The current soul revival has been building for a couple of years now, but I knew it had arrived last month when I saw Fitz & The Tantrums (who played the South Bay in November, just before they really started to break) in a freakin’ TV commercial.
Soul has been officially adopted by the ipod generation, and for the first time in almost four decades, it’s cool again. Mayer Hawthorne is working with Kanye West. Sharon Jones had her breakout record last year, while Kings Go Forth are touring the world on the success of their debut. The Heavy can probably retire on what they made from “How You Like Me Now?”
Moreso than other scenes, all of these acts—though bringing something new to the music—incorporate the sound of their influences. From the canon hits to the obscure gems, soul’s greatest songs are being re-discovered by a new generation.
The two girl groups who play the Blank Club Friday, the Hot Toddies and San Jose’s own The Bang, are a part of the current revival, and also worship at the altar of classic soul. Here are some of their picks for soul’s greatest songs, along with their comments—with the caveat that they all pointed out it was inhumane to make them choose “the best” from the stacks of songs they love.
Hot Toddies:
“These Arms of Mine”—Otis Redding : “This song has special memories for Jessica watching Dirty Dancing. That’s all we’ll say about that.”
“Bring It On Home To Me”—Sam Cooke: “A classic that we just can’t get enough of.”
“It’s Raining”—Irma Thomas: “One of Heidi’s amazing vinyl discoveries, this record will make you wonder why you haven’t listened to Irma Thomas your whole life.
“Rescue Me”—Fontella Bass : “One of Erin’s favorite songs as a little girl. Also fun to dance to cuz it’s got a rockin’ bassline.”
Angeline King—The Bang:
“Nothing But a Heartache”—The Flirtations.: “It grabs me from the first note. That big, epic opening that only amplifies with the ladies’ powerful voices and no-holds-barred lyrics of heartbreak.”
“Needle in a Haystack”—The Velvelettes: “Absolutely my favorite girl group song. It has everything you could ever ask for: melting voices and a driving beat that makes you instinctively want to cut a rug on a dance floor. Shee-doop! Shee-doop!”
” Rock Steady”—Aretha Franklin: “This is one of my favorites from Aretha. Its so funky that it makes me wanna get down in a Soul Train line dance.”
“Let Me Down Easy”—Bettye LaVette: “One of the greatest female soul/RnB artists out there. She never got the recognition that I feel is owed to her. Her performance in this song is commanding and soul seeking. You feel every note that pours out of her and she makes you want more. It’s awe-inspiring.”
“I Wanna Take You Higher”—Tina Turner: “Tina Turner is my absolute favorite female artist. She is the reason why I wanted to sing and why I formed a girl group. I simply wanted to be Tina. I love this funky Sly and the Family Stone cover by her, Ike and The Ikettes. This is a get-your-groove-on number.”
Tina Turner—”Fools In Love”: “Tina’s voice has such a raw intensity in this number that it grabs you and makes you listen to this sorry tale. Given the tumultuous relationship of Tina and Ike, I’m sure her performance is drawn from actual experience.”
“Cry to Me”—Solomon Burke: “This is one of those songs that I heard as a kid, and was never the same again. The emotion in Solomon Burke’s voice pours out and makes it a music experience that I was glad to have so young. There are many different versions of this song from other artists, but none match this masterpiece.”
“Shake”—Otis Redding: “Get ready to get your socks knocked off! Otis is my all-time favorite male artist. All his performances are like a firecracker exploding or lightning streaking across the sky. Brilliant, exciting and he died way too young.”
Derek See, The Bang:
“I’m A Good Woman”—Barbara Lynn: “When push comes to shove, I would say this may be my all-time favorite soul single. It has it everything—lyrically incredible, with a cracking rhythm that just makes everyone move.”
“This Gets To Me”—Pookie Hudson: “Pookie was the lead singer of the legendary Spaniels (“Goodnight Sweetheart”) and he waxed precious few soul sides during the’60s on his own, showcasing a sweet voice oozing with emotion. This record manages to be both danceable and incredibly tender.”
“Lonely For You Baby”—Sam Dees: “Slightly downtempo but managing to be propulsive, this deep soul record features some of the most achingly powerful vocals ever cut to wax.”
“Nobody But You”—The Wooden Nickels: “Almost punk rock in its high speed velocity, this record features soul legend Brenda Holloway on vocals and practically peels the paint off the room when its played at high volume.”
“Our Love Will Grow”—The Showmen: “Featuring the vocals of recently departed General Johnson, this record is the epitome of the “northern soul” sound; northern soul has nothing to do with the northern United States, but records that were popular in the north of England when funk and early disco sounds had replaced the Motown beat. What makes a northern record a favorite on the circuit is skewed, but uptempo records with a strong beat and soulful lyrics is the generic description.”
“Our Love Is In The Pocket”—JJ Barnes:. “Featuring the Motown musicians moonlighting on a session for a Detroit indy label (common practice in those days) this driving, catchy record shows all that is great about soul; namely, the music is so uplifting that it will erase all life’s woes in two-and-half minutes.”
“Part Of Me”—Johnny Adams: No list of favorite soul records is complete without at least one ballad; this New Orleans slow dancer has the most amazing lyrics that, in their personal reflection of love, reduce me to a puddle every time I hear it. Johnny’s vocals are straight from the church, oozing emotion and feeling that is the hallmark of soul vocalizing; he delivers the sermon, then breaks into an otherworldly falsetto where words aren’t even necessary. In the same class as Solomon Burke’s immortal ‘Cry To Me.'”
THE HOT TODDIES with THE BANG
Friday, 9pm
Blank Club, San Jose
$10
