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THE PHYLLIS HYMAN
INTERNET NEWSLETTER #1
1996
Welcome to the first issue of the Phyllis Hyman Internet Newsletter!!!!
I think this mailing list is necessary as there is no other news or
discussion group devoted to Phyllis and her music. I hope that you
will find it interesting! If you have any on-line friends who are Phyllis
fans please spread the word!
I
would like to thank Richard Kenyada in Atlanta for encouraging me to
go ahead with the idea of a mailing list/newsletter and for allowing me
to use the excellent article he posted in July on the
soc.culture.african.american
newsgroup.
********************************************************
Richard asked me how I got to be such a big fan of Phyllis Hyman
so I wrote the following:
I
think it was 1980 but I can't be 100% sure when I first discovered
Phyllis Hyman. Back then I was in my third year at university in the
United States and on an almost daily basis I watched all the talk
shows on all the channels always hoping for interesting musical
guests. One day, on an otherwise pretty boring episode of the Merv
Griffin Show, Merv introduced a guest who he described as the voice
on the jingle of a coca cola ad and a recording artist. The lady who
came on was very tall and very beautiful. Let's just say that she caught
my attention. He proceeded to interview her and in the course of their
chat, he asked her to sing the coke ad for the TV audience. As soon as
she began singing, I was mesmerized. There was a certain magic
in her voice that I could not get over. That, coupled by her physical
beauty, got me hooked. I had to hear more but for some reason she
did not perform with the band that day. That was my introduction to
Phyllis Hyman.
I
went out the next day to search for any records that I could find and
the only LPs I found were her first 2 records for Arista. At the time,
I had no idea that she had already released 3 albums on the Buddha
label and I suppose the reason I didn't find them at the record stores
was that they were already deleted. In 1981, I left the United States
and lost all touch with what she was doing. I wasn't aware that a third
album was released on Arista that year and that she joined the cast
of Sophisticated Ladies on Broadway. On my next visit to the US in 1984,
I checked the record bins for Phyllis Hyman and was overjoyed to find
the album "Goddess of Love". On that visit, I was staying with
my sister who lived in New York and whenever I watched TV, I always
had a tape in her VCR ready to tape any musical interlude that might turn
up.
One day, I switched the channel to PBS and I caught part of a tribute
concert to Duke Ellington recorded at London's St. Paul Cathedral in 1982.
Suddenly, I heard the emcee introducing Phyllis Hyman and like a lunatic
jumped toward the VCR to press the "RECORD" button. The song she
sang at that concert was a gospel type tune called "Tell Me The Truth
and for the first time I got to see Phyllis in a very inspired and
powerful
live performance. What was even more amazing to me is that I actually had
it
recorded on video! Another 3 years went by without my hearing
anything about her. In those days, there was no internet to catch up
with the news of artists who weren't in the Top 40 and in Cyprus where
I live no one knew who she was (even today nobody here knows of her)
and none of the UK and US music magazines that we got here ever
mentioned her. Luckily, I got to spend my Christmas/New Year 86/87
in New York and it was there that I bought her just-released album
"Living All Alone" and "Looking Out", the McCoy Tyner album on which
she sang 3 songs. In 1989, I managed to get Grover Washington Jr.'s
CD "Time Out Of Mind" here in Cyprus and imagine the joy I felt when
I found "Sacred Kind Of Love" on it! That song was to have great
significance a couple of years later because it was the song I kept
playing for the woman who is now my wife in my attempts to romance
her before we officially got together.
My wife and I had a sort of honeymoon in London the Christmas/New
Year 91/92 and it was there that I bought my CD of "Prime Of My Life".
From that album came another song that came to mean a lot for me and
my wife....."I Found Love".
Back in Cyprus, more years were to pass and the only piece of
information that I heard about Phyllis in the period between 1991 and
her death in 1995 was an ad in an issue of Downbeat magazine around
1983 that advertised Phyllis' appearance with a quartet for one week at
the Blue Note in New York. I remember telling my wife that if we were
in New York we could have jumped in a cab and gone there to see Phyllis
in the intimate setting of a club. Next thing I know it's August 1995 and
I read in the monthly CD newsletter ICE a very brief item saying that
"soul diva Phyllis Hyman died of a pill overdose on June 30". I was in
total shock! I could not believe that she could die so young and in that
manner. I could not believe that I was never going to fulfill my dream of
seeing her live. The same news item mentioned that she had just
completed the recording of her new album and that Zoo was planning
it's release in a couple of months. I waited very impatiently for the
release
and had it ordered from the UK when it came out. Tears came rolling
down my cheeks when I listened to the CD that first time. Hearing her
sing those lyrics with so much emotion and knowing that she was dead
was very moving. My wife still bursts in tears whenever I play the CD "I
Refuse To Be Lonely".
Hooking up to the internet in November 1995 made it possible for me
to take my obsession with Phyllis even further. It was through the net
that I managed to find all the recordings that were missing from my
collection. It was through the net that I got to read all the tribute
articles.
