Lawson, in the creation of a Persuasions tribute CD to Zappa, Frankly a Cappella on Earthbeat Records. Out of print since 2008 but can be found at http://www.jerrylawson.biz.
The Persuasions later recorded tribute albums consisting of material by the Grateful Dead (Might as Well), the Beatles (The Persuasions sing the Beatles) Their constant eclectic choice of material, as well as the clever, unique direction of their arrangements, have been hallmarks of their live work and recordings since their earliest days.
Toubo Rhoad, one of the original members, died in the mid-1990s. Lawson left the group in 2003 claiming that 40 years was enough. He went on to pursue a solo career and to work with developmentally disabled adults. The 3 original members have invited a variety of vocalists to join them but the sound of The Persuasions that the beloved fans came to cherish can only be heard CDs.
The Persuasions opened the doors for all the a cappella heard today. Lawson turned down offers to go solo and even an offer to sign with Motown due to his dedication to keep a dying art alive. Groups as varied as Take 6, Rockapella, The Nylons and Boys II Men citing them as major influences.
The current members of the Persuasions (2009) are:
- Joe Russell - lead singer
- Ray Sanders - first tenor
- Jimmy Hayes - bass
- Jayotis Washington - second tenor
- Dave Revels - baritone
Influences
Jerry Lawson seems to have taken much of his inspiration from the songs of Sam Cooke, David Ruffin, Jackie Wilson, Jerry Butler, Roy Hamilton, Al Hibbler, Brook Benton. "Sweet Joe" Russell from Jackie Wilson. Excellent examples of The Persuasions's versions of songs by these two Soul Music pioneers can be found on We Came to Play and Chirpin', two albums considered by many to be among their best.
However, in the liner notes to the 2003 album A Cappella Dreams, they reveal their influences to be quite different from what has often assumed to be the case:
- Sweet Joe Russell references the Dixie Hummingbirds, the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Soul Stirrers, and "all those gospel greats."
- Jimmy Hayes speaks of Jimmy Ricks [Rix] and Melvin Franklin.
- Jayotis Washington focuses his attention on Louis Jordan.
- Ray Sanders thanks all of the Temptations for his influences.
- Jerry Lawson cites Roy Hamilton, Sam Cooke, Al Hibbler, Brook Benton and Elvis Presley as his mentors, adding, "Believe it or not, Elvis was a big influence. I thought he was...a fine singer, and I think we do him pretty good."
Discography
ALBUMS:
- Acappella (1970; Reprise/Straight [CD issue: Enigma Retro; CD reissue: Collectables])
- We Came To Play (1971; Capitol [CD issue: Collectables])
- Street Corner Symphony (1971; Capitol [CD issue: Collectables])
- Spread The Word (1972; Capitol [CD issue: Collectables])
- We Still Ain't Got No Band (1973; MCA [not yet issued on CD])
- I Just Want To Sing With My Friends (1974; A&M [not yet issued on CD])
- More Than Before (1974; A&M [not yet issued on CD])
- Chirpin' (1977; Elektra)
- Comin' At Ya (1979; Rounder/Flying Fish)
- No Frills (1984; Rounder)
- Stardust (1987 [recorded 1969]; Catamount [CD issue: Relic])
- Good News (1988; Rounder)
- Live In The Whispering Gallery (1993; Hammer n' Nails)
- Toúbo's Song (1993; Hammer n' Nails)
- Ships at Sea, Sailors and Shoes [with Ned Sublette & Lawrence Weiner] (1993; Qbadisc/Excellent)
- Right Around The Corner (1994; Rounder/Bullseye Blues)
- Sincerely (1996; Rounder/Bullseye Blues)
- You're All I Want For Christmas (1997; Rounder/Bullseye Blues)
- Man, Oh Man: The Power of The Persuasions (1997; EMI [1970-72 Capitol masters compilation])
- On The Good Ship Lollipop (1999; Rhino/Kid Rhino/Music for Little People)
- Frankly A Cappella: The Persuasions Sing Zappa (2000; Rhino/EarthBeat)
- Might As Well...The Persuasions Sing Grateful Dead (2000; Arista/Grateful Dead)
- Sunday Morning Soul (2000; Rounder/Bullseye Blues Basics)
- The Persuasions Sing The Beatles (2002; Chesky)
- A Cappella Dreams (2003; Chesky)
- The Persuasions Sing U2 [their first release without Lawson] (2005; Chesky)
- Collectables Classics (2006; Collectables [Box set containing all 1971, 1972, & 1977 releases])
NON-ALBUM SINGLES:
- "Party in the Woods"/"It's Better to Have Loved and Lost" [1968; Minit]
- "One Thing on My Mind"/"Darlin'" [1975; A&M]
The following various-artists recordings contain otherwise-unissued Persuasions recordings:
- Various Artists: Bread & Roses: Festival of Acoustic Music (1979; Fantasy)
- Various Artists: Spike & Co. Do It A Cappella [soundtrack] (1990; Elektra)
- Ned Sublette & Lawrence Weiner (with Kim Weston, Junior Mance, et al.): Monsters from the Deep (1997; Qbadisc/Excellent)
External links
