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Post by ranran on Sept 26, 2017 8:32:02 GMT
IMO Lynda breathed new life into the group. Cindy was great in her own right, but vocally Lynda was something to behold. She was raised by a Dixie Hummingbird for goodness sakes! Lol And obviously Stevie Wonder recognized her talent. JMC ushered the Supremes into the 70s, which is a decade I don't think that DRATS would have continued to succeed in without a severe revamp of style, which of course wasn't going to happen, nor do I think that fans would have accepted it. New lead singer equals new possibilities, and JMC seemed to bridge the sound of the 60s and 70s.
When Lynda joined the group (aside from the misstep of the Jimmy Webb album) they became more youthful looking, the dance steps were funkier, just their whole vibe changed. And vocally they were able to leave the 60s behind and become fully immersed in the new sound of the 70s. Mary's quote of Florence's opinion of Lynda is right on the money: Lynda added some personality to the group that really didn't exist with Cindy. Lynda seemed like a ball of fun. Cindy seemed like someone you enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with after church. Such a sweet lady. Mary definitely had personality and I think she seemed to feed off of Lynda. In a few of those tv performances Mary seems like she's having more fun than she had since before Flo left the group. Jean was always kind of demure IMO. Very professional, very technical, not overly excited but giving the audience their life with vocals. Lynda was a much needed spark.
To me this grouping had the 70s rolled up if they had the full machine behind them. Could you imagine Allen Toussaint producing them? What about Norman Whitfield? And of course there's still the question of what a full album of Stevie Wonder productions would have been like. The worst part about the JML grouping is that there just isn't enough music (already released that is, hopefully there's some treasures waiting in the vaults).
That's my take on this short tenured lineup. Anyone agree? Disagree? (Keep it classy people.)
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Post by sup_fan on Sept 26, 2017 8:33:54 GMT
I agree that Lynda is a dynamic singer. I love some of her moments on the Japan lp. Like when she lets it rip in Tossing and Turning as they finish the second "jumped out of bed, turned on the light..."
Lynda had the potential to be a lead singer. But I think my issue is that the vocal blend of MJL on Japan isn't as smooth as the MJC lineup. Lynda has a brassiness to her voice and sometimes I found it competing w jeans. Same with the MSS lineup. All three are amazing singers but when combined live it wasn't the best
I do wish though there was more work that allowed her to shine. Leads on albums. And all
I do like the two MLC tracks from Hawaii. Rumor has it that when Jean quit Lynda didn't immediately leave. She supposedly met w Mary and Pedro about the future of the group and wasn't impressed. So then she left. But imagine is Cindy had returned full time and Lynda took lead? No disrespect to Scherrie. Love her. But just an interesting idea
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Post by ranran on Sept 26, 2017 8:35:25 GMT
Interesting thoughts Sup Fan. Great point about the harmony. JMC had a beautiful blend that was great on their records and on some of the stuff they were doing live like "We've Only Just Begun" (one of my favorites to hear them sing). I don't think JML could compete with that. But I also don't think "We've Only Just Begun" is the type of song JML should even do. The 70s was becoming a decade of funkiness. Even Diana Ross was getting into it. JML should have been moving into Labelle territory. Not so much all of the social commentary songs, but a more forceful sound. Maybe Pointer Sisters is a better comparison? Lynda was most definitely a lead singer and I could hear her tackling the harder edged cuts, while Jean handled the less edgy r&b/pop, and Mary got all the soulful ballads.
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Post by ranran on Sept 26, 2017 8:36:16 GMT
I get the feeling Pedro was always involved, even if it wasn't yet official. As far as Lynda's pregnancy, she didn't have to leave the group permanently. At that point the group was in limbo anyway. She could have her maternity leave and then get back to work. Others have done it. Mary eventually did it. I don't believe for one minute that Mary just let Lynda walk without taking the time to talk her into staying. I can believe that Lynda wasn't buying whatever Mary was selling, which we now know couldn't have been much considering what the group would deal with from that point on until the end. Motown was mostly done with them and I don't think there was very much Mary could've done to right that ship. However, there may have been a chance that with Cindy rejoining the group and Lynda remaining Motown may have hung on a little longer. I doubt it, but it's possible. Lol
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Post by bayoumotownman on Sept 26, 2017 8:38:22 GMT
Pedro didn't become the group's manager officially until really 1975. He had influence over Mary's decisions however probably in early to mid 1974. At the time of Jean and Lynda's departure Pedro was not involved.
