“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
“Probably my favorite guitarist of all time. You can’t think of a time when he really ripped off a hot solo but he just plays perfectly.” – Peter Buck.Β When asked what he thought of Cropper Keith Richards said, “Perfect, man.” Wikipedia: Steven Lee Cropper … Continue reading Steve Cropper – Journeyman
“We never ever do nothin’ nice and easy.”- Tina Turner Wikipedia: “Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is a singer and actress, originally from the United States and now a Swiss citizen. Turner rose to prominence as part of the Ike & … Continue reading A Six-pack of Tina Turner
(Pictured – Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes) Periodically I do a Shot of Blues post. What about, I sez to myself, a shot of Soul? This is that good old fashioned stuff you don’t hear anymore. Or maybe I’m just not clued in … Wikipedia: … Continue reading Soul Time
I found a station on SiriusXM called Soul Town and it was a welcome break from my usual rock/blues/jazz fixation. One thing led to another and I eventually heard these guys. And I said, oh yeah. Long overdue for a post. I’ll provide a little … Continue reading A Six-Pack of Earth, Wind & Fire – Yow!
From a Newsweek profile on Prince in 2004 (during a pre-show soundcheck): “The 5-foot-2 singer adjusts the long poet sleeves of his with blouse, strokes his goatee, fidgets with his diamond-encrusted pendant and taps his platform heel on the concrete of this sports arena in … Continue reading A Six-Pack of Prince
From his 1974 debut album, Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley to his untimely death in 2003 at the age of 54, Robert Palmer was an important fixture on the rock and pop scene. As a performer, he was a pretty hard guy to pigeonhole. He … Continue reading Robert Palmer
Pictured: Aretha singing at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Her hat got about as much press as her performance. Aretha, like her father, was a die-hard Democrat and like a lot of us who were hopelessly naive, saw Obama’s inauguration as the possible beginning of a … Continue reading Aretha Franklin (final of 4) – Amazing Grace
