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Monday, May 6, 2013

WHO'S THE GREATEST EVER SOUL SINGER

Over the Past Several Months I have been Featuring 11 Different Soul Singers in my "Who's The Greatest Soul Singer" Poll, there has been 335 Votes so Far, and if you are Not One of them Voter's, Please Vote Now! (over to your Right).

The Eleven Soul Singers are as Follows (Written in Order of the Poll, Top to Bottom), Press the Name's to see their Individual Post's I have Written on them, including Bio's and their Best Tracks:

Marvin Gaye
Al Green
Otis Redding
Curtis Mayfield
Luther Vandross
Sam Cooke
Teddy Pendergrass
Bobby Womack
Frankie Beverly
Ronald Isley
Eugene Record

My Favorite Top 3 Would be as Follows:

Al Green
Teddy Pendergrass
Marvin Gaye

Here's a Track from each of the Soul Singer's or their Band!

What a Fantastic Selection of Great Soul Music this is!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

TAKEAWAY CLOSED! and SAM COOKE

The Date was around Late Summertime of 1988, the Takeaway Trade Never really picked up too much during that Summer, and things were getting Worse, Trade was Dropping and in turn that Meant I was Making Hardly any Money, and I can Remember the Takeaway Lack of Business was starting to effect my Family Life!

I was doing a lot of Arguing with Susan and Moaning at the Kids, so things Needed Changing, I had put a Lot into the Takeaway and Did Not want to Close it for Good!

I Cant Remember what Day of the Week it was, but I do Remember Susan Phoning me up one Night, to see how things were Going, and as Usual, Not Too Much was Happening, she then asked "How I was Feeling" I Remember saying to her, I Felt like Putting my Head in the Deep Fat Fryer!

Now that wont have done me a lot of Good, I know, but that is How Bad I Felt, Susan said Straightaway, "Shut that Bloody Shop Down and Come Home"

And for once in my Life, I Did Not do Too Much Thinking of the Concequences of what will Happen, I just Turned Everything Off and Walked out of the Takeaway!

I got into my Van and went Straight Home, I Remember Susan and the Kids, being Very Surprised and Very Happy when I got there!

That in Hindsight was Probably the Worst I had Ever Felt in my Life about "My Job or My Working Life"

I Remember the Next Day after it all Settled Down, I thought to Myself "What the Hell am I now going to do about a Job, Now"

I also had to Contact the Landlord, to tell him what had Happened, and I Knew then, this was when my Troubles were Really Going to Start, I Did Not Like him either!

I had a Lease on the Takeaway, I Cant Remember "How Long it was For" but, I knew he (the Landlord) was going to want that Paid Up or he would go after what was "Put up as Collateral, on the Takeaway" and that was "My Mothers House"

I then had to seek Advice from Various different People, including, Citizens Advice Bureau, Business Advice Places, a Solicitor etc, what a Nightmare that all was!

After doing all this for a Couple of Weeks, the Outcome was amongst other things, I had to Straightaway go, Bankrupt!

What a Shock this was, I was like Most People of my Age (around 30), had some Debt through being Married with Kids etc, but this was Really Something Else, they were Going to go through my Life and Finances etc like I had never Experienced before and have not Experienced Since!

As this would eventually Turn Out (the Bankruptcy), Apart from One other Incident in my Life, Would Probably be the Worst Period of Time in my Life!

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As for some Music, I think I may have Featured the Following Track before in this Blog, but who Cares, this I reckon is One of the Best Soul Records Ever Released!

It was Written and Recorded in 1963, so its now 50 Years Old, It was not actually Released as a Single until about 2 Weeks after Sam Cooke was Killed on 11th December 1964!

The Song is the Great "A Change is Gonna Come" what a Fantastic Song this is, it was Later to be used by the "Civil Rights Movement" in the USA during the 1960's.

This Song was a Change of Direction for Sam Cooke, as he had Previously Recorded Songs for the "Pop Market" and Feared he would Lose his "White Fans" if he Recorded a Song about "Discrimination and Racism" in the US during the 1960's!

The Song Peaked at Number 31 on the US Billboard Top 100 and Number 9 on the US R&B Singles Chart.

This Song been Recorded by Many Great Soul Artists over the Years, including amongst others, Al Green, Otis Redding and Luther Vandross, it has also been Voted by the Magazine "Rolling Stone" at Number 12 in the Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown somebody keep telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say brother help me please
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees

Ohhhhhhhhh.....

There been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will

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Sunday, December 16, 2012

1988 and MICHAEL JACKSON

The Date was Christmas Time 1987, incidentally Exactly 25 Years ago to this Date!

The Picture to the left (its a bit Blurry) is the Actual Takeaway now, some 25 Years later, its still going as a Chinese Takeaway these Days!

