The O’Jays- In Philadelphia

DSCN5270 (800x771)This was $5 at a record show, probably from last year.  I bought it at my first record show ,at which point I was trying to diversify the site.  I still would like to play more soul on the site but I have a huge backlog of records, especially from Half Price, where soul is a bit harder to find.the_O_jays4

The O’Jays were a vocal group from Canton ,Ohio.  Formed by Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey, and Bill Isles, the group had some modest success with singles and touring in the 1960’s.  Massey and Isles left, but the group continued as a trio.  Bolstered by the songwriting skills of Gamble and Huff, the group popularized Philadelphia Soul with hits such as “Backstabbers” and “Love Train”.

Success followed throughout the 70’s, but Powell would die in 1977 of cancer at age 35, but he was replaced by Sammy Strain.  Success and the 80;s followed but by 1990, their recorded output would slow down. They still perform today and are a popular draw, with Eric Grant, replacing Strain.

The O’Jays Web Page

This album,  originally recorded in 1970, is pretty interesting.  It was made right before the band signed with the label Philadelphia International which was the source of much of their success.  Yet, it features songs by Gamble and Huff and has the beginnings of the Philly sound.  Reading the copy on the back, it is clear that this is a reprinting from 1973.DSCN5271 (800x788)

Anyway, when this was recorded, the band had little idea how successful the Philly Sound would be.  There are a good number of pretty good songs including “One Night Affair”, “It’s Too Strong”, “Let Me In Your World”, and “Looky Looky”.  There is a good version of “Something” (with songwriting credits to G. Garrison) but it is ruined by the inclusion of “Little Green Apples” in a medley form.  Also, if I were to lodge a complaint, the songs seems to fade out too quickly. Other than this it is a decent album.OjaysBanner940x400

For a sample, I went with the western themed “Branded Bad”.600x399xthe_ojays_js_020614.jpg.pagespeed.ic.dNaYSlMtDo

Satisfactory record.  It is an interesting beginning not just for the band, but for Philly Soul as well.

Booker T and the MG’s- The Booker T Set

DSCN2401This was $5.00 and came from the Infinity Record Show.booker-t-the-mgs-4e084a4244f78

Again,  due to the new job, I am going to shoot thru this.  Also, you should know by now that I like keep Saturday short.maxresdefault

 

This was the 9th album from the Stax house band, Booker T and the MG’s. Released in 1969, this also featured the classic lineup of Book T Jones, Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Al Jackson Jr. Jackson would die in 1975, being shot in the back by an intruder in his home. Dunn would pass in 2012 after playing his fifth double bill with Cropper in Tokyo. Both Jones and Cropper are active and tour.

Facilitate your own Damn Learning today with the band’s Wiki Page

 

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This is a great album with tons of highpoints including “Lady Madonna”, “The Horse”, “Light My Fire”, “Sing a Simple Song” and “It’s Your Thing”. Basically, it would be easier to list what isn’t good on this album.booker-t-and-the-mgs

For a sample, I went with the band’s take on “Mrs Robinson” and “Michelle”. These were my two favorite tunes.932c449e

Top Rated album. Happy Saturday.

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Ray Charles- Love Country Style

DSCN2389This was $5.00.  I got it at the Infinite Record Show at the Hilton back in August.  I was pretty happy when I got this and other soul based records because as I have said before on this blog, I do not find many good soul albums.  I begrudgingly went to the October Infinite Show two weekends ago.  I did not want to go as I still have a backlog of unlistened records.

This record was released by ABC/ Tangerine in 1970.  It is a pretty good showcase of Ray Charles’ skills tacking diverse work.  Some of his earlier country albums are way better, but this one has a bunch of good moments including the opening track “If You Were Mine”, “You’ve Still Got A Place in My Heart”, and “I Keep It Hid”.DSCN2390

For a sample, I went with the Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire”.  That is the one you wanted to hear anyway.  That is the reason I bought the album.ray_charles-buck_owens-necktie03

Satisfactory record. If you like this, check out Charles’ Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Vol 1 & 2 Happy Saturday.

VA- 20 Explosive Hits

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This was $3.00.  At the time, I needed something with good songs on it and these compilations are an easy solution to that.  It was owned by a Dana. He or she also owned a label maker.

I like the ad on the back for the Space Age Record Selector.  According to ad, it works like a computer (or at least a 1970 person’s idea of one).  The thing does not even have Wi-Fi.

As for the album, it has a good mix of rock songs from around 1970.  I am guessing it came out in 1971.  A few one hit wonder bands such as Mungo Jerry, Edison Lighthouse, and Shocking Blue as well as The Box Tops, Canned Heat, Tommy James, and the Who.  There is nothing real radical about this but it is a good, cheap compilation of nifty tunes.

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For a sample, I went with the Soul/Doo-Wop act Three Degrees and their hit, “Maybe”.Foto-Three-1

Have a good Saturday.  Satisfactory records.

 

 

Dionne Warwick- The Windows of The World

DSCN1779This was a dollar. Who is going to pass this up?

Photo of Dionne WARWICKBorn in East Orange, NJ in 1940, Warwick has sold over a 100 million records worldwide and is second to Aretha Franklin in terms as the most charted female artist.  Her family on her mother’s side were gospel singers, the Drinkard Singers.  Naturally, Warwick started out in this and other gospel acts.  She was doing background vocal work when she met Burt Bacharach.  She was signed to Bacharach and Hal David’s production company and thus, a successful team was built. The majority of Bacharach and David’s hits were written for and performed by Warwick.

Expanded and Probably more accurate Bio

This was Warwick’s eighth studio album.  Released in 1967, it would chart #22 in the US and #11 on the R&B. It contained one of Bacharach’s most covered songs, “Always Something There to Remind Me”. Although the album is full of good Bacharach/David tunes, Warwick expands by singing songs of other composers including Steven Sondheim/ Leonard Bernstein, Dory and Andre Previn, and Bert Kaempfert among others.

DSCN1780For a sample, I went with Bacharach’s “I Say a Little Prayer” as well as a Kaempfert tune, “Love”.dionne

Satisfactory record.