Boney M's Frontman Found Dead

Boney M weren't that big of a deal here in the states. But without them, back in the 70's, the European disco scene would have lacked something as glittery as Bobby Farrell's dancing. The three girls who were actually doing the singing almost took backseat to Bobby's smooth moves. He himself never even sang a tune, but was lip syncing to the voice of the group's manager, Frank Farian.
Gone forever -- another icon of the best days of my youth.

(See story here.)

R. I. P. Bobby

Now, that was some seeeeeeeerious dancing! 

The Minits -- Last Mile Of The Way

The Minits were three girls from from Montgomery, Alabama who followed in the footsteps of many another vocal group that before them had tried to make it big in the so called Soul City USA, Memphis. They released three singles on the Sounds of Memphis label, but left five more excellent titles lurking in the vaults to be released by the Kent label in 2010 on Follow Your Heart: The Sounds of Memphis Recordings.
These three girls should have been successful. Their talents speak for themselves. But, alas, as so many others before (and after) them, they never made it to the top.

Today's track is taken from Deep Soul Discoveries Vol. 1

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

George Freeman -- I'm Like A Fish

Not much time -- New Years Eve party preparations are in progress here. So, I'm just posting a song I like very much.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

More Sad News!

Marc found out that two more of the beautiful voices of the golden era of Doo-Wop and Soul music have been silenced forever. Myrna Smith of The Sweet Inspirations left this world on Christmas day. And also Dorothy Jones of The Cookies passed away that same day.

The Sweet Inspirations

Myrna is the one in the middle, sitting. 

R. I. P. 

The Cookies

R.I.P Dorothy 

Teena Marie Dead

Sad  news: Teena-Marie died today. She was only 54, and her voice was as beautiful and clear like  a songbird's. May she rest in peace. 

The Way You Love Me
LimeLinx

Don't Forget To Tune In!

Barry Fowden's radio show, Vintage Soul, will be on the air Sunday, Dec. 26th. 

See his playlist here. 

Some good old music guaranteed!

Merry Christmas To All Of You

I think there's no Santa far and wide who has a more velvety voice than Bill Pinckney had.

Congratulations to Al Bell!

((Soultaker)) informed me about this event. And I would not want to miss relating the news to you all.

 Al Bell, former Stax Records executive and one-time owner, will receive the Grammy Trustee Award February 12, 2011, the highest honor given by the Recording Academy! Mr. Bell deserves to be honored for all STAX has given us Soul fans.... more here

The Temptations -- Let's Live In Peace

If I could, I'd make this world a peaceful place where everyone can lead a full life. I can't do that -- unfortunately. But I can hope for it; and I will keep all those in my thoughts who have to live in war torn countries. I wish them peace in their hearts.

Let's Live In Peace

LimeLinx

The Originals -- One Life We Live

This is a beautiful song that deserves to played more often, I think. The singing is first class, and the message of the song couldn't be any clearer. And this is my christmas wish: that the one life I live will be filled with love others feel for me and I feel for others. 

The track is from The Originals' Baby, I'm For Real a.k.a. Green Grow the Lilacs album (1969) It is not on the Baby, I'm For Real album (Unidisc Import, 2001)

Enjoy!
LimeLinx

Just Winter Songs

Long Cold Winter -- Geater Davis (from The Lost Soul Man CD2)

The Winter Of Our Love -- The Spinners (from Labor Of Love)

Cold Wind Blues -- Colwell-Winfield Blues Band

I'm posting these songs expecting another Texan winter day at about 80 F.

Enjoy!
LimeLinx

FileFactory

Al Sharp -- Gentle Is My Love For You

Happy new week, everybody! 

When I first heard this track, it immediately reminded me of Don Covay. 

Gentle Is My Love For You is  from 1973 and was  released on the Swedish label Four Leave Clover Records.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Reggae Reggae Reggae

Playlist

Coming In From The Cold -- Bob Marley (Fuer meine Freunde in der deutschen Kaelte!)

Love At First Sight -- Brentford Rd. Allstars (For the grown-ups in our midst!)

My Reward -- Desmond Dekker (For all of us!)

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

FileFactory

Old Skool, New Tool -- Tasha Taylor

Tasha Taylor is the daughter of the great Johnnie Taylor, and I think her dad left her with all the talent he had himself. Just see for yourself.  This young lady has it in her blood.
I wish her all the best and that she'll be very successful.

