Three Candles For The Manhattans' Blue Lovett, Sonny Bivins and Kenneth Kelly

Trying to get current in all things soul music after a long stretch of busyness, I heard the saddest news. It is almost uncanny that three of the original Manhattans died only months apart.

Blue Lovett and Sonny Bivins passed away in December -- and now on Feb 17, Kenneth Kelly followed them.

These three men laid the foundation for the most beautiful music this world has ever known. May they rest in peace.

I will post a Manhattans Special soon.

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The Trammps -- "Down Three Dark Streets"

Today's song is from the time when disco music was at its best. Enjoy!

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James Carr Special

 

James Carr was among the first artists I've posted on my fledgling blog in 2008. Back then, I posted his version of "At The Dark End Of The Street." Today, I'd like to post a few more songs by him I came across during the years.

There's not a song by him I don't at least like; most of his material I do love. He's definitely been a great deep/southern soul man.

Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong

 

Dixie Bell

 

More Love

 

I Put It To You

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In Memory Of My Mother's Birthday

Today, my mother would have turned 94. How I wish she'd been blessed with a long and healthy life. It wasn't meant to be -- but in my memory she lives on as if she'd never left.

And here's our favorite song -- still makes me smile to remember how she used to call upstairs for me to play the "Woman song." It's one of those tears-in-the-eyes but joy-in-the-heart moments.

Here's Percy serenading my mother.

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Charles Beverly -- "I Got To Forget About You" and "Don't You Want A Man Like Me", "Stop And Think A Minute."

At first, I was only going to post "I Got To Forget About You." But when I heard "Don't You Want A Man Like Me," I actually became partial to the latter song. That's life ... As long as you're searching for the good you may come up with the even better things.

So, today's original pick is the B-side of the better known song "Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes." Charles Beverly was an outstanding singer who reminds me of David Ruffin -- really! The grittiness in his voice, his intense delivery, and the easy of which he operates in the higher ranges.
I am a hundred percent sure Charles Beverly modeled  his singing after the one and only David Ruffin. To prove my point, just listen to "Stop And Think A Minute." And -- let me know what you think.

Charles Beverly recorded with Vanessa Records, The Sound of St. Louis Vanessa Records, whose
owner was Oliver Sain.

Well, today's post could almost be considered a Charles Beverly Special.

Anyway enjoy a great voice.

"Got To Forget About You" 

"Don't You Want A Man Like Me"

"Stop And Think A Minute"

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Blues Gang -- "It's My Own TEars"

And -- yours old Raggedy sings the Blues today ... So, she thought of the Greek blues band she found on the net recently. Blues Gang from Thessaloniki, Greece unfortunately only lasted from 1983 through 1985.
According to discogs, they released two albums: Dig It! (1984) and On A Second Thought (1985).
I just love the saxophone in this recording.

"It's My Own Tears" (from Dig It!, Ano Kato Records, 1984)

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A Candle For Demis Roussos (1946 - 2015)

Unfortunately, I only heard of Demis's death while I was busy entertainging my guests from the old homeland, Germany. He died January 25. Although, I am late, I would not want to miss saying good bye to him.

Here's your candle , Demis.

I must say, it really, really hurts. Demis, the lead singer of Aphrodite's Child, was one of my early music loves. Actually, the entire group had a huge part in defining my musical taste way back in the early 70's. Back then, I was exploring Europe (music wise). Although  France and Great Britain dominated the scene, there was no way around Greece's Aphrodite's Child. They were considered quite progressive in their approach to rock.

Two of my favorite songs were, and still are, "Rain and Tears" and "End of the World."

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Sharen Clark -- "I'm Not Afraid Of Love"

Happy Sunday everyone!

I hope everyone is alright and enjoying all the great tunes they can find ...

I, for myself, have enjoyed a few beautiful weeks with my niece and her husband from Germany. We spent a lot of time sightseeing in and around San Antonio. And each time I take such excursions with guests I rediscover my love for this part of Texas.

In case you plan a a trip to Texas, try to include a tour through the Hill Country.

Of course, Austin was one of our destinations. We saw a super group play one of the many, many bars and clubs there. They played rock classics -- with a lot of empathy I may say... lol Their bass man was absolutely fantastic. He was a little hyperactive but, dangit, he knew how to produce those thumps ...

