RIP Bobby Womack 1944-2014

Posted by Soultaker

I received the news last night that the Legendary Bobby Womack has died.  We don't have many left with us and we need to cherish the ones that are still here.  I'm predicting a lot of tributes will be going on today.  I just want to put up one of my many favorites from his Fly Me To The Moon album.  RIP The Poet

Love The Time Is Now

Soultaker’s Treasure Chest 06-23-2014 - The Return

It's been awhile since I did this, so bare with me.  Raggedy has invited me to once again contribute to her wonderful blog.  For those not familiar with me, I was a contributor to the previous version of Sounds of The Soul.  Raggedy and I go back some years as we would often chat about our love of Soul music.  So when she told me that she restarted the blog, I was honored to be ask to contribute some music from my collection again.

It took some time but I was able to finally sit down and record some stuff from my dusty vinyl collection for the blog.  Life a lot of times gets in the way of things that you enjoy.  But then you have to realize that life is too short and you are not promise to open your eyes the next day.  Actually I was kind of inspired to share my music from my collection from something that happened recently.

Like a lot of people, I like to listen to radio shows that play the things I like to listen to.  One of the shows I had enjoyed listening to was the Sittin In The Park Radio Show hosted by the late Bob Abrahamian.  Unfortunately,  Bob took his own life.  As it turns out, Bob was suffering from depression and it was mentioned in the article linked above that he left a note to his sister saying that he felt that his life’s work didn’t matter.  He couldn't have been more wrong.  His work did mattered and it touched more then his fan base that listened to his show on a weekly basis.  His life work was his love for soul music, mainly Chicago Soul, but his knowledge for soul music in general was incredible.  I listened to his show regularly and I often found myself making notes on certain songs he played so I can look for them for my own collection.  The first song of my set below by The Teques is a example of a song I first heard on his show and ended up hunting down a copy for myself.  On his show he focus on the forgotten Chicago soul musicians.  He would often have interviews and would showcase music from these great musicians.  But not only that, Bob went above and beyond when it came to  helping the musicians he interviewed on his show.  He would help them in their personal lives for example, helping some of them who are older, learn about using the computer or helping them relocate to a new living residence.  It was about more than the music, it was helping fellow human beings getting by in this game we call life. 

I guess what actually made me want to post about music again is seeing a person like that give up their life so sadly for the thing he loved.  Makes you realize how fragile life can be and we should enjoy the things that we love.  As I was saying earlier life gets in the way sometimes, but no matter what, we have to make time for the things and the people we enjoy.  For me, it's collecting and playing my records and I have to once again thank Raggedy for allowing me to have a outlet to do so.

With that said let me get to the music.  I hope you enjoy

Soultaker's Treasure Chest 06-23-2014 by Soultaker on Mixcloud

1.  Intro

2.  If I Could - The Teques - Star-Vue Records

3.  Bills - The Counts - Westbound

4.  When The Bottom Falls Out - Ike Perkins - APT/ABC

5. The Highway Man - Eddie Floyd - Stax

6.  Monkey Tamarind - The Beginning Of The End - Alston

7. Occapella - Lee Dorsey - Spring

8. Putting Game Down - Luther Ingram - Ko Ko Records

9.  Ohh Baby How I Love You - Willie Hightower - Capitol

10. Keep The Home Fire Burinin' - Latimore - Glades

11. Remember The Rain - 21st Century - Golden Tone Records

Repost Pool Party 2012

Darned! Time sure is flying, especially now that summer is on ... Yeah! Last week, I swam my first few laps in the pool for this year.  It's about a moth after the usual start of the pool season. Anyway, I'm happy I was able to finally get into that deliciously refreshing water ...
That said, I decided to post a podcast from 2 years ago which I was listening to while I was swimming. I think I'll have to post more upbeat, uptempo tracks from now on.
What y'all think?

