Lee Charles -- "I Just Wanna Be Loved" "Standing On The Outside"

Northern Soul at its finest.

 

Lee Charles released a few records in the late 60's early 70's without ever really achieving the success he deserved. He tried his luck on various labels such as Dakar, Brunswick, Eugene Records, Holland, Dozier, and Holland -- to no avail. What a shame!

I really like his voice.

"Standing on the Outside"  was released in 1968 on the Dakar label and is a great piece in my opinion. But sometimes fate just does not want you to succeed.

Margie Alexander -- "Watcha Tryin' To Do To Me"

From a time when grown women sounded like real women. I just love the full womanly voice of this artist.

What's your favorite version? George Jackson's or Wilson Pickett's?

Okay. In my opinion, this goes hands down to Wilson Pickett. Nobody -- I mean N O B O D Y - will ever own this song as Wilson did.


 

Floyd Henley -- "Believe In Me"

When I first heard this one, I thought the singer sounded like Arthur Conley. At least a bit ... Unfortunately, there is not much info available about Floyd Henley. My go-to sources in such cases, Sir Shambling's and Discogs, didn't have much to offer.

I think it's interesting, though, that this title has been produced by Gamble and Huff and, as stated on Sir Shambling's, has to be considered a species of the Philly Sound, although it sounds a lot like a Deepie. I do agree wholeheartedly with that claim. Just listen to the instruments. Anyway, whatever category one may put this song in, it is another underappreciated artist's gift to us.

What a great voice!


 

AL Green -- "Sha La La (Make Me Happy)" Johnie Taylor -- "A Fool Like Me"

Today was one of those grey and gloomy Texan winter days, so I thought it was a good idea to at least leave the house for a few hours. Go shopping or so... However, that turned out to be even more depressing than the weather.

I try hard to adapt to new styles, but something's wrong with fashion ...

Back in the car, I told myself I Should have stayed home listening to some sunshiny, heart warming tunes. The song that played first, though, wasn't really uplifting -- but one of my favorites anyway. J. T's "A Fool Like Me" is more suited for an afternoon of introspection than putting some pep back in your step.

Alas, it still put me in a better mood than what I had seen in the store.

And just when I had finished that thought, Al Green's "Sha La La" came up on my playlist. This is the music that makes the grey skies go away and even makes a stop and go ride home feel great.

Truly the most beautiful time of the year ...

I am wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year!

Christmas for me starts with the Temptations’ rendition of “Silent Night.” Whenever I play that song, Christmas season has started at my house. And this year, I discovered another favorite Christmas carol, also sung by the Temptations, which I will post today.

I will always love Mahalia Jackson’s version best. No question about it. But Glenn Leonard’s falsetto on “O Holy Night” is simply spectacular, in my opinion.

So, let’s all enjoy one of the greatest vocal groups ever — The Temptations with “O Holy Night.”

Gloria Scott — “Just As Long As We’re Together”

This song has Barry White written all over it — and I absolutely love that fact. He deserves a VIP seat in heaven just for making a lot of people happy with his music. His tunes simply expressed all that is good in being young, happy, and always in love.
Gloria Scott’s voice perfectly matched those characteristics. Oh what a wonderful, wonderful time that was!

Jerry Williams aka Swamp Dog — “Shipwrecked”

Ann Peebles — “I Needed Somebody” and "Doctor Love Power"

Ann Peebles is one of my all time favorite female singers. Unfortunately, her material is badly under represented on old school radio shows which, in my opinion, favor the agreed upon greats of soul music.
And here comes my absolute favorite piece by her. Everything — and I mean everything — in this piece is fantastic: the voice, the beat, the musicians. It is the perfect mood mender!

WRAG Radio Raggedy -- So In Love

It's summer, and the blog posts are getting sparse. But there's not a day without music here.

Today's Radio Raggedy set tosses together some love songs that ultimately describe the host of emotions, fears, and hopes that make love the great adventure it is.

Enjoy!

Loving, Yearning — Lot’s Of It!

