musicology #161

vocalgroupaction2 #6

(The Uniques - Lessons Of Love)

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day six !! of the vocalgroup selection and the tunes just keep on coming...by now i'm sure you've realised that the two genres that feature heaviest on themusicologist are Soul & Reggae and today's cut is no exception.

courtesy of one of the most 'important' of Jamaica's vocal groups The Uniques whose previous incarnation, (The Techniques), had already played a huge part in shaping the vocal group sound of Jamaica with Duke Reid at Treasure Isle. (for an example of the Techniques work with 'The Trojan' take a listen to musicology #44??).

but it was as this pivotal line-up, (Roy Shirley, Jimmy Riley, Lloyd 'Charmers' Tyrell and Keith 'Slim' Smith), produced by the Islands top producer at the time Bunny 'Striker' Lee that they rose to the top of Jamaica's vocal group tree with a string of Rock Steady classics such as 'Gypsy Woman', 'My Conversation', 'The Beatitude', Love & Devotion, 'Facts Of Life' (to name a few)

briefly...Bunny Lee was a major figure in the evolution of Jamaican musicology especially during this period. One of the first, (the first being Cecil ' Prince Buster' Campbell), independent producers to challenge Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid he was instrumental in breaking the hold the two held over the music resulting in the emergence of other notable producers such as Derrick' One Stop' Harriott and Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

Recorded in Kingston at the Treasure Isle, (or W.I.R.L), studio in 1968.

musicology #160

vocalgroupaction2 #5

(The Emotions - Blind Alley)

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first outing on themusicologist for this female vocal group with a tune that never fails to lift my spirits which, today need lifting….not for any specific reason, just one of them days when ‘the pressure drop’

better known for their part in Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘Boogie Wonderland’ this piece is from their earlier days, (1972), at Stax and has formed the foundation for many a ‘version’ since from Big Daddy Kane and Pharcyde to Mariah Carey, (one listen should explain why)

musicology #159

vocalgroupaction #4

(Link - Whatcha Gone Do)

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today’s cut is a little bit more up to date than the previous three. not easy considering the vocalgroup has almost dissapeared from urban music. I know almost nothing about these cats, not even how many of them are in the group.

but I do know that it was recorded in the Big Apple, (Allien Flyers Studio), at the end of the 20th century, (1998), produced by Darrell ‘Delite’ Allamby, engineered by Ben Arrindell and it’s on the Relativity label…and finally, for me, it hit the right spot ten years ago and still does today..

keeping it brief as I’m helping my good friend ‘Dready 10 Eyes’ load up a container for his emigration to Cyprus and we’ve only got 3 hours to do it!!

musicology #158

vocalgroupaction2 #3

(The Drifters - Oh My Love)

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while scouring the vaults looking for vocalgroup cuts it occured to me that there are many practitioners of the art that deserve a musicologist representation…but there are two who are essential. The Miracles..and this group who epitomise the genre.

originally formed in 1954 by Clyde McPhatter, the Drifters have been through many line up changes, first it was Clyde singing lead followed by Johnny Moore and then Bobby Hendricks.

in 1958 the whole group was fired and replaced with one that was going under the name of the Five Crowns, (featuring the unmistakable pipes of Ben E King), who soon delivered national success in 1959 with ‘There Goes My Baby’ true to form the line up didnt last and after an altercation between the two managers Ben E King, (eventually), went solo.

this is the B side to the aforementioned hit from 1959 featuring Ben E King singing lead in the year that ‘doo wop’ was being challenged by the emerging sound that became known as Soul.

musicology #157

vocalgroupaction2 #2

(The Royals - Make Believe)

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day two of the vocalgroup selection finds us tuning into some ’sufferers’ courtesy of Jamaican vocal group The Royals with a mid 70’s piece on Roy Cousins’ Wambesi Label.

Roy Cousins was not only the producer and Wambesi label owner he was also the Royals lead singer. forming his first vocal group in 1962, (pivotol year for musicology), he went on to form the Royals, (originally called the Tempests), in 1965…recording for, (among others), Coxsone Dodd’s Studio 1.

sick of being ’skanked’ by producers and label bosses he set up his own in 1971 and this one (Wambesi), in 1974 which attracted many a fine singer, vocal group and deejay evolving into a major force in the 70’s and 80’s.

the cat at the ‘controls’ on the dub is none other than Lloyd James. better known as..Prince Jammy…

musicology #156

vocalgroupaction2 #1

(The 5 Keys - The Glory Of Love)

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it’s been a challenge keeping on top of themusicologist these last few days, (and weeks), especially as ‘the project’ has been taking up most of my, (physical and mental), time.

