Tag Archive for 1960’s

The Impressions* – People Get Ready

Welcome to Year Three of 365 days of YouTune. Over the holidays I have been pondering about what way to proceed with the blog. It basically came down to a question of go big (try to build it up) or go home (call it a day). I came down on the side of the former so look out for some changes (hopefully improvements) in the coming weeks. Also, any ideas or suggestions would be most welcome.

I seem to be all about symmetry at the moment. Having ended 2012 in a similar fashion to 2011, I now begin 2013 in the same way that I started my blogging journey, with Curtis Mayfield (who else could it be?).

This Gospel influenced number is from right at the start of his career when he was just making his name in Chicago with The Impressions. It’s just like any great Gospel track in that it is both powerful and potent. A good note to start any new year upon.

/RjK

*Artist #585

29th December 2012 (R.I.P Fontella Bass)

Fontella Bass – Hold on this time

Sad news about Fontella Bass passing away this week at age 72. Another Soul great gone, there have been too many this year.

She was born in St.Louis in 1940 and came to prominence with her biggest hit, the spectacular Rescue Me which was released on Chess Records in 1965.

/RjK

25th December 2012

The Ronettes – Sleigh Ride

If it has to be a Christmas song (and at this time of year unfortunately they seem to be unavoidable) it might as well be The Ronettes, Phil Spector and The Wall of Sound (or perhaps Wham!). Music doesn’t get much better than that magical combination.

This is taken from the 1963 album A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector. Setting aside the Christmas motif it is actually a pretty spectacular record.

Merry Christmas all…

/RjK

23rd December 2012

James Brown* – It’s a man’s man’s man’s world

I came across an amazing photo of James Brown with The Rolling Stones on the ever enjoyable Awesome people hanging out together Tumblr recently (see pic below). It made realise (shamefully) that I hadn’t posted the legendary JB yet, nearly two years into my blogging odyssey. So it’s about time I righted this wrong.

James Brown has one of the most arresting voices I have ever heard and the opening 30 seconds of this track still make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end every time I hear it.

James Brown chillin’ with The Rolling Stones:

/RjK

*Artist #580

11th December 2012

The Dynamics* – Yes I love you baby

Northern Soul classic from Detroit legends The Dynamics. I really like how well the vocals play off each other here, especially the falsetto part.

Ain’t no doubt about it…

/RjK

*Artist #573

28th November 2012

The Supremes – Love is like an itching in my heart

Classic Motown. As I have mentioned before The Supremes are my favourite Soul Band (maybe even my favourite band full stop) of all time. It just doesn’t get much better than this. 

Love is like an itching in my heart and baby, I can’t scratch it…

/RjK

27th November 2012

The Walker Brothers – The sun ain’t gonna’ shine any more

The reason for posting this is that Scott Walker, lead singer of The Walker Bothers has a new record out next week. Interesting note about the band – none of them were originally called Walker nor were any of them brothers, I kind of like that though.

They are favourites of my Dad’s and were staples of his summer mixes, particularly the eccentric Jackie which I posted last year. I also really like their sound, it is perfectly 60’s.

/RjK

5th November 2012

Jaques Brel* – Jacky

This is the original, French version of a favourite track by Scott Walker which I posted last year. Both are breathless, manic and rather magnificent.

The reason I thought of it is that (don’t laugh) I have enrolled in a French class which I take after work once a week. Hopefully at some stage I will be able to understand what he singing about!

/RjK

*Artist #549

30th October 2012 (R.I.P. Terry Callier)

Terry Callier – Sail Away (CjK guest post)

There are no second acts in American lives – this famous F.Scott Fitzgerald adage from The Great Gatsby hangs over the presidential hopefuls in the run up to next week’s US election. 

In fact Terry Callier, who sadly died a couple of days ago, did have a second act. He retired from recording music in 1983 to become a computer engineer and his recording from the 60s were rediscovered in the mid 90s by DJs who encouraged him to record again. He then went on to produce some his finest work. His unique soulful voice gave great character to his often plaintive songs about people on the periphery of society.

/CjK

P.S. RjK – I would add that I owe TC’s music a debt of thanks. Listening to it was when I got one of my first inklings that there was something deeper, fuller, more substantial to soul music than the purely pop leanings of Motown (spectacular though they are) to which I previously been exposed.