Smokey Robinson ~ Being With You 1981 Soul Purrfection Version

Описание: Smokey Robinson was there at the very start of Berry Gordy's dream. He is a Motown pioneer, being the first signing to Tamla Records and the first to have smash hit with "Shop Around" a #2 Hot100 hit from 1960. They had 27 Top 40 pop hits that included the 1970 #1 pop hit "The Tears Of A Clown". Smokey was ready to move on just before "Tears" became a hit, but stayed on. Finally quitting the band by the end of that year to spend more time with his young family. From 1974 to 1980 he had five top 40 pop hits, the most successful was "Cruisin'" a #4 hit in early 1980. In a slight slump at the start of the 80'S, he was pleased to learn that Kim Carnes was recording "More Love", a song he had written and recorded. She took her synth heavy take on all the way to #10. That album was produced by George Tobin. Carnes next LP was produced by Val Garay and spawned the mega hit "Bette Davis Eyes". Now Smokey did not know that Tobin was no longer working with Carnes when he brought an armful of songs to Tobin for her to record. Tobin asked to hear the songs, but did not reveal his secret. "Being With You" was going to be his gift to her, but Tobin persuaded Smokey to record the song himself. He also agreed that Tobin would produce, and was the first time ever that he did not produce himself. Tobin brought in Bill Cuomo, the keyboardist who created the synth line that made "Bette Davis Eyes" so popular. It is Smokey's biggest hit ever, #1 for five weeks R&B, and spending three weeks stuck at #2, unable to get "Bette Davis Eyes" out of the top spot, ironic, no? If Carnes had not fallen out with Tobin, she would have recorded "Being With You" herself. Smokey is still alive and kicking at 78! That trademark cool falsetto of his is in fine form in this one, a happy love song that has touches of classic Motown throughout, dig that Jamerson type bass by bassist Scott G Edwards who also played on the #1 pop hit by Rhythm Heritage "Theme From SWAT".