musicology #273

newyearboogie #1

(What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve)

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themusicologist and full crew are off for a week’s break where ‘the rain falls mainly on the plain’ so I am hoping to continue the theme from there but of course it depends on the communication resources available….If I am unable to however then I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all you musicology cats out there for the love and support during 2008….what a year it has been, pure ‘hill and gully ride’ from beginning to end….

musicology #272

sleighbellsring #20

(Leadbelly - On A Christmas Day)

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Christmas day cut from Undisputed King of the 12 String guitar, social commentator and bluesman supreme Huddie Ledbetter A.K.A ‘Leadbelly’….another cat, (along with the Mighty Sparrow), we will be hearing more from in 2009 on themusicologist.

musicology #268

sleighbellsring #16

(Johnny Moore’s Blazers - Christmas Eve Baby)

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Woke up this morning with the smell, sound and sight of Christmas in my nose, ears and eyes…what JOY. So with that in mind today I am going to post as many cuts as I can manage in between preparing for Santa’s visit tonight.

First up is a cut from Johnny Moore’s Blazers. Not sure of the exact year or even whether it’s Charles Brown on vocal duties what I am sure of however is it’s quality…..

musicology #267

sleighbellsring #15

(Owen Gray - Collins Greetings)

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Was just about to lay down a doo wop slice of the christmas pie until this one floated out of the speakers…

Instinctively I would say it’s a Duke Reid piece of Rocksteady, I have it by someone else.., (I think it’s a cut of ‘People Get Ready’ by Alton Ellis ), but as it’s Owen Gray it could also be a Coxsone production. Whoever produced it…well done and thank you.

musicology #266

sleighbellsring #14

(James Brown - Santa Claus Is Definately Here To Stay)

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Only TWO more, (full), days to go, ONE if, like me, you consider Christmas Eve to be the day of reckoning .....so hang on to your hats as we slide into the home straight with the next three cuts.

First up is James Brown delivering his and Songwriter/Arranger/all round musicologist..Nat Jones' 1970 message of Christmas. One of my favourite slices of the Christmas pie..the combination of music, lyrics and production soothe like only sweet music can.

Had to transcribe the lyrics on this one...Quality...

"Aint no use in saying there ain't no Santa Claus,
'cause Santa Claus is definately here to stay...in the mind,
ain't no use in saying there ain't no money in the bank for toys,
'cause it was put up a long time ago for a rainy day,

ain't no use in saying you don't love all your brats,
cause I'm, watching you as you hustle tham off to play,
keep the family strong with a little faith, love and hope,
and you can always get along,

ain't no use, ohhhh now, in crying about spilt milk in the past,
because all the cats had a feast,
aint no use in worrying about who's doing you wrong,
just leave them there and go away in peace,

ain't no use in saying what you gonna do and what you ain't gonna do,
because with your power you doing your best,
so release yourself from all that strain,
and take that money out the bank,
and just give your, give yourself a rest,
take some of that money in the bank and give yourself a play?
cause Santa Claus is definately here to stay,

ain't no use, ain't no use, hehehehe, ain't no use,
ain't no use in sayin' "ahh I would like to get rid of them all",
cause you know you're only fooling yourself,
so grab one hand on the wheel and the other around your kids,
and go on and laugh yourself to death,

aint no use in saying "I wouldnt, I wouldn't give a nickel for them all",
when you know you wouldnt take nuthin' for either one,
so gone on tell the truth 'cause if you don't you a lying son of a gun,
'cause you wouldnt take nuthin' for them all,

aint no use, ohhh now, haha,
you know I probably wont be there this christmas,
but if I do I still want to say merry christmas to you and especially you,

I wanna say merry christmas to all the people who can't find themself,
lets try to get together live in peace love one another,
and treat each and man like he's your brother
with a little love, and kindness.........

musicology #265

sleighbellsring #13

(Horace Andy - Christmas Time)

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Ranking slice of the Christmas pie from the 'Golden Age' of Studio 1 featuring the vocal talents of none other than Horace Andy.

musicology #264

sleighbellsring #12

(The 5 Keys - It’s Christmas Time)

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Ok…it’s not a ‘classic’ I’ll grant you that but Jerry Butler takes some following… so with that in mind, hold this 1951 cut on the Aladdin label from one of the greatest vocal groups to ever grace the M.I.C.

