a personal favourite for themusicologist, RICH in memories of exposure to this set, Innervisions, as an impressionable 5 year old in 1973. Stevie was one of the BIG hitters on the stereo in them early years and Innervisions is a testement to the mans greatness, (having played and sung every part on this cut). I can almost taste the air of 1973 so strong and powerful are the connections.
SoulBoy #18
(Bobby Womack – Tried and Convicted)
Final week of the Soul theme and who better as far as themusicologist is concerned to bring us down the final furlong than one of my most cherished artists Bobby Womack. As I have mentioned before, along with Curtis Mayfield it was Bobby Womack who had the most influence on a young child running wild on the streets of South London in the 1970’s. Cuts like I Can Understand It, If You Want My Love, O.V Wright’s That’s The Way I Feel About Cha, Stop On By, A Woman’s Got To Have It, Communication, (to name a few)…are all integral parts of the soundtrack to my existence. In fact often when I hear, (early 70’s), Bobby, Curtis, Bill Withers, Stevie and Marvin I can view the world through the eyes of a child once more. Music does that for me like nothing else can. I don’t think of what I was doing or wearing to identify the stepping stones in my life it’s ALWAYS what I was listening to and no doubt always will be. So without further delay, (and before I get all misty eyed), hold this late 60’s slice of the Bobby Womack pie recorded for and released on the, (New Orleans powerhouse), Minit Label. Produced by Chips Moman
SuchIsLife #6
(Bill Withers – World Keeps On Going Around)
Final slice of the SuchIsLife theme…which for me have been less demanding mentally than the two that preceeded it so I’m almost tempted to stick with it but, there’s a subject that I would like to share that is not only close to my heart but has informed the I since birth and that subject is ‘Modernist’. I’ll say no more about it until tomorrow when it kicks off.
Back to today though and what more authentic way to finish than with this cut from a Cat whose influence on themusicologist stretches way back to the early seventies when as a toddler he was often to be heard, (along with Bobby Womack, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder), drifting out of the speakers. Especially this 1973 album ‘Live At Carniege Hall’ which has been etched into my consciousness from the age of 4. Exceptional album from an exceptional Lyricist, Singer, Social Commentator and Performer. Still moves me and always will..every slice a winner. Not often that themusicologist makes recommendations but if you get the chance buy this album.
“Looking at the pictures of the places that he’s been,
Old man told me what he found,
Said it don’t make no difference whether you’re out or whether you’re in,
Know the world keeps going round and round,
Going round and round,
Said he looked at the places, and talk to the faces that he seen,
Then he turned the pictures upside down,
Said it don’t make no difference how many places that you been,
Said the world keeps going round and round,
Going round and around,
Then he put up the pictures shook his head and with a grin,
He talked about his ups and downs,
Said it don’t make no difference how many fixes you been in,
Know the world keeps going round and round,
Going round and around,
Betty Joe Johnson, don’t you pull no Daisy Mae on me,
Daisy Mae she did me dirty,
so I had to leave her for Anna Lee,
Anna Lee she had big street feet,
she spends her nights out on the road,
So I started seeing Sally Jackson,
I had to let old Anna Lee go,
Sally Jackson was a player,
had another man along with me,
So I just took me one step backwards,
checked up on old Anna Lee,
Anna Lee still had them street feet,
Like to dance all night and sleep all day,
So I just took one more step backwards,
checked up on old Daisy Mae,
Daisy Mae is still doing dirty,
so I tell you what I had to do,
I had to go just one step further, Betty Joe Johnson
And that’s how I know you,
Then he looked at the places, talk to the faces in life that he had seen
Then he turned the pictures upside down,
Said it don’t make no difference how many places that you been,
Said the world keeps a going round and round,
Going round and round”
themusicologist 