(November 13, 2023) It was three generations ago that legendary vocal group The Ravens released the gentle falsetto ballad “Lilacs In The Rain.” And it seems only fitting that more than seven decades later, another legendary falsetto singer, Stylistics lead and SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award winner Russell Thompkins, Jr., would revisit this classic.
A pleasant additional surprise is that, to handle the memorable bass lines of the song, Russell enlisted a legend of radio, New York’s Maurice “The Voice” Watts, known by fans more for his Love Zone radio show than for his singing voice.
(November 13, 2023) It was three generations ago that legendary vocal group The Ravens released the gentle falsetto ballad “Lilacs In The Rain.” And it seems only fitting that more than seven decades later, another legendary falsetto singer, Stylistics lead and SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award winner Russell Thompkins, Jr., would revisit this classic.
A pleasant additional surprise is that, to handle the memorable bass lines of the song, Russell enlisted a legend of radio, New York’s Maurice “The Voice” Watts, known by fans more for his Love Zone radio show than for his singing voice.
Maurice tells us, “When Russell informed me in October of 2022 that he was working on a song, he said he wanted me to sing bass on it. Of course, I thought he was joking but he said he was serious. As well as we knew each other, I felt compelled to inform him that I wasn't an actual bass singer and he replied, ‘If I say you're a bass singer, you're a bass singer.’"
The new version of “Lilacs” is a touching, faithful rendition that features Thompkins’ unmistakable voice wrapped around the classic number, and Maurice Watts handles his bass parts with aplomb. The resulting cut is at once both nostalgic and timeless.
Check out this surprise collaboration below. The “Lilacs In the Rain” single will be formally released soon.
By Chris Rizik
Russell Thompkins, Jr.
feat. Maurice "The Voice" Watts
“Lilacs In The Rain”