You are right chief. I tell you this, these guys are not missing a beat. Man this is just too sweet. I just cant stand it. I have been listening to this song for the last hour. Even call my mom to let her listen. She is a huge fan. We were raised up on quartet.
Man, don't listen to people who don't know the truth. I saw you in person in Monroe, La. and I was shocked at how original the group sounds. The voices reminded me of the original violinaires. The voices were high and harmonizing just as I remembered. Robert Blair is dead, but If you heard Lil Blair live you would think Robert Blaire was reincarnated. These guys are the real deal and I hope they keep singing and making records.
man, when I first heard lil Blair and the "" Guys, I said Nah, not quite, but the more I listen to them, the more like the originals they sound, and with this one, speechless!
Back in the 70's, They used to come to Boston every year to help celebrate The Bibletone Gospel Singers anniversary at the Boston technical H. on the corner of Warren St & Townsend st in Roxbury. My father used to sing with the Bibletones.
Thank you s much for your kind words. :) This is one of my favorites by the Violinaires. The lyrics are a special entreaty to God by one of His children, and the compostional arrangement of unison to harmonic splits and the octave jumps are amazing! I love it!
I've been a fan since I was a teenager,I used to sing with the Gospel Shylettes out of Greenville Ms, Robert Blair and the Violianaires came for our special guest here along with the Truthettes.The late Willie Mae Shanklin is Robert nice.
I love this group. I have all of their early recordings. The lead singer and the group sound just as good as the originals. Thank You very much for posting these clips.
Verse 1 and Chorus Tell me how long will it be Before you come, yeah, come back for me I am almost dying, my heart keeps crying It's you for me, it's you for me
Bridge I need you Father on my side You know I need you to be my guide You know you left me in such a way You promised me you would be back one day Vamp-out Oh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord It's You for me (Repeat to end)
I was a friend of your uncle, if it's Napoleon Crayton, who was the original writer of "It's you for me" back around 1965-66 & the rest of the group that made up the Fabulous Amazers. The singers John Price, Billy Barnes, who went back to gospel with the Golden Swans, along with MacRay Blackshire, guitar, Toby Zeno, then Willie Weeks. bass, Bill Lorden, drums, and of course, Napoleon sang high tenor & organ, they packed Twin City clubs in the 1960s and 70s especially St. Paul's Ebony Lounge.
Verse 2 and Chorus I walk the floor, I'm thinking of you So tell me my Father, what am I gonna do? I am almost dying, my heart keeps crying It's you for me, it's you for me
@walkitntalkit: Don't sweat it ... that's what was always so amazing about the Violinaires, was the ease at whcih they sang those high notes and Blair matched it with those throaty squalls. Thanks for lookin' and listenin'!
The group has been there, with The Blind Boys and I think the Swanee Quintet. But, there was some local quartet rivalry going on and ... you know the story. Maybe someone who can handle promoting there will bring the group back in, again. The group would LOVE to come back to Memphis. :)
Thanks for clearing that up. I was confused as well. The group has made such wonderful music all through the years. I remember hearing you guys on the radio growing up in Mississippi. Reminds me of some down home "singings" as they were call when I was going up.
Yes. Visit some of the URL's in TH-cam with the Fantastic Violinaires and you will see Danny. Last time I saw them, all the 80's guys had come back together, with one other guy that has been on the gospel circuit a long time. I went to Wilson, NC to support them. It was good to sit in the audience and hear them together again. Charlie Brown was singing lead, and he is a true legend.
No problem.. your question seemed sincere, and I responded to it. Normally I would not, because people twist things, take them out of context and generally instigate. But, like I said, your question seeemd fair enough. The biggst thing I want you to take from it though, is that I respect and admire the positive contribution anyone who sang with the Violinaires has made.
{Big Grin} The Fantastic Violinares sang this LONG before the Cantons knew about it. :) Also, a former Violinaire, Maurice Morgan, now plays with the Cantons. This song is on the "Presenting The Fantastic Violinaires" album from 1974 where they are on the stairwell wearing the pink and black suits. Thanks for stopping to visit, and for your wonderful comments!