on top of that I have also been tied up with the selling of the family drum. as a result themusicologist has suffered a drop in quantity, (the quality I am very happy with)

all I can do is apologize for not ‘taking care of business’ and hope that the quality is enough for you to stand by themusicologist….

this week it’s round 2 of the vocalgroupaction theme and I’m kicking off with this seminal cut from the dawn of doo wop courtesy of one of the greatest of the vocal groups ‘The 5 Keys’. it’s from their second recording session for LA label Aladdin, recorded in New York’s RCA Studio on March 22nd 1951. The song, (written by Billy Hill), had already been a #1 for Benny Goodman in 1936 but, (as much as I rate brother Goodman), performed by the 5 Keys it reached new heights.

the lineup..

Rudy West (first tenor), Maryland Pierce (second tenor), Ripley Ingram (octave tenor), Dickie Smith (baritone/second tenor), Bernie West (bass) and the group’s regular accompanist Joe Jones on Piano…

what a tune…

musicology #155

duets2 # 4

(Loe & Joe - Little Ole Boy, Little Ole Girl)

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slipping out of the Jamaican selection into some Detroit action with a piece from one of post war urban music's great innovators Harvey Fuqua...original lead singer of the Moonglows, (musicology #46), and Soul legend. influential in moulding the new sound that sprung out of the wells of Rhythm & Blues and Gospel, Harvey Fuqua helped, (along with Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Marv Johnson...), to 'create' the Detroit sound as head of artistic development at Motown after tiring of the effort required to run his own label, (which this one is on),

the duet is courtesy of almost unknown pairing, Lorrie Rudolph and Joe Murphy, who certainly do the song justice. more than that I can only add that it's a 45 from 1961 and it's on the 'Harvey' label.

musicology #154

duets2 #3

(Jackie & Doreen - Welcome Home)

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the boxnet audio widget is not working as well as I would have hoped so I'm going to have to make
some changes and find a more effective way to digest the music.

for now though I'm sticking with the duets and another one from Jamaica but this time it's a 1965 Ska classic from one of Jamaican music's foundation vocalists, Jackie Opel about whom Alton Ellis once said:

"to see Jackie Opel was a life affirming event – he was a performer in the style of young Jackie Wilson whose act was a predominate influence. Opel would spin and fall to the ground in a crescendo of legs drooping and flailing arms, a small man in stature but a big man in heart and personality"

and from the pen of music critic Al Gilkes:

"On stage Jackie forced his way into the hearts of his audience to make them share his experience. His tears were their tears, his joy theirs …….. Jackie was a prodigy, a rare blend of pure, raw voice and composing ability … what captured you about his singing was its utter savagery: the apparent unlimited range to his voice: … when he sang, every word that came out seemed to come from deep inside with an eternity of pain which life forever bought him ……"

partnered on this one by Doreen Schaffer and to top it all...backed by the mighty Skatalites..an early Studio1 production from right out of the top drawer. a UK release on the top ranking R&B label

watch the ride...

musicology #153

duets2 #2

(Beres Hammond & Marcia Griffiths - Live On) 

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I had planned on throwing this one down yesterday but for some unknown reason my internet connection was playing tricks and locked me out of the 'information highway' so i'm taking this opportunity to fling it now in case it happens again.

day two of the duets selection is one of the tunes that drew me back to the sweet sounds of Jamaica in 1993 after a year spent in the musical wilderness waiting to be inspired after 5 years listening, playing and DJ'ing 'house' which by then had made the transition from under to overground and was being used to to sell cat food, yoghurt, etc ...

the male vocal comes from the pipes of the mighty Beres Hammond whose career stretches back to the early 70's but for themusicologist it was throughout the 90's that he established himself as one of Reggae's greats. one of those rare artists who rarely seem to put a foot wrong, (Bobby Bland is another who springs to mind), this cat could charm the birds out of the trees with his blend of harmony, sincerity and effortless timing.

the female vocal is courtesy of the queen of Jamaican music .. Marcia Griffiths. whose career stretches way back into the sixties, first as solo singer, (1964), then in tandem with Bob Andy, (musicology #37), then as member of Bob Marley & the Wailers backing group the I-Threes.

this piece, (which I never tire of hearing), produced by Donovan Germain for his trend setting Penthouse label is a slice of the 'College Rock' rhythm from 1992/3, a 'digital' reworking of Jackie Mittoo's late 60's Studio1 cut 'Freak Out'...

beautiful song sung expertly by two of Jamaica's premier vocalists....one especially for all the couples out there who understand what it takes to hold on when the road is rough and rocky.

