Florence Ballard - Alternate Take 1: "It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters)"
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- Former member and founder of Motown group The Supremes, Florence Ballard sings the first take of her first solo record with ABC Records - only a year after her firing from The Supremes and departure from Motown.
Florence, billed as Florence 'Flo' Ballard, released a different take of this song as her first single under ABC Records, with a cover of the Little Anthony & The Imperials classic "Goin' Out Of My Head" as its b-side.
Even though The Supremes were and still are the most successful female group in history, racking up 10 US #1 hits while Flo was in the group and getting two more after her dismissal, both the singles she released with ABC failed to garner much attention and didn't show on any major charts due to poor promotion and distribution by ABC - and also because part of the agreement that allowed her to leave Motown Records stated she was not allowed to mention that she was once a Supreme.
The album Flo recorded with ABC under the proposed title "You Don't Have To" was shelved and ABC did not renew her contract, but in 2002 a London based company released her album under the title "The Supreme Florence Ballard" along with 4 tracks that featured her on lead as a Supreme.
Flo has been mentioned in her fellow Supreme Mary Wilson's bestselling books entitled "Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme" and "Supreme Faith: Someday Well Be Together".
Three biographies have been written on her; the first by Randall Wilson called "Florence Ballard: Forever Faithful!" was released in 1999, the second by Florence's own sister Maxine Ballard is called "The True Story of Florence Ballard" was released in 2007 and the 3rd by Peter Benjaminson called "The Lost Supreme: The Life of Dreamgirl Florence Ballard" was released on April 1st 2008 and was based on 8 hours worth of interviews that Peter had and recorded with Flo not long before her untimely passing in 1976.
Here is a list of Flo's solo singles:
1968: "It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters)" b/w "Goin' Out Of My Head" (ABC Records #45-11074A/B)
1968: "Love Ain't Love" b/w "Forever Faithful" (ABC Records #45-11144A/B)
Video cover art made by me.
Haha so am I.
She sings it sooo much better here than she does on the released take.
Here she sounds confident and comfortable. This could have and should have been a hit!
The photo montage is very well done. My heart goes out to Florence's family. Her kids, especially, have to deal with the reality that their wonderful mother is gone, and I know they miss her terribly.
I really believe she would have made it if someone would have giving her a chance!
Haha, I couldn't agree more!
It's surprising how popular Flo still is - considering she never had a hit single on her own
i come from this era i will always love these women johnthan thanks for all you do to keep this going.
She was never on Jennifer Holiday (or Hudson's) level BUT like I was saying, she could sing "soulfully" and sweetly (on this song for example and GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD), PLUS she had that beautiful soprano - I don't think ABC realised how much they really had to play with.
Motown had already done the hard work with Flo, by 1968 she was prettier and classier than all the other black girls (except The Supremes of course)
Well you didn't digitally remaster it. You just cleared up the sound - that I am grateful for.
I like this cut more than the released version for Flo was allowed to sing more freely. This type of song wasn't good for her because Flo is no Diana with the soft tones and small sound for she had a big voice sort of like Etta James and needed to sing full and strong. Overall this is nice and thanks for posting with this take of the song.
Actually Flo could sing in a soft manner too. If you listen to "A Breathtaking Guy" Flo's brief lead is soft and simply beautiful.
Well, Flo's solo album with ABC is available along with 4 of leads as a Supreme on a cd called "The Supreme Florence Ballard" - which can be ordered from amazon . com and can also be purchased from iTunes.
However, this album doesn't give you the full story about Flo's voice. Her leads on songs such as PEOPLE, OH HOLY NIGHT, I SAW HIM STANDING THERE, NOT FADE AWAY and SILENT NIGHT - that show off her powerful soprano voice aren't featured on the album.
- JLG | JonathanLGardner
@Dexie78 Do you have any of these tapes? I want more takes, more more more more!! LOL I am hungry for more! When I'm rich, I'm going to hunt down those extra takes, get them remastered and released :D - oh and PROPER STEREO MIXES as well! LOL
Are you rich yet hahahaaa
Great video Jonathan! The videos were truly great. :-)
=D I prefer the way she sings the song in this take - it sounds much more like Flo and there are no pitching problems here.
