"Of all the instruments out there, the first and still the finest by far is the human voice. This CD makes the point emphatically. This is real, old-fashioned, four-part harmony - stunningly tight and precise a cappella. So much music today is sloppy and self-indulgent, with technology covering up the shabbiness. Here there is nowhere to hide, this is pure music.
The virtuoso level of performance is consistent throughout, from heart-wrenching blues, Buffalo Soldier, to smooth love crooning, So Much In Love, to foot-stompin' jubilee, Be Good To Me Baby. The pacing, beat, and rhythm are all there in abundance - with no drum kit in sight. When the Persuasions take you through their tribute to The Temptations, Tempts Jam, you'll find yourself wondering if you actually heard what you think you heard.
The energy, passion, technical excellence, and sheer joy contained in these tracks is enough to blow the spots off a leopard."
The Ultimate in Acapella!!
CT | Pennypacker, NJ USA | 01/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Street Corner Symphony" is, in my opinion, the ultimate work of the Persuasions!! This particular piece of musical vocal mastery is one I have listened to for over 20 years. I purchased the CD and each time I play this master piece, I can't help but listen to it over and over again as I find myself singing right along with the group. THIS IS A MUST PURCHASE and I promise will be a life time part of your musical library!!!"
Mahvelous....Simply Mahvelous
A. Moore | Maryland, USA | 03/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I stumbled upon this by mistake. As I cleaned out some old tapes that I purchased during the 70's, I ran across this gem. Now, I had not heard this group since the 70's and definitely thought that this tape was beyond listening. But after popping it in, the tears started flowing. Oh My! It's love all over. The simultaneous weaving of the vocals brings about auditory pleasures that are a far cry from the sounds of today. Each voice is like a fine tuned instrument. As I write this, I still have that 30 year old tape and a new CD simply called "Street Corner Symphony"...What a gem!"
This is the best raw accapella R&B that I know of!
Mrs. Brenda E. Simmons-Ramsey | 06/30/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a Fantastic CD! I've been listening to it for over five years, and it sounds as great as it did the first time I heard it! Many groups have tried to copy the Persuasions, but none has ever come close. This is my favorite of all their CD's. Doo-Wop and vocal Group fans that I know seem to like "We Came To Play" better, but not me, this is my favorite. There is another group that the same company made available that I like too, The Doo-Wop Cops, they have a similar sound."