Ladies with Soul … Lots to choose from; Aretha Franklin, Carla Thomas, Candi Staton, Randy Crawford, Millie Jackson, Mary Wells, Gwen McCrae, Vicki Anderson, Marva Whitney, Lyn Collins, Barbara Lewis, Etta James, Dee Dee Warwick, Fontella Bass, Minnie Ripperton, Marie Knight, Dee Dee Sharp, Mitty Collier…as well as contemporary kittens such as Angie Stone, Brandy, India Arie, Beyonce…and those are just the ones off the top of my head !
As difficult as it was to choose..today’s cut, (courtesy of Doris ‘Just One Look’ Troy), has ALL the right ingredients; Vocals, Lyrics and Production..
Bronx born Doris Higginsen begun her career singing Gospel in her fathers choir but it was as a songwriter that she scored her first hit ‘How About That’ recorded by Soul pioneer Dee Clark in 1960. Three years later she was spotted by James Brown working as an usherette at the Apollo and in that same year she wrote and recorded the Mod/ernist classic ‘Just One Look’. Not sure how or why but Doris didn’t go on to receive the critical acclaim that her talents deserved. Employed by the Beatles at Apple as Artist, Writer and producer Doris sung backup and worked with some of the UK’s most established musicologists, (The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and The Moody Blues), but failed to make a commercial impact as an artist in her own right. After a few years in the wilderness Doris’s story became a successful stage show ‘Mama I Want To Sing’ which is scheduled for a cinema release this month? I didn’t know that before researching for today’s cut but musicology works in mysterious ways so it makes complete sense to me.
Listening back over the SoulBoy I realised that the Ladies hadn’t got a look in !! so this week I aim to rectify that and roll with some female action..starting with this one from the SUPERB Candi Staton. Yet another graduate from the school of Gospel..(where almost ALL the greatest Soul Singers started), Candi Staton is best known for ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ but at the end of the 60’s and into the early 70’s she recorded for Rick Hall and his majestic Fame label from whence today’s cut came.
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Lee Fields was so hot last night but the Menahan Street Band were on fire. Deeeeeeeeeeep Soul and funk that has to be heard and seen live to be fully appreciated. WHAT a show. EVERY song a winner. They almost tore the roof off at the Bloomsbury last night which considering its underground was quite a feat ! If you like Soul and Funk and they are playing in your town then do yourselves a favour and make sure you attend.
Bit of a dilemma as to what to lay down today? TOO MUCH choice on the Soul front and as I go to lay one down another comes up and ‘speaks’. Been listening to Legends like Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Al Green, Leroy Hutson as well lesser known but just as majestic Cats like James Carr, O.V Wright, and a whole host of 45’s from the 60’s and 70’s so rather than face the dilemma I’m just going to lay down this 60’s Soul marrow trembler and be done…..Recorded for and released on Don Robey’s BackBeat Label in 1965, (from the album If It’s Only For Tonight)
(Lee Fields & The Expressions – Do You Love Me Like You Say You Do)
Have to be quick on this one as I’m heading out the door to see these Cats perform live and direct at the Bloomsbury Ballrooms in my hometown…the first metropolis and greatest city in the world…London. REALLY looking forward to it and if anyone out there needs convincing to make the effort to get down there this should be enough…Soul of the HIGHEST order. Released last year on the Truth and Soul label..Featuring Lee Fields, Charles Bradley, Leon Michels, Toby Pazner, Tom Brenneck, Dave Guy, Mike Deller, Nick Movshon, Homer Steinweiss.
