....

Ah, what could have been....

I remember Billboard reviewing this album in late '89, and they basically said it was a shame that he was on the same label (A&M) as Janet, because they knew this album was gonna get buried, with no promotion...and they were right! Don't even know if music could even really be separated from the all the drama surrounding the Jacksons at that point. Oh well...still one of my favorites from that period...

...

Randy and the Gypsys - 'Not Because of Me'

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Randy and the Gypsys - "The Love We Almost Had"

...

....

[Edited 6/19/13 17:03pm]

Jackie said it was better than Rhythm Nation. I never listened to the album though, could never find it.

OfftheWall said:

Jackie said it was better than Rhythm Nation. I never listened to the album though, could never find it.

Jackie is/was right.

A few years ago, some of the members of the Gypsys were interviewed about this album.

OfftheWall said:

Jackie said it was better than Rhythm Nation. I never listened to the album though, could never find it.

he definitely said it too...

the entire family was musically inclined..it was never, ever a one man show.....

OfftheWall said:

Jackie said it was better than Rhythm Nation. I never listened to the album though, could never find it.

It a a solid album, but better then RN? LOL!!!

I found the link (over at MJJC). It's not an interview, but an article written in 2010, and a few band members replied to it.

Urban Music Scene

Robert Baba K Burns wrote:
Thanks for the great article. We really didn't get the chance to make it happen but it was a great experience and a wonderful opportunity never the less. I agree that it was very good project and if we had have had the chance to tour I know that it would have been hot.

Randy was an awesome brother to work with and very down to earth which was unexpected for me seeing as though he is a "Jackson" ya know. I appreciate the attention and I'm sure that Randy and the rest of the band does too. You guys are keeping it real and preserving work for people like myself that takes ya back. That cool!

I got the email that you sent me but I haven't had the time to hit you back. Now to answer your question. I really don't know what everyone played on the record because I came along late in the project. At the time I was in another band with the song writing team of Terry Coffey and Jon Nettlesbey which at the time had started to get a lot of production work which of course put the band thing on hold so they recommended me for the job and the rest is history. When I started they were on the last song so I played on "It's Not Because Of Me".

I'm very moved and sadden by the passing of big brother Mike. Randy and Mike were extremely close. And I would like to publicly send out my condolences to the family. This was a major lost to the entire industry.

I would love to do a reunion with them if the attention were there. Hey, who knows, the world may just get that rare opportunity to see Randy and the Gypsys one day.

Again thanks for the nod. You guys keep it moving.

.

Randy Mahon wrote:
Hey Baba,

Thank you for your kind words in regards to my review, I appreciate it brother.

Thanks for posting a comment brother, much appreciated, and for your insights of this project and your personal working experience with my namesake.

I hope you guys, and gal, do indeed get back together. That would be something ! I think the time is just right. Music today needs a dose of the "realness". ... and Thank You for your props for our site.

The publisher Terrill Hanna and our talented writing staff work very hard to keep folks informed on what's happening on our music community.

We'll stay in touch !

Peace & Blessings,

Randy M.

.

Morris Rentie Jr wrote:
Brother, you never cease to amaze me! I wrote Perpetrators for Randy back in '88 and it was his first single! Man, thank you so much for doin' what you do! The world needs to know 'bout your knowledge in funkology! Peace, M!

.

Cece Worrall Rubin wrote:
Randy... RanMan...Thanks for posting this very complete and extensive review of the Randy and the Gypsys. I still have a huge framed poster of the cover on my wall and my students cannot believe that is me.

I loved working with the musicians and we truly were a "family" just as Randy (Jackson) wanted it to be. Growing up I had only sisters, now I had a group of brothers (no pun intended) to bond with and even wrestle sometimes. We had fun and we shared his vision that never came to be. I always thought he would be stirred to restart the project as Randy is soooo talented, but I don't know what stopped him. Pressure or no pressure - from family or fear of failure we all knew it would not fail. It was just that good!

