0 What is Southern Soul? Part One

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/12/2006

Here are highlights from a much longer article, written by Michael F. Patterson: "The Problem with Southern Soul," from Frost Illustrated, Fort Wayne, Indiana... ---------- "For some time, I've heard the debate over the use of the term "southern soul" to classify a particular genre of music. Much of the controversy around the term seems based on the belief that calling this style of music "southern" soul has hurt it with regard to airplay. This occurs particularly in the North where disk jockeys argue about the term and seem to imply that it's not their music - just the music of southern folks. Furthermore, some seem to think the regional classification of music is a relatively recent phenomenon. Truth be told, the regional classification of music is nothing new. There have long been distinctions, even if blurred, for example, between Delta blues and Chicago blues. What became known as the Chicago sound actually grew out of the work of masters from down in the Delta such as Muddy Waters, meaning it can be tricky determining what makes a certain regional style. Still, the music changed in the urban environment and evolved into something undeniably related, yet different. Jazz aficionados can speak for hours about the differences between traditional East coast jazz and West coast jazz, while country fans can tell you the difference between the classic Nashville sound and the Bakersfield sound. No one can deny the very distinct stylistic differences between southern rock, the San Francisco sound, and the blue collar rock of the Midwest. Today, any kid who knows anything about rap can tell you the difference between an East coast rapper, a West coast rapper, and the southern crunk sound. In the '60s, it definitely was easy to tell the difference between soul music from the South, the Motown sound, and the sounds of Philadelphia. Berry Gordy let it be known that what was happening in Detroit was something different from what was happening at Stax and Atlantic. The music of the famed Funk Brothers didn't sound like the classic Muscle Shoals studio wizards. And, Gamble and Huff built an empire based on setting their lushly orchestrated soul apart from everyone else. Records from all three regions burned up the charts all over the country and around the world. No company's records were limited by their widely acknowledged regional origins. Those records sold because they were good records - the best of their genre. As Duke Ellington said, there are two kinds of music, good music, and bad music. Most times, good music sells, bad music doesn't. (Now, that's another subject that gets complicated, but that's a discussion for different day.) Now we get to southern soul..." ---------- To be continued in What is Southern Soul? part two, coming next time. What is Southern Soul Part Two Previous Post | Next Post

2 Great Song Lyrics that Touch Your Soul

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/02/2006

Great song lyrics and great poetry have one thing in common. They both touch your soul. Listening to the radio recently, I heard a couple of masterpieces, and was struck by the power of the lyrics. Linda Creed and Michael Masser, writers of the "Greatest Love of All," communicate a message just as relevant today as when they wrote the song. As I heard the George Benson and Whitney Houston versions play back-to-back, I focused on the deep meaning of the words... I believe the children are our future Teach them well And let them lead the way Show them all the beauty They possess inside Give them a sense of pride To make it easier Let the children's laughter Remind us how we used to be   Everybody's searching for a hero People need someone to look up to I never found anyone Who fulfilled my needs A lonely place to be So I learned to depend on me.   I decided long ago Never to walk in anyone's shadow If I fail, if I succeed At least I lived as I believe No matter what they take from me They can't take away my dignity   Because the greatest love of all Was happening to me I found the greatest love of all Inside of me The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve Learning to love yourself Is the greatest love of all   I believe the children are our future Teach them well And let them lead the way Show them all the beauty They possess inside Give them a sense of pride To make it easier Let the children's laughter Remind us how we used to be   I decided long ago Never to walk in anyone's shadow If I fail, if I succeed At least I lived as I believe. No matter what they take from me They can't take away my dignity   Because the greatest love of all Was happening to me I found the greatest love of all Inside of me The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve Learning to love yourself Is the greatest love of all   And If by chance that special place That you've been dreaming of Leads you to a lonely place Find your strength in love   The "Greatest Love of All" was originally featured in the 1977 autobiographical movie about Muhammad Ali. Now, the 2nd song... Bob Dylan once called William "Smokey" Robinson the greatest living poet of our time. We know why, as the images of "I'll Try Something New," written by Smokey, offer some creative "woman pleasing fantasies," guys dream up that the ladies love to hear... I'll Try Something New wrtten by William "Smokey" Robinson   I will build you a castle with a tower so high It reaches the moon I'll gather melodies from birdies that fly And compose you a tune Give you lovin' warm as Mama's oven And if that don't do Then I'll try something new   I will take you away with me as far as I can To Venus or Mars There we will love with your hand in my hand You'll be queen of the stars And every day we can play on the Milky Way And if that don't do Then I'll try something new   I will bring you a flower from the floor of the sea To wear in your hair I'll do anything and everything to keep you happy Girl to show you that I care I'll pretend I'm jealous of all the fellas And if that don't do Then I'll try something new   I'll take the stars and count 'em and move a mountain And if that don't do I'll try something new On the moon above it's you that I love If it don't do I'm gonna try something new   Oh well, if at first I don't succeed try again is what I'll do Always trying something else Always trying something that is new These lyrics should inspire writers young and old, that the "quality of the craft" of song writing still matters. Previous Post | Next Post