Soul Power

Day off! I spent today doing my own thing... working on some music research, and practicing my own (with help from my new purple velvet guitar strap - R.I.P. Prince). 

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings giving the people what they want
in Cooperstown, NY, May 28, 2016. Photo: Jeremy Clowe

It’s been a rough year for music losses this year. This past month, soul diva Sharon Jones joined the ranks of the dearly departed, finally succumbing to the pancreatic cancer she had bravely battled over the last couple years.  

Classic soul music has long been one of my favorite musical genres, yet it took me a while to truly appreciate Ms. Jones’ talent. Oh sure, I had admired her backing band The Dap-Kings, after hearing their work with the late Amy Winehouse, and knew the Daptone record label was quality, but at first I wasn’t sure Jones (or her songs) had enough grit for my taste… but, as she sang, “I learned the hard way…”

In 2013 I heard her song “Retreat!” a perfect, urgent slice of retro soul. Suddenly I found myself digging (and digging) a little deeper into their discography. The music was hearfelt... impeccably performed and produced, and preserving a style I have grown to love over the years. Seriously, I love soul music… can't get enough of it. I feel like I was born a little late (well, I was in the single digits when Philly Soul and funk were happening). My admiration for  Sharon Jones grew even more when I heard her state in a radio interview that she could be doing any kind of musical genre (and there are plenty more successful at the moment), but her heart was with classic soul.

Photo: Jeremy Clowe

I think it was around the same time they released the brilliant album Give The People What They Want, that we first heard about Jones’ cancer. Talk about heartbreaking. This past weekend I finally watched the 2015 documentary Miss Sharon Jones!, which follows the singer’s musical and personal life from the onset of her illness. It was touching and inspiring to learn how she battled the cancer and found strength to keep performing (with help from her bandmates). The documentary was also revealing in the way it showcased the very real struggle that working musicians face when their livelihood becomes threatened… they loved Sharon and they loved the music, so they found a way.

Photo: Jeremy Clowe

I was so glad we finally had a chance to see Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings perform this past May. It was one of those shows that just made me happy. Of course I was dancing… of course I was taking loads of photos. The concert took place at the hip Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, and I just learned from the documentary that Jones was receiving much of her treatment in the area. Rest in peace, miss lady soul. I cross my fingers that the Dap-Kings find a way to continue... in these “dark times,” we need them more than ever.

On a brighter note, I just learned that Albany has it’s own monthly soul music night at the swanky Savoy Taproom. I think we’re talking DJs spinning their own boatload of rare vinyl (a la Northern Soul)…. Wow. Very exciting news. I’m also looking at ways to return to radio... use music as a way to get through the next year and new administration. I’ll keep you posted. Sho’nuff.

sharonjonesandthedapkings.com

I'm All Ears

To celebrate a week that finally saw an end to my annoying ear infection (not a pleasant way to start the year), I thought I would share some examples of what I am listening to these days:

Soul singer Sharon Jones found herself battling an even more serious health problem (the big "C") over the last year, forcing her to postpone a tour and album with her band, the Dap-Kings. I'm so happy to hear that she is better and that her new album, Give The People What they Want, was released last week. Soul music fan that I am, I had really been looking forward to hearing this one, as the first two singles, "Retreat" and "Stranger To My Happiness," are slamming! The rest of the album mellows out a bit, contains some "iffy" lyrics, and I wish there was more "fire" on the other tracks, but you can't deny its overall musicality.

Continuing on the retro-tip, Sarah and I love the cover of the old American folk song, "Fare Thee Well (Dink's Song)," which is featured on the soundtrack for the new Coen Brothers' movie, Inside Llewyn Davis. I haven't seen the movie yet (which I hear is "loosely/controversially" based on the life of singer Dave Van Ronk), but if the music is any indication, it should be interesting! 

Lead actor/singer Oscar Isaac joins Marcus Mumford (of Mumford & Sons) on the track. Every time I hear it on the radio, it makes the thought of our currently bitter cold weather a little more bearable...

