Bob Abrahamian hosted this segment of Sitting in the Park on WHPK 88.5 FM, where he curated a journey through various soul tracks from different regions, tying together narratives of local scenes and lesser-known artists. In this broadcast, Bob played records by Billy Watkins, The Soul Exotics, and The VGS, offering insight into their origins and nuances. His sharp ear picked up on subtleties like Curtis Mayfield’s unexpected vocals on an Impressions track. Abrahamian’s commentary underscores his dedication to celebrating overlooked soul music, highlighting upcoming interviews, and bridging connections between soul lovers.
Billy Watkins - I'm tired - Jerhart
Soul Exotics - Baby it's true - Terri
Four Monitors - Thank you baby - Roker
Flambeaus - Darling I'm with you - Old Town
Premiers - If your love was true - Troy
Multiple Choice - I wouldn't be crying - Gemini
Trey J's - I found it all in you - Tee Gem
Impressions - Love me - Curtom
Main Ingredient - Instant love - RCA
Originals - Good loving is just a dime away - Motown
Vee Gees - It's so hard to say so long - Jump Off
Topazz - Just be yourself - Comet
3rd Flight - Love Love Love - Yodi
Fully Guaranteed - We can't make it together - Apt
Notations - I don't want to be late - Cash
We Three Ltd - Girl I'll always love you - Astroscope
Primitive - You are everything to me - Love
Optimistics - Should I let myself go - Turbo (LP)
Triplett Twins - Black Sensuous Girl - Jay Pee
Ravin Mads - How long has it been - Ravin
Greg Magee - Love one another - Virginia
Fantastic Mainstream - Let's be friends - Las Vegas
Chocolate Sunday - Second story man - Dynamic
Tommy Payton - I'll give you a ride - Tangerine
Bob Abrahamian’s broadcast of Sitting in the Park on WHPK 88.5 FM isn’t just another radio show; it’s an enduring cultural narrative woven with passion and precision. On this Sunday evening, he played a rich variety of records, ranging from Chicago’s Billy Watkins to the Soul Exotics from Pennsylvania. This eclectic selection demonstrated Abrahamian’s commitment to championing the hidden gems of the soul music canon.
Central to Bob’s ethos was the celebration of regional talent and the preservation of history. His commentary gave listeners more than just a playlist; it was a guided tour through a world of vocal group soul, Chicago soul, and beyond. By playing the Soul Exotics’ Baby, It’s True, Abrahamian spotlighted an act from Pennsylvania, showing that soul's influence transcends Chicago's borders. Each set was a carefully curated mosaic, piecing together regional stories that might otherwise be overlooked.
One of the highlights of the segment was Bob’s reflection on a peculiar track by The Impressions, Love Me. He noted the presence of Curtis Mayfield’s unmistakable voice in the background of a lead performance, likely helmed by Leroy Hutson. This attention to detail underscored Bob’s intimate knowledge of the music, where recognizing an artist’s vocal phrasing or instrumental flourish could reveal untold layers of a song’s history.
The playlist continued with soul classics like Instant Love by The Main Ingredient, a group known for its silky harmonies and emotionally resonant lyrics. Bob’s deep dive into this track hinted at the broader appeal of vocal group soul, a genre that has historically been overshadowed by other strands of popular music. Vocal group soul, with its complex harmonies and intimate narratives, captured a uniquely human aspect of the era.
One of the most striking moments came when Bob introduced The VGS’ It’s So Hard to Say So Long. He shared that he had recently played a different version by a Texas group, but this rendition, hailing from North Carolina, struck a stronger chord with him. This comparison wasn’t just a matter of musical preference; it reflected a broader theme of regional variations in soul music. Such regional contrasts are a testament to how each soul group, city, and label imprinted its distinct flavor on the broader movement.
Beyond the records, Abrahamian was keen to maintain an interactive connection with his audience. Throughout the show, he invited listeners to call in with requests and comments, subtly reinforcing the communal aspect of his endeavor. Additionally, he pointed listeners to his website, where he archived interviews with Chicago soul groups. This digital archive underscored his broader mission: documenting and preserving the voices and stories of those who shaped soul music.
This particular show also served as a teaser for next week’s interview with The Triplet Twins, a Chicago group known for their track Get It. Abrahamian’s focus on this lesser-remembered act provided listeners with a glimpse into his dedication to archiving Chicago’s soul history, bridging the gap between forgotten acts and modern audiences.
By the end of the show, Bob had transported his listeners through a cross-country exploration of soul. His curated setlist—carefully balanced between well-known groups like The Originals and hidden gems like Fully Guaranteed—was a sonic tribute to an era defined by both its artistry and its emotional resonance.
