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Interactive Black Music: Blues, Soul and Funky

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Poll Question: Choose three songs
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
3 [6.25%]
3 [6.25%]
1 [2.08%]
3 [6.25%]
3 [6.25%]
2 [4.17%]
2 [4.17%]
4 [8.33%]
4 [8.33%]
4 [8.33%]
3 [6.25%]
4 [8.33%]
1 [2.08%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
0 [0.00%]
1 [2.08%]
1 [2.08%]
3 [6.25%]
1 [2.08%]
0 [0.00%]
1 [2.08%]
4 [8.33%]
You can not vote in this poll

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jamesbaldwin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 25 2021 at 18:09
This selection led to traditional blues / soul songs, often vintage, and to some more rhythmic and funky songs, with a percussive and electric taste.
None of them excited me like what I consider masterpieces do but, on the other hand, I liked them all (more or less), which doesn't happen often to me.


Podium:

1) Joan Osborne
This song intrigued me a lot for its irregularity and hybridization between blues and folk. The singer's lamenting vocal accents and the harmonica are very enjoyable.


2) Living Colour 
Simple, sober blues rock ballad based on the singer's voice and Vernon Reid's syncopated guitar.
There would have been good organ and horns in the background.


3)  Cuby and the Bizzards: Somebdy will Know Someday
Vintage blues (1967), rural, perhaps southern song, with a very distinctive smoky jazz interlude, a pleasure to listen to it. A vintage song could not be missing.


Honorable mentions:

4) Lou Rawls: a piano bar song, in fact more a jazz song than a blues song but the vocals are surely bluesy. I imagine me and Christian listen to it with a daiquiri cocktails in our hands.


5) Ebo Taylor: Ayesama
This song explains what it means to be African American

6) Jackee Venson: great work on the guitar for this electric syncopated blues, the sound is quite pumped.

7) Kool and the Gang: pleasing funky rock song


- Grand Public's Prize

White Denim - Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)

Very fast funky with commercial sound, ideal for dancing.

- Grand Critic's Prize: 
Rhiannon Giddens: Julie.
Soober blues vocals and banjo... it's a real blues, bluesy mood, fantastic vocal performance.


Grand Mascotte Prize:

Hard choice, I love this vintage music and these videos, but I'm going with Ray Charles for its revolutionary song.
But let me say that the greatest pleasure is given to me by the Superstition video: seeing those black boys and girls dressed up in the seventies dancing is really a blast.


Edited by jamesbaldwin - December 25 2021 at 18:13
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Snicolette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 25 2021 at 18:22
Thank you for the Joan Osborne vote, Lorenzo.  So much was sooooooo good here, just a wonderful genre-in-general and incredibly diverse, which is one of the reasons it was so hard to decide on what to vote for.  They all had great merit.  There were more than a few, that if they'd been first listen for me, would have been contenders! 

Also for finding that Ray Charles televised version!  And the vote, of course.  

 Just outstanding, everyone!  Clap


Edited by Snicolette - December 25 2021 at 18:24
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mila-13 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 26 2021 at 07:20

An addition to my suggested Iconic Mascotte Prize candidate. Otis Redding was, as it were the mascotte of Stax Records. This is footage from the Monterey Pop Festival 1967 where he performed one of his signature songs, accompanied by Booker T. & the MG's.




Edited by Mila-13 - December 26 2021 at 07:21
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 26 2021 at 11:52
Voting is open!

Rules:

1) You can vote for your favorite three songs (no more, and not yours!)

2) You can vote for your favorite mascot: only one vote. You can give it based not only on the song but also on the video, on what brings you into that musical era.

