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Handwriting Is on the Wall / Ann Peebles / St. Louis Woman/Memphis Soul

Ann Peebles - Handwriting is on the Wall

About 2 years ago, I came across this website with tons of free music. After much browsing I…*looks left, looks right. coast is clear* I downloaded this 63 track Ann Peebles album titled St. Louis Woman/Memphis Soul. I was familiar with Ann Peebles but didn’t really know any immediate songs that I could justify me needing this collection other than I knew I loved Oldies Soul music. So…even 2 years later, I haven’t got around to listening/embracing every song in this collection but it’s such a great feeling to still be discovering new tracks from it which makes having downloading it totally worth it.

This song in particular, there’s no need for lyrics or any tying anything to them other than it was the perfect late night driving type tune.

Charles Bradley & Thomas Brenneck - The World (Is Going Up in Flames) live

A little known fact about me (that I’m actually REALLY proud of): I’ve never ever been in a fight EVER. Like, I’ve never physically made fists with my hands and aimed it at anybody to seriously injure them (well maybe my big brother Jimmy but that dude should have never taken a swig from my RC Cola when I wasn’t looking, sorry bro). I will tell you this though, if I was at a bar and Thomas was there and someone started something with him and it was clear that he needed backup, I’d break a damn bottle on a shaddy ass muthaf***a ANY DAY. How sweet is his guitar work? Those licks will put a sleeper hold on a ninja. 

Aretha Franklin - Call Me

“Nowadays, singers who want to be extra soulful overdo melisma. Aretha only used it a touch and used it gloriously because her taste was impeccable. She never went to the wrong place… No one can copy her. She’s all alone in her greatness.” - Jerry Wexler

For your Monday listening pleasure.

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Sad Tomorrows / Marvin Gaye / What's Going On

Marvin Gaye - Sad Tomorrows

I’ve been so busy these days that I haven’t had a chance to catch up on my blog. Not only do I try to keep my friends/followers up to date but family members as well as myself. I’ve mentioned over and over again that I like reflecting on where I was mentally at specific times in my life.

In all honesty, I blame work for keeping me away for this long. But it’s a good thing. For starters, at least you all know that I’m still employed. I’m very much so employed as a matter of fact working my butt off to make sure that I’m holding my own in a company where we’re about to release two of the most anticipated records in the independent music scene. In September we will be releasing new albums by The Horrible Crowes and Chuck Ragan. I’m still working radio and warehouse duties at SideOneDummy which is not an easy task but if it’s one thing I’ve learned in my 6 years there is that there’s no room for complaining at work. You do what you gotta do, hopefully it’s your best and you push on forward until the next project comes along. I’m excited about these two records. Having spent plenty of time dealing with releases that have become personal favorites and some that I really can’t understand why we put out, this Horrible Crowes record I think is very special. As a music fan and a big believer in music enhancing one’s life, I can’t wait to have this in the hands of anyone that is willing to listen to it with open ears and an open mind.

I recently attended the Warped Tour. I go every year because I usually need to drop off Warped Comps to our guy, Jon Cheese (nice pic, Emily), who’s out there selling the records for us on the whole tour. After having glanced over the list of bands playing, there weren’t any other bands aside from any SideOneDummy bands (Big D and the Kids Table, Brothers of Brazil and The Black Pacific) that I wanted to check out other than Lucero and Against Me! I checked out all of those bands but I caught a few glimpses of other bands. One of them in particular was a band called ‘Blood On The Dance Floor.’ I was not fond of their music at all. The nice person in me wants to say that they’ve done a great job of fooling tons of kids to give into their “joke.” The mean person in me wants to say that it is the most bullshit piece of shit music I’ve ever heard/seen in my life and it saddens me that they had a big group of young kids just stoked to be witnessing their cringing onstage performance. For those of you who have never heard this band you can check this and this out and I dare you to do so without uttering the words, “What the fuck?” It’s damn near impossible. This is the kind of music that makes people stupid for listening to it. When people refer to bad music rotting the brain, this is the perfect example of that. I was talking to a co-worker of mine about this and he told me that I sounded like “old-back-in-my-days” guy and while that is true, it’s really hard to ignore what kinds of things are getting kids ecstatic about these days. It saddens me, it really does. Anybody see that video of girls in Mexico sobbing over Justin Bieber tickets being sold out? It’s funny right? But when you’re done laughing, doesn’t it just make you a tiny bit sad that that’s the shit that is “devastating” our youth these days? Some bubble gum pop teenager singer that no one will care about in a few years. Yeah, I know The Beatles were stirring up crowds in such fashion many years ago, but you come find me in about 20-30 years and tell me if these Justin Beiber records are still holding up.

It’s a sad world we’re living in today, folks. Economy is a bust. War is never ending. Riots in London. Lately, in all the local news, there have been some crazy just inhumane type killings going on. Some of the stuff I read about happening around us in unreal. And it’s happening everyday, all around us whether the media is covering it or not.

Music and family are my saviors. Music like this Marvin Gaye song here. I was listening to KCSN 88.5 the other day and the DJ, Jim Nelson, wrapped up his set with “Inner City Blues” from the album ‘What’s Going On?’ It put me in a Marvin mood the rest of the day. I had been working on a project with Jim so I emailed him and asked him what he thought was a better record: “What’s Going On?” or “Let’s Get It On”? (Lets make peace Marvin or let’s make love Marvin). He replied that ‘What’s Going On?’ ends with “Inner City Blues” so that seals the deal right there. Another conversation I had was one in which I discussed with another one of our clients my love for the song “Objects In The Rearview Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are” by Meatloaf. Now, I’m not sure exactly what I meant to prove by mentioning these two scenarios other than pointing out the importance of having great discussions about solid good heartfelt music. Music that matters. Music that moves you. You know, music that enhances you. Music that makes you a better person. Music that goes beyond a physical attraction the artist. Music that makes you seek more of the same type of music. Most importantly, music that gives you hopes. Music that’s so good that you want to pass along and even if that person doesn’t get it, at least you brought it to their attention. I encourage you to pass along beautiful music to those who you feel will appreciate it. It’s just as good as buying someone a gift but you know, don’t let it replace an actual gift depending on the situation. An mp3 is not a suitable gift for let’s say a baby shower, right?

