This category is for artists whom I thought significant enough to write multiple posts about.
From The One: βAll these black people were standing around the door waiting to get a seat on the βwhite onlyβ side. Most of βem looked like they might be college kids, and there were a few whites with them,β Brown wrote in his autobiography, … Continue reading James Brown – Mr. Dynamite – Final of 3
James Brown defining ‘soul’ – “It’s the word ‘can’t’ makes you a soul singer. ‘Can’t. That one thing that’s made the Black man more heavier for soul coming from the States is because of the fact that he’s had extra-hard knocks and he lived with … Continue reading James Brown – Part Two – The Hardest Working Man in Show Biz
At the end of every year, I do a multi-part series on a notable figure in music. This year it’s time for the ME James Brown treatment. It’s quite the ride. Hope you enjoy.Β βThe βOneβ is derived from the Earth itself, the soil, the … Continue reading James Brown – Part 1 – The One
“The most original guitar player ever.” – Rod Stewart In his autobiography, Nick Mason recalls the during 1967 Pink Floyd had wanted to recruit Beck to be its guitarist after the departure of Syd Barrett but “None of us had the nerve to ask him.” … Continue reading Jeff Beck – Part 2 – Chameleon
Bob Welch saved Fleetwood Mac – Mick Fleetwood. The way I left was wrong and a mistake. I should’ve told them right away but I was desperate – Jeremy Spencer Wikipedia: “During a tour of the United States in February 1971 with new keyboardist Christine … Continue reading Fleetwood Mac – Mark II – (Second of Two)
Strictly speaking, there were really several versions of Fleetwood Mac. But in reading about them, you can really break them down into three phases – Peter Green (blues-based), Bob Welch/Christine Perfect McVie (pop and rock), Buckingham/Nicks (rock, soft-rock.) I’m calling the Bob Welch version Mark … Continue reading Fleetwood Mac – Mark II (Part One of Two)
“You sing about the woman, but you are really also talking about all the kicking around you’ve had, the humiliations that you’ve had, the throwing out of doors you’ve had, the hunger that you’ve had. You think about all these things, but you’re still singing … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part IV (final)
“Ray Charles is the only genius in our business.” – Frank Sinatra. “Soul is when you take a song and make it part of you – a part that’s so true, so real, people think it must have happened to you… It’s like electricity- we … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part III – Busted
Cigarettes and smack (heroin) are the two truly addictive habits I’ve known. You might add women,” he said. “My obsession centers on womenβdid then (when young) and does now. I can’t leave them alone.” – Ray Charles Once again Ray was on the move. One … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part II – Life on the Road
For several years now, the Music Enthusiast has done a series on a notable artist at the end of the year. Previous years have included Elvis, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, my tour with the Allmans I’ve done almost nothing about Ray Charles. Time to rectify … Continue reading Ray Charles – Part 1
Music Enthusiast - At the junction of rock, blues, R&B, jazz, pop,and soul 