I had just Closed the New Takeaway for the Christmas and New Year Period, and things were going Great, Work and Money Wise, by this time we had been Living in the same House for Nearly 6 Years, Nathan was 9 Years of Age and Natalie was nearly 8 Years.

Me and Susan had been Married for Nearly 10 Years by now, and things were going Great for us as a Family!

After 2 Weeks off Work (I believe) for Christmas and New Year, I was back in the Takeaway, as you would expect, just into the New Year things were Fairly Slow, but I thought "Not too Worry, things would soon Pick-Up"

But for me in the Takeaway, things Never got back to the Heights of the Trade as they were before Christmas, things seemed to Drag on for Weeks, and I was Beginning to Realise what a "White Elephant" I had Brought into!

A Couple of things that Stand out in my Mind from around this Period, which was early to Mid 1988 were: Firstly, I used to Sell Cans of Pepsi etc in the Takeaway, and I used to have a Rep come to the Shop, now and again, on one of his Visits, he asked if I would like to Enter a Competition that Pepsi was Running!

It concerned Michael Jackson, who Pepsi were Sponsoring him and his Bad World Tour of that Year, there was all sorts of Prizes, and one of the the Main Prizes was to see Wacko at Wembley in July of '88!

So as Susan liked Wacko, I entered the Competition, and thought Nothing more of it.

About 2 Months later, I took a Phone Call one Day from the Pepsi Rep, who had came into the Takeaway previously, and he said "Do you Remember that Competition you Entered a few weeks back"
I said "Yes" he then went on to say, "You have Won, 2 Tickets to see Michael Jackson"

I couldn't believe it, I never had Won anything in my Life, not back then or Now!

I Remember Susan was "Over the Moon" so we had a few months to save up, as we were off to Wembley!

The 2nd thing I always Remembered was, I used to get a lot of Customers, all the way from a Holiday Camp's in Hopton, which is a Few Miles Away, and they All used to say the same thing to me, when they returned the Next Time "Your Fish and Chips are Great, Better than the Chips Shops around here and in the Camp!

I used to get them Sort of Comments all the Time, and always Believed I could get the Takeaway, making a Few Bob, and having a easier Life, but unfortunately for me and the Family, things were going to get a Whole lot Worse, later!

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Now for some Music, I thought I would put a few Classic Soul Christmas Tracks on here, from 3 Soul Greats including Sam Cooke, Donnie Hathaway and of course Al Green...........

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Monday, August 20, 2012

THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER OF ALL TIME....BOBBY WOMACK

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist's who are in My "Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time" Poll.

The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Few Month's now, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!

In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.

I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of "Top to Bottom" of the Poll!

ARTIST NUMBER 8..............BOBBY WOMACK

Robert Dwayne (Bobby) Womack was Born on 4th March 1944 in Cleveland Ohio USA.

His Parents were Naomi & Friendly Womack and He was the 3rd out of 5 Brothers.

Bobby Womack is a Singer/Song-Writer, Producer and Musician, His main Instrument is the Guitar.

At an Early age, Bobby & his Brothers Toured the Gospel Circuit in the USA, with their Parents, their Band was Named "The Womack Brothers"

In 1954, when Bobby was 10 years old, the Band Released their First single.

Two Years later in 1956, the Band was Discovered by the Late Great Sam Cooke, and went on to Record for Cooke's "Sar Record Label"

Soon after "The Womack Brothers" Changed their Name to the "Valentino's" and started Recording "Pop Music"

They had a few Minor Hits during the early 60's, then in 1963 their First Hit Single made it to Number 8 in the US R&B Chart "Lookin' For a Love"

But this Success was short Lived, as the following Year "Sam Cooke" Died, following a Altercation in a Motel, and His Record Label and the "Valentinos" both Folded!

Shortly afterwards Bobby Womack went Solo, but without too much Success, and by 1965. He had at the age of 21, Married Sam Cooke's Widow.

This (Marriage) was to cause Controversy with Bobby Womack's Singing Career, with Radio Station's Refusing to Play his Music, and by 1966 He was doing Mainly Session (Writing and playing) work for other Artist's, including Playing Guitar on several "Aretha Franklin" Album's.

By 1968 He had Signed for "Minit Records" and Recorded His First Solo Album it was named "Fly Me To The Moon" it contained His First Crossover Hit "California Dreaming"
(the Mamas & Papas Hit).

He made 2 more album for "Minit Records" before Leaving for "United Artists" Record Label in 1971.

With the Move to "United Artists" Bobby Womack changed his Image & Musical Direction, His First Album Release was "Communication" Reaching Number 7 in the US R&B Charts.

The following Year of 1972, in the Spring, Bobby Womack had his First Top 40 Hit "That's The Way I Feel About Cha" on the "Billboard Chart" Reaching Number 27 and Number 2 on the US R&B Chart.

