Bulo’s Music for the Masses-R. I. P. Willie Mitchell
Acclaimed music producer, performer, and musician Willie Mitchell passed away yesterday at the age of 82.
He created a singular soul sound at Hi Records, with a superb group of house musicians, that propelled Al Green to stardom and produced some of the finest soul music of the 70’s from artists like Ann Peebles, O. V. Wright, Syl Johnson, Otis Clay, and others.
Here is a small sample of his legacy:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiOIFHSFp9w[/youtube]
Ann Peebles- “I Can’t Stand the Rain”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edN7zL54RCc[/youtube]
Ann Peebles- “I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2MsF3sTftg[/youtube]
O. V. Wright- “A Nickel & a Nail”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-6YmhHnLI4[/youtube]
O. V. Wright- “Ace of Spade”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hQ37rocXf8[/youtube]
Otis Clay- “Tryin’ to Live My Life Without You”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy6OVlXriR8[/youtube]
Syl Johnson- “Could I Be Falling In Love With You?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjBChRG-nok[/youtube]
Al Green- “Sha La La”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tgm7v284JI&feature=related[/youtube]
Al Green- “Take Me to the River”
and, just in case you haven’t had your coffee yet…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lus8OTnLo7w&feature=related[/youtube]
Al Green- “Let’s Stay Together”-Live at the Apollo Theatre
Rest in peace, Willie. Your legacy is always with us. Thank you for it.
Tags: Al Green, Ann Peebles, Hi Records, Music, O. V. Wright, Otis Clay, Syl Johnson, Willie Mitchell
Som,
Thanks for remembering.
He also put out some classic instrumentals under his own name, like “Soul Serenade” and “20-75”, both featuring his amazing guitarist Teenie Hodges.
Nice remembrance, Bulo. Fresh Air had a tribute to Mitchell a couple of days back, including some tape from an Al Green interview talking about how Mitchell decided to work with him. Good thing for us he did!
A tip of the derby to ya, Kurward. The Hodges Brothers, Teenie on guitar, Leroy on bass, and Charles on the organ, comprised Mitchell’s house band, along with drummers Al Jackson and Howard Grimes. Doesn’t get any better than that.
Don’t forget his 1967 hit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZN10KhuKec
Roger would lead into the news with it. Jerry will probably play it this weekend.
My memory is so terrible these days. I swear I recall a print interview with John Lennon where he’s in the limo and “I Can’t Stand the Rain” comes on the radio. Lennon says “Best single since ‘Love Train’.” Does anyone know where I can find the interview?
It always kills me when critics in the 70s claimed Lennon was listening to the Velvets or John Cage or some underground baloney; he was diggin’ WBLS, baby!
Willie Mitchell, R.I.P.