00:00 Intro

00:14 The Dramatics — Your Love (Can Only Bring Me Happiness)

06:50 The Four Tops — Ain’t No Woman

09:43 Jesse James — Don’t Take Away Your Love

12:41 The Dells — Call Me

17:41 J. Blackfoot — You Are My Glory

22:51 Jerry Washington — Right Here Is Where You Belong

27:31 Joe Simon — Drowning In The Sea Of Love

30:45 The Stylistics — Ebony Eyes

33:02 The Invincibles — Heart Full Of Love

34:57 International Five — I’m So In Love With You

37:05 The Futures — Breaking Up

40:04 Billy Frazier — Try Me

42:25 Outro

Glenn Leonard — “I’m On Fire”

I always loved Glenn’s pure falsetto voice. And here is an all time favorite of mine by him. This time, though, it’s not a cut from one of the Temptations’ recordings, but from his solo album “Then And Now.” The album was released in 2011 by Essential Media Group and showcases Glenn’s absolutely wonderful voice; he sounds as good as he always did.

The Temptations — “It’s Summer”

Hi everyone! After a spring that was quite atypical for Texas, summer has finally arrived. Having had breakfast outside on my patio, I’ve listened to one of my favorite Tempts songs ... I wish you all a great summer with music everywhere and “magic in the air.”
Remember, we all have only one life to live, and if there are no big events to enjoy, indulge yourself with the beautiful small things that make live so beautiful.

The Dells -- "Call Me"

A Candle for John Gary Williams

Here is the link to an in-depth article about John Gary Williams who died May 28th, 2019

He sure was a talented singer, and my favorite song of his is "Ask The Lonely." In my opinion, his rendition of this song was simply superb.

May his soul rest in peace!

The Dramatics -- "Your Love (Can Only Bring Me Happiness)"

The year was 1978! The album was "Be What You Wanna Be." The music was great!

Fourth Day -- "On My Way Up"

This is an obscure group that, as so many other talented musicians did, deserved to become successful. It looks as though all the info about the group is on the label of the 45. Sad!

Jimmy Cliff -- "Ship Is Sailing"

WRAG Radio Raggedy -- Soul Serenade

Soul Serenade 

00:00 Intro WRAG Radio Raggedy 

00:12 Soul Serenade — Beau Dollar & The Coins 

02:44 Watcha Gonna Do About It — Ben E. King and Dee Dee Sharp 

5:05 I’ve Got A Winner In You — Ben Moore 

8:02 Love’s Made A Fool Of Me — Bettye Lavette 

10:29 How Will I Ever Know — Wilson Pickett 

13:08 Number One Attraction — The Younghearts 

15:43 I Think I’d Do It — Z.Z. Hill 

17:56 I Am A Weak Man — Al Wilson 

21:13 It’s A Shame — David Simmons 

24:37 Nothing Takes The Place Of You — Al Green 

29:08 Outro

Blues On Thursday

Oh that a crystal clear guitar!

Otis Redding -- "Send Me Some Loving"

This is one of my go-to songs when I am in need of an energy boost.

Memorial Day 2019

The Dead 

These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,

 Washed marvelously with sorrow, swift to mirth. 

 The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs,

 And sunset, and the colours of the earth. 

These had seen movement, and heard music; known 

 Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended; 

 Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone; 

 Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended. 

 There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter 

And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after, 

 Frost, with a gesture, stays the winds that dance 

And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white 

 Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance, 

 A width, a shining peace, under the night.

Rupert Brooke (1887 -1915)

John Edwards — “We Always Come Back Strong”

Billy Frazier -- "Try Me"

Here's a deep on Tuesday. I love the horn section in this recording. Just give it a listen and rediscover the value of true musicians.

Johnnie Taylor — “Will You Love Me Forever”

I hope you all had a great start into the new week. I did. And while I was driving around in the “most beautiful of all cars,” Johnnie Taylor’s “A Fool Like Me” came up. That song is one of my all time favorites; it perfectly describes the situation when one finds out that he has been lied to — and has acquiesced to that truth. It is never easy to admit to having been someone’s fool.

 Today, however, I want to share another favorite of mine by the great J.T.

