pic: yaledramacoalition.org
What a week. The word soul came up a lot. Mostly in terms of "selling ones soul to the corporation." But also, with the things I've got in my back pocket, I see that my own soul is creeping back. Norfolk's going to go places and so am I. Cubicle be damned. So in honor of this wave of optimism, today's playlist is full of one thing baby.
S-O-U-L
pic: pastemagazine.com
Otis Otis Otis. Great start to a Saturday morning. Wish I was alive for seeing this live. The emotion in singing. The bursts of wind instruments. It's romantic and real in a completely different way than most of the music I listen to. I'm woman enough to admit that I thought Black Crowes sang "Hard to Handle" until not so long ago. Otis really rocks...and it's so awesome to see the progression of rock and roll from soul to Crowe.
"I've Been Loving You too Long to Stop Now" It's like not exhaling for three solid minutes and then whooosh!! His voice is power. The simple piano keys that rarely change tempo for the whole song are like an actual heartbeat...going going going. Guitar at the beginning of "I've Got Dreams to Remember" is grunge. It could be in "Black Hole Sun." And "These Arms of Mine" has never not given me physical, visible goosebumps. Ever.
Finally, obviously: "Try a Little Tenderness." Let's, shall we?
Mr. Sledge is my favorite soul artist. He also has the best name. Sledddjjj. Say it like that. It's better that way.
Most of you probably know him based on "When A Man Loves A Woman." That's nice. Now let's move on to the good stuff. I'm actually very lucky to know this "good stuff," as I'm a white girl raised deep in the hills of Appalachia, where there was very little soul music, and exactly one African American family in the whole county.
My parents, who are more of the 70s rock variety (CCR, Eagles, Doobies, you get the picture) somehow discovered Percy Sledge's greatest hits and had my sister and I spend entire Saturdays with it on repeat at close to full volume. Thanks guys.
This music (Percy's, but soul in general) has this combination of God and Devil that's more real than rock-n-roll. You're mentioning Ava Maria in one lyric and "foolin' round" in the next. It's a barer reflection of who we are, or at least who I am. Spiritual, spitfire...there's a sheen and a scar. It's here in this music.
pic: New Yorker via a friends Facebook
There's a factory element to Sledge that's somewhat apparent in all soul (and pop and country) from the 1960s. More of a teamwork element at play for a lot of these recordings...studio musicians, producers who were also songwriters, etc. While today's generic pop, country, and rap acts' obvious lack of creativity.
Another lesson in soul: sharing. You'll hear Percy Sledge do "Love Me Tender," which is associated with Elvis. Or Otis Redding do "Respect," which most people think Aretha owns right out. Or "Satisfaction" of Rolling Stones fame. Back then, everyone sang everyone else's songs--even across genres...mainly because all genres outside of classical or big band were considered a sin to the older generation....they young musicians were all outlaws together in song if nothing else.
And I say we're ready for a change around here--Norfolk, America, etc. We've got to share our songs too. Loan me your iPod and I'll loan you mine. Give me your committment and I'll give you mine. We'll sing together and pound pavement together and change the world.
Rock never died. Who listens to big band these days? Just sayin...
