Harold Melvin Albums (11)
'Christmas with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes'
Release Date 9/9/2003
Tracks 12
Label St. Clair
See Album Tracklist and Review
'For Real'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 10
Label Sony Special Products
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Talk It Up (Tell Everybody)'
Release Date 7/2/1996
Tracks 8
Label Hot Productions
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What The Critics Say
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' first album without any involvement from Teddy Pendergrass and Philadelphia International Records is better than anticipated. David Ebbo sounds identical to Pendergrass and delivers some spirited leads on the skimpy eight-song LP. Ebbo excels on "Reaching For the World," an uplifting, be-what-you-wanna-be song that sounds like a Gamble & Huff production. He continues the duet trend he started with Sharon Paige with the mellow "After You Love Me Why Do You Leave Me." Some of the songs are weak; "Hostage Pt. 1 & 2," for instance, doesn't live up to its intriguing title. Overall, though, this is a good first effort and proves that the Blue Notes' sound didn't leave with Pendergrass. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
'To Be True'
Release Date 1/1/1975
Tracks 8
Label Philadelphia International
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What The Critics Say
The third album from the melodramatic vocal quintet features an array of R&B classics. While Teddy Pendergrass was featured on this album, he did not lead every song. The three releases were "Where Are All My Friends," "Bad Luck," and "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon." All three were Billboard R&B Top Ten winners with the latter reaching number one. "Where Are All My Friends" and "Bad Luck" mirror each other in that both are uptempo numbers that depict the misfortunes of a man. The former has a smoother vocal presentation with a mid-verse rhythm change-up. The latter has an incessant groovin' rhythm where Teddy Pendergrass cuts into the lyric with conviction with his robust delivery as he does on each selection he leads. "Hope That We Can Be Together Soon" features the velvety smooth vocals of Sharon Paige on this easy-flowing number. While Harold Melvin carries most of the vocal duties, Pendergrass steps in for a one-liner and closes out on the vamp. Whereas most ballads climax towards the end of the song, the most climatic part of this number one song is the string and horn intro. The title track "To Be True" is a sleeper. Not just for its conciliatory melody, but also for the lyrical content that calls for two lovers to find time for each before all is lost. Harold Melvin's debonair vocals are featured on lead. This is one of four consecutive great albums to come from the Philadelphia vocal quintet. ~ Craig Lytle, All Music Guide
'Wake Up Everybody'
Release Date 1/1/1975
Tracks 7
Label Philadelphia International
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What The Critics Say
Even though Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes were an R&B group with much soul, the message in their music was truly profound, uplifting, thought provoking, and full of love. This album featured only two singles. The title track is a plea to the world to come together and rid the society of all its ills. Written by the prolific writing team of McFadden/Whitehead/Carstarphen, it conveys a message in line with the ideology of the album's producers. The connection felt when listening to the song permeates the soul, and will momentarily produce thoughts in one to make a change. This is a very moving song. It held on to the number one spot on the Billboard R&B charts for two consecutive weeks. The aggressive arrangement of "Tell the World How I Feel About 'Cha Baby" carried it to number seven on the charts. Other notables are "Keep on Lovin' You," "To Be Free to Be Who We Are," and "I'm Searching for a Love." Sharon Paige is featured on the balladic flow of the latter. "Don't Leave Me This Way" became a disco theme for Thelma Houston. This album was the final chapter of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Theodore Pendergrass, who released a solo album the following year. ~ Craig Lytle, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lots of goodies on Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' second LP under the auspices of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. "Satisfaction Guaranteed (Or Take Your Love Back)" is tight, as is the questioning "Is There a Place for Me." Lyricist Cary Gilbert collaborates with Gamble & Huff on "I'm Weak for You," a slow drama that Teddy and the crew tear up. The driving force here is the epic "The Love I Lost," a heart-rending tear-jerker that's a tad too long; the "I lost you, sorry I lost you" background chants get mundane toward the end, where 30 seconds of that would have been more than sufficient. The only clunker is a hokey MOR production of "Cabaret." This totally inappropriate disaster will have you skipping the track every time. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
