Arts and Entertainment
Song Of The Day: Jan. 16, 2018
I admit I didn’t follow the Cranberries. However, when we learned yesterday that lead singer Dolores O’Riordan had passed away, I checked ’em out. Turns out that I was missing out:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 15, 2018
By pure unadulterated coincidence, I just happen to be the producer for the upcoming (and almost sold-out) Tinsley Ellis show at the Arden Gild Hall. His combination of blues, soul and rock have won him awards and plaudits throughout his career. His new album, ‘Winning Hand’, is a serious guitar album. Here’s one scorching example: […]
Song Of The Day: Jan. 14, 2018
We all know that, at their height, the Temptations featured two great lead singers–Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin. However, on this Smokey Robinson composition/production from 1963, Paul Williams does the honors. Agent Double O Soul loves the groove, and I don’t see how anyone can disagree:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 13, 2018
While Van McCoy is perhaps best (or worst) remembered for ‘The Hustle’, he was a prolific producer and songwriter during the sweet soul era. Agent Double O Soul is particularly partial to the drums on this ‘medium tempo ballad’ by ‘Eddie Kendricks sound-alike Chris Bartley‘:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 12, 2018
Agent Double O Soul: “The Five Stairsteps aren’t everyone’s cup of meat, but I love their harmonies, especially the way they stagger the backup vocals during the verse on this one”:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 11, 2018
You’ve heard of the Friends Of Distinction, but likely haven’t properly appreciated them. They’re responsible for gems such as ‘Going In Circles’ and ‘Love Or Let Me Be Lonely’. This was the flip side of ‘Grazin’ In the Grass’. Agent Double O Soul loves the lush production. I love the vocal by Jessica Cleaves. An […]
Song Of The Day: Jan. 10, 2018
Kenny Gamble before he became ‘Gamble-Huff’. Agent Double O Soul likes the ‘spare arrangement’ and ‘atmospheric production’. Also likes how the bass player keeps things moving along:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 9, 2018
A great Motown song that I’d never heard before. With a story every bit as fascinating as the song. I’d never heard of Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers, a group that was, yes, from Vancouver, and signed by Motown on the recommendation of Supremes Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson. But I’ll bet you’ve heard of […]
Song Of The Day: Jan. 8, 2018
We’re gonna have a week of great soul songs that you’ve never heard. My Secret Soul Source demands anonymity, however he/she insists that I play his/her theme song before sharing these deep soul gems. Accordingly:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 7, 2018
This elegiac farewell to Lester Young was composed by Charles Mingus shortly after Prez’s death, and appeared on his essential Mingus Ah Um album. The musicians: Charles Mingus, bass Horace Parlan, piano Dannie Richmond, drums John Handy, Booker Ervin, Shafi Kadi, tenor sax Doesn’t get more mournful or beautiful than this:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 6, 2018
McCoy Tyner‘s first recording after leaving the John Coltrane Quartet was ‘The Real McCoy’. In both senses of the term. While the 1967 album demonstrated the spirituality that Tyner shared with Coltrane and is a must for any serious jazz collection, I am partial to this joyous walking-blues celebration inspired by the kids on a […]
Song Of The Day: Jan. 5, 2018
People who have never heard this still know that its opening riff was borrowed by Steely Dan for ‘Rikki Don’t Lose That Number’. It’s also one of my fave jazz workouts:
Song Of The Day: Jan. 4, 2018
One more passing from 2017. Pat Dinizio of the Smithereens. This song had to be good to overcome that…hair:
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