I am on a real Gospel kick this week. Once in a while I like to immerse myself in it. It is so pure that I always emerge feeling refreshed.
The Soul Stirrers is where the late, great Sam Cooke got his big break. That alone makes them worthy of some investigation.
The Soul Stirrers (with a very youthful Sam Cooke):
/RjK
My musical diet of late has been been an odd mixture. Off-kilter modern Electronica and early Soul and Gospel. As I mentioned before, I seem to have an outsized affection for Gospel of this era. I love the simple purity of the songs.
Chicago band The Staple Singers made a classic journey from an early career as a Gospel group to later career success in more mainstream Soul.
The Staple Singers:
/RjK
A nice mellow start to the week from Brixton’s Cooly G. It is taken from her debut album Playin’ Me, which is out on Hyperdub records.
Cooly G:
/RjK
*Artist #665
A nice quiet and perhaps slightly dark track here from Dean Blunt, who I know next to nothing about, other that he (along with Inga Copeland) used to go by the name Hype Williams.
I really like his voice, it is rather distinctive. The only other singer who I can think of who is like it is Stuart A. Staples of Tindersticks.
/RjK
A friend described Ben E. King as being simultaneously over and under rated, and I have to agree. His most famous track Stand By Me has been played to death but some of his other work, both solo and with The Drifters is really outstanding.
Ben E. King:
/RjK
*Artist #664
This nice and mellow number is just what the doctor ordered this week.
/RjK
*Artist #662
/DAVan Morrison is a masterful live performer. This is taken from his 1994 live album A night in San Francisco and might be my favourite live track (although it’s a toss up with Rave on John Donne).
Van in his heyday:
/RjK
I am sure you have heard this already but I can’t seem to escape it at the moment and it’s just so damn catchy. Daft Punk got game.
We’re up all night to get lucky…
Daft Punk:
/RjK
