An open letter to The Persuasions: To preface this I am not one for long winded youtube comments, nor have I ever written a single piece of fan mail ever in my life; that said I have to get this off my chest. The question is truly where to start; I had never heard of these fellows until relatively recently, not here to lie it took a spotify algorithm to discover them; I heard Looking For An Echo and was simply floored, both by the overwhelming strength of their singing and that I had never heard of this group until now. Since then I have been discovering and digging into their catalogue and have been changed; I mean to say there was a time before I knew about The Persuasions, but there is no going back lol. I simply want to express my gratitude in the best words that I can for these men. I have never heard such a sound in my born days; they each individually have the voices of angels to start, and combined as one in harmony causes me disturbing chills in my spine. They use this Voice to tell a story, pertaining to a wide choice of beautifully expressed themes, conveyed so emotionally through song that it hurts my heart to listen. I have been brought to tears without any choice on numerous occasions, simply caught off guard by the sheer pain that I have heard be sung. The beauty of it is the simplicity of the medium; to hear their song is to hear a masterwork of art. I won’t go on for much longer, but suffice it to say this: that, as someone of one of the younger generations alive at the time of this posting (no offense btw anyone) the one thing that echoes so strongly through the generations to me is that the raw humanity of these men is the same that courses through everyone that has (ever, maybe) lived on this planet, and not only is it the same, it is audible. They translated it with their soul onto recording. I am not religious, but if I were, I would sincerely thank God that they recorded music. I would surely sell my soul to the devil to hear them live just once too lol. I am just one person who has been so touched by the music of this group. I wish that NASA had launched at least one of their albums into space for the aliens to discover, so that they could really know a little about some of the best of us human beings. I post this in 2022, almost 23 in the hopes that if there is anyone out there in the past, present, or future who has ever felt similarly that they can see this comment and maybe even relate to my rambling (and maybe even finish reading it smh sorry guys). Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, to The Persuasions. God bless you all, and rest in peace to those who aren’t with us. I wish I knew a better place to post this to hope it is heard, but forever much love, and thank you so much for completely demolishing the game, and changing forever (at least one confirmed) the lives of people anywhere, immeasurably for the better.
They take me back to my childhood. On rainy cold nights just like in Nu Yawk they had the cans burning wood and garbage. The fella's be doo whoopin, talkin shyt, smokin herb, and dranking wine. I got shooed away by i would watch from the 3rd floor... My Beloved Bayview Hunters Point, Fillmore, Tenderloin, Potrero Hill, Sunnydale, Double Rock...You with forever live in me. 😘🎶🎤
i grew up listening. to the Persuations. with my mom and uncles. Whenever they would come to Houston Texas that would always make sure they had tickets to see them. they also at one point was able to get on stage and sing with them and they just absolutely loved this group. these guys absolutely incredible acapella singers and I grew to love them myself. God bless them and their family.
I have owned all of their albums and tapes and always add them to my music 🎶 and play list... nothing like them and they will never be replaced...❤😂🎉😊♟️🦇🐕🦺🦈🐊🦅✌️👍🏿
Wonderful sound.I remember listening to their album "We Came To Play" back in the early '70s."It's You that I need" is just great."Up on the Roof" has been a favorite of mine since the early '60s when the Drifters did it.
I saw these guys at Winterland in SF in the early 1970's and hate to admit I was so high, I did not realize until years later they didn't have a band. They were the band. Damn!
I actually got to meet these guys. Some of the nicest people I've ever met. A bunch of us heard them doing Street Corner harmony and joined in. So much fun!!!
Thanks for this video. I LOVE the Persuasions! There are no better harmonies than those from this accapella group. I first discovered their music in the early 1990's listening to Harvey Holiday's "Street Corner Harmony" program on WOGL-AM 1210 Philadelphia. Initially it was "Looking For An Echo" then I got the "Chirpin" CD thanks to Val Shively at R&B Records in Philly and all of this while listening to radio from near Dayton, Ohio.
one of the first albums one of my older brothers gave me.... loved 'em them... love 'em more these days... and i really dug the intro-story as to how they came together... THANKS for posting!
I WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY WHITE GUY TO SING AND PLAY GUITAR WITH THE PERSUASIONS WAY BACK IN 1969-70 ERA IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN THE HAPPENINGS NOON TIME CONCERTS ON COURT STREET ARTY D.
R.I.P. Joseph Jesse 'Sweet Joe' Russell (1939-2012), Jimmy 'Bro' 'Mr. Bass Man' Hayes (1943-2017) and Jerry Lawson (1944-2019). Little' Jayotis Washington is the last surviving member of The Persuasions and he's 76 years old.
