The Manhattans -- Devil In The Dark

No doubt, The Manhattans are the right choice if one wants to create a "certain" atmosphere. And when I've first heard this song, I was wondering, if there ever was a love song these guys didn't turn into the epitome of lovers in love.

Devil In The Dark is from their 1979 album Love Talk (Columbia Records)

Webster Lewis -- Go For It

How about some music to dance to? On a Friday that seems to be the natural choice. 

This tune is from Webster Lewis's  8 For The 80's album (1979)

The man has a Master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, yet Webster Lewis's best known recordings are his mid/late 70's disco tunes. In my opinion,  he is a terrific pianist/keyboardist  who should have been able to establish himself in the Jazz genre.  Instead he worked in the background in various positions.

The most notable musicians he's worked with are Barry White, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, and Herbie Hancock, to name a few. 

Buddy Guy -- Are You Losing Your Mind

From the album Stone Crazy (Alligator, 1981)

GET IT!

This album is very good. My kind of Blues ... Chicago Blues. As Soultaker would say, it's a "Hennessy" kind of album. Avoid any distraction, just sit down with a glass of your favorite drink to sip on -- and forget about the ordinary things in life.

And just for the fun of it:

Hm ... looks like this post has turned into a spontaneous Special ... Blame the guitar freak in me. 

Clarence Carter -- Next To You

For the longest time didn't like Clarence Carter's songs. Not that I didn't adore his voice -- it was the kind of songs he was singing. He wasn't quite as tasteless as Marvin Sease, but still naughty enough to have me sneer at his music. 
Well, it turned out I had heard his later material before his earlier one. And I must say, I just love the intensity in his rich and full baritone voice. Clarence Carter, as many other soulmen from the 60's, had a difficult time adapting to the disco dominated music of the 70's. And that's when he got into the naughty business so to speak.
Anyway, I'm posting a piece by him that came up during dinner the other night. The intro already caught my attention, and it never ceased throughout the entire song. This is the CC I love ...

 Today's track is from his 1973 album Sixty Minutes With Clarence Carter (Fame)

Clyde Dean -- Can You Keep A Secret

Re-Post from Feb. 21, 2011

Clyde Dean probably has only released one single of which he wrote both sides. Today's track came up on my playlist, and I thought I should share it. Such umistakable Southern Soul tracks as Can You Keep A Secret always have me hum and dance along. 
Clyde Dean wrote the songs on the Black Jack release. If you like the gritty, raw style of early Soul -- you will like this track.

Cloudcast#1 -- Straight To The Heart

I'm trying out this mixcloud thing. I thought it would be a good idea to post mixcloud broadcasts in the future because the artists will receive royalties from the songs used.

So, here is my first MixCloud.

Straight To The Heart by Raggedy on Mixcloud

Con Funk Shun -- I Promise You Love

Get the album here.

A soft, romantic song from their 1981 album Confunk Shun 7 is this track. One of those songs that makes you want to dance to it forever, almost putting you in a gentle trance. A perfect harmony between voices and instruments ... 

Joe Medwick -- I Came A Long Ways

BLUES ON THURSDAY

(Get the album!)

There have been many adaptations to A Change Is Gonna Come, it's difficult to find one that doesn't sound like a mere re-make of the original. But when I heard Joe Medwick's I Came A Long Ways, I considered it special -- don't ask me why. Maybe it's the full sound of the organ and the intensity of the intro line ... I have no clue. But I sure love the song.

J. J. Barnes -- Harder You Love

Now, here comes the reminder that love is not always of the Valentine's kind. Here's a bit of Northern Soul by J. J. Barnes. 

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LimeLinx

V-Day 2011 Songs

Repost: Great Big Love

I'm not a Valentine's Day afficionado. In my opinion it is a superfluous and hyped-up, somewhat artificial and mostly commercial affair ... But I am all for love and heart and feeling -- and all of it to last forever (if possible.)