 

Three Times A Queen — Aretha Franklin

Last night, after a long time, I was at the Luna Lounge again. Nothing ever beats a night out listening to live music surrounded by people who feel the same. The Keisha Pratt Band was playing some soul,
blues, and funk — and they did a fantastic job. People were dancing and cheering; in a nutshell: happy people all around.
The song that triggered the strongest response from the audience, though, was Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady.” Of course, I knew right away that it was time to post a tribute to the queen of soul.
My thought: music will not get any better than this.
RIP Aretha and thanks for the joy you brought to this world.

David Ruffin — “Bring Her Back”

Here is one more David Ruffin song that has lurked somewhere in the Motown vaults, waiting to be see the light of day. According to Discogs, “It first appeared on The Great David Ruffin: The Motown Solo Albums, Vol. 2” (2006)

Happy Mothers Day!

We both loved red poppies and the same song.

So today, I  post it again for the umpteenth time just to make sure she knows that our bond stretches from the here and now to the place she has gone to.

I am grateful for everything she taught me, for everything she protected me from, and for the resilience she instilled in me.

Thank you!

Blues On Thursday: Roy Brown -- "Ain't Got No Blues Today"

This title is on the 1971 album "Hard Luck Blues Vol. 1"

 Read more about the artist here.


Am I the only one that thinks Jackie Wilson sounded a lot like Roy Brown?

 

Look out NOLA! Here comes Raggedy!

I am fixing to spend a few days in New Orleans. Although I won't be able to see the jazz fest, I am quite excited about visiting that city again after my first trip there in the late 80's.
So, here's some NOLA music to get me in the mood for more ...

Joe Simon -- "Neither One Of Us"

There's no doubt about the high intensity delivery of the song by, in my opinion, the greatest female soul singer Gladys Knight. Joe Simon, on the other hand, with his creamy voice puts the sadness of the situation at hand on display ... He's Mr. Sadness in person.

WRAG Radio Raggedy -- "Tried It, Liked It"

Intro

00:14 Whether It’s Right Or Wrong — Jackie Lee and Dolores Hall
03:07 Let This Be A Letter — Jackie Wilson
06:08 I Love Him —Jean Plum
09:49 It Seems Like I’ve Been Here Before — J. J. Jackson
12:13 I Just Found Out — Freddie Hughes and The Chevelles
14:55 Taking Love And Making Love — The Eliminators
18:54 Tried It And Liked It — The Ingram Family
22:36 Come To Me (When Your Love Is Down) — The Futures
27:10 When You Come To The End Of Your Road — Bobby Blue Bland
30:11 Jealous Love — Wilson Pickett

Outro

John Mayall/Peter Green -- "Out Of Reach"

I can't help but love the blues ... Just give me that haunting guitar sound and pour me a me a glass of red wine -- and I enjoy even having the blues.

White Family Band -- "Miss America Stand Up"

Well, what can I say? Here I am back with a 1972 song. I do not only like this song, but I also found a recording by the co-writer of the title, R. Evans, that is pretty nice.

D. (Deadric) Malone, btw. wrote lots of songs for the great Bobby Bland.

And here's Robert Evans & Universal Love.  I do like the "Latin" touch.

Remembering my Sister (8/28/1943 - 4/9/2017)

Two years ago, my sister died. And I'd like to dedicate a classical piece to her. It's called "Beethoven's Silence." Ludwig v. Beethoven, one of the greatest composers ever, had lost his hearing towards the end of his life. "Beethoven's Silence" is composed by Ernesto Cortazar

My sister lost her hearing when she was three months old. So, she never experienced the peace, pleasure, and joy music brings into one's life.

To us, it is self-understood that the beautiful sound of a guitar or an outstanding voice make us feel a certain way ...  But not everyone is blessed with that precious experience.

Keep that in mind and be thankful for the richness music brings to your life.

Rest in sweet peace, Ute

Bobby Patterson -- "It Takes Two To Do Wrong"

This is one of those nice "little" tunes that make me move to it. Just the right music to spruce up a Monday ...
>

Blues Thursday: Jessie "Guitar" Box and Harry Dallas Band -- "Heart Trouble"

I really would like to resume the Blues Thursday postings I used to do back then when I was diligently posting here ...