"live on...."

musicology #152

duets2 #1

(Isley Brothers - Busted)

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trying to keep a low one about not posting two cuts yesterday..(hoping that the quality and not the quantity is enough to earn themusicologist a reprieve)

this week it’s duets …. SIX cuts, (one a day), from across the ages. starting with this one produced, written and arranged by R’n'B supremo R.Kelly. performed by Ron Isley and Kim Johnson of JS and released in 2003.

musicology #151

ladiesweek2 #5

(Tanya Stephens - Friends)

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first of two cuts today and the penultimate on the ladiesweek2 selection.

having thrown down four from the distant past it's time to bring it up to date a piece.

this one was bought by themusicologist from dubvendor, (Ladbroke Grove), where I spent MANY happy and fruitful hours, (and ££'s), buying up armfuls of top ranking 45's. If I was given the choice to have treble my money back in return for said wax the answer would be:

"not for all the tea in China"

not only the music but the memories are priceless and money doesnt buy 'em.
Released on the 'Hyped' label in 1996, produced and arranged by 'Callo' Collins and sung by Tanya Stephens, (one a few on the Rhythm), for themusicologist this is the choicest of them.

special request to 'Redman' and 'Face'..musicologists of the first degree

"everybody wants to be close to you,
cause you're a star,
you can't see this little person,
from up there where you are,

and it hurts to know,
that there's nothing I can do,
but sit around and wait,
for reality to catch up with you,

for when the glory days are over,
and the spotlight turns away,
and nobody wants to know you,
cause you belong to yesterday,

it's all about the friends who were there from the start,
should never part you are my friend,
not about the ones who are coming around,
now that thing's a gwan, that makes me vex,

all about the friends who were there from the start,
should never part you are my friend,
not about the ones who are coming around,
now that thing's a 'gwan, that makes me vex....vex,

everyone wants a piece of you,
cause you've got fame,
you're so caught up in the light,
you don't even hear me calling your name,
and it's sad to see that you could be so naive,
that everything you see you'd be willing to believe,

but when the glory days are over and the curtain starts to fall,
and nobody wants to hear you, let me be the one you call,
cause it's all about the friends who were there from the start,
should never part, you are my friend,
not about the ones who are coming around,
now that thing's a 'gwan, that makes me vex...vex,

cause when you're feeling alone thinking you're on your own ill be waiting,
and when the shadows fall and your backs to the wall I'm still waiting,

you are my friend, my friend, you're my friend, you are my friend,

everybody's got a thing for you cause your in style,
your so ????????????????????????
that you get fooled by every smile,
and its sad to see that you could really be so weak,
that you think every friend is genuine and every friend is fit to keep,

but when the glory days are over and the curtain start to fall,
and nobody wants to hear you, let me be the one you call,
cause it's all about the friends who were there from the start,
should never part, you are my friend,
not about the ones who are coming around,
now that thing's a gwan, that makes me vex...vex

musicology #150

ladiesweek2 #4

(Irma Thomas - It's Raining)

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yep...themusicologist has been a bit slack this week on the musical front. Saturday is here and I've only managed four cuts for ladiesweek2.

maybe I'll fling down two slices tomorrow to bring the quota up to six. hopefully the quality and not the quantity has earned me a reprieve from your disappointment and today's piece is no exception....in fact the piece is worth at least two 'mortal' cuts so I'm already feeling better about it !!

recorded in November 1961, released on New Orleans' fabulous Minit label in 1962. written and produced by the legendary Allen Toussaint, (who is also tinkling the ivories 'pon the session), an important musicologist in the development of the genre who's production and songwriting talents have been enjoyed by many artists. first at Minit and then at his, (and partner Marshall Sehorn's), notable Sea-Saint studios.

musicology #149

ladiesweek2 #3

(Billie Holiday - Georgia On My Mind)

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no post yesterday so I’ll just have to try and make it up to you with this one.

along with Bessie Smith, (soon come), and Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday’s influence on the art of singing is second to none and was a major influence on all the singers that followed such as Dinah Washington and Aretha Franklin, (to name but 2)

this song written in 1930 by Stuart Gorrell for Hoagy Carmichael’s sister, (Georgia), was recorded at and for Columbia by Billie, (backed by the Eddie Heywood Orchestra), in 1941 and even though the ‘Brother Ray’ version is the one associated with the song for themusicologist it has always been the Billie that ‘takes the biscuit’.

musicology #148

ladiesweek2 #2

(Aretha Franklin - My Way)

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a first outing on themusicologist for this artist who needs no introduction with a 1970 version of a Paul Anka song we all know, written for Old Blue Eyes himself…Frank Sinatra.