Here are the 4 mascots:


1) Stevie Wonder: Superstition



2) Percy Sledge: When a Man Loves a Woman



3) Aretha Franklin: Think



4) Booker T & MGs: Green Onions




5) Ray Charles: What I'd Say



6) Sly & The Family Stone: I Want To Take You Higher



7) Otis Redding: Try a Little Tenderness



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Snicolette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 26 2021 at 12:01
Uh oh, looks like I jumped the gun a bit...however, I will stay with my Mascotte vote for Percy Sledge, although assuredly Otis Redding is also a great addition to that pantheon.  Just a wonderful poll, once again!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Mila-13 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 26 2021 at 14:32
Originally posted by Snicolette Snicolette wrote:

Uh oh, looks like I jumped the gun a bit...however, I will stay with my Mascotte vote for Percy Sledge, although assuredly Otis Redding is also a great addition to that pantheon.  Just a wonderful poll, once again!
The Otis Redding video was actually meant as an encore or a contemporary document, out of competition. Another option was live footage from the legendary 1972 Wattstax Music Festival where various greats participated, e.g. the fabulous Staples Singers, Albert King, Isaak Hayes, to name only a few.- I really enjoy this poll, which makes the voting even more difficult of course! Smile 



Edited by Mila-13 - December 26 2021 at 15:29
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mila-13 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 26 2021 at 14:56
Wattstax Music Festival 1972, "Black Woodstock"(for illustrative purposes only)




Edited by Mila-13 - December 26 2021 at 14:57
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 28 2021 at 15:26
So far just two of us have voted: Nickie and me. Confused




Edited by jamesbaldwin - December 28 2021 at 15:26
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Snicolette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 28 2021 at 15:32
Could be the season, Lorenzo.  Would be nice to see more votes, but lots are busy this time of year.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tigerfeet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2021 at 02:19
It is the season that's a reality,. and for me i can hardly get here to vote or post recently but doesn't mean i'm not trying to check in and listen, or be invested. I love these polls and all of us who come here to take part. I'll try listen and vote soon. 

 


I'm sorry, if you were right, I'd agree with you. Robin Williams.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Snicolette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 29 2021 at 07:46
Defiinitely figured that was the case for many, tigerfeet!  

I am really happy that we've been doing the 2-week runs, with a weekend in between, it takes time to properly digest and think about the music in these polls.  

Those with family around, or traveling for holidays, not to mention jobs, assuredly have a lot less time this time of year.  


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote tigerfeet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 30 2021 at 20:36
Grand Prize : Mascotte - Otis Redding - One the best r&b soul artists I had the pleasure to listen to- I would have gone for Stevie but Otis just nudged him out by a hair. 

1. Elis coming - love the voice and the era of the song. Soft and lovely voice 9

2. Lou Rawlins - A nice crooner bluesy, jazzy song. I always want to click my fingers with this 8

3. Joan Osborne - A nice country blues edge to this one and her voice is amazing with the subtle almost yoddle. Great bluesy clean sound on the guitar. 9 

4. Kool & The Gang - Open Sasame - Such nice jazz funk, blues, love the whole song with the whappa, whappa, vibe, and the dirty sax 9

5. Living Color - Love Rears its Ugly Head - So smooth and warm with lovely fuzzy guitars with some nice wah! 8

6. Rhiannon Giddens - Julie - Nice early blues style with genuine guitar and vocals  8

7. White Denim - Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah) - Really enjoyable this one, and a nice blend of genres, its got the blues, the funk, the vocals, a dash of soul and psych - Top 3 material - 10

8. Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Didn't It Rain? - She really rocks here taking gospel and turning merging it with blues and love her voice and soul coming through the blues - of course one of the originals 9

9. Cuby & The Blizzards - Somebody Will Know Someday  - A real sauntering and passionate cry of the blues and I loved the clean non-distorted acoustic guitar 8

10. Ebo Taylor - Ayesama - Wow! This has to be in my top 3. I love the drums and whole rhythm the rawness and overall vibe of this song and the upbeat funk. The lovely sax at the end, YEA!- 10

11. Brighter Side of Darkness - Love Jones - I wish i was watching this for the first time its so lovely and atmospheric - 8

12. Albert Collins - Master Charge -Master of the Blues - wooah!! The expression and clarity of his lead playing always astounds me. Has to be my last top 3 pick - 10

Top Three: 

1. Albert Collins
2. Ebo Taylor
3. White Denim

Aside from picking a top 3 this was a really hard poll to choose as every song was top material including those that did not make it into the finals noms. I will be listening to this selection for a while to come. 





