Carl Bradney — “Slipping Into Darkness”

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The James Last Orchestra — “I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love)” and “Brazil”

In case you're not ready for the weekend yet, I thought this 1976 live performance by The James Last Orchestra should be a great way to ring in the best part of the week. The fun the musicians have is contagious and mirrors the influence happy music has on us all.

Al Downing -- "I'll Be Holding On" and “I Love To Love”

Greetings from your old Raggedy's patio. I spent the afternoon outside listening to birdsong and my favorite music. What else does one need to be happy? Today's songs have been lingering around in the "new posts" section for quite a while. Al Downing embraced many different genres: Rhythm and blues, rock 'n' roll, country and soul. His take on "I Love To Love" added a totally different dimension to the better known Tina Charles version, in my opinion.  

  - '.
 

 

Al Green — “Let’s Stay Together” 1975 live on The Midnight Special

Today, while I was in a kind of a heavy-heart mood, I was looking for some of Al Green's soul stirring singing. And I found a live performance I had not seen before. Hard to believe, I know. I thought I had seen all of Al Green's live performances -- on Youtube that is. So, that made me feel better right away. I guess all I needed was to escape to a time that was chock full of joy.

Stevie Ray Vaughn & Johnny Copeland -- "Tin Pan Alley" live

There used to be a time when I was blogging on a regular basis and Blues Thursdays were a stable on SOTS. So, last night, when I was listening to my severely neglected Blues playlist, SRV and Johnny Copeland's "Tin Pan Alley" came up. And of all the great pieces, it is the one that never fails to captivate me. 

I do envy the folks that were able to see this performance live. Thank God for Youtube. Really. Watching and listening to these fantastic guitarists restores my believe in His creation. 

Bill Brandon -- "Can'tWe Just Sit Down and Talk It Over” and "A Special Occasion"

Bill Brandon is one of those unlucky artists who, despite possessing an enormous amount of talent, never got the recognition they deserve. He was an accomplished vocalist and one of the very few artists who managed to merge Deep Soul and Disco music to a distinct sound. 

He began his career in 1967 with the release of “Self Preservation for Quin Ivy’s Quinvy recordings. He also  recorded with Tower Records and Prelude Records. Unfortunately, after his 1978 release “Special Occasion”/"Get It While It’s Hot” he had no other releases. 

According to Discogs, Bill Brandon “left the music business behind in 1987 to take up truck driving …” and began singing for a church in Harvest, Alabama.

I like all his songs — I really do. My favorite, however,  would be  “Tag, Tag.” 

“Can’t We Just Sit Down And Talk It Over” was released in 1977 for Prelude Records. 

"A Special Occasion" (1978)

Richmond Extension -- "Everything's Coming Up Love" (1974) and "Let's Get Into Something"

The Richmond Extension's version was released two years before David Ruffin's. 

It's the perfect song for a spring Sunday. 

   

Having listened to both songs for a while now, I really, really like "Let

's Get Into Something" best.  There's more pep in the performance, in my opinion. 

John Holt — “Stealing”

It’s that time of the year again. Texas blue skies, a soft breeze, noisy kids playing in the neighbor’s backyard — and your old Raggedy having her afternoon coffee on the patio. Life is good and the music that seems to match such days best is Reggae, of course. 

David Ruffin — “Bring Her Back”

Just listen and appreciate David’s greatness. He’ll always be my favorite — with or without The Temptations. 

Simply Red — “You Make Me Feel Brandnew” live

Okay people, you really have to sit down and watch this video. I always loved the original sung by The Stylistics. But when I heard this version, I had to hold back the tears. How much more emotions can you put into a song? How much more convincing can an interpretation of the original be? In a nutshell, how much more soulful can a song be presented? 

Enjoy!

I came across this gem on Wings of Pegasus  If you don’t already know this channel, I would like to recommend you check it out. The host, Fil,  analyses vocal performances using top technology that basically makes a voice visible, so to speak. (That’s how a not tech savvy person like me would describe it.) He has many more interesting shows to offer. 

Dave Prater — “Keep My Fingers Crossed”

This is the only single Dave Prater released after his parting from the duo Sam and Dave. “Keep My Fingers Crossed” (B-side “Love Business”) was released on Alston Records in 1971.  

Dave Prater was born 9 May 1937 in Ocilla, Georgia. He died in a car accident 9 April 1988 in Sycamore, Georgia. 

