Showing posts with label secrets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label secrets. Show all posts

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







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Sunday, May 8, 2011

FUNKY-SOUL-VINYLS CLASSIC SOUL AND FUNK ALBUMS OF THE 60's 70's and 80's # 5

In this Series of Posts, I will writing about a Particular Classic Soul/Funk Album from the 60's 70's and 80's

The one's that stand out in my Mind, as The Best Soul/Funk/Jazz/R&B Albums ever Released. All of them, I purchased as Vinyl many Years ago and also I have them on CD today.

You may have a Differing view (as we all do) on these Choices, but these are my Favorites!

# NUMBER 5..THE POET..BOBBY WOMACK
1981 saw the release of "The Poet" by Bobby Womack, this was classed as a Comeback Album, after B.W had fell out with several record labels (United Artists, Columbia and Arista) and he also fell out of Favour with the R & B buying public!


There were also some personal Tragedies in the 3/4 year period leading up to this release, for example, Bobby's Brother (Harry) was Stabbed to Death by his then Wife, He also found his New Born Son Dead in his cot, not to mention plenty of money Troubles!
So with all this happening to Bobby Womack around this period of time, its a wonder that this Album, was ever finished not to mention being Classed as Bobby Womack's Best and one of R&B Greatest Albums of all time! 


The Album was on Beverley Glen Records and was Self-Produced. It reached Number 29 in US Pop Chart, but it got to Number 1 in US R&B Chart.


The Stand Out Track on the Album for me was "If You Think You're Lonely Now" I don't know whether I prefer Poet 1 or Poet 2, I will Feature that Album at a later date!





See Track Listing: 
"So Many Sides of You" (Bobby Womack, Jim Ford) – 3:44
"Lay Your Lovin' on Me" (Bobby Womack, Patrick Moten) – 4:03
"Secrets" (Bobby Womack, Jim Ford) – 3:54
"Just My Imagination" (Bobby Womack) – 5:05
"Stand Up" (Cecil Womack) – 3:30
"Games" (Bobby Womack, Roger Dollarhide) – 6:51
"If You Think You're Lonely Now" (Bobby Womack, Patrick Moten, Richard Griffin) – 5:30
"Where Do We Go from Here" (Bobby Womack, Jim Ford) – 6:40


It Featured some Great Musicians (see below) and featured many of the Womack Family on Backing Vocals. 


Bobby Womack - Vocals, Guitar
Dorothy Ashby - harp
David T. Walker - guitar
Eddie "Bongo" Brown - percussion
James Gadson - drums
Patrick Moten - keyboards
Dale Ramsey - keyboards
Otis Smith - Executive Producer
Cecil Womack - background vocals
Curtis Womack - background vocals
Friendly Womack - background vocals
Paulinho da Costa - percussion   

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