The Magic of the Blue

The Magic of the Blue is the second album by American soul group Blue Magic, produced by Norman Harris and Bobby Eli and released in 1974 on the Atco label.

The Magic of the Blue
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 1974
Recorded1974
StudioSigma Sound Studios (Philadelphia)
GenrePhiladelphia soul
Length43:17
LabelAtco
ProducerNorman Harris, Bobby Eli
Blue Magic chronology
Blue Magic
(1974)
The Magic of the Blue
(1974)
Thirteen Blue Magic Lane
(1975)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideC+[2]

History

The album was recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia and features Sigma's famous house band MFSB. The Magic of the Blue received a similar favorable critical reception to its predecessor Blue Magic, although its lead single "Three Ring Circus" was regarded as an obvious attempt to produce "Sideshow" Part 2. The album peaked at #14 on the R&B chart and #71 on the pop chart. It was reissued by Rhino Records in 2006, but unlike the same company's Blue Magic reissue, did not include any bonus tracks.

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Three Ring Circus"Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett5:12
2."Stringin' Me Along"Norman Harris, Pat Cooper, Ronnie Tyson3:29
3."You Don't Have to Tell Me Goodbye"Norman Harris, Vinnie Barrett, James Hendricks4:26
4."Never Get Over You"Norman Harris, Allan Felder4:42
5."Talking to Myself"Bobby Eli, Vinnie Barrett4:22
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
6."Let Me Be the One"Norman Harris, Allan Felder, Chuck Brooks5:05
7."Maybe Just Maybe (We Can Fall in Love Again)"Morris Bailey, Jr., Edward Green4:15
8."Love Has Found Its Way to Me"Bobby Eli, Allan Waldman5:02
9."When Ya Coming Home"Ted Mills, Allan Felder3:48
10."Looking for a Friend"Ted Mills4:12

Personnel

Blue Magic
  • Vernon Sawyer, Richard Pratt, Keith Beaton, Wendell Sawyer, Ted Mills
Musicians
  • Bobby Eli, Roland Chambers, Norman Harris, Tony Bell guitars
  • Ted Mills, Ron Kersey, Cotton Kent pianos
  • Rusty Jackmon, Ron Baker, Bob Babbitt bass
  • Earl Young, Charles Collins, John Nero drums
  • Larry Washington congas
  • Vince Montana vibraphone
  • T. Life harmonica solo on "Three Ring Circus"
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns strings & horns accompaniment
  • Ted Mills sound effects on "Looking for a Friend"

Production

Charts

Chart (1974) Peak
[3]
U.S. Billboard Top LPs 71
U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs 14
Singles
Year Single Peak chart positions
US
[3]
US
R&B

[3]
US
A/C

[3]
CAN
[4]
1974 "Three Ring Circus" 36 5 26 87
1975 "Love Has Found Its Way to Me" 45

References

  1. Ankeny, Jason. The Magic of the Blue review at AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-10-21.
  2. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: B". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 22, 2019 via robertchristgau.com.
  3. Blue Magic > US Charts at AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-07-11.
  4. "RPM Top 100 Singles - November 30, 1974" (PDF).
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