ZZ Hill -- The Greatest Love

I admit I never knew this side of ZZ Hill. For the longest time I thought of him in terms of watered down Blues songs. Well, I just found a soft and silky Southern Soul piece by  him on the Kent Southern Soul Brothers album presenting Clay Hammond and ZZ Hill. I have listened to the song at least five times since I dug it out. I guess that means I really like it, and that's why I want to share it with you.

If you like Southern Soul, you should get the Cd -- and if you haven't heard of Clay Hammond yet, you're destined to discover an awesome vocalist in the best of Sam Cooke tradition. 

Get the CD here.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Willie Hutch -- Stormy Monday

Blues On Thursday     Blues On Thursday

Today's track is from Willie Hutch's 1976  album Concert in Blues (Motown) 

The excellent pianist is Harold Johnson.

Find the album here.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

For Your Precious Love Versions

I just found another cover of "For Your Precious Love" -- one of the most beautiful love songs that ever have been sung.

I would like to ask you to help me expand the collection of versions I have been able to acquire so far. Here are the versions I have in my library:

The Flames

The Invitations

The Rolling Stones

James Brown

Linda Jones

The Impressions

Jerry Butler (of course)

Garnet Mimms

Roy Hamilton

Otis Redding

Oscar Toney

Geater Davis

Please send your version to:  btexpress944@gmail.com

Update: Jan. 14th

((Marc)) contributed the following cover versions:
David Allan Coe
Don Bryant
Francine Reed feat. William Bell (live)
Jackie Wilson and Count Basie
Johnnie Taylor
Little Johnny Taylor
The Hi Lites
The Laurels
Vernon Green and The Medallions
Many thanks for these fantastic tracks!

I dug out the following covers:
Aaron Neville
Buddy Miles live

Update Jan. 15th
Francine Reed (studio) Passion, fire, power.
Southside Johnny (Smooth and silky)
The Marcels (Fantastic acappella version)
The Impressions (1981) (Doesn't really work for me)
Barbara Mason (Beautiful, simply beautiful)
Byron Lee and The Dragonairs (Makes the heart sing and dance!)
Gene Vincent (Different somehow)

I dug out the following covers:

Aaron Neville

Buddy Miles live

***
Concerning my complaint about the lack of participation, I had some people call me impatient. They say I expect too much too soon from my blog friends. So, let's wait a little longer and see if there will be more submissions in the next days.

Update Jan. 22, 2011
I've posted my favorites here.
In addition, Marc sent me 3 more versions. 

W. A. Mozart -- Requiem Mass in D Minor

Out of respect for the victims of the Tuscon massacre, I will not post today. My heart is heavy; and in my mind the words "nine-year-old" child keep repeating themselves. I am deeply sorry for the victims and their families. And I am deeply ashamed for America: this is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. It has turned into the land of  savages and cowards. 

May the victims R.I.P. and may their loved ones find consolation and peace of mind someday.

Soultaker's Treasure Chest - Good Hennessy Music

Posted By Soultaker

I hope everyone had a safe holiday. I'm glad everything is back to normal and that I made it through the madness. Actually I had a great New Years. Got to give a shout out to DJ Prestige as he was DJing down at The Annex in Asbury Park. Me and my lady went down and brought in the New Year with him. Had a great time dancing to the tasty joints he was spinning and enjoying the overall good vibe down there. Check out his blog Flea Market Funk as he has plenty great mixes of his own there.

I've been in a Mellow My Man type vibe lately. Meaning I like to partake in one of my favorite beverages, in this case, some Hennessy and listen to some slow music. It could be some jazz or often times some good soul music. So today I'm going to give you a sample of what I call Some Good Hennessy Music.

So Grab Your Favorite Drink, Click Here And Enjoy

1. She's Lonely - Bill Withers - Columbia
2. Who's It Gonna Be - Honey Cone - Hot Wax
3. So Soon We Change - David Ruffin - Warner Bros.
4. Wind, Blow Her Back My Way - Syl Johnson - Hi
5. Don't Change Me Now - Mavis Staples - Volt
6. For Your Precious Love - The Invitations - Silver Blue Records
7. The Bitter End - Howard Tate - Atlantic
8. Castles Of Sand - Jermaine Jackson - Motown

LimeLinx

Theo Peoples Special

It looks as if the rumors are no longer rumors, but have turned out to be true. Theo Peoples is no longer with the Four Tops.

