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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Tammi Terrell and The Temptations (Re-mix)



This, you must hear!
I heard it on one of my favorite online radio shows, Soul and the Sixties, whose host,  Barry Fowden, has discovered it on the web somehow, somewhere. (Link to his shows in the sidebar.)
One ingenious individual mixed Tammi Terrel's version of I Gotta Find A Way To Get You Back with The Temptations' version.

Like always, when get all excited over a song, I had to share it with you. It is truly a remarkable piece of mixing. The song itself, either as Tammi's or Dennis' version, is fantastic. I do like The Temptations' rendition a tad better, however. Mainly because I get such a charge out of Dennis Edwards' powerhouse voice. 



Mary Queenie Lyons -- We'll Cry Together




Marie “Queenie” Lyons is yet another artist with great talent who disappeared from the world of Soul after only one album.
In 1970 she released “Soul Fever” on James Brown’s King label -- a fact that speaks volumes as to what an accomplished singer she was. The album proves the rest.  
Information on what happened to her after that, consists mainly of one sentence: She disappeared. 
Soul Fever has achieved cult status and is traded as a rare Southern Soul record -- priced as highly as it is valued. 
PS: Looking at the album cover, it strikes me as kind of forboding. Marie seems to be swallowed by the darkness surrounding her; the only thing visible is part of her beautiful face -- but her face too is about to vanish any moment. 


Friday, July 30, 2010

AudioBlog#6: DC's Double Dose of Jackie Wilson (part 1)




Playlist:


1. It Only Happens (When I Look At You)
2. I Got It Bad (And That Is Bad)
3. Beautiful Day
4 It Will Have To Do Until The Real Thing Comes Along
5. Because of You








Thursday, July 29, 2010

CD Review

 Eli “Paperboy" Reed, Come And Get It, Capitol Records 
(to be released August 10, 2010)

by Raggedy
Ever since I’ve heard Eli “Paperboy” Reed’s Take My Love With You in 2008,  I knew the guy and his band, The True Loves, were special. It didn't surprise me at all, therefore, when MOJO magazine named Eli the “Breakthrough Artist of the year 2009.” 
Eli's music, from the horns through the lead- and bass guitar to the drums -- stands out from the uninspired (and uninspiring) releases that usually hit the market nowadays. It could be straight out of a 60‘s era studio. And there is no doubt about it that Eli has what it takes to sing his songs; he's got soul. 
In an interview with Soultracks, Eli explains that while he was making Come and Get It, he “was listening to a lot of late sixties, early seventies soul music from Chicago, in particular Mel and Tim and Tyrone Davis. It's all very lavishly produced stuff, a lot of horns, a lot of strings, but it's also really tough, the rhythm section is always really funky. I was going for that sort of vibe. That was the plan." (Soultracks http://www.soultracks.com/eli-paperboy-reedI whole-heartedly agree with that description. His first release with Capitol Records, which signed him earlier this year, is a fine piece of musical craftsmanship. 

The album will be released August 10, and I strongly suggest you get a copy. This is one of the rare albums with no fillers -- which is amazing, considering the album consists of twelve songs. 
Anyone who knows their music, might think that the  “paperboy” stepped right out of that extremely creative era of 60's and 70's soul music. His presentation is fabulous, and he hits "them" high notes like one of the 60’s greats. At times, his style reminds me of Sam and Dave or Arthur Conley, for example. Anyway, this “paperboy” delivers some good news: True singing is back!
You will be treated to exuberant string arrangements on songs like Pick Your Battles. The tight horn sections on I Found You Out, Young Girl, or my personal favorite, Pick a Number, could be a re-incarnation of the famous Memphis horns.
Guitar lovers will have a feast listing to such catchy tunes as Just Like Me or the bass driven title song Come And Get It
And Eli didn’t do a bad job either with the two gospel-flavored Southern Soul inspired tracks Time Will Tell and You Can Run On. 
You won’t encounter any dull moments while listening to Come And Get It. That much I can say for sure: my copy will be inducted to the Hall of being-played-in my-car CD’s. The greatest honor I bestow on any album. 
My favorite tracks from the album besides the title track: Pick A Number, Pick Your Battles, and the heavily Gospel flavored You Can Run On.
Explosion, the last track on the album, is the only tune that doesn’t quite appeal to me. 



