musicology #36

doublebubble .. day 2

(Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrel –

a match made in heaven .. this pair of songbirds were the first to record this ashford and simpson penned number in 1967.

shortly after, at the tender age of 22, Tammi collapsed on stage, (in Marvin’s arms), and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Her health deteriorated and she died in 1970. Marvin devastated, retreated into near isolation, (as well as other things to ease the pain), and wrote ‘What’s Going On’ still the only authentic LP loaded with hard hitting environmental questions.

so this one is not only for the two of them, but for all of us that appreciate how short, (and cruel), life can sometimes be …

musicology #35

doublebubble day 1

(Bobby Womack & Patti LaBelle – Through The Eyes Of A Child)

so we have heard from the ladies, the men have said their piece and now its time for doublebubble..the duets.

of particular interest for themusicologist is the difference between these three disciplines.

harmony between two people is a sound/sight to behold .. anything is possible and nothing is too much of a challenge and this weeks 7 pieces are, (I believe), all examples of such togetherness. kicking off with some fine 80’s soul&boogie delivered by two deep and soulful singers ‘the poet‘ & ‘lady marmalade‘ . musicologists that have been laying down quality almost 25 years before coming together on this one in 1984.

musicology #34

mansweek day 7

(Aaron Neville – Tell It Like It Is)

BIG MAN tune. (almost left it out, too much choice), sure everybody out there knows it but themusicologist is NOT about rare, obscure tunes that nobody has heard .. appropriate tunes is what the I deal with and for mansweek there is no tune more so. one of them tunes that always leaves me wanting more than the 2mins:40.

“if you want something to play with, go and find yourself a toy, baby my time is too expensive..and I’m not a little boy”

chaps, hope you’re singing this one loud and clear. ladies..hope you’re listening.

musicology #33

mansweek day 6..

(Sam Cooke – That’s Where It’s At)

just realised that 33 was the age which this legend died at. so thats nailed it for themusicologist ..

Mr Soul step up and let the people know what we’re talking about.

 

musicology #32

mans week day 5

(Major Lance – Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um)

“Iiiiiiiiii just couldnt help myself, guess I was born with a curious mind,
Iasked this man just what did he mean when he moaned if he’d be so kind .. and he just go” …

the article mans tune. um, um, um, um, um, um .. I can only imagine what it would have been like to hear this one on the streets of London Town back in early1964, (Released in US, December 1963), maybe somewhere like The Scene for instance, (the first club of it’s type in London) or even The Disc’ .. 150% MOD tune .

must have heard it at least a 100 times over the years but NEVER fails to tremble me marrow. no surprise though as, again, it has father Curtis at the helm. Lyrics, choice of singer, arrangement. probably even played on the session such was his genius. not forgetting the contributions of Gerald Sims and of course Carl Davis who together with Curtis were most responsible for reviving OKeh’s fortune as well as leading the direction Soul took from 1962.

musicology #31

mansweek #4

(Paul Weller  – Down In The Seine – Live in Dublin 2001)

this artist/poet/legend has been a guide since 1977 when, as a 9 year old, themusicologist was presented with ‘In The City’. as far as im concerned this cat is second to none.

the amount of times his words, music and actions have been an inspiration are beyond counting and for that I would like to give thanks. as large as Curtis, Marvin, Bobby and Sam.

musicology #30

day 3 . . mans week

(Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up)

for themusicologist there are two artists that have been the biggest influence on the direction life has taken. both will be featured this week. First up, this artist and this tune are at the forefront of my musical memories.

exposed to this Goliath of soul at the tender age of TWO by the legendary Tony Blue, (respect is always due), the foundation source of themusicologists education. All I can say about this cat is, whenever times are hard father Curtis never fails to turn the grey skies blue and always sends the spirit soaring.

(would have posted the full 9mins but edited it down to just the vocal half)

musicology #29

mansweek .. day 2

(Jackie Wilson – I Want Somebody)

if you’re out there listening …

of the ten most soulful singers of the twentieth century, this cat is pushing for top spot and there can be no greater compliment paid than the one below from one of the others on the list:

“Jackie Wilson turned out to be probably my greatest idol that I ever had, as far as an entertainer,” said Smokey Robinson. “Because to me, he had everything. Jackie was just a complete package. The other guys could sing, but Jackie could sing and dance and entertain. He was really just great. So I think I probably admired him more so than all the other guys.”

musicology #28

day 1..mansweek

(Ken Parker – Choking Kind)

this is a big challenge. selecting 7 male vocal pieces from the vaults when the truth is it could easily be 7 from one artist or one year !! so without delay and to ‘set the speed’ .. heres the first piece from none other than the Brentford Road reggae powerhouse known as Studio 1 the place where musical history and magic were made on a regular basis.

almost all the reggae greats learnt the ropes under the direction of mr Coxsone Dodd a genuine musicologist who knew his onions inside out ..

this week, it’s seven from themusicologists heart which some may find ‘painful’. if thats the case then pretend you were on holiday because the ‘truth’ is something that I can’t hide.

musicology #27

day 7 .. Ladiesweek.