The niece and I conducted margarita tastings and decided there was not a single bad margarita to be found in n around San Antonio!  The food too was always great -- unfortunately, it shows on my hips now.

Alright! Now back to blogging about my favorite music.

I've said it again and again. There are way too many excellent singers out there who never received the attention they deserved. One of them is Sharen Clark. She has an impressive voice and without a doubt has mastered the art of singing.

I found her on Sir Shambling's (of course), and her voice as well as delivery reminds me a bit of Linda Jones and Carla Thomas's ... Just listen for yourself.

Soultaker's Treasure Chest 02-03-2015 The Message Is In The Music

Posted by Soultaker

What seems to be endless snow fall here in the northeast, it's the perfect time for some more music.  But not just music that you get up and dance to or a typical love song.  People forget that a song can be a very powerful tool in getting a message across to the masses.  You have to thank modern day radio for that.  I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir with that.  So instead I will just present you with a new set of tunes that will provide words of meaning and get into your soul.

 

1.  Beware Of The Man (With The Candy In His Hand) - The Dramatics - Volt

2.   Check Out Your Mind - Maxayn - Capricorn Records

3.  Five On The Black Hand Side - Keisa Brown - United Artists

4.  Our World - Stage IV - Millie Records

5.  Our Generation - Ernie Hines - We Produce

6.  Power To The People - Curtis Mayfield - Curtom

7.  We The People - The Soul Searchers - Sussex

8.  What's The Answer, Brother - Winner's Circle - Casablanca

9.  Patience - Rokk - Tollie Records

10.  I Know Myself - The Sylvers - Pride/MGM

11.  Smiling Faces Sometimes - David Ruffin - Motown

 

  

Soultaker's Treasure Chest 02-03-2015 The Message Is In The Music by Soultaker73 on Mixcloud

Lee Moses -- "If Loving You Is A Crime"

Lee Moses was born on March 13, 1941 in Atlanta. His first band, The Showstoppers, founded in the 50's, once was the house band at the historical Royal Peacock club in Atlanta. (For some interesting info on the Royal Peacock, please visit this site.)

Although Lee Moses never scored big during his active years, the 60's and 70's, his raspy, gritty voice later made him a venerated singer of the deep soul genre. As a guitarist, he based his style on the funky kind of his contemporary Jimi Hendrix. 

In the sixties he moved to New York where he worked as a session musician. Together with John Brantley he wrote his first and best known single there in 1965, "My Adorable One."

"In 1967 he recorded three singles – all commercially unsuccessful – for the Musicor label, including Bad Girl and an instrumental version of The Four Tops' Reach Out, I'll Be There.  The French director Bonello chose Bad Girl for the soundtrack of the movie House of Tolerance (2011.) Lee Moses also recorded a version of Dark End of the Street, issued by Gates Records probably in 1969. (Wiki)

In 1970, he released the LP "Time And Place" which has become a highly acclaimed item among deep soul fans. "The album featured several members of The Ohio Players, as well as Moses' own band, the Deciples (sic)." (Wiki)  Back in the day, however, it failed commercially. 

Lee Moses returned to Atlanta in the early 1970s where he kept performing locally. He did , however, not  record again. He died there in 1997.

An anthology of his recordings was issued in 2007 by Castle Music with the title Time and Place.

Also, the French director Bonello chose his song "Bad Girl" for the soundtrack of the movie House of Tolerance released in 2011.

Enjoy!

Sorry, this file is being held hostage by DivShare.

Reggae Sunday -- Ken Boothe

 

Freedom Street

Down By The River

Thinking

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Monster Mike Welch -- "My Emptiness"

Oh my goodness! I've started the draft for this post on January 5. Ever since, I've been trying to finish it.
Hubby and I "enjoyed" the last of the holiday leftovers while listening to an online blues station. As always we were discussing the events of the day when my ears suddenly pricked up -- out of the blue, I was mesmerized by the guitar that played in the background. The song, My Emptiness by Mike Welch, had us both pause and listen ... This is the blues I love: capable of soothing and exciting me at the same time.
So, after dinner I went straight to my computer, rummaging my library for more of the addictive stuff. And I came up with a playlist I wanted to post. I even managed to upload 6 of the 9 titles. And then, life got in the way again ...

So, for now, I will at least post the title that has inspired this post. The singing is not very impressive, I admit. But the guitar is.

