musicology #56

coversweek .. day #4 (I Shall Be Released – Heptones)

“I see the light come shining from the west up to the east … anyday now, anyday now… I shall be released”

top ranking piece of Studio1 ‘ sufferers’ action from one of the great Jamaican vocal groups. Leroy Sibbles was also musical director, arranger, bass player, producer, (along with Sylvan Morris) and all round musicologist for the Brentford Road powerhouse after Jackie Mittoo had packed his bags for Canada in 1971.

the lyrics are courtesy of Bob Dylan who may or may not have been aware of this cover due to the non existent copyright laws on the island … but i’m sure he would have approved as the group certainly brought something new to the song.

musicology #55

coversweek .. day 3

(Candi Staton – Stand By Your Man – Fame -1970)

it has been bought to my attention that a possible flaw on themusicologist is the abscence of the track and artist info. my intention is to promote communication, not withhold precious information, so from now on expect to see it at the beginning of the post …. just to reiterate, themusicologist is a forum for sharing music, knowledge and communication.

slipping back into some soul for todays ‘version’ that epitomizes the essence of coversweek. this vocalist is best known for the disco classic young hearts run free but before that she was a disciple of Rick Hall’s Fame studio where southern soul was polished into a High Art.

It was the early Mod Classic You Better Move On, (Arthur Alexander) that launched the FAME sound followed by Jimmy Hughes’s Steal Away. the FAME studio was responsible for many a well known Soul tune by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Clarence Carter, Joe Tex, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Bobby Womack, etc and it was into this creative maelstrom that the artist in question evolved from a teenage member of the Jewell Gospel Trio in the 1950’s and early 60’s, (touring with the likes of the Soul Strirrers and Mahalia Jackson), into to a woman capable of scoring ‘hits’ throughout the 1970’s. so without further ado .. hold this country and western standard. ladies .. enough said !!

musicology #54

coversweek .. day2 (Soulful Love – Pat Kelly)

moving into the sweet sounds of Jamaica with this ‘Father Curtis’ penned tune. Originally sung by the Impressions in 1970, (if memory serves me right?) this piece produced by the man known as Phil Pratt. Sung by the majestic Pat Kelly, released in Jamaica on the SunShot Label.

for themusicologist it has all the attributes .. lyrics, vocals and production combining to deliver pure harmony….

listen tune..

musicology #53

coversweek .. day1

(Randy Crawford – Knocking On Heaven’s Door)

due to the popularity of themusicologists recent thematics, (ladiesweek/mansweek/duets/vocalgroups), as well as the personal pleasure gained by sharing such music it’s time to jump back into the saddle and throwdown a new theme.

coversweek .. alternative renditions of well known tunes …

most of the time I favour the original but on occasion an artist brings out something different in the tune and reaches new ground, as is the, (subjective), case with the seven pieces this week.

first up is a female vocalist who has already featured on themusicologist, (musicology #26 ), with a pucker rendition of a Bob Dylan song, (first of two Dylan covers), from the movie Pat Garret & Billy The Kid. themusicologist is a BIG fan of Dylan having grown up listening to the cat from ‘early out’ and I place him high up the learning tree as one o me ‘learning facilitators’ along with father Curtis, the Modfather, the Poet, Van Morrison and a few others so, without further delay ..

musicology #52

back to the musical diary…

(Little Ghetto Boy – Donny Hathaway – Freddy Luster Remix)

as themusicologist evolves, grows and unfolds it reminds the I of a stream, meandering slowly down from the hills following it’s natural path, but in places the stream widens into a river and flows with uncontrolled rage, dangerous, aggressive, unpredictable and threatening. At these junctions it becomes a sink or swim, fight or flight situation. Sink and drown or fight and conquer. Navigating such waters is a challenge and tools become a necessity to help point the way.