The Eliminators -- Taking Love and Making Love / Blood Donors Needed

The Eliminators are from North Carolina and the album these tracks are taken from, Loving Explosion, was originally released on the Brunswick label in 1974. I love their no-nonsense clean soulful sound that is 70's through and through. (At least the 70's I remember.) 

The entire album was pretty good. Of course, I was surprised to see that it included David Ruffin's Blood Donors Needed which was on his 1973 David Ruffin LP. 


You'll find the entire album here. 

Enjoy!
Lime Linx

Mike James Kirkland -- Together

 Originally from Yazoo City, MS, Mike James Kirkland grew up singing doo wop and gospel. Eventually settling in California, Kirkland and his brother started a record label, Bryan Records, to release the love songs and socially conscious soul music that Kirkland had been writing. The two albums they released -- Hang on in There in 1972 and its follow-up, Doin' It Right -- both echoed the style and sentiments of other artists determined to comment on social issues relevant to the African-American community: soul heavies likeMarvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and Stevie Wonder. The reputation of both albums slowly spread over the ensuing years, finally resulting in reissues in the '90s by archival label Luv N Haight. (allmusic.comhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/mike-james-kirkland-p205489)

I've already posted a song by this artist a while ago. And today while I was writing the last christmas cards, this song came up. I can't help but wonder why this artist has remained as underrated as he is. 

Enjoy!

Limelinx

Matt "Guitar" Murphy -- Guitar Boogie (live)

"Probably best known for playing behind the Blues Brothers (and appearing prominently in their 1980 hit movie), Matt "Guitar" Murphydeserves enshrinement in the blues-guitar hall of fame anyway." (Bill Dahl, allmusic) The list of high-carat blues bands he played with is fascinating. Howlin' Wolf, Memphis Slim, Otis Rush, Ike Turner -- Matt Murphy played with all of these blues greats. 
The artist was born in Mississippi (of course) on December 29, 1929.  And he was busily touring the country until 2003 when he suffered a stroke during an appearance in Nashville, TN. 

And this is the maestro in 2010 with the James Cotton Blues Band at the Chicago Blues Fest

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

O. V. Wright -- Trying To Live My Life Without You Babe /Without

(Find the album here)

I always had a soft spot for O. V. Wright, and when I heard his take on Trying To Live My Life Without You, I knew I had to post it. O. V. does a great job with the song. Nevertheless, this song "belongs" to Otis Clay who recorded the original in 1972 for the Blind Pig label. (See my posts about Otis Clay here.)
The second song is simply a beautiful Deepie. And Deepies were O.V's forte without a doubt. 

Enjoy!

Lime Linx

Al Green -- Nothing Takes The Place Of You

This is one of those songs I love dearly -- no matter who sings it. My favorite version is probably William Bell's. His version stays very close to the original, written by Toussaint McCall in 1967. In fact both sound a little alike. William's voice, though, has no rough edges whatsoever -- it is smooth and polished to perfection. And of course as soon as Al Green gets his hands on it, he leaves his unmistakable stamp on the song.
Timi Yuro and Johnny Adams also delivered some outstanding covers of this classic tune.

Nothing Takes The Place Of You -- William Bell  LimeLinx


Nothing Takes The Place Of You -- Toussaint McCall  LimeLinx


Nothing Takes The Place Of You -- Al Green  LimeLinx

FileFactory

Electrified Action -- Love Foundation

I couldn't find any info on this group, but I do think that the song title suits the season's spirit: Love.

Post script

I said it before, and I will say it again: What would I do without my friends and fellow music lovers?

Marc a.k.a. Blue Escorpio had this to say about Electrified Action:

More info on 'Electrified Action' can be found in 'Swete Harold' 's bio here: http://www.myspace.com/sweteharold
However I couldn't track down any trace of the 'Super Soul Music' hit on the 'Delightful Music' (De-Lite Records???) he's talking about.
The producer of 'Love Foundation' is keyboardist/singer 'Sweet Richard Shade'.
More on him is here: http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/video/sweet-richard-shade-live-at?xg_source=activity

Happy Reggae Sunday!

Playlist

Funny Man -- Freedom Singers (Studio One)

Mun Dun Bu -- Im and David (Freedom Sound, Studio One)

They Don't Know -- Jimmy London (A Little Love)

Pee Pee Cluck Cluck (a.k.a Uncle Joe ) -- The Melodians
Bla Bla Bla -- Toots and The Mayatls

Enjoy!
limelinx

FileFactory

I-Yi -- H.A.W.K

After a week of house-cleaning and other useless, but strenuous, activities, I am in desperate need for some music that keeps me moving.

