WRAG-Radio Raggedy: Philly Sound Galore

I was in the mood for a heavy dose of Philly Sound. So I put some songs together I came up with off the top of my head. I do hope you all love them as much as I do!

Enjoy!

Intro

TSOP - MFSB

Dirty Old Man — Three Degrees

Bad Luck — Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

For The Love Of Money — The O’Jays

I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love) — Stylistics

Don’t Give Up On Me Baby — Billy Paul

Me And Mrs. Jones — The Dramatics

It May Be Winter Outside — SAL SOUL Orchestra

Everything’s Coming Up Love — David Ruffin

Love Epidemic — Trammps

Here Comes The Hurt Again — The Manhattans

The Hustle — Van McCoy

Outro

    

Philly Sound Galore

Billy Young -- 'Have Pity On Me" and "Nothing's Too Much"

Oh my! I am doing the Deep Soul thing again. Can't help it. 

Billy Young was born in Daingerfield, TX in 1941, and he died in TX on August 19, 1999. 

For more info about this artist, please go to Sir Shambling's website for an interesting read -- and more music by Billy Young.

And yes! There is a heavy dose of Otis Redding's signature style in these songs. 

David Ruffin -- "A Little More Trust"

This track is from his 1973 album David Ruffin. 

Here are the tracks from the album:

		The Rovin' Kind	3:10
		Common Man	2:59
		I'm Just A Mortal Man	2:47
		(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right	4:14
		There Will Always Be Another Song To Sing	2:47
		I Miss You (Part 1)	3:40
		Blood Doners Needed (Give All You Can)	6:15
		A Little More Trust	2:57
		Go On With Your Bad Self	2:30
		Day In The Life, Of A Working Man

The background vocals on the album are by the Andantes. 

 

 

Spencer Wiggins -- "I'd Rather Go Blind"

 

There are songs that have been covered by a lot of artists, and each and every cover of it, seems to be fantastic. Spencer Wiggins' take on "I'd Rather Go Blind" is one I do love. It's powerful and as soulful as Deep Soul can be.

Spencer Wiggins was born January 8, 1942 in Memphis, TN. In the mid 60's, he started recording for Goldwax and Fame. 

For a wonderful and detailed bio of this artist, please visit Derek's Music Blog.

Rockie Robbins -- ""After Loving You" and "For The Sake Of A Memory" (Repost)

Two of the most beautiful love songs ever.

Rockie Robbins is yet another outstanding vocalist who never got the recognition he deserved. 

Todays tracks are from his second album "You And Me" which was released in spring 1980. The title song reached # 9 on the R&B charts.

If these love ballads sound a bit like Jeffrey Osborne songs, it is because Rockie Robbins worked with Osborne's producer.

Rockie Robbins ist eine meiner Neuentdeckungen. Die Titel, die ich hier vorstelle sind von seinem zweiten Album "You And Me", das im Fruehjahr 1980 erschien. Der Titelsong erreichte # 9 in den R&B charts.
Wenn seine Balladen sich etwas nach Jeffrey Osborne anhoeren, so liegt das daran, dass Rockie mit dem gleichen Produzenten arbeitete.

   

Tavares -- "Never Had A Love Like This Before"

 

Don’t you love this intro?     

The Four Tops -- "Left With A Broken Heart"

The year was 1964 ... 

This track from The Four Tops album was written by Marv Johnson who was one of Motown's pioneers and helped create the typical Motown sound. He decided, however, to continue his career in the UK and Australia where his music was in high demand. 

He died in Columbia, SC on May16, 1993. 

There are acoustically better versions of the song on Youtube. I decided to post this one because of the great picture. This is Motown pure. 

"Left With A Broken Heart," however, never enjoyed the appreciation it deserved. 

 

You all have a wonderful weekend!     

