“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. 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
“The best gig was working with Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions. He was a really good guitarist!…… I learned quite a lot in that short time. He probably influenced me more than anyone I’d ever played with up to that time, that sweet sound of his, you know.” … Continue reading Curtis Mayfield – Super Fly – (final of 2)
The Impressions are an R&B, soul and gospel group whose roots go all the way back to 1958. They actually started out as a group called the Roosters and then became Jerry Butler and the Impressions. Their first hit was a song called “For Your … Continue reading Curtis Mayfield – People Get Ready – (1 of 2)
(Pictured: Otis and Zelma Redding) “I think rock ’n’ roll is drifting toward the blues. People don’t want to admit it, but a lot of the pop songs today are nothing but blues songs. Rhythm and blues has been here for a hundred years.” —-Otis … Continue reading Otis Redding – I Can’t Do What Ten People Tell Me To Do (final of 3)
“I started singing spiritual songs in my father’s church, from about seven on up until I was grown.” —-Otis Redding (Below: Booker T. and the MG’s) In 1963, the song “Pain in my Heart,” became an R&B hit, convincing Phil Walden that Otis needed to … Continue reading Otis Redding – Stax Rising – (Part Two)
“He may have been the most original, most intelligent person I ever met in my life.” —-Phil Walden, Otis Redding’s manager If you know Otis Redding only as a great soul singer of the Sixties, then you should also know that he was a multi-talented … Continue reading Otis Redding – Respect (Part One)
First post here: Sam Cooke wound up leaving Keen Records for the more lucrative environs of RCA. In 1960, Keen, looking to cash in, released his song “Wonderful World,” which became another big hit. (Interestingly, XTC‘s song “Mayor of Simpleton” was accused of, shall we say, … Continue reading Sam Cooke (final of 2 posts)
Starting in the mid-50’s until his untimely death in 1964, Sam Cooke had an impressive string of pop and soul hits. In fact, according to Wikipedia, he had thirty U.S. top 40 hits between 1957 and 1964, plus three more posthumously. His music is so … Continue reading Sam Cooke – (1) The King of Soul
