Monday, April 28, 2008

Tony Middleton Spanish Maiden

Tony Middleton Spanish Maiden Speed

A real favourite of mine which you can find on the Chuito & The Latin Uniques From The Street album on Speed Records.

The album featured: Jesus (Chuito) Santiago—Leader, Timbales; Norberto (Benbe) Carrasquillo—Lead Latin Vocals; Danny Agosto—Latin Cord; English Vocals Tony Middleton—Vocal on “Spanish Maiden”; Robert Maldanado—Conga; Charlie Torres–Bongo-Bell; Eddie Ruperto—Bass; Auther Puerto—Piano; Jay Torres—1st Trumpet; Irving Alaman—2nd Trumpet (Solo); Denisio Santiago—1st Trombone; Richie Colon—2nd Trombone (Solo). The album was produced by Stanley Lewis and Morty Craft with Bobby Marin as music. The abum was recorded at Studio 42, N.Y. (early 70’s) Speed Records (A Division of Latin Showcase Productions LTD.) 345 West 58th Street, New York, N.Y. 10019.

I like Tony Middleton's big city voice and you can find more of his music on a CD called Paris Blues. The title song is his classic side which was massive in the 70's on the UK Northern Soul scene and was issued in the UK on Grapevine Records.

You can pick a copy up of the Paris Blues CD from CD Baby:

The blurb has this to say about Tony:

Tony Middleton... One of the most versatile performers on the entertainment scene. You will note, on this CD, Tony can be edgy or soft, amusing or seductive. Tony Middleton loves music and caresses every word he sings. Tony sings with the power, feeling and sureness that only great talents have.

Tony has been aptly described as having “a rare ability” and a “vocal talent unsurpassed”. His career has included record recording, Broadway, commercials, television, and the cabaret circuit here and abroad. He lived and performed in Paris and Europe in the jazz circuit for a number of years and gets called back time and again.

Tony started his career as lead singer of the Willows, having composed his hit recording of “Church Bells May Ring” and is still in demand to sing with the Willows at Doo Wop concerts and has done several PBS Doo Wop shows.

As a soloist, Tony is known by world class performers. Tony has performed with and the music of Burt Bacharach, whose recording “Don’t Ever Leave Me” received a Grammy Award nomination. He has performed for Quincy Jones and Cy Coleman with their music. Having appeared at the Apollo along with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Big Mabel and Slappy White, he has also sung with Sissy Houston, Nell Carter and Della Reese.

Tony was the lead in “Cabin in the Sky” and one of the featured singers in the Broadway show “Purlie”. He performed in concert at the City Center with the Alvin Ailey Dancers in which he sang the “Mary Lou William’s Mass”, and was one of the headliners at Lincoln Center at the 55th Birthday Tribute to the late Charlie Parker.

He’s the man who can do it all……TONY MIDDLETON


Unfortunately, the above CD does not contain all of Tony's music which is a shame!

You can read more about Tony Middleton here based on an interview by Pete Burns with Tony back in 1999.

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