Yeah, a little weary. Two weeks, five shows, two interviews, three states. A lot of preparation, a lot of writing, a lot of fun. While I finish up my official duties, just wanted to share a little about last night's show. But first, my review of Eric Burdon at the Highline Ballroom is now live over at ourvinyl.com. Check it out by clicking... Eric Burdon Review.
Last night I was at BB King's Blues Club in Manhattan to see A Decade of Soul: Classic Soul and Motown Revue. I wasn't planning on doing a review, just going as a civilian for a change. But the show was so enjoyable and so well done, I thought I'd just give a little taste of it. And well, when it comes to sharing music, I can't help myself.
From the introduction when you could hear the opening notes of "Dancing in the Street," to the end of the show with "Stand by Me" as part of a medley, there wasn't one down minute. Anchored by Prentiss McNeil who spent 28 years with The Drifters and Bruce "Big Daddy" Wayne, one of Wilson Pickett's Midnight Movers, you also had Janelle Jones filling in for Aretha, Martha, Tina and the rest... quite wonderfully.
"Midnight Hour," "Try a Little Tenderness," "Proud Mary," even "Sex Machine," they ran the gamut from Smokey, to Stevie, to James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding and more... complete with a little dancing and one hell of a band.
It was a great show. While seeing the hot bands and the headliners is always fun, there is so much joy in just experiencing the music itself. The Revue featured very talented artists and how could you go wrong with the catalog of music they featured? The best times are often when you think outside the box. This was one of them.
How can you go wrong when you start a show with this...
This morning the world wakes up to the news of another singer lost in a plane crash. Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, along with members of her entourage and the pilots, died when their private plane went down. Today also marks the 45th anniversary of the death of another singer in a plane crash.
Otis Redding was only twenty-six years old at the time of his death. In his brief time in the music business, he became one of the era's most influential singers, and was one of the music acts responsible for getting the "soul" sound out to broader audiences. He appeared at the legendary Monterey Music Festival in June 1967 alongside, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, the Mamas & the Papas, the Who and a host of others. After the show, he and legendary guitarist Steve Cropper wrote what would be Redding's only #1 song. "Dock of the Bay" hit the charts after his death, offering a lasting tribute to a man who's influence is still strong 45 years after his death.
Beyond his talent as a performer, he was also a writer of music. "Respect," Aretha made it famous, Otis wrote it. "Sweet Soul Music" was a hit for Arthur Conley and co-written by Otis Redding. But the one song covered the most, covered by every garage band, every R&B band and every soul singer over the years was Redding's signature song..."Try a Little Tenderness."
I've sung a lot of songs, I've made some bad rhymes.
I've acted out my love in stages, with ten thousand people watching
But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you."
So begins the taste of the day. It has been said Elton John has called this song an American Classic. It has been covered by countless artists and for my money...it is one of the most beautifully written love songs ever.
"A Song For You" was written by Leon Russell. He recorded it for his 1970 self-titled solo album.
"I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I treated you unkindly, but
darling can't you see
There's no one more important to me, baby can't you
please see through me
Cause we're alone now and I'm singing this song for
you"
Transcending all music genres, it has been covered by artists as diverse as Andy Williams, Willie Nelson, Herbie Hancock & Christina Aguilera, Joe Cocker, Cher, Aretha, Mavis Staples, Neil Diamond, The Temptations, Simply Red, Whitney Houston and Bizzy Bone (featuring DMX & Chris Noetz)...just to name a few.
"You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You came out
in front when I was hiding, but now I'm so much better
And if my words don't
come together, listen to the melody
Cause my love is in there hiding"
Deciding which covers to use is the hard part. I'll try to highlight a few different styles, taste as many as you like.
"I love you in a place where there's no space or time
I love you for
my life, you are a friend of mine
And when my life is over, remember when we
were together
We were alone and I was singing this song for you
We
were alone and I was singing this song for you"