The Temptations -- "Bluebird"

David Ruffin, better known as My David, was an amazing vocalist. We all agree, I am sure. But his German pronunciation in this song is quite amazing, too. I wonder who taught him the German words to this song. It's not necessarily a masterpiece, but quite pleasant to listen to. It's also interesting to hear David's young voice. The grit is missing, but his unmatched soft high notes are as beautiful as they would be for the rest of his life. 

He was the greatest.

 

WRAG-Radio Raggedy: So What? It’s Monday (Repost)

Every day is just what you make of it -- even Monday!

 

It's Monday. So What? by Radio Raggedy on Mixcloud

Ray Charles -- "A Song For You" live

I’ve heard so many different versions of this jewel of a song, but Ray’s is the unique one. 

Johnny Taylor -- "As Long As I Don't See You"

Happy weekend everyone! 

"Little" J.T. Recorded this funky track in 1972. 

 

Johnny Adams -- "A Shoulder To Cry On"

Friday is my day! 

Johnny Adams is one of my favorites -- my all-time favorites. The "Tan Canary" from Louisiana stole my heart when I first heard his "Love Me Now." His singing was simply amazing. 

Todays track, however, fascinates me because of the beautiful wailing, sobbing guitar that accompanies Johnny's vocals. Interspersed between the two is the soft sigh of a Hammond organ. Music couldn't be more expressive.

   

Here's the song I usually put on repeat -- just in case there's someone who doesn't know "Love Me Now."

 

Jimmy and David Ruffin -- "Turn Back The Hands Of Time"

The Ruffin Bros. should have recorded more albums than this one together. I like the contrast Jimmy's soft and creamy voice provided for David's gritty one. This track makes any day perfect -- even one of the week's two step children Tuesday and Thursday. Step children because everybody is crazy about Fridays,Saturdays, and Sundays. Most of us consider Monday the worst day of the week. Wednesdays we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel ... Tuesday and Thursday are -- well the drab ones.

Hump Day's Out. Bump Day it is ...

Why not rock the boat today?

   

 Since I am in the mood for more of that sound, here's another song by The Hues Corporation.

   

 I add this one for free lol because I loved to bump back in the day ... double bump especially. Crazy, crazy times. 

TSOP Jam Session … "I Love Music"

I told you this will be a great week ... 

I was looking for some O’Jays music and found this video. It’s the perfect music to spruce up a dull Tuesday. The fascinating part of it is the message: if we all play together, we can come up with something truly fantastic. 

Now, let’s board the Love Train and start jamming … 

The guys still have that TSOP flame burning!

 

Here's the real deal. 

 

Roy Brown — "Ain't Got No Blues Today”

I have a feeling the week will be great -- at least in musical terms. Roy James Brown was born in Louisiana on September 1o, 1925. He passed away in California on May 25, 1981. He was quite a prolific musician who, according to discogs, "was consistently on top of the R&B charts between 1947 & 1953." I will definitely check out more of his work.

 

The Versatiles -- "Push It" Desmond Dekker -- "Israelites" live footage from 1970

Give me that beat

Wow! … 

Reggae is what I needed now.  😂 

Add an ice cold glass of Grigio and 

Straight to music heaven I go. 

Have a wonderful Sunday!

The unforgettable Desmond Dekker in 1970 live ... The live footage starts at 0:55 and is a treat.

Those girls are letting loose. I just love to see the fun everyone had. 

Al Green and Chicago live -- "I'm So Tired Of Being Alone"

What a great combination!

 

Randy Crawford -- "One Day I Fly Away"

This is a song that reaches deep into the corner of the heart where all the painful experiences are gathering dust. Most of us probably wished at some point in their lives they could just leave a failed relationship, an unfulfilling job or leave sorrow and grief behind.

The piece was written by Joe Sample an Will Jennings, and there seems to be no better voice than Randy Crawford’s to sing it. 

 

 

The Spinners -- "As Long As We Have Love"

Haven't heard this beautiful tune in a long time. Still love it! I guess old love(s) never die. 

George Jackson -- "Greasy Two by Four"

 

 

Now, what in the world, is a greasy two by four? Is it a gun? Does anyone know?