Blue Magic is an American R&B/soul vocal group that was popular in the 1970s. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the group was formed in 1972 and consisted of four members: Ted Mills, Keith Beaton, Wendell Sawyer, and Richard Pratt. Blue Magic's music is characterized by smooth harmonies, soulful vocals, and a touch of doo-wop. One of the group's most well-known songs is "Sideshow," which was released in 1974. It reached number one on the R&B charts and number eight on the pop charts. The song, with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, tells the story of a man who feels like a sideshow attraction in his relationship.
Blue Magic is an American R&B/soul music group, and one of the most popular Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. Founded in 1972, the group's original members included lead singer Ted Mills with Vernon Sawyer, Wendell Sawyer, Keith Beaton, and Richard Pratt. Their most notable songs included smooth soul ballads such as "Sideshow", "Spell", "What’s Come Over Me", "Three Ring Circus" and "Stop to Start."
Chasing Rainbows You Won t Have To Tell Me Goodbye Blue Magic 1975 Single The Magic Of The Blue Blue Magic 1974 Album Love Has Found Its Way To Me Chasing Rainbows Blue Magic 1974 Single Blue Magic Blue Magic 1974 Album Three Ring Circus Welcome To The Club Blue Magic 1974 Single Welcome To The Club Blue Magic 1974 Single Sideshow Just Don t Want To Be Lonely Blue Magic 1974 Single Stop To Start Where Have You Been Blue Magic 1973 Single Look Me Up Blue Magic 1973 Single Guess Who Spell Blue Magic 1972 Single Sideshow Stop To Start Blue Magic Single Chasing Rainbows You Won t Have To Tell Me Goodbye Blue Magic Single Top Songs For Today, Vol. There s a part in their dance routine when the members join hands and make a swing on which the gay guy sits and sings and they swing his happy ass back and forth.
The song, with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, tells the story of a man who feels like a sideshow attraction in his relationship. It explores themes of love, heartbreak, and the feeling of being used or taken for granted. Another popular song by Blue Magic is "Three Ring Circus.
Album of the Week: Blue Magic’s s/t (1974)
Philadelphia is one of the 20th century Meccas of soul music. The super-producer group MFSB, which included master R&B architects like Thom Bell and Dexter Wansel, convened at 212 North 12th Street in the 70’s to record “The Sound of Philadelphia” (which became the Soul Train theme) and other classics by writing team Gamble & Huff (“Love Train”, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now”). Punchy and orchestral, these soul innovators practically invented their own genre.
My interest in Philly Soul began in 2015 when I heard The Stylistics, which remains the subgenre’s high-water mark for me. A year later I found Blue Magic. For a long time I returned only to the mammoth side-A closer “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely”. But listening to the album today, it strikes me as remarkably solid, an album with no lowlights to speak of.
Compared to The Stylistics, Blue Magic is lesser known. They only nabbed one top 10 Billboard hit in their careers, with Blue Magic opener “Sideshow”, but this is a true gem of a song. Straight away, lead singer Ted Mills lends his delicate falsetto to the beautiful track, which is as heartbreaking as it is catchy. “Sideshow” (and “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely”) co-writer and session guitarist Bobby Eli had by this point played with the O’Jays, Stylistics, B.B. King and more, and his presence is important here (he would continue to work with Blue Magic on their next 3 albums). Norman Harris was, similarly, an MFSB guy, and his “Look Me Up” is an energetic contrast to the album opener.
But where Blue Magic succeed best is in their delicate, heavenly ballads. “What’s Come Over Me” sounds more like a daydream than anything else I’ve heard in the Philly Soul oeuvre. “Spell”, the band’s first single, is tender almost to a fault (inspiring a great Rateyourmusic user comment: “spell makes me shed dove tears bro”). “Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely” is epic in scope, extending over 7 minutes with a full spoken-word breakdown. Everything is meticulously composed, scrupulously played and sang. Just incredible stuff.
I’ll be checking out the follow-ups to Blue Magic to see how they measure up. In the meantime, I recommend getting acquainted with this standout soul record.
Listen to Blue Magic here.
as 4 the original stuff--i sit and listen 2 it all and i wonder, "why don't they make songs like this anymore. " i looove all this shit.
" Released in 1974, it reached number 36 on the pop charts and number five on the R&B charts. The song explores similar themes as "Sideshow," with lyrics that describe the ups and downs of a tumultuous relationship. Blue Magic's music has a timeless quality that continues to resonate with audiences today. Their smooth, soulful sound and heartfelt lyrics have made them a favorite among R&B and soul music enthusiasts. While the group has experienced changes in its lineup over the years, their legacy as pioneers of the genre remains solid. In conclusion, Blue Magic is an iconic R&B/soul vocal group that rose to fame in the 1970s. Their music continues to captivate audiences with its smooth harmonies, soulful vocals, and heartfelt lyrics. Songs like "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus" explore themes of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of relationships. Blue Magic's legacy as pioneers of the genre ensures that their music will be cherished for generations to come..
Reviews for "Breaking Down Blue Magic Singers' Signature Harmonies"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Singers blue magic". The vocals were underwhelming and lacked emotion. The lyrics were also quite generic and didn't leave any lasting impression on me. Overall, I found the album to be forgettable and unremarkable.
2. Sarah - 3/5
While "Singers blue magic" had some catchy tunes, I felt that the production quality was lacking. The instrumentals were often overpowering and drowned out the vocals. Additionally, the album lacked diversity and the songs started to blend together after a while. It's not a terrible album, but it definitely didn't live up to the hype for me.
3. Michael - 2/5
"Singers blue magic" fell flat for me. The songs all had a similar sound and didn't offer anything new or unique. The album lacked depth and failed to captivate my attention. I was expecting more from such a highly anticipated release, but unfortunately, it left me feeling unimpressed.
4. Emily - 2/5
I found "Singers blue magic" to be monotonous and repetitive. The melodies and rhythms were extremely formulaic, making the songs blend together and become indistinguishable. The album failed to stand out and left me craving more innovation and creativity. Overall, it was a disappointing listen for me.