Remember That Party? (Part 1) by Wrag Radio Raggedy on Mixcloud

Dwight T Ross -- "I'm Going To Love You"

Yours old Raggedy's been "digging deep in the vaults" again lately -- successfully so. I consider today's track a deepie diamond.  First, there is the mood setting hammond organ, then the stunningly beautiful harmonizing, and finally the convincing delivery of the deeply emotional lyrics.
The end of the song did puzzle me a t first because it felt somewhat too abrupt for a romantic piece. At second glance, though, the short thump appears to be the period signaling finality after a strong statement ...

Enjoy!

Here's another release by this fantastic singer. Such a great voice! 

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WRAG Radio Raggedy: Old, Scratchy, And Gorgeous

Old, Scratchy, And Gorgeous by Radio Raggedy on Mixcloud

Intro

00:12 If You Don' Think (That I Love You) – FrankiePighee

02:32 Life Ain't Easy – Lee Jackson

05:25 Dream My Heart – Shirley Edwards

07:54 Return To Me – The Values

09:57 Tears From My Eyes – Jackie Opel

12:25 If I Told You – LeBleau Monde

14:45 How Can I Do Without You – Betty Adams

17:59 In The Name Of Loneliness – Little Reuben

21:03 No Sad Times – Johnny Truitt

23:44 Outro

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Aalon Butler -- "Please Give Me A Chance"

Aalon Butler, also known by his first name only, is an artist who does not deserve to linger in obscurity. Although I first heard him singing the deep soul track I chose for today's post, he has some pretty nice northern soul titles out. But what really surprised me was the fact that despite the talent he showcases on his (only) album "Cream City," he never got much attention ...

Aalon Butler definitely feels at home with the gritty deep soul genre as well as the smooth 70's soul he sings on "Cream City." From that LP "Rock'n Roll Gangster" is my favorite. 

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The Ovations -- Pure Natural Love

When I first heard this song, I was thinking that that's what we all should have in our lives. Pure and natural love. No artificial anything, so to speak.  Honest emotions. No schemes. No romanticized expectations. Many a relationship might have profited from such an attitude.

The Ovations were one of the very few groups that managed to deliver quite a few great 45's for Goldwax. They propbably owed much of that success to their lead singer, Louis Williams jr., whose voice could easily be mistaken for Sam Cooke's. 

Ray Agee -- "It's Hard To Explain"

Born April 10, 1930 in Dixons Mills, Alabama, Raymond Clinton Agee contracted polio at age 4 and subsequently was severely handicapped. That did not keep him from pursuing a musical career. After his family had relocated to Los Angeles, he and his brothers attached themselves to a gospel quartet to learn the trade at the source, so to speak. During the 50's an 60's Ray recorded for various labels without ever gaining the recognition he definitely deserved.

His most popular recording was the remake of "Tin Pan Alley" in 1963.

"Ray Agee slowly slipped away from the music business in the early '70s. Reportedly, he died around 1990." (all music.com)

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Happy Fathers' Day! 

 

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Double Exposure -- "Perfect Lover"

Music from an era that was bringing the nation closer together. Harmony and optimism ruled back in the 70's. Not everything was perfect but we tried to make the world better ... It really hurts me to see the strife and divisiveness that has crept into our daily lives. 

I've been listening to a lot of TSOP lately -- for nostalgic reasons. And while I listened to Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Blue Magic, The Manhattans, The Stylistics and all the greats that made the 70's what they were, I could feel the spirit of that time stir inside me. It felt so good to be part of a generation that was able to listen as well as talk to each other ...

So, today's post is one of my favorites from that time.

Double Exposure was founded as "United Image" in the 60's. They recorded three albums between 1976 and 1979 for Salsoul. 

"Perfect Lover" was the B-side of "I Declare War" which was released in 1978 for Salsoul Records.

(For my fellow Temptations fans: one Ron Tyson is listed as the percussionist on the recording. anyone knows more?)

Enjoy!

Here's proof that Disco wasn't always the boring stuff it became infamous for.

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In Memory Of My Sister Birgit (14.6.1951 - 14.6.2006)

Rest In Peace 

You're gone, but the memories stay.

