musicology #396

PostMod/ernist #6

(Toussaint McCall – Nothing Takes The Place Of You)

LISTEN

Final cut on the PostMod/ernist. To be honest I have struggled with this theme. The circumstances I find myself in have affected my confidence which, unlike belief, is buried in the unconscious making it impossible, in my opinion, to cultivate, (again unlike belief), internally. Put simply it’s other people who are responsible for our fragile confidence and my observation is that too many don’t take responsibility for making and breaking it. I’m not laying any blame as that’s for the immature. Neither am I making any excuses, life is a two way street and I must be just as guilty of being irresponsible.

As you may already be aware themusicologist for me is and always has been a kind of diary shot through with Joy & Pain and utilising the power of music as communicator, comforter and guide.

Bottom line…my lifetime’s observation so far is that people will always let you down. Rarely intentionally but that doesn’t lessen the impact. One way to lessen the impact is to not have what Charles Dickens called ‘Great Expectations’. Shoot for the stars but accept that the probability is that you will miss. This attitude has led me to the belief that it’s the journey of and through life that’s important rather than the destination and along the way our companions will come and go. Some will last longer than others. Some will bring and share love while others will try to hurt and hinder. Live by your own values and pass no judgement on those of others. It’s a mean, fucked up world and, from what I can see, it’s only getting meaner. Play by your own rules and do what you think is neccesary for survival and bear in mind that the society that we live in has been created without our consent.

The final cut is a classic slice of 1967 Southern Soul courtesy of Louisiana born Organist and Vocalist Toussaint McCall with a tune that is known to Soul fans the world over which never fails to tremble themusicologist’s marrow. Especially poignant and a fitting end not only to this theme but also to the 20 year relationship I have had the pleasure to share.

musicology #395

PostMod/ernist #5

(Fuller Brothers – Stranger At My Door)

LISTEN

One of themusicologist’s most loved slices of 60’s Soul…BIG tune. Released on San Francisco’s GD&L label.

musicology #393

PostMod/ernist #3

(Paul Weller – I Didn’t Mean To Hurt You)

LISTEN

Today’s cut is from PostMod/ernist supreme and musicologist inspiration who, for me, always creates and delivers ‘value’ (on top of being one of England’s most cherished talents), none other than Paul John Weller with a piece taken from the 1992 album that, (to his critics), signalled his so called return while to his appreciators it was nothing more than a part of his evolution. No prizes for guessing who this one is dedicated to.

I heard them all talking,
I guess you have too,
Adding flickers to the flame,
How I’ve treated you,
Yes I take the blame,
Let me say, that they don’t know,
The fools don’t know, they really don’t know,
That I really didn’t mean to hurt you,

Oh darling, I didn’t mean to hurt you,
Please believe me when I say,
I never meant to hurt you,
Hey I didn’t mean to hurt you girl,

Whatever they tell you,
There’s more I could say,
Lending motion to the wheel,
How you built me up,
When I was falling down, down,
But who knows you just might find,
Just might find that I’m just your kind,
And I really didn’t mean to hurt you,
Oh darlin’ I didn’t mean to hurt you,
Deep down inside I never meant to hurt you,
Oh child..didn’t mean to hurt you girl,

I was looking there for something,
But some things have no meaning,
While I was looking there for something,
Everything went wrong,
Was looking there for something,
But some things have no meaning
While I was looking there for something,
Everything had gone,

Soon as I looked, I lived,
Soon as I lived, I wondered,
Soon as I looked, I lived,
Soon as I lived, I wondered,

‘Cause they don’t know the fools don’t know,
They really don’t know,
That I didn’t mean to hurt you,

Deep down inside I never meant to hurt you,
Yeah..didn’t mean to hurt you girl,
Please believe me when I say,
Didn’t mean to hurt you,
I didn’t mean to hurt you girl,

I was looking there for something,
But some things have no meaning,
While I was looking there for something,
Somethings have no meaning,
While I was looking there for something,
Some things have no meaning,
While I was looking there for something,
Some things have no meaning,

Soon as I looked, I lived,
Soon as I lived, I wondered,
Soon as I looked, I lived,
Soon as I lived, I wondered

musicology #392

PostMod/ernist #2

(Ronnie Taylor – Without Love)

LISTEN

Slice of early 70’s Deep Soul courtesy of Bill Moss’s Ohio Label CapSoul. Rediscovered and released by the Numero musicologists on their top ranking, solid gold series of lost Soul Sets.

musicology #391

PostMod/ernist #1

(Terry Callier – Keep Your Heart Right)

LISTEN

Transcendental cut from one of the great sets, (Timepeace), courtesy of the genius that is Terry Callier. Dedicated to my two children who have had to endure much in their young lives and today is no exception. Know that no matter what lies ahead, Dad is, and will always be, by your side.

“Can you feel the way the world is turning,
Will we live to love another day,
Is the lesson too late for the learning,
And do our emotions just get in the way,
Ohhh what d’ you say,
If the truth appears,
Will you turn away, turn away, turn away

In brightest day or darkest night
Dont give up the faith and keep your heart right,
Like a mountain stand for eternity,
Ohh your light will shine for the world to see

Keep your heart right,
Keep your heart right,

In a weary world that needs redemption,
Maybe we can learn to love again,
And this time there will be no exemptions,
Only better days ahead for us my friend
And it’s time to begin,
And if the thoughts are true wooohh,
The song never ends, never ends, never ends,

In brightest day or darkest night
Dont give up the faith and keep your heart right,
Like a mountain stand for eternity,
And your light will shine for the world to see,

Keep your heart right,
Keep your heart right,

musicology #390

Modernist #18

(Ernestine Anderson – Keep An Eye On Love)

LISTEN

Cats…apologies for leaving you all ‘hanging’ for this final slice..my excuse is that it has been ‘on me like a rash’ for the last couple of weeks and I haven’t been able to find the time for themusicologist. The Project is taking up most of my time leaving precious little for Mod/ernist musings although the combination of the two has produced the latest addition to the Tribute Tees below. Available in two colours, sizes from Small to XLarge and THREE cuts ‘Dubplate’, ‘Classic’, and ‘Double A’, (American Apparel) see themusicologist for further information

Final cut on the Mod/ernist theme..and I’m wrapping it up with this fine piece by extraordinary singer Ernestine Anderson whose long career stretches back to the early 50’s when as a teenager she toured with the, (legendary), Johnny Otis band and then Lionel Hampton’s. Essentially a Jazz singer but I’m sure she could ’sit down’ on any piece of music with effortless ease. Recorded and released in 1963 it won’t come as a surprise to those who know this cut but for those who don’t know it, (as well as them that do),

Released on New York’s Sue Label (another slice of the Juggy Murray pie), and in the UK on the Mod/ernist’s most cherished Red & Yellow label of the same name. Apparently it didn’t get much play at the time, (according to my sources), but for me this piece is ‘well modern’ and If I had been on the wheels of steel back then it would have been one of themusicologist’s choice plays….what’s ironic is the timing of today’s cut. I have honestly tried my best to ‘Keep an Eye’ but all my efforts have been in vain…

musicology #389

Modernist #17

(Charlie & Inez Foxx – MockingBird)

LISTEN

Penultimate day of the Mod/ernist theme, (honest guvnuh !!), and then it’s onto musicolological pastures new. Hard for me to leave this theme as I love the music and am really enjoying the dialogue.

Couldn’t complete a mod/ernist theme without including this one from Charlie & Inez Foxx…1963 cut on Juggy Murrays Symbol label. BIG, BIG tune from back in the day.