Making that album and videos was one of the most memorable times of my life and not all music projects are like that. Many leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. The only regrets I had was that it did not go on tour.

Maybe that was what was scary...the fear of success. Again...it was THAT GOOD.

I want to say "hey" to Baba... and wish him well. And all my Gypsy Brothers. Hugs, well wishes and God's mighty blessings for you all!

~ Cece Worrall (Rubin)
Saxophonist & EWI

khris kellow wrote:
HEY THERE ERRYBODY! IT'S NICE TO SEE U GUYS COMMENTS. CECE, U HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. SUCCESS IS A SCARY THING FOR EVERYBODY. DIFFERENT PEOPLE HANDLE IT DIFF WAYS. ANYWAY, IT WAS FUN, EVEN THE FIGHTS BETWIXT RANDY AND I. I HOPE ALL OF U ARE DOIN' WELL AND MAYBE A REUNION ISN'T TOO FAR FETCHED?.........PEACE AND LOVE KHRIS KELLOW

.

Terry Coffey wrote:
Hey Randy,
Kudos to the continued work you do on keeping great music alive. I wish we could clone you a thousand times and release you all to the world! I too thought the Randy & The Gypsies album was phenomenal. Great songs coupled with great musicianship. When you combine the awesome keyboard talents of a Khris Kellow, the raw funk abilities of Jara & Jeff Harris and BaBa K you're set up big time to have a super solid rhythm section that doesn't quit! PePe and CeCe put the icing on that cake. Although I may have played keyboards on a couple of songs I was there for a lot of the recording experience and I remember having a great time with Randy and the gang. I experienced a lot and learned a lot more. It was the beginning of me and Jon Nettlesbey's production/songwriting career and Randy just took us both in and embraced and encouraged our input in the album. He's one of the very few good people on the earth. It just happens that he's also one of the most talented and under-appreciated as well. I would love to see a reunion of the band...

I wish you and all the members the best!

Abdul said:

OfftheWall said:

Jackie said it was better than Rhythm Nation. I never listened to the album though, could never find it.

It a a solid album, but better then RN? LOL!!!

For real and i was hyped as hell for Randy & The Gypsys

I liked Perpetrators, Love U Honey, and Giggalo as well.

[Edited 6/19/13 19:31pm]

MickyDolenz said:

khris kellow wrote:
HEY THERE ERRYBODY! IT'S NICE TO SEE U GUYS COMMENTS. CECE, U HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. SUCCESS IS A SCARY THING FOR EVERYBODY. DIFFERENT PEOPLE HANDLE IT DIFF WAYS. ANYWAY, IT WAS FUN, EVEN THE FIGHTS BETWIXT RANDY AND I. I HOPE ALL OF U ARE DOIN' WELL AND MAYBE A REUNION ISN'T TOO FAR FETCHED?.........PEACE AND LOVE KHRIS KELLOW

.

Terry Coffey wrote:
Hey Randy,
Kudos to the continued work you do on keeping great music alive. I wish we could clone you a thousand times and release you all to the world! I too thought the Randy & The Gypsies album was phenomenal. Great songs coupled with great musicianship. When you combine the awesome keyboard talents of a Khris Kellow, the raw funk abilities of Jara & Jeff Harris and BaBa K you're set up big time to have a super solid rhythm section that doesn't quit! PePe and CeCe put the icing on that cake. Although I may have played keyboards on a couple of songs I was there for a lot of the recording experience and I remember having a great time with Randy and the gang. I experienced a lot and learned a lot more. It was the beginning of me and Jon Nettlesbey's production/songwriting career and Randy just took us both in and embraced and encouraged our input in the album. He's one of the very few good people on the earth. It just happens that he's also one of the most talented and under-appreciated as well. I would love to see a reunion of the band...

I wish you and all the members the best!

Kool!! Thanks for all the links, MD! Good to see these...