Speaking of warmth, Shins frontman James Mercer continues to come up with the heartfelt goods on his latest single with side project Broken Bells:

"Holding On For Life" is the latest in a string of interesting, melodic tracks from Mercer-- this one has sort of a "Bee Gees" kind of vibe to it, which might explain the title of Broken Bells' forthcoming album, After the Disco (set for release on February 4). It's funny... I once resisted The Shins, thinking they were a bit pretentious, but this is classic pop song craft. Maybe I need to give the rest of Mercer's back catalogue a try... (The Shins did surprise me by releasing my favorite album of 2012, Port of Morrow). 

So bring it on, 2014... if this is any indication of the year to come, and my own musical aspirations pan out (doing more singing, and just got a new amp for my electric guitar!) I like the sound of it.

Related Links:

"Sharon Jones on Beating Cancer and Career Advice From Inmates," 

Rolling Stone, January 17, 2014

"Ring The Bells," Halesowen News, January 18, 2014

"T Bone Burnett: 'Inside Llewyn Davis? It’s the story of my life,'" The Independent, January 22, 2014

Taken Aback

Here we go again. I have been hearing this song on the radio by British singer Michael Kiwanuka, and only just found out that it's a NEW song:



It's getting harder and harder to tell some new music from old school... not that I'm complaining.

Link:

http://us.michaelkiwanuka.com

Got Soul?

I am such a music nerd.... well, at least a pop/rock/soul music nerd. Tonight we watched the film Dreamgirls, which I had been meaning to see for some time now... did it really come out in 2006?!?

Anyway, for some reason I had been getting the Supremes in my head recently. The same thing happened with The Temptations about ten years ago, and they have since become one of my favorite bands. Dreamgirls is most definitely based, if loosely, on the story of the all-girl Motown group. Beyonce plays Deena (basically Diana Ross), who steals the thunder from Effie played by Jennifer Hudson (basically original Supremes member Florence Ballard). The tension being that Effie is a better singer, but Deena looks more glamorous... I think this is basically what happened with the real Supremes... although I just had a listen to some early Supremes with Ballard singing lead ("I Want a Guy," "Buttered Popcorn"), and it's not that great to be honest (especially the latter).

I think what made Motown so great, besides some top writers and select vocal talent, was the Funk Brothers--the jazz schooled backing band. They were so tight... listen to this great Supremes track, "Love Is Like An Itching in My Heart":



The music in Dreamgirls really doesn't come close to that soulful sound... probably because it was originally a Broadway music. I didn't expect much, so I wasn't that disappointed... no, it was just fun trying to figure out the various soul music references, and Jennifer Hudson really gave a strong performance. But to me, the actor who stole the show was Eddie Murphy, playing James "Thunder" Early--he was absolutely entertaining, and I wondered... was this Little Richard + James Brown + Marvin Gaye? The way he toned his act down to appeal to a white audience... hmm. Actually, I think that is why the Supremes made it as big as they did. I have taken a look on YouTube at some of their TV appearances, and it's a little painful. 

At the same time, there was Aretha Franklin, using a little more of that gospel sound. Stax was the label that she recorded with, and that also is where Otis Redding did his thing. Stax is a little looser than Motown... the latter may have had the hits, but I guess you could say Stax had more soul (and horns!). But man... those Funk Brothers... and singers like David Ruffin and Marvin Gaye... that is the goods. I felt a little chill when I visited Histville, the Detroit headquarters of Motown, back in 2004 to record a documentary. There was some magic being made in those walls.

So back to the movie... I enjoyed it. The filmmakers obviously were passionate about the story of soul and the great changes in the cultural climate during the 1960s/1970s. I guess you need to stay faithful to the music of the film, and it wasn't all bad... but I guess the film was just shy of being "perfect." I think most of the actors here also can sing, so that helps. 