And it was through my correspondence with various Phyllis fans that
I got to see some videos of Phyllis performing live (the next best thing
to actually seeing her perform in person). In my search for videos and
on-line fans, I found myself with 27 email addresses of people with
whom I could share this obsession. In the absence of a newsgroup
devoted to Phyllis and her music, I recently found myself thinking of
starting one myself. If you are reading this, it means I was successful !
Walid Itayim
********************************************************************************
From: Richard Kenyada
Subject: The Whispers To Pay Tribute To Phyllis
The Whispers, one of R&B's most respected singing groups will
produce a 2-act play that will tour the country, beginning in LA. It will
be autobiographical, with each singer playing himself. The group has been
together for over 30 yrs.
As an integral part of the play, they will pay tribute to the career of
Phyllis Hyman, with singer Alyson Williams ("Just Call My Name") playing
the
role of the tragic diva.
Some may remember that Phyllis was to be the opening act for the Whispers
tour before her untimely death. I applaud them for stepping forward to
give
Ms. Hyman the recognition she deserves. I just hope Ms. Williams is up to
the task.
Kenyada (under the headphones)
********************************************************************************
From: Kenneth Burch
Subject: The Lady Lives On!
I
went to see a play by a group called the WHISPERS, and the name of the
play was:
THANK GOD! THE BEAT GOES ON and it was about the life of the one and
only Phyllis Hyman. Man let me tell you it was awesome, they've found
this woman (Alyson Williams) and she sounds just like the woman
herself. There were times when I just shook my head, saying to myself
"I just can't believe it, it was as if the woman herself was once again on
stage and performing". The play deals with her start, her many troubles
and strangely enough the suicide, which had her sisters (yes they were
there too) running to the back of the theater. It was very touching to
see that part of her life played out, I don't think there was a dried
eye in the whole theater. Anyway it was one of those nights that if you
were a true fan, you couldn’t help but be moved by the show as well as
the love The Whisper's no doubt have for this woman who touched so many of
us, and yet couldn’t seem to realize it for herself.
The play will go on though out the major cites, but I feel may not end up
on laserdisc (at least here in the U.S. anyway). But I can tell you this
if it does....this boy will have one. As for the singer who played
Phyllis, hats off she was superb!!!!.........
Kenneth Burch
**********************************************************
Here is Richard's article:
From: Richard Kenyada
Subject: PH Baby, Baby, Where Did Our Love Go?
At the height of her fame, prior to one more introduction, in one more
city,
she stood there silently praying offstage in
Piedmont Park, during the 1983
Atlanta Jazz Festival. On cue, the stage lighting went dark as she
walked,
unnoticed, toward the microphone at center stage. A hush had fallen over
the audience of thousands, who had waited all evening for the star
attraction. The wine had been sipped, the cheese and crackers sampled.
The
evening was mellow and heavy with anticipation.
Suddenly, from the darkness on stage, came a slow, low, piercing wail,
like
the moon finding its way down the aisle. When Phyllis Hyman hit that
first
ac capella note of "Somewhere In My Lifetime", dogs sat still ......birds
changed their flight patterns, but most of us just gasped in awe.
The lights came up; an echo ricocheted off a nearby meadow and burst
across
the midnight sky, as the orchestra sat erect, primed to meet the challenge
....
as if they could.
The Sophisticated Lady was in the House, and there would be no
sing-a-longs
tonight.
That's the way I will remember her ...tall, statuesque, beautiful (when
the
word still meant something), with a voice and style that defied
comparison.
In an art form that had seen its share of pretenders, Phyllis Hyman was
the
genuine article.
Her range and versatility, which endeared her to her legion of fans, were
perhaps ironically what limited her career as an artist. Record company
executives didn't know what to do with her. How to market this beautiful
enigma: a jazz artist? ...a pop singer? ...an R&B diva?
An author and R&B authority once wrote, "If Hyman was a straight-up dance
diva, it would simply be a matter of finding the right track, the right
video and crucially these days, the right outfit. If Hyman just sang
jazz,
she could limit herself to domestic jazz clubs and festivals overseas.
But
Hyman is not Jody Watley or Sarah Vaughn. What's clear is that Hyman's
voice - melancholy, powerful, sexy, dark, graceful - and enviable physical
elegance are of another, not fully appreciated, tradition."
On radio, Phyllis was relegated to the late night Quiet Storm, never
receiving the media attention of lesser performers. While in concerts
across the country, she had been elevated to almost Cult status, she was
never quite able to turn the corner of success. And I think it deeply
troubled her, taking her through bouts with depression. With medication
to
fight the depression and medication to help her sleep, a pattern
developed.
How many songs must you receive that already have Whitney's fingerprints
all
over them? How many times must you be passed over
for important work?
I
can imagine a scenario much like this happening not long before her
death:
A
telephone call from her manager.
Hi Phyllis, it's me. Just got some news about the "Waiting To Exhale"
soundtrack.
>Okay...
Yeah, they made their selection of artists....they didn't go with us.
>Oh? ....just curious, who did they select?
Well, Whitney, of course.....
>Excellent.
And both Aretha and Patti...
>That's great. I think it will be their first project together.
Also, Chaka will sing My Funny Valentine....
>Ummmm, that's worth the price of admission, right there.
Then there's Chante' Moore and Toni Braxton......
>Babyface writes some great stuff for Toni.
