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 ...
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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)