Rudy West singing lead on this one backed up by Maryland Pierce (second tenor), Ripley Ingram (octave tenor), Dickie Smith (baritone/second tenor), Bernie West (bass), and guitarist Joe Jones.

musicology #263

sleighbellsring #11

(Jerry Butler - O Holy Night)

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A Christmas classic from the 'Ice Man'. 1960 cut on the Vee Jay label. What a voice.....

musicology #262

sleighbellsring #10

(The Mighty Sparrow - Winter Wonderland)

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Slipping and sliding, (on the ice and snow), out of the sufferers and into some classics…First up is a 1964 cut from none other than the Mighty Sparrow..whose voice, timing and all round vocal dexterity is as good as it gets. Known universally as the ‘Calypso King Of The World’ the Sparrow deserves to be known beyond the confines of genre. Expect To hear more from this Cat in 2009..until then hold this one.

musicology #261

sleighbellsring #9

(Lowell Fulson - Lonesome Christmas)

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One more from the Christmas Blues canon and then I’m rolling out a selection of seasonal favourites. Hope you have enjoyed the sufferers interlude.

The 1950 slice on the Hollywood label is courtesy of West Coast Rhythm & Blues legend, bandleader, guitarist and songwriter Lowell Fulson with a cut that may include Brother Ray tinkling the ivories?…

musicology #260

sleighbellsring #8

(Harmon Ray - Xmas Blues)

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Another Blues slice of the Christmas pie, this time from a cat I know nothing about other than the date and place recorded, (Chicago 1947), and the piano player...Eddie Boyd. What I do know is that not only am I a sucker for Christmas music I'm also a big fan of the piano. For themusicologist it's the instrument of choice when it comes to communicating the message. Favourite players include Little Brother Montgomery, Fats Waller, Pete Johnson, Albert Ammonds, Meade Lux Lewis, Count Basie, The Duke, Ray Charles, Mempis and Sunnyland Slim and last but definately not least...Amos Milburn.

musicology #259

sleighbellsring #7

(Tampa Red - Christmas & New Years Blues)

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Rolling into a little christmas blues…not, I hasten to add, that it reflects my situation…it doesn’t. It’s just that there are too many screamers to leave out. Tampa Red come in sing one for the yuletide sufferers…

musicology #258

sleighbellsring #6

(Joe Tuner and Pete Johnson - Christmas Date Boogie)

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Today’s cut is courtesy of two legends. Boogie Woogie/Stride piano extrordinaire Pete Johnson with long time companion ‘Big’ Joe Turner who together were there to shape what became known as Rock & Roll. Johnson and Big Joe recorded ‘Roll ‘Em Pete’ after being scouted by John Hammond for his ‘Spirituals To Swing concert at Carniege Hall in 1938. Prolific recording artists they also recorded the seminal ‘Rocket 88 Boogie’ in the late 40’s which Ike Turner used as the basis for what is considered to be a watershed slice in the development of Rock & Roll…’Rocket #88′ as well as the original cut of Shake Rattle And Roll.

musicology #256

sleighbellsring #4

(Mahalia Jackson - Silent Night)

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Sliding straight into this one from ‘The World’s greatest Gospel Singer’, Mahalia Jackson….Much Covered, never surpassed. Possibly the toughest choice to make on the Christmas selection such is the quality of the song and the singers who have thrown their ‘Stille Nacht Hats’ in the ring. Dinah Washington, (on a 78), Jackie Wilson and Jerry Butler all deliver but as I can only throw one……..

