Mandrill -- "Gilly Hines"

This song was released as the B-side of Funky Monkey on Arista in 1977 (Netherlands). It definitely reflects the era,both musically and in regard to the social commentary.  Absolutely great song.

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Two versions of "My Precious World"

I  had a reggae Sunday afternoon yesterday -- it seemed to suit the occasion. The weather was perfect with a soft summer breeze, Texan blue skies and sunshine galore ...

I happened to come across this version of my favorite Desmond Dekker song and had to share it with you, of course.

Desmond Dekker



Smokey 007 and The  Exciters




I love them both ... absolutely beautiful song and perfectly delivered in both cases




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Remembering Percy Sledge

Alright, here is a song by the great Percy Sledge that still gives me goose flesh after all the years of listening to it. Way back, there used to be that perfect harmony in a song, the organ, the strings, the horn section, the background singers  -- and the singer all were blending together to a perfect piece ...
"Come Softly To Me" is one of my favorite Percy Sledge songs ever.




... oh, and the creamy quality of Percy's voice in "I've Been Loving You Too Long" never fails to touch me.




And finally, "Warm And Tender Love" which to me is on the same level with "When A Man Loves A Woman."
Percy Sledge and his soulful music will always be around to wrap me in his warm and tender musical embrace.
Thanks, Percy.




Btw., please feel free to post your Percy Sledge favorite in the comment section. 

R.I.P Percy Sledge

This news is so sad, I don't even want to write about it. My very first soul music love, Percy Sledge, just died.
Apparently, he was under hospice care in his home in Baton Rouge. What really surprises me is that there was no mention of his being terminally ill. But maybe that was his and his family's wish.
Forgive me, if I can't write much about Percy ... I am really heartbroken.
I used to smile when I reminisced about his music playing in my room on many balmy spring evenings while a soft breeze played with the curtains on the open window ... Now, I have to fight the tears.

Rest in peace, Mr. Percy Sledge, singer with the cleanest, clearest, purest,  most wonderful tenor that reached into the tiniest crevices of my soul.





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