Albert King -- Match Box Blues

Two Blues greats in session: Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughn -- Match Box Blues, live

Now, that's the kind of Blues on Thursday I love!

Listen

LimeLinx

Get the CD

Crazy Lovin' And Such ...

I just felt like posting some girls singing about their guys ...  

Ann Peebles -- Dr. Love Power

Love Unlimited -- It May Be Winter Outside

Aretha Franklin -- You're A Sweet, Sweet Man

Sugar Pie DeSanto -- Crazy For Lovin'

Carla Thomas -- Gee Whiz 

Doris Troy -- Just One Look

LimeLinx

A Tint Of Darkness -- Don't Take Your Love From Me

Here's a song by yet another obscure group. 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes -- He Loves You And I Do Too

Obviously, I have had a problem with my automatic posting schedule. I kept posting the posts a day early. So, I'll post an extra track today -- and will be back on track come tomorrow. Yay -- a blogger's life is never easy.

Enjoy

LimeLinx

The Spinners -- Medley: Nothing Stays The Same

The Spinners live,  Mighty Love
Breath-taking!

The Spinners Medley:

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Reggae Sunday Again!

Playlist

Don't Trouble Trouble -- The Maytals

Moon Hop -- Sound Dimension

Tighten Up -- Untouchables

Everybody Needs Love -- Lloyd Charmers

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Files

Tony Gregory -- Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart

All  know about Ton Gregory is that he once sang with the famous Skatalites. He also was a songwriter and did some wonderful duets with Marcia Griffiths.

This song is from his Tony Gregory Sings album (Coxsone). Don't you just love the organ?

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

AudioBlog#18_EmotionallyConvincing

There are certain songs that possess the power to draw you into the intense feelings they convey -- they make you feel the pain (or joy) as if you were experiencing it yourself. Today's blog is a tiny collection of such songs that do it to me each time I listen to them.

I hope you enjoy the excursion into intensity. 

Playlist:

Soul Children -- If You Move, I'll Fall

Barbara and The Browns -- To Know I Can't Touch

Walter Jackson -- Coldest Days Of My Life

Oscar Mack -- I'm Glad It's Over

Dee Dee Warwick -- That's Not Love

Johnny Adams -- Love Me Now

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Files

The Isley Bros. -- Lover's Eve

((Gua)) posted this video clip on the Generationsoul forum, asking for our opinions.

Here's what I said:

Who is she? She has a very beautiful voice in my opinion, but she ab-uses it as she does her lipstick. At times I didn't know if she was actually singing or if it was a vocoder (or such a thing) she used. Very weird ... As I said before, beautiful voice and very talented -- but no charisma (also no grace). Where are the Arethas, Gladys's, Anitas, Stephanies?
But -- I'm happy to see Ron appears to be doing fine.
I liked El DeBarge best; his delivery came closest to re-creating the magic of the Isley's.
The three tenors were disappointing, though.

And now, I'm going to listen to the REAL stuff. 

So, here is the real stuff I fled to: 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Love's Eye is from the Live It Up album (1974, Epic Records)

Some Isley's live footage

Yours Until Tomorrow -- Irma Thomas / Vivian Reed

Which one of these two versions do you like better?

You may cast your vote in the sidebar poll box (poll closed on 12/7)

Irma Thomas

Poll results: 50% Irma Thomas, 50% Vivian Reed

Vivian Reed

James Carr -- You Hurt So Good

There are not many voices as soulful as that of James Carr. This is Soul through and through: horns, background vocals, guitar ...

Get his albums here. Btw., rest assured that the 5-star ratings really mean 5 star-quality. 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Joe Medwick -- As Long As There Is Life / Brought Down

Monday is the perfect day for a deepie. Today's pick is by Joe Medwick, a singer with  an impressive voice, capable of adapting to a variety of genres. While As Long As There Is Life is without any doubt a deepie, Brought Down is rather funky. Joe delivers both songs, proving he's at home in both genres.
He was also a highly talented songwriter and wrote many songs for Bobby Blue Bland, for example, for which he never was credited.

The tracks are from I'm An After Hour Man a 1999 re- release of the original record (EDSEL.) Get it! You'll love the CD. 

For an in-depth bio of Joe Medwick please go to Sir Shambling's website.

