This is joyous!
I have had a very pleasant few days at home and the weather has even been clement, a rare treat. So it feels right to post something upbeat. It doesn’t get much better and more upbeat than Stevie! What a great tune, if you ever need a spring put in your step I advice you to listen to this. The classic 60’s video here is but an added bonus.
For once I can say this is mine you can’t take it. As long as I know I have love I can make it. For once in my life I have someone who needs me…
/RjK
Tag Archive for 1960’s
7th March 2012
The Beach Boys – Darlin’
It seems like I have posted a lot of new artists (as well as Diana Ross) recently. So I thought it might be good to post something classic. I don’t know that you get more classic than The Beach Boys.
It took me a while to realise that they were more than just boyish surf melodies. But listening to Pet Sounds blew my mind. I can’t overstate how much I recommend you check them out. Their music is so rich, frequently the contrast between sweet melodies and wistful lyrics is startlingly effective.
I am off to see Mayer Hawhorne in Scala tonight. I will let you know how I get on later in the week.
RjK
28th February 2012
The Temptations – Ain’t too proud to beg
I was out for dinner at an excellent new restaurant on Saturday night. If you ever find yourself around Carnaby Street I would highly recommend it. Not only were they serving up some choice Barbeque food but there were also playing some choice Soul music. This is just one example of many. Great, classic Motown tune.
RjK
Aside
Brooks and Jerry* – I got what it takes
This is a perfect, upbeat northern soul stomper. It is impish and infectious, and puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. What more could you ask from a song on a Saturday night?
RjK
*Artist #377
21st January 2012 (R.I.P. Etta James)
Etta James – At last
What a tragic life and what an amazing voice; Etta James sadly passed away yesterday. She was an enigmic and troubled genius. Her voice is classic and iconic, when I think of an archetypal soul singer it is her’s that comes my mind’s ear.
This is so wonderful; ephermeral yet powerful with some great strings thrown in. A perfect soul track.
/RjK
Aside
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas – Jimmy Mack
I spent a really fun evening shooting the breeze with two very old friends last night, one of whom has been know to give me some ‘constructive criticism’ over the years. He pointed to a lack of soul music in my 30 favourite songs of 2011, given my affection for the genre so I thought I thought I would post some today for him.
This is CLASSIC motown. I am not sure it gets much better than this, right down to the Beehive haricuts. Martha and The Vandellas, along with The Supremes are right at the top of my list of favourite motown artists.
RjK
Aside
Aretha Franklin – (Sweet sweet baby) Since you’ve been gone
Aretha annouced this week that is she to get married again in the summer at the ripe old age of 70. She is a complete hero. Her voice is probably the greatest ever and is certainly the most powerful I have ever heard.
RjK
31st December
Otis Redding – (Sittin’ on) The dock of the bay
I got there!!
It feels right to have begun with Curtis Mayfield and ended up with Otis Redding. Two soul icons and heroes of mine to bookend my meanering year in youtube. This is fitting as it is with soul music that my musical infatuation began in earnest. I am equally glad that there was much variety in the music in between.
Thanks very much for coming on the journey with me. I hope you all have a great new year’s and that 2012 treats you well.
I intend to continue with the blog into next year but I may be slightly less rigorous about posting a new artist everyday (the research involved began to take it’s toll!). I will try some different things and see how they go. Look out for a few things over the coming days that I have been working on, such as my top 30 songs of the year.
RjK
Aside
Gene Chandler – Duke of Earl
This is classic early soul with something of a doo wop sound. The vocal is remarkably good.
RjK
Aside
Jimmy Ruffin – What becomes of the broken hearted?
Classic early Motown. It came into my head today for no reason in particular but I am pleased that it did. It is perhaps a little heavy on pathos but a great song nonetheless.
RjK