And CeCe Winans will duet with Whitney...
>That should be sensational! Well, with all those talented
ladies,
I
can understand
how difficult the decision must have been. They didn't even have
room for Gladys?!
Well, ...there's more...they chose For Real, Shanna, SWV, TLC, Brandy and
MARY J. BLIGE.
>Oh...Well...I've got to ...Mary J. Blige??? ...Really? Hey, I've
got a show to do...
>got to go...see ya later.
Months after Phyllis Hyman's suicide, Philadelphia International Records
released her last CD, I Refuse To Be Lonely. And the last cut on the CD
was prophetically entitled, "Give Me One Good Reason To Stay"
Where did our Love go? We keep losing bits and pieces of our (musical)
selves..... until there is precious little left. Who will carry the
torch (song) now? Maybe Tamia (Quincy's discovery) ...perhaps Toni
Braxton.
Most of our young singers are too blinded by the lure of commercial
success;
too deafened by the programmed drums. Too busy practicing the neck moves
of
Attitude to practice the art of vocalizing.
And so we continue to lose our best artists like so many grains of sand
slipping through our fingers to an already silent beach. My record
collection is slowly passing away. There are too few singers, real
singers
of song ...full-voiced, projecting from the diaphragm (no Mary J., I'm not
talkin' about birth control).
Last night I listened to Toni Braxton's new CD, Secrets. The hauntingly
beautiful "How Could An Angel Break My Heart" comes closest to the depth
of
Phyllis Hyman's talent. I will often wonder what Babyface could have done
with a voice like Phyllis' singing his lyrics.
All the love songs she sang. All the soaring, searing, in-yo'-face,
gotta-have-my-man songs......and she died alone, frightened...and tired.
I
always thought Phyllis was an angel. Maybe now she is....
But how could an angel break my heart?
Kenyada (under the headphones)
********************************************************************************
From: Apryl
Subject: PH - My thoughts of her death
It was Fourth of July weekend, and I was visiting my cousins in a small
Michigan town. We heard this 'rumor' on the radio, and all I could think
was
'Man, I missed a lot of her concerts, since I just didn't make the
time....
I'm going to miss her'.
I
still think that foul play *had* to be there somewhere. She was too
together to kill herself, wasn't she?
Fact is, people can be very together, and they can off themselves, if the
hurt is enough.
I
just think that the saddest part was that her pain spilled out into the
joy of a lot of others.
Pax,
Apryl
Nothing is so strong as gentleness,
and nothing is so gentle as true strength.
-Ralph Sockman
*******************************************************************************
From: Rodney Lamont Williamson
Hey Walid,
This is T. Earl Page, Jr. and I'm deeply interested in subscribing.
When my moms brought "Betcha Gotta A Golly Wow" on the 45 back
in '76, I sat down with my mommy (and was sucking my thumb) as
Phyllis serenaded me at the tender age of 5.
To this day, she gives me Goosebumps! I knew how to love her because
it was under her spell to do so. Why live alone when I listen to Phyllis
in my systems. I didn't want to lose her, but she did not want to live
in confusion. She was more than a Sophisticated Lady--she was an Old
Friend.
As a songwriter/producer/musician, I feel that Clive Davis (President
for Arista Records) should put out a tribute album which features
everyone on his roster (Remember, Arista is the parent company for
LaFace, Bad Boy, Rowdy as well as home for Whitney and Aretha). Hey,
if Curtis Mayfield, Jimi Hendrix got one (and probably 2Pac), I feel that
Phyllis should have an album as well. I'll sing a couple of her
songs--how about that?
Let's keep her music alive like we do for Marvin, Minnie, and everybody
else who left this earth to live in a better place.
T. Earl Page Jr.
P.A.G.E. 1 Productions, Inc.
Songwriter/Producer/Musician
********************************************************************************
From: BamBam
Hmmm...well, Phyllis, to me, represented grace, beauty, and strength, both
of stature and voice. She was a big woman (meant in the best way) and she
had a *big* voice. I never got the chance to see her in concert live, but
I
did see her in filmed concerts, and she filled the screen with her
presence. "Somewhere in my lifetime" was IMO her best song, and I can
hear it as if she was singing it directly to me. It's a damned shame when
*true* talent like hers is overlooked for Da Flava of Da Month, with
cookie-cutter "singers" taking the lion's share of the audience's
attention; but I have no doubt that Phyllis is up there, singin with the
angels.
"Do not confuse gossip for wisdom" -J Gatlin
Rose "BamBam" Cooper /~\
Sgt. At Arms/Web Moderator, /','\
Ebony Queens Motorcycle Club /','`'\
********************************************************************************
From: Walid Itayim
Subject: PH:New Norman Connors CD
Norman Connors is credited as the man who discovered Phyllis
Hyman. It was his album "You Are My Starship" that launched her
career with the song "Betcha By Golly, Wow".
Now he has a new album on MoJazz called "Easy Living".