It’s getting late and finding a clever way to wrap this post up is going to probably take up another 45 minutes or 3-4 more paragraphs and I ain’t got that much time. So just listen to the song. Marvin Gaye gave this song as gift to the world, and if you haven’t had a chance to unwrap this one yet, I’m helping you do just that.

Good Night!

Charles Bradley - No Time For Dreaming

No time for dreaming

Gotta get on up, gotta do my thang

Cause this song seems fitting after my last post and it also reminds me of the Charles Bradley show at the Echo and my friend Oscar buzzed and screaming “DREAMING” in my ear behind me.

My order for Charles Bradley’s new record on Daptone Records arrived today. Currently downloading the record. Perfect timing. This weekend’s cruising is gonna have a nice soundtrack to go along with it. Also, the packaging was insane. This box could have survived the sinking of the Titanic. The shipping nerd in me was impressed.

The Menahan Street Band - Tired of Fighting

I always have a hard time tying in the relationship between an instrumental song’s title and the song itself. I just always assume it’s just a silly name or a whatever name to an either good or bad song. Some are very fitting and some not. This one, I think, illustrates the title perfectly. I think of everything that encompasses an argument/fight in a relationship and I feel EVERYTHING this song throws at me. To me, it has the vibe of exhaustion, of “why are we doing this?”, of “let’s just get through this.” Arguments in a relationship are down right exhausting and as cheesy as it may sound, it drains your body, mind and soul. To be in a position where you think (really) bad thoughts about the one person you really care about is not something I’m a fan of. You become a different person when in that position. A person you’d rather not revisit but you have to deal with it to get back in your normal groove. It can put you in a downright funk but there’s nothing better than moving on, whether be it together or alone. Enjoy the tune.

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes ft. Teddy Pendergrass - I Miss You (live)

I’m not gonna say much. Just watch.

*slowly taking off panties*

Marvin Gaye - Just To Keep You Satisfied (A Cappella/Alternate Vocal)

I’m still riding this Marvin train. The way he sings these following lyrics just kills me. So much emotion in his voice. I can’t help but be swooned by his singing.

Oh and when we, woo, stopped the hands of time
You set my soul on fire, my one desire
Was to love you and think of you with pride
And keep you satisfied, oh baby oh baby
We could not bear the mental strain
Leave you, I never meant to
Now you see how much you hurt me
But if you ever need me, I’ll be by your side
Though the many happy times we had
Can never really outweigh the bad
Oh I’ll never love nobody like I loved you baby

Marvin Gaye - If I Should Die Tonight (Demo)

I had in my music collection plenty of “let’s make peace” Marvin. Today I added some “let’s make love” Marvin. I’m loving it.

If I should die tonight
Though it seems far before my time
I won’t die blue
‘Cause I’ve known you

Oooh, oh, how many eyes
Have seen their dream
How many arms
Have held their dream
How many hearts,
Have really felt their world stand still

I know millions never baby, they never never
And millions never will oh girl
They never will

If I should die tonight love
Darlin’, it would be far before my time
I won’t die blue
‘Cause I’ve known you

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Heartaches, Heartaches / Ann Peebles / St. Louis Woman/Memphis Soul

Ann Peebles - Trouble, Heartaches,and Sadness

I was cruising to Dodgers Stadium yesterday and I was telling my nephew (10 years old) that he may not like this kind of music but one day, when he’s older, he’s gonna love this stuff. He replied, “I don’t think so.” He’s into rock and punk and all that jazz right now which I back cause at least he’s not trying to get all hiphy or jerkin or crunk. Either way, I explained to him that it’s cool if he doesn’t believe me now but that one day he’ll be trying to get all this music from me one day. Granted he’s a young kid, he needs to know NOTHING about about a girl breaking his heart for another couple years or so. One of my favorite things to do is drive around with him and put on MY tunes and try and get him into it. It works some times, I had time air drumming to some Budos Band one time. You let these kids just go on and listen to too much of what’s popular on the radio and play too many video games and they just ain’t gonna be right.

Anyways, turn it up, enjoy the track. Good Shit Monday!

Lee Fields and the Expressions - Honey Dove (live)

I’ve posted this for the following reasons:

A) It’s just DAMN good

B) Cause i like to revisit my tumblr sometimes and watch videos that interested me at the time, songs I was diggin’ then, pictures that I wanted to share at that moment and I’d like to have this in the rotation

C) Thomas Brenneck is one of the tastiest guitar players around. His work on this song makes me wet my boxer briefs

The Dells - There Is

Oh, girl, why won’t you let me love you
And let your troubled heart be free
Take heed to all my goodness
Take a hold and follow me
Now listen, baby

There is today
I am the road, I am the way
I’ll fight your fears down
Through the years
Believe me, believe me, baby

James Brown - I Wanna Be Around (Live At The Apollo II)

All the hype you hear about this album being one of the greatest live albums ever is true. Stop trying hard to not give in. The 19 minute version of It’s A Man’s Man’s World is an absolute must for any music lover