Ascots
Mother Said (A Prayer Changes Things) / Yes It's All Right
Mira-A-Don : M-D 1002
Detail
- Artist: Ascots
- A Side: Mother Said (A Prayer Changes Things)
- B Side: Yes It's All Right
- Label: Mira-A-Don
- Format: 45s
Condition
Description
Description
The second 45 release for this celebrated soul harmony quartet from Washington D.C. , that turns out to be, in recent times, their most elusive 45 of the 4 magnificent Mir-A-Don releases they treated us to.
Mir-A-Don is an acknowledgement of the labels major contributors and owners initials of Don Waldon, Archie Powell, M. Armour and Roscoe Bowie. All guided this superior 60s soul vocal group from Washington, D.C. through their brief Mir-A-Don journey before lead singer Archie Powell leaving his relatives behind, came under the wizardry of Van McCoy on Sussex Records renaming as The Presidents, carrying on with his impressive output.
Both sides this, the second Ascots 45, give up truly impeccable gushing harmonies, as slick as any of the smoothest male harmony groups of the mid-sixties, you care to mention. This is top-drawer harmony soul at its most elusive. This level of sweet soul sadly became something of a "lost-art" underlined by Jerome Powell's 1971 remake which pales greatly by comparison.
Now absorb yourself in "Mother Said (A Prayer Changes Things)" a stunningly flawless example of 60's "Lowrider"...as ever Roscoe Bowie has his finger on the pulse, his arrangement showcases complete control over Washington's premier "local" vocal group, with masterly guidance over these two Donald Waldon creations as Roscoe brings out the very best of the three "Powell's" Jerome, Archie and Eddie with other member Irving Haywood making up this consummate quartet. Who again revel in seamless soulful harmony grooves. The quartet blessing the Northern Soul scene with some "greats" within the four standout 45s between 1965 and 1967 every one we considered a treasure. An example of unspoiled authentic vocal-group soul with not a hint of commerciality in earshot.
"Yes It's All Right" also exhibits all the same qualities, as their immaculate vocals entwine, dropping into an "Impressions" styled mood, subtle horns cradle the rich harmony that gives up both uplifting and haunting at the same time, ebbing and flowing at a perfect pace for an expressive "Lowrider" mood. Simplistic piano pulses compliment their flawless delivery, before triumphant crescendo draws the song to a close. Bowie's arranging of the instruments, always extolling those fluid soaring vocals.
Two exceptionally sweet ballads, that our 26 year old sales database suggests, is their most elusive disc.
Mir-A-Don is an acknowledgement of the labels major contributors and owners initials of Don Waldon, Archie Powell, M. Armour and Roscoe Bowie. All guided this superior 60s soul vocal group from Washington, D.C. through their brief Mir-A-Don journey before lead singer Archie Powell leaving his relatives behind, came under the wizardry of Van McCoy on Sussex Records renaming as The Presidents, carrying on with his impressive output.
Both sides this, the second Ascots 45, give up truly impeccable gushing harmonies, as slick as any of the smoothest male harmony groups of the mid-sixties, you care to mention. This is top-drawer harmony soul at its most elusive. This level of sweet soul sadly became something of a "lost-art" underlined by Jerome Powell's 1971 remake which pales greatly by comparison.
Now absorb yourself in "Mother Said (A Prayer Changes Things)" a stunningly flawless example of 60's "Lowrider"...as ever Roscoe Bowie has his finger on the pulse, his arrangement showcases complete control over Washington's premier "local" vocal group, with masterly guidance over these two Donald Waldon creations as Roscoe brings out the very best of the three "Powell's" Jerome, Archie and Eddie with other member Irving Haywood making up this consummate quartet. Who again revel in seamless soulful harmony grooves. The quartet blessing the Northern Soul scene with some "greats" within the four standout 45s between 1965 and 1967 every one we considered a treasure. An example of unspoiled authentic vocal-group soul with not a hint of commerciality in earshot.
"Yes It's All Right" also exhibits all the same qualities, as their immaculate vocals entwine, dropping into an "Impressions" styled mood, subtle horns cradle the rich harmony that gives up both uplifting and haunting at the same time, ebbing and flowing at a perfect pace for an expressive "Lowrider" mood. Simplistic piano pulses compliment their flawless delivery, before triumphant crescendo draws the song to a close. Bowie's arranging of the instruments, always extolling those fluid soaring vocals.
Two exceptionally sweet ballads, that our 26 year old sales database suggests, is their most elusive disc.
Condition Report
A two unobvious XX on a-side label, is "lost" in the deep rich purple labels, pressed by the legendary "Rite" sound of 9745 Lockland Road, Cincinnati 15, a premium pressing plant of the highest repute. Vinyl carries full gloss, revealing only the merest soft sleeve storage blemishes, not affecting play, playback is a crisp mint minus.A Side
- Title: Mother Said (A Prayer Changes Things)
- Title: Yes It's All Right
B Side
- Year: 1965
- City: Washington, D.C.