Perfection.

musicology #255

sleighbellsring #3

(Otis Redding - White Christmas)

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Day late but definately not a dollar short for a special musicologist tribute in memory of Mr Otis Redding who died on December the 10th 41 years ago, (1967), at the tender age of 26. I won’t lie and say it’s a date that’s in my diary which for me makes it all the more special and even transcendental that he has risen in the unconscious to let us know ‘what time it is’…one of them performances that could wake the dead. As good as ‘White Christmas’ gets. Listen out for the Otis tribute on themusicologist in the new year.

musicology #254

sleighbellsring #2

(Fats Waller - Swinging Them Jingle Bells)

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One from the king..Thomas Wright Waller. Without doubt one of the most influential musicologists of the 20th Century. The word legend was invented to try and describe in one word cats like ‘Fats’. Virtuoso pianist and supreme songwriter who swung every time he played. Rumour has it that the man played piano for 3 days straight after being kidnapped to play at Al Capone’s birthday party. Leaving the gaff lagging drunk, no doubt as high as a kite and thousands of dollars richer….

If aliens came down from space and wanted to get an idea of what Christmas, (or Jazz), is all about they could do no worse than listen to this cut.

“Swing them Jingles son…”

musicology #253

sleighbellsring #1

(The Maytals - Christmas Feeling)

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Day one of the Christmas selection. I'm just going to lay them down without much 'commentary'. First up is a slice from Jamaica..proof, if needed, that it doesn't require snow, reindeer or Jack Frost nipping at yer nose to generate the Christmas spirit. Early sixties cut from the Legendary Maytals.

musicology #252

birthdaybashsoul&funk #7

(Steve Parks - Moving In The Right Direction)

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Final cut from the birthdaybash rare groove selection and I’m finishing up with a top ranking piece of 80’s soul from a cat called Steve Parks. As far as I know he only waxed one set for the Solid Smoke label from which this, the title track, is taken. First heard by themusicologist in 1986 whilst raving out and about in London Town. Last ‘played ‘out’ by themusicologist at the birthdaybash on November 29th.

Tomorrow begins the Christmas selection. One a day to put us in the mood for when the sleigh bells ring…….

musicology #251

birthdaybashsoul&funk #6

(Jean Carn- Don't Let It Go To Your Head)

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penultimate day of the 'birthdaybash' and no better cut than this for communicating the message. A 1978/9 12" special from the vaults of Philadelphia International featuring the extraordinarily talented Jean Carn. Written and produced by the legendary Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble. Quality tune, beautifully delivered..LISTEN TUNE.

musicology #250

birthdaybashsoul&funk #5

(Red Hot + Riot - Sade - By Your Side CottonBelly Remix)

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having heard from a few of the big guns that tore up the dancefloors during London's 'rare groove' scene of the mid 80's it's time for a slice of the 'close to my heart' selection that was thrown down by me at the birthdaybash. One of the, (many), things I enjoyed about the 'bash' was the opportunity to play the music that I wanted to hear. Normally when 'playing out' the brief is to play a certain groove....whether that be Boogie, Funk, House, Reggae but not a cross section. Also the DJ is under pressure as the entertainer apoun who the 'night' relies. The Bash on the other hand was no pressure and more of a musical 'journey to the self' which I enjoyed immensely.

Anyway...the cut in question is the 'Cottonbelly', (Stuart Mathewman), remix of Sade's 'By Your Side' for the tribute to Fela Red Hot + Riot project. For me one of the best pieces of 'modernista' around that not only communicates the message, In Spades, but also 'trembles me marrow' whenever I have the pleasure of feeling it. themusicologist is a BIG fan of Sade and Fela Kuti, (who also got a spin on the night), and to combine his legendary spirit, Sade's beautiful lyrics and vocal performance with Stuart Mathewman's production is a genuine musical treat.

"You think I'd leave your side baby?...you know me better than that,
think I'd leave you down when you're down on your knees?...I wouldnt do that,
I'll tell you you're right when you want, and if only you could see into me,
when you're on the outside and you can't get in I will show you, you're so much better than you know,
when you're lost, you're alone, can't get back again, I will find you darling and I will bring you home,

ooohh when youre cold i'll be there hold you tight to me,
ooohh when youre alone i'll be there by your side..."

musicology #249

birthdaybashsoul&funk #4

(The Equals - Funky Like A Train)

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you know what … life is sweet like sugar at the moment and I’m enjoying it to the max. I would even go so far as to say it’s all good. I’ve got my mind right and it’s time for action. Over the past few weeks things and time have been synchronising harmoniously and ‘opportunity’ has been knocking hard on my door.

