SILKY SILKY SOUL SINGER

(A TRIBUTE TO FRANKIE BEVERLY & MAZE)

I grew up listening to Frankie Beverly & Maze

Because our father use to blast it on Sundays,

He dropped gems like ‘Joy & Pain’, ‘Before I Let Go’,

‘Golden Time of Day’ and ‘Feel That You’re Feeling’.

Frankie’s vocals were always on point and the sentiment stayed

In my youthful ears before it went through the ceiling!!

Then landed in my heart.

I recall the Frankie Beverly & Maze ‘Live in New Orleans’ album cover

On our coffee table and my parents preparing to get dressed

To attend their concert so I would just hover.

I love the lyrics to ‘Joy & Pain’ ‘Where there’s a flower

There’s the sun and the rain, oh but it’s wonderful

There both one in the same,’ because they

sincerely resonate within my being.

I have placed those words in my autobiography and

website because they are so freeing.

The legend goes that Howard Beverly named himself ‘Frankie’

 in homage to Frankie Lymon who was his idol.

Frankie Beverly immortalized one of his mentors Marvin Gaye

In song Frankie was generous with a title.

Further strengthening our connection to him even more

Because Frankie Beverly was singing about love and not war.

Reminding us that ‘We Are One’ through anthems and

Beautiful ballads such as ‘I Can’t Get Over You’.

Songs like ‘Southern Girl’ brought a warm smile to my face

Because I knew the exact sentiment that Frankie was giving grace.

A Frankie Beverly & Maze concert was like an experience

That you never forget.  

In my lifetime I got a chance to attend

Their concerts 3 times and I have no regrets.

I was bedazzled by songs like ‘I Can Tell By The Look In

Your Eyes’, ‘When I’m Alone’, ‘Back In Stride’ and ‘Look at California’

Because the words and melody flow through the ear drums and land

in the cerebral cortex somewhere behind the cornea.

Frankie Beverly exited our earthly stage this year in September

But his legacy lives on and he will be someone that we will always remember.