Hey! You took 'down' that song that I had ALWAYS loved by them that had been unreleased! I don't even remember the name now. But it was STRONG harmony and the arrangement was awesome musically and vocally! It's on the 'tip' of my tongue so to speak, but I can't pull it! I've been looking for it lately, tho'. You did an EXCELLENT job on the sound of it too!
i so totally agree with you. it makes me MAD everytime i think about it. i've said it a million times but THERE HAD to be a way they could've used all 3 of The Supremes and not painfully minimalize Flo and Mary's contributions while making Diana the star. it was unfair on so many levels. there are those that keep saying that Diana's voice was the best choice for pop crossover success, well my thing is, how do we know this? did they initially try it some other way and fail? i think not.
We know this because they made history. We know this because they had an unprecedented number of hits in a very short period of time. We know this because nearly 40 years after her last chart single, diana ross is still selling out venues around the world. I wish of course that Mary and Florence could have been developed into maximizing their potentials, but they just didn’t have pop voices. That’s just all those to it. Mary had a good voice for ballads and Flo had a nice,, Russ R&B, kind of voice, but her tone was much much better for blending than it was for lead singing, both women had the chance to be developed at other labels, but no one ever approached them.
You can't really blame Mary - Mary did drop by and see Flo (in her later days at least and even invited her to perform on stage with The Supremes but Flo chose to just tap the tambouring - which brought loud cheers from the crowd).
The newly named Diana Ross & The Supremes were much too busy touring and recording to be stopping by - Mary couldn't help Flo at all, she was now just Diana's backing singer along with Cindy Birdsong (and of course The Andantes).
To: Meet the Supremes...I recall hearing stories of Florence's kindness toward her fans; she may have been earthy, but what you saw, you got! She had a voice that, according to Mary, was so strong, she often had to step back from the microphone so everyone could be heard.
It seems Mary never forgot Florence judging from her public comments....sad to say, the best Motown years were those of the real Supremes...now, who was that other singer???...ah, yes, Diane.... :)
@stage7 Me? I didn't take it down haha, it went down when youtube shut down the JonathanLGardner account...are you talking about "Let Me Hear You Say (I Love You)"...I LOVE that song, I must make a new video for it, because the harmonies on the chorus is incredible, Flo's soprano soars beautifully!
@BlogShag I personally have no problem with Diana's lead on singles. However, there was ample opportunity to use Mary and Flo better on albums. Albums like Meet The Supremes, Where Did Our Love Go and A Bit of Liverpool sound so much more fun than the later albums because you got to hear all 3 voices on album tracks and they were used creatively (such as on Lone Gone Lover or Can't Buy Me Love) but on later albums, it was just Diana and whatever backing you manage to hear...
I have My Heart take 1 (I am MeetTheSupremes by the way). I haven't logged in to MTS in years. I must post the My Heart take I have
Slaychelle I know I’m late but please post it!
Oh where did you get this performance (at 0:41). ? I already saw it but the quality was awful really. We couldn't even seen their head. This song is called Millie, Rose, and Mame ,isn't it ? Nevermind I just wanted to know where you get it because yours seems to be in HD and I'd love to see that.
Oh I am part of the florenceballard2 yahoo group - you should join it's the best one around.
One day I send around a message asking anyone who had alternate takes of Flo's songs to pleeease send them to me as I would love to hear them and some kindly uploaded the song to a sharing site which they gave me a link to =D
Aw thanks. I still got some more vids to repost =)
Where can I download some Florence Ballard songs they are so hard to find :(
Most definately. Thanks for watching and commenting =)
Oh The Supremes on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 performing the Mame Medley =D I LOVE how Flo looks in that one - I think the resemblance between Flo looks most like Faith Evans in that one
@MeetTheSupremes yeah that's why i said Flo or Cindy. I used Flo in the example to show that it had been going on all throughout the different lineups. We are on the same page though.... thnks for the reply.
Thanks alot =D
Florence, like Mary, was under-rated musically. Tthe seemingly never ending stories of who did or didn't help Florence and her children doesn't change the fact that Barry Gordey ruined both these ladies as he promoted Diane. That a burden Barry has to carry. Diane's stardom rose, but it almost seems the others were fast forgotten regardless of who sang lead. It must have been difficut for Cindy Birdsong to step into Florence's shoes. Florence, honey, YOU IS TERRIFIC and still SUPREME !
@afghanboyqeas It is on the Let The Music Play: Supreme Rarities 1960-1969 (Motown Lost & Found) compilation released by Hip-O Records.
- JLG | JonathanLGardner
What is the video at 0:40 ? I'd love to see it.