He joined The Temptations in 1992, replacing Richard Street. In 1998 Theo left the group and took Levi Stubbs' place in the Four Tops -- a daunting task for even the most accomplished vocalist. Levi's   naturally passionate singing simply can neither be duplicated nor replicated.

Theo Peoples, however, is without a doubt, one of the greatest, most soulful singers around. In addition to his excellent vocal skills he oozes stylishness and has the charisma so typical for each and every Temptation who has ever graced the stages of this world. (Yeah, yeah ... I'm getting carried away again.)
Anyway, I thought this news would be the perfect occasion to  post a  Theo Peoples Special. And, of course, to wish him all the best for his new career.

Those of you who are not familiar with Theo's solo material, I urge to check it out.

So, let's start with a video clip of him and the Queen

I always considered Theo being in the wrong place with the Four Tops; Theo, in my opinion, is a singer whose talent cannot be fully exhibited through the Motown material that the Tops usually perform. He belongs to another genre and another generation. 

This is the material that is Theo's forte.

From The Temptations' For Lovers Only

And here's the man live -- Smooooooooth ... Soulful ... Theo



Finally,  the title track from his album Chemistry ... You And Me (2004)

Enjoy!
LimeLinx

Skip Mahoaney -- Your Funny Moods

Friday!

And the pick of the day is a slow jam with lots of feeling and of long duration. Funny Moods was the A-side of Skip Mahoaney and The Casuals' first 45 recording, and it became the title song of the group's firs LP  (D.C. International Records, 1974).  Their second album was, Land of Love, followed in 1976. (AVI released both their LP's on a single CD in 1995) More info about the group. 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Big Lucky Carter -- Hurricane Blues (and an Interview)

BLUES ON THURSDAY  BLUES ON THURSDAY 


Take it from one who's been there: oral history.

Enjoy!
LimeLinx

Obituary

Charles Bradley -- Lovin' You Baby

It was difficult to pick only one track from this fantastic album. Some of the songs are strongly reminiscent of the great James Brown, and I think neither the Menahan Street Band nor Charles Bradley is trying to hide this fact. The album is a monument to true music: horns, drums, guitars, hammond organ ...  And of course it showcases one of the few soulful voices that are left for us hardcore soul fans to admire. 

Yours old Raggedy strongly suggests to get this album; there is not one filler track among the 12 tracks on the album. Daptone has done it again. 

I am posting one of my instant favorites from the CD.

Charles Bradley and The Menahan Street Band, Lovin' You, Baby (Dunham Records, 2011)

Enjoy!  (Link fixed)

LimeLinx

Bio (Also: In Why Is It So Hard, track 10, Charles Bradley sings about his life experience.) 

Sydney Rodgers -- Child From A Broken Home / Don't Throw Stones / Raggy Raggy Clothes

Reggae on a Monday is quite as good as Reggae on a Sunday. Isn't it? 

 Sidney Rodgers (Miracle Worker, 1974):

Child From A Broken Home

Don't Throw Stones

Raggy Raggy Clothes 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx
Files

Hearts Of Stone -- It's A Lonesome Road

I'm not one who gives much advice -- mainly because I could use some of it myself. But this piece of advice is quite safe because proven and true: Steer clear from hearts of stone ... they'll send you on a lonesome road littered with heartache and hurt and regrets. 

LimeLinx

Happy New Year!

To all my followers and readers and friends: I wish you a happy new year and that at some point during 2011 you'll be the one singing "the dream I had came true." 

I also start the new year with a new color scheme, hoping that life will be a vibrant, colorful, and daring an experience as the fuchsia/pink color combination I've picked. 

Let's start 2011 on a hope-filled message -- in a song of course.