The comment I made concerning "Lil Blair" not being Robert Blair's son was not one of hatred but an answer to a question I had as well as the ones I read on this site. I have no problems with Titus being called Blair's son. The truth be told we who are in Christ are all sons and daughters mothers and fathers of each other. I love the Violinaires and I'm a person that like to get to know the people I love. Lil Blair is the closest I've heard to Robert in my life time. I'll see you in my town!
hey, man i tell you....these guys are not missing a beat. I grew up listening to the voilnaires. It is very hard trying to find thier their music in stores. Man i would love to get this on cd. TOOOOOOOOOO SWEEEEEEET
I my favorite gospel group what going they are singing in small places like that I remember we use to pack a church when I work show with I mean. Hundreds of ppl
you all are tight i can't wait too bring you all to Auburn Al for a concert along wit paul beasley and the keynotes also rev.lonnie weaver and gens. real soon!!!!!!!!
I guess I must repeat: 'Lil Blair' is the name Robert Blair himself gave Titus because he sounds so much like him. He ... we ... have ALWAYS said they are not blood relatives. There is no conspiracy here. Don't hate. No one can take away the approval God gave this young man. Enjoy your life free from hating and you will be free.
Dwight Gordon (Provacator Productions) will be releasing this (thru Sony, I believe) on the new CD coming out soon. :) It is this live cut, cleaned up a bit, with some nice keyboards added. It sound awesome!
It just dropped. Quartet Boyz (Dwight Gordon's company) produced and released it. The Studio Production version of Tell Me How Long, Live is the first cut on it. Great CD! :)
LOL! I've heard various groups do different versions of the song titled "Tell Me How Long". I sang with a group from Norfolk, VA that sang "Tell Me How Long Will It Be", about a family who died in a snow storm. The Lead singer was a trucker, who tried to get help to a family who ran out of gas, but froze to death before he could get help back to them. The Violinaires high harmonies version has always been my favorite. :) But, post a link to the Imperial's version. I'd love to hear it!
@ThePowerPlaya007 That is so interesting. I remembr hearing "Tell Me How Long Will It Be" by different gospel groups since I ws a little boy (60's) but never heard this R&B tune. Thanks for sharing!
Just wanted you to know I'm not a hater. Just a curious fan that wanted to know. Read my response to your reply I recieved. I love the Violinaires and I listen to the old as well as the new. Being a musician myself; I know great singing when I hear it; and I've e-maild several of your videoes to my friends for them to enjoy; especially "Tell Me How Long and Singing With The Angels." This group has a perfect blend of voice and instrumentals. When I listen; I have to make myself stop.
Of course... Robert Blair passed on some years ago. Notice the title says "Lil Blair and The Violinaire" :) Robert Blair gave Titus Stallworth that nickname. Yes, we sang with Robert Blair.
The originals are either dead or no longer singing with the Violinaires. We humbly agree if you ever heard the originals, no one can match Robert Blair, Isaiah Jones, Wilson DeShields and Leo Coney. Of course, some of my favorites that followed in their footsteps remain to be Charlie Brown, Jim Byers, Rev. James McCurdy, Cleofas Tilmon, Wilson Picket, Jerome Williams, Danny Walker, Robert Arrington, David Battle, Tito Arthur and a host of others.
Ella Presley Not this set of guys. Lil Blair is with the Fantastic Violinaires and, besides my IT work, I am making movies. Sedtritz Strictkland and Danny Boone have groups they sing with and I don't travel anymore ... just singing locally
***** We were rolling pretty good, but after the original guys came back out, it just seemed counterproductive to me. I want the Violinaires name to endure and Robert Blair's legacy to last. I root for them in that. They have my good will.
The Fabulous Amazers could demand their price, because they could keep a whole auditorium or even the Marigold Ballroom in Minneapolis entranced until the groups we booked from Chicago made it into town off of the highway. The greediness of one business partner not to want to do that in a 1:00 AM town, almost caused a riot when we had no one on stage, 2000 people in the hotel, and the Chicago groups stuck in a broke down station wagon out on I-94 FWY. Next time I paid the Amazers their price.
I live in Ohio. Does this group ever come to the Toledo/Detroit, MI area? I am originally from Arkansas and I have not heard tenors that sharp (meaning tight) in a long time. Impressive!
I don't know. The Violinaires' version was first done in the early 70's. When was the Canton's version putout? I personally love hearing different group's spin on a song. Often the message is even different. But, people will always have a favorite. :)
You are right chief. I tell you this, these guys are not missing a beat. Man this is just too sweet. I just cant stand it. I have been listening to this song for the last hour. Even call my mom to let her listen. She is a huge fan. We were raised up on quartet.