For all those who love Valentine's Day and think it deserves Raggedy's special attention, here we go with a list of songs to add some more love to the day (hopefully). 

Playlist

My Love Is True -- The Temptations

Wrapped Up In Your Warm and Tender Love -- Tyrone Davis

Oh My Love, Sweet Love -- Hill Sisters

Baby, Baby, Baby -- Percy Sledge

So Deep In Love -- Eddie Giles
No Stronger Love -- Floaters

I Will Love You Always -- Stylistics

Without Your Love I'll Be Nothing -- Lavorn Smith

Love Is Magic -- Greg Perry

The Fiestas -- Thanks For The Sweet Memories

The Fiestas, originally from Newark, NJ., had their first and biggest hit in 1959 with So Fine reaching number 3 on the R and B charts. They kept recording for the Old Town label until the 60's and scored another success with the title Broken Heart in 1962.  Broken Heart reached number 18 on the R and B charts. During the 60's they switched labels and signed first to Strand, NY and later to Vigor where they kept recording into the seventies without being successful again.

The Fiestas -- Broken Heart:  Jackie Wilson's influence cannot be denied ...

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Denise LaSalle -- Trying To Forget

Denise is best known for her Southern Soul recordings focusing on extramarital issues, so to speak. She, like Millie Jackson, got stuck in a rut, singing about the rather unsavory aspects of love and love-like relationships. Nevertheless, I love both of these singers for their great voices. After all, music not only offers the means to escape from reality but often it also portrays quite accurately the not so glorious sides of life.
Today's pick is from Denise LaSalle's album Here I Am Again (1975). On this song she showcases  her ability to control her strong, expressive voice, presenting a softer, less raw style than she usually applies to her material.
I just love her.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

A Bucketful of the Blues

Blues on Thursday ... Blues on Thursday ... Blues on Thursday ...

Playlist

I've Been Hurt -- Big Lucky Carter

Dog Man -- Big Amos Patton

Trouble Is My Name -- Don Hines

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The album from which the songs were taken is available here.

Charlie Wilson -- You Are

Sorry. The post/links are no longer available. I forgot that I am not supposed to support artists affiliated with Sony or its subsidiaries w/o getting visits from the Record Industry.  

Soultaker's Tresure Chest: Random Goodness

Posted By Soultaker

Hope everyone is doing good. It's the day before the Superbowl, basiclly the calm before the storm. Neither The Packers or Steelers are my team, but I am going to go with the Packers(besides the first song in my set is by a group called the Packers so why not. LOL) I'm probably going to just stay around here this year and watch the game at home. So today I'm just laying back and being thankful that it's raining outside instead of snow. Tired of the white stuff already. I'm normally a fall/winter person, but this year is just crazy with amount of snow we have had already. So I just say enough of it and lets just move onto Spring already.

Today's set I bring to you is just something I kind of threw together. Normally I have in mind of what I want to play, but today I'm just going to pick whatever I see that comes up as I go through my stuff. Some of this I haven't heard in many years and forgotton that I had. Some cases I forgot what the song sounds like, but I know its good stuff. So come along and check out what I got in store

Enjoy

1. Hole In The Wall – The Packers – Pure Soul Music
2. Steal Away – Jimmy Hughes – Fame
3. I’ll Never Leave You Lonely – Roy C – Alaga Records
4. Oh! Baby – Barbara Lynn – Jamie
5. Why Did You Lie To Me – Tony Fox – Tri Spin
6. Every Night, Every Day – Jimmy Mc Cracklin – Imperial
7. Seven Letters – Ben E. King – Atco
8. When He Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters) – Peaches and Herb – Date
9. Gretest Love – Willie West – Deesu
10. Love In The Streets (Aint Good As The Love At Home) – Johnnie Taylor – Stax
11. Wayward Dream – Annette Poindexter – Twinight
12. How Long – Charles Bradley - Daptone