The Dream I Had Came True, Dicky and Billy

Enjoy
LimeLinx

Boney M's Frontman Found Dead

Boney M weren't that big of a deal here in the states. But without them, back in the 70's, the European disco scene would have lacked something as glittery as Bobby Farrell's dancing. The three girls who were actually doing the singing almost took backseat to Bobby's smooth moves. He himself never even sang a tune, but was lip syncing to the voice of the group's manager, Frank Farian.
Gone forever -- another icon of the best days of my youth.

(See story here.)

R. I. P. Bobby

Now, that was some seeeeeeeerious dancing! 

The Minits -- Last Mile Of The Way

The Minits were three girls from from Montgomery, Alabama who followed in the footsteps of many another vocal group that before them had tried to make it big in the so called Soul City USA, Memphis. They released three singles on the Sounds of Memphis label, but left five more excellent titles lurking in the vaults to be released by the Kent label in 2010 on Follow Your Heart: The Sounds of Memphis Recordings.
These three girls should have been successful. Their talents speak for themselves. But, alas, as so many others before (and after) them, they never made it to the top.

Today's track is taken from Deep Soul Discoveries Vol. 1

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

George Freeman -- I'm Like A Fish

Not much time -- New Years Eve party preparations are in progress here. So, I'm just posting a song I like very much.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

More Sad News!

Marc found out that two more of the beautiful voices of the golden era of Doo-Wop and Soul music have been silenced forever. Myrna Smith of The Sweet Inspirations left this world on Christmas day. And also Dorothy Jones of The Cookies passed away that same day.

The Sweet Inspirations

Myrna is the one in the middle, sitting. 

R. I. P. 

The Cookies

R.I.P Dorothy 

Teena Marie Dead

Sad  news: Teena-Marie died today. She was only 54, and her voice was as beautiful and clear like  a songbird's. May she rest in peace. 

The Way You Love Me
LimeLinx

Don't Forget To Tune In!

Barry Fowden's radio show, Vintage Soul, will be on the air Sunday, Dec. 26th. 

See his playlist here. 

Some good old music guaranteed!

Merry Christmas To All Of You

I think there's no Santa far and wide who has a more velvety voice than Bill Pinckney had.

Congratulations to Al Bell!

((Soultaker)) informed me about this event. And I would not want to miss relating the news to you all.

 Al Bell, former Stax Records executive and one-time owner, will receive the Grammy Trustee Award February 12, 2011, the highest honor given by the Recording Academy! Mr. Bell deserves to be honored for all STAX has given us Soul fans.... more here

The Temptations -- Let's Live In Peace

If I could, I'd make this world a peaceful place where everyone can lead a full life. I can't do that -- unfortunately. But I can hope for it; and I will keep all those in my thoughts who have to live in war torn countries. I wish them peace in their hearts.

Let's Live In Peace

LimeLinx

The Originals -- One Life We Live

This is a beautiful song that deserves to played more often, I think. The singing is first class, and the message of the song couldn't be any clearer. And this is my christmas wish: that the one life I live will be filled with love others feel for me and I feel for others. 

The track is from The Originals' Baby, I'm For Real a.k.a. Green Grow the Lilacs album (1969) It is not on the Baby, I'm For Real album (Unidisc Import, 2001)

Enjoy!
LimeLinx

Just Winter Songs

Long Cold Winter -- Geater Davis (from The Lost Soul Man CD2)

The Winter Of Our Love -- The Spinners (from Labor Of Love)

Cold Wind Blues -- Colwell-Winfield Blues Band

I'm posting these songs expecting another Texan winter day at about 80 F.

Enjoy!
LimeLinx

FileFactory

Al Sharp -- Gentle Is My Love For You

Happy new week, everybody! 

When I first heard this track, it immediately reminded me of Don Covay. 

Gentle Is My Love For You is  from 1973 and was  released on the Swedish label Four Leave Clover Records.

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Reggae Reggae Reggae

Playlist

Coming In From The Cold -- Bob Marley (Fuer meine Freunde in der deutschen Kaelte!)

Love At First Sight -- Brentford Rd. Allstars (For the grown-ups in our midst!)

