Bobby Womack – Nobody wants you when you’re down and out
This is one of my very favourite Bobby Womack tunes, from the 1973 album Facts of life. His voice is so true here (as ever), laying bare experiences that were taken from his own troubled life during this period.
Bobby has recently launched a comeback releasing the Damon Albarn produced album The Bravest Man in the Universe from which I posted Please forgive my heart earlier in the year.
/RjK
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.
The Staple Singers – Let’s do it again
This is a classic, languid soul number from Stax legends The Staple Singers. It’s perfect Sunday listening, ideal for relaxing while gathering ones self for the week ahead.
/RjK
Both of the Marvin Gaye tracks I have previously posted (Come get to this and Mercy, mercy me) were from his later career. This is the period, highlighted by the classic albums What’s going on and Let’s get it on, where he had undergone an awakening following the tragic death of his long time collaborator Tammi Terrell.
This is taken from an earlier period (1963) where gospel-inspired music was crossing over into the mainstream with what was to be know as soul music. While it lacks the depth of later work, he really brings the funk here. It makes me want to move.
/RjK
The Jackson Five* – I want you back
As I mentioned I was in Oxford today for a wedding in beautiful Hertford College. It’s certainly nicer that Hertford, Hertfordshire which I had the dubious pleasure of spending a significant amount time travelling through in a past life.
I wanted to post a positive “wedding” kind of track. It doesn’t get more feel good than this! I don’t normally go for live versions but I couldn’t resist this. How young does Michael Jackson look!?
/RjK
*Artist #539
Nina Simone – Mr. Bojangles
Some more mellow Sunday night listening. There are several versions of this track but this is my favourite (Nina is hard to beat). There is a wisfulness to it that feels heartfelt and I find it rather moving. I guess that is the test of any good music, that it makes you feel something.
/RjK
Aretha Franklin – Call Me
What can you say about Aretha? She makes it seem so effortless, shifting here from mellow warmth to soaring urgency with such ease it is amazing.
Call me the hour, call me the minute, the second that you get there…
/RjK
Barbara Lynn* – This is the thanks I get
This is just classic, smooth Northern Soul. I don’t know that I can add much to that, it kind of speaks for itself. One interestingly thing to note about Barbara Lynn is that she plays guitar left-handed, a fact which is rather awesomely captured below.
On a different note there was an interview in the Guardian this week with my musical hero Van Morrison, about his new record. It was conducted by Don Was of the utterly manic Was (not was), who I posted last year.
/RjK
*Artist #528
The O’Jays – Miracles
Today was one of the greyer days I can remember. It was throwing it down when I left the house for work and it’s still throwing it down as I write this. I now really know I am living in Dublin! I guess that means I had better get used to it!
Given both the inclement weather and the fact it’s a Monday mean I am in need of cheering up. This sunny little number goes some of the way to doing that. The O’Jays are big favourites having recorded some real classics from earlier soul like this to later Disco tracks like I posted earlier in the year.
/RjK
The Velvelettes* – Needle in a haystack
This is 2 minutes and 30 seconds of pop perfection.
The Velvelettes were one of a cadre of amazing female vocal groups that were releasing records on Motown around this time, along with The Supremes and Martha and The Vandellas amoungst others. I’m not sure it gets much better than this…
/RjK
*Artist #518