Man, don't listen to people who don't know the truth. I saw you in person in Monroe, La. and I was shocked at how original the group sounds. The voices reminded me of the original violinaires. The voices were high and harmonizing just as I remembered. Robert Blair is dead, but If you heard Lil Blair live you would think Robert Blaire was reincarnated. These guys are the real deal and I hope they keep singing and making records.
All these guys and more have stepped up to continue the Violinaires' legacy, and I thank them for it.
Amazing! How can the audience just sit there? I'm standing straight up and I'm at home. Wow!
Right!!!!
Thanks!
Lil Blair and I sang with Robert Blair and the Fantastic Violinaires. We wanted to keep his sound alive! :)
There's only one drummer that can play this song, "BOBO" 🔥🔥🔥
man, when I first heard lil Blair and the "" Guys, I said Nah, not quite, but the more I listen to them, the more like the originals they sound, and with this one, speechless!
Man that background is nice!!
I walk the floor!!!
YES my mother was a quartet singer. I told people some group sang this song before canton spiritual. Thank you
I listen to this song daily for inspiration. These guys are vocally tight,so are the musicians. Long time violinares fan
The violinaires was once of the most sought after Gospel groups to book in a concert and a total sale out.
Back in the 70's, They used to come to Boston every year to help celebrate The Bibletone Gospel Singers anniversary at the Boston technical H. on the corner of Warren St & Townsend st in Roxbury. My father used to sing with the Bibletones.
Thank you s much for your kind words. :)
This is one of my favorites by the Violinaires. The lyrics are a special entreaty to God by one of His children, and the compostional arrangement of unison to harmonic splits and the octave jumps are amazing! I love it!
Awesome! The way they sing takes me back to my old church!
These boys killed this
I've been a fan since I was a teenager,I used to sing with the Gospel Shylettes out of Greenville Ms, Robert Blair and the Violianaires came for our special guest here along with the Truthettes.The late Willie Mae Shanklin is Robert nice.
I love this kind of haromy the violinaires
Lord, I love it. Sang it!!!
Thanks again ... you and I share that love of hte Violinaires.
I love this group. I have all of their early recordings. The lead singer and the group sound just as good as the originals. Thank You very much for posting these clips.
Nice Suits
Verse 1 and Chorus
Tell me how long will it be
Before you come, yeah, come back for me
I am almost dying, my heart keeps crying
It's you for me, it's you for me
Man Yall right i grew up listening to the originals and we song a lot of there songs as a lil quartet group mman yall on point
This guy sounds just like BLAIR!!!! A superb job of a classic Violinaires Gem!!!!
Kelvin Hall the guy name is Titus “Lil Blair” Stallworth he is Blair godson
Wow! He absolutely sound just like the late great Robert Blair.
I love This Song..
Tell me how long...
Bridge
I need you Father on my side
You know I need you to be my guide
You know you left me in such a way
You promised me you would be back one day
Vamp-out
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
It's You for me
(Repeat to end)
That harmony tho!!! Whewww 🙌🏾😊
This stick in my sprit evertime I hear working with them from 20 yrs
mane they straight killin!!!!!!!!!!
I was a friend of your uncle, if it's Napoleon Crayton, who was the original writer of "It's you for me" back around 1965-66 & the rest of the group that made up the Fabulous Amazers. The singers John Price, Billy Barnes, who went back to gospel with the Golden Swans, along with MacRay Blackshire, guitar, Toby Zeno, then Willie Weeks. bass, Bill Lorden, drums, and of course, Napoleon sang high tenor & organ, they packed Twin City clubs in the 1960s and 70s especially St. Paul's Ebony Lounge.
Verse 2 and Chorus
I walk the floor, I'm thinking of you
So tell me my Father, what am I gonna do?
I am almost dying, my heart keeps crying
It's you for me, it's you for me
@walkitntalkit:
Don't sweat it ... that's what was always so amazing about the Violinaires, was the ease at whcih they sang those high notes and Blair matched it with those throaty squalls.
Thanks for lookin' and listenin'!
One of my absolute favorites, too!
One of my favorite song working with them on show was great
Thank you SO much for visiting! :)
Good gawd. Ced and the tenors are killin it!