What is it about classic soul for me? I think I have written about it over and over again here... the honesty... vulnerability... bravery... when I sing, that's what I want to do. Just direct... opening yourself up to it. I keep trying to analyze what made these old civil rights era tunes, in particular, so great. They didn't call it "classic soul" for nothing.



P.S.- If anyone sees a copy of this book, Soul for One, in English, please let me know. It's a beautiful book I found in Quebec during our honeymoon... I was so tempted to buy it, but I don't know much French, and it was a little expensive... eh, thanks level-headed wife (I'm sure I'll still get it).

Digging Deep

Now that... is soul.

SWAPed In, SOULed Out

Peace! Great photo from the 2011 SWAP year-end show
(with my media display in the background).
Photo © Jonathan Wesikopf. All rights reserved.
http://goodpoets.tumblr.com/page/6

I spent the day on the farm today, working on the Spoken Word Almanac Project poems I have committed to finishing for their mid-year show... It's a good thing I didn't agree to do all of it, because creating visuals for even just a handful of poems is taking longer than I expected... it may have something to do with the fact that I can't do something half-heartedly... when I'm being creative, I tend to pour all my soul into it... but I'm not getting so hung up on every last detail this time around... because I can't afford to spend the time. Keep it simple, soul boy.


Speaking of soul, there are a couple of interesting covers I heard today... One is Willie Nelson doing a version of the beautiful Coldplay song "The Scientist." Willie has such a vulnerability in his voice, and it's an interesting take on the tune... I first heard this in a Chipotle commercial, and was immediately drawn in (of course, the original is just a classic song): 





After taking a couple mile run later in the day, I happened to hear this next song on the radio...I had no idea that Otis covered The Beatles! The man never disappointed... he was just in a class all his own:

The Clowe Show!

Thanks to all who tuned into My Exit show last night on WEXT. We were in Schenectady, so we had a chance to listen in to the program on the good old-fashioned stereo. It felt good. Made me hungry for more...


For those who missed it (or loved it so much they want to tune in again), the show will be airing again this Sunday, May 20, at 10 a.m. eastern time. You can listen in at 97.7 WEXT-FM in New York's Capital Region (and outlying areas) or online at exit977.org


In the meantime, here is my playlist and a line from each of the songs, which I love:

Waxing poetic... vinyl is hip again! Photo ©Jeremy Clowe.
All rights reserved.

1. "Dark Is The Night," A-ha: "It's time to break free, we need to celebrate the mystery..." (indeed).


2. "Here Comes The Sun," The Beatles: "Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting... little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear..."


3. "(I Know) I'm Losing You," The Temptations: "Ooh, I can tell when we kiss... from the tenderness I miss... Ooh, little girl I'm losing you..."


4. "A Girl Like You," Edwyn Collins: "You've made me acknowledge the devil in me, I hope to God I'm talking metaphorically, hope that I'm talking allegorically, know that I'm talking 'bout the way I feel..."


5. "Superstitious," Stevie Wonder: "Keep me in a daydream, keep me going strong... you don't want to save me, sad is my song..."


6. "Don't Gotta Work It Out," Fitz & The Tantrums: "I don't know but I've been told... the world outside is oh so cold, late at night when you're along... do you think about me now that I"m gone? When I'm on the road I often dream and think of you, girl... I hope that you do too..."

Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

7. "Heart In Your Hand," Colwell (Hector on Stilts): "You've got my heart in your hand, Sarah... have you ever felt this before..."


8. "My Eyes," Travis: "Ya ya yay, ya ya yay... you got my eyes... we can't see what you'll be, you can't disguise... and either way I will pray you will be wise... pretty soon you will see tears in my eyes..." (I think this is the sweetest song ever written from a father to his child!)


9. "People C'mon," Delta Spirit: "If you're feeling what I'm feeling c'mon, all you soul-searching people c'mon..."


10. "Girl of the North Country," Bob Dylan: "If you're going when the snowflakes storm, when the rivers freeze and summer ends... please see for me she has a coat so warm, to keep her from the howlin' wind...."


