'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?

Subject: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: Wesley S
Date: 21 Sep 04 - 04:13 PM

Does anyone remember a duo called "The Pair Extraordinaire" ? I seem to recall they were African American's from the Great Folk Scare of the 60's - they consisted of a singer and a stand up bass player. That's it. Some of their material was on the jazzy side with some spirituals thrown in but they played the folk circut. I might have even seen them on "Hootenanny" but I seem to think they did some of the varity shows on TV. Anyone remember them ? Where are they ? Are they still in the business ?

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 02:59 PM

Sooo - Were they just a figment of my imagination ?

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 04:30 PM

Relax, Wesley. I saw them on TV, too. They were as you remember, but I don't remember much else about them. I ran a Google search but all I found was a posting somewhere by sombody who bought their LP at a yard sale and thought they were pretty good.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Gordie
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 11:05 PM

I remember the Pair very well. I was in college in ellensburg, wa in 1968 when they played there. They were "just the warm up" for the posso seeker singers (sp?) At that time they had a big hit (the posso seekers) --I can't remember the hits name,but after hearing the Pair perform they really bombed (even with the hit song) people were still high on just seeing the Pair perform and they did bring the house down. They were signed up that night to come the next year. I went to that one too. They sang several songs that were great, but the one I remember most and just loved was One Two Three-I have two of there albums, but I don't think they recourded ONE TWO THREE.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,M.Ted
Date: 13 Apr 06 - 02:03 PM

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,M.Ted
Date: 13 Apr 06 - 02:17 PM

The Pair Extrordinaire were   Carl Craig on vocals and Marcus Hemphill on upright bass. They had five albums on Liberty, three of which were basically their concert/club routines. They played a lot of LA Clubs in the 60's, and also worked in San Francisco. They opened for Bill Cosby a lot (where I saw them) and made numerous TV appearances, and even turned up in two movies. Hemphill went on to write for the Cosby Show and passed away in 1986.

Unfortunately, there is no fan website(though there are still fans around), and, as far as I can tell, none of their stuff is currently available. Everybody agrees that they were incredible!

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: Wesley S
Date: 13 Apr 06 - 04:02 PM

Thanks for the update guys. I'd almost forgotten that I started this one.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 02:53 PM

Saw them in 1968. They played at the Frontier Land on the Disneyland Stage in Anaheim California. Still remember the song. "I'm and old cow hand from the Rio Grand"
.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: open mike
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 04:34 PM

google The Pair Extraordinaire Carl Craig Marcus Hemphill
a.k.a. "The Pair" is described as a Texas duo.

http://itismagic.blogspot.com/2005/08/pair-extraordinaire.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q11w-CgVQTo

I'm an Old Cowhand from the Rio Grande is a comic song
written by Johnny Mercer (lyrics and music) and Harry
Warren (music) for the movie Rhythm on the Range (1936),
sung by Bing Crosby.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,DWR
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 10:06 PM

Just a point to clarify - the group mentioned by Gordy at 12 Apr 06 - 11:05 PM was the Pozo Seco Singers, Don Williams, Lofton Kline and Susan Taylor. The hit mentioned was probably Time which was their first of several before disbanding in 1970.

Don Williams went on to a highly successful career in Country Music.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,A. Jones
Date: 16 Feb 09 - 12:18 PM

Go online and enter their name. There is plenty info re them

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,shaun maxwell
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 05:04 PM

Hello, I have Three albums for sale which are:

1) Live at the Ice House
2) "In" -Citement
3) Recorded Live

All three LP's are in Mint condition - please mail me at [e-mail] if interested?
Thanks
Shaun

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Minnesota
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 05:02 PM

Saw them at Northrup Auditorium at the University of Minnesota. They were great. Had one of their albums.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 05:11 PM

For a second there, I flashed back to Joe & Eddie, another short-lived duo that made a large splash in their day.

Another non-folk duo featuring a bass player that got big-time exposure for a while was Skiles & Henderson. I bumped into them in small clubs in the northwest back in 1961-62. I remember one of them played "Big Noise From Winnetka" using drumsticks while his partner (can't recall which was who)did the fingering on the bass. I had the sense that one of them (Skiles?)might have been from the Seattle area. Funny guys.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Aug 09 - 03:26 AM

I met Carl Craig in about 1979. He was living in Altadena, CA. He was the first African-American Shell Answer Man in the TV comercials. He also did many appearances on 80's sticom shows. I haven't seen him in years but I was watching the movie "Seabiscuit" and noticed him playing the part of the old black man working for the owner of the horse. He had a few speaking lines. He has changed his name to Kingston DeCouver (not sure of the last name spelling). Carl is a fine gentle man and I hope to meet up with him someday again.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Ralph Baker
Date: 06 Sep 09 - 07:57 PM

Carl Craig and Marcus Hemphill - The Pair Extraordinaire - appeared on The Dean Martin Show that aired on October 13, 1966. They sang the song titled "Love". On that specific episode the other guests were George Burns, Dinah Shore, Jonathan Winters and Hawaiian-born Wisa D'Orso.