Iv’e let the kid in, we have sat down and reasoned, allowed our’self’ to let go and moved on, together, to face the dawning of the new day…where the sun is shining.

The music is courtesy of another London based group, The Equals, whose original members came from as far afield as Jamaica and Guyana but also included two locals from Holloway and Islington, (hence the name ‘Equals’) who tasted success in 1968 with a pop tune ‘Baby Come Back’, (which is about as far away from today’s cut as could be imagined),

Another BIG tune on the Rare Groove scene that was, for a while, one of the most sought after pieces of the day changing hands for around £50 which was a lot of money 20 odd years ago. themusicologist unearthed a copy of the 7″ in a ‘Junk-Shop’ in London’s ’salubrious’ New Cross for the princely sum of 10 pence !!! and rinsed it for the next couple of years. Can’t remember if it was ever on a LP and like I said this was LONG before the days of CD’s, Ebay and of course MP3’s so to find a copy was true to the genre’s name, RARE.

Can’t remember exactly but from memory I think that the year of release was 1976 maybe even 1974.

musicology #248

birthdaybashsoul&funk #3

(Cymande - The Message)

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Today's slice from the 'birthdaybash' pie was one of the 'Rare Groove' anthems that NEVER failed to shake London's floors in the mid 80's. If themusicologist was compiling a top ten of cuts that were the soundtrack to them days this would definately be one. HEAVY funk from a London based collective of West Indian players who blended all the musical flavours of the day to deliver an almost unique sound.

Apparently discovered rehearsing in a Soho club, (there's that place again!!), by producer John Schroeder who obviously knew quality when he heard it and signed them immediately. This was their first recording, released on the Janus, (Chess), label in 1972.

Players:

Ray King - Vocals/Percussion
Joey Dee - Vocals/Percussion
Steve Scipio - Bass
Sam Kelly - Drums
Derek Gibbs - Soprano/Alto Sax
Pablo Gonsales - Congas
Peter Serreo - Tenor Sax
Mike Rose - Alto/Flute/Bongos
Patrick Patterson - Guitar

musicology #247

birthdaybashsoul&funk #2

(Bobby Reed - The Time Is Right For Love)

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been waiting almost two years to lay this one down on themusicologist and in true musicology style the 'time' has come. One of my all time TOP tunes that never fails to touch me DEEP

"Ooooooh baby, here we are alone at last,
together just the two of us, with no one else in sight...."

musicology #246

birthdaybashsoul&funk #1

(The Meters - Love Slip Apoun Ya)

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little run down of a selection of slices served up by themusicologist on saturday night at our joint birthdaybash down at the 3BlindMice. Played two sets one of which was the ‘rare groove’ which, musically, is anything from the late 60’s up to the closing of the seventies. The Rare Groove scene on the other hand sprung up in London sometime in 1985 when the ‘Boogie’ became mainstream and began to lose it’s edge.

Again, Soho was involved in the scene’s birth, (especially the ‘Wag’) but a bigger part was played by large scale ‘Blues’ parties. (unlicensed gatherings), organised in disused commercial properties, (especially in and around Camden and Kings Cross), where serious money could be, (and was), made charging ‘tenners’ on the door. Many a career was launched from the proceeds of such ‘warehouse parties’ as well as it being a hotbed of creativity style and flair. It went on to play a HUGE part in the development of fashion introducing ‘vintage’ as a lifestyle choice rather than ’second-hand’ as a matter of neccesity.

Anyone who was there knows it’s global legacy both in fashion and music and the next seven, (count ‘em), slices were ALL played, regularly, by anyone who was lucky enough to own them, (in the days before CD’s and EBay of course).

The band responsible for this majestic piece are none other than New Orleans musicologists the Legendary Meters, one of the premier funk outfits of all time. The original line up, (formed in 1965), of Art Neville, Leo Noncentelli, Joseph Modeliste and George Porter Junior, (joined by Art’s brother Cyril in 1975), were responsible for delivering some of the cream of the genre and are second to none in the funk lexicon.

Taken from their album, Fire On The Bayou, produced by the musical genius Allen Toussaint and recorded at his, (and Marshall Seahorn’s), Sea Saint Studio. For me it doesn’t get funkier than this.