I can't stop - Al Green (Blue Note CD) * 2003Real, heartfelt soul music is still being made today. It may not be as exciting and innovative as it was in the 60's; on some of it the backing is programmed and no match for the highlights of the Stax and Fame house bands, or any other small studio band in the 60's. Lyrics may be too much obsessed with the issue of adultery; seems like soul music got married around the early 70's and from that time onwards ceased to dream of true love and began to think about cheatin' -
BUT some current soul music is still soulful - listen and see if you agree.
Special thanks to David Cole, whose In The Basement publication is my main source of information for this type of music - and for soul CD releases of all eras.
I can't stop - Al Green (Blue Note CD) * 2003
Al Green reunited with Willie Mitchell for the "I Can't Stop" album - and the result is no way disappointing; while this midempo track is in the mood of most his 70's hit, just like his 70's Willie Mitchell produced albums, there's plenty more to find in the album, including some fine ballads.
I kissed her gone - Clay Hammond (Desert Sounds CD) * 2003
Nice to see the "You Messed Up My Mind" man next to a 2003 release, and a soulful one at that. Another classic soul legend, Leon Haywood, is involved in the production, on the mixing side.
Please no more - Etta James (Private Music CD) * 2003
From her CD "Let's Roll" - her most southern soul sounding track off that ablum.
Thru the winter - Bettye LaVette (Blues Express CD) * 2003
A ballad for a rainy day
If you let me love you - Michael B. Sutton (Mibren CD) * 2002
From his CD "Hopeless Romantic" - not exactly traditional southern soul, yet a modern classic that deserves inclusion on any contemporary Real Soul playlist. Find out more about it on http://www.michaelbsutton.com/
Don't give up on me - Solomon Burke (Fat Possum CD) * 2002
A new Dann Penn contribution for Sol's 2002 album.
And while on the subject of Solomon Burke, here is a beautiful picture sent to be by Markus Frey of Swirzerland, taken at the 2003 Porrtta Soul Festival.
I love being in love with you - Floyd Taylor (Malaco CD) * 2002
Johnnie's son - no mistaking that!
I don't wanna cry - Jo Jo Benson (Alpine CD) * 2001
Peggy can still sing - and so can Jo Jo! Soulful version of the Chuck Jackson classic.
Put it on paper - Ann Nesby and Al Green - Put It on Paper (Time Child
CD) * 2002
Lipstick on his pants - Sheba Potts - Wright - Sheba (Ecko CD) * 2001
Two different people - J. Blackfoot with Ann Hines - Same Time Same Place
(Basix CD) * 2001
I have never loved no one like I love you - Jimmy Lewis - That Baby Ain't
Black Enough (Miss Butch CD) * 2001
I caught you - David Brinston - Fly Right (Susie Q CD) * 2001
Trapped - Carl Sims - M & M Man (Waldoxy CD) * 2001
Guilty of loving you - Oscar Toney Jr. - Gulity of loving you (BGR CD)
* 2001
Keep love alive - Oscar Toney Jr. - Gulity of loving you (BGR CD)
* 2001
California girl - Oscar Toney Jr. - Gulity of loving you (BGR CD)
* 2001
What a nice comeback from Mr. Toney - and nice of him to revive this Eddie Floyd beauty, isn't it?
I remember J. T. - Ernie Johnson - Squeeze it (Phat Sound CD) * 2001
Johnnie didn't know - Chuck Colbert - You Lied To Me (Mardi Gras CD) *
2000
Trinute to Johnnie Taylor - Tyrone Davis (Malaco CD) * 2000
Right thang, wrong man - Jackie Neal - Lookin' for a Sweet Thang (Backstreet
CD)* 2000