Soul Recommendations

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.

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.

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

You have got to check out the works of Mighty Sam McClain. He is the Best soul/blues singer alive today. His recording are on the Audioquest and Telarc labels. Start with "Give It Up To Love" and "Sledgehammer Soul And Down Home Blues."