The Whatnauts - 1970 - Introducing The Whatnauts
Posted by nikos1109
A sweet soul masterpiece.
If you like soulful harmony vocals, you won’t find a better album than this one! This is a stone cold group soul album, and the whole thing is a stunning bunch of cuts with beautiful George Kerr production, and incredible soaring harmonies.
Living so far away from America, my vinyl collection has become more extensive the last 5 years thanks to internet (mostly from ebay). I like and collect a lot of genres. My psych – prog section is important too. But the last few years I am fully dedicated to Soul and Funk. I am not a soul guru as a lot of you might believe. There’s many of you with more knowledge than me and I learn everyday…
I like sweet soul so much. I think it is obvious in my posts. I was after “introducing the whatnaus” for a few years. It was always getting high (70 to 120 $) and it was also very difficult to find a NM copy. I think I’ve seen only 3 pieces. Finally I won this one and was so happy but…. When it came to my hands it was visually Near Mind but had a background noise and a lot of scratches. I asked for help and I have to thank our regular visitor cafecafecafe who clean it perfectly and here it is ready for you to enjoy it.
This is a @320 vinyl rip of the original Stang Records including covers.
There’s an LP reissue only in Japan (P-Vine records – 1989) but never in America or Europe. Never released on CD.
Tracks:
A1 I Just Can’t Loose Your Love 3.42
A2 Tweedly Dum-Dum 3.07
A3 She’s Gone To Another 2.11
A4 What’s Left To Give (After Giving It All) 3.40
A5 Fall In Love All Over 2.27
A6 Just Can’t Leave Me Baby 3.08
B1 I’ll Erase Away Your Pain 3.15
B2 Please Make The Love Go Away 3.15
B3 Souling With The Whatnauts 1.55
B4 Dance To The Music 2.43
B5 Message From A Black Man 3.01
Introducing the Whatnauts is the kind of hard-to-find album that makes you pee in your pants when you uncover a copy withering away at some Goodwill, yard sale, or flea market. Scavenging for their recordings is what you had to do until the late ‘90s when no fewer than three CDs of the Whatnauts’ music finally hit the streets. Obscure beyond reason, the Whatnauts were comprised of Garnett Jones, Billy Herndon, Gerald “Chunky” Pinckney, and a guy identified only as Ray, who disappeared after this album. They were masterful purveyors of heartache-soul.
They were also producer George Kerr’s pet project. A short list of Kerr’s previous credits includes: the O’Jays’ (”Look Over Your Shoulder” and “I’m So Glad I Found You”), the Moments (”All I Have” and “Lucky Me”) and Linda Jones’s “Hypnotized.” He later produced the Skull Snaps’ acclaimed album on GSF Records.
Introducing the Whatnauts features the Baltimoreans’ first four singles (from 1969 to 1971) plus three other tracks, all recorded on Sylvia and Joe Robinson’s Stang label. This is wrist-slitting, throat-cutting, misery-loves-company music. The crawling “I’ll Erase Away Your Pain” (#14 R&B/1971) is the centerpiece, with lyrics like “Little girl, please stop your crying / Cause I’ll erase away your pain.”
Breaks in the pain come with “Message From a Blackman,” (their debut single on All Platinum/Stang’s subsidiary A&I Records) with its accompanying B-side “Dance To the Music,” and “Souling With the Whatnauts,” a frolicking instrumental. Those songs had many, who never saw the Whatnauts’s perform, believing that they were strictly a funk band. Radio DJ’s in the ’70s frequently used “Souling”—the B-side of their Stang debut “Please Make the Love Go Away,”—for bumper music.
But the LP’s main theme is pain, pain and more pain. Garnett wails like he’s being tortured on “What’s Left To Give (After Giving It All)”; you can’t help but empathize with him as he sob-sings Wesaline Kerr’s heartbreaking lyrics. As pitifully poignant is the stark, wistful “I Just Can’t Lose Your Love.” And “She’s Gone to Another” is the mother of pain; the 2:11 tear-jerker floats precariously on a gloomy rhythm bed topped by morose harmonies and a wretched lead vocal—it’s probably so short because Garnett broke down in the studio (if he didn’t, he sure sounds like he did). Songs like this make Introducing the Whatnauts a must hear for falsetto lovers and smooth harmony aficionados.