David Sea, "Please Remember Me"

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From The Chief Music Scout's Desk: Simply Red live

Amazing voice after all those years. Great music and lyrics that will live on.

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Dee Dee Sharp -- "Touch My Life"

Dione LaRue, better known as Dee Dee Sharp, was born September 9, 1945 in Philadelphia. She began singing in the early 60's mainly as a background singer.  Her early solo hits were "Mashed Potato Time" and "Do The Bird."
During the seventies, Dee Dee Sharp was married to Ken Gamble, and today's song is the B-side of "Happy "Bout The Whole Thing" (TSOP, 1975)
Great singing and the pleasing sound of Philadelphia ... I just love this track.

Dee Dee Sharp, "Touch My Life"

Happy B-day Joe Cocker!

Joe Cocker turned 70 today! Congrats. 

... love ya, Joe! Keep singing!

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John Baldwin -- "Stop This Crying"

Alright -- Tuesday seems to be perfect for a deepie. I keep wondering how it is possible that a song with such a sad theme manages to make me dance and float on cloud 10 ... I guess this just goes to prove that music is capable of reconciling the sad with the happy.

Unfortunately, not much info available on this sweet-singing artist.  All I could find out was that John Baldwin has recorded this beautiful deepie for Juca Records in 1973.

I'm hoping for Marc, the rescuer, to pop up with some info ...

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Earl Hooker -- "Wah Wah Blues"

Hello and a happy Monday to all.

I started the day with the Temptations, continued with some reggae, and finally arrived at the blues ... Don't have the blues, though. There's nothing blue about today's track. Blogging from my patio again,  I can't believe how amazing this track sounds outdoors with trees rustling in the background and birds "whistling" along.

Whoever listens to Earl Hooker 's guitar must admit that many a popular blues guitarist has been hopelessly overrated. B.B. King considers him the "best of modern guitarists," and what else is there to be said? Except maybe that I consider Albert King the absolut greatest of them all. But that's, of course, only an amateur's choice ...

Earl Hooker, cousin of John Lee Hooker, was born January 15, 1929 near Clarksdale, MS (of course, it was Mississippi). His parents moved to Chicago when he was one year. He died in Chicago at the early age of 41 of tuberculosis which had plagued him since childhood. He also was afflicted by severe stuttering which kept him from singing, it is said. I can imagine he compensated for this handicap by becoming the virtuoso on the guitar he undoubtedly was.

According to Wikipedia  Earl Hooker began recording in 1952  "for several independent record companies. His early singles were often credited to the vocalist he recorded with, although some instrumentals(and his occasional vocal) were issued in Hooker's name. Songs by Hooker and with blues and R&B artists, including Johnny O'Neal, Little Sam Davis, Boyd Gilmore, Pinetop Perkins,The Dells, Arbee Stidham, Lorenzo Smith, and Harold Tidwell were recorded by such labels as King, Rockin', Sun, Argo, Veejay, States, United, and C.J. (several of these recordings, including all of the Sun material, were unissued at the time). The harmonica player, Little Arthur Duncan, often accompanied Hooker over this period.^[8]

Among these early singles was Hooker's first recorded vocal performance on an interpretation of the blues classic "Black Angel Blues". Although his vocals were more than adequate, they lacked the power usually associated with blues singers.^[9] Hooker's "Sweet Angel" (1953 Rockin' 513) was based on Robert Nighthawk's 1949 "Black Angel Blues" and showed that "Hooker had by now transcended his teacher".^[10] (B.B. King later had a hit in 1956 with his interpretation, "Sweet Little Angel".) One of Hooker's most successful singles during this period was "Frog Hop", recorded in 1956 (Argo 5265). The song, an upbeat instrumental, showed some of his T-Bone Walker swing-blues and chording influences, as well as his own style.^[11]

So here is "Wah Wah Blues," one of my favorites by Earl Hooker.

And just in case you can't get enough, this is a fantastic Earl Hooker Youtube clip. 