Check it out at:
Walid
*********************************************
Subject: Turn Back The Hands Of Time
From: (Louisa J. Middlebrook)
I
read your message and was thrilled by the love that you all expressed
for the late Phyllis Hyman. My boyfriend and I are also huge fans of her
and her music as well. We were together the day that we found out that
she was gone. It was like getting a call in the middle of the night
saying that a sister or best friend was gone. We were able to share our
pain and grief, but I'm sure that you can understand how it didn't seem
to make it any better. Sitting alone one day, while listening to one of
her CDs I was inspired to write the following:
Turn Back The Hands Of Time
By: Louisa Joy Middlebrook
I
wish that I'd gotten the chance to tell you everything you meant to me,
wish that you knew you touched the whole world with more than just your
sweet melodies.
It was something in your soul crying out to us all; I always wondered
"why is she so sad?" or "what could be so wrong?"
I
never would have believed that the pain you share in song; the pain
that brought tears to our eyes was coming from inside.
I never would have guessed that you too felt so all alone. Never would
have believed your heart had never found its peace, its own 'home sweet
home'.
But if I'd heard your cry I would have answered right away. I'd
forgotten my own despair, insecurity, loneliness and rushed to ease your
pain.
You would have known with all certainty that you were desired, loved,
needed, wanted and admired.
You would have been able to confide in me, you'd have known you could
believe me when I'd say "I understand".
I
never will forget the day they said that you were gone. I wish I could
have begged you to stay.
I couldn't believed you'd done it. I couldn't believe that you'd flown
away.
Didn't you know our love was real? Didn't you know we needed you stay?
Not just to sing to us or to entertain?
Just because you were you...
Girl, didn't you know nothing you ever felt - no pain, no heartache,
nothing of which you ever sang - could ever hurt as bad as having you
gone? Having only memories of you now to keep us going on and to
sustain.
Child, didn't you know? You were ours to love and to cherish.
I'd have tried with all my might to make you believe in you the way that
we did.
I'd have treated you like a sister, lover, friend.
Close to my heart I would have kept you. I'd make you feel you belonged
here, was safe here, could stay here until the very end.
Phyllis, you could never be the things you thought you were; too fat, too
tall, too old, too this or too that, too whatever you had in mind.
You were sexy girl and beautiful. Talented, loving, caring and kind.
How could you not know?
If you were in doubt, sweetie, sista, baby, darlin', honey-chile,
precious-wonder, suga-dumplin' I would have told you so.
Wish that I could make an impression on your life and touch it in the way
that you truly have touched mine,
I wish I could turn back the Hands Of Time.
Dedicated to the memory of the great Phyllis Hyman
by ljm
joy
A
Writer Writes...always
I love a Marine(Semper Fi)
Thanks AEL for everything
********************************************************************************
*Favorite albums of Phyllis Hyman:
All of them really. But right now I'm listening to "I Refuse To Be Lonely"
"Prime Of My Life" and "Livin' All Alone." And I listen "You Know How To
Love
Me" quite a bit.
-------
*Your impressions of live concerts or club gigs:
I'm still kicking myself. I was in New York for a conference once. She was
performing at the Apollo. Two shows. I was invited to the late show by an
NYC-resident friend, along with my colleagues. They didn't feel up to it;
I
did, but I let them talk me into a little bar/club-hopping (something I
don't
normally do anyway) instead. My NYC friend later told me that she,
naturally, turned it out. I've regretted it ever since.
She headlined a festival at my alma mater while I was in school. I had to
work and could not get the time off no matter how hard I tried. I was evil
for about a week.
I
finally got to see her perform during homecoming at my alma mater -- in
her stocking feet. This around the time of "Prime." I never knew how funny
she could be. I liked the way she came into the audience and took requests
for songs that weren't in the show. She honored each request with a brief
a
capella rendition. I wasn't close enough to her make any contact, but I'm
so
glad I got to see her at least once.
"Sophisticated Ladies" isn't a concert/club gig, of course, but I love her
performance. Never saw it on Broadway. Have it on tape, though. And the
audience that night clearly loved her as much as I do. I've got to say,
that
as much as I love Paula Kelly and love to see her dance, and as much as I
like to see Hinton Battle (the Tinman in "The Wiz" on B'way) dance -- but
I'm sorry. These two who had billing over Phyllis were DULL! Even further,
and I am not exaggerating, most of the performances in that show were
uninspiring -- at least on that night. But Phyllis! EVERY time that she
was
onstage it was magic.
Interesting: The first time we see her onstage after several dull numbers
from the others, she makes no entrance. Instead she simply appears, rather
unceremoniously I might add, perched a few feet above the stage and
radiant
as ever in her blue ostrich (or whatever) feathers. The audience
recognizes
her. So even before she opens her mouth, the audience is hers. With her
first few utterances, they're clearly "under her spell." She naturally
puts
a hurtin' on "It Don't Mean A Thing." But even more, she returns to her
throne to allow a musical and boys' chorus interlude. She reigns over this
theatrical kingdom and manages to keep the focus on her without
deliberately
upstaging the dancers or the band. But the audience knows she's there. And
though it's not likely, but if anyone forgot, she appropriately reminds
them
in spoken props to Hinton Battle's dance solo when she let's him know: "Ow!
But ya killin' me, Baby!"