David Ruffin — “You Ought To Know Me”

It’s been a while since I’ve posted something. Time flies and a lot happens on that flight, so to speak. But we always remember the people and songs that accompanied us on our travel through time. 

    A couple of days ago, I came across this song by David, and I had to share it with you. Like all of David’s songs, this one had me pause what I was doing and just listen to the music and, of course, DAvid’s voice.  You’ll find the song on

The Great David Ruffin: The Motown Solo Albums, Vol. 2  (2006)

Enjoy!

Jerry Butler & Debra Henry — “Don’t Be An Island”

Happy new week to everyone!

Battle of The Groups at the Apollo 1985

I had to share this one! It made my day. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

Goodness! That Tempts line up was fantastic. 

What a mood mender … 

 

A Candle for Robert Gordon (March 29, 1947 - October 18, 2022)

When it comes to big voices, the female singer that instantaneously comes to mind is Timi Yuro. 

Her rendition of “It’s Only Make Believe” never fails to touch me. The other day, I came across a different version of the song by an artist I didn’t know up to now. Well, his genre was not one I am drawn to. Nevertheless, his voice fascinated me, especially because I thought Timi’s version almost paled against his. 

It was only yesterday when I sent that song to my sister. We had a great conversation about the power of music and how it can help in healing/overcoming all types of pain. (Our mother died Oct. 15th, 2003.) My sister looked Gordon up and found out that he had just died on the same day we were talking about his voice that reminded us somehow on Elvis Presley’s. 

Okay, here we go. 

RIP Robert Gordon

 

 

The Chocolate Buttermilk Band -- "Ain't No Way"

This song is from a group that was founded by Larry Akles in 1971 in Fayetteville, NC. According to Traxsource.com, they’ve been mostly active as a “cover and backing band.” Sadly enough, they never were successful outside the Southern US. 

In the 80’s, they released a few singles which are mostly heavy funk and can be found on Past Due Records. 

The only track I really, really love is today’s post. But, hey go and check the compilation of their songs out  on Youtube or at Traxsource. 

 

Arthur Adams & BB King -- "For The Long Haul"

 

  Some days are perfect to be dedicated to the blues ... 

The Isley Brothers — “Make Me Say It Again, Girl”

And here comes another master piece. It's from The Isley's 1975 album The Heat Is On.

    

The Dramatics — “Do What You Want. Be What You Are” (1978)

Hello everyone! This crazy summer just won't quit. It's still 86 F here. My yard yearns for some serious loving care, but I am not ready yet. There's actually not much I really want to do. So, today's track is desctiptive of my mood -- so to speak. What I am doing: not all that much; what I am: lazy. Nevertheless, this is one of those songs that define the golden era of modern music, in my opinion. Orchestration and singing at their best. Add the classy lyrics and you have a true master piece. My favorite line from the song would be, "The strong give up and move on. The weak give up and stay." Enjoy!

 

Those Good Tears ...

Today, I came across one of those XYZ "Reacts to a Song" videos on Youtube while I was ironing. (Yes, I am old school in regard to my wardrobe, too.) There was that young man trying to describe his emotional reaction to Elvis Presley's "If I Can Dream." I think his name was Jim ... He kept reiterating the fact that he didn't know anything about Elvis's life story, and that now he's heard this song, he has to find out more about him. He should do it, if only to get a better understanding of what the American Dream is all about. 

So, here goes ol' Raggedy with tears in her eyes because "If I Can Dream" does that to her, and she tries to think of a song or voice that never fails to do the same. And guess who I immediately thought of? It was Levi Stubbs. Yes! The song: "Walk Away Renee."  Of course, I looked for the song, but on my way there, I came across this little gem that also made me cry. I guess, once an emotion has been triggered, it is hard to stop. I consider these tears good ones, though. 

This video apparently shows the last time Levi Stubbs sang for his (and, of course, The Four Tops') fans. Goodness, his voice was still all Levi. Theo Peoples, the ex Temptation, sang lead in this video. As always, Theo is doing a perfect job. And the Tops still had the moves. Simply splendid. 

The description of the video says: "Levi Stubbs briefly sings for his fans .... if you listen carefully you can hear him start singing in 2:13 of the video." It definitely was a great performance anyway, but seeing and hearing Levi again was so touching. 

Here we go

 

 

And here's one of my favorite Four Tops songs