I always thought that no version, (and there are MANY), could come close to the man’s until I heard this one….a great song, defiantly sung by one of the great singers..

musicology #147

ladiesweek2 #1

(Marie Knight - Cry Me A River)

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kicking off ladiesweek with a songbird whose recording career started in 1946 as a gospel singer, teaming up with cats like the Sunset Four and the Sam Price Trio, but it was in the summer of 1947 when Marie begun her association with Sister Rosetta Tharpe that her star began to shine bright, (a year later they cut the majestic ‘Up Above My Head, I Hear Music In The Air’)

Marie first hit the ’secular groove’ in 1953, moved to Mercury, stayed there for a few years and then began the transition from Rhythm and Blues into ‘Soul’ with a few choice pieces on various labels that include Baton, OKeh and Diamond.

this classic song, (arranged by Bert Keyes and produced by Stan Kahan), is from her final days at Musicor and should have provided her the commercial success that she richly deserved but it wasn’t to be and so she spent the next few years working for a telephone company !! (not returning to recording until the late 70’s)

for themusicologist this is the pick of a bunch of 1965 recordings that epitomise the ‘Uptown’ Soul sound of the period. an amazing reworking of a song sung by such luminaries as Sam Cooke and Dinah Washington but of all of them this is the ‘best’. !! more than likely it’s the Cookies singing backup but Marie’s voice soars above the clouds and hits the highest heights.

musicology #146

SpectrumOfLove #6

(Flowers - For Real)

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the final piece of the ‘Spectrum’ discovered me in complete synchronicity just after the birth of my first child in 1995. it nailed exactly how I felt/feel and, for me, is the benchmark against which all songs and performances on the subject are measured.

It’s one from my personal top 10 tunes of all time and words don’t do it justice so all I will add is that for themusicologist it defines love.

Not often do I recommend CD’s but the one this is borrowed from, (Keb Darge’s Soul Spectrum II), delivers Value, there are at least 5 killers on there that you would have to pay an arm and a leg for to get them on vinyl so if you like your Soul my advice would be to buy it.

p.s starting tomorrow on themusicologists it’s ‘Round 2′ of a previous theme concerning the vocal arts…six pieces a week from each category, female/group/male…

musicology #145

SpectrumOfLove #5

(Bobby Womack - That's The Way I Feel About 'Cha)

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todays cut comes from one of themusicologists foundation artists who didn't feature in the sixsixsix only because Curtis and Sam Cooke took the top two 'Soul' spots, but this cat runs them both all the way..

the album this is taken from, (I Can Understand It), played a BIG part in my 'education'. I know it so well that the track order is part of my unconscious. I know every tune and almost every note and word on it...back to front. for me every cut is a winner and to choose one is almost impossible but I'm going with this one, first released on his 'Communication album' in 1971, as it may go some way to explaining my attitude to affairs of the heart, (especially as music has ALWAYS been my primary guide). I would have been about 5 years old when I first heard it and I have been listening to it ever since...

"ha, you know life is funny when you look at it,
everybody wants love but everybody's afraid of love,
you know I'm a true believer of that,

if you get anything out of life,
you got to put up with the toils and strife

now listen...

your'e pushing my love a little bit too far,
I don't think you know, I don't think you know how blessed you are,
and your friend Annie Mae, tell you all she see,
have you ever thought she was trying to get close to me,

think it over, think it over girl, think it over,
look..thats the way I feel about 'cha,
and if that's being weak for you darling,
I dont mind, I dont mind, I dont mind, I don't mind,
thats the way I feel about 'cha, (wooohhh)
that's the way I feel about 'cha,

please, please, please answer love,
if it ever come knocking at your door,
'cause what's out there knocking baby,
the world don't give enough of, don't give enough of

I know you been hurt, and so have others too,
but all you got to do is think about the changes,
in life have put them through,

lord have mercy, that's just the way it is,

listen..
don't take my love as a sign of weakness,
check into the situation girl, dig a little bit deeper,

that's the way I feel about you yeah,
ohh that's the way, (that's the way I feel about 'cha),
that's the way I feel about cha (oohh lord)
thats the way, that's the way, that's the way I feel about you yeah,
that's the way I feel about you, (I wanna testify this evening),
that's the way I feel about 'cha, (wooooohh)
that's the way I feel about cha,
so if I'm weak for you I don't mind,
that's the way I feel about cha,
let me say it say it say it, say it, say it, say it,
that's the way I feel about cha,"

musicology #144

SpectrumOfLove #4

(The Heptones - Meaning Of Life)