These are the fabulous Persuasions I listened to from the early 1970's. We have no idea about some other group claiming they are the Original rock band with the same name.
I wish that peopke wouldn't argue on the Comment's for "The Persuasions" bc People Need to have better Respect bc we Lost a Wonderful Singer And A Great Blessed Man one of the Member's which is My Grandpa "Sweet Joe Russell" But I Ask EveryOne to Please keep Joe Family, Friends and Fans in Your Prayer's God Bless EveryOne
I also bought "We Came To PLay" many years ago and wore it out. The Persuasions just make me feel good. Sure there's ugly stuff in the world today. Always has been. You just have to choose.
i grew up listening. to the Persuations. with my mom and uncles. Whenever they would come to Houston Texas that would always make sure they had tickets to see them. they also at one point was able to get on stage and sing with them and they just absolutely loved this group. these guys absolutely incredible acapella singers and I grew to love them myself. God bless them and their family.
Rest in Peace, Jerry Lawson. Thanks for the music.
I lost my dad 9 months ago, he loved this song. 🙏🏼Rest In Peace pop.
Condolences to Mr Lawsons family...all their songs remind me of my older brothers...may they all RIP
An open letter to The Persuasions:
To preface this I am not one for long winded youtube comments, nor have I ever written a single piece of fan mail ever in my life; that said I have to get this off my chest.
The question is truly where to start; I had never heard of these fellows until relatively recently, not here to lie it took a spotify algorithm to discover them; I heard Looking For An Echo and was simply floored, both by the overwhelming strength of their singing and that I had never heard of this group until now. Since then I have been discovering and digging into their catalogue and have been changed; I mean to say there was a time before I knew about The Persuasions, but there is no going back lol.
I simply want to express my gratitude in the best words that I can for these men. I have never heard such a sound in my born days; they each individually have the voices of angels to start, and combined as one in harmony causes me disturbing chills in my spine. They use this Voice to tell a story, pertaining to a wide choice of beautifully expressed themes, conveyed so emotionally through song that it hurts my heart to listen. I have been brought to tears without any choice on numerous occasions, simply caught off guard by the sheer pain that I have heard be sung. The beauty of it is the simplicity of the medium; to hear their song is to hear a masterwork of art.
I won’t go on for much longer, but suffice it to say this: that, as someone of one of the younger generations alive at the time of this posting (no offense btw anyone) the one thing that echoes so strongly through the generations to me is that the raw humanity of these men is the same that courses through everyone that has (ever, maybe) lived on this planet, and not only is it the same, it is audible. They translated it with their soul onto recording. I am not religious, but if I were, I would sincerely thank God that they recorded music. I would surely sell my soul to the devil to hear them live just once too lol.
I am just one person who has been so touched by the music of this group. I wish that NASA had launched at least one of their albums into space for the aliens to discover, so that they could really know a little about some of the best of us human beings. I post this in 2022, almost 23 in the hopes that if there is anyone out there in the past, present, or future who has ever felt similarly that they can see this comment and maybe even relate to my rambling (and maybe even finish reading it smh sorry guys).
Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, to The Persuasions. God bless you all, and rest in peace to those who aren’t with us. I wish I knew a better place to post this to hope it is heard, but forever much love, and thank you so much for completely demolishing the game, and changing forever (at least one confirmed) the lives of people anywhere, immeasurably for the better.
They take me back to my childhood. On rainy cold nights just like in Nu Yawk they had the cans burning wood and garbage. The fella's be doo whoopin, talkin shyt, smokin herb, and dranking wine. I got shooed away by i would watch from the 3rd floor...
My Beloved Bayview Hunters Point, Fillmore, Tenderloin, Potrero Hill, Sunnydale, Double Rock...You with forever live in me. 😘🎶🎤
i grew up listening. to the Persuations. with my mom and uncles. Whenever they would come to Houston Texas that would always make sure they had tickets to see them. they also at one point was able to get on stage and sing with them and they just absolutely loved this group. these guys absolutely incredible acapella singers and I grew to love them myself. God bless them and their family.
I have owned all of their albums and tapes and always add them to my music 🎶 and play list... nothing like them and they will never be replaced...❤😂🎉😊♟️🦇🐕🦺🦈🐊🦅✌️👍🏿
The Persuasions are soul.....love em!
Wonderful sound.I remember listening to their album "We Came To Play" back in the early '70s."It's You that I need" is just great."Up on the Roof" has been a favorite of mine since the early '60s when the Drifters did it.
This is absolutely perfect!!!
Nothing is like the The Persuasions!!!!
