The Magic of the Blue
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The Magic of the Blue | ||||
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Studio album by Blue Magic | ||||
Released | December 1974 | |||
Recorded | Sigma Sound Studios (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
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Genre | Philadelphia soul | |||
Length | 43:17 | |||
Label | Atco 36103 |
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Producer | Norman Harris, Bobby Eli | |||
Blue Magic chronology | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
Robert Christgau | C+ [2] |
The Magic of the Blue is the second album by American soul group Blue Magic, produced by Norman Harris and Bobby Eli and released in 1974 on the Atco label.
History
The album was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and features Sigma's famous house band MFSB. The Magic of the Blue received a similar favorable critical reception to its predecessor Blue Magic, although its lead single "Three Ring Circus" was regarded as an obvious attempt to produce "Sideshow" Part 2. The album peaked at #14 on the R&B chart and #71 on the pop chart. It was reissued by Rhino Records in 2006, but unlike the same company's Blue Magic reissue, did not include any bonus tracks.
Track listing
Side one | |||
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No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
1. | "Three Ring Circus" | Bobby Eli, Vinny Barrett | 5:12 |
2. | "Stringin' Me Along" | Norman Harris, Pat Cooper, Ronnie Tyson | 3:29 |
3. | "You Don't Have to Tell Me Goodbye" | Harris, Barrett, James Hendricks | 4:26 |
4. | "Never Get Over You" | Harris, Allan Felder | 4:42 |
5. | "Talking to Myself" | Eli, Barrett | 4:22 |
Side two | |||
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No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
6. | "Let Me Be the One" | Harris, Felder, Chuck Brooks | 5:05 |
7. | "Maybe Just Maybe (We Can Fall in Love Again)" | Morris Bailey, Jr., Edward Green | 4:15 |
8. | "Love Has Found Its Way to Me" | Eli, Allan Waldman | 5:02 |
9. | "When Ya Coming Home" | Ted Mills (The Wizard), Felder | 3:48 |
10. | "Looking for a Friend" | Mills (The Wizard) | 4:12 |
Personnel
- Vernon Sawyer, Richard Pratt, Keith Beaton, Wendell Sawyer, – vocals
- Ted Mills – vocals, piano, sound effects on "Looking for a Friend"
- Bobby Eli, Roland Chambers, Norman Harris, Tony Bell – guitars
- Ron Kersey, Cotton Kent – pianos
- Rusty Jackmon, Baker, Bob Babbitt – bass
- Earl Young, Charles Collins, John Nero – drums
- Larry Washington – congas
- Vince Montana – vibes
- T. Life – harmonica solo on "Three Ring Circus"
- Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns – strings accompaniment, horns accompaniment
Production
- Norman Harris, Bobby Eli – producers, arrangement
- Alan Rubens, Steven Bernstein, Bruce Gable – executive producers
- Carl Paruolo, Joe Tarsia, Kenny Present, Don Murray, Jay Mark – recording engineers
- Ron Kersey, Vince Montana, Jack Faith, – arrangement
- Carl Helm, Phil Hurtt, Bunny Sigler, Barbara Ingram, Evette Benton, Carla Benson, Ted Mills, Wendall Sawyer – vocal arrangement
Charts
Album
Year | Album | Chart positions[3] | |
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US | US R&B |
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1974 | The Magic of the Blue | 71 | 14 |
Singles
Year | Single | Chart positions[4] | ||
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US | US R&B |
US A/C |
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1974 | "Three Ring Circus" | 36 | 5 | 26 |
1975 | "Love Has Found Its Way to Me" | — | 45 | — |