I think Sam & Dave are a great soul act that get lost in the shuffle. I know they weren't part of the Motown juggernaut, but they should be more popular and appreciated than they are. They've done quite a few songs that are classics like "Soul Man" and "Wrap It Up". I think they may have been a Stax group, but I"m not sure. (***edited: A quick check of wiki says yes, they were from Stax. And, snap, they were both Georgians. I should have known that!***)
That being said, I probably wouldn't have known about them myself if I didn't have a deep, abiding love for the movie "The Blues Brothers", which used some of their tunes to great effect. "Soul Man", of course, but also "Soothe Me" and "Hold On, I'm Comin". I bought this best of CD to keep those songs handy and ended up liking the whole thing.
This song itself is a slow jam which has been covered by many artists. It's got that slow, horn-filled style to it that's recognizable of many old soul love songs; all of them seem to have those arpeggioed piano notes in the verses. In lots of ways, it reminds me of "Try Me" by James Brown, or even "Oh Darling" by The Beatles is a great point of comparison.
A clever reader is helping me include links to the songs. Try the link below to see if it works.
http://www.mediafire.com/?7wmsnxjyzmd
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Without a doubt, the best song you have noted, so far. The best thing about Same and Dave and the other Stax/Atlantic artists was without a doubt the live shows. Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89ddPhDZgUA (for your song of choice/bones roll), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55yCPWdIz84 (for a more up-tempo version of "Soothe Me"), and I could have sworn there was an incredible "Hold On..." but I can't find it now; maybe it was removed. It is no wonder that they would travel as the Stax Revue, giving each performer 20 or so minutes to perform. No one could have kept that pace any longer.
Why the fuck was I not alive to see this? I am sorry, but I would trade any concert that I have seen in my life to be at a Stax Revue, as well as quite a few other 1950-1970 shows. These were showmen, entertainers. To watch not only these two stompin' gospel revivalists but Booker T. and the MGs rockin' along, Rufus Thomas and Otis Redding in the wings--- Jesus Fuckin' Christ.
And the Blues Brothers is an awesome movie, even if Dan Akroyd has cheapened everything they once stood for. He performs with Jim Belushi for fuck's sake. Did you ever see Blues Brothers 2000? Me neither; why would anyone want to?I have a few of their albums, all live of course, and it is awesome to hear John Belushi preface songs with the name of the original artists. I believe they were sincere.
Thanks for those links - those were great. Man, I really miss the showmanship aspect of the old soul performers.
I agree with you about Stax - I love Motown for sure, but pop culture history has given them the glory at the expense of Stax.
BTW it was written by Isaac Hayes of South Park and Shaft fame. Although By the Time I Get to Phoenix is stellar...
This is a great song and you are correct that Stax/Atlantic get short shrift when compared to Motown--other than Marvin, Stevie, Some Jackson Five and Aretha (who was on several labels) I don't care much for Motown...but Stax never was about promoting the artist like Motown did--they branded their artist and that was how they did business, it was never about the music as much as it was about the continiued success of the featured Motown artists...Acts had revolvong lineups, more talented members were removes in favor of more marketable ones, etc, etc, but you all know this.
I have a STAX concert LP that was recorded in LA shortly after the Watts riots. I cannot think of the name of it, but it is one of the gems in my collection.
Way to go with the link. Now you can clean it up a little by typing "Download 'When Something is Wrong with my Baby", highlighting it, and entering the link with the link icon at the top of the coposing screen.
Merk!,
You are thinking about the WattStax show. It was a benefit of sorts which occured after the Watts riots. There is an accompanying movie which was just re-released on DVD. It's great, hosted by Richard Pryor. Pryor walks around the Watts neighborhood, talking to people. The best part, though, is Rufus Thomas' outfit.
Post a Comment