Slowwwwwwwwww toooooooooday. Was out on the tiles last night and didn’t ‘get me nut down’ until the break of dawn…QUALITY night though, (in a club beneath the Ritz)..good friends birthday bash. Saw a few faces that I haven’t seen in a while and met some new ones…All Good. So I’m just going to lay down the cut without further delay as I’m tired. This one is courtesy of the sublime Donny Edward Hathaway a troubled Cat who despite his trials and tribulations still delivered some of the finest Soul yet recorded. Highlighted from his second LP ‘Donny Hathaway’ Released in 1971 on the Atco label, written by Van McCoy and featuring legendary musicians King Curtis, Al ‘The Human Timekeeper’ Jackson Jr, Phil Upchurch and Cornell Dupree.
hmmm…themusicologist has been AWOL these last few days ! busy getting it all straightened out but the musicology is on constant playback in anticipation of hitting the right note. In truth I’m a bit lost for words at the moment but not for music and this one from Soul brother supreme Jackie Wilson is BOSS. For themusicologist Jackie is one of a handful of artists who personify the essence of Soul. Starting out with his performances as lead singer with Billy Wards Dominoes in 1953 right up to the 70’s Jackie was always trembling marrows with his vocal ability… and this is one of them.
Didn’t throw one down yesterday… Had it all lined up but something held it back. Today I know what…Completed a foundation course yesterday, (the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step), and without going into it the ‘proof of the pudding’ was most certainly in the weekends eating. Suffice to say that as the days, weeks, months and years unfold on themusicologist it’s a subject that I will elucidate on but for now i’ll keep it on the ‘DL’.
Today’s majestic slice of the SoulBoy pie on the other hand is one that will definately make it into the networked society of which I, for one, am most certainly a part…Courtesy of a Cat whose language I find myself in complete harmony with…Master Terry Callier my favourite contemporary artist. When the man speaks themusicologist ALWAYS listens. For me Harmony is like that I can almost consciously hear it as it resonates with my Soul. If you would like to hear more from the Man..BUY his works. I have them all and I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. First featured, (#391) on themusicologist when my world began to change. Following with a weeks dedication to the man, (#409-#415), such is his impact on my life…This one is from his ‘Alive’ set recorded Live at the turn of the new millenium at the Jazz Cafe.
“Said it’s alllllllllllright, baby step into the light”
Like I mentioned yesterday…time ain’t on my side for the next couple of days so can’t wax lyrical about today’s artist. Multi talented singer, songwriter, bass player, (today’s cut being a prime example), who wrote his first ‘hit’ at the tender age of 13 for Curtis Mayfield’s Windy C label.
Hip Hop fans, (as well as ‘Soul Boys’), will instantly recognise the BassLine which has been sampled by artists such as Doug E Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Mary J. Blige, and OC as well as providing the inspiration for legions of producers. The Jones Girls 1983 cut ‘All Night Long’ was 80’s Soul at it’s finest and of course it was this piece that preceeded it…would Love to share more of the Cats ‘medals’ with you but I HAVE to be out the door in ten minutes so without further delay hold this majestic slice of the 80’s Soul and Boogie pie…
for the next 3 days, (starting today), themusicologist is going AWOL so the SoulBoy posts are going to be short but, at least as far as the music is concerned, sweet. Truth is I am starting a foundation course today and I’ll be busy with it until Sunday night so with that in mind…
Today’s cut is a classic piece of Soul from the early 1980’s. BIG on the Jazz Funk scene that rocked London’s underground towards the end of the 70’s, (in reaction to the commercialisation of Disco), and lasted right up until the mid 80’s, (before Rare Groove took up the batton)
One of my favourite cuts from the period, D-Train consisted of James “D Train” Williams on lead vocals and Hubert Eaves III, (former member of funk and soul outfit Mtume), as instrumentalist. This was the version that moved the crowd mainly due to the introduction..
“With the love I have inside of me we can turn this world around,
we can live through all eternity and we’ll never touch the ground,
We’ll take a chance to ride apoun a star to a place that’s far away,
The light of love will shine on us forever and a day….”
