Carl Bradney -- Slipping Into Darkness

Reggae Sunday!

Slipping Into Darkness, (Soul From Jamtown, Darker Than Blue)

Wilson Pickett Special

Wilson Pickett March 18, 1941 - January 19, 2006

It's been 4 years since he passed away.

Raw and passionate. That was Wilson Pickett.

Wilson's M.O. (I guess)

Here are some of his not so often played songs:

Come Honme Baby
That Kind of Love
Shameless
Back In Your Arms

The Supremes -- Mr. Blues , Bobby Blue Bland -- Lady Lonely

The Supremes, Mr. Blues

Bobby Blue Bland, Lady Lonely from Come Fly With Me, 1978

Sorry for the inconvenience!

I'm sorry, but there will be no d/l's for older posts possible for a few days. My account has -- once again -- exceeded the limits on data transfers.
New posts should be okay, however, because I've opened a new account. 

Byron Lee -- In The Mood, Derrick Harriot -- Laugh It Off, Desmond Dekker -- First Time For A Long Time,

Reggae Sunday!

In The Mood, Byron Lee and The Dragonaires (Reggae Round The World)

Laugh It Off, Derrick Harriott (Trojan Reggae Brothers)

First Time For A Long Time, Desmond Dekker, (First Time For A Long Time)

Lee Martell -- A Good Woman

I found this song on Sir Shambling's, and I understand 100% why he "could listen to the guitarist behind Lee all day long..." In my opinion, A Good Woman is another of these songs whose guitarist almost steals the show from the singer. That doesn't mean, however, that Lee Martell is doing a poor job. On the contrary, he does some great singing -- but what makes the song truly brilliant is the instrumentation. 
Since Sir Shambling mentions Martell's heavy slant towards Country & Western in his other material, I think this article in the March 1970 Ebony Magazine is about his sister. (He is mentioned in the caption    under Linda Martell's pic.)

A Good Woman, Lee Martell  (Renegade 197?)

Phillip Mitchell -- That's What A Man Is For

Get it here!

Shortbio from Soulwalking 

b. 1945, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.

A veteran composer, vocalist, guitarist, and pianist, Prince Phillip Mitchell's roots are in vintage R & B, although he's better known for soul tunes.

Mitchell sang with both The Premiers and The Checkmates in the late '50's and early '60's including 'Shout, Smash (Keep On Talking)' in 1960 and 'Lollipop' in 1961.

He also recorded for Hi Records and Event ('There's Another In My Life', 'We Get Caught' and 'I'll See You In Hell First').

He was also a dancer with The Bean Brothers in Los Angeles.

Mitchell had hits recorded by Mel & Tim, Millie Jackson, Norman Connors, Joe Simon, and Candi Staton, but hasn't had as much luck on his own as a vocalist.

He featured on the Norman Connors set 'Romantic Journey' on 'Once I've Been There' and 'Destination Moon'.

His only moderate hit was 'One On One' for Atlantic in 1978, and it only cracked the R & B Top 40.

He retired from recording after 1979 being disillusioned with the disco market but returned on Ichiban in 1986 for 'Devastation' including 'In Her Own Way'.

Teddy P. is dead!

I am so sad. I can't even begin to explain how sad I really am.

All I can say is that I love his voice, and that it will always be tied to the most beautiful time of my life.

Teddy sure has been "loved back," to quote his song "When Somebody Loves You Back."

When I was posting the clip of him in the sidebar two days ago, I had been searching for news about his health condition. A relatively inconspicuous news article in August 2009 had me suspecting something very serious was going on with Teddy. Now I know the sad truth.

For a December 31, 2007 NPR interview with Teddy, please click here.

Here is a candle for Teddy P.

R.I.P.

Delta Blues Donnerstag: Mississippi Fred McDowell -- Worried Blues, 61 Highway

Baumwollfeld im Mississippi Delta

Worried Blues, Live at Court Coffeehouse, Tacoma 1971

61 Highway, Live at Court Coffehouse, Tacoma 1971

Lou Courtney -- The Common Broken Heart

WhataWednesday

Why is it that so many excellent artists have to be discovered by music lovers instead of being presented to them? I came across Lou Courtney -- you guessed it -- via a music blog first. His album  I'm In Need Of Love  (originally released 1974) has been re-released in 2006 by the Soul Brothers label, and it is a stunner, so to speak. The music reflects mood and flavor of the 70's as I've rarely seen it. And -- it is not one of these albums with two exquisite tracks that redeem the mediocre rest -- each and everyone of the songs is liable to become a favorite of yours. 
Lou used to sing with the Fifth Dimension between 1978 and 1979.

