This was a great project for a music lover. I got to research and write liner notes for a new collection of soul music that Hear Music was putting together for Starbucks. The following is the intro and some bits about the artists and songs.
Something’s Got a Hold on Me
“Do you like soul music? Sweet soul music?” Arthur Conley asked the question in his 1960’s anthem, and for us, the answer has always been a resounding yes! Soul music, those songs built on a foundation of gospel and blues and real life stories, is an integral part of this country’s musical history and for this collection we’ve pulled together our favorites. Some of these songs will be familiar to you, some are known artists singing jewels that might not have hit the pop charts but certainly ran high up the R&B ladder. All of them weave together to wrap you in a tapestry of sound that calls for a cold drink, a front porch with a chair for rocking back, and a rail for propping up your tapping feet while you think to yourself – man oh man, something’s got a hold on me.
Bobby Womack – “Baby I Can’t Stand It” from the album Greatest Hits
Bobby Dwayne Womack’s Cleveland childhood was spent full time on music. With his brothers he performed gospel under the name the Womack Brothers and later stepped out on his own into the world of secular music. In the mid 60’s he concentrated on his songwriting and session work as a guitarist, playing with such greats as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Jimi Hendrix. In the late 60’s and 70’s he had a string of hits all his own and while “Baby I Can’t Stand It” isn’t as well known, it does show Bobby at his best. From a howl to a pleading moan he cries, “love me or leave me” and dang if you don’t want to get in there and help him out of this sweet misery.
Freddie Scott- “Are You Lonely For Me Baby” from the album Are You Lonely For Me
Freddie Scott was born in Providence, Rhode Island – not a place that instantly comes to mind when you think of soul. But Freddie grew up in a world of gospel, singing and writing songs with his sisters from a young age. Eventually he made his way to Shout records and for this, his first release he worked with writer/producer Bert Berns. Berns knew what he wanted from this song and he and Freddie recorded over 100 takes to get it just right. A labor well worth the effort. The Sweet Inspirations singing background vocals ask the question – "Are you lonely for me?" --while Freddie howls back with a gravelly, sexy reply. Won’t nobody be lonely with Freddie around.
Betty Everett – “You’re No Good” from the album The Shoop Shoop Song
Born in Greenwood, Mississippi and best known for the novelty – “the Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in his Kiss)” – Betty Everett quietly became one of the top soul singers. And once you hear this original version of the familiar 70’s classic, you’ll realize exactly what you’ve been missing. This version’s got soul. In fact as Betty was recording, The Dells waiting in the recording studio couldn’t help stomping their feet along. The producer, Calvin Carter, liked the sound so much he had them go again so he could mic their feet. Listen for it. It’s that thing that got you groovin’ before you knew you were movin’.
LaVern Baker – “Soul On Fire” from the album ?
Born Delores Williams, LaVern Baker was an Atlantic Records Diva with a big bluesy voice worthy of the title. Though her only #1 hit was the infectious “Jim Dandy,” Baker never stopped singing and in 1991 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On this her first Atlantic release, you might be lulled by it’s familiar mid-50’s slow-dancing beat. But you get pure diva-ness from the first note. And when she says, “You set my Soul On Fire,” the musicians back off and let her let you have it. And brother, you’re happy to take it.
