musicology #438

Fragments #4

(The Stars Of Harmony - Rough & Rocky Road)

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"The advantage of being happy is that one is rid of the question of happiness> The advantage of being free is that one is rid of the question of freedom.

It is at this point that everything begins: when the concepts which existed only as questions appear as answers. It is the end of the cycle and the beginning of a new turning point: how can we rediscover the question behind the answer - how can we rediscover, behind happiness, the idea of happiness?"

The musicology is a piece of rip roaring gospel courtesy of a group that go by the appropriate name of 'The Stars Of Harmony'...enough said.

musicology #369

SuchIsLife #3

(The Soul Stirrers - Looking Back)

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Slipping and sliding from Paul Weller into the greatest Gospel, (and possibly vocal), group the Soul Stirrers with a piece on Sam Cooke and J.W Alexander's groundbreaking Sar label. I think it's the majestic Jimmy Outer singing lead on this one backed by Paul Foster, Richard Gibbs, Leroy Crume and J.J Farley. Recorded and released in 1964.

musicology #219

12AngryMen #14 (alternativesoundtrack #3)

(The Soul Stirrers - Lord Remember Me)

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penultimate cut of the 12 angry and I must say that I'm looking forward to the end. this soundtrack has been the hardest of all to complete. mainly because of my foolishness in deciding to only throw down music from 1957, (the year the film was released), but also there not being any music in the film has made it difficult to edit in. sounds like a case of 'bad workman blaming his tools' !! so I'll move on....

the dialogue features the 'old man' whose 20/20 eagle eyes have spotted something that no-one else had noticed and the stoical cat whose conviction in the boy's guilt has been, until now, unshakeable...

the music, (another of my personal favourites), is courtesy of gospel group supreme the Soul Stirrers featuring Sam Cooke and is taken from their final recording session together on Art Rupe's Specialty label in, yep, 1957. the year that Mr Soul announced his arrival on the secular scene with 'You Send Me'. this one, a traditional gospel tune, is given the full treatment by 'the lion' as he roars out a plea to not be forgotten.

Listen tune...

musicology #186

nowordsjustmusic #2

(Mahalia Jackson - I'm Going To Live The Life I Sing About)

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