Janice (don't be so blind to love) Skip Mahoney

Mahoney's surname, similar to Leo Gorcey's character in the Bowery Boys, is actually spelled Mahoaney; he dropped the "a" when the group signed with Nashboro Records. They were known as the Casuals until their debut recording on D.C. International Records appeared with the name Skip Mahoaney & the Casuals on the label, causing a riff between Skip and the other guys. The Casuals emerged on the Washington/Baltimore scene during the same era as the Choice Four, Dynamic Superiors, Frankie & the Spindells, the Whatnauts, Terry Huff & Special Delivery, the Vandals, the Softones, etc. Unlike those groups, the Casuals fame never spread regionally or nationally. Skip grew up in Washington D.C., but his parents "moved on up" to Seat Pleasant, Maryland, while he was still attending Cardoza High in the District. He started singing with street corner stars in Washington before the move and returned to Washington every weekend--staying with a sister--to continue his harmonizing. He assembled the first Casuals after transferring to Central High in Maryland, and they took second place in a school talent show. A White band doing R&B covers took first, the two entities merged to do after school and weekend gigs, the only mixed outfit in the area. They drifted apart after graduation leaving Skip to assemble new Casuals from guys' he first sang with on the Districts' streets and alleyways. George Norris, Billy Jones, and Roger Chapman, are known as the original Casuals, though Skip actually sung with other Casuals in high school. With composer James Purdie playing keyboards, the group did shows, and opened for major concerts. A record deal was harder to come by, and every group in the area beat them to the punch. In 1971, Mahoaney took a hiatus from the Casuals to work as the Fuzz's ("I Love You For All Seasons") road manager. He quit the gig in 1972 to write songs with Purdie in an effort to land the Casuals a recording deal. The record deal didn't happen until 1973, nine years after Mahoaney first started singing under streetlights. "Your Funny Moods," the first single, should have been a joyous event, but the label, D.C. International Records listed the group as Skip Mahoaney and the Casuals. Though Mahoaney's shimmering falsetto was the focal point, they never wanted any individual name out front. The record hit locally and an album followed. The group disbanded shortly after seeing the album cover, the label didn't put the Casuals' picture on the album, nor was their names' mention anywhere, the diss was too much to bear. After D.C. International, with new Casuals, Skip signed with Nashboro Records who released Land Of Love, in 1976 which spawned two local hits: "Wherever You Go," and "Bless My Soul." This is when Mahoaney became Mahoney. Nashboro exited soul music to concentrate on Gospel leaving the group without a label. Unable to get a new deal, the Casuals broke up. Skip did a couple of solo ventures then sang with Third Generation before drifting out of music. In the late 90's he reunited the original Casuals to perform on oldie R&B shows in the D. C. area. Hopefully, the new exposure will trigger some company to compile a long overdue CD of Skip Mahoaney & the Casuals' LP. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Northern
• Soul
• Janice
• Skip
• Mahoney

[sewitt60]

This came out on a CD in 2010, called "Jumping". Fine track.

[geordiejeans1969]

This is truly the mutts nuts, KTF . . . . . . Aberdeen Division

[TheGlasgowmods]

@masi31061 interested

[1960dirky]

got this from spin inn cross st manchester back in the day still mint !

[perham87]

One of my favorite Modern Soul dancers. Great bassline, great piano riff and those congas. Makes me smile everytime. Skip and the group turn in a stunning performance as well, especially Skip ad libbing the hell out of the catchy chorus.

[glompies]

@glompies OK, I'm 42 but relatively speaking.......

[glompies]

Thief!!! This could very well be the 12" copy I had on Salsoul many years ago when I used to be able to do handstands and tricks ;) Nice to hear it again after so many years....from a young soulie who was never old enough to travel but LOVED the music mid 70's and always has done since.

Thanks...KTF

[shaunian]

Lost my 12" when I moved house any 1 got 1 for sale ?

[masi31061]

Have a 12" DJ copy on Salsoul for sale if anyone is interested ?

bought from Richard Searling at Clifton Hall

[AzzedineAliaFan]

Nice!