Instant favorite of mine from the album was The Common Broken Heart.

I know I have a thing about heart-break songs, but this one is too good to skip: Just To Let Him Break Your Heart

And here is a track by Lou from his earlier recordings (to help you forget about the heartaches)

Phenomenal! Sammy Davis Jr. -- High Heel Sneakers

I can't say I like possessive men -- but Sammy describes that unpleasant male possessive/protective instinct as galantly as possible. So, I choose to view his take on the song as using the "tongue-in-cheek" approach the brilliant entertainer was famous for. Of all the 359,756.5 (or so) covers of the song I love his take on the song best. Sammy adds an extra dimension to one of the many -- I admit it -- shallow songs of the 70's era: Some people have a talent for turning the mediocre into the extraordinary. And Sammy Davis Jr. was one of them.

High Heel Sneakers, Sammy Davis Jr. (Something For Everyone, Motown, 1970)

Dennis Edwards Special!

Dennis Edwards has one of the most powerful voices ever! When I found this clip of him at work in the studio, I knew it was time for a(nother) special on him.
I won't write much about him, because he is well-known and doesn't need much words to prove what a fine singer he is. His singing tells it all ...
(See  my other Dennis Edwards posts here.)

This is the clip is showing what it takes to be the perfectionist professional Dennis is.

Young Dennis with The Contours (center, background) Do You Love Me

You're My Aphrodisiac

This is one hell of a rendition of the great Temptations' song! Just listen to David Sea -- he is absolutely fantastic! Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review: Let It Rain live

P.S:

In the studio clip above, the song Mary Ann is mentioned (from The Tempts 1976 Wings of Love album) I think I should include the track in this Special because Dennis is definitely doing a fantastic job  on that album.

Jackie Mittoo -- Drum Song, El Bang Bang

Time for another REGGAE Sunday at S.O.T.S

Here comes the champion on the keyboard -- Jackie Mittoo. He was a founding member of the legendary Skatalites, and he left his mark on music history by influencing many a young musician with his work at the famous Studio One.

Jackie was born in Browns Town, Jamaica March 3, 1948. He died of cancer in 1990.

Biography

by Jason Ankeny

Keyboard virtuoso Jackie Mittoo was among the true legends of reggae -- a founding member of the Skatalites and an extraordinarily prolific songwriter, he was perhaps most influential as a mentor to countless younger performers, primarily through his work as the musical director at the famed Studio One. Born Donat Roy Mittoo in Browns Town, Jamaica on March 3, 1948, he began playing keyboards at the age of four, and was rarely far from a piano through his teen years, performing professionally in groups including the Vagabonds and the Vikings. He frequently skipped school to play with the house band at nearby Federal Studios, and it was there that he met producer Coxsone Dodd, who recruited Mittoo for recording sessions when the scheduled pianist failed to appear on time. While attending Kingston College, he began jamming with fellow studentAugustus Pablo, and they eventually formed a trio -- the Jackie Mitree -- which performed his original compositions. By 1962, Mittoo was earning attention across the island for his work in the band the Sheiks, one of Jamaica's most sought-after club attractions. Despite rechristening themselves the Cavaliers Orchestra, their popularity continued to soar without missing a beat. When Dodd opened Studio One in Kingston in 1963, he tapped Mittoo to serve as musical director; in the years to follow he played on virtually every disc the studio produced, arranging much of the material and helping develop new songs until they were sufficiently polished to meet standards. By the early months of 1964, he set about forming a new band with Studio One session regulars Tommy McCook, Lloyd Brevette and Lester Sterling, as well as the Cavaliers'Lloyd Knibb and Johnny Moore. Dubbing themselves the Skatalites, they were to become the quintessential ska band of the period; also featuring the legendary trombonist Don Drummond, the group lasted just 14 months -- from June 1964 to August 1965 -- but their influence on music worldwide remains incalculable. After the Skatalites split, Mittoo began a solo career, scoring a major hit with his rendition of the Heptones "Fatty Fatty." The instrumental smash "Ram Jam" followed in 1967, and resulted in a series of instrumental LPs, among them In London, Evening Time, Keep On Dancing, Now and Macka Fat. At the same time, Mittoo continued his relentless pace at Studio One -- according to the terms of his basic arrangment with Dodd, he received payment upon delivering five new rhythms a week, which over the years resulted in literally thousands of compositions which he both produced and arranged. Among Mittoo's greatest contributions of the mid-to-late 1960s were "Darker Shade of Black" (the basis for Frankie Paul's "Pass the Tu Sheng Peng"), Freddie McGregor's "Bobby Babylon," Alton Ellis' "I'm Still in Love with You," the Cables' rock steady anthem "Baby Why" and "Feel Like Jumping," Marcia Griffiths' first hit. In 1970, his "Peanie Wallie" was also versioned by the Wailers, becoming the hit "Duppy Conqueror." Mittoo relocated from Jamaica to Toronto, Ontario in 1968, one of many reggae performers who found a home among the clubs lining the city's Yonge Street area. He returned to Kingston regularly, however, and was closely aligned with Dodd and Studio One throughout the decades to follow. In Toronto, Mittoo also accepted a day job working for the Canadian Talent Library, an organization which worked to ensure that a sufficient amount of Canadian music was broadcast over national radio airwaves. By 1972, he had lived there for four years, and as such his work now qualified as "Canadian content," so for the CTL he recorded the album Reggae Magic, which launched the hit 'Wish Bone." During the mid-1970s, Mittoo also traveled to England to record a series of LPs with Bunny Lee; during the next decade, he worked regularly with Sugar Minott as well. In 1989, Mittoo joined the reunited Skatalites, but health problems soon forced him to bow out; he died of cancer on December 16, 1990.                 (http://www.allmusic.com)