(Timi – It’s Over)

its been tough staying on top of the theme but, musicologically, worth the effort.

last one from the ladies and yep..it’s from the 90’s.

moving out of the soul into one of themusicologists other musical passions .. the sweet sounds of Jamaica. This one, produced by Beres, and mixed by ‘Bulby’ is from 1998.

musicology #26

day #6

(Randy Crawford – You Might Need Somebody)

moving into the eighties with a piece of musicology that rings many a bell. BIG Lp, (secret combination), at the home of themusicologist in 1981/2. Well do I remember all the ladies singing this at the top of their voices after a few glasses of the red stuff, (you all know who you are), I could have pulled out a less well known piece to impress the Cats but thats NOT what musicology is to me.

It’s tunes like this that evoke strong memories and made emotional impressions on a young boy coming of age, helping to shape this heart into how it responds today. I can almost taste, smell and see the times in the minds eye. final day of ladiesweek tomorrow and then it’s time for the men to step up to the M.I.C

musicology #25

Day 5..

(Ann Peebles – Tear You Play House Down)

slipping and sliding into a deep soulful piece from 1973. recorded in Memphis for the HI label.

chaps..listen this keenly.

musicology #24

day4…ladiesweek

(Barbara Lewis – Think A Little Sugar) 

moving out of the Rhythm & Blues of the 50’s into, yes you’ve guessed it .. the Soul of the 60’s.
original mod dancer recorded in May 1963, (just in time for the opening of The Scene),
with backing vocals by The Dells…a tune that never fails to hit the right note for themusicologist.

lyrics, (penned by the artist herself), vocals, production … the trinity.

musicology #23

ladiesweek .. day3

Big Maybelle – Ocean Of Tears

moving and juggling into a piece recorded for the OKeh label sometime between 1952-55 but, as far as I know, one that stayed ‘in the can’, (unreleased), until the CD revolution opened up the back catalogues in the 90’s.

for your information this tough singer recorded the original of “whole lotta shakin’ going on” in 1955, (2 years before Jerry Lee Lewis rinsed it)

musicology #22

ladiesweek..day two..

if Bille is the most influential then as far as themusicologist is concerned this next vocalist has the best ‘set of pipes’ .. I know that’s subject to my opinion of what constitutes a good voice and maybe there are those who would disagree. if so..clean your ears out.

the effortlessness, timing, phrasing and authenticity of this singer is beyond question.

again, extremely challenging to pick just one tune from her large catalogue..

recorded March/April 1947

p.s who does’nt?

musicology #21

ladiesweek #1

(Billie Holiday – Love Me Or Leave Me)

Kicking off ladiesweek with possibly the most influential female vocalist of all time…Eleanora Fagan Gough popularly known as Billie Holiday who most certainly had a right to sing the Blues and sing them she did but in a new ‘uptown’ style that took it’s lead from the one and only Louis Armstrong.

Of course there’s Bessie Smith, Mahalia Jackson and Dinah Washington  to consider but let’s leave that debate to one side.

very difficult to pick one slice of musicology from her repertoire but one it must be…

Accompanied by the sublime artistry of Teddy Wilson and full crew from sometime in the 1930’s … Billie step up to the m.i.c and let us know what time it is..

musicology #20

Barbara George – I Know 

staring down the barrel of a 3 week musicology theme, themusicologist is slipping in this request from theagingmod, (comment on #19), recorded in 1961 for the a.f.o label in New Orleans just as the tide was turning from the traditions of R&B into the sweet sound of Soul.

also ties in musicologically with the next 3 weeks selection,

week1. hereby known as ‘ladies week’ (a tune a day sung by and for the ladies)

week2. hereby known as ‘fellas week’

week3.hereby known as ‘double bubble week’ (duets)

starting Mondays, ending Sundays…keep it locked.

agingmod…this ones for you.

musicology #19

(Delilah – Major Lance)

themusicologist is as much about the sharing of knowledge as the music itself. this fling is a fine example of what musicology means to me.

we were at a dear friends daughters second birthday bash, (happy birthday Nova), on Sunday and one of the guests was a beautiful baby girl whose name is this songs title.

of course as themusicologist there was only one thing to do and I enquired as to whether the child and parent were aware of the TOP tune I am about to throw down…as the answer was no I proposed to attach it to an email, (I would consider changing my name to be associated with such a slice of musicology), but this way it gives themusicologist a chance to indulge his passion for this singer, this particular tune and even more importantly the song writer/producer/musical genius whose message has been a constant inspiration throughout my whole life so without further ado .. this ones for you D*****H … from themusicologist.

musicology #18

(Gwen McCrae – Keep The Fire Burning)

this one goes out to the saturday night/sunday morning crew who’s company themusicologist had the absolute pleasure of sharing. special thanks to JP for the kind words regarding this musical diary..it’s what makes it all worthwhile. Not forgetting me bredren, (Reload), and the special woman in my life…

“but as time goes by, things get cold and dry theres no more water in the well,
and there aint no way that two can come together if we stay locked in our shell”

love this piece..

musicology #17

(Carlton & His Shoes – This Heart Of Mine)

majestic piece of reggaematical musicology for our listening pleasure.

no surprise that the cream of Jamacia’s musicologists are sitting down on this session as the harmony speaks for itself.