We all know where we were on the evening of June 30th, 1995. That's when Phyllis decided to end her pain, and for the past 11+ years her fans have been dealing with the loss of such a gifted woman. Personally, I was at a house party when the news broke, and I just sat & reflected on Phyllis for hours. The real tragedy was that Phyllis never recieved the acclaim that she rightfully deserved, and for her to see many other singers recieve instant stardom was an insult. We never know what Phyllis endured in her personal life, but as a singer, her fans are aware of the frustration she had with the recording industry.
One
"Phyllis Hyman is neither a superstar nor failure, a dance diva nor a jazz singer. The talents of this tall, striking Pittsburgh native reside in an aspect of music that fits none of the easy categories. In a strange way, it's her avoidance of stereotypes that has been her commercial, though not musical, weakness."
"If Hyman was a straight-up dance diva, it would simply be a matter of finding the right track, the right video and, crucially these days, the right outfit. If Hyman just sang jazz, she could limit herself to domestic jazz clubs and festival overseas. But Hyman is not Jody Watley or Sarah Vaughn. What's clear on these ten songs from four Arista albums is that Hyman's voice - melancholy, powerful, sexy, dark, graceful - and enviable physicl elegance are of another, not fully appreciated, tradition. Listen to the lady interpret "Somewhere in my lifetime" or "You sure look good to me", you'll hear someone who echoes 1950's/early 1960's singer-beauties Joyce Bryant, Della Reese and Nancy Wilson; all performers whose voice and looks combined to create a glamorous class."
"To say a singer's voice has "class" is a rarity in a time when many get over with multi-tracked vocals in the studios and repetitive psudeo-gospel screams on stage. Yet Hyman possesses it. It manifests itself in a haughty sensuality and well-honored technique that savors a good lyric. Her duet with Michael Henderson, "Can't we fall in love again", is an excellent example. She communicates her desire for Henderson without falling into soul cliches and seduces him while maintaining her dignity."
"This idea of class is again worth considering when you hear "You know how to love me", a popular dance hit for her in 1979. Hyman's approach to "Love me" is tempered as on a ballad. The temptation on any untempo record is to feign a coy juvenile delivery for younger listeners. Instead, Hyman is full-bodied and mature, refusing to compromise what distinguishes her from the pack. There is a certain seriousness, a not-to-be-trifled-with sense of decorum, that her singing connotes. It's as if you have to pay homage to her strong sense of self before you can gain entry to her world. In fact, it is the very formidability of Hyman that makes her so intriguing. Hyman is not a home girl; Hyman is a presence. That is why, no matter the songwriter or producer, whether she composed the lyric or not, there is a consistent quality and a point of view on this album. Good voices are plentiful. Singers with personal authority precious. Phyllis Hyman is blessed with such a gift and, as this collection illustrates, never has been reluctant to use it."
{This article also served as the liner notes for Phyllis Hyman's 'Under Your Spell-Greatest Hits' CD (1989, Arista), and was written by Nelson George}
Two
"The first time I heard Phyllis, I was driving on one of those freeways in Southern California. The sound of her voice really grabbed my attention. My first thought was, here is a young lady with a great instrument"
"It was a while before we met in person. Our first meeting was in New Orleans.We were both performing, and I got an opportunity to go over to the hotel where she was appearing. I sat there mesmerized by the sound of her voice, not so much about the story she was telling, but that sound."
"Phyllis' voice would take you right out there on the clouds and float on hat soft bed, and soar with the wind."
"After our meeting in New Orleans, we stayed in contact, and when we happened to be in the same area, at the same time, we would go out for brunch, lunch, or dinner, if we had the same night off. We talked about music, the business of music, and life in general. It was always my contention that she would have done so much better in the Pop and Jazz fields, where I think her talents would have been so much more appreciated."
"What her voice could have done with Cole Porter or George Gershwin. If you were blessed enough to have seen her Broadway performance of 'Sophisticated Ladies', the Ellington project, then you know how absolutely brilliant and stunning she was. Hopefully, in the near future, a project that Phyllis and I had talked about and worked on together can still be completed."
"She was a rare beauty, and in my estimation, one of the great voices of our time, along with being multi-talented."
"For those of you who fortuate enough to have her early works or any of her offerings, you possess a sound that is only heard once in a lifetime."
"Listen to the voice, the lyrics and understand the body of work Phyllis has left for us."
"Love You, Nancy Wilson"
(This letter from Nancy Wilson was included in the liner notes of 'I Refuse To Be Lonely', which was released shortly after Phyllis' death in mid 1995.)
Three
"Working with Phyllis Hyman was an experience...to say the least...such a beautiful voice beyond compare...so rich in it's tone and flavor; her voice was uniquely identifiable without a doubt.If you walked into a room with closed eyes and heard her sing one note, you knew that it was the voice of the great Phyllis Hyman.It was her unique voice resonating, as she sang from her soul...which captured my attention and attracted me to her as an artist."
"This album, 'Forever With You', is a special collection of songs, because they are among the last recorded by Phyllis.She was just beginning to establish herself as a songwriter with this album.Phyllis served as co-writer on such songs as 'Strength Of A Woman', 'Come Right or Not At All', 'How Long', and 'Tell Me What You're Gonna Do'.Songwriting was the greatest vehicle which Phyllis found to best express the depth of her innermost self."
"There was so much we wanted to musically explore with Phyllis, but unfortunately, time did not permit...as destiny led her to her path...her eternal stead."
"It saddens me to think of her assing so soon into the prime of her life; yet when I think of her, I think of her with feelings of great joy.Joy for having the opportunity to have worked with such an outstanding voice.She was one of the most loyal artists that I have ever had the pleasure of working with."
"Phyllis Hyman was so statuesque...so regal...so Phyllis!"
'There's a message in the music.'
Kenneth Gamble
(This letter from Kenneth Gamble was included in the 1998 collection 'Forever With You', a collection of unreleased songs Phyllis recorded for Philiadelia International Records between 1986 and 1995)
**Also, check out 'Memories Of A Diva' , written by Vincent Wolfe (a good friend of Phyllis'). This tribute originally appeared in the PH Newsletter shortly after Phyllis passed away.
~ Website Acknowledgements ~ Special Thanks to Walid Itayim, David Nathan, Vincent Wolfe, MSN Group Members, and Phyllis for The Voice!!!
