The Mystics

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The Mystics are a singing group which began in Brooklyn, New York, USA in the late 1950s. The group was known as The Overons, a quintet that, when signed to Laurie Records, consisted of Phil Cracolici, (b. 1937, lead), Albee Cracolici (b, 1936, baritone), George Galfo (b. 1940, second tenor), Bob Ferrante (b. 1936, first tenor), and Al Contrera (b. 1940, bass). Under the direction of their manager, Jim Gribble, The Overons became The Mystics when each group member wrote a name they liked on a slip of paper, placed the papers in a hat and Al Contrera's choice was drawn.

[edit] Biography

In late 1958, The Mystics soon recorded two songs for Laurie Records, "Adam And Eve", and the old Weavers' tune "Wimoweh". Unhappy with the results, Laurie Records commissioned Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman to write an original tune for the group. Their first effort, the song "A Teenager In Love", however, was given to labelmates, Dion and The Belmonts. Pomus and Shuman were instructed to come up with something else for The Mystics. The next day, the writers returned with "Hushabye".

In May of 1959, Laurie Records released "Hushabye" b/w "Adam And Eve" and within a few weeks the record was a smash. Soon Alan Freed started featuring "Hushabye" as the closing tune on his televised Saturday night Big Beat Show. At it's peak, "Hushabye" was Top Ten in most of the tri-state area, spending 9 weeks on the national charts that spring and summer, where it climbed to #20.

After Phil Cracolici left the group and beginning in 1960, the Mystics' lead singer changed several times. Paul Simon (aka Jerry Landis), who frequently hung around Gribble's office, became The Mystics' new lead. In January 1960, "All Through The Night" (with five voices singing together with no distinct lead), "I Began To Think Of You" and "Let Me Steal Your Heart Away" were recorded.

When Paul Simon left the group to pursue other projects, The Mystics chose John "Jay" Traynor, who later went on to form Jay and the Americans. On May 11th, 1960, The Mystics with Jay Traynor on lead recorded "White Cliffs Of Dover", "Blue Star" and "Over The Rainbow" at RCA Studios. Inspired by The Del-Vikings' version, they chose "White Cliffs Of Dover", (a song they often sang at live shows long before recording it). Backed with "Blue Star", "White Cliffs Of Dover" received only local play. "Over The Rainbow" remained unreleased until the late 80s when Ace Records issued a Mystics album.

Eddie "Shots" Falcone became their next lead singer, and The Mystics recorded "Star Crossed Lovers" b/w "Goodbye Mister Blues", with Falcone singing lead. This record failed to chart and shortly thereafter, a young Ralph Lizano led the group with a song he had written called "Darling I Know Now". "Sunday Kind Of Love" and "Again" also featured Ralph Lizano on lead. Unfortunately, the first two songs, though released, received no airplay. "Again" was not released until the Crystal Ball LP.

In mid-1961, The Mystics stopped recording and performing. The nostalgia boom that began in 1969 brought the original five members back together and they began performing again on the rock and roll revival circuit. As members moved or left for other reasons, new members came in and for a while, Joe Esposito, Bruce Sudano and Eddie Hockinson were part of the group.

From the mid-1970s to 1990, the main replacement singers in The Mystics were John Tarangelo (Johnny T), Joey Napoli and Emil Stucchio. (Emil is the original lead singer of The Classics, famous in their own right with their hit record "Till Then"). However, four original members - Phil Cracolici, Albee Cracolici, Al Contrera and Bob Ferrante - got back together again in the winter of 1981, along with Johnny T, to record an album called "Crazy For You" for the Ambient Sound label. The Mystics recut three Overons original tunes: "Prayer To An Angel", "Why Do You Pretend" and "The Bells Are Ringing".

Today, Phil Cracolici heads up his version of the Mystics, while George Galfo leads his own group with Mike Miller (former lead singer of Harmony Street). Mike wrote "Hushabye Again"(c), which is one of the new original releases. Joe Neary who sang backup for Dion for many years and Franco Caprioli (former lead singer of the Fabulons). The Mystics under the George Galfo trademark "George Galfo's Mystics"(r) have been taking South Florida by storm. They have never sounded better.

There are currently 3 albums released by George Galfo's Mystics(r) under George Galfo's leadership, which are "Singing Your Favorites", "Hushabye Again"(r), and "Beautiful Lady", a ballad and the title track of their new CD.

George Galfo is honored and excited about being back in the limelight and having 3 very talented men joining him and creating wonderful harmony and enabling the music of yesteryear to be kept alive as well as bringing more original material to the fans. George has come forth today doing the Lead Vocals on their latest 2006 Hit original song "Beautiful Lady"(c) along with the lead vocals on "Hushabye", "Don't Take The Stars", "Darling I Know Now" , and other Mystics songs. All of George Galfo's Mystics(r) tunes are getting massive amounts of play on oldie radio stations around the country and worldwide on the Internet stations as well. A new CD will be released soon with George Galfo's Mystics(r) featuring George, Mike, Joe, Franco and the gang along with Randy and the Rainbows featuring Randy Sufuto.