Taking In Florence Ballard

[rainymourning]

Something in the other thread just made me think, had Florence Ballard stayed with the Marvelettes would they need the Andantes as much or at all??

I'm asking because Florence and Marlene sound almost identical, and the Andantes were used to allegedly 'fill out' their sound. So with Florence as a permanent member and presuming there was a better chemistry, would there be a need for the Andantes on the Marvelettes songs

[fantagurl]

They probably wouldn`t have needed the Andates as much in my opinion.

[Diamond Girl]

Well, I think the A's were used for their harmonies, so possibly with Flo they would have still needed a harmonious backing sound, because I questioned the need for the A's already having Wanda, Gladys or later, Ann in the bg.

I think it was easier and maybe cheaper to get a lead vocal and fill in the bgs with the A's, MHO

[Emerald City]

Good question lol ... I think it would have depended on how Flo blended with the other girls because you have to admit she and Mary were something else together...four background vocals would have taken awhile to perfect especially with their type of shedule...but who knows, it's possible they may have only needed the A's half the time...I do love the songs where both groups are featured together though, like Boy From Crosstown ...that works well for me

[Diamond Girl]

And Knock on My Door

[Kay]

rainymourning said:

Something in the other thread just made me think, had Florence Ballard stayed with the Marvelettes would they need the Andantes as much or at all??

I'm asking because Florence and Marlene sound almost identical, and the Andantes were used to allegedly 'fill out' their sound. So with Florence as a permanent member and presuming there was a better chemistry, would there be a need for the Andantes on the Marvelettes songs

Well a better environment would mean Flo wouldn't be showing up late to any sessions and given that she helped them out with some pointers on Postman, I think she could have helped with their background sound too. I agree that the A's would probably be featured half as much

[rainymourning]

Well I guess four years with no hits leaves plenty of time to practice lol, although you bring up a good point in saying that Florence could probably bring the sound together

[Diamond Girl]

LMAO

I NEVER thought about that, I'm sure those four years didn't hurt none, but I think the girls had a good start too. I think all the Marvelettes could sing lead, or had great voices; they didn't have mentors or the time on their side. All they had was the gift and strong pipes

Four years with no hits leave plenty of time to practice

[Kay]

rainymourning said:

Well I guess four years with no hits leaves plenty of time to practice lol,

Sooo mean

[Motown Honey]

rainymourning said:

Well I guess four years with no hits leaves plenty of time to practice lol, although you bring up a good point in saying that Florence could probably bring the sound together

Well, I'll be

I agree with everbody else ... That's a bit cold-blooded ... But Flo being the leader and working with cats like Paul, Eddie, Kell, Milton and her girls and her music education ... She obviously had the ability to coach and maybe even train ... And add that to the Marvelettes already stellar talents ... Making it a true Super group ... Like a real female version of the Temptations

[timmy84]

Well what are y'all saying that you think Flo should've been a Marvelette instead of a Supreme?

[Diamond Girl]

No, I think we're all just wondering about where there would have been more of a variety for a group, unlike the Supremes

[rainymourning]

timmy84 said:

Well what are y'all saying that you think Flo should've been a Marvelette instead of a Supreme?

I'm not saying she should have been ((timmy)), I'm asking if she were, then would the Marvelettes need to have the Andantes on as many records, because Florence and Marlene have a similar sound.