The Persuasions – A Cappella Dreams (2003) [HDTracks FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

The Persuasions have logged some serious miles driving from town to town over the years to deliver their a cappella message. To amuse themselves on the road, they sing old favorites: songs they perform in their shows, their own versions of songs of the day, and, of course, the good old stuff they’ve known since they were kids. This disc boasts the good stuff, including covers of Elvis Presley, Bill Withers and Otis Redding. Each selection is a song the band has known and jammed on and thought about for many years, over a lot of rough roads.

Had the Persuasions not gone the a cappella route in the ’60s and ’70s, it’s quite possible that they would have become as huge as the Temptations, the Dells, the Four Tops, the Dramatics, or the Impressions. But unfortunately, most listeners are so used to hearing instruments that they have difficulty getting into a cappella performances — even when the vocalists are as talented and expressive as the Persuasions. Nonetheless, the group has maintained a small (albeit devoted) cult following over the years, and those who are open to hearing a cappella singing will find a lot to admire about this 2003 release. In the past, the Persuasions have applied their earthy, gospel-drenched soul style to everything from the Grateful Dead to Frank Sinatra; this time, they turn their attention to familiar songs that range from Percy Mayfield’s “Please Send Me Someone to Love” to three songs associated with Elvis Presley (“Good Luck Charm,” “Don’t,” and “In the Ghetto”). A few gospel standards are offered (including “When the Saints Go Marching In” and Thomas Dorsey’s “Peace in the Valley”), but most of the material is secular — and that includes soul classics like Brook Benton’s “Rainy Night in Georgia,” Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and Otis Redding’s “Dock of the Bay.” In a perfect world, A Cappella Dreams would enjoy extensive airplay on urban contemporary stations alongside R. Kelly and Mary J. Blige, but the chances of that happening are slim and none — if the Persuasions had a hard time getting on R&B stations in the ’70s, they certainly aren’t going to accomplish that in the 21st century. But A Cappella Dreams will have no problem appealing to their small group of hardcore fans, who will find this CD to be a rewarding, heartfelt addition to their catalog.

Tracklist:
01 – I Have a Dream
02 – There’s a Train
03 – In the Ghetto
04 – She’s a Lady
05 – Don’t
06 – Good Luck Charm
07 – Ain’t No Sunshine
08 – Dock of the Bay
09 – The Clock
10 – Steal Away
11 – When She Was My Girl
12 – Rainy Night In Georgia
13 – Please Send Me Someone to Love
14 – Peace In the Valley
15 – When the Saints Go Marching In

THE PERSUASIONS:
Jim Hayes • Jerry Lawson • Joe Russell • Ray Sanders • Jayotis Washington

Download:

mqs.link_ThePersuasinsACappellaDreams2003HDTracks2496.part1.rar
mqs.link_ThePersuasinsACappellaDreams2003HDTracks2496.part2.rar