Abrahamian’s Sitting in the Park encapsulates a crucial chapter of Chicago’s musical heritage. By highlighting vocal group soul and rare records, he ensured that these songs and stories were not lost to time. In preserving and celebrating these tracks, Abrahamian not only created a space for fans to rediscover classics but also solidified his role as a cultural custodian. His broadcasts remind us that soul music isn’t just about the melody; it’s a story of place, memory, and identity—a narrative that Abrahamian faithfully shepherded with each show.
Bob Abrahamian 01:00
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are now listening to another edition of the Sitting in the Park Show. My name is Bob, and the show airs every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. We are also now streaming live on the Internet at www.whpk.org/stream, so if you have friends outside the listening range, you can tell them to listen online. I brought a lot of really good stuff this week, so you should definitely plan to listen. The number here for requests, questions, or comments is 773-702-8424. We're going to start off with a record I think is from Chicago. The label is from Chicago, but I don't know where the singer is from. This is a singer named Billy Watkins, and this track is called I'm Tired.
[Music Playing - Billy Watkins, I'm Tired]
Bob Abrahamian 13:05
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are listening to the Sitting in the Park Show. My name is Bob, and this show happens every Sunday night, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. We started off the show with a singer I think is from Chicago, that was Billy Watkins with I'm Tired. After that, we played Baby, It's True by the Soul Exotics from Pennsylvania, Thank You Baby by The Four Monitors from LA, Darling, I'm With You by The Flambeaus, and lastly, If Your Love Was True by The Premiers. Okay, the show is just getting started. I brought a lot of really good records today. If you have any requests, questions, or comments, you can call up. The number here is 773-702-8424. This next record is by a group from LA called Multiple Choice, and this track is called I Wouldn’t Be Crying.
[Music Playing - Multiple Choice, I Wouldn’t Be Crying]
Bob Abrahamian 28:11
Okay, you're tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are now listening to the Sitting in the Park Show. My name is Bob, and the show happens every Sunday night, from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. We are also now streaming live on the internet at www.whpk.org/stream, so tell your friends outside the listening range that they can listen online. The last set started off with a group from LA called Multiple Choice with I Wouldn't Be Crying. After that, from Georgia, we played The Trade Jays with I Found It All in You, followed by Love Me by The Impressions. One thing that's weird about that last track is, I think it was Leroy Hutson singing lead, but you could clearly hear Curtis Mayfield at the beginning. I’m not sure if he just came in for some extra backup vocals or what. After that, we played Instant Love by The Main Ingredient, and the last track was Good Lovin’ Is Just a Dime Away by The Originals.
We’ve got an hour left of the show, and I brought a lot of great records. If you have any requests, questions, or comments, the number here is 773-702-8424. Also, check out my website at www.sittinginthepark.com, where I have audio of all the interviews I've done with Chicago soul groups. Next week, I'm going to be interviewing The Triplet Twins. I think their big hit was Get It, but they had a bunch of nice records. I’ll be playing one of them tonight, and if you want to call me, the number again is 773-702-8424. This next record is an awesome track out of North Carolina. I played another version of this song by a Texas group a few weeks ago, but this version is much better. This is a group called The VGS, and the track is It’s So Hard to Say So Long.
[Music Playing - The VGS, It’s So Hard to Say So Long]
Bob Abrahamian 46:22
Okay, you’re tuned to WHPK 88.5 FM in Chicago. You are listening to the Sitting in the Park Show. My name is Bob, and the show happens every Sunday night from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. In our last set, we started off with a group from North Carolina called The VGS with It’s So Hard to Say So Long. After that, from Nashville, we played Topaz with Just Be Yourself, followed by Love, Love, Love by Third Flight from East St. Louis. Next up was Fully Guaranteed with We Can’t Make It Together, and lastly, we played I Don’t Want to Be Late by The Notations from Chicago.
We’re a little more than halfway through the show, and I have to give you some information before I play more music. If you want to prevent crime in your neighborhood, here’s a tip: invite your neighbors in for a cup of coffee. You can discuss any potential problems you see on your street and what to do about them. You can even invite your local police officer to be part of the conversation. Who knew a cup of coffee could combat crime? Want to learn more? Go to www.weprevent.org for more ways to prevent crime.
You might avoid strangers in the night and double lock your doors, but it won’t protect you against the biggest threat out there. Nearly two out of three women each year are killed by cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. If you’re making unhealthy choices, you’re putting yourself at risk. So start protecting yourself from yourself. Eat right, get active, don’t smoke, see your doctor, and live. To find out more, visit www.everydaychoices.org.
Alright, the number here for requests, questions, or comments is 773-702-8424. If your request fits into the theme of this show, which is Chicago soul and vocal group soul, I may not have it with me this week, but I will try to get it on for you in a future show. Again, the number is 773-702-8424. This next record is by a group called We Three Limited, and the track is Girl, I’ll Always Love You.
[Music Playing - We Three Limited, Girl, I’ll Always Love You]
