Ancient pilgrims seeking oracular wisdom would travel to the sanctuary
of Apollo at Delphi on Mount Parnassus. There the high priestess answered
the most mysterious questions of life and destiny.
Ask your own question….
Know Thyself
Album Review: Forces of Victory
A year ago I posted on Linton Kwesi Johnson's first record, Dread Beat an’ Blood, 1978. Linton was a British Black Panther activist, journalist, poet and dub singer. In 1979 he released his second record, the influential Forces of Victory. Here is how it begins:
Want Fi Goh Rave |
It Noh Funny |
Much of the album was written in response to the British "Stop and Search" laws (the so-called "Sus Law"), which allowed British police to stop, search, and even arrest, anyone they believed was suspicious. Use of these laws exacerbated racial tensions leading to the Brixton riots of 1981. Here is a heartbreaking little Sus Law parable from Forces of Victory:
Sonny's Lettah |
The JBs
The JBs (James Brown's back-up band during the early seventies) have to be one of the best soul bands ever. Besides playing behind "the Godfather" on stage and in the studio, they also released their own instrumental songs, sometimes with James Brown on organ. These songs highlight some of their other members - Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, and "Bootsy" Collins. However, even without James Brown on center stage, his influence and personality is always present.
Damn Right I'm Somebody |
Doing It To Death |
The Four Tops
The Four Tops are playing a show at my county fair tonight. I don't think I will make it, so instead I am posting a couple songs by this classic quartet:
Reach Out I'll Be There |
Bernadette |
Johnny Nash
A friend of my mine recently turned me on to Johnny Nash. Johnny sang pop standards in the 50s and 60s. In 1965, he cofounded JAD records. Check out his cover of Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye, which is a good example of his cool and confident style.
In 1968 (before anyone else in the US was hip to Jamaican music), Johnny Nash and his girlfriend took a trip to the island. He met The Wailers and managed to sign them to JAD. When he returned to the States he released a nice run of singles showing off his newfound rocksteady sound. The Wailers followed and eventual broke into the US market, but by then they had joined a new label, Island.
Cupid |
Bang Bang
Often mis-attributed to Nancy Sinatra who covered it, Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) was actually written by Sonny Bono and appeared for the first time on Cher's 1966 album, The Sonny Side of Cher:
That same year Stevie Wonder covered the song well on his album, Down to Earth:
Through the end of the sixties the song was very popular in Europe, inspiring French, Italian, and even German versions. My favorite comes from Italian Egyptian singer and beauty, Dalida:
Bang Bang |
That same year Stevie Wonder covered the song well on his album, Down to Earth:
Bang Bang |
Through the end of the sixties the song was very popular in Europe, inspiring French, Italian, and even German versions. My favorite comes from Italian Egyptian singer and beauty, Dalida:
Bang Bang |
James Bond
The "James Bond Theme" was composed in 1962 for Dr. No: James Bond Theme |
The original theme has become a standard for ska bands such as the Skatalites. Listen to Rico's wonderful horn solo half way through:
James Bond (The Skatalites) |
This final number is another Bond song covered by a little known Jamaican band:
James Bond Girl (The Soul Brothers) |
Forty Fives
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)
Suzanne
Here is Nina Simone's version of Suzanne by Leonard Cohen. In general I find it a bit presumptuous to cover Cohen's classics. However, in this case, I think that Nina Simone interprets the song in a beautiful and meaningful way. I particularly appreciate her treatment of the line: When he knew for certain only drowning men could see him, he said "All men will be sailors then, until the sea shall free them." She has a couple versions of this song. This one is a live recording from somewhere or other.
Suzanne |
Inner City Blues
The third single from Marvin Gaye's landmark album, What's Going On (1971 Tamla Records):
Inner City Blues |
Reuben Wilson's cover (sampled on A Tribe Called Quest's People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm):
Inner City Blues |
And a nice reggae version from Sly and Robbie:
Inner City Blues |
Marcus Garvey Dub
Growing up, it was reggae I heard coming from my brothers' turntable - in particular, Burning Spear's Marcus Garvey. Marcus Garvey |
Marcus Garvey (Dub) |
Old Marcus Garvey |
Old Marcus Garvey (Dub) |
There can be no peace among men and nations, so long as the strong continues to oppress the weak, so long as injustice is done to other peoples, just so long will we have cause for war, and make a lasting peace an impossibility.