Drum Song 

El Bang Bang

Tempting Friday: Paul Williams -- Once You Had A Heart, Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me,

I am thoroughly ashamed of the fact that I never posted Paul Williams led Temptations material. He was one of the great Classic Five Tempts (David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams.) Temptations fans generally consider Paul the most soulful singer of the group -- a claim I wholeheartedly support.
During the pre-Motown phase of the group, Paul was responsible for their choreography; as can be seen in this clip, he was the smoothest dancer of them all. (Paul is on the right in the back.)

An early bio  describes Paul Williams as follows:  
"Height: 6'1
Voice: Baritone
Favorite colors: Green & White
Hobby: Interior Decorating

Paul Williams is the joker of the group, particularly enjoying telling jokes on himself. He has the compact solidity of the ex-football player that he is. He studied to be a cobbler in Birmingham, Alabama where he grew up, but his parents are very glad now of the choice he has made of a vocation. Besides his singing and dancing ability, Paul also plays the guitar, bass and some piano and says his favorite "hate" is wrong notes. He is interested in interior design and lists it as a hobby, with colors being particularly important to him. His favorites are green and white. Being one of nine children, he finds it no hardship to adjust to the confinement of a group of five when on a long series of traveling engagements."          

(From: http://alltempts.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=PAUL&action=display&num=1111002558)

One of his many Temptations leads: I Want A Love I Can See.

Paul solo: Once You Had A Heart (from: Anthology: The Temptations: One By One )

From the Cloud Nine Album: Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me

Paul died on August 17, 1973 in Detroit at the age of 34. His death was ruled a suicide by the Wayne County coroner.


R.I.P. 

John Lee Hooker -- I'll Know Tonight

Blues on Thursday!

From John Lee Hooker's 1960 album Travelin' is todays track. If you can, get this album. It is definitely John Lee Hooker pure.

Willie Mitchell = Powerful Creativity. Rest in peace!

This is my personal favorite of his many, many creations. Full of energy and life: That Driving Beat. I actually use this expression quite often, when I am in need of a stimulating punch ...  

Mandrill -- House of Wood

Mandrill  was formed by three brothers: Carlos Wilson (trombone, vocals), Lou Wilson (trumpet, vocals) and Ric Wilson (sax, vocals). Born in Panama, they grew up in Broollyn NY. The band included Bundy Cenac (Bass), Neftali Santiago (drums, percussion, vocals), Juaquin Jessup (lead guitar, percussion, vocals), Charles Padro (drums), Claude 'Coffee' Cave II (keyboards, percussion, vocals) and Fudgie Kae Solomon (bass) and Omar Mesa (Guitar). They are a Funk band, but they also combined latin, salsa, rock, soul and blues to create their own very distinct style.