Edited by tigerfeet - December 30 2021 at 20:39
I'm sorry, if you were right, I'd agree with you. Robin Williams.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dr wu23 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 10:01
Some very interesting songs.....I chose...
Laura Nyro - Eli's comin' (jamesbaldwin)- big fan of all of her work
Living Colour - Love Rears Its Ugly Head (Cristi)- liked their early material hadn;t heard this in many years
L Rawls & L McCann - I'd rather drink muddy water (Lewian)- been a fan of Les McCann for a long time but not heard this one with Rawls

favorite 'Mascotte' song.........
Sly & The Family Stone - I Want To Take You Higher-loved those Sly lp's in the old days but all of those 'mascotte' songs are great.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote moshkito Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 11:41
Hi,

I was thinking that FUNKADELIC's album that has Maggot Brain, should be listed? There's a lot of great stuff listed here, although some of it was too much taken about the hits that so many of them were, but the best black singer/songwriter I have EVER seen and heard is MISSISSIPI CHARLES BEVEL and I got to see him with CHICK STREEMAN, both of them use to travel around California only, to my knowledge, most LA and SF. A couple of his songs, are so well done and sung as to bring everyone to tears.

Charles Bevel, was also one of the technicians for the KPFK station in LA ... the famous well known station, that also gave us THE FIRESIGN THEATER.


Edited by moshkito - December 31 2021 at 11:41
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Snicolette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 11:45
For those who have had time to comment, loved those.  Happy New Year to everyone here!  May 2022 score much higher in everyone's personal polls!  
"Into every rain, a little life must fall." ~Tom Rapp
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cristi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 13:37
Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Didn't It Rain? 
Jackie Venson - Love Transcends 
Albert Collins - Master Charge 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 13:45
Originally posted by moshkito moshkito wrote:

Hi,

I was thinking that FUNKADELIC's album that has Maggot Brain, should be listed? There's a lot of great stuff listed here, although some of it was too much taken about the hits that so many of them were, but the best black singer/songwriter I have EVER seen and heard is MISSISSIPI CHARLES BEVEL and I got to see him with CHICK STREEMAN, both of them use to travel around California only, to my knowledge, most LA and SF. A couple of his songs, are so well done and sung as to bring everyone to tears.

Charles Bevel, was also one of the technicians for the KPFK station in LA ... the famous well known station, that also gave us THE FIRESIGN THEATER.

Moshkito, if you got time, here you can listen to all of the songs:
And if you want, you can vote for your favourites three!


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jamesbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 13:47
Originally posted by tigerfeet tigerfeet wrote:

Grand Prize : Mascotte - Otis Redding - One the best r&b soul artists I had the pleasure to listen to- I would have gone for Stevie but Otis just nudged him out by a hair. 

1. Elis coming - love the voice and the era of the song. Soft and lovely voice 9

2. Lou Rawlins - A nice crooner bluesy, jazzy song. I always want to click my fingers with this 8

3. Joan Osborne - A nice country blues edge to this one and her voice is amazing with the subtle almost yoddle. Great bluesy clean sound on the guitar. 9 

4. Kool & The Gang - Open Sasame - Such nice jazz funk, blues, love the whole song with the whappa, whappa, vibe, and the dirty sax 9

5. Living Color - Love Rears its Ugly Head - So smooth and warm with lovely fuzzy guitars with some nice wah! 8

6. Rhiannon Giddens - Julie - Nice early blues style with genuine guitar and vocals  8

7. White Denim - Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah) - Really enjoyable this one, and a nice blend of genres, its got the blues, the funk, the vocals, a dash of soul and psych - Top 3 material - 10

8. Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Didn't It Rain? - She really rocks here taking gospel and turning merging it with blues and love her voice and soul coming through the blues - of course one of the originals 9