Sonny Boy Williamson -- Help Me, Howlin' Wolf -- Chocolate Drop



And here I am -- back on track with the Blues Thursday. Sorry, I skipped it last week. To make up for it I'll post two titles today.



Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Gladys Knight and The Pips -- It's Time To Go Now

Gladys and the Pips in 1961
Is there a more beautiful female voice than Gladys'? No way. Whenever this little song by Gladys and her Pips appear in my playlist, I get all dreamy.

It's Time To Go Now (The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 7) 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Bobby Thomas and The Afros -- Darling, Don't Come Back



What a song! It starts with a perfect guitar introduction followed by one of the most soulful "mmmmmm's" right before the horn section adds its world-weary sighing sound ... This deepie, in my opinion, is a masterpiece.
My Tuesday is made!


Monday, July 26, 2010

Eddie Kendricks --Honey Brown, You Loved Me Then

Friday night I went to the Balcones Heights Jazz Festival here in San Antonio which included some RandB tunes also. I was a little late to the show, therefore I caught only a handful of the first part. Believe it or not, but the minute I arrived, the band  Fingerprints began playing "Papa Was A Rolling Stone." My reaction: "Yay, I'm at the right place here!"
Unfortunately, this Temptations tune was part of the medley closing the first part of the concert. Just my luck! The concert's second part consisted of a superb performance by Cindy Bradley.
The intense heat and humidity, however, had me leave the scene early ... It was unbearable.
Since hubby is "on the road again," I had to go see the concert on my own. And what can I say, I met a nice lady, Pauline, who engaged me in a great conversation, making me feel less awkward ... With this post I'd like to say Hi to Pauline!



Because of the concert experience, I was so tempted to post yet another Temptations title today. But I decided to focus on something by Eddie Kendricks instead, since I'm currently getting myself acquainted with his solo material. All I can say is that I love Eddie's music. (Don't tell the Ruff, though! lol)

You Loved Me Then  has become a favorite of mine right away. Eddie's voice sounds as clean and crisp as it could possibly sound. In the second title, Honey Brown, Eddie is backed by subtle background vocals and a relaxed orchestra sound which creates a perfectly peaceful atmosphere around Eddie's flawless singing: the material of which memories are woven.
Like David's, Eddie's true talent never was allowed to fully show during his time with the Temptations, in my opinion. His solo material proves that he had much more to offer ...

Eddie Kendricks set the standard by which any falsetto singer will be judged -- like it or not!



 You Loved Me Then  (Limelinx)

Honey Brown   (Limelinx)

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Willie Walker -- From Warm To Cool To Cold

Read more about Willie Walker here.


From Warm To Cool To Cold

Friday, July 23, 2010

AudioBlog#5: Songs My Father Would Have Loved

I got the love for music from my father. He was into classical music -- but genres don’t matter, I think, when one’s genetic make-up is being determined. Sunday mornings where reserved for father's music. And quite often I woke up to -- what as a child I considered horrible music -- Wagner, Mozart, Puccini, Beethoven ...

Nevertheless, I was not blind to the changes this music created in my father's behavior and mood. And, quite often, while he was slowly drifting into a state of blissfulness, listening to Ingeborg Hallstein and Rudolf Schock, I kept wondering  why they were always singing about love.


One day, I asked father that question. The expression this question conjured up on his face carved itself into my memory. First he looked perplexed, but then I saw something in his face I had never noticed before. He looked thoughtfully dreamy -- that’s how I would describe it more than 40 years later. His answer, however, was as pithy and precise as always. “Because,” he said, “love is so important.”

Back then, his answer didn’t satisfy my curiosity. I was just a child. Only after I had experienced the emotion my father had talked about, did I understand and appreciate his answer.

Years later, when I had developed my own taste concerning music, when I was listening to “When A Man Loves A Woman” or “These Arms Of Mine” I remembered his words quite often.