I speak in these metaphors as right now the stream is leading into the river and I’m looking at the navigational tools at my disposal and wondering what one to trust, the compass or the map?

not often that themusicologist favours the remix or the cover version, (keep it locked for a ‘coversweek’ theme) but this Freddy Luster rinse out adds to the original in my opinion.

hold it, hear it and watch the cultural ride.

musicology #51

(One Drop Of Rain – Wayne Wonder)

Another day another dollar, (or not as the case may be)

fulfilling a request from a dear friend for this one so without delay JP, this one’s especially for you

pucker slice of 1996 dancehall, (produced by the Shocking Vibes crew), from one of my favourite singers. A cat who has been dropping musical bombs for nigh on 20 years and delivers almost, (nobodys perfect), everytime he takes the mic .. Mr Charles, y’ large.

musicology #50

(Loving Paper – Dobby Dobson – Treasure Isle)

keeping a low one this week, (but not musically of course), only thrown the Gregory so far but as this is a musical diary heres another entry.

of interest, (to me at least), is the realisation that as one who, from a young age, was schooled in the ways of the catholic church, especially during secondary education, (11-16), themusicologist is the place I come to ‘confess’

strange thing confession .. and regular as clockwork through my school years, (at least once a week),

anyway back to themusicologist as the confessional box. I’m caught between music being the antagonist or the protagonist. of course there is the eternal balance and the can’t have one without the other and although I accept that in theory, for me, life is not theoretical or a game played in the mind. music is not theoretical it’s out there exposed to be acted on.

everytime I hear Curtis sing move on up, (musicology#30), it moves me, calls me to arms and shows me the way

“so move on up and keep on wishing .. remember your dream is your only scheme, so keep on pushing”

I first heard this at the tender and impressionable age of two where it stuck like glue and opened my heart and mind to the power of music to communicate a message. ever since then the thirst for music has been unquenchable, over time becoming the only constant companion as well as the voice that is always heard. I mention all this because right now I find myself standing at the crossroads and wondering where music will lead me. this piece of Trojan produced RockSteady on the Treasure Isle Label has also been a constant source of inspiration since first feeling it back in the 80’s

come in dobby dobson and help shine the light.

“I’m not in a position to maintain you ……….”

loving-pauper-label-scan.jpg

musicology #49

(Once I Was Lonely – Gregory Issacs)

still spinning .. rollin and tumblin. hold this top piece of ‘lovers’ from the
‘cool ruler’ who had this to say..

” I think that the power of music is in love songs because every day people fall in love, Gregory Issacs doesn’t fall in love, Gregory Issacs stands in love”

lyrics, don Gregory, lyrics ..

mid 90’s Winston Riley production for his own Techniques label.

musicology #48

vocalgroupaction .. day7

(Back Up Train – Soulmates)

last piece. 1967 .. who can tell us the name of the lead singer?

musicology #47

vocalgroupaction .. day 6 (Who’s That Lady – Isley Brothers)

cats..apologies for delay in posting this late in the day. had a late one last night, didnt get home until 7:30 am !! and subsequently slept the whole day .. well worth it though as I was out with my best spars who I NEVER fail to have a great time with. I’m dedicating this one to them. thanks for your unconditional support and friendship it is very much appreciated. this one from 1973 on the T Neck Label. The message is always in the music even if it does fall on ‘deaf ears’

musicology #46

vocalgroupaction .. day5

(Sincerley – Moonglows)

theres no way this one could have been left out of the vocalgroup selection. for themusicologist the benchmark against which all vocalgroupaction is measured. first heard this sometime in the early 70’s through a foundation musicologist who has often been the catalyst for introducing new sounds and it still sounds at least as sweet now as it did more than 30 years ago … amazing how music can trigger detailed memories, I can almost reach out and touch them.

One of these cats, Harvey Fuqua, (not singing lead on this one), was instrumental in the development of the vocal group sound eventually moving on, (with protege Marvin Gaye), to Detroit where he worked his creative magic and helped build the Motown Sound … Released in December 1954 on the Chess label out of Chi’

musicology #45

vocalgroupaction..day4 (Elephant Walk – Donald & The Delighters)

I first heard this about 6 / 7 years ago. I fell in love with it there and then at it has since become one of my favourite pieces of vocal group action..having enjoyed it many times it never ceases to amaze me how innovative it is. which, considering Donald Jenkins is on the session, (singing lead), is no surprise as, for themusicologist, his contribution, (especially), to the vocal development of Soul deserves a mention. check that use of echo and the mad jungle sounds .. wonder if Lee Perry knew the tune? one from the witch/cortland stable out of Chi’ from the summer of 1963

musicology #44

vocalgroup action day 3 (You Don’t Care – Techniques)

top ranking slice of Rock Steady from Duke Reid ‘the Trojan’s’ Treasure Isle stable.
a tune penned by father Curtis Mayfield, (a major influence on Jamaican musical direction)

lead vocal by the majestic Horatius ‘Pat’ Kelly.. backing by Winston Riley and Junior Menz, who went on to sing the equally heart wrenching lead on one of themusicologists favourite slices of Jamaican Soul..Queen Majesty.

musicology #43

vocalgroupaction .. day 2

(The Door Is Still Open – Cardinals)

recorded in 1955 by one of the pioneering vocal groups. formed in 1946, ( a year before the Orioles), they were ‘discovered’ in 1951 by an Atlantic Records executive during a company talent search and went on to record 12 singles over six years. during their time at Atlantic the lead singer, (the magnificent Ernie Warren), was drafted and the group lost their way, finding it only when Warren returned full time in 1954.