So let's start with a surprise find of mine.

I've never heard of this artist/group before; just came across it in my library and took an instant liking to it. Unfortunately, there is not much info available. Anyway, the music is good! 

Pure Genius: Norman Whitfield

Jeez... I've planned this post for ages. I actually started to write around Christmas -- and now it's almost Easter ... Time is flying. But the good thing about time is that some music never gets old, and that time has the power to prove the value of truly great compositions. Just as the best of the past's music have turned into classic music, the best of our times will become the classics of the future. And if you ask  me, one composer surely will be among the classical masters of the future: Norman Whitfield.

Norman Whitfield. came up with a completely new sound, added new instruments to his arrangements, shifted music in a totally new direction. So to me, he is a genius who created something unique: the psychedelic sound.

I just found this tribute-kind-of tune while I was looking for articles etc. about Norman Whitfield. This short piece, in my opinion, showcases the innovative contribution of Norman Whitfield.

Tribute podcast

Ball of Confusion (composers Barrett Strong/Norm Whitfiled)

The Eliminators -- "Try, Try, Try" and "Blood Donors Needed"

Today's post is from the 1974 album of the Eliminators "Loving Explosion." The album brims over with some great funk. But you know me -- I love me some sweet "make-me-mushy" love song. 

According to Discogs, the song was written by Alonzo Tucker, who "also worked with Jackie Wilson" and himself was a member of the Royals and Midnighters.

 Also interesting is their take on "Blood Donors Needed." I knew that song only by David Ruffin's 1973 Motown release. Although no one beats "my" David, The Eliminators' version isn't bad either. 

Curiosity led me to snoop around a bit and see if I could find some more info about the group. Apparently, they are also known as The Mighty Eliminators, (The page I linked to has some great pics of the group posted.)

Also, Levon Meyers the group's vocalist has a very short Youtube clip up.

(From a time when music was still hand-made by humans with talent and enthusiasm.)

Here's a list of the Eliminators' group members:

James Funches (saxophone, flute), Nathaniel Williams (bass), Clifford Little (congas), Carl Johnson (drums), Calvin Rhodes (guitar), Robert Burris (guitar), James Anderson (organ), Godosakahi Jordon (saxophone), Jonathan L. Robinson (trumpet, flugelhorn), Levon Meyers (vocals), Donald Clark (vocals, harmonica)


Maybe someone who knows a little more about the group would like to share that knowledge with us?

Repost of Soultaker's Treasure Chest -- "4 to 5" (2012)

Here's something I really, really enjoy! My co-blogger and friend Soultaker's efforts to keep soul music alive found the appreciation it deserves by being recognized by SoulCoolRecords. Soultaker's collection is, as his mixcloud and SOTS posts prove, truly a treasure chest.
 

Seal — "It's a Man's World"

Okay. I know some of you will scoff at me for posting about Seal. But believe me, yours old Raggedy feels the soul in a song and even more so in a voice as soon as she hears them.

Yesterday, hubby and I went on a shopping trip, and I actually found a pair of blue shoes I had been looking for for a long time. (They match my new striped blouse, my white jeans and the other pants ... you know how it works.)

While I was trying on pair after pair of  “naw-naw” shoes, a song came up that made me listen. It stood out from the regular sound affusion the stores expose you to. The voice touched that spot inside me that I call my soul. I could tell it was  not one of the “old” songs that usually perk up my ears, but it was full of soul.

So, I thought that lady next to me, who was considerably younger than me, might know that song. I asked her, and within a few seconds she had looked it up on her phone. She told me the singer was Seal. Unfortunately, I didn’t ask her for the title of the song. Doh!

Back at home (with my blue shoes on to break them in), I began looking for that song. Of course, I couldn’t find it. On the other hand, I found some excellent covers of some favorite soul songs of mine.



Btw., the new blue shoes turned out to perfectly match an old blue purse I was about to throw out ... Can you tell your old Raggedy is happy today?

Johnny Williams -- "Slow Motion"

1972 was the year! My first job -- a wonderful experience. My first love -- not so wonderful lol And lots of dancing and fun with friends.