House of Wood is a real dark song ... If you're brooding over life's downs, you'd better not listen.

Fencewalk live 1973

Wilson Pickett -- Let Me Be Your Boy

"After singing with the Falcons, Wilson Pickett, backed by the Supremes, recorded this his solo debut. It was the first release, for the Correc-Tone label, of Detroit, a small independent run by Wilbur Golden. It was his only release for the label but was picked up that same year by Cub records of New York a bigger independent and issued on Cub 9113. From Correc-Tone Wilson Pickett moved on to Double L for three issues, until recording for Atlantic in 1964."   (From: http://www.johnnyspencer.info/index.html)

Let Me Be Your Boy

I did not believe that this should be Wilson; he sounds completely different than I've ever heard him.

Now, this is how Wilson should sound!  Deborah

Abteilung Gebrochenes Herz: Barbara West -- Anyone But You

Ich habe beschaemt festgestellt, dass ich fast ausschliesslich in Englisch poste; dabei habe ich doch so viele deutsche Leser. Also habe ich mir fuer das noch knusprig-frische Jahr vorgenommen, auch mal wieder was in meiner Muttersprache von mir zu geben.

Und weil ich auch die Damen der Musik straeflich vernachlaessigt habe, gibt's gleich als erstes einen Song von Barbara West. Anyone But You ist auf Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures: Taken From Our Vaults, Vol. 2 zu finden. 

Allen Paaren/Paerchen, die sich im neuen Jahr bereits gestritten haben, empfehle ich zu diesem Song ganz eng aneinander gekuschelt zu tanzen: Augen zu! Und den Streit einfach vergessen ...

Wornell Jones -- Fall In Love Again

2010 gets off the ground funkayyyyyyyy with Wornell Jones. And again, I have to admit that I didn't know this artist until I came across his music online -- about 30 years after his album "Wornell Jones" was released. 
See! There are still undiscovered  gems waiting to be found ... At least for me. 

His voice immediately reminded me of Donny Hathaway's; thank goodness, however, Wornell's vocals appeal to me not nearly as lamenting and tormented as Donny's. He's got the throaty, pleading Hathaway quality without the melancholic touch. 

Fall In Love Again, my pick for this post, is 70's Funk deluxe. The song made it into my fav's playlist right away. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is way too short. It leaves me wanting for more of that driving rhythm ... 

Here's a short bio of Wornell Jones. I must say, I was surprised to read all the glamorous names he was associated with back in the day: Joe Simon, Eddie Kendricks, Rufus ... Quite impressive resume! But the   main part of his contribution to music was as a musician in the background; his self-titled album, it seems, remained the burst out into the open in his career.

"Born in Washington D.C., Wornell Jones grew up in the neighbourhoods of the area.

As a youngster, Wornell was always playing, singing or doing something musical.

After playing in local bands in D.C., Wornell began undertaking studio sessions in the early seventies for soul artists including Millie Jackson, Joe Simon, and other groups and artists.

Wornell began to tour with the likes of Sly and the Family Stone, Eddie Kendricks and KoKo Taylor.

He then began to write for many artists including The Pointer Sisters and Earth, Wind & Fire.

In 1979, he released his self titled album for Paradise Records.

The album contained the track 'Must Have Been Love', which was highly popular in the U.K.

The female co-vocalist on the song was Maxayn Lewis Moriguchi, who still collaborates with Wornell to this day.

Wornell has also worked with songwriter and guitarist, Nils Lofgren formally of the E Street Band.

He recorded and toured extensively with Nils, until moving to Tokyo, Japan in 1992.

Wornell has an excellent portfolio of songwiting credits which include, The Pointer Sisters 'Black & White', Ramsey Lewis 'Three Piece Suite', Maria Muldaur 'Open Your Eyes', Rufus 'Sealed In Red', B.T. Express '1980', Rockie Robbins 'Rockie Robbins' and Earth, Wind & Fire 'The Eternal Dance'.

He is a good friend of the artist Art Madison."  

This clip is from a live performance in the 90's in Japan.  

Fall In Love Again (Wornell Jones, 1979, Paradise Records)