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I was sitting in the 'haddock & bloater' last night on my way backfrom singing the 'bourgeois blues' thinking about the SpectrumOfLove and lo and behold this one appeared, floated soothingly like the warm summer breeze over my troubling mind and externalised what was/is in my heart and mind. So taking it as a sign i'm laying it on you..

sung by 'article' Jamaican Vocal Group The Heptones, (Barry Llewelyn, Leroy Sibbles and Earl Morgan), who have featured heavily in themusicologists musical Journey from first being exposed to them as a youngblood via the 1976 album 'Night Food'...

for themusicologist they are Jamaica's foremost vocal group whose harmonics are as good as it gets.

Not sure who's singing lead but it doesn't sound like Leroy Sibbles so my guess is that it's Barry Llewelyn? what I do know is that it's a 1973 production by Alvin Ranglin released on the UK DownTown label.

to be honest it could have been any number of tunes from this group such is the quality of their output.

what a tune..

"I wanna know..what's the meaning of life,

without a love of my own, without a love to call my own,

if this is life...then I dont want no part of life,

without a love of my own, without a love to call my own,

instead of loving me,..girl you've only hurt me all the while,

if its a love I already had..if it's a love already lost,

this is life..then I don't want no part of life,

without a love of my own, without a love to call my own,

ye-yeh I wanna know what is the meaning of life,

without a love of my own, without a love to call my own,

ooh darling I wannna know, why you do me you do me like you do,

you only hurt me all the while, you only tears me up inside".

musicology #143

SpectrumOfLove #3

(Maxine Brown - Heaven In Your Arms)

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we've heard two from the fellas and now its time for the ladies to step into the arena...and who better than Miss Maxine Brown, Soul singer supreme, who's delicious voice could charm the birds straight out of the trees....

for themusicologist Maxine Brown is one of the greatest Soul singers never known, (and there are MANY), and by that I mean commercially..her phrasing and timing is perfection ... as witnessed on this piece of early, (1961), Big Apple flavoured Soul from the NoMar label. it's not the first time Maxine has featured on themusicologist, having already laid one, (musicology #39), down on an earlier duets theme with Wand label mate Chuck Jackson but this time she's centre stage

musicology #142

SpectrumOfLove #2

(Johnny Mathis - 12th Of Never)

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yesterday flew by without a post so today I'm getting this one in early.

what is Love? everyone has their own definition I suppose but for themusicologist this 1957 cut from well known singer Johnny Mathis goes a long way to providing an answer.

I read/heard somewhere that the music that touches us deeply gives us and others around us, (our 'Loved' Ones), an insight into how/who we would like to be in the ideal world, without the chains of our personal experiences that have shaped our lives. I don't know about that but I do know that I gravitate towards songs about Love partly because It's an emotion that I find very hard to express, (other than where my children are concerned), This is not because I haven't received it, (thanks especially to my mum), and maybe therein lies the conundrum..for me the unconditional variety is the only one worthy of the name ... but before this post gets too deep let's return to the music.

This is the original version of a song first known to me sung by the magnificent Jamaican singer Pat Kelly who has already featured on themusicologist, (musicology #54), and I was going to lay down his top ranking reggae version but I feel that this one taken from the LP 'Johnny's Greatest Hits' suits the SpectrumOfLove better....a beautiful ballad sung by a great singer that is all about the subject in question, LOVE

Listen Tune...

musicology #141

SpectrumOfLove #1

(The Radiants - I’m In Love)

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this weeks theme is dedicated to the quest for the ‘holy grail’ .. LOVE

some ‘thing’ that we all need, and if we’re lucky .. give and receive.

the love theme stretches across the full musical spectrum and I can’t think of a genre where it isn’t included in the repertoire and it’s of particular interest to themusicologist for the simple fact that I struggle to under/overstand and therefore express it.

to be honest I think it’s partly why I listen to and appreciate the musical arts to such a degree as it seems to capture the essence of this emotion like no other form of external expression, (in my humble opinion of course), and these next six, (maybe seven), pieces are examples of that.

first up is a slice of prime 1963 Soul from vocal group The Radiants whose track ‘Voice Your Choice’ was a BIG Mod/ernist tune in London’s clubs and dancehalls on release in 1964. The production has the Billy Davis ’stamp’ written all over it, (even though there’s no mention of the cat on the label), a man whose contribution to developing Soul, as well as Coca Cola, (he wrote the famous advertising jingles), is always worthy of a mention…maybe even his own category.