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Soul Recommendations

I really enjoyed the Jazz Recommendations thread, and it is refreshing to get away from the religious debates on equipment. An area of music I want to explore more is soul, and am looking for some help. There is some cross-over between what I like and R&B, but I don't like much R&B released in the last 15 years or so, and there is also much cross-over into Blues. So what I do like in this area is - James Brown, Junior Wells and Al Green. I also like the old Stax stuff (I have the boxed set). But that amounts to my entire soul-tinged music collection - a dozen or so CDs. I don't care for Parliament, Barry White and so-called "sweet soul music" - eg. "Sexual Healing". I know my Jazz and Blues very well, and have very extensive collections there, but in crossing over the line into Soul I have found some great stuff by the artists I have mentioned, but feel I am only scratching the surface and want some pointers (pardon the pun) as to what to go for next. Maybe you will tell me that JB, Junior and Al are it, but hopefully there is more to explore.
redkiwi
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Why Jim thanks for the tip and I'll be looking for it.
jim
418 posts
 
Tubegroover, this thread prompted me to listen to these soul CD's today (thanks Redkiwi!). I haven't listened since I got my tube amp (too busy with more hi-fi sounding stuff and looking for audio nirvana). This sounded sooooooo much nicer with tubes than I remember my solid state gear sounding, (listened in two-thirds triode/one-third pentode). By the way, one feature I forgot to mention, inside the 45 sleeves are cardboard/plastic 45's with the CD's housed in the back of each one. So it really gives you the singles experience. All tracks are the original single versions, remastered very nicely, too. Listening today also reminded me of how much some of my favorite artists drew from soul... like Erma Franklin's "Piece of My Heart" (Aretha's younger, deeper voiced sister). Janis Joplin really did a gutsier version of exactly the same song. Exactly. Ditto with Garnet Mimms' "Cry Baby". Not only did Janis cover the song, she was obviously so influenced by the original version. Nothing wrong with this. I make the point only because it's very cool to go back "farther" and connect with the original music that influenced of some of my favorite artists from the past. Janis is just one of many examples.
jim
418 posts
 
It's interesting to notice that Buddy Guy (and you've got to include Junior Wells) comes up on threads for rock guitarists and now on the soul thread. Shows you how many people love these guys. Buddy and Junior are among my favorites and I have many of their releases on LP (including appearances on some interesting Chicago Blues anthologies that were popular in the day). A little different take on these blues legends is the "Alone and Acoustic" CD on the Alligator label (ALCD 4802). Same blues feeling and style delivered in a more intimate way. So now you can have Buddy & Junior both ways.
redkiwi OP
1,092 posts
 
I just discovered "The Baby Huey Story" - wow, gutbucket and Memphis is it Jayboard? I like it. And James Brown's Funky Divas album is cool too. The record stores here are experiencing a boom in soul sales right now.
jayboard
301 posts
 
Tell me something about Baby Huey, kiwi -- don't know that one. (I know a Baby Laurence, but he was a jazz tap dancer ;-) ) I repeat myself, but do try out Junior Walker and the All-Stars. Lot of grit and drive; I think right up your alley. Have the Staples Singers (singles like "I'll Take You There" and "Respect Yourself") been mentioned yet? You might have some on your Stax collection. Mavis Staples is an awesome voice; rhythm section is lean and mean; good family values from their gospel background to boot! For accuracy, need to correct a Smokey Robinson reference I made earlier. It's "Away We A-Go-Go", not "Disco A-Go-Go." After all, it was only 1966! Still a silly title, I guess. "You're like a broom, I'm like dust in the room... 'Cause I'm swept for you, baby."--Smokey Robinson
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