Since they didn’t write their own songs, studio skills and a hot live act were essential in getting others to craft material for them. Michael Watson (guitar), Curtis McTeer (bass) and Donald McCoy (drums) buoyed a sizzling Whatnauts’s band that was more advanced than All Platinum’s original house band. George Kerr used them in the studio on the Whatnauts’ and his own recordings (remember ‘3 Minutes 2 Hey Girl”); which is why the Whatnauts’ recordings are more polished than early tracks of their label mates, the Moments.
Of their three albums (and 10 singles) on Stang Records from 1970 to 1974, Introducing the Whatnauts is the creamiest. All three albums plus six bonus tracks, two versions of their number 25 R&B hit with the Moments, “Girls” (English and French), and a 1982 single “Help Is On the Way” that sold 90,000 copies are now available on The Definitive Whatnauts Collection on Deep Beats Records. For smaller doses of their unique heartfelt soul check out either of their two Collectables Records’s CDs: “Message From a Blackman” or “I’ll Erase Your Pain”.
![[Ask]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/ask.ico)
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.ico)
![[Facebook]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.ico)
![[Google]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.ico)
![[MySpace]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.ico)
![[Slashdot]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/slashdot.ico)
![[Technorati]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.ico)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.ico)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.ico)
![[Email]](http://www.funkmysoul.gr/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.gif)
June 30th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
The links to this album is working…please repair.
Thanks
June 30th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Sorry meant to say isn’t working…Please Repair.
Thanks!
June 30th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
the link is ok now. enjoy brothers
June 30th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Thank you for sharing this rare and great one. We know you have waited for too long to get it, and people like me just download and listen without waiting for too long. So i hope everybodey will be gratiful and thank you for your work and your generosity. It’s a magic post.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Yes, Magic is the operative word! :¬)
/Laf
June 30th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Finally the wait is over thank u so much for this wonderful treat nikos your the man
June 30th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Appreciate it.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Amazing record! thanks so much!
June 30th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
beautiful! a “new to me” whatnauts album. many thanks.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:14 am
Thanks for sharing this, I cant wait to give it a listen.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:21 am
Garnett Jone’s falsetto was the heart of the group. His leads on “Just Can’t Lose Your Love,” the painful “She’s Gone to Another,” and “I’ll Erase Away Your Pain” are legendary. soooo sweet record!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:58 am
thank you to both Nikos and Cafe for making this one happen. I missed out on The Whatnauts On The Rocks when it was on Lost N Tyme……and i remember reading the comments on that one so this is one i won’t miss. Thanks again Nikos and Cafe……Peace
July 1st, 2008 at 12:59 am
Another great discovery, thanks a lot Nikos !
July 1st, 2008 at 1:26 am
Definitely one of the dopest soul groups I’ve ever heard.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:05 am
Great taste, complete posts, beautiful design, classic stuff, a lot of rarities. One love for the music! Thank you for sharing this excellent vinyl collection. bless you.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:01 am
Many gospel and soul groups back in 50’s and 60’s used harmony with one person doing a call and response lead mostly in bass. It was a baby growing up in an urban enviroment (after WW2) and playing with toys their parents (spirituals, blue notes, jazz…) had given. At the eve of 70’s this baby was a teenager and wanted some action, was looking for love, a grown up at last or pretended to be a man! Smooth harmonies… soul music! Emerged from the streets of Philly, NY, Baltimore… and here we are! The Whatnauts!!! Thank you Nikos for introducing us this wonderful harmony group from Baltimore, believe me brother, worth any penny…(from one certain poit of view!!!)
July 1st, 2008 at 9:31 am
Oooooh, at last the Whatnauts! Another one of wonderful soul albums that you post here. Your time and efforts ARE much appreciated!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:02 am
THANKS MAN. IT’S FANTASTIC.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:35 am
Can’t thank you enough for these gems, man! One of the best blog ever…Respect.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Score one for the home team!!! Being that I am a lifelong resident of Baltimore, I certainly can attest to the fact that we produced some of the greatest harmony soul you’ll ever want to hear. I am going to have to pull out my Softones records now on general principle. Thanks as always for the tremendous share and for schooling the kids on music from my home town.
Thanks again for all the well wishes too, Nikos. I’ll be back to ripping fresh wax later on today.
Peace and blessings.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Though i’m not from Baltimore (!!!), i strongly second that Vincent! And what about some more harmony from Baltimore’s Skip Mahoaney and The Casuals as Mr. Moo has already posted their albums in his excellent blog!!! Up for the Orioles now!!!
July 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Yup, this is heaven sent harmony soul! Can’t thank you enough, Nikos!
/Lafayette
July 1st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Hi Vincent, i didn’t knew you are from Baltimore. Indeed you should be proud of your harmony soul groups. i have alredy posted the 3rd Softones album and i intend to post their amazing debut.