I saw these guys at Winterland in SF in the early 1970's and hate to admit I was so high, I did not realize until years later they didn't have a band. They were the band. Damn!
I actually got to meet these guys. Some of the nicest people I've ever met. A bunch of us heard them doing Street Corner harmony and joined in. So much fun!!!
You guys are such an amazing group I love to imitate the persuaders very awesome we don't need no music
They are The Persuasions not The Persuaders
One of life’s highlights...I sang with them at the Purple Onion in Toronto. Seventy-four today, and that night is indelibly engraved on my heart.
I am a big fan! What a great voices... bizar! Gypsy woman is one of my favorite
These guys are truly amazing. I loved them when I saw the Joni Mitchell concert back in 1980. They are awe-inspiring.
One of my favorite songs!
Thanks for this video. I LOVE the Persuasions!
There are no better harmonies than those from this accapella group. I first discovered their music in the early 1990's listening to Harvey Holiday's "Street Corner Harmony" program on WOGL-AM 1210 Philadelphia. Initially it was "Looking For An Echo" then I got the "Chirpin" CD thanks to Val Shively at R&B Records in Philly and all of this while listening to radio from near Dayton, Ohio.
I have loved these brothers for years. Still ain't got no hand!
Good stuff. Bought "We Came To Play" in the early 70's and about wore that thing out.
one of the first albums one of my older brothers gave me.... loved 'em them... love 'em more these days... and i really dug the intro-story as to how they came together... THANKS for posting!
"You sing?" Jerry Lawson "Well, I try" Enough said.
I WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY WHITE GUY TO SING AND PLAY GUITAR WITH THE PERSUASIONS WAY BACK IN 1969-70 ERA IN DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN THE HAPPENINGS NOON TIME CONCERTS ON COURT STREET ARTY D.
WOW!💜
This is indeed awesome.
R.I.P. Joseph Jesse 'Sweet Joe' Russell (1939-2012), Jimmy 'Bro' 'Mr. Bass Man' Hayes (1943-2017) and Jerry Lawson (1944-2019). Little' Jayotis Washington is the last surviving member of The Persuasions and he's 76 years old.
PLEASE - Post more from the interview if you have it. I have enjoyed The Persuassions for 40 years.
www.jerrylawson.biz
Too cool!
These are the fabulous Persuasions I listened to from the early 1970's. We have no idea about some other group claiming they are the Original rock band with the same name.
Kudos to Carole King and Gerry Goffin for writing this song.
Way too good.
That bass sounds better than most young people...
Great Sound.
I wish that peopke wouldn't argue on the Comment's for "The Persuasions" bc People Need to have better Respect bc we Lost a Wonderful Singer And A Great Blessed Man one of the Member's which is My Grandpa "Sweet Joe Russell" But I Ask EveryOne to Please keep Joe Family, Friends and Fans in Your Prayer's God Bless EveryOne
I didn't know he passed 😔 we use to watch Do it Acapella all the time! Rip
Watch Jerry Lawson and his acapella group Talk of the Town on the NBC show The Sing Off!
www.jerrylawson.biz
2024 Still Listening
From a show with spike lee!!!
I also bought "We Came To PLay" many years ago and wore it out. The Persuasions just make me feel good. Sure there's ugly stuff in the world today. Always has been. You just have to choose.
Happy Birthday Little Jayotis Washington🎂🍾
05-12-2022
Now that's singing!
this is what i call MUSIC
Joe Russell killing that second tenor!
classic
oooops, forgot to mention... ''street corner symphony'' was the album my brother gave me!
Did anyone notice Jerry Lawson messed up the bridge twice? If no one did, it's just a testament to his great singing.
Wow better than the Drifters, the lead kind of reminds me of Levi Stubbs.
oldie
@13NJJACK....agreed.
@Baskerville22: wow ... truly an "educated" statement.
Jimmy is my brother law
@DickAllen4HOF
thats a pretty wide generalization there buddy
i can see the music
JAMES HYLES BROUGHT ME HERE NEXT KELLY AGET ENJOY !
@13NJJACK
word
Marquez was here..
x
@Baskerville22....generalizations = Not nice...
@Baskerville22 Your scope of black music must be limited to gangster rap to make a statement that black music is obscene filth.Do your homework.
i grew up listening. to the Persuations. with my mom and uncles. Whenever they would come to Houston Texas that would always make sure they had tickets to see them. they also at one point was able to get on stage and sing with them and they just absolutely loved this group. these guys absolutely incredible acapella singers and I grew to love them myself. God bless them and their family.
Saw 'em at the Arena as a kid....!
I have loved these brothers for years. Still ain't got no hand!
www.thepersuasions.org
www.jerrylawson.biz