Phyllis brings it home from her perch and all the while the focus remains
on
her -- even though there's a dance duo in front of her. They are closer to
the audience, but she is who they're responding to. That's presence. That
number gets the first enthusiastic response from the audience with a
standing ovation. In fact, all her numbers get enthusiastic applause.
That's
the FIRST time the audience hears from her that night. Thereafter, you can
tell the audience waits for her time and time again. They receive her
warmly, she more than delivers, and they wait 'til her next number. One
last
thing: Phyllis isn't a dancer. She's competing with a troupe of dancers
with
only her extraordinary voice, her expressiveness, her incredible scatting,
her humor, her runway grace, her mere presence. And the rest of the folk
CANNOT hang.
----
*How did you discover her music? What was the first song or album you
heard?
"You Know How To Love Me." I was in college and I fell in love with her. I
couldn't afford much new music then, so I never bought an album until
"Livin' All Alone." One album I've never heard that I'd kill for (though
that applies to anything of hers) is either titled or has the song "Riding
The Tiger." I just don't remember anything about it and would like to hear
it.
Tony Moor
****************************************************************
From: Walid Itayim
Subject: Phyllis' Guest Appearances
These are some other artists' albums that featured Phyllis as guest
vocalist:
Norman Connors - You Are My Starship
Jon Lucien - Premonition
Joe Sample - Oasis
School Daze - Soundtrack
The Whispers - So good
Pharoah Sanders - Love will find a way
Grover Washington Jr. - Time Out Of Mind
McCoy Tyner - Looking Out
Barry Manilow - Swing Street
Sophisticated Ladies - Original Cast Recording
Thanks
Walid
************************************************************
From: Richard Kenyada
Subject: PH Phyllis Hyman in Concert
(Note: Previously I have written about my experiences at a 1983 concert
which featured Ms. Hyman as the headliner, among other artists. But this
'92
audience - 9 years later, in a decidedly different venue, came here to
hear
Phyllis, and only Phyllis...... and the place was PACKED. So come with me
now, to the last time I saw Phyllis...)
Summer 1992 - Chastain Park Amphitheater, Atlanta
An Evening With Phyllis Hyman
with The Duke Ellington Orchestra (conducted by Mercedes Ellington)
The Chastain Park Amphitheater is the premier outdoor venue in Atlanta,
set
in the midst of a diverse, upper middle class neighborhood of eclectic
professionals, who each year play host and audience to acts as different
as
The Temptations/Four Tops shows, to Travis Tritt (a country star). The
stage alone is magnificent, set low in the middle of a meadow of orchestra
table seating, to stepped-up chairs-seating further back and, finally, a
grassy upper terrace for picnicking on blankets. Everyone arrives early
to
set up sometimes very elaborate mini-feasts, complete with candles,
flowers
and fine wine.
This audience, refined and appreciative of elegance, was ready for a
moment
they would never forget.
The Ellington Orchestra begins to weave its magic playing lush standards
written by Duke and his oft-time collaborator, Billy Strayhorn. One can't
help but think that this is the perfect setting: Black sky, tall Georgia
pines stretching moonward, a slight breeze, a stage full of masterful
musicians.....and Phyllis Hyman.
This evening was a kiss from God.
Ms. Hyman walked out to thunderous applause, adorned in royal attire.
Off-white, with gold lame' trim. Angelic. Long, layered with a
cape-like,
see-through chiffon that seemed to float at the slightest breeze. Topped
off with a hat inspired by Egyptian Queen Neferititi. What a presence!
The orchestra accompanied her flawlessly. It was almost as if Duke
Ellington himself was sitting at the keyboards, stroking gently the
melody,
as to build the fire slowly. This was the night that we had all dreamed
of
spending with Phyllis Hyman. It was pillow talk for the male audience,
and
sistah-friend confiding for the women.
I
cannot remember all the songs she sang that night, but I'll mention a few
that, to this day, stand out in my memory.
"Sophisticated Lady", and others from the Ellington Songbook. And then
there were her disco-era hits such as "You Know How To Love Me". But
what
would a Hyman concert be without the ballads; you know them by heart:
Betcha
By Golly Wow, The Answer Is You, I Don't Want To Lose You, among others.
And she topped it all off with "Somewhere In My Lifetime".
There were quite a few standing ovations from this very sophisticated
crowd.
As we looked around, we found a sense of familiarity. For that one night
we were family. The faces, joyously fulfilled, were faces of people we
knew
. People with CD collections much like ours. The evening never
ended....it
just mellowed into something resembling a quiet reflection.
As my fiancée and I left the park, we looked at each other, then back
toward
the stage....maybe we both knew that it was to be the last time we would
see
Phyllis in this setting. But the echoing lyricism of Phyllis herself
seemed
to play again in our minds, somehow reassuring us that tomorrow could not
erase tonight because.....
"Somewhere in my lifetime, there was you and me"
Kenyada (under the headphones)
*****************************************************
Thanks for your invitation to contribute to your P.H. newsletter. I really
have little to add; I'm more interested in her early career and I'd love
to
find out what others know of her professional activities in Miami and her
initial musical performance in NYC.
Don
***************************************************
"You Know How To Love Me" by Phyllis Hyman- One of the best disco songs
from
the 1979/80 disco era! I only have the album version, but would love to
have the extended 12" or CD5.