Congratulations again to you and Leslie. i wonder where are you planning for the honeymoon. and can’t wait to check wax later.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:58 pm
keep doin ya thing nikos! thanks again
July 1st, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Delightful album that is very hard to find! Thanks!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:58 am
thanks for posting
July 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 am
This album is a treat! And, yes, I do remember “3 minutes to hey girl.” I still have a scratchy 45. Keep on keeping on! Keep the soul alive! It’s greatly appreciated.
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 am
What more can i add about this excellent group and this rare gem. Soul is alive thanks to sites like this. efkaristo!!!(hope is right, man)
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:31 am
Thanks Nikos, My Brother! I had a copy of this, but I had to grab your’s because your posts are always crystal clear! Fantastic Soul Album!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 am
Many thanks Nikos - Love anything by the whatnauts!
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I am so glad you all like the Whatnauts. So next post will be both their 2nd and 3nd albums. “Reaching For The Stars” and “Whatnauts on the Rocks”. i rip them last night and i really think they are really great too. A must have to soul fans. Harmony soul at its best.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
The whatnauts is one my favorite soul groups. Their discography (3 Lp’s) is great. Drew their inspiration from falsetto-led groups like the Dells, the Chi-Lites, and especially the Stylistics. They shared a similar smooth sound and romantic lyrics (with an occasional foray into social lyrics) and a lead falsetto that could crack safety glass. thank you for sharing and bringing back the memories.
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Fascinating tunes. i am impressed of the records you post. peace and blessings.
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Massive thanks.
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 am
Major props 2 nikos for another great week. The Whatnauts discography at last to my pc. can’t ask for more.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 am
Wowwwww!!!!very very dope,nikos
July 3rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
This lp blew my mind. killer site.thanx.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
this album is the bomb, I only had a few random tracks by them , and I recognize alot from this record , so glad to have a copy many many thx Nikos!!!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
thanks a million!as usual, i was chasing this a long time ago…
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
As usual, my favorite Grecian is throwing down the best ‘toons. Much love from L.A.!!?
M
x
July 4th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Superb quality posts. killer album. So grateful.
July 4th, 2008 at 2:48 am
Hi nikos, this site is heaven for soul lovers. Amazing album, love the arrangements on it and the harmony vocals. my fav is “Message from a Black Man”.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Thank you for putting me on this album (and all the others, I love this site!).
July 4th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Whatnauts tid bit…..Kanye West sampled I’ll Erase Away Your Pain for a song off his Late Registration album titled Late……..i was listening to it this morning and i knew i heard that melody some where there it was…..amazing album Nikos….thanks again fam’….Peace
Messiah
July 4th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Another tid bit…..from this album i’ve yet another sample….Message From A Blackman has been sampled a few times…most recently i recall hearing that bass line in a song from Mos Def and Nas uses it on his new album titled The N on a the song You Can’t Stop Us Now…..i think i’ll be listening to this album all weekend….Thanks Nikos
Messiah
July 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Messiah, i knew about Kanye West cause i like him and have his discography on mp3 but had no idea about the sample from Mos Def and Nash. i will check it out. So glad you like the album. i knew it was great that’s why i was after the original lp for years. Have a nice weekend bro!!
July 5th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Thanks for this joint.
July 19th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I just love their look. Agree that they could have chosen a better name for the group. Still though, this is some good soul!
August 14th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Kanye west makes me angry
Whatnauts make me happy
October 30th, 2008 at 3:21 am
what a nice joint…a blunt ..thx dude
December 12th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Thank you so much for this…I love it!!!
August 6th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
I bought their other two albums (and a cd of both) but never caught this one! where was I? Whatanauts wore their hearts on their sleeves which is why we women adored them. The rule at a party was: if you’re dancing to a whatanauts song, your partner is not allowed to sing along!
I so appreciate you making this available and getting the assist from Cafe so we’d have a perfect copy. Thank you Cafe. Thank you Nikos.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
thanks dude really great!
December 25th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
where can you buy this lp or cd Introducing The Whatnauts & what is the price
December 27th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Nee Nee…the original vinyl is for sale here: http://www.gemm.com/item/WHATNAUTS/INTRODUCING/GML826240010/ Kinda steep though! The jap CD reissue is more friendly to your wallet: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PLG8PY/ref=asc_df_B001PLG8PY990467?tag=stylefeeder-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B001PLG8PY&linkCode=asn
/L
February 21st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Big thanks for this one.