Enjoy! (DivShare is not working at this time -- will provide link later) 

Lime Linx

Reggae Sunday at SOTS

The Rulers - Wrong 'Em Boyo

John Holt  -- I Want You Closer

The Gladiators -- Good Good Loving

Desmond Dekker -- Father Noak 

Duke Reid -- Psychedelic Reggae

Enjoy

LimeLinx

Files

Danny Johnson -- How Could You Run Away

I don't know much about this artist, and I am wildly guessing when I say I think this is Danny Johnson from the Chi-Lites. Does anyone have a clue? 

The track is from one of Scavanjah's fantastic Souldies compilations.

Around 1:04, the background vocals are of such a beauty that they sound almost angelic ... 

Enjoy!

Limelinx

John Edwards -- Exercise My Love

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

A Bag Full Of Thank You's

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Playlist

Max Romeo -- Thank You Lord

Donny Hathaway/June Conquest  -- I Thank You

Randy Brown -- Thank You For The Happiness

Wilson Williams -- I Have A Whole Lot To Be Thankful For

George Jackson -- I Just Wanna Thank You

Enjoy!

Limelinx

FileFactory

Gwen and George McCrae -- The Rub / Let Your Love Do The Talkin'

Who would have thought that the McCraes did something as funky as this? Certainly not me. These tracks are from their album Together (RCA Schallplatten, Germany, 1975) And don't you think that Gwen is stealing the show? She has such a sexy voice ... 

Enjoy!

Limelinx

FileFactory

Ollie Nightingale -- I'm In Love

I always loved this song -- and my unrivaled favorite version is the one with Wilson Pickett. Wilson's powerful delivery  never fails to make my heart beat a little faster. But when I heard Ollie's version, I got gooseflesh, too. Ollie sure puts a huge portion of emotions into this song.
You'll find the song on his album Sweet Surrender (Pride, 1973) -- available as CD 

The great Wilson Pickett, live 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

The Moments -- Sunday

From their first album Not On The Outside  (Billy Brown, lead)

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Soultaker's Treasure Chest: No Words Needed

Posted by Soultaker

I hope everyone is doing ok as we approach holiday madness. It's been awhile since I posted due to that thing call real life getting in the way.

I'm a person that is considered laid back by most that know me. Never too outspoken unless it's a rant about the current music that is out there now a days, but I digress. That being said, I decided to throw together a little set called No Words Needed. Just some good feeling instrumental soul music.

1. Ramones – Soultrain - Rampage

2. Booker T. & The M.G.’s – The Horse - Stax

3. The Deacons – Sock It To Me Part 1 - Shama

4. The Whitefield Brothers – In The Raw – Soul Fire/Now Again

5. The Nite-Liters – Tanga Boo Gonk – RCA/Victor

6. The Meters – Hey! Last Minute – Josie

7. Kool & The Gang – Rated X – De-Lite

8. The Budos Band – Rite Of The Ancients – Daptone

9. Jr. Walker & The All-Stars – Hot Cha – Soul

Enjoy

The Ebonys -- Mr. Me , Mrs. You

The Ebonys will forever be remembered for their unforgettable Forever -- a song I can listen to all day long without ever tiring of hearing it. Of course, what makes that song so attractive is the raw, emotional, gritty lead voice. And I believe it's exactly this distinct lead voice that keeps the song from becoming kitchy. Well ... The Ebonys were not very successful, and there's actually only one other song, You're The Reason Why, that achieved similar recognition than Forever; it climbed to #10 on the R'nB charts in 1971.

You're The Reason Why, (Ebonys, PIR 1971)


The pick of today is a song from their second album, Sing About Life (Buddah, 1976.) It's not a song that could be described as exceptional, but it is a nice Philly tune ... And yours ol' Raggedy likes it a lot. 

AudioBlog#17_JustGoodMusic

Is there anything more beautiful in this whole wide world than a sunny and cool fall afternoon? I can't imagine. Life is simply good -- and, of course, yours old Raggedy has to enhance it all by adding some simply good music to such a day.

Playlist

The Originals -- Red Sails In The Sunset (Baby, I'm For Real, 1969)

The Montclairs -- Beggin' Is Hard To Do

New Birth -- How Will I Live (Behold The Mighty Army, Warner Bros., 1977)

The Moments -- I Feel So Good Again (Look At Me, Stang, 1975)

The Dells -- Soul Strollin' (Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation, Cadet, 1973)

Listen

LimeLinx

Individual Files

Haze -- I Do Love My Lady (rare, obscure)

This title is from a 1974 album by a group that had been forgotten for decades. One day, a lucky vinyl collector DJ got her hands on it -- and voila! Here is a beautiful track from a resurrected album. 

If you'd like to read the whole story, please go here.

Listen

LimeLinx