Brian Evans
**************************************************
From: Walid Itayim
Subject: Has anyone seen this movie?
Has anyone seen a 1989 movie called The Kill Reflex?
It stars Fred Williamson in the leading role.
The cast list includes Phyllis Hyman.
I am curious what kind of role she had in it.
*****************************************************
Phyllis Hyman is still one of today's greatest R&B singers. Although she
committed suicide last year, she continues to live through her music. When
I
listen to her current single "I Refuse To Be Lonely", I feel the pain and
confusion this 6ft. woman was going through. That's what makes her
the best. There is no way you can be alive and not feel every word she
sings. It is very difficult for me to even write this review because
conveying how her music makes me feel is impossible. The day that I found
out of her death you would have thought I knew her personally. I was truly
in mourning; crying as I listened to her rendition of the Stylistics'
classic "Betcha By Golly Wow". Just thinking that I could never here her
sing that song live again made me very sad. We have truly lost one of the
greatest. As a result, R&B will never be the same.
Diona McLucas
*******************************************************
(The following article was sent by Melissa Weber to rec.music.funky
3 days after the passing of Phyllis Hyman. I have tried to e-mail Melissa
countless times but I have gotten no reply. I hope she doesn't object to
my including this article here. )
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 1995 17:51:38 +0000 (GMT)
From: Melissa Weber
Subject: Reflection on our sister Phyllis Hyman
Early Saturday morning I learned the disturbing news about our
sister Phyllis Hyman. It brought me to tears to know that this beautiful
talent had possibly taken her own life. The news report said, "Singer
Phyllis Hyman was found on the floor . . . a bottle of pills lay next to
her... ...dead at the age of 45 . . . the jazz community will suffer a
great
loss."
We all know that Phyllis was more than jazz. She was embraced
by jazz, r&b, disco, pop, soul, Broadway. But her roots were in jazz
since her first recordings were with jazz drummer Norman Connors.
She reigned from Philadelphia where she sang as a young girl in
gospel church choirs, but admitted to not being comfortable in the
spotlight
to do solos. Later in the early 70s, Connors, a popular fusion jazz
artist,
"discovered" her and featured her smoky voice on several of
his albums (he did the same with Jean Carn), and in the meantime, the
collaboration created some unforgettable moments of female vocalese this
side of Patti Labelle (my favorite being her duet with bassist Michael
Henderson on "We Both Need Each Other" from Connors' 1975 _You Are My
Starship_).
It wasn't a surprise that Phyllis soon landed her own solo
recording contract on Connors' home label, Buddah records. (She
did release a 7' single in 1976 on the obscure Desert Moon label.)
On Buddah she released her self-titled debut in '77. One year later she
signed with the still-new Arista label where she saw most of her
success on the soul charts ("Somewhere in My Lifetime" (1978), "I'll Try
Something New" (1978), "You Know How to Love Me" (1979), "Can't We Fall
in
Love Again" (with Michael Henderson, 1981), etc.). She recorded on Arista
until 1983 and recorded on Philadelphia Int'l in 1986. I don't know too
many recording details after this point though she popped up
on quite a bit of jazz recordings (McCoy Tyner and others) and in the jazz
club circuit, and also on Broadway where she received a Tony nomination
for
her performance in a play I believe is called "Sophisticated Lady." She
also made an appearance in the Spike Lee film _School Daze_.
Phyllis, from what I've been told, was one hell of a performer.
She was a down-to-earth kind of gal, one who didn't put on airs. One
funny story that I was told saw Ms. Hyman onstage singing her heart out
when suddenly the "woman's way" came upon her. She stopped singing,
realizing her "monthly visitor" had decided to stop on by and politely
walked offstage. A few moments later she returned joking about the whole
situation with all the grace in the world. The audience loved her
kidding and soon she resumed her set as if nothing had gone wrong.
Though the exact cause of her death is still under investigation,
there is heavy speculation that it was a suicide. It is a sad
speculation indeed. It was just 11 years ago that our brother Donny
Hathaway fell to the same demons that possessed sister Phyllis.
Hopefully, through this tragedy, the Black community and everyone will
learn something about the problems of depression, and more specifically,
treating those problems. There's no doubt that this will affect the
African-American community as a whole. The terrible news transcended to a
seminar at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans where I and a large
group of people wept.
In my opinion, Phyllis was a terribly overlooked vocalist with amazing
range
and phrasing abilities. She was the
type of artist that didn't stay on the charts, but the Black community all
knew who she was and loved her. Her personable voice was a cross between
sultry siren and hometown girl. And her manner was always classy and
beautiful.
She kept right on going until the end, despite severe depression,
weight and relationship problems, and rumored drug abuse.
Unfortunately that end, unknown to her adoring fans, was too bitter
for her to handle. Hopefully our sister's passing will raise more
awareness
about helping our community to treat depression, and also about Phyllis,
the
singer and the person. I'll be the first in line to learn both. Phyllis
gave us her soul and ultimately her life. I will miss her.
Melissa
****************************************************
Well, this is it for this first installment. I hope you have all enjoyed
reading it and that some of it has been interesting and informative.