YALL BETTA SAANNG!!! OMG!!
The group has been there, with The Blind Boys and I think the Swanee Quintet. But, there was some local quartet rivalry going on and ... you know the story. Maybe someone who can handle promoting there will bring the group back in, again. The group would LOVE to come back to Memphis. :)
This is one of my favorite Violinaire songs. Great job guys!!
Thanks for clearing that up. I was confused as well. The group has made such wonderful music all through the years. I remember hearing you guys on the radio growing up in Mississippi. Reminds me of some down home "singings" as they were call when I was going up.
If you listened to the violinaires growing up, it wasn't these guys!!
Y'all were killing on this one Michael... You and Sed blend like cheese dip..
This is very nice, as other commenters have stated the harmony is awesome. Excellent
Yes. Visit some of the URL's in TH-cam with the Fantastic Violinaires and you will see Danny. Last time I saw them, all the 80's guys had come back together, with one other guy that has been on the gospel circuit a long time.
I went to Wilson, NC to support them. It was good to sit in the audience and hear them together again. Charlie Brown was singing lead, and he is a true legend.
and just for the record, I think my Dad is the Biggest Violenaires fan EVER, so I grew up listening to and playing bass to them and the keynotes.
No problem.. your question seemed sincere, and I responded to it. Normally I would not, because people twist things, take them out of context and generally instigate. But, like I said, your question seeemd fair enough.
The biggst thing I want you to take from it though, is that I respect and admire the positive contribution anyone who sang with the Violinaires has made.
Good job fellas...God bless.
{Big Grin} The Fantastic Violinares sang this LONG before the Cantons knew about it. :) Also, a former Violinaire, Maurice Morgan, now plays with the Cantons.
This song is on the "Presenting The Fantastic Violinaires" album from 1974 where they are on the stairwell wearing the pink and black suits.
Thanks for stopping to visit, and for your wonderful comments!
That is right!!! Yessah
I really like this song, mike you doing a great job with the group you all really sound good.
Welcome back! Thank you for much for your service.
These boys are tight.
I love this song you guys did a great job!! keep up the good work, God bless
Beautiful.
THIS IS PRICELESS.
The comment I made concerning "Lil Blair" not being Robert Blair's son was not one of hatred but an answer to a question I had as well as the ones I read on this site. I have no problems with Titus being called Blair's son. The truth be told we who are in Christ are all sons and daughters mothers and fathers of each other. I love the Violinaires and I'm a person that like to get to know the people I love. Lil Blair is the closest I've heard to Robert in my life time. I'll see you in my town!
hey, man i tell you....these guys are not missing a beat. I grew up listening to the voilnaires. It is very hard trying to find thier their music in stores. Man i would love to get this on cd. TOOOOOOOOOO SWEEEEEEET
I my favorite gospel group what going they are singing in small places like that I remember we use to pack a church when I work show with I mean. Hundreds of ppl
JUST LOVE THAT SINGING
keep it up boys, the harmony is straight tight!
No problem. :) If your group sings it., I would love to hear your version.
Coming back to this in 2021 🙌🏽
This night here they sounded good all the way round..
@NardoFree2 This is the very best music on our planet!!!!
Clean harmony & clean sound
Thank you!
Michael Buie
Mrs B. Garnett thats is so pretty. I just love that.
yall are singin that song ,sounds GOOD........
you all are tight i can't wait too bring you all to Auburn Al for a concert along wit paul beasley and the keynotes also rev.lonnie weaver and gens. real soon!!!!!!!!
I love this song!
I guess I must repeat:
'Lil Blair' is the name Robert Blair himself gave Titus because he sounds so much like him. He ... we ... have ALWAYS said they are not blood relatives. There is no conspiracy here.
Don't hate. No one can take away the approval God gave this young man. Enjoy your life free from hating and you will be free.
Wow. Great. Sound like the originals.
I can't lie, they sound good!!!
Dwight Gordon (Provacator Productions) will be releasing this (thru Sony, I believe) on the new CD coming out soon. :)
It is this live cut, cleaned up a bit, with some nice keyboards added. It sound awesome!
Beautiful!
Tight, tight, tight!!! Awesome!
So cool!
The best parts of this song iare 1:06-1:23 and 2:03-2:21....EXCELLENT pitch!
It just dropped.
