A simple unity of form and function makes the 45 my favorite musical format. I like holding them in my hand. I like the one song to one side ratio. And on the right song (anything by Sam Cooke or Otis Reeding) they really sound better than a 12'' (33 rpm) record - fuller and more emotionally resonant. There is a technical reason for this, which has to do with the width of the groove. But instead of discussing that I will tell you the (A Side) contents of my favorite box of soul 45s:Hold On I'm Coming, Sam And Dave (Stax)
Soul Man, Sam and Dave (Stax)
After The Laughter, Wendy Rene (Stax)
Give You What I Got, Wendy Rene (Stax)
In The Midnight Hour, Wilson Picket (Atlantic)
Knock On Wood, Otis and Carla (Stax)
Try A Little Tenderness, Otis Redding (Volt)
The Price, Solomon Burke (Atlantic)
If You Need Me, Solomon Burke (Atlantic)
Bring It On Home To Me, Sam Cooke (RCA)
I'll Come Running, Sam Cooke (Speciality)
The Little Things You Do, Sam Cooke (Keen)
You Don't Know Me, Ray Charles (Paramount)
Motherless Child, Ben Branch (Chess)
Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers (Sussux)
The Right Time, Ray Charles (Atlantic)
Mary Jane, Bobby Rush (Galaxy)
Cissy Strut, The Meters (Josie)
Reach Out, The Four Tops (Tamla Motown)
Bernadette, The Four Tops (Motown)
Lost Someone, James Brown (King)
I Guess I'll Have To Cry, James Brown (King)
Try Me, James Brown (King)
Please Please Please, James Brown (Federal)
I Got Ants In My Pants, James Brown (Polydor)
Damn Right I Am Somebody, The JBs (Polydor)
Express Yourself, Charles Wright (Warner Bros)
Signed, Sealed, & Delivered, Wonder (Motown)
Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder (Motown)
Got To Give It Up, Marvin Gaye (Motown)
Livin For You, Al Green (Hi Records)
What Is This Feeling, Al Green (Hi Records)
Why Can't We Live Together, Thomas (Glades)
If You Want Me To Stay, Sly Stone (Epic)
Soul Man, Sam and Dave (Stax)
After The Laughter, Wendy Rene (Stax)
Give You What I Got, Wendy Rene (Stax)
In The Midnight Hour, Wilson Picket (Atlantic)
Knock On Wood, Otis and Carla (Stax)
Try A Little Tenderness, Otis Redding (Volt)
The Price, Solomon Burke (Atlantic)
If You Need Me, Solomon Burke (Atlantic)
Bring It On Home To Me, Sam Cooke (RCA)
I'll Come Running, Sam Cooke (Speciality)
The Little Things You Do, Sam Cooke (Keen)
You Don't Know Me, Ray Charles (Paramount)
Motherless Child, Ben Branch (Chess)
Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers (Sussux)
The Right Time, Ray Charles (Atlantic)
Mary Jane, Bobby Rush (Galaxy)
Cissy Strut, The Meters (Josie)
Reach Out, The Four Tops (Tamla Motown)
Bernadette, The Four Tops (Motown)
Lost Someone, James Brown (King)
I Guess I'll Have To Cry, James Brown (King)
Try Me, James Brown (King)
Please Please Please, James Brown (Federal)
I Got Ants In My Pants, James Brown (Polydor)
Damn Right I Am Somebody, The JBs (Polydor)
Express Yourself, Charles Wright (Warner Bros)
Signed, Sealed, & Delivered, Wonder (Motown)
Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder (Motown)
Got To Give It Up, Marvin Gaye (Motown)
Livin For You, Al Green (Hi Records)
What Is This Feeling, Al Green (Hi Records)
Why Can't We Live Together, Thomas (Glades)
If You Want Me To Stay, Sly Stone (Epic)