The Ravens - Old Man River, 1947

   The Ravens introduce a new form of harmony singing featuring bass vocalist Jimmy Ricks out front with tenor Maithe Marshall floating on top of the melody. Their radical reworking of "Old Man River" is the prototype for the new style of R&B group singing on the horizon.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ravens

The Ravens - Old Man River, 1947

The Ravens (top l to r= Jimmy "Ricky" Ricks, Warren "Birdland" Suttles; bottom l to r= Maithe Marshall, Leonard "Zeke" Puzey); Savoy Records

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The Ravens

1948

Be on Your Merry Way - 13 R&B

Bye Bye Baby Blues - 8 R&B

It's Too Soon to Know - 11 R&B

Ol' Man River - 10 R&B

Send for Me If You Need Me - 5 R&B

Silent Night - 8 R&B

Write Me a Letter - 5 R&B