Blog “Of The Brokenhearted” A Tribute To The More “Grounded” Ruffin Brother – Jimmy

I loved everything about David Ruffin as lead of The Temptations and thereafter when he recorded solo, especially on “My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)” and the Van McCoy production, “Walk Away From Love”.  I didn’t even connect the vinyl dots to realize that he had an older brother who could sing just as well in his own right until, [ I can’t remember when it was ] one day I acquired and really looked at the label of the 45rpm record, “What becomes Of The Brokenhearted” by Jimmy Ruffin and wondered as I played it, was this guy related to David. Or maybe I had a previous inkling… There was no “Googling” back then to learn instantly the answer, and so I had to rely upon my “ear” for music which heard the similarities of voice that let me know these two singers were related for sure!

I have used Jimmy’s biggest hit to accentuate at least two blogs here at ‘Achilliad‘ since I began to do this in 2009.  One was me crying the blues about some chick that deserted me in love back in, I think, 2008 or nine, the other more recently as a part of a collection of “tune wedgies” that I had get off my (mind) chest.

But this post, Jimmy, is for YOU. Posthumously, yes, but I was always by your side due to the anthem of unrequited love that you gave us. With tears wanting to well-up behind my eyes, I dedicate this post to you, Jimmy, who, unbeknownst to you because we never met, held my hand many a night whey I really cried over a lost love. If I were the Program Director of a radio station right now, I would play a whole hour of your music, both the familiar and obscure even if I had to play “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” back-to-back-to-back-to-back and then some. You were a non-spotlight seeker whose light of class and groundedness belied the showbiz stereotypes. London was a good place for you to be more appreciated – good move to go there, Sir!

Here is one by Jimmy that is really the first time I heard him! It was on Volume 9 of the famous vinyl “Motown Collections Of 16 Original Hits” albums!
Again, the unrequited love theme on, “Don’t You Miss Me A Little Bit Baby”…

I knew you must have been David’s older brother because of the similarities of stature and movement, like that little hand-to-hand move you did with the mic while singing the oft-sampled lyric, “Always moving and goin’ nowhere.” Knowing you are not in the physical world any longer moves me to seriousness with the knowledge that your spirit is singing with the angels as your body rests in musical peace having let me express my many failed love relationships via your wonderful one-hit wonder.

“What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted”? We just drag along until we have a chance to join the departed.

Jimmy Ruffin: 1937 – 2014

(Long) Distant Lover ~ Live Classic “Gates”

Rare Performance…and yet another timely “tune Wedgie”  that plays in my brain even when I try to sleep, as we go through changes weighed our upon our union-to-be by “da “Man”  (They used that phrase in TV series, “Mod Squad” a lot back in “the day” lol), yet, that is inspiring filmaking and musical creativity.  That is how music always teaches the ignorant, isn’t it?

 I never saw this version of “Distant Lover”, and it is so impromtu at times, as he says to the band at one point, “Play that introduction again, I’m not ready” lol  As if they are just among informal friends in the studio…

P.S. Frankie Crocker told me that “Gates” was Marvin’s nickname amongs the real “Brothas” back in 1984….More about that if you read my recent memoir of my radio DJ days, “He’s In A Meeting…” [see to the right, below]

I always liked the way he’d put in there, “Lord Have Mercy“, without breaking the groove or making it seem “churchy”. my orison is for this physical chasm contracts quickly with the help of kind human who read these words, so that we can get on with the business of marriage and the pleasures of our new life together.

I held this one back for a long time until my lady recently joined me singing “the blues” in an email to me.  Uh-Oh!…THAT  is another record… and movie…gotta go!

See U soon! (Lemme find it in my krates….wow…)

Song Du Jour : Stevie Wonder “Dancing To The Rhythm Of…”

Since it seems that I am good at sharing my musical cranium with you herein, I ask you to try this one on for size:

I have had what is, in these times, a rare “good day”!  Yay!  I’ll tell you about it some other time – after I raise the funds to pay the reduced bill – suffice for now to celebrate with one of the best opening numbers for a live album that I’ve ever heard, from the master composer of my popular music era, Stevie Wonder. 

Pickhit:  My international love digs Stevie too, and thus we have another”check-mark” of compatability sparked by her limited exposure to him overseas.   The orchestra background, and the drummer especially,  is ever-so “tight” too!! Check out the strings interlude in the middle! Golden.

Here are the lyrics:

Lonely, my life used to be lonely
Lonely like the lonely single number one
Lonely like a lonely sun
Without a single iota to shine upon

Crying, deep inside I was crying
Like the muddy Mississippi, my tears flowed
Carrying with it my lonely soul
Leaving no clue of who,
where or what I would become

Oh, how I longed to be possessed by one somebody
To hold me, control me, show me what I should do with my broken life
But oh, was I lifted when I let your light shine in my body
Then I shed my sorrows for joy, love and
you in my, my, my li-li-life
I’m dancing to the rhythms of your love
Singing sweet melodies of your sweet, sweet love
Forever grateful for your love

Money, oh how did I have money
Enough to last me from start til the end of time
With some more to leave behind
And yet I was a cent-less pauper in distress
I can, feel the very presence of your love here
Though I’ve never seen the pleasure of your smile
No, I’ve never touched your hand
And yet you’ve given me eternal happiness

Oh, how I longed to be possessed by one somebody
To hold me, control me, show me what I should do with my broken life
But oh, was I lifted when I let your light shine in my body
Then I shed my sorrows for joy, love and
you in my, my, my li-li-life
I’m dancing to the rhythms of your love
Singing sweet melodies of your sweet, sweet love
Forever grateful for your sweet, sweet love

I’m dancing to the rhythms of your love
Singing sweet melodies of your sweet, sweet love
Forever grateful for your sweet,sweet, love

I’m dancing to the rhythms of your love
Forever grateful for your love

Oh, how I longed to be possessed by one somebody
To hold me, control me, show me what I should do with my broken life
Oh, was I lifted when I let God’s light shine in my body
Then I shed my sorrows for joy, love and you
in my, my, my li-li-life

I’m dancing to the rhythms of your love
Singing sweet melodies of your sweet, sweet love
Giving all praises for your sweet, sweet love

I’m dancing to the rhythms of your love
Forever grateful for your love

Here is the video: 

I can play this cut over-and over…again, and again, and a-gainnnnn….LOL As usual…Love.