Alton Jackson and Larry Bailey -- "Believe In Me" (Repost from Sept. 20, 2010)

This here is one of the tracks that get me hooked right away: all emotion. Just good for the soul, I guess. 

Listen here

Live: Alexander O'Neal -- "Sunshine"

Sorry for being a little unreliable at the moment. I'm a bit busy ... But when I came across this video, I had to post it.  This is one perfect performance.

How I miss the days when singers deserved to be called singers, when artists respected their audiences and did dress to show it, when a good show was about the music, song, and rendition.

SOTS Special: Favorite Live Performances

There's nothing quite as exciting as a live performance. That's what San Antonians know and what has them show up in incredible numbers at the annual Balcones Heights Jazz Festival. This year it was not different. Despite the oppressive July heat, the 4 Fridays in July saw huge crowds of music lovers cheering the artists on. Of course, hubby and I were there too. You probably guessed it -- these live performances inspired today's post of live performances.

 Playlist: 

 Four Tops -- Midnight Flower 

Aretha Franklin -- Bridge Over Troubled Water 

Bobby Womack -- Gypsie Woman 

Bobby Blue Bland/Bobby Rush/Johnnie Taylor -- Medly 

The Temptations (Ali-Ollie Woodson) -- I Wish It Would Rain


Enjoy!

Memphis Music at the White House ...

Hubby and I had a ball watching the show. One legend after another. Artists who actually could and still can perform live.

Marvin L. Sims -- "What Can I Do?"

Happy New Week!

I’ll start the week with one of the many obscure artists who have released some notable recordings, but never achieved the success they deserved.

Todays title, What Can I Do, was written by Donnie Elbert and was one of the softer and sweeter titles the Northern Soul singer recorded in the 60′s. He released several 45′s between 1965 and 1972. After that he vanished from the scene to focus on his education and earn a degree in psychology.

In 1998, he finally returned with his debut album, Heart Talk, which was produced, arranged and written by Marvin himself. It was released by Rivertown records.

Now, everybody start your week on a mellow note.

My All-Time Favorite Song ...

My all-time favorite female singer is Gladys Knight. My all-time favorite song is "Midnight Train To Georgia." It's that easy. Not that I wouldn't cherish other songs or artists. I do -- but in a different way. My heart jumped when I found this article about my song in the WSJ. And, of course, it had to go on my blog.

Enjoy a good read.

I've never seen the video posted in the article. I just love it.

Marvin Preyer -- "What Can I Call My Own"

And today -- another Deepie at SOTS3. Asyou all may have noticed, I l;ove to compare different takes of the same song. James Carr's version of "What Can I Call My Own," is hard to beat, I think. But Marvin Preyer's rendition is a gem without any doubt. 

Enjoy!

And here's James Carr's version

Blues Thursday for Emmeni: Chicago Collection

My one and only unwavering fan, emmeni, is fixing for a trip to the USA. I know Chicago is on her list of cities to visit. And since she's one huge Blues lover, I dedicate this Blues Thursday to her and her Chicago visit.

Muddy Waters -- Deep Down In My Heart/ My Eyes Keep Me In Trouble

Otis Rush -- It Takes Time 

Buddy Guy -- Sit And Cry

Listen 

Eddy Senay --Ain't No Sunshine / Delgado (Repost from 12/3/10)

How about making this Saturday a bit funky?

Eddy Senay is another artist whose talent has been lurking neglected and under-rated for whatever unintelligible reason way too long.

I only found about Eddy Senay a few days ago. And what can I say? I love his slow, easy-going style.
Eddy Senay had two albums released for Sussex: Hot Thang in 1972 and Step By Step in 1973. Both albums were re-released on one CD  by Vampi Soul in 2006 titled Eddy Senay, Soul Preachin'. I definitely recommend both to anyone who loves to listen to clean and clear melodic instrumentals with a moderate psychedelic slant.

His career at Sussex was somewhat hindered by his co-existence with Dennis Coffey who had already left his mark on the music scene since the early 60's, most notably as a member of the Funk Bros. Studio Band. 

Ain't No Sunshine is from Hot Thang and Delgado from his second album Step By Step.

Sunshine

Delgado

Syl Johnson -- "Come On Home" (Repost from 11/12/10)

Syl Johnson, one of the most versatile soulmen, has just recently released a box set that has fans celebrate his music with a dedication and fervor rarely seen before. That they do comes as no surprise to me: Syl combined the best qualities of blues and soul and R'nB in one and the same person.
Today's pick is from his 1975 album, Total Explosion (London Records.) 

Enjoy!

You have to watch this one!

The man himself unpacking the boxed set

Latimore: "Let's Straighten It Out", "Let's Move and Groove Together" (Repost from 10/15/08)

Benny Latimore gehoert in die Kategorie des Soul/Country/Blues. Seine Stimme ist einfach ueberwaeltigend schoen, finde ich: tief und wohltemperiert. Von Let's Straighten It Out gibt's natuerlich auch zahlreiche Coverversionen, aber wer Benny Latimores Version gehoert hat, der vergisst schnell was sonst noch so aufgenommen wurde ... 

Seine Karriere begann in den 60ern, doch erst 1973 schaffte er mit T-Bone Walkers Stormy Monday den Durchbruch in die Charts. (Leider besitze ich diese Aufnahme nicht.)

Listen!