My Reward -- Desmond Dekker (For all of us!)

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

FileFactory

Old Skool, New Tool -- Tasha Taylor

Tasha Taylor is the daughter of the great Johnnie Taylor, and I think her dad left her with all the talent he had himself. Just see for yourself.  This young lady has it in her blood.
I wish her all the best and that she'll be very successful.

The Eliminators -- Taking Love and Making Love / Blood Donors Needed

The Eliminators are from North Carolina and the album these tracks are taken from, Loving Explosion, was originally released on the Brunswick label in 1974. I love their no-nonsense clean soulful sound that is 70's through and through. (At least the 70's I remember.) 

The entire album was pretty good. Of course, I was surprised to see that it included David Ruffin's Blood Donors Needed which was on his 1973 David Ruffin LP. 


You'll find the entire album here. 

Enjoy!
Lime Linx

Mike James Kirkland -- Together

 Originally from Yazoo City, MS, Mike James Kirkland grew up singing doo wop and gospel. Eventually settling in California, Kirkland and his brother started a record label, Bryan Records, to release the love songs and socially conscious soul music that Kirkland had been writing. The two albums they released -- Hang on in There in 1972 and its follow-up, Doin' It Right -- both echoed the style and sentiments of other artists determined to comment on social issues relevant to the African-American community: soul heavies likeMarvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, and Stevie Wonder. The reputation of both albums slowly spread over the ensuing years, finally resulting in reissues in the '90s by archival label Luv N Haight. (allmusic.comhttp://www.allmusic.com/artist/mike-james-kirkland-p205489)

I've already posted a song by this artist a while ago. And today while I was writing the last christmas cards, this song came up. I can't help but wonder why this artist has remained as underrated as he is. 

Enjoy!

Limelinx

Matt "Guitar" Murphy -- Guitar Boogie (live)

"Probably best known for playing behind the Blues Brothers (and appearing prominently in their 1980 hit movie), Matt "Guitar" Murphydeserves enshrinement in the blues-guitar hall of fame anyway." (Bill Dahl, allmusic) The list of high-carat blues bands he played with is fascinating. Howlin' Wolf, Memphis Slim, Otis Rush, Ike Turner -- Matt Murphy played with all of these blues greats. 
The artist was born in Mississippi (of course) on December 29, 1929.  And he was busily touring the country until 2003 when he suffered a stroke during an appearance in Nashville, TN. 

And this is the maestro in 2010 with the James Cotton Blues Band at the Chicago Blues Fest

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

O. V. Wright -- Trying To Live My Life Without You Babe /Without

(Find the album here)

I always had a soft spot for O. V. Wright, and when I heard his take on Trying To Live My Life Without You, I knew I had to post it. O. V. does a great job with the song. Nevertheless, this song "belongs" to Otis Clay who recorded the original in 1972 for the Blind Pig label. (See my posts about Otis Clay here.)
The second song is simply a beautiful Deepie. And Deepies were O.V's forte without a doubt. 

Enjoy!

Lime Linx

Al Green -- Nothing Takes The Place Of You

This is one of those songs I love dearly -- no matter who sings it. My favorite version is probably William Bell's. His version stays very close to the original, written by Toussaint McCall in 1967. In fact both sound a little alike. William's voice, though, has no rough edges whatsoever -- it is smooth and polished to perfection. And of course as soon as Al Green gets his hands on it, he leaves his unmistakable stamp on the song.
Timi Yuro and Johnny Adams also delivered some outstanding covers of this classic tune.

Nothing Takes The Place Of You -- William Bell  LimeLinx


Nothing Takes The Place Of You -- Toussaint McCall  LimeLinx


Nothing Takes The Place Of You -- Al Green  LimeLinx

FileFactory

Electrified Action -- Love Foundation

I couldn't find any info on this group, but I do think that the song title suits the season's spirit: Love.

Post script

I said it before, and I will say it again: What would I do without my friends and fellow music lovers?