Carl Anderson -- "Fooled Myself Again"

Here's a song I fell in love with the first time I heard it. Okay, okay, it sounds like a Lionell Richie composition -- I was convinced it was. But it turned out it wasn't the great Lionell. "Fooled Myself Again" was composed by Eric Kaz and Tom Snow.
The song is from Anderson's album Absence With Out Love (Epic, 1982.) Carl Carlton had a somewhat longer version on his Bad CC album, also released in 1982. I like the Anderson version better, however.

For an absolutely beautiful biography and more info about this versatile artist, please visit the website a devoted friend of his has dedicated to him.
Carl Anderson left this earth on February 23, 2004. May his soul rest in peace.

You all have a great Sunday!

E(a)rnest Jackson -- Why Can't I Love Somebody

(Picture from Ernest Jackson's website.)

According to Sir Shambling's,  Ernest Jackson most likely came from the same place he produced all his recordings: Baton Rouge. His late 60's material was released by BOFUZ, while it was the Stone label that released his 70's cuts. In the 80's, Ernest Jackson had signed with Royal Shield.
Despite his obvious talent, he never made it to the top -- where he definitely belonged. Alas, listen yourself and tell me why a voice like Ernest's should be known only to a few lucky music lovers?
Apparently, the artist is working at a restaurant in Baton Rouge, where he's not only waiting but also singing.
Today's pick is from 1974.

"Why Can't I Love Somebody"  (Stone Records 1974)

And here's his version of the Al (Ever)Green "Love And Happiness"



Discography at Discogs

"Sir" Joe Quarterman and Free Soul -- So Much Trouble In My Mind / You Know It's True

Today's post is a repost from Jan. 2011. It is so funny. Back then I still used paper to take notes -- nowadays I use my memo pad on the phone.

Oy! I think it's time for me to quit this blogging thing. I keep finding notes all over the house (and now in my purse, too) with artists and song titles I've heard somewhere, sometime. I must have heard this title  when I was on the go. But I'm not sure, I think I actually heard it at Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue ...  Taking notes at home, maybe while I am on the computer is okay. But jotting names down while I am "away from my desk" is a borderline obsessive, I fear.

Nevertheless, I followed up on the note: Joe Quarterman/So Much Trouble -- and was rewarded with a great find. I found an album, vintage 1973 by an artist that deserves attention. This is some fine Funk with its roots in James Brown's work.

This album addresses the social issues of the seventies, presenting modern American history in a package with contemporar music history. The group and album need to be re-introduced to today's Soul/Funk scene!

 So Much Trouble In My Mind



You Know It's True

Doing my little research thingy, I found out that the group has a few more albums out. From their How High CD is the title You Know It's True, which could/should have been a dance hit. How High has some   outstanding material to offer besides a handful mediocre recordings. Occasionally, you'll find a song like You Know It's True where you may wonder if it's a remake or just a sound-alike. Do I know that song from KC and The Sunshine Band? Kool and The Gang? 
That said, however, all in all the group is definitely underrated. Yours old Raggedy says: Get their albums!

A group named Fred Leslie's Missing Link has recorded So Much Trouble ... Does anyone around here has a copy of their version, maybe? I also think I have heard Eli Paperboy Reed performing the piece -- not sure about it though, and I can't find anything by him. Help! It's driving me crazy not to know. 

Happy Friday!

Tee Fletcher -- "All Because of You"

Again, there's only the sparsest of information on Thomas"Tee" Fletcher available. He is described as a  "brilliant songwriter" located in the Atlanta area. He spent a short time at Wendell Parker's Shurfine label. (Parker was producing The Mighty Hannibal on Surfine Records and later Josie Records.)
Tee Fletcher has also been writing for local artists as Larry James, the Barons, Richard Marks, and Jimmy Tig.
His vocals were neither highly impressive nor unimpressive, so to speak. And of all the tracks I've heard so far, today's pick is my favorite. For those who love the Northern Soul sound, though, it is worthwhile to check on his other releases. They are, btw., sold for big bucks on Gemm.

More info: http://www.georgiasoul.com/blog/2010/03/tee-fletcher-thank-you-baby/