The second version of The Supremes' IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE NOW is a good one to hear Flo as well
Flo was dope
@Mongo76 Yes, but Flo wouldn't have been on the song regardless as she was long-gone from the group by 1969...but yes I see your point, but it's not The Andantes on that particular song...I don't think that song was released to purposefully decieve people as I think the lyrics just seemed to be the perfect song to end that era of the group but yes using The Andantes so heavily between 1968-1970 was really quite deceiving...thank god Mary and Cindy got their shine on the 70s albums :D
In fact, Flo was pretty well off at this time - because of her Motown settlement money and her ABC advance.
ABC are the ones who should be scorned for not promoting and distributing her singles properly!
@BlogShag I have no idea lol. The alternate taks of Flo's solo recordings haven't been officially released. These rare takes were bootlegged heavily, someone kindly sent me this from the Flo yahoo group =)
It wouldn't have made a difference. Flo could even sing POP (listen to Everything Wonderful) yet she got few leads.
It all became about Diana and that was not going to change.
ABC Records however should have promoted her MUCH MUCH better since people DID know Flo's name and her singles should have been minor hits simply because of that. PLUS she recorded some GREAT material
Exactly! That's why I knew I had to post this when I first heard it =)
Thanks for commenting Chutson 353.
- JLG | JonathanLGardner
I think the album was recorded in stereo but just hasn't been released in stereo -_-
@MeetTheSupremes Yeah, brother! You didn't take it down? You know, when that 'posted' I sorta regretted saying 'that', and almost said 'they', or it just is not up anymore! Thanks for telling me tho'. That 'IS' the song I'm referring to...."I LOVE YOU"! And it came to me a few days ago.... I just 'HEARD' it in ma head! :-)
Please, if you will, repost it! THIS man will be FOREVER grateful! I LOVE it man! U 'Know' it! lol!
Carl
@MarvelettesDude Yes, much more in Flo's personal style =) Thanks for commenting.
- JLG | JonathanLGardner
@stage7 OO sorry for the late reply! I MUST re-post Let Me Hear You Say (I Love You) as it is truly one of the greatest ballads The Supremes ever recorded!!! :D
Well you only enhanced the audio in the video xD I made the video =)
Thanks for commenting.
I agree with EVERYTHING you said. I think with the right label and team behind her she could have been an alternative to Aretha (though she never showed that vocal ability). Flo could SAANG though and was so much versatile and able and PRETTIER than many of the females out there at the time who were making hits
Yes I use Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2
@LoveForSure82 Ahh, it is a video of The Supremes singing Thoroughly Modern Millie or something like that...a little medley from a musical I believe live on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967 not long before Flo was fired
LMAO xD
Ah yes I know about Flo's very loud voice!
You can hear it on early Supremes recordings - where it is common for Flo to overpower Mary on the backing.
On later recordings however (1965 onwards) most of the time Mary was placed nearer to the mic so Flo was almost heard as an echo - GOING DOWN FOR THE THIRD TIME is an example of that (the single mix in particular)
Who Mary or Diana?
Mary visited Flo's home when she could and even gave the kids gifts. She even went as far as having Flo appear with The Supremes in 1974 - much to the crowd's delight.
Diana set up generous trust funds for each of Flo's daughters but when they came of age the money was gone...
Also Diana tried to save Flo's home when she heard about Flo's struggles but Tommy (Flo's husband) screwed up the deal (go on wikipedia)
Both of them did what they could.
I agree with what you said. I remember hearing some of her solo material for the first time (in particular Yesterday) and thinking "omg what is she doing" and hoping and praying she would kill it at the end. When I listened again I actually realised how great she sounded on MOST of the songs.
With ABC Flo had a soulful voice that was used sweetly - so it had the ability to crossover quite nicely (especially songs like IT DOES'T MATTER HOW I SAY IT and EVERYTHING WONDERFUL)
@ThePaulinexL It's a sort of early music video for "You Keep Me Hangin' On" :)
Yes I agree. I just wonder how many more of Flo's solo songs had much more 'soulful' vocals.
What's the video at 1:10 plz ?
The people at ABC Paramount did not have a clue as to what to do with Flo's voice! The very worst way to present her voice is the way that they eventually did! She is NOT Diane Ross and should NOT be singing in that register! Flo's voice is best showcased as a soaring soprano or as using a full voice in a lower key. The people at this record company thought that they were getting a pop "Supremesy" sound when they signed Flo. They had no idea how to bring out Flo's talent! I agree that this is horrible; however, don't blame it on Flo's vocal abilities................blame it on ABC Paramount Records!!!!