A lot of the traits my father has passed on to me I don't like; some I even hate. But the love for music and the coping skills attached to it, definitely compensate for the not so desirable paternal genetic endowments.

No wonder he was on my mind when I put together today’s AudioBlog. I bet he would have liked the songs I picked. 

I tried to capture a few of the different tastes of love: happiness, romance, dependency, longing, and anguish.

This one is for Dad.



Songs My Father Would Have Loved

1. Sweet Lovin' Love -- Zap Pow
2. Love Lives On A Windy Hill -- The Futures
3. A Woman Will Do Wrong -- Helene Smith
4. Let Me Hold You For A Night -- David Ruffin
5. Don't Ever Leave Me -- Bob and Earl



Thursday, July 22, 2010

The Skull Snaps -- My Hang Up Is You


My Hang Up Is You (GSF Recordings, Inc. 1973) is an example of exquisite background harmonizing, a distinct lead vocalist, and a fine arrangement.
The group has resleased only one album, Skull Snaps, which is in high demand nowadays for all kinds of sampling. Skull Snaps is definitely a group whose Funk is heavily laced with Soul. I like this kind of modified Funk.
Before they became the Skull Snaps, the group called itself The Diplomats and already had released a number of successful singles.


Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Sy Hightower -- Wild Love, I Know You're Leaving Me

Who in the world is Sy Hightower? I heard the song, and it immediately had me want more of this gritty Bobby-Womack-like voice. So, I went hunting and found the A-side to today's song, I Know You're Leaving Me on a compilation called Super Cool California Soul.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Detroit Emeralds -- Let Me Take You In My Arms



The Detroit Emeralds live You Want It You Got It

Listen here
or here

Monday, July 19, 2010

Nicky Thomas -- New Morning

Let's start the new week with a Reggae song by Nicky Thomas.


Here's a short bio of the artist:

Nicky Thomas was born Cecil Nicholas Thomas in Portland, Jamaica, in 1949. His first hit in the islands was "Run Nigel Run," produced by Derrick Harriot in 1969, but Thomas' most successful songs were recorded with producer Joe Gibbs, including the wonderful "Love of the Common People," which rode its reggae-pop sound into the U.K. Top Ten in 1970. Following a tour of Britain in support of the single that same year, Thomas decided to stay, and he continued to release his brand of pop-infused reggae from the U.K. until his death in 1990. Sort of a poor man's Jimmy Cliff, Thomas produced a small but infectious body of work, and he deserves to be remembered on the strength of "Love of the Common People" alone, as well as for songs like "BBC," a harsh criticism of Radio 1's treatment of Jamaican reggae artists. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi

A Bag O' Ear Candy

I suspect I am having too many different places to store music. Today's songs are from my laptop which I rarely use for my musical musings. Unfortunately, the house  remodeling is still not finished, and I had to temporarily  move out of my study -- away from the Big Mac -- and what can I say , I discovered on the Little Mac  some music I thought was just perfect for a SOTS  weekend edition.


A Bag O' Ear Candy

O Me O My -- Mike James Kirkland
Wait a Minute -- The Lost Generation

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Mad Lads -- Destination

Destination! This title from the 1973 album A New Beginning (Volt) seems to be quite appropriate for today's post! I hope you all make the new SOTS site your daily destination from now on.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Bill Withers -- I Don't Want You On My Mind, Hope She'll Be Happier With Him

Blues on Thursday! Blues on Thursday! Blues on Thursday!

I was listening to some Bill Withers today. To me he is a poet, psychologist and philosopher -- all at the same time. His lyrics  are thought-provoking and his music kind of uncomplicated, yet sophisticated.
I more or less stumbled upon this song from his Still Bill album today (originally released in 1972, A&M Records). It reminded me of Howlin' Wolf, and I thought it might be one of The Wolf's songs, but the lyrics are credited to Bill Withers . At the end of the song, Bill even "quotes" The Wolf's famous uh-hoo-hoo.
As an extra, I'll post a song by Bill which is definitely not Blues - but anyone who is even remotely in a depressed mood should not listen to it. It'll give you the Blues so bad you will forever hate me. The song is from his Live at Carnegie Hall album (1973). It has LONELINESS written all over.