During the Early 70's to the Mid 70's, Bobby Womack had several Hits including : "Harry Hippie" Woman's Got To Have It "Looking For A Love" You're Welcome, Stop on By and Across 110th Street.

Bobby Womack's Career seemed to come to a halt after his Younger Brother Died in 1974, this lasted until the late 70's.

Co-Incidentally around this time Bobby Womack Be-friended
Sly Stone after appearing on the Sly & The Family Stone Album "There's a Riot Going On" Playing Guitar, but this Friendship would Lead Womack to Drug's!

By 1981 Bobby Womack was Back, He Signed for "Beverly Glen Records" He had Kicked his Drug Habit and Back on Song where His Music was concerned!

The Album was called "The Poet" it was a Great Success, Reaching Number 1 on the US R&B Album Chart and also getting into the Pop Album Chart at Number 29.

The Album contained some Great Songs including "Secrets" and the Classic "If You Think You're Lonely Now"

This was Followed up in 1984 by "The Poet 2" also on Beverly Glen, I actually Liked this Album More than "The Poet"

It had some Great Tracks on it, including "Love Finally Come At Last" a Duet with Patti Labelle, Tell Me Why and "I Wish I Had Someone To Come Home To"

In 1985 He Released another Great Album, entitled "So Many Rivers" Featuring some Great tracks including: I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" Only Survivor and Gypsy Woman.

But again during the Late 80's Stories of Drug Abuse surfaced again and Record Sales Fell.

He only Released 4 Albums during to 90's and 1 Release in the Year of 2000.

Then from 2001 onwards there has been No Albums until this Year, when "The Bravest Man In The Universe" was Released.

It was announced this Year that after Beating Cancer, Bobby Womack was going to Tour again!

Click here for a Full In Depth Life Story on Bobby Womack.

Bobby Womack Discography

Studio Albums.....27

Live Albums....2

Compilations...9

Singles......47

Checkout some Great Bobby Womack Track's

Sunday, July 15, 2012

THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER OF ALL TIME....SAM COOKE

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist's who are in My "Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time" Poll.

The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Couple of Weeks now, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!

In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.

I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of "Top to Bottom" of the Poll!

ARTIST NUMBER 6..............SAM COOKE

Born Samuel Cook (he added an "E" later in life) on 22nd January 1931, He was a Singer/Songwriter who also Played the Piano and Guitar.

He was also considered as the "Pioneer" of Soul Music!

He was Born in "Clarksville" Mississippi to the Reverend Charles Cooke and Annie Mae Cook and 1 of 8 Sibling's, the Family moved to Chicago in 1933, when Sam Cook was 2 Years old.

Sam Cook began Singing with his Family at the Age of 9, they were Called "The Singing Children" by the age of 14 He was the Lead Singer with a Band called "Highway QC's"

by 1950 Sam Cook was the Lead singer with "Soul Stirrers", they Sung and Wrote Gospel Music.

It wasn't until 1956 that Sam Cook Released His First Pop Single called "Loveable" but it was Under the Alias of "Dale Cook"

The following Year of 1957, Sam Cooke had His First Big hit Record "You Send Me" Reaching Number 1 on the US R&B Charts for 6 weeks and Number 1 on the US Billboard Chart, for 3 weeks!

Sam Cooke was one of the First "Black men" to handle all His Business affairs and Dealings, in fact He even started His Own Record Label "Sar Records" in 1961, He was also Active in "The Civil Rights Movement"

On the Night of 11th December 1964, Sam Cooke, who was aged 33 years was Shot Dead, depending what you Read and where you Read it, there are a Few Differing Stories as to What lead up to His Death!

But whatever happened before hand, it all Ended up with the same Outcome, The Motel Manageress where he was Staying the Night, Shot Him in the Chest, at least 2 Times, Killing Sam Cooke Instantly!

Another thing that is Hard to work out concerning "Sam Cooke" is His Discography, I have looked at several Different Sources and come up with the following:

Sam Cooke Discography

18 Albums, Before His Death.....15 After His Death
36 Singles, Before His Death......8 After His Death
77 Compilation Albums in Total.

His Best Ever Selling Single was "You Send Me" Reaching Number in both US Charts, as well as Reaching Number 29 in UK Pop Charts.

In Fact, out of All the Singles released by "Sam Cooke" in the US, all but 3 made the Pop Charts.

My Favorite "Sam Cooke" Track has to be the Marvellous "A Change Is Gonna Come" what a great Record this is, it apparently was His answer to the Track by Bob Dylan, "Blowing In The Wind" Both Tracks were Concerning "Racism" in the US at that time!

The Track was Voted as the Number 12 on the "Greatest Songs of all Time" Top 500 Chart in the "Rolling Stone Magazine"

Checkout the Lyrics!

Sam Cooke's Greatest Tracks

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