While I was away on holiday, Frankie Beverly died. That name might not be familiar to many of you, but he had been the lead singer of one of my favourite bands, Maze.
From 1977 to 1993, Maze released nine albums, and I bought them all. The distinctive, soulful voice of Frankie was the main reason. He was 77 when he died, and had not been performing with the original band members for some years. But as recently as 2023 he was touring with his own new band, performing Maze hits.
For my small tribute, I have chosen the 1980 song ‘Joy and Pain’ from the album of the same title. This is the shorter radio version.
Remember when you first found love how you felt so good
Kind that last forever more so you thought it would
Suddenly the things you see got you hurt so bad
How come the things that make us happy make us sad
Well it seems to me that
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Love can be bitter love can be sweet
Sometimes devotion and sometimes deceit
The ones that you care for give you so much pain
Oh but it’s alright there both one in the same
Don’t it seem we go through life going up and down
Seems the things that turn you on turn you around
Always hurting eachother if it ain’t one thing it’s another
But when the world is down on you love’s somewhere around
Well it seems to me that
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Over and over you can be sure
There will be sorrow but you will endure
Where there’s a flower there’s the sun and the rain
Oh and it’s wonderful there both one in the same
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Writer(s): Frankie Beverly
beetleypete 
Despite the joy and pain, I successfully made my through Maze. And I came out better on the other side.
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I was expecting something labyrinth-related, so you didn’t disappoint me.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A new song for me I have not heard of Maze but a pleasurable listen x
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It seems not many have heard of them. But they had 9 gold discs in America, though they didn’t ever get into the top 20 in the UK.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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I think thats the same with many bands and singers they can be popular and very successful in their own countries and don’t make a ripple outside of their own borders x
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Thank you for introducing me to good music on all levels…
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Glad to hear you like Frankie’s voice, Annette.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Maze and Frankie Beverly are new to me. Sounds like soul music.
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Very much so, Liz. The band was incredibly popular in the US, with numerous gold discs.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’ve never heard of Maze or Frankie Beverly, but from 1977 and onwards I’ve been listening to mostly rock, progressive rock, metal, reggae and blues, and so sadly this band passed me by.
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I didn’t think this would be your kind of music, Stevie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I don’t know the song but it’s another good one.
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I’m very pleased you like it, Carolyn.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’ve found one I didn’t know, Pete! It’s a nice smooth sound though: what might be called yacht rock now, maybe? He did have a good voice, so RIP. Cheers, Jon.
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Overall, I think it qualifies as ‘Soul’ music. As I never go on yachts, I can’t comment on the music played on them. 😊
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s quite a recent ‘thing’ apparently, and I think it’s a bit silly, really; probably more aspirational than actual; but some music people do like these classifications 😉 I agree that soul describes it perfectly.
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Too funky for yacht rock. If it grooves harder than Mike McDonald or Chris Cross it’s too deep. Now it would fit with the “C Dorian Funk” of Jacuzzi jazz/Fusak with vocals.
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oh, I remember this song, but never knew who performed it
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Happy to hear you remember it, Beth.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Never heard of them but it is a real pleasure to listen…..chuq
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They had many gold discs in America, chuq. But they seem to have ‘escaped’ the mainstream.
Best wishes, Pete.
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a new one on me, nice
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Glad you liked it, Gavin.
Best wishes, Pete.
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