"... [T]his young monster guitar player is one of the greatest blues talents, today. His style is already distinctive, and he can easily compete with elder contemporaries like Kubek etc. Good album." (amazon editorial review)


Boston-area blues man, Mike Welch, recorded this gem when he was 17. His incredible skill as  a blues guitarist at such a young age earned him the nick name "Monster." (It is said that Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd is responsible for the monicker.) Welch dropped the "Monster" from his name, however, after his second album. 

"Welch’s releases for Tone-Cool, which essentially launched his career as an international touring act, include a 1996 release, These Blues Are Mine, and his 1997 album Axe to Grind.
He began his blues education with his father’s record collection, and he picked up the guitar at age eight and tried to emulate the sounds he heard from recordings by Magic Sam, Earl Hooker and B.B. King. Welch also studied the rock & roll and blues-rock records of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, but after hearing more of Albert King and other blues guitarists, he found his calling in life. " (More info at ArtistWiki)

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Soultaker's Treasure Chest 01-04-2015

Posted by Soultaker

First off I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  I'm hoping that this coming year will be better for me and the ones close to me.  It was a rough 2014 with my girlfriend dealing with bladder cancer.  She is doing well with her new bladder and everything is working out.  Very lucky to have caught it in time to do something about it.  So it's nothing but looking up in the coming year. 

To help start off the New Year, I give you another set of tunes to enjoy.

1.  Branded Bad - O'Jays - Neptune Records

2.  Can I Change My Mind - Eddie Floyd - Stax

3.  Suspicious Minds - Dee Dee Warwick - Atco

4.  What Our Love Needs - King Floyd - Cotillion Records

5.  This Thing Called Love - The Webs - Pop-Side

6.  A Dance, A Kiss and A Song - The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - Warner Bros.

7.  I Can't Believe (What You Say) - Ike and Tina Turner - Capitol

8.  Standing In The Grit Line - Don Covay & The Jefferson Lemon Blues Band - Janus Records

9.  Tell Me What's On Your Mind - Cyril Neville - Josie

10.  Is It You Girl - Betty Wright - Alston

11.  Through All Times - Chuck Jackson - ABC Records

Soultaker's Treasure Chest 01-04-2015 by Soultaker73 on Mixcloud

PS to Raggedy, I hope you feel better.  Both our lives have been busy and we will catch up soon enough.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A happy new year to everyone!

I want to start 2015 with a truly colorful Youtube clip my oldest blog follower, emmeni from Munich, Germany, sent me. Since I am somewhat under the weather at the moment, it was just what I needed to feel better right away.

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Jerry Butler and Debrah Henley – "Don’t Be Like An Island"

I admit I have been too busy doing other things lately and have neglected the blog. On the other hand, there are so many other interests I pursue -- writing, for example. At the moment I am editing a few short stories that have been lurking in the dark, waiting to be finished.

So little time, so much to do.

One thing, however, is for sure. I will not be like an island and shut all the beauty that surrounds me out of my life ... I'll soak everything in that makes life worth living.

Today's pick is just right for the time of the year when we usually reflect on what we have done with the past 365 days of our lives. I must say, I feel like I have spent them well by keeping close to the people that matter most to me. 

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A Candle For Joe Cocker (May 20, 1944 - Dec. 22, 2014)

When I first heard that Joe Cocker had passed, I said to my husband, "It was a miracle he got that old ..." Joe's life had been as raw as his singing: the demons drug and alcohol took their toll, times and musical tastes chanveg -- yet he survived and still gave us more of his passionate singing.

Here now is the candle for Joe. Gosh, it really hurts to let him go -- and with him a part of the history he (and we all) were part of.

Rest in peace, Joe! There will be many hearts heavy with wonderful memories of your music this Christmas.

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Peace, Love, and Happiness!

Merry Christmas!

(Jimi Hendrix, Little Drummer Boy/Silent Night/Auld Lang Syne)

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Don Covay -- "The House Of The Blue Lights"

I am a huge fan of Don Covay's music ... As a matter of fact, I believe he is both one of the most versatile and accomplished R&B artists ever. Way underrated, of course.
A while ago I posted a Don Covay Special with a few of my favorite songs by him.
Today's pick is from the homonymous Atlantic Records releasefrom 1969.
The album was a collaboration with the Jefferson Lemon Blues Band that showcased Covay's talent in the field of blues and rock.

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