Hell I like this version better than the actual record. She was trying to put a Flo spin on it during certain parts but they had her record it just straight and in a Diana Ross tone. Her voice was much TOO big for this prissy a** song. No wonder I didn't buy it and I was a kid at the time this came out all of 12 I believe. I bought the Supremes "Somethings You Never Get Use To" instead. When I actually had the song played I said, "she sounds like Diana."
No no no WAIT. Flo could sing BUT when she went to ABC they didn't know HOW to use that voice and so most of her recordings with them make her sound average.
Listen to The Supremes BUTTERED POPCORN or HEY BABY or AIN'T THAT GOOD NEWS to hear what Flo sounded like when she got the right material
To be honest I think they showed she had the potential to be greater (Buttered Popcorn - the re-recorded versions). PLUS remember how DIANA sounded when Flo was singing on BUTTERED POPCORN and how with DEVELOPMENT she improved tremendously.....
Flo was not the most soulful singer but she definately had a gift...she ALSO had more stage presence then many lead singers of other groups (sorry Martha, Wanda and Gladys), she was also prettier.
Flo's voice was soulful but was versatile...CONITINUES
Oh wow, I'll have to make a video just for you! Sorry for my slow response
Oo Ok =D
I agree with you that the material was inferior, but the richness and soulfulness of her voice is absent and could still have come thru...there is a bit of that on the song "Love Ain't Love". But I really think the legend has grown thru the years, in a disproportionate degree to her actual talent. Even the Motown songs that you cite don't show her in the same class as the other lead singers of the Motown era - Martha Reeves, Gladys Horton, etc. BTW - I loved Flo as a Supreme.
The more I listen to this song, the more I love it - it was pretty darn sweet and playful (not bad at all).
However, ABC should have done MUCH better in promoting the single - even Allmusic said the same thing.
Thanks for commenting primadonna11 =)
Have a nice day.
- JLG | JonathanLGardner
Also Jonathan L Gardner??!! Atrl with you stan???
@afghanboyqeas Well I do have it but I am afraid to post it in case it gets removed, however I might try in the future as Individuell83 posted I Saw Him Standing There (from the same compilation) and although that was blocked a few months ago, the block was lifted recently, so maybe there's hope LOL.
- JLG | JonathanLGardner
No problem. Thanks for commenting - and it's Jonathan (no h =P)
Have a wonderfully s u p r e m e day.
Ok ABC needs to be pimped slap for doing this mess to this woman. Her voice is good Florence needed friends during this time Mary where were you at least a dollar or twocome on.
well if Flo had been in Aretha's troup she would have fared batter cos Ms Sister Ree would have let her sing as she does her cuzzin Brenda , Tawatha and ms Cissy...etc etc....Flo will always be my diva who slipped by the wayside....but someday we'll be together...say it again...to hear her sing along to that song would make your head spin and ears pucker...what a farewell that might have been....who knew? oy...oy vey!
Well THIS IS THE O R I G I N A L loool, it doesn't get more 'original'than the first take LOL.
Thanks for commenting Rodney.
Flo's voice is best when she is singing in the upper registers...........the people at ABC Paramount didn't have a clue as to what to do with her. They thought that she would sound like Diane Ross and that's what they were going for. Flo is not Diane and Diane is certainly not Flo, either. This entire album was a mistake. Of all of the cuts, "Love Ain't Love" is the best IMHO!!
Still sad she could have saved her home. As well as set a trust fund for those kids and even now she could do something since she said she make over a million a year. I might be wrong but I think she could do something.
Lol xD yes I know and I am very thankful you did what you could to improve the quality of this g r e a t rare take of Flo's first single.
Thank you once again.
Have a wonderfully s u p r e m e day.
Oh and you can just call me Jonathan =)
This is the voice of the great Flo Ballard? The one who had the "pipes"? The one who should have been the lead singer? The one who sang like Aretha? Like Jennifer Holliday in the broadway show "Dreamgirls"? You've got to be kidding me.........
This song is awful and shows nothing of the supposedly rich deep Aretha-like voice that all the insiders said Flo had. Poor Flo. She was a victim of the times - and the men - who manipulated her. On the other hand....if she hadn't turned to alcohol and had been thinking more clearly.....who knows what might have happened after Diana left the group? Something we'll never ever know.