Denise LaSalle -- Trying To Forget

Denise is best known for her Southern Soul recordings focusing on extramarital issues, so to speak. She, like Millie Jackson, got stuck in a rut, singing about the rather unsavory aspects of love and love-like relationships. Nevertheless, I love both of these singers for their great voices. After all, music not only offers the means to escape from reality but often it also portrays quite accurately the not so glorious sides of life.
Today's pick is from Denise LaSalle's album Here I Am Again (1975). On this song she showcases  her ability to control her strong, expressive voice, presenting a softer, less raw style than she usually applies to her material.
I just love her.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Archie Walker -- I'm Asking Forgiveness / A Change Is Near

Archie Walker is one of the artists who only seemed to have released a handful recordings. I think it is  regrettable not to have more material available by this artist. It certainly would have been interesting to hear how his voice had changed over time.
His voice may not be exceptional, but in its modesty (for the lack of a better expression) it is touching me. He's not trying to impress his audience, but is singing his song as if he were by himself -- in the shower, maybe?
I found the tracks -- of course -- at Sir Shambling's.  At first, I was going to post only I'm Asking Forgiveness, but A Change Is Near definitely deserves to be posted too. The song's title already hints at the original it is based upon: Sam Cooke's A Change Will Come. The latter song's musical arrangement is no doubt brilliant -- I especially love the guitar.

Now, get an earful of that sweet 60's sound of Archie Walker. 

Enjoy!

Lime Linx

ZZ Hill -- The Greatest Love

I admit I never knew this side of ZZ Hill. For the longest time I thought of him in terms of watered down Blues songs. Well, I just found a soft and silky Southern Soul piece by  him on the Kent Southern Soul Brothers album presenting Clay Hammond and ZZ Hill. I have listened to the song at least five times since I dug it out. I guess that means I really like it, and that's why I want to share it with you.

If you like Southern Soul, you should get the Cd -- and if you haven't heard of Clay Hammond yet, you're destined to discover an awesome vocalist in the best of Sam Cooke tradition. 

Get the CD here.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

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. 

Enjoy!

(limelinx)

Shirley Brown: "You'll Never Ever Know", The Kelly Bros.:"Falling In Love Again"

Today's titles are taken from the compilation album The Heart of Southern Soul. The first title is a beautiful "lost-love" song sung by the great Shirley Brown.

I love the intensity of Shirley's voice, which has a strong Gospel flavor to it, and which in this piece is skillfully echoed by the saxophone.  

I just love Shirley.

Shirley Brown, You'll Never Ever Know (mp3)

The Kelly Bros. Falling In Love Again is a plain yet beautiful song. Maybe its beauty lies in the simplicity of the melody and the plain soulful singing. In this song, too, the saxophone plays a supporting part to the voices, although a little more playful than in the first song. That does not come as a surprise, however, because falling in love is so much easier and uplifting than falling out of it again ... 

The Kelly Bros., Falling In Love Again (mp3)

I do recommend the The Heart of Southern Soul compilation for everyone who loves the uncomplicated sound of good ol' soul music as sung by Otis Redding or Arthur Conley for example.  

Lou Johnson: Don't Play That Song (You Lied), Gypsy Woman

Lou Johnson haette eigentlich auch etwas mehr Erfolg verdient; er hat eine durch und durch soulige Stimme. Die beiden Titel, die ich von ihm vorstellen moechte beweisen das.

Der erste Titel, Don't Play That Song (You Lied), schien mir in Aretha Franklins Version eigentlich unschlagbar -- bis ich Lou hoerte. Er traegt die Emotionen nicht ganz so dick wie Aretha auf, klingt etwas verhaltener ungluecklich ... Mir gefaellt bei seiner Interpretation auch die Gitarrenbegleitung sehr gut. Bei Aretha spielt das Piano ja die Hauptrolle bei der Instrumentation.
Gypsy Woman, der Impressions-Klassiker braucht sich in der Lou Johnson Version auch nicht zu verstecken. 

Don't Play That Song (mp3) Lou Johnson

Gypsy Woman (mp3)

Beide Titel sind von Lou Johnsons Album Sweet Southern Soul

Ich halte das Album fuer empfehlenswert.