Marc a.k.a. Blue Escorpio had this to say about Electrified Action:

More info on 'Electrified Action' can be found in 'Swete Harold' 's bio here: http://www.myspace.com/sweteharold
However I couldn't track down any trace of the 'Super Soul Music' hit on the 'Delightful Music' (De-Lite Records???) he's talking about.
The producer of 'Love Foundation' is keyboardist/singer 'Sweet Richard Shade'.
More on him is here: http://www.thejazznetworkworldwide.com/video/sweet-richard-shade-live-at?xg_source=activity

Happy Reggae Sunday!

Playlist

Funny Man -- Freedom Singers (Studio One)

Mun Dun Bu -- Im and David (Freedom Sound, Studio One)

They Don't Know -- Jimmy London (A Little Love)

Pee Pee Cluck Cluck (a.k.a Uncle Joe ) -- The Melodians
Bla Bla Bla -- Toots and The Mayatls

Enjoy!
limelinx

FileFactory

I-Yi -- H.A.W.K

After a week of house-cleaning and other useless, but strenuous, activities, I am in desperate need for some music that keeps me moving.

Albert King -- Match Box Blues

Two Blues greats in session: Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughn -- Match Box Blues, live

Now, that's the kind of Blues on Thursday I love!

Listen

LimeLinx

Get the CD

Crazy Lovin' And Such ...

I just felt like posting some girls singing about their guys ...  

Ann Peebles -- Dr. Love Power

Love Unlimited -- It May Be Winter Outside

Aretha Franklin -- You're A Sweet, Sweet Man

Sugar Pie DeSanto -- Crazy For Lovin'

Carla Thomas -- Gee Whiz 

Doris Troy -- Just One Look

LimeLinx

A Tint Of Darkness -- Don't Take Your Love From Me

Here's a song by yet another obscure group. 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes -- He Loves You And I Do Too

Obviously, I have had a problem with my automatic posting schedule. I kept posting the posts a day early. So, I'll post an extra track today -- and will be back on track come tomorrow. Yay -- a blogger's life is never easy.

Enjoy

LimeLinx

The Spinners -- Medley: Nothing Stays The Same

The Spinners live,  Mighty Love
Breath-taking!

The Spinners Medley:

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Reggae Sunday Again!

Playlist

Don't Trouble Trouble -- The Maytals

Moon Hop -- Sound Dimension

Tighten Up -- Untouchables

Everybody Needs Love -- Lloyd Charmers

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Files

Tony Gregory -- Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart

All  know about Ton Gregory is that he once sang with the famous Skatalites. He also was a songwriter and did some wonderful duets with Marcia Griffiths.

This song is from his Tony Gregory Sings album (Coxsone). Don't you just love the organ?

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

AudioBlog#18_EmotionallyConvincing

There are certain songs that possess the power to draw you into the intense feelings they convey -- they make you feel the pain (or joy) as if you were experiencing it yourself. Today's blog is a tiny collection of such songs that do it to me each time I listen to them.

I hope you enjoy the excursion into intensity. 

Playlist:

Soul Children -- If You Move, I'll Fall

Barbara and The Browns -- To Know I Can't Touch

Walter Jackson -- Coldest Days Of My Life

Oscar Mack -- I'm Glad It's Over

Dee Dee Warwick -- That's Not Love

Johnny Adams -- Love Me Now

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Files

The Isley Bros. -- Lover's Eve

((Gua)) posted this video clip on the Generationsoul forum, asking for our opinions.

Here's what I said:

Who is she? She has a very beautiful voice in my opinion, but she ab-uses it as she does her lipstick. At times I didn't know if she was actually singing or if it was a vocoder (or such a thing) she used. Very weird ... As I said before, beautiful voice and very talented -- but no charisma (also no grace). Where are the Arethas, Gladys's, Anitas, Stephanies?
But -- I'm happy to see Ron appears to be doing fine.
I liked El DeBarge best; his delivery came closest to re-creating the magic of the Isley's.
The three tenors were disappointing, though.

And now, I'm going to listen to the REAL stuff. 

So, here is the real stuff I fled to: 

Enjoy!

LimeLinx

Love's Eye is from the Live It Up album (1974, Epic Records)

Some Isley's live footage