It would be really great if we can get more posts especially from the
subscribers who haven't yet written anything. Replies to what has
been written so far are welcomed. Comments and suggestions on
the format of the newsletter and any other ideas are also welcomed.
October 29th. will be the release date of "The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman"
on Arista/BMG. We would love to read your reviews or thoughts on that
2-CD set.
Until the next time,
Take Care and thanks for your support,
Walid Itayim
THE PHYLLIS HYMAN
INTERNET NEWSLETTER #2
1996
Here we are with the second issue of the PH Internet Newsletter. I am
pleased to announce that Richard Kenyada, my good friend in Atlanta
and a great writer, is now co-editor of this newsletter. His advice and
guidance have been invaluable.
There are now 72 people subscribed to the list and the number increases
daily. This really makes me happy because to start with I was a bit hesitant
about undertaking this project. On the list, we have 4 people from the UK,
one from Germany, one from Norway, 2 from Japan and one from Hong Kong!! And
I am in Cyprus! The rest are in the US and Canada. The intense love for
Phyllis Hyman and her music is an international phenomenon!!!
Walid Itayim
***************************************************************
I am thrilled that Walid has asked me to assist him as Co-Editor
of this wonderful project. In our way of thinking, this Newsletter is,
in essence, a Love Letter to Phyllis Hyman - from her Fans and Friends
all over the world.
For those who recently discovered Phyllis' music.....
for those who were mesmerized by her enormous talent during the
latter years......and certainly for those of us who were there from the
moment she first burst upon the musical horizon....
Ms. Hyman is unforgettable, irreplaceable and incomparable.
We will always remember her with a tear ....and a smile, because
Somewhere in our Lifetime ........there was Phyllis Hyman.
Richard Kenyada
*******************************************************************
From: "LOREN M. PIERRE"
Subject: PH: ~~Songs of Love~~~
I was first introduced to Phyllis Hyman, almost by accident I might say...
It was during a visit to South Dakota back in 1987 when I was browsing
through a record collection. I couldn't believe the amount of records!
I came across the album of Phyllis Hyman. Phyllis Hyman I said to
myself. I've not ever heard her songs on the radio... Out of curiosity,
I went on and played the record. I couldn't believe my ears! I was listening
to the best voice I have ever heard! Her words, her voice, her songs, they
were magnificent! I immediately asked who she was and if she had any other
recordings? Unfortunately, they did not know much. Only that she was a
great artist and that her music would never leave you. That evening after
listening to the album over and over again I had to tape it on a cassette
for the long drive back to Denver. I think I listened to the cassette the
whole time we drove, and could remember asking myself how did this beautiful
woman get such meaningful words that meant so much. I think those words
meant a lot to me as well. Well, from that moment on you could say I have
been and will always be a fan of the one and only Phyllis Hyman!
I remember it being a holiday last year, not sure if it was Thanksgiving
or perhaps it was Christmas that I opened the newspaper and out of the
blue there was a picture of Phyllis Hyman. The picture was beautiful..
However the article was not! It stated how Phyllis Hyman took her own life
in her apartment on a drug overdose. I couldn't believe I was reading
such disturbing words! I remember my heart becoming very heavy --- it
was like loosing a dear friend. Tears steamed down my face as I felt so
empty. I will never forget that day!
I still play her music, as a matter of fact, I play her music cassettes
in my car everyday. My 4-1/2 year old daughter already knows the words to
some of her melodies - as she and I follow along and sing.
I don't know much about the late Phyllis Hyman, but I can say this,
her music does say a lot about her. You just wouldn't think that this
beautiful talented woman would be so alone. I wonder if she ever married
or if she left any children behind?
Well, I would like to close for now - and thank all of you who have
shared your experiences and memories of Phyllis Hyman with us dedicated
fans... I have enjoyed reading the first Phyllis Hyman
electronic fanzine newsletter! Thanks to all for the information.
Many thanks to you Walid, for your e-mail messages, your hard work, and
your devotion in making this newsletter happen!
Keep in touch, and God Bless,
~Loren~
******************************************************************
From: high-priority
Hello,
I just subscribed to the PH Mailing list and I do like all the comments
that I have seen about the extraordinaire Phyllis Hyman. She was indeed
one of the best vocalists this world has ever seen. I got into Phyllis
Hyman about 5 years ago, around the time I was 15 years old and "Prime
of My Life" was new. The first song I heard from Phyllis was "Living In
Confusion" and "Don't Wanna Change the World", but It wasn't until I
heard her perform "Meet Me On The Moon" on Video Soul that I became a
fan. Most of her music was rather personal to me. I mostly liked her
voice more than anything, this woman was a diva!!! I bought most of her
albums right after I heard her perform that. I had ordered directly from
overseas an LP of Phyllis' "You Know How To Love Me" and it was so ironic
that I received the album on the same day that she passed away.
All I did the following day after her death was listen to her music all day,
but "Old Friend" is one song that I always cry when I hear. Phyllis is truly
missed!
