Vintage began in the late 1960's drawing personnel from The
Spellbinders,The Atlantics,The Valitors and The Creators. The original group
on the Vintage Album was Abby Munford, James Wright, Ray Block, Charles "Cada"
Brooks and Eloise Pennington. Although Pat Magnacavello was pictured with
the group, he only sang on What' Easy For Two and Danny Boy. Eloise Pennington
(real name Eller Weas Pennington) sang on all the other cuts and performed
the lead vocal on Lend Me. Many of the songs were written by group members
as well as John Taylor ( Boy From NYC) and George Davis, both from Jersey
City. Abby Munford married at the time to MacArthur Munford (bass singer for
The Spellbinders) decided to lead "I'll Never Let You Go" even though
Eloise sang this when she sang with The Spellbinders. There always was much
interchanging of personnel of the Jersey City / Bayonne groups in those days.
When Eloise left Vintage in 1973, Dee Grant (from The Spellbinders)
replaced her. The group had a wonderful blend of harmonies as a result of
Cada's deep bass and the interaction of two female vocalists. Every member
of Vintage performed lead vocals. The background harmonies never suffered
due to the ability of all to sing any background part. The only songs recorded
by Vintage at the session, not on the album were Harbor Lights (released on
a Catamount 45) and Peace of Mind. Both of these songs were lead by Pat Magnacavello.
The group's main lead was James Wright heard on Ghost Riders, The Rose, I
Need Your Love, Flintstones, Three Little Words and Canadian Sunset. Ray Block
did the lead on My Hero.
Today Abby Grant (she married Dee and they subsequently parted)
does studio backup vocals along with Ray Block who since Vintage, sang with
The Bon-aires, Adlibs, East River Drive, Occasionally 5, Mixed Company and
most recently Reunion. Abby and Ray in the late 80's sang with The Adlibs
and recorded a number of songs written by John Taylor on Johnny Boy Records.
Dee Grant lives semi retired in Georgia, Pat Magnacavello lives in Belleville,NJ
and still dabbles in music, Eloise sings semi professionally as a Gospel vocalist,
James Wright has suffered some declining health and still lives in Jersey
City, and Cada Brooks who passed away in 2003 after singing many years with
Mixed Company.
Catamount Records was the hub many years ago with Stan Krause
and Skip Jackson providing the arena from which much talent emerged. I wish
that Stan would release The Vintage Album on CD as it is quite rare and difficult
to find. Today, many of the singers of all The Hudson County groups frequently
get together for a jam session. It is wonderful to be in the company of Abby
Grant, Eloise Pennington, Dee Grant, James Wright, Dave Watt, Chris Bartley,
Jeff Chambers, Pat Magnacavello and countless others to share the memories
and create new ones.
Bio provided by Ray
Block - March 2005
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