soul mp3

musicology #194

teachings of billionaire YenTzu #4

(Little Miss Cornshucks – Try A Little Tenderness)

Shooting The Monkey (freedom from the distracting ego)

‘Has your majesty never observed the bounding monkeys?’ answered Chang to the King of Wei. ‘If they can reach the tall cedars or camphor trees, they will swing and sway from their limbs, frolicking and lording it in their midst, so that even the famous archers Yi or P’eng Meng could not take accurate aim at them, But when they are attracted to what they suppose are delicacies and find themselves among the prickly mulberries, brambles, hawthorns, or spiny citrons, way below their loftier arena, they must move with caution, glancing from side to side, quivering and shaking with fear.

‘It is not that their bones and sinews have become suddenly stiff and lost their suppleness. It is simply that the monkeys find themselves in a difficult and disadvantageous position, one where they cannot exercise their abilities to the full. And so it is when Man becomes full of himself. His attraction to what is seemingly of benefit and greater security to him actually distracts him from expressing himself in his full light.’

‘I like that tale, ‘ said the King of Wei, ‘but knowing you as I do, I have no doubt that the monkey is merely a metaphor for Man’s own mischievous self. Our fall from our true identity causes us to improvise and clutch at a false identity with the same desperation as someone falling continuously into the abyss.’

‘Exactly so!’ said Chang gleefully. ‘In the absence of the true knowledge of who we really are, our adopted self must keep alive its fictional existence with convincing, albeit empty, chattering.’

‘Chattering which is taken to heart rather than ignored,’ said the King. ‘Incessant and sweet chattering thoughts that, while sometimes a nuisance, sweetly persuade, convince, cajole, even scare us into believing that if we want protection, security and peace of mind, there is no other self worth listening to.’

‘And if such a self was indeed a monkey, how would you, as a sagely king, deal with it?’ enquired Chang.

‘Why I would ensure that both Yi and P’eng Meng practised harder, until they were successful,’ his monarch replied with amusement.

‘And how so for your own self, is it also a case of shooting the monkey?’ asked Chang.

‘Again, I would employ and develop those decisive archer parts of my own being to unmask myself.’

‘Well said, my King, for only by such action will you rid yourself of a fictional power that ultimately renders you powerless.’

musicology #190

nowordsjustmusic #6

(Never Know What You Can Do Give It A Try – Leroy Hutson)

musicology #187

nowordsjustmusic #3

(Candi Staton – That’s How Strong My Love Is)

musicology #180

soulsearching #2

(Major Lance – Sweet Music)

day two finds us sliding out of the downbeat, (Yin), and countering with one from the upbeat, (Yang), selection. a fine piece of 1964 Soul from, as far as I’m concerned, the premier record label of the period, OKeh. big shout I know but one I’m sticking with.

part of my reasoning behind that shout is that OKeh was the label where the combined talents of Curtis Mayfield, Carl Davis, Johnny Pate and Gerald Sims came together to deliver a musical style that became the benchmark for a lot of the Soul that followed. of course there was Tamla, Chess and Atlantic, (as well as many smaller labels), and there are many fine cuts on these but of them, it can be debated, that only Tamla – Motown exerted as much influence as OKeh on the direction Soul was to take.

listen tune…

musicology #177

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #9

(Marvin Gaye – Baby Don’t You Do It)

the film is nearing it’s conclusion and after the ‘tear up’ outside the cafe in the previous scene this penultimate one finds Jimmy trying to make it up with Steph, (or at least make some sense of it all)

the musicology is courtesy of mod favourite and Soul legend brother Marvin Gaye with one of the mod classics..it was actually featured in the film so it’s not alternative but it fits the bill so well that it couldn’t be ignored. BIG tune on the scene….the Small Faces often played it on the curcuit and also recorded it in the early days, (1965?), in tribute to their authenticity, (the only real mod band in my humble opinion), but nothing could touch the Marvin and themusicologist never tires of hearing the man sing, (the Marvelettes are singing back up on this one)

musicology #176

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #8

(The Tams – Take Away)

strange how themusicologist seems to be drawn to art that reinforces one’s own predicament…maybe we all are?. not going into the details but lets just say I know how Jimmy feels.

this is the section after he has packed his job in and turns up at the Cafe to find all his ‘friends’. his so called best mate, (Dave), really takes the piss and the less said about young ‘tart’ Steph the better.

still, people are funny that way you trust them with your heart and 999 times out of a 1000 they’ll let you down but as Alan Watts said at the start of musicology #10