Quartet Boyz (Dwight Gordon's company) produced and released it. The Studio Production version of Tell Me How Long, Live is the first cut on it.
Great CD! :)
I love this song
speechless!
LOL! I've heard various groups do different versions of the song titled "Tell Me How Long". I sang with a group from Norfolk, VA that sang "Tell Me How Long Will It Be", about a family who died in a snow storm. The Lead singer was a trucker, who tried to get help to a family who ran out of gas, but froze to death before he could get help back to them.
The Violinaires high harmonies version has always been my favorite. :) But, post a link to the Imperial's version. I'd love to hear it!
Violinaire1
Violinaire1
Man i was thinking he was BLAlR son he sure do sound just like he
@ThePowerPlaya007
That is so interesting. I remembr hearing "Tell Me How Long Will It Be" by different gospel groups since I ws a little boy (60's) but never heard this R&B tune. Thanks for sharing!
Just wanted you to know I'm not a hater. Just a curious fan that wanted to know. Read my response to your reply I recieved. I love the Violinaires and I listen to the old as well as the new. Being a musician myself; I know great singing when I hear it; and I've e-maild several of your videoes to my friends for them to enjoy; especially "Tell Me How Long and Singing With The Angels." This group has a perfect blend of voice and instrumentals. When I listen; I have to make myself stop.
Spot on!!!!!
Wow im amazed
Of course... Robert Blair passed on some years ago. Notice the title says "Lil Blair and The Violinaire" :) Robert Blair gave Titus Stallworth that nickname.
Yes, we sang with Robert Blair.
Thanx God bless ya!
The originals are either dead or no longer singing with the Violinaires. We humbly agree if you ever heard the originals, no one can match Robert Blair, Isaiah Jones, Wilson DeShields and Leo Coney.
Of course, some of my favorites that followed in their footsteps remain to be Charlie Brown, Jim Byers, Rev. James McCurdy, Cleofas Tilmon, Wilson Picket, Jerome Williams, Danny Walker, Robert Arrington, David Battle, Tito Arthur and a host of others.
You just told the the absolute truth...This is definately a remake of the Mighty Imperials version from back in the 70's..I like the Vols though...
Our father the violinains
Yes, the group has travelled to Detroit and Toledo. It will happen again ... stay tuned :)
You can tell that they practice for sure.
We practiced a LOT. And individually, we sang Violinaires stuff all the time from childhood.
Michael Buie Films awesomeness!!!
Now this is what the originals sounded like!! You guys are awesome, are you still singing together?
Ella Presley Not this set of guys. Lil Blair is with the Fantastic Violinaires and, besides my IT work, I am making movies. Sedtritz Strictkland and Danny Boone have groups they sing with and I don't travel anymore ... just singing locally
*****
We were rolling pretty good, but after the original guys came back out, it just seemed counterproductive to me. I want the Violinaires name to endure and Robert Blair's legacy to last. I root for them in that. They have my good will.
***** Thank you for your reply to my email. Enjoy your retirement and follow God's plan for your life. You are very gifted. God bless you.
@@MichaelBuieFilms who is the short guy singing
@@brandonmckinnon3791
Sedritz Strickland. Awesome tenor singer!
Authors listed for this song:
Perry/Joseph/Perry
Published on Paula/Jewel label
Spiritually Smooth
I need to know what in west hell is wrong this crowd!!!
The Fabulous Amazers could demand their price, because they could keep a whole auditorium or even the Marigold Ballroom in Minneapolis entranced until the groups we booked from Chicago made it into town off of the highway. The greediness of one business partner not to want to do that in a 1:00 AM town, almost caused a riot when we had no one on stage, 2000 people in the hotel, and the Chicago groups stuck in a broke down station wagon out on I-94 FWY. Next time I paid the Amazers their price.
I live in Ohio. Does this group ever come to the Toledo/Detroit, MI area? I am originally from Arkansas and I have not heard tenors that sharp (meaning tight) in a long time. Impressive!
Been to Columbus and Cincinnati
@gua117
Thank you so much! :)
What chall know about this? LMBOOOOOOOOOO
I don't know.
The Violinaires' version was first done in the early 70's. When was the Canton's version putout?
I personally love hearing different group's spin on a song. Often the message is even different.
But, people will always have a favorite. :)
the back ground singers are tight!