So…after yesterday’s introduction to the musicology of Soul it’s time to turn up the heat with a cut from the 70’s..not to say that yesterday’s piece from the Miracles wasn’t ‘hotter than ten fire side’ as, for me, it most certainly is but as is often the case at the dawn of things, (the birth of Soul in this instance), it’s not always as accessible until the context is expanded and the horizon widened…
Significantly it was today’s artist that first touched both my conscious and unconscious in equal amounts beginning an appreciation for the man and his ‘language’ that started from babe in arms due, in part, to my dad who is a BIG Curtis Mayfiled, (and the Impressions), fan. One of the first LP’s that I can remember in fine detail is Curtis Live, (and it’s counterpart ‘Curtis’ you know the one with the man himself on the cover in them flared strides looking of into the sunset. I have featured and wrote about Curtis many times over the past three years so excuse me if I don’t repeat what I have already written for the sake of ‘information’.
Simply put….for me Curtis is Soul personified and his message has inspired me MANY, MANY times along the ‘way’…
Highlighted from his eponymous and hard hitting 1975 social commentary set ‘There’s No Place Like America Today’…..
Just out Monday
Run into a friend
Down the street, down the street
Where I live
Ahh ahh sad things begin
I could feel from within
From the message
From the message
He had to give
‘Bout a buddy of mine
Running out of time
His life run out of time
Somebody past noon
Shot across the room
And now the man no longer lives
Too bad about him
Too sad about him
Don’t get me wrong
The man is gone
But it’s a wonder he lived this so long
Up in the city they called him Boss Jack
But down home he was a alley cat
Ah! didn’t care nothing about being black
Ah! Billy Jack
Ahh can’t be no fun, can’t be no fun
To be shot, shot with a hand gun
Body sprawled out, you without a doubt
Running people out, there on the floor
Ah, ah bad bloody mess
Shot all up in his chest
Shot in the chest
One sided duel, gun and a fool
What a way to go
Up in the city they called him Boss Jack
But down home he was a alley cat
Ah Didn’t care nothin’ bout being black
Ah Billy Jack
Waiting for the inspiration for a new theme it suddenly arrived yesterday out of nowhere… Soul. Why? well…above all musical genres Soul is in my flesh, blood and bones. Deeply ingrained from before I was born. allow me to outline my historicity
My mum and dad were both Original London Mod/ernists from 1962 and anyone who knows will agree that the authentic soundtrack to Mod/ernist is Soul…Rhythm & Blues too of course but whereas Rhythm&Blues had been around for many years Soul was ‘modern’ (albeit a fusion between Doo Wop and Gospel).
Between 1958 and 1960 the seeds of Soul were sown as the cultural boundaries began to be crossed in earnest and as is often the case it was music that blew the trumpet for change loud and clear. No more would the universal language be categorised strictly by ‘Race’ (my belief is that it’s the only language that speaks to all regardless of colour, nationality or creed). Artists such as Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Smokey Robinson, Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield, Gene Chandler, Dee Clark, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, (along with a whole host of lesser known but just as illuminating singers, songwriters and musicologists), began to flex their musical muscles and craft the ‘new lick’ without the backing of Corporate thieves and vultures.
In December 1968 themusicologist was born with the soundtrack of Soul ringing in my heart and soul and from that day to this it has been ever present. Beginning with the ‘classics’ I have matured throughout the 70’s 80’s 90’s and into the 21st Century with the heartbeart of such priceless musicology as the soundtrack to my existence. There have been and are many other genres that have had a profound impact on the I but Soul still is (and always will be), my first musical love.
Kicking off with one of my favourite early Soul cuts courtesy of the pioneering ‘Miracles’ who first recorded in 1958 for Chess, but it wasn’t until hooking up to Berry Gordy’s fledgling Motown Label that the musical sparks began to truly fly. Just like to add that without doubt The Miracles were a foundation stone on which the Berry Gordy empire was built…
Last day of this theme but before the final cut I would like to elucidate on the my thoughts and inspiration for laying it down. various parts of London, (and many other parts of the world), in the late 70’s and throughout the 80’s were a battleground as the old world began to give way to the new and the front line soldiers were the police. Stop and search was a BIG problem that only served to alienate ‘us’ from ‘them’. In my experience community policing gave way to bullying and now we live in a society where for many the Police are the oppressors.