“that risk still has to be taken”

the musical accompaniment is a Mod screamer courtesy of Soul vocal group The Tams. I know for sure this was big on, (and in), the Scene that year and I must confess to taking a little bit of artistic license as it may have been released after the brief period in which the film was set. Couldn’t resist it though as it’s not only perfect for the alternative soundtrack it is perfect for me too.

p.s that ‘Glasgow kiss’ that he gives Dave after the ‘alleyway’ comment is quality and well deserved.

musicology #162

vocalgroupaction2 #7

(The C.O.D’s – Michael)

I’m almost at the end of my tether with the f*****g BOXNET audio widget and Ive been looking at alternatives so in the VERY NEAR future expect that there will be changes made ….

in the meantime hold this 1965 Mod classic from Chicago vocalgroup The C.O.D’s. who were overheard singing under a streetlamp by two cats who were so impressed with their talent that they decided to setup a label, (Kellmac), just to record them. unfortunately this was their only ‘hit’ so the label only lasted less than two years and a handful of releases, (3 of which are by the group)

the lineup consisted of lead singer Robert Lewis, Carl Washington and (songwriter), Larry Brownlee who alone went on to have fame as a member of the Lost Generation. Sadly Brownlee was murdered on Chi’s tough streets in 1978. the other two members disappeared without musical trace…

one that themusicologist remembers well from ‘back in the day’ thanks to ‘Uncle Johnny’ who was a major influence in the formative years of my musical journey.

the tune is based on a local Chi’ cat who was obviously a hit with the ladies.

starting tomorrow it’s male vocal week

musicology #160

vocalgroupaction2 #5

(The Emotions – Blind Alley)

first outing on themusicologist for this female vocal group with a tune that never fails to lift my spirits which, today need lifting….not for any specific reason, just one of them days when ‘the pressure drop’

better known for their part in Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘Boogie Wonderland’ this piece is from their earlier days, (1972), at Stax and has formed the foundation for many a ‘version’ since from Big Daddy Kane and Pharcyde to Mariah Carey, (one listen should explain why)

musicology #158

vocalgroupaction2 #3

(The Drifters – Oh My Love)

while scouring the vaults looking for vocalgroup cuts it occured to me that there are many practitioners of the art that deserve a musicologist representation…but there are two who are essential. The Miracles..and this group who epitomise the genre.

originally formed in 1954 by Clyde McPhatter, the Drifters have been through many line up changes, first it was Clyde singing lead followed by Johnny Moore and then Bobby Hendricks.

in 1958 the whole group was fired and replaced with one that was going under the name of the Five Crowns, (featuring the unmistakable pipes of Ben E King), who soon delivered national success in 1959 with ‘There Goes My Baby’ true to form the line up didnt last and after an altercation between the two managers Ben E King, (eventually), went solo.

this is the B side to the aforementioned hit from 1959 featuring Ben E King singing lead in the year that ‘doo wop’ was being challenged by the emerging sound that became known as Soul.

musicology #155

duets2 # 4

(Loe & Joe – Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl)

slipping out of the Jamaican selection into some Detroit action with a piece from one of post war urban music’s great innovators Harvey Fuqua…original lead singer of the Moonglows, (musicology #46), and Soul legend. influential in moulding the new sound that sprung out of the wells of Rhythm & Blues and Gospel, Harvey Fuqua helped, (along with Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Marv Johnson…), to ‘create’ the Detroit sound as head of artistic development at Motown after tiring of the effort required to run his own label, (which this one is on),

the duet is courtesy of almost unknown pairing, Lorrie Rudolph and Joe Murphy, who certainly do the song justice. more than that I can only add that it’s a 45 from 1961 and it’s on the ‘Harvey’ label.

musicology #150

ladiesweek2 #4

(Irma Thomas – It’s Raining)

yep…themusicologist has been a bit slack this week on the musical front. Saturday is here and I’ve only managed four cuts for ladiesweek2.

maybe I’ll fling down two slices tomorrow to bring the quota up to six. hopefully the quality and not the quantity has earned me a reprieve from your disappointment and today’s piece is no exception….in fact the piece is worth at least two ‘mortal’ cuts so I’m already feeling better about it !!

recorded in November 1961, released on New Orleans’ fabulous Minit label in 1962. written and produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint, (who is also tinkling the ivories ‘pon the session), an important musicologist in the development of the genre who’s production and songwriting talents have been enjoyed by many artists. first at Minit and then at his, (and partner Marshall Sehorn’s), notable Sea-Saint studios.

musicology #148

ladiesweek2 #2

(Aretha Franklin – My Way)

a first outing on themusicologist for this artist who needs no introduction with a 1970 version of a Paul Anka song we all know, written for Old Blue Eyes himself…Frank Sinatra.

