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UPDATE: As the change is now in force for some users, I have switched the navigation to the simplified one for the new system. Please check Navigation in the Help section if you can't find things. I also initially made small adjustments to the front page layout, but have now reverted to the old look until all users are on the new system.

COUNTDOWN: Just a reminder for people still using Monaco that the final switch to the new skin is due on Nov. 3. After that, it will no longer be offered as an option. Sorry. Nothing to do with me.

Steve W

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Violinaires

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The Violinaires were an American gospel group founded in 1952 in Detroit, Michigan. They went under various pseudonyms including the Question Marks and the Fantastic Violinaires. One early member was Wilson Pickett, who was with the group between 1955-9: following the contemporary trend of groups that switched their style to the more profitable R&B, he left to join the Falcons, and for a time the Violinaires followed suit, although they reverted to gospel on signing to Chess in 1964. Between 1965 and 2001, they were led by Robert Blair: after his death, they disintegrated into various offshoots, all trading to some extent on the name.

AllMusic noted that "although they may not have reached the same stature or popularity within the gospel music industry as modern day quartets the Jackson Southernaires or the Canton Spirituals, the late Robert Blair along with his group, the Fantastic Violinaires, yet carried a strong and loyal fan base. Blair is best remembered for his gruff, preacher-like vocal delivery, a close match sound- and quality-wise to Mighty Clouds of Joy lead vocal king Joe Ligon" and mentioned "the piercing falsetto background vocals of the Violinaires." [1] Peel listeners would have heard him play tracks from a couple of their LPs in the early 1970s, chiming with his enthusiasm at the time for anything related to soul, and Humble Pie covered Grooving With Jesus on their LP Thunderbox (1974). The track The Sound Of Christmas, which came from the "somewhat essential" Checker compilation A Christmas Dedication, also made occasional appearances in John's festive playlists.

Festive Fifty Entries[]

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    The_Violinaires_"Nobody_Know"_(1973)

Sessions[]

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