If the webmaster allows,...Dean Martin and his guests are discussed at Yahoo!'s 'DeanMartinTVShow' group. The Pair Extraordinaire are next up for tomorrow's posting.

Cheers!

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,bhood
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 05:08 PM

I remember them being on the old Lloyd Thaxton show in Los Angeles CA and was impressed with their styling even as a teenager.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Guy Fisk
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 04:13 PM

I seen them in San Diego, CA. around the 1968-69 timeframe. They were the opening act for Bill Crosby.
I bought their LP but sadly have lost it long ago. I loved their version of "Hang On Snoopy"

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 10 - 09:29 AM

A. Marcus Hemphill Is Dead; TV Writer and a Playwright
Published: August 16, 1986
A. Marcus Hemphill, a New York playwright and television writer, died Monday at Cabrini Medical Center after a long illness. He was 56 years old and lived in the Bronx.

Mr. Hemphill, a native of Fort Worth, had been a writer for ''The Bill Cosby Show'' since 1985 and was the author of ''Inacent Black and the Five Brothers,'' a comedy that was performed at the Billie Holiday Theater in Brooklyn in 1979. In 1981 the play, with Melba Moore as its star, had a brief run on on Broadway at the Biltmore Theater.

As a young man, Mr. Hemphill formed a popular jazz team, The Pair Extraordinaire, with Carl Craig, Together they recorded five albums for Liberty Records and toured extensively with Bill Cosby.

Mr. Hemphill was also the artistic director of the Riverside Youth Drama and Culture Club at the Riverside Church.

He is survived by his wife, the former Gerry Burton; his mother, Mildred Brown of Cleveland; his father, Aurelius Marcus of Fort Worth, and a sister, Sandy Joyce of Manhattan.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 12:55 AM

I saw them at Rio HondoCollege. They were on a small intimate stage. Carl set a tamborine on the stage and by tapping his feet, the tamborine would bounce and keep beat. Everyone had fun when they were playing. Favorite: 'Out of My Head', so beautiful.

---

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Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Don D
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 08:30 PM

Had one of their albums but it's long gone. Loved their song that went like:

"well me and the lord we had a personal chat
and we ain't had no trouble(?)
and we ain't bout to have no spat
cuz we love each other

well i don't need no million bucks
don't own a tractor or a pickup truck
i got a few little chickens and a few little ducks
and i'm so glad to be me"

or something like that.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,ceedee
Date: 16 Aug 10 - 11:30 AM

"The Pair" were known as "folk artists" at the time,but for this newbie,they were my introduction to the world of jazz! Before I had ever heard of Miles and Coltrane(!),I was checking out this duo on Hootenany,Ed Sullivan and-I think-Johnny Carson. I have all of their lps,and remember "L-o-v-e" as especially swinging. This was in the late 60's,I think-by the time I finally discovered Bird,Miles and McCoy Tyner(1972),their easy-going approach to pop melodies made Miles and "Round Midnight" an easy 'first step'. I'm still a major fan of 'the music' all these years later,with "The Pairs" lps holding a place in fond memory. Beautiful!

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Davek
Date: 17 Sep 10 - 04:47 PM

Somehow thought about the name recently. My little brother thought their name was funny seeing them on American Bandstand. Remember Dick Clark talking to them or introducing them. That's all.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Diana
Date: 23 Sep 10 - 08:21 PM

My father saw them in San Francisco in the mid sixties. We are from eastern Canada. He bought an album, "In-Citement", brought it home and it quickly became the family favorite. We played it so much that it warped and we had to put a quarter on the needle arm to keep it from skipping. I transferred it to cassette in the Eighties and then with the advent of Ebay, I have been able to acquire all the albums, burn them to discs, and distribute them to my sisters, nieces and nephews, and the great nieces and nephews. My father died in 1969, but left a world of joyous song for his descendants. At any family gathering, someone will hum the opening notes of a Pair song and everyone from the age of 5-65 will sing the whole song at the top of their lungs. The Pair are the best, and I wish we had more than just 5 albums. Check them out.
Thet also performed on Merv Griffin frequently.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Will Newman
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 09:05 PM

A saw them as an opening act for Bill Cosby in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60s. They had a lot of stage presence and good patter, as well as a good song list and great voices.
Examples: (when warming up the mics), "Tasting, tasting 1,2,3. One. Two. Three. One. Two. I'm one, are you one two?"
The lyics to Ol' Cowhand mentioned above, are, in the original (I believe) "I'm an old cowhand from the Rio Grande. My back is bowed, and my face is tan..." As I remember, they sang it, "I'm an old cowhand, from the Rio Grande. My back ain't bowed, ah, but my face is tanned. I'm an old cow hand, never seen a cow. Don't have a rope, 'cause I don't know how..."