I always thought that no version, (and there are MANY), could come close to the man’s until I heard this one….a great song, defiantly sung by one of the great singers..

musicology #147

ladiesweek2 #1

(Marie Knight – Cry Me A River)

kicking off ladiesweek with a songbird whose recording career started in 1946 as a gospel singer, teaming up with cats like the Sunset Four and the Sam Price Trio, but it was in the summer of 1947 when Marie begun her association with Sister Rosetta Tharpe that her star began to shine bright, (a year later they cut the majestic ‘Up Above My Head, I Hear Music In The Air’)

Marie first hit the ‘secular groove’ in 1953, moved to Mercury, stayed there for a few years and then began the transition from Rhythm and Blues into ‘Soul’ with a few choice pieces on various labels that include Baton, OKeh and Diamond.

this classic song, (arranged by Bert Keyes and produced by Stan Kahan), is from her final days at Musicor and should have provided her the commercial success that she richly deserved but it wasn’t to be and so she spent the next few years working for a telephone company !! (not returning to recording until the late 70’s)

for themusicologist this is the pick of a bunch of 1965 recordings that epitomise the ‘Uptown’ Soul sound of the period. an amazing reworking of a song sung by such luminaries as Sam Cooke and Dinah Washington but of all of them this is the ‘best’. !! more than likely it’s the Cookies singing backup but Marie’s voice soars above the clouds and hits the highest heights.

musicology #146

SpectrumOfLove #6

(Flowers – For Real)

the final piece of the ‘Spectrum’ discovered me in complete synchronicity just after the birth of my first child in 1995. it nailed exactly how I felt/feel and, for me, is the benchmark against which all songs and performances on the subject are measured.

It’s one from my personal top 10 tunes of all time and words don’t do it justice so all I will add is that for themusicologist it defines love.

Not often do I recommend CD’s but the one this is borrowed from, (Keb Darge’s Soul Spectrum II), delivers Value, there are at least 5 killers on there that you would have to pay an arm and a leg for to get them on vinyl so if you like your Soul my advice would be to buy it.

p.s starting tomorrow on themusicologists it’s ‘Round 2’ of a previous theme concerning the vocal arts…six pieces a week from each category, female/group/male…

musicology #145

SpectrumOfLove #5

(Bobby Womack – That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha)

todays cut comes from one of themusicologists foundation artists who didn’t feature in the sixsixsix only because Curtis and Sam Cooke took the top two ‘Soul’ spots, but this cat runs them both all the way..

the album this is taken from, (I Can Understand It), played a BIG part in my ‘education’. I know it so well that the track order is part of my unconscious. I know every tune and almost every note and word on it…back to front. for me every cut is a winner and to choose one is almost impossible but I’m going with this one, first released on his ‘Communication album’ in 1971, as it may go some way to explaining my attitude to affairs of the heart, (especially as music has ALWAYS been my primary guide). I would have been about 5 years old when I first heard it and I have been listening to it ever since…

“ha, you know life is funny when you look at it,
everybody wants love but everybody’s afraid of love,
you know I’m a true believer of that,

if you get anything out of life,
you got to put up with the toils and strife

now listen…

your’e pushing my love a little bit too far,
I don’t think you know, I don’t think you know how blessed you are,
and your friend Annie Mae, tell you all she see,
have you ever thought she was trying to get close to me,

think it over, think it over girl, think it over,
look..thats the way I feel about ‘cha,
and if that’s being weak for you darling,
I dont mind, I dont mind, I dont mind, I don’t mind,
thats the way I feel about ‘cha, (wooohhh)
that’s the way I feel about ‘cha,

please, please, please answer love,
if it ever come knocking at your door,
’cause what’s out there knocking baby,
the world don’t give enough of, don’t give enough of

I know you been hurt, and so have others too,
but all you got to do is think about the changes,
in life have put them through,

lord have mercy, that’s just the way it is,

listen..
don’t take my love as a sign of weakness,
check into the situation girl, dig a little bit deeper,

that’s the way I feel about you yeah,
ohh that’s the way, (that’s the way I feel about ‘cha),
that’s the way I feel about cha (oohh lord)
thats the way, that’s the way, that’s the way I feel about you yeah,
that’s the way I feel about you, (I wanna testify this evening),
that’s the way I feel about ‘cha, (wooooohh)
that’s the way I feel about cha,
so if I’m weak for you I don’t mind,
that’s the way I feel about cha,
let me say it say it say it, say it, say it, say it,
that’s the way I feel about cha,”

musicology #141

SpectrumOfLove #1

(The Radiants – I’m In Love)

this weeks theme is dedicated to the quest for the ‘holy grail’ .. LOVE

some ‘thing’ that we all need, and if we’re lucky .. give and receive.

