Although we have heard some wonderful soul vocals over the past few days it is important to remember that there was more to soul music than vocals. As a proof of that point, today I offer up a Two’Fer Tuesday post featuring Booker T and the MGs.
The band ( Booker T. Jones (organ, piano), Steve Cropper (guitar), Donald “Duck” Dunn (bass), and Al Jackson, Jr. (drums))started as the house band for the might Stax record label in Memphis playing backing tracks for a whole host of amazing soul artists during the 60s and 70s. They also managed to make some pretty amazing instrumental music playing under their own name, Booker T and the MGs.
How good were they? Let me put it this way….inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 along with Jimi Hendrix! No more more words needed……let’s listen to two of their greatest hits Time is Tight and Green Onions …….
TBD
That wasn’t your imagination, the members of Creedence Clearwater Revival were watching Booker T and the MGs from back stage during their performance of Time is Tight. Man these guys were tight!
The group that would become Jr. Walker and the All Stars formed in South Bend, Indiana in the mid-1950s. They were signed to Motown records in 1964 and almost immediately started to crank out hits. Their music, driven by Junior’s incredible saxophone, provided one of Motown’s most distinctive signature sounds. Let’s listen to (I’m a) Road Runner, one of their big hits from 1966, and you will see what I mean……
If you were listening closely you won’t be surprised to hear that Junior was one of Clarence Clemons’ biggest musical influences. That influence becomes even clearer when you listen to What Does It Take (To Win Your Love), my favorite Jr. Walker and the All Stars song that was a huge hit in 1969…………..
I’ve heard stories that Motown initially rejected What Does It Take as a single. As has happened with many other songs, radio DJ’s knew better and started to play the song even though it wasn’t a single. The popularity of the song on the radio forced Motown’s hand. Once they released it as a single it became a huge hit reaching number 4 on the charts.
The Chi-Lites were a Chicago based group as you might have guess from their group name. They initially formed in the late 1950 but didn’t really hit the big time until the early to mid-1970 where they were pure gold for Brunswick Records. Have You Seen Her started their run of hits in late 1971 and here is a great performance of it from the wonderful Soul Train show…….
Have you seen her was quickly followed up by their number one hit single Oh Girl. I personally think the lead vocal on this song is one of the best ever! Let me know what you think…..
Yes….I know that Paul Young did a successful cover of this song and that many of you may be more familiar with that cover version than you are with the original. As a bonus, here is Paul’s cover version.
Now that you have listened to both versions, I am betting that you will agree with me that while Paul does a nice job his version……it is not match for the original!
The Dramatics were formed in the early 1960s in Detroit and when they finally achieved success in the early 1970s they were part of the mighty Stax label out of Memphis (yes there was more to soul music than Motown). When they finally had a hit in 1971 it was a really good one, Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get………
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better they released In The Rain in 1972. A song that was, is, and always will be a huge favorite of mine. See what you think about this Soul Train performance…….
Last year (around this same time) I did a special series of Canadian Music posts in honor of Canada Day. This year I am switching things up and doing a special series of American Soul posts in honor of US Independence Day (July 4). I love this music and I think you will as well. As always let me know what you think.
First up are The Delfonics, a great soul group out of Philadelphia, formed in the 60s by three high school friends. Their first major hit, La La Means I Love You, came out in 1968. Let’s listen…….
The Delfonics biggest hit, Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time), came out in 1970. Let’s listen (and watch) a great performance of that song from Soul Train in 1971 …….
I picked up Malo’s debut album as soon as it was released in 1972 because the band had a lot in common with Santana (one of my favorite bands) – both bands were out of San Francisco, both featured latin rock, and both had a lead guitarist with the last name of Santana. Yes…..Malo’s lead guitar player (and founding member) was Jorge Santana who, as it turned out, was Carlos’ brother. Malo’s self titled debut album was great and has continued to be a favorite of mine to this very day. I saw them perform live in 1972 on a tour supporting their new album and they were even better live! Unfortunately, the original group splintered after the first album. Although versions of the band continued to perform and record, none of these versions managed to recaptured the magic from that debut album. So…..for today’s Two’fer Tuesday post let’s travel back forty one years and enjoy a couple of great tracks from that debut album.
Today’s Monday Music Matinee #14 is a Paul McCartney TV special from Forty Years Ago (1973). As captured in Wikipedia the show was broken up into 11 parts….
Part 1
The program opens with a live performance by Wings in front of an audience of television screens. Song: “Big Barn Bed”
Part 2
An acoustic medley of songs is performed by McCartney during a photographic session with his wife Linda as the photographer. Songs: “Blackbird”, “Bluebird”, “Michelle”, “Heart of the Country”
Part 3
A short music video style performance set in an outdoor location of McCartney’s version of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”. Songs: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
Part 4
A television studio performance with Wings and orchestra in front of a live audience. Songs: “Little Woman Love”, “C Moon”, “My Love”
Part 5
Another music video segment, this time for “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”, however the “Admiral Halsey” section was not included in the final broadcast version. Songs: “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey”
Part 6
A short voice-over from Mcartney introduces the next segment set in the Clelsea Reach public house near Liverpool. This features members of Paul’s family and Wings in a pub singalong Songs: “April Showers”, “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag”, “You Are My Sunshine”
Part 7
A Busby Berkeley style musical number, featuring dancers dressed in half-man/half-woman costumes. Songs: “Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance”
Part 8
A music video segment were Paul introduces “Live And Let Die”, the title theme from the 1973 James Bond movie. Songs: “Live and Let Die”
Part 9
Beatles Medley: a filmed segment with street passers-by singing various Beatles songs (off key) to comedic effect. Songs: “When I’m 64”, “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “She Loves You”, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, “Yesterday”, “Yellow Submarine”
Part 10
Another live studio performance with Wings. Songs: “The Mess”, “Maybe I’m Amazed”, “Long Tall Sally” (US broadcast only; the UK and other European market replaced this with “Hi, Hi, Hi”)
Part 11
A live acoustic performance of “Yesterday”. Credits roll over the performance. Songs: “Yesterday”.
The critics hated it saying it was over the top and silly. And I say…..well let’s have Paul say it in his own words……
You’d think that people would have had enought of silly love songs.
But I look around me and I see it isn’t so.
Some people wanna fill the world with silly love songs.
And what’s wrong with that?
A great movie that captures some highlights from the Wings Over America tour of 1976 (I was in graduate school and didn’t manage to catch the show…..still regret that over 35 years later!)
Here’s the songs you will hear as part of this wonderful movie…..
Venus and Mars
Rock Show
Jet
Let Me Roll It
Spirits of Ancient Egypt
Medicine Jar
Maybe I’m Amazed
Call Me Back Again
Lady Madonna
The Long and Winding Road
Live and Let Die
Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me)
Richard Cory
Bluebird
I’ve Just Seen a Face
Blackbird
Yesterday
You Gave Me the Answer
Magneto and Titanium Man
Go Now
My Love
Listen to What the Man Said
Let ‘Em In
Time to Hide
Silly Love Songs
Beware My Love
Letting Go
Band on the Run
Hi, Hi, Hi
Soily
It’s a great mix of Beatles songs, Paul solo songs, and Wings songs. I think you will like it but….as always let me know what you think……
thebestmusicyouhaveneverheard 