soul mp3

musicology #98

sixartist, sixtune, sixweekspecial #21

(Jerry Butler&Curtis Mayfield – Find Yourself Another Girl)

round 3 of the Curtis Mayfield selection.as well as hard hitting lyricist and social commentator Curtis’s love songs are beyond compare. a genuine poet whose ability to tap into affairs of the heart deserves mention.

singing lead on this is original Impressions lead singer Jerry ‘The Ice Man’ Butler whose nickname is reported to have come from a performance where the p.a cut out and rather than stop Jerry continued to sing, (that and the way in which he performed emotion drenched soul scorchers without breaking sweat)

it was Jerry that insisted on Curtis replacing Phil Upchurch when he left Jerry’s touring band in 1961 to chase fame on the back of his Mod/R&B classic ‘You Can’t Sit Down’

Curtis was only sixteen at the time which is amazing considering the songs he went on to write over the following two years. this is one of those foundation soul cuts from that year..Curtis not only co-wrote it but it’s also him harmonizing and playing guitar.

musicology at it’s finest from two of Soul’s vanguards in perfect harmony

musicology #83

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial #6

(Sam Cooke – A Change Is Going To Come

had to be this one to finish up the Sam Cooke tribute. one from themusicologist’s top10 tunes of all time, regardless of genre…

another quote from the excellent book about Sam Cooke, (Dream Boogie), by Peter Guralnick

“He had given Rene Hall the ‘civil rights’ song he had played for J.W (Alexander), with no specific instructions other than to provide it with the kind of instrumentation and orchestration that it demanded. Rene was in no doubt as to the momentousness of the charge.

“I wanted it to be the greatest thing in my life……..”

’nuff said…

musicology #82

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial #5

(Sam Cooke – Bring It On Home To Me)

if anyone needed reminding or convincing why the Lion is called Mr Soul hold this one from 1963 taken from what is possibly the best live album of all time. bold shout I know and I’m sure many could offer alternatives but whatever your subjective feelings about it…if you don’t own it..and you want one piece of Sam Cooke musicology ‘wrapped round yer vaults’…buy it…and even though the recording couldn’t possibly do the performance real justice for those of us that weren’t there its the best there is.

a quote from the Sam Cooke book by Peter Guralnick about the show

“Upstairs there was a balcony with tables for the patrons and a small office in which the recording engineers, Bob Simpson and Tony Salvatore, set up their equipment. They monitored the sound at a fairly desultory teenage matinee, then adjusted the microphone placement for the first evening show, starting at 10pm.

Sam gave them a cheery greeting before going on, and then the place erupted in a manner that Salvatore, like his partner a neophyte in the world of Rhythm & Blues, was simply not prepared for.

‘There weren’t any brawls or anything like that, but I’ll tell you, it was like a scene out of a movie, the whole building was rocking, and I remarked to Bob, I said, ‘Oh Jesus, I hope this place don’t fall down’ ”

King Curtis and full crew, (The Kingpins), playing the instruments….

musicology #81

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial #4 (Sam Cooke – Driftin’ Blues)

had to bite the bullet, wipe my hard drive and reinstall Windows yesterday so wasn’t able to ‘throw down’. Back in the hot seat now..with the techno issues done and dusted.

out of the bonus cuts and back into the original tribute selection…

this cut taken from his 1963 album ‘Mr Soul’ finds the man paying his own tribute to foundation vocalist Charles Brown, (a major influence for Sam, Ray Charles, Bobby Bland and a host of singers that followed), with a heartfelt rendition of Brown’s 1946 classic ‘Driftin’ Blues.

musicology #77

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial # 3

(Sam Cooke – Nobody Knows)

continuing the sixartistweek selection with the third cut from Mr Soul. This one taken from his 1963 album ‘Night Beat’. for themusicologist a special album that helped get me through darkest days … what turned out to sadly be a prophetic song for Sam that I like to think helped him as much as it did me…

a tear jerker that never fails to touch the soul.

musicology #75

sixartist,sixtune,sixweekspecial #1

(Sam Cooke w/The Soul Stirrers – That’s Heaven To Me)

this next section is dedicated to six artists, (1 a week), who have been instrumental in themusicologists education. not just musically but also culturally. every one of them having successfully communicated the message on many occasions…I like to think of them as ‘foundation artists’ who, for themusicologist, are the benchmark against which all others are measured, (not compared).

they are…Curtis Mayfield, Steve Marriott, Sam Cooke, Paul Weller, Alton Ellis and Jackie Mittoo. there are others. but the six above hold a special place in my heart for having a major impact on the direction my life has taken. I’m sure we all agree that music has the profound power to shape the heart and mindset and for the next 6 weeks it’s all about these cats and their legacy.

starting proceedings with none other than Mr Soul himself the legendary Sam Cooke. King of the genre and a lion among men. Not only for his musical contribution but also for his style both in delivery of the message and the way he conducted himself.

it’s beyond doubt that without Sam Cooke themusicologist’s world would have been a less inspirational place in which to live. his life is well documented so the next six days, (no fling on the sabbath), are just about the priceless gift he left us with.

I could wax endless lyrics about anecdotes, musicological facts and information but information alone is useless, unless it leads to knowledge which although has value is not comparable to wisdom.

for themusicologist Sam Cooke delivers the holy grail of wisdom.

“the things that I see as I walk along the street ……..”

musicology #61

Fontella Bass – This Would Make Me Happy

the first few weeks of the merry month of December have seen it all and non musical commitments along with so called service providers have kept themusicologist busy but I’m not here to make excuses because after all, is there anything more fulfilling and satisfying than playing, listening and sharing the joy of music…which leads nicely onto this.

fellow musicologist and friend Sean Rowley has presented an opportunity to include, (over the next six weeks), the one tune technique on his excellent show the joy of music which goes out live on BBCRadioLondon in the wee hours of Sunday mornings, (midnight till 2am GMT),

if you’re not a night bird but are still interested in hearing the show ‘live & direct’ click on the joy of music link above, click on Sean Rowley, (second column on the right), where you can stream it for up to seven days after the event. It’s one tune every week selected and introduced by myself … I make an appearance around the 45 minute mark preceeding the majestic Dion DiMucci interview a musicologist of the first degree.

for those not able to tune in and listen I’ll throw said slice of musicology down on themusicaldiary every Saturday starting right here right now

one last thing…not sure if you have heard but this information nugget has, (synchronistically), come to my attention…Ike Turner died on December 12th. The man was a legend and was a leading light in the development of the music that we know and love today from what some hail as the first Rock&Roll record, (Rocket88), in 1951 right through to tunes like River Deep, Mountain High he was instrumental in developing Rhythm&Blues as well as Soul, (something not many were able to do),

it’s more than coincidental that I threw this Ike production in advance of his passing and for themusicologist it is yet another example of music’s magic as well as its power to communicate so with that in mind I am going to pay a week long musical tribute to the man starting with this one

This Would Make Me Happy – sung by Fontella Bass, produced by Ike Turner, written by Oliver ‘Bus Stop’ Sain, for Ikes? LA based Vesuvius label, from the soulful year of 1964. very little is known of the label and according to the oracle, (R&B Indies), there are only two releases on it.

Ike, thank you for the music and the legacy.

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 #48

vocalgroupaction .. day7

(Back Up Train – Soulmates)

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

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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #12

(Marvin Gaye – We Need Love)

sticking with the love & heart selection

one of Soul’s kings whose voice and choice of songs are second to none. taken from one of the most underrated albums of all time …

“it don’t matter what you are…..a thief , a beggar or even a superstar”