the love theme stretches across the full musical spectrum and I can’t think of a genre where it isn’t included in the repertoire and it’s of particular interest to themusicologist for the simple fact that I struggle to under/overstand and therefore express it.

to be honest I think it’s partly why I listen to and appreciate the musical arts to such a degree as it seems to capture the essence of this emotion like no other form of external expression, (in my humble opinion of course), and these next six, (maybe seven), pieces are examples of that.

first up is a slice of prime 1963 Soul from vocal group The Radiants whose track ‘Voice Your Choice’ was a BIG Mod/ernist tune in London’s clubs and dancehalls on release in 1964. The production has the Billy Davis ‘stamp’ written all over it, (even though there’s no mention of the cat on the label), a man whose contribution to developing Soul, as well as Coca Cola, (he wrote the famous advertising jingles), is always worthy of a mention…maybe even his own category.

musicology #116

jamboree #3

(Erykah Badu – Soldier)

as always the musicologist has been devouring a lot of diverse music from the Kinks, James Carr, Gnarls Berkley, Small Faces, Dizzee Rascal…but this one feels like today. a pucker slice courtesy of Erykah Badu….taken from her latest ‘Set’ .. the innovative New Ameryka, released last month.

puts me in mind of Curtis Mayfield…

(also featuring musicologists Roy Ayers and Madlib)

musicology #114

jamboree #1

(Bobby Bland – Ain’t Nothing You Can Do)

themusicologist is a place to share, communicate and connect and one of the things I have learnt over this past year is that the message is in the music but it’s not always the one were looking for.

the universal language speaks to us all but not necessarily about the same topic…I’m laying down this selection as a ‘theme of no theme’..a complete ‘Jamboree Bag’ where anythings possible… a tune a day to help keep the wolves at bay.

almost every day while listening to music a tune will come on and I’ll think to myself… “I’ll have to lay that piece down one day”.. but often find themusicologist in the middle of a ‘session’. so for the next few weeks it’s random..just good old BOSS sounds of all flavours and vintages.

starting with the majestic, late night, 1964 sound of Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland who, as a member of the Beale Streeters along with Johnny Ace, BB King, Junior Parker and Rosco Gordan, was there at the birth of Rhythm and Soul in the early 1950’s. A big Mod/ernist favourite who carried the swing for many years and possessed the special ability, (that the greats share), to make each recording his own. From 1950-1970 Bobby Bland was a powerful force in the development of the vocal style known now as Soul.

listen the ride……..

musicology #101

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #24

(Impressions – Never Too Much Love)

you know what…I’m angry. angry with the mountain of useless information that is burying wisdom. why? allow me to break it down…today I ran a search for Curtis Mayfield lyrics. first stop lyrics.com. can you believe Curtis wasn’t even listed !!! let me say that again…..not even listed…

my conclusion..waste of time unless youre looking for the words to popular, (commercial), songs.

only way to do it then is for me to transcribe them myself…there are a few sites with some lyrics on them but I won’t waste your time linking them so in future I won’t be promoting any ‘lyrics’ sites on themusicologist

if anything it has strengthened my resolve to fly the flag for artists like Curtis and keep them in the public domain…back to the music with this uncomplicated plea for unity from 1963. if you think about it who else was writing and performing songs as deep as this at that time?

“after silence that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
-aldous huxley-

.. listen them lyrics

too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

an old story told now passed from me to you
in simple little words to get my meaning through

young and old I feel will understand
take heed everybody to a wonderful plan
we all know how, get together right now
clap your hands, sing and shout

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

maybe you don’t know how to sing or express words the way you like to say
but everybody I know can clap their hands and make a new friend everyday

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

never too much love, too much love,
never in this world will there be too much love

Curtis Mayfield, Rest In Peace secure in the knowledge that your legacy and inspiration lives on.

musicology #100

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #23

(Impressions – Young Mod’s Forgotten Story)

landmark day today .. 100 posts on themusicologist. especially synchronistic that it’s fallen on Curtis Mayfield’s ‘watch’.

Iv’e banged on enough times during the time we have shared together on themusicologist about how much the man’s music and lyrics have meant to me as babe in arms, young boy, adolescent, teenager, young man, and now as man, (a title you can’t claim before 33 according to the ancients !!), so I’m not going to wax too lyrical today as Curtis says it all with this cut about the end of an era….

“Shall I tell it like it is, aint none of your business…YES IT IS..”

lyrics DON Curtis…lyrics

arranged by Curtis, legendary musicologist Johnnie Pate and rising soul star Donnie Hathaway…