Sincerely,
Ernesto Cano
***************************************************************
From: DNathSoul
Subject: Re: "Thank God! And The Beat Goes On"
I did go to see the Whispers' play, "Thank God! And The Beat Goes On" which
features Alyson Williams as Phyllis. I was very unhappy with the way they
portrayed Phyllis because they gave a very one-sided, one-dimensional
viewpoint on her. To see the play, you would think that she was always this
unhappy, highly-strung, demanding diva - and while that was most assuredly a
part of her temperament and personality, it was by no means the whole
picture. I found the depiction of her suicide demeaning and distasteful.
If anyone wanted to do a Phyllis Hyman tribute in musical form, they should
have done something on her entire life - not just the ending.
David Nathan
(David Nathan has worked as a music journalist for Blues & Soul and
Billboard. He also wrote the liner notes for the CD "Loving You Losing You-
The Classic Balladry of Phyllis Hyman" - the editors)
******************************************************************
It is customary, during the Thanksgiving season, that we pause to
reflect upon our lives and our blessings. This year there is so much for
which to be thankful - not the least of which is the launching of the
Phyllis Hyman Newsletter.
As the editors of the newsletter, we are thankful that the extraordinarily
talented artist, Phyllis Hyman, shared her unique gift with all of us.
Thankful, too, for her recordings and videos that exist all over the world, as
needles in haystacks, beckoning us to search them out.
We are extremely delighted and thankful to have met Glenda Gracia, Ms.
Hyman's manager and close friend, who has enthusiastically consented
to contribute her insight and memories.
We are also thankful for the technology that brings us closer together -
from every corner of the globe - and allows us to sit around this cyberspace
kitchen table for a "family" discussion about our remembrances of Phyllis.
For it is through a sharing of the experiences
of those who adored her that we can make this a lasting and loving tribute
to our sister, Phyllis.
So, as we gather around the world to begin celebrating the Holiday Season,
giving Thanks for all that we are, all that we have and all things great and
small,,let us say a prayer for.......and cherish a memory of our
Sophisticated Lady.
Walid Itayim and Richard Kenyada
Editors
***************************************************************
From: MILES BELL
Subject: PH, Arista/BMG's release of "The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman"
The recent Arista/BMG two set CD, "The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman" is
a disappointment. Some of the same songs appear on RCA's "The
Balladry of P. Hyman" and other compilation CDs. I wish Arista
chose to release their Hyman albums intact as they were released
on vinyl some ten to fifteen years ago. "The Legacy of P. Hyman"
is all but another cheap hodge podge of some record executive's
summation of Hyman work. The best thing about the CD set is the
rare pictures of a young, thin and sultry Hyman. The liner notes
are ok. "In A Sentimental Mood" extracted from the "Sophisticated
Ladies" Broadway soundtrack was a welcome surprise.
****************************************************************
From: Ian Horst
Subject: Phyllis with Pharaoh Sanders
Greetings to this Phyllis Hyman newsletter.
I loved her music for years and was greatly saddened by her death.
I thought I'd put in my own vote for my favorite album featuring Phyllis, one
that has sadly never been issued on CD. In 1979 previously way-out jazz
musician Pharaoh Sanders made a bid for jazz/pop crossover success and
released an album on Arista entitled "Love Will Find a Way." Produced by
Norman Connors, the album features some fine work by Phyllis on 3 or4 songs,
if I recall correctly. My vinyl version is scratchy and barely audible: it's
time to get this masterpiece on CD!
--Ian Scott Horst
*******************************************************************
From: Bill Ralston
Glad to hear that Phyllis Hyman is not forgotten. I remember when I first
saw and heard her in Spike Lee's School Daze. She had this incredible
soulful sultry voice and such a wonderful screen presence. A friend of mine
was a fan of hers for years and I remember when he told me that he had heard
she had died, We both felt such a sadness that a talent such as hers had
been snuffed out so young. The only cd I have of hers' is prime of my life.
I know some cds were released after her death but I
could find little information on them. I would appreciate knowing any must
haves of her recordings.
******************************************************************
Subject: I never met Phyllis.
From: Anthony E. Lewis
I never met Phyllis. But, she sang to me. I fell in love with
her the first time I saw her face in Spike Lee's movie
'School Daze'. I remember at the time thinking to myself,
she's too beautiful for me to ever see in real life. But, that
didn't stop me from loving HER. I fell in love not because
she sang so well, but because she sang to ME. When
Phyllis sang, she was IN YOUR FACE! Her presence
was so powerful and real. I still think she's here with me
at times.
When I heard that she was gone, a part of me died with
her. A part of my heart is gone and I know it will never
come back. It's still very, very, VERY hard for me to think
or talk about. Sometimes the pain is just unreal. I
remember that my first thought upon hearing the news was,
'Why didn't just call me? Oh God! Why didn't she somehow
just get in contact with me?'
I know; crazy.
But, I'll never forget it or the feeling that came with it.
My only solace now is the music, and a woman that loves
and misses Phyllis EVERY BIT AS MUCH as I do.
***************************************************************
From: Louisa J. Middlebrook
What A Woman...
I 'met' Phyllis in the late '80's. I was just 18 or 19 at the time.
As a tall, full-figured young woman it was an honor to see
her in videos or on some music show or read about her and
know that so many loved her. I quickly became a fan. First
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