Of course the argument could, (and does as far as some are concerned), run that fire needs to be fought with fire but on the other hand the Tao maintains that the ‘way’ to deal with ‘yang’ (fire) is with ‘Yin’ (water) and I have to state wholeheartedly that I agree..my recent experience has highlighted that fire burns whilst water soothes..anyone who has been in such a situation must know of what I speak?. I’m not blaming those individuals who join ‘the force’ as ‘a wo/man has to do what a wo/man has to do’ in order to survive. My belief is that the responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of those who crack the whip….
Could only be this one to finish up..Junior Murvin’s international 1976 ‘hit’ … Supremely produced and mixed by Lee Perry.
Have to be quick with today’s post..man on a mission ! so without further delay hold this cut from Master Woody Guthrie who I am a BIG fan of. Regulars to the musical diary might have already guessed that I hunger for authenticity whether in music or in life..too much bullshit angers me which is why ‘news’ doesn’t interest me at all. At the risk of seeming indifferent the conventional propaganda machine or to use it’s common name..the media has an agenda…the promotion and pursuit of Capital over happiness…money ain’t worth the paper it’s printed on…how much has been printed over the last year? something like 20 Billion?? and yet still the poor are getting poorer while the rich are getting richer. make no mistake the gap between the two is widening…how can that be?
Anyway…before I get involved hold this cut from Woody about outlaw Pretty Boy Floyd. Recorded in 1939 the song highlights Floyd’s apparent generosity to the poor which considering Guthrie’s Oklahoma roots and the mans authenticity I would imagine was true. Floyd’s funeral remains the States most attended funeral so he most have been popular for more than mere infamy… the outlaw is generally respected amongst the poor community and also revered for his generosity while his nefarious activities are often overlooked.
So much to do and so little time in which to do…the bane of the 21st Century and as we move deeper into the ‘Age Of Insecurity’ the question I sometimes find myself asking is
“what the f**k is it all about” and by ‘it’ I mean existence…is it a game “full of sound and fury signifying nothing” or does it have any deeper meaning. If truth be told, (and I have said it before), for me it does have meaning and it isn’t a game..games are for playing while I believe that life is for living.
What has this got to do with the current theme..not much. Just the way I’m rolling today…I Feel good, great in fact and I just wanted to share it with you.
While searching and scanning themusicologist vaults for cuts about Police and Thieves I have concluded that musically, Thieves barely get a mention. I think Foucault wrote a book about society’s fascination with villains, (which I will have to procure for the library), but they are not well represented in musicology whereas the police on the other hand are.
Today’s cut needs no introduction..borrowed from seminal 1988 album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ featuring the harmonious talents of Ice Cube, Mc Ren, Eazy-E, Dr Dre and DJ Yella
Hmmm..don’t know what’s happened to the ‘Thieves’ selection..just have to keep rolling with the Police then…
Today’s cut is from none other than the ‘Cool Ruler’ a Cat who has been delivering TOP ranking cuts for 40…YES 40 years. which in this age of here today and gone tomorrow is no mean feat. His recording career begun in 1968 but it wasn’t until hooking up with Errol Dunkley in 1973 and setting up their African Museum label that he began his rise to the top of the Jamaican music tree working with producers such as Niney, Gussie Clarke, Roy Cousins, Alvin Ranglin and Lee Perry sealed his status as one of Jamaica’s top vocalists throughout the 70’s and 80’s. Always ahead of the game Gregory was and still is an inspiration for all Ghetto youths.
Still making TOP ranking music Gregory is the yardstick by which all Jamaican vocalists are measured…with only Dennis Brown for company. Yes there are other singers who are as good but none surpass Gregory…Lee Perry production on this one.
Today’s cut on the Police&Thieves is courtesy of Jamaican dancehall artist Wasp with an insight into how things run in the ghetto when a man tries to hustle a little dance to make a ‘play’. Many’s the time I remember back in the late 80’s, early 90’s where the ‘Old Bill’ crashed our dances in London to ‘lock’ off the sound under the premise of ‘Health and Safety’. So much so that a Bill was passed through Parliament to give them the power. Yep money was being made, drugs were being sold but there was never any alcohol on the premises…the truth was that there was no tax being paid and we all know that TAX is what it’s all about.