11. "Rebel Rebel," David Bowie: "You like me and I like it all, we like dancing and we look divine... you love bands when they're playing hard, you want more and you want it fast..."


12. "Live Forever," Oasis: "Maybe I will never be all the things that I wanna be... but now is not the time to cry, now's the time to find out why... I think you're the same as me, 
we see things they'll never see, you and I are gonna live forever..." 

Funny how a-ha records keeping popping up when I enter a store... 
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

13. "Home," Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: "We laugh until we think we'll die, barefoot on a summer night, never could be sweeter than with you..."




14. "Hey Ya!" Outkast: "Shake it like a Polaroid picture..."




15. "Analogue," A-ha: "All I want you to know: I love you... all I need is the time to show you..."


Related:


All Over Albany profile


Up Next:


RBIT has an improv show this Friday, May 18, at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, MA...and it's exactly two months until the BIG day! Whoa...

Keep me in a daydream, keep me going strong

Writing's on the wall:

Love, Peace and Soul

Sometimes I wish I had a wayback machine. I know times were tough, but the music was all about love.

R.I.P.

http://soultrain.com

Let's Stay Together... in 2012!

In light of my recent post on soul music, I found this video clip amusing--President Obama singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" during a fundraiser at New York's Apollo Theater yesterday. The Commander-in-Chief actually has a pretty decent voice-- not sure I could picture Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich pulling this off!

Apparently soulsters Green and India Arie had just performed at the legendary venue, and were in the audience as well. I have to say that the Apollo has a great vibe-- I caught Morrissey there a few years back, and I couldn't help but imagine all the fab soul artists who had performed in its halls.

Speaking of performing, I'll be back on the boards with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT) in just a few hours. I'm looking forward to it... and perhaps I'll be singing some Reverend Al at karaoke afterwards! I've had a good run of workouts this week, and feeling centered and well-supported... so I hope it bodes well.

On a different kind of supporting note, I worked as a volunteer in Albany, New York, on Obama's election campaign back in 2008, and although it hasn't been a perfect four years, I'm proud of many of the things he has managed to achieve during this time. I haven't decided whether I will campaign for him again, but I'm strongly considering it (a little Al Green doesn't hurt!). Also, I might have a multimedia project coming down the pipeline in the next few months that looks at his presidency so far-- will keep you posted. 

Standing In The Shadows?

So we have our co-officiants, Sarah has her dress, flowers have been ordered, and now we have chosen a DJ for the wedding. Last night we spent some time clicking through YouTube to figure out some songs we would like to include. Suddenly, I noticed a trend-- many of my favorite bands specialize in "sad songs." I prefer to call it melancholia, but yeah... even the Temptations. Dilemma: I need to hear some classic soul on my big day!

Ok, so there's "My Girl" and "Get Ready," but what made me fall hard for the Tempts about ten years ago were such agonizing classics as "(I Know) I'm Losing You," "I Can't Get Next To You," and "I Wish It Would Rain." When I think about it, a lot of those old soul songs are so sweet because of the combination of seemingly upbeat music and heartbreaking lyrics-- "Standing in the Shadows of Love" says it all. Last night I realized that even Fitz & The Tantrums, one of my current retro-soul faves, continues the tradition... huh!

I don't know what it is that attracts me to the bluesier side of music. I guess part of the charm of the Temptations was lead singer David Ruffin's impassioned vocals: "I know you wanna leave me... but I refuse to let you go..." However, I want to start my wedding off "on the good foot," so I guess I'll need to dig a little deeper. Actually, Stevie Wonder had some great hits back in the early days that still managed to have some edge (thanks in part to the Funk Brothers).  And come to think of it, there IS a great Eddie Kendricks/David Ruffin duet by the Tempts that would work perfectly for the occasion... for my everything. Ok, I'll be fine: signed, sealed, and delivered!

Oh, and one more thing to add to this year's to do list: finish my Motown documentary- seriously. Here's a preview clip: