Hello, all you sneaky music fans out there. Welcome to Episode 16 of the most talkingest and musicalliest podcast on the ol’Internets!
This week, we keep things funky as we continue to boogaloo to Rachel Gamboa’s requested soul/funk/R&B mixtape. Get down, get down and then get back up again!
So, as James Brown once said, pick up on this!
- The Dramatics – “Hot Pants in the Summertime” – Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get, 1971
- Brother Grady Coffee – “I’m Working on a Building” – This May Be My Last Time Singing: Raw African-Anerican Gospel on 45 RPM 1957-1982, 2011
- J.J. Jackson – “But It’s Alright” – single “Boogaloo Baby” b/w “But It’s Alright”, 1966
- The Spinners – “They Just Can’t Stop It the (Games People Play)” – single b/w “I Don’t Want to Lose You”, 1975
- Chairmen of the Board – “Give Me Just a Little More Time” – The Chairmen of the Board, 1970
- New York City – “I’m Doing Fine Now” – I’m Doing Fine Now, 1973
- The Stovall Sisters – “Hang On In There” – The Stovall Sisters, 1970
- 23 Skidoo – “Coup” – 12″ single b/w “Version (In the Palace)”, 1983
- Natural Bridge Bunch – “Pig Snoots Pt. 1” – single b/w “Pig Snoots Pt. 2”, 1968
- The Style Council – “Headstart to Happiness” – Café Bleu, 1984
- Curtis Mayfield – “Give Me Your Love” – Superfly, 1972
- Bessie Banks – “Go Now” – single b/w “It Sounds Like My Baby”, 1964
And we had a couple of bonus songs this week:
- Billy Stewart – “Summertime”
- The Five Du-Tones – “Shake a Tail Feather”
Thanks for listening.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Hey Dave and Mary. I’m really enjoying the soul/funk/R&B mixtape tracks and your insightful commentary. I was in a soul choir for several years that performed songs from those genres, including Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrill’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” which I prefer to the Diana Ross version. I’m a sucker for a love duet and not such big a fan of spoken-word passages.
I didn’t grow up in a house where those songs were played let alone sung, so I found that singing in those styles was like learning a second language. Well, the melodies and lyrics weren’t difficult but the rhythms and dynamics were harder to pull off, not having been exposed to them from birth. It was fun getting funky though, especially with a live band. I’m looking forward to hearing Side 3.
Standout song this time was the bonus track of Summertime by Billy Stewart. An amazingly fresh and inventive interpretation of one of the greatest songs ever written. I love the Gershwins, but had never heard this version before. So glad you included it in the show. As for the songs on the mixtape…
The Dramatics – Definitely back in novelty territory here. Musically it was okay, but, hoo boy, those sexist lyrics – yuck! It was the 70s, I guess, but we’ve moved on guys, haven’t we?
Brother Grady Coffee – Totally loved it, fluffed notes and all. Can see where Paul Simon drew his inspiration for Loves me like a Rock. Thanks for sharing this absolute treasure.
JJ Jackson – pretty cool song, with great singing and playing. Could have done without the key change in the final third.
The Spinners – this was okay. Liked the variety of different lead voices. Horns were well done. Strings kinda syrupy.
Chairmen of the Board – At last, one I knew already! Timeless classic. Nuff said.
New York City – One I remember from Top of The Pops when I was growing up. Pretty generic, no worse or better than an awful lot of very similar stuff that was around at the time. That was me shouting ‘Queens!!’ by the way.
Stovall Sisters – Great singing. Song owed a lot to Cissy Strut, but why not? Liked it more on second listen.
23 Skidoo – Have to disagree with Mary for once. This was great…
Natural Bridge Bunch – …And I’m back to agreeing with Mary again. Bleeuuch!
Style Council – The Jam were massively popular here in the UK and Weller’s decision to end the band pretty much at their peak was a shock. Fair play to him for rebelling against the pressure to stick with a winning formula and following his muse instead. That said, I wish I liked this more. Most of the Style Council stuff was bland and forgettable. But better things lay ahead.
Curtis Mayfield – Wonderful. Just wonderful. Must check out the full album.
Bessie Banks – You’re being too hard on yourself, Dave. Sometimes it’s fine to close with a dying fall, and ending a side with ‘Go Now’ is pretty funny. I liked it, anyway. And I’m sure it sets the scene for another enjoyable deep dive next time around.
See youse in Funkytown! Oh, and get off my lawn, Dedrick.
Bravo Dave & Mary! What a great podcast. I have such wonderful memories of my discovery of R&B. One of my best friends, who also had a serious knowledge base of music like you have Dave, would share so much of what he knew with me. I remembering experiencing so many great songs through him, many that have made it into your mix tapes as well. I also remember the heavy influence of R&B in the show Moonlighting, which I was a huge fan of. I’d hear something like “Devil with a Blue Dress On” by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and head straight for HIT Records for the 45. This huge record store is still in business and STILL sells 45s..
Big fan of The Spinners and I always thought that “Give Me Just a Little More Time” by The Chairmen of the Board was so bursting with energy that it was meant for something much more powerful to convey it’s power.
Great times and powerful music to live by. Outstanding guys, you make my day…daily.