....

Abdul said:

OfftheWall said:

Jackie said it was better than Rhythm Nation. I never listened to the album though, could never find it.

It a a solid album, but better then RN? LOL!!!

...

I don't think there was anything there to match the outta the box impact and immediacy of Rhythm Nation, but I do think the writing was more varied and the songs were more diverse-- if you got past the new jack feel of 'Perpetrators' and 'Gigolo', the songs (like the ones above)revealed depth and range...and Randy's always had a penchant for hooks (See "Once more Chance" from "Victory", and "Give it Up", from 'Triumph'....) I also remember Janet saying in an interview that Randy turned her on to Joni Mitchell's music....

...

[Edited 6/20/13 9:08am]

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Randy and The Gypsys - Love Thing

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[Edited 6/20/13 9:09am]

Album is easier to find then suggested

Shango said:

Album is easier to find then suggested

Also, the mp3 version is available, at least it is at Amazon.com...

...

Shango said:

Album is easier to find then suggested

I think they meant that they couldn't find it when it was originally released. I remember seeing the album in one store at the time, and they only had a few copies, and I never saw it again.

MickyDolenz said:

Shango said:

Album is easier to find then suggested

I think they meant that they couldn't find it when it was originally released. I remember seeing the album in one store at the time, and they only had a few copies, and I never saw it again.

Yeah, the CD is still out of print, even now -- and it was really scarce from the mid 90's, until just recently... more copies started showing up in the last few years....and now it's on mp3, too, so.....

...

...

[Edited 6/20/13 12:02pm]

paligap said:

MickyDolenz said:

I think they meant that they couldn't find it when it was originally released. I remember seeing the album in one store at the time, and they only had a few copies, and I never saw it again.

Yeah, it was real scarce from the mid 90's, until just recently....

...

-

Ok I see, thanks guys. I wasn't aware of that. Interesting, possibly A&M wasn't into promoting it much any further? I checked the books.google archives, and indeed there are some mentions in Jet, although no sign of the Billboard review. AllMusic usually has good chart overviews archived, but they're missing there.

paligap said: Also, the mp3 version is available, at least it is at Amazon.com...

-

-

Experiencing in the studio the Harris bruvas slapbakkin' with Khris Kellow from Attitude, would be a trip.

Shango said:

-

Ok I see, thanks guys. I wasn't aware of that. Interesting, possibly A&M wasn't into promoting it much any further? I checked the books.google archives, and indeed there are some mentions in Jet, although no sign of the Billboard review. AllMusic usually has good chart overviews archived, but they're missing there.

I saw 2300 Jackson Street, Jermaine's album Don't Take It Personal, and Rhythm Nation 1814, (plus the singles from them) in most stores. But The Gypsys album was not carried much and all 4 albums were out at the same time.

...

I do remember this getting brief airplay on the radio....but only for a couple of weeks...It did make me go and grab the album, though!

...

Randy and the Gypsys - Love You Honey

...

paligap said:

...

I do remember this getting brief airplay on the radio....but only for a couple of weeks...It did make me go and grab the album, though!

...

Randy and the Gypsys - Love You Honey

I don't recall hearing it on the radio, but Video Soul would show the video. I did hear She from 2300 on the R&B radio station a lot and I don't think it was a single.

Thanks for pulling this out! "The Love We Almost Had" is a true gem!

Seems Randy has a knack for ballads. "One More Chance" is a another classic!

[Edited 6/20/13 13:31pm]

G3000 said:

Thanks for pulling this out! "The Love We Almost Had" is a true gem!

Seems Randy has a knack for ballads. "One More Chance" is a another classic!

...

Ndeed!! I also loved "Need You", and "I Can't Wait" on the Gypsys...and I still love what he and Mike did on "Give It Up" (Triumph)...

...

...

....

paligap said:

...