Penned by the multi talented Harold ‘Chuck’ Willis this piece has it all..vocals, lyrics, production and illustrates, perfectly, the doo-wop sound.

musicology #42

vocalgroupaction .. day 1 (Peace In The Valley – Soul Stirrers)

has to be this one to start proceedings.

no words neccesary.

listen tune..

musicology #41

doublebubble..#7

(Wornell Jones – It Must Have Been Love)

finishing off the 3 round theme with the icing on the cake. a barely known 80’s Boogie, marrow trembler from this musicologist/songwriter/singer/bass player. what more can be said about it other than

“it must have been love”

one thing themusicologist would like to add to the diary is a few words on how music is so often the catalyst for change. this week I undertook a new journey .. therapy… relationship therapy to be precise. for an ‘alley-cat’ this is almost unheard of for many reasons but, (almost), anything and everything is worth investigating and as communication breakdown is all too common in this age there is obviously value in wise counsel. this musical diary is my therapy, best friend, shoulder to cry on and this week here we are without planning, scheming or manipulating listening to duets, two people in harmony… bliss and strangely almost confessional.

the point to make here is that no matter how hard one ‘knocks’, (and themusicologist is an example of this pursuit), if the door to the heart is closed and nobodys home the time will come when the person outside packs the emotional bags and hits the road. Darryl Banks knew this back in ’66 and laid down an anthem, (musicology #11), to guide us but if you don’t ‘listen’ you can’t hear. so this piece of musicology goes out to all those who aren’t listening as well as those who are.

musicology #40

doublebubble .. day6

(Womack & Womack – Woman)

If you like your soul straight up, no chaser this is one of them tunes that does all the talking .. lovers/haters hold this marrow trembling 4mins 17 seconds of 80’s soul duet heaven from Linda and Cecil and let the music be your guide…

musicology #39

doublebubble .. day 5

(Chuck Jackson & Maxine Brown – Don’t Go)

sticking with the 1965 selection this one brings together two of Souls shining lights that, (as is all too often the case), didn’t receive the accolades due for their musical efforts. Maxine Brown and Chuck Jackson were there recording in the ‘new style’ as Soul emerged from the shadows of Doo Wop and Rhythm & Blues in the early 60’s to become the force it is today. the second tune this week to flow from the pen of the majestic songwriting duet Ashford&Simpson.

just so you know, for themusicologist the term Soul covers any song about affairs of the heart sung with genuine feeling … regardless of race, creed or colour.

musicology #38

doublebubble .. day 4

(Tarheel Slim & Little Ann – I Submit To You)

day late but not a dollar short with this piece from 1965. better known for their 1959 hit, (it’s too late), which made the doublebubble playlist but, for me, doesn’t reach the heights of this one.

the male half of this husband and wife pairing was a foundation soul singer who first recorded gospel from 1946 as a member of The Southern Harmonaires, Selah Jubilee Singers and The Jubilators. Next stop, (1950) was early Vocal Group The Larks followed by some Blues cuts accompanied by the legendary Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee before moving to Bobby Robinson’s legendary label Red Robin ..

musicology #37

doublebubble .. day3

(Bob & Marcia – Always Together)

one of themusicologists favourite duets. this time from 1970 and the island of Jamaica. epitomising the sound of late 60’s early 70’s reggae and one that many a genuine rudeboy/skinhead would have moved to down at El Partido.

I have 3 versions of this, the UK mix/the dancehall 12″ and this one which, after much deliberation is the one that has come out on top. I love the 12″ just as much but it’s more of a specialists cut, (9 mins long), made for playing ‘in the dance’….

the male singer in the duet is also the songwriter, (one of Jamaicas finest poets), and I would imagine, for this session at least, is heavily involved in arrangement, production and final mix down. no prizes for guessing that its yet another Studio1 production.