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Guest:Ed Sherlock
Date: 25 Jan 11 - 03:18 PM

Wow! The Pair were sooo good, at the Ice House in Glendale CA, along with The Deep Six in the mid 60's! Carl would sometimes open by saying something about people expecting one big woman, when hearing about the Pair Extraordinaire! Marcus was the world's best bass player, as Carl said when asked how he could sing with just a bass player. These guys had FUN on stage. Their patter was great, and Marcus' giggling while playing and listening to Carl sing was infectious! I'd love to have their music again, but my albums went to my ex. Rats!! Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Kpacorbin
Date: 14 Apr 11 - 08:38 PM

They were favorites of mine, thought they were exceptional. I grew up under a jazz influence. Casey on this years American Idol makes me think of them a lot

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 11 - 10:14 PM

I partied with them along with some of the Minnesota Vikings including Carl Eller and others, at a Holiday Inn in St. Paul, MN after a concert they did at Hamline Univerity. They came through again the following year. They were personable, very entertaining and hot! Carl did a cameo TV commercial in the early 80's encouraging folks to not smoke.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 01 Aug 11 - 10:49 AM

I'm currently cataloging my father's albums and came across their live recording. When I'm finished, I cannot wait to play this album!

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,crolfer1
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 01:00 AM

Was playing my first pro job with a jazz trio, me on bass, 17 years old in the summer of '66. Dome Club in Wisconsin. The piano player turned me on to The Pair and we even tried "A Foggy Day" one night, in public, when the drummer didn't show up. Huge influence on me, even today. Yes, I remember The Pair Extrordinare.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Gordon
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 11:58 PM

Saw them in a college nightspot in either Tempe or Scottsdale in 1966. My was a high school soph.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 15 - 10:36 AM

I saw them at The Beacon Theater, NYC in either '67 or '68. They opened for Bill Cosby, but my college roommate and I went to see them, not Cos. My roommate was a huge fan of them.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Django Craig (Carl Craig's son)
Date: 09 Apr 16 - 03:20 PM

Hi, I'm Django, Carls son. A big thank you to all of you for the fond memories of my father, my fathers greatest joy of his time with The Pair was sharing his gift with all of you, hearing how much he touched and influenced you all these many years later lights my heart up with the songs that pops sings. My dad passed away in October 2012 but his spirit is strong in me. Today (April 9th) is his birthday and to celebrate his life I'll be doing a tribute to him on my radio show playing The Pair, some of his solo stuff, unreleased gems, and few songs off his final record that I had the opportunity to produce, that we thankfully finished few weeks before he crossed over. The show is called All Of The Above on 90.7 KPFK Los Angeles Sunday 2-4am PST. I will post a link in a couple of days after we post the show on our website AOTARadio.com thanks again all. If any of u want to contact me directly my email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: Larry The Radio Guy
Date: 09 Apr 16 - 03:36 PM

Hey, thanks Django. I remember hearing one of their albums---and playing it lots---at the University of Alberta student radio station where I hung out a lot in the late 60's.   Terrific music. I look forward to the link with the tribute to your Dad.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST,Larry K
Date: 21 Apr 16 - 08:10 PM

When I was in college, I loved these guys. They had a smooth sound and great folk music. I never had a chance to see them in person. I still have all their records somewhere.   Found this link by doing a search on the internet.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Apr 16 - 08:17 PM

re: the Hemphill obituary, wonder if his Riverside church was THE Riverside church in Manhattan? That place is enormous.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 16 - 12:45 AM

I owned a recording by them about 50 years ago...wondered what happened to them.

Subject: RE: 'The Pair Extraordinaire' - know 'em?
From: maeve
Date: 31 Oct 16 - 06:03 AM

Django must have been too busy to return with a link, so here it is:

"ALL OF THE ABOVE RADIO" – EPISODE 46 – (SPECIAL CARL M. CRAIG AKA KINGSTON DUCO