The re-hiring of Cindy and hiring of Scherrie was purely Mary's decision...and Motown was not happy about it.
Lynda did add a spark to the Supremes as I think all the ladies did. It's just that by the time she came onboard in March (around that time) of 1972, this was the group's third lineup change in less than five years. Motown was tiring of this because every time a group member leaves it costs money to hire and train a replacement. All the photos taken of the group have to be thrown out, usually lame reasons given for the changes, etc. I think had the JML survived more than 18 months they could have gotten in grittier material, but by and far the Supremes' public had grown up and left for newer, hipper, more self-contained music acts.
Lynda had modeled and was an elegant, sophisticated stage presence. Unfortunately this was at a time when black women were sporting naturals and wearing denim jeans and tank tops. Motown stuck the Supremes into old gowns and even reverted them back to the Diana Ross and the Supremes Vegas act when Lynda joined. Wrong move.
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Post by Circa1824 on Sept 26, 2017 8:39:39 GMT
The group became so over-the-top vocally. Hootin' and hollerin' became the norm and replaced thoughtful performances.
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Post by bluerock on Sept 26, 2017 8:42:26 GMT
Diana agrees. Diana felt this line up had great potential. Diana wishes Lynda had been given a couple of leads on the Jimmy Webb album. Jean sounded so uncomfortable on some of those songs. Lynda could have brought a better balance to the album. Diana enjoyed their tv performances , but of course the by now standard bickering and internal strife was tearing the group apart.It is frustrating to think what could have been. Great thread by the way RanRan79.
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Post by hector on Sept 27, 2017 3:55:56 GMT
I know who Lynda is, but nobody else does. She was a stand in girl for Cindy Birdsong until Cindy had her baby.
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Post by thanxal on Sept 27, 2017 5:37:02 GMT
Re-watching this video I have to agree with Mary Wilson that Lynda brought a freshness and vibrancy to the group that had been missing. I think if Lynda had taken over leads when Jean left the group they would have been back on top. Unfortunately, by that time Pedro was managing the group both repulsing and repelling Lynda, understandably.
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Post by ranran on Sept 27, 2017 16:44:57 GMT
Diana agrees. Diana felt this line up had great potential. Diana wishes Lynda had been given a couple of leads on the Jimmy Webb album. Jean sounded so uncomfortable on some of those songs. Lynda could have brought a better balance to the album. Diana enjoyed their tv performances , but of course the by now standard bickering and internal strife was tearing the group apart.It is frustrating to think what could have been. Great thread by the way RanRan79. Thanks Bluebrock. It really is frustrating to think about the different possibilities and knowing there's nothing that can be done about it now. As a lover of history it's just in my nature to ponder "what ifs". I know some fans don't care to do it but it's my thing. |
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Post by sup_fan on Sept 27, 2017 16:54:05 GMT
Love the "what ifs" too! Fun to conjecture and debate what might have happened. The supremes saga seems tailor made for this. Years ago there would have been dozens of people participating in this thread, now it is only a handful of participating and it sucks!
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Post by ranran on Sept 27, 2017 16:59:33 GMT
Absolutely. Unfortunately the conjecture fun usually turns sour when it comes to the Supremes, but I enjoy the calm before the storm for as long as possible. One member that I absolutely love who is in a lot of trouble right now sadly is one of the reasons we are having a moment of peace. I wish that were not true but it is.
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Post by ranran on Sept 27, 2017 17:02:47 GMT
Looks like most of the threads are pretty devoid of drama right now. I also hope she can reflect on how she contributes to the drama. I'm loving it!
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Post by thanxal on Sept 27, 2017 17:07:34 GMT
Looks like most of the threads are pretty devoid of drama right now. I'm loving it! Maybe that person is a "trigger".
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Post by ranran on Sept 27, 2017 17:22:09 GMT
I agree that it is nice to be focused on the music. Is there only 4 or 5 of left who care to participate? I am really sad about that aspect of this.
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