9. Cuby & The Blizzards - Somebody Will Know Someday  - A real sauntering and passionate cry of the blues and I loved the clean non-distorted acoustic guitar 8

10. Ebo Taylor - Ayesama - Wow! This has to be in my top 3. I love the drums and whole rhythm the rawness and overall vibe of this song and the upbeat funk. The lovely sax at the end, YEA!- 10

11. Brighter Side of Darkness - Love Jones - I wish i was watching this for the first time its so lovely and atmospheric - 8

12. Albert Collins - Master Charge -Master of the Blues - wooah!! The expression and clarity of his lead playing always astounds me. Has to be my last top 3 pick - 10

Top Three: 

1. Albert Collins
2. Ebo Taylor
3. White Denim

Aside from picking a top 3 this was a really hard poll to choose as every song was top material including those that did not make it into the finals noms. I will be listening to this selection for a while to come. 




Thank you, tiger for your mini reviews!


Amos Goldberg (professor of Genocide Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem): Yes, it's genocide. It's so difficult and painful to admit it, but we can no longer avoid this conclusion.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mila-13 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 16:47
My votes in random order:
 
Sister Rosetta Tharpe: I’m impressed by the talent of this lady! I was not aware of her impact on the history of black music, and even rock ‘n’ roll. Furthermore – as it seems – she was a shining light in terms of female empowerment in the music business as well as inside the black community. I know above all female vocalists from that time, but I’ve never heard of a singing and electric guitar playing lady who performed in venues such as night clubs and the like. Kudos, Mrs Rosetta! Oh, and the video is just fantastic!

Lou Rawls: This velvety and at the same time raspy baritone voice is beyond compare! It is a soulful jazzy interpretation of a traditional blues song, accompanied by the fabulous Les McCann. This early recording shows Rawls at his best imo. This album is a must have! There is a remastered version released by Blue Note Records which I will purchase very soon.

Albert Collins: I have great respect for musicians who really master their instrument and develop a style of their own and this is what Collins definitely does. Some stirring and vibrant blues rock here, with witty and lively vocals interacting with smoking hot sax vibes. What more could you ask for?

Grand Prize Mascotte: Aretha Franklin the Queen of Soul.

__________________________________________________

Rhiannon Giddens: Undoubtadly an outstanding artist doing an American traditional/roots music style, great vocals accompanied by an acoustic string instrument. She blends country/folk music with blues. Is that what is called bluegrass?

Cuby & The Blizards: are a quality blues-rock band and I wanted to know more about them. I read i.a. that they toured with Van Morrison, recorded an album with American blues musician Eddie Boyd and played with the 'king of British blues' Alexis Korner. This is really remarkable. Thanks for introducing your talented compatriots, Kees!

Kool And The Gang: are certainly, among the best r&b/soul/funk bands that left traces also in the disco era. The first part of ‘Open Sesame’ appears on the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack. I perceive it as a horn-heavy funk jazz tune with a jam retro vibe. Unfortunately this original, long version somehow failed to convince me entirely. But a groovy track still!

______________________________

Thank you all for the music and your comments and thank you, Lorenzo for your commitment! These polls are fun and a ray of light in my everyday life. I hope that there will be many more to come!

I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year 2022! Smile




Edited by Mila-13 - December 31 2021 at 18:13
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote The Dark Elf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December 31 2021 at 17:00
Originally posted by Mila-13 Mila-13 wrote:

Rhiannon Giddens: Undoubtadly an outstanding artist doing an American traditional/roots music style, great vocals accompanied by an acoustic string instrument. She blends country/folk music with blues. Is that what is called bluegrass?

I had originally thought Ms. Giddens had borrowed the song directly from the plantation, a song passed down from generation to generation. But no, Rhiannon wrote the song, which I find fascinating, because it sounds old. Extremely well done. It is a folk song, in the vein of Negro spirituals in cadence. It's not bluegrass, it's based more on very early blues motifs.


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