I do remember this getting brief airplay on the radio....but only for a couple of weeks...It did make me go and grab the album, though!

...

Randy and the Gypsys - Love You Honey

...

All jokes aside it got pretty good airplay in my area. Didn't it even chart

around number 23 r&b?

[Edited 6/20/13 14:31pm]

paligap said:

Shango said:

Album is easier to find then suggested

Also, the mp3 version is available, at least it is at Amazon.com...

...

I got it from iTunes a while back

OfftheWall said:

Jackie said it was better than Rhythm Nation. I never listened to the album though, could never find it.

im sure mike disagreed,he loved rhythm nation

Randy made a HUGE mistake releasing his album the same year as Rhythm Nation 1814 especially being that they were on the same record label. This music biz is about making money 24/7 so which sibling's project do you think A&M was going to spend all their focus promoting in 1989 the brother who was coming out with his first solo album and have not proven to the label yet that he may be the next best thing or the sister who gave them Control in 86 that sold millions of copies, charted a string of hits on the R&B/Pop charts, won awards, and most importantly made them millions in profit. So of course it was all about Rhythm Nation 1814 for them because they wanted to be guaranteed another smash and bring in more profits which Janet accomplish. A&M only funded two low budget videos for Love You Honey & perpetrators. Its really sad because the dude had so much potential that he wasted. I think he should have try to book gigs across the country for him & his band along with making appearances on BET & soultrail so he could be his own fanbase. Better yet he should have released his album in 85 b/c I don't any jackson had any music out during that year and made as many appearances as he could on late night shows, tour with other R&B artists, and do interview do get his work out ther. It seems like he just gave up on music after the commerical failure of his album

Shango said:

paligap said: Also, the mp3 version is available, at least it is at Amazon.com...

-

-

Experiencing in the studio the Harris bruvas slapbakkin' with Khris Kellow from Attitude, would be a trip.

Always my thoughts exactly about this project

HAPPYPERSON said:

Randy made a HUGE mistake releasing his album the same year as Rhythm Nation 1814 especially being that they were on the same record label. This music biz is about making money 24/7 so which sibling's project do you think A&M was going to spend all their focus promoting in 1989

Randy didn't even participate in some of the promotion for the 2300 Jackson Street album, which was out at the same time. You can find video of Jermaine, Jackie, & Tito doing songs from the album on different TV shows. Jermaine's solo album was out too, and it did pretty well on the R&B charts. Jermaine was promoting the group album and solo album at the same time.

.

Randy was recording a solo album years earlier when he got in a car accident. I guess the album was cancelled and The Jacksons' Triumph tour was postponed while he recuperated. There was a single released on Epic in 1978 called How Can I Be Sure. The B side was a duet with Janet Love Song For Kids.

MickyDolenz said:

HAPPYPERSON said:

Randy made a HUGE mistake releasing his album the same year as Rhythm Nation 1814 especially being that they were on the same record label. This music biz is about making money 24/7 so which sibling's project do you think A&M was going to spend all their focus promoting in 1989

Randy didn't even participate in some of the promotion for the 2300 Jackson Street album, which was out at the same time. You can find video of Jermaine, Jackie, & Tito doing songs from the album on different TV shows. Jermaine's solo album was out too, and it did pretty well on the R&B charts. Jermaine was promoting the group album and solo album at the same time.

.

Randy was recording a solo album years earlier when he got in a car accident. I guess the album was cancelled and The Jacksons' Triumph tour was postponed while he recuperated. There was a single released on Epic in 1978 called How Can I Be Sure. The B side was a duet with Janet Love Song For Kids.

There is also a list of outtakes he recorded for that shelved album that will most likely never be released.

Happy Moments
Words and Melodies
Magic Carpet
What Would Mama Say
Half Steppin'
High School Hope
If I Surrender
Hide ’N Seek
Honey Bee
Never In Public
Find 'em, Fool 'em, Forget 'em
I Won't Tell On You