Band, *1960 US, Detroit
R&B/Soul
This energetic group from Detroit has a recording career that spreads over at least nine different labels. Beset by personnel changes, the Precisions dropped singles on Strand, Golden Crest, Wild, Highland, and Debra Records from 1960 to 1963. They achieved some regional play by emulating Nolan Strong's falsetto on two D-Town singles: "My Lover Come Back" b/w "I Wanna Tell My Baby" and "You're Sweet" b/w "Mexican Love Song," but enjoyed their best run on Drew Records. Their lineup consisted of Arthur Ashford, Michael Morgan, William Rodney Prince, Dennis Gilmore, and Robert Lowe; Billy Brooks was also around and may have blended with them on D-Town and Drew at some point. The first Drew single, "A Lovers Plea" b/w "Such Misery," flopped. A second attempt, "Sugar Ain't Sweet," wasn't issued. "Why Girl," the lively lamenter with the gritty tenor lead, got them recognized in the Midwest and the East, expanding their fan base to Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and other cities. Martin Coleman, Michael Valvano, and Charles "Cholly" Bassoline wrote "If This Is Love (Than I'd Rather Be Lonely)," a dweller on both the R&B and pop charts, the well-executed song would have passed Motown's quality control with flying colors. It got them television appearances on second-tier dance shows like Ken Hawkins World of Soul in Cleveland, DJ Hops, and better-paying gigs. The members wrote their fourth Drew single, "Instant Heartbreak (Just Add Tears)," which charted, but not as high as expected. The Drew story ends with "Never Let Her Go," but with no promotion it didn't have a chance and Drew folded
Arthur Greer Ashford voc | |
Billy Prince | |
Dennis Gilmore voc | |
Michael Morgan voc |
Track list and 30sec audio provided by
Title | Artist | Year | Type |
---|---|---|---|
If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely) | The Precisions | 2011 | Single |
The Complete Sidra/Drew Recordings 1966-68 | The Precisions | 2008 | Compil. |
Why Girl / Instant Heartbreak (Just Add Tears) / I Do, Don't You / Such Misery | The Precisions | 2008 | Compil. |
If This Is Love | The Precisions | 2006 | Compil. |
New York City | The Precisions | 1969 | Single |
A Place | The Precisions | 1968 | Single |
Into My Life | The Precisions | 1968 | Single |
Instant Heartbreak (Just Add Tears) | The Precisions | 1967 | Single |
If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely) | The Precisions | 1967 | Single |
Why Girl | The Precisions | 1967 | Single |
Such Misery | The Precisions | 1966 | Single |
Sugar Ain't Sweet | The Precisions | 1966 | Single |
Mexican Love Song | The Precisions | 1965 | Single |
I Wanna Tell My Baby | The Precisions | 1964 | Single |
If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely) | The Precisions | Single | |
Shattered Dreams / Day In - Day Out (Without Success) | The Youngsters / The Precisions | Single |
The Precisions Rock and Blues Band |
The Precisions R&B/Soul Band US |
The Precisions Band |
The Precisions R&B/Soul, Blues and Rock Band |