Recently, I've been listening to a lot of Irma Thomas. And, god damn, she is fine. One amazing song after another. The CD cover dubs her "The Soul Queen of New Orleans." I didn't know one thing about her until Alex J. lent me the CD.
Alex also lent me Arthur Alexander as well. I knew one or two of his songs and, of course, all the songs that the British Invasion bands (particularly the Beatles) covered. And I love the Brit boy versions, but they don't compare to the genuine article of Alexander.
Last year, I discovered Howard Tate (thanks to Sujan's co-worker) and Little Willie John (thanks to the movie I Hired a Contract Killer).
Hot Tub Eric keeps generously supplying Youthlarge and me with amazing mix after amazing mix of incredible R and B and soul from the 60's. The Stax box set (thank you Whiskey Drinker) continues to blow me away and I've barely even made a dent in it.
So my question is- how many more amazing bands and singers are out there that I'm unaware of? Please do tell.
11 comments:
Dan, I have a list of splendid old R & B types I love but I dare not post them on your blog in case I reveal myself to be a hideous rube in the face of the unrelenting stream of hipness emenating from you urban center of the universe types (cf the Loretta Lynn debacle).
However, one of Maine's last remaining independent radio stations WERU presents a great show called Stacks o'Tracks on Saturday afternoons from 3-5pm (I found it while running away from NPR's World of Opera). Host Charlie Oldham has an encyclopedic knowledge of early rock n' roll and R&B and plays some of the coolest and obscure stuff you could ever want. And they stream!
hot tub once gave us a great track by millie mcclain. i want to hear more of her!
Dan,
Try out Erma Franklin...she did the original Piece of My Heart. And while Joplins' is no slouch, the first one will make you go buy a beer just to cry in it.
To hear some fantastic reinterpretations of thaat same soul you talk about, check out the Trojan Records catalog...holy jesus that stuff will melt your soul.
Trojan Records, indeed...once you are prepared to move from obscure soul records to obscure (outside of JA and the UK) reggae records. Any of Ken Booth, Bob Andy, Slim Smith or Alton Ellis will do nicely.
how many? A lot
from Alex J.
There's always Downtown Soulville on WFMU. All the shows are archived online - it's Friday nights from 7-8. All soul 45's. Mr Fine Wine's kinda bad about posting the playlists online, so listen with a pad a pencil.
http://wfmu.org/playlists/SV
from Alex J...
Also, I've been meaning to dig up more Barbara and the Browns - they're a favorite form the Stax set.
a.
from Alex J.
one more that I've been listening too a lot - The Robins - the group that eventually became the Coasters. Johnny Otis Presents: The Robins is a good one. Remind me to bring it next time i see you. okay. now i'm going to bed.
a.
christy went to this john travolta tribute at the museum of moving image in queens and not only was everyone's favorite sweathog turned scientologist there, but also kenicky and horschak!
horseshak is supposed to be a big dick.
I think you mean he HAS a big dick.
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