Life is so unfair,
Me not even sell a crate a beer,
And by the time me look,
Pure police come inna me land,
Say the sound haffi turn off,
I don’t know wey a gwan,
A who invite them inna me land,
But still me nah worry meself,
Ca’ me know fe a fact,
Say them a fight ghetto youths before me born,
Nah lock off me sound officer
And gwan like you take me for clown officer..hey,
When the music nah play In a the ghetto and the shots them a echo,
Ouno say we up to no good,
Make the music play officer,
No bother make the yoots them go astray officer ay,
Just remember say in a JA we party every day,
Man a try fe live life the right way,
So me say,
Living in the ghetto its not easy to survive,
More time you have fe hustle just to stay alive,
Though me no have no big education,
Plus ‘dem say me not qualified fe the 9 to 5,
So it’s a dance me a keep,
Take some liquor pon consignment,
and me block the street,
People them come out whole heap,
But by the time me look a pure jeep,
And them come fe lock off me sound officer,
And gwan like you take me for clown officer..hey,
When the music nah play In a the ghetto and the shots them a echo,
Ouno say we up to no good,
Make the music play officer,
No bother make the yoots them go astray officer ay,
Just remember say in a JA we party every day,
Man a try fe live life the right way,
Yeah,
Me a beg the ghetto yout’ them fe put down the gun,
‘Cause if the shot a beat then the music a go done,
‘Cause me no want the police pass through,
And no see no more dead body lay down pon the ground,
Officer me a beg you please,
Come make the ghetto yout them want a hold up the peace,
Man from west and east,
Me rather see dance than see funeral keep,
Nuh lock off me sound officer,
And gwan like you take me for clown officer..hey,
When the music nah play In a the ghetto and the shots them a echo,
Ouno say we up to no good,
Make the music play officer
No bother make the yoots them go astray officer ay,
Just remember say in a JA we party every day,
Man a try fe live life the right way,
Yo tell them weh them want me do,
Tell me weh them all a plan,
When them only gimme life and oppression for the poor man,
So me a keep a dance just to make a couple grand,
Police circle in a de dance and come a with your permit in a y’ hand,
When me show the man me permit,
And im still a say me wrong,
Ca’ the permit stop at 2 and now a 2:21,
A it seem like them nuh care,
Must nuh have nothing fe spare,
So me say alright,
Nuh lock off me sound officer,
And gwan like you take me for clown officer..hey,
When the music nah play In a the ghetto and the shots them a echo,
Ouno say we up to no good,
Make the music play officer
No bother make the yoots them go astray officer ay,
Just remember say in a JA we party every day,
Man a try to live life the right way
Today will always be a very special date in my calender…our beautiful son’s birthday. The boy is 12 and I love him more than words alone could ever suggest. The kid is a constant source of joy and inspiration, (they both are), and I just want to lay one down for the kitten in an effort to express my feelings for him.
Recorded 72 years ago, (almost to the day), in New York on January 6th 1938 and featuring an all star cast of Buck Clayton, Benny Morton, Lester Young, Teddy Wilson, Freddie Green, Walter Page and Jo Jones.
Fabian this one’s ALL yours…LISTEN TUNE…..
“My first impression of you was like a sight of flowers in spring,
You were a glorious thing..to see,
My first impression of you was something indescribably new,
I stood there looking at you smiling at me,
If you had stepped right out of heaven it wouldn’t surprise me more,
I thought you were an angel from heavens door,
It may sound silly but true my heart just stopped when I caught your eye,
So overwhelming was my first impression of you”….
So just leaves Dinah to wrap up this session..beautiful duet with vocal group supreme The Ravens who along with The Mills brothers and The Orioles set the tone for the Doo Wop explosion that followed.
themusicologist 