Major Harris--Love Won't Let Me Wait (1975)

      Major Harris was born in Virginia and spent his early years singing in various groups in and around his Richmond home, most notably, The Jarmels. He was called upon to replace Randy Cain in the group The Delfonics in 1971, but they were on a downward trajectory following the departure of producer Thom Bell and after less than two years left to begin a solo career.
     His first single, "Each Morning I Wake Up" did well on the dance charts, but it was the second single, "Love Won't Let Me Wait", written by Vinnie Barrett and Bobby Eli which stormed up the charts. It was the only top ten hit for Harris on the pop charts, and was also number 1 on the R&B list. He had a couple more minor hits, but it had all but dried up by the end of 1976. With his run as a solo artist complete, he rejoined The Delfonics and toured with them up until his death in November of 2012 at the age of 65.

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The Four Tops--Keeper of the Castle/Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got (1972)

     It had been a common refrain from those artists who had a proud legacy with Motown. The late 60's saw major shifts in what was a hit making machine out of Detroit. As with any musical style it is subject to the whims of the buying public, and much of the formula that churned out hit after hit had begun to break down as the Holland/Dozer/Holland songwriting team left to form their own label.
     Several groups like the Temptations and The Four Tops began to experiment with more psychedelic forms that fit with the late 60's. New songwriters such as Ashford & Simpson, Norman Whitfield, and Johnny Bristol began to emerge with a new pop/soul sound.  Artists with more clout such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder began to bring new forms of the black experience and it's expression  to the Motown label. which although popular with the public, did not impress Label president Berry Gordy who had become fixated on newer groups like The Jackson Five, Rare Earth, and a newly solo Diana Ross. With this began a slow shift from Detroit to Los Angeles which culminated in an announcement in 1972 that all operations were to move there, as was the artists. 
     The Four Tops were not interested in moving. Having felt neglected by the label for the past several years, they chose to break away from Motown and signed with ABC-Dunhill. This sparked a renaissance within the group and 1972 became one of the best years they had since their salad days in Detroit. The first hit was "Keeper of the Castle" which although neglected by oldies radio was a breath of fresh music air in 1972, with singer Levi Stubbs showing once again why his voice was a distinctive one through-out the previous decade. The second hit of the year was, "Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got" which Stubbs was joined in co-lead spots by the rest of the Tops. "Ain't No Woman" was their last top five hit. Although never having another big hit, they continued to record throughout the 70's and from the 80's until the middle of this past decade toured the country with The Temptations in a very successful partnership.

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King Floyd--Groove Me (1970)

     King Floyd III was born in New Orleans in 1945. He started singing in the Bourbon Street area before entering the army. After that he went to California where he hooked up with former AFO producer Harold Battiste and recorded an album featuring songs written by Dr. John. The album failed to chart, and Floyd moved back to Louisiana.
     By 1969, he was working for the post office with most ideas of making in the industry fading. It was there however that Wardell Quezergue, an R&B arranger convinced him to record for a small label out of Jackson, Mississippi called Malaco Records. Floyd went there and recorded "What Our Love Needs" (A-side) and "Groove Me" on the flip. Interestingly enough Jean Knight was also at that session and recorded what was to be another big hit for the small label, "Mr. Big Stuff".
     The A side went nowhere but the New Orleans DJ's began to flip it over and play "Groove Me". It soon became national and rewarded King with a #6 hit. He recorded a couple more albums, and although fine records, never was able to achieve the magic again. He passed in 2006 at the age of 61.

 

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The Five Stairsteps--Ooh Child (1970)

     Several years before The Jackson Five took the soul/pop world by storm, another family of siblings were making an impact on the charts. Five of the nine Burke children out of Chicago (Alohe Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, and Keni) were discovered after winning a talent contest at the Regal Theater. They were offered several recording contracts, but a close family friend was Fred Cash of The Impressions who introduced them to Curtis Mayfield who signed them to his Windy City label.
     Beginning in 1966 they had a streak of songs which would do well on the r&b top 20, but never was able to make a dent on the top 40. In fact for all of the songs they placed on the charts, "Ooh Child" was not only the only song to make it to the Top 10, but it was the only song that made it to the Top 40 (pop charts).After disbanding in the mid-70's, Clarence Jr. and Keni continued in writing, producing, and studio work.

    

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Lamont Dozier--Trying To Hold On To My Woman (1973)

     Before getting started with today's post, I wanted to direct you to a blog that you might find interesting. For several months now, I've been reading Mike Descz's, "A Bit Like You and Me". It also takes a song a day, but his focus is on songs that are a bit more obscure than what we do here on the bus. It's a fun trip and hope you check it out.  ABitLikeYouAndMe.blogspot.com

     Lamont Dozier was born in Detroit in 1941, and from 1957 to 61 recorded with groups like The Romeos and The Voice Masters until signing a deal with Motown in 1962 and teaming up with brothers Brian and Eddie Holland.
      Beginning with Martha and the Vandellas, they began crafting hits like, "Heatwave", and "Quicksand". But it was 1964, when hit the top of the charts with, "Where Did Our Love Go", that the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland took off and for the next four years, this songwriting team produced 12 number one hits.
      H-D-H left Motown in 1968 to form their own company, Invictus/Hot Wax which was moderately successful and in 70, Dozier went back to his recording career. During the first half of the 70's, Dozier had success, especially on the R&B charts. It was this song in late 73/early 74 that was became his highest charting hit. He continues to write and record. His website is, http://www.lamontdozier.com/

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Tyrone Davis--Turn Back The Hands Of Time (1970)

    Tyrone Davis was able to handle gritty R&B, pop, and disco, but his smooth baritone was made for smooth soul. His voice, which lent itself to tender vulnerability, along with his good looks, made him a favorite with the ladies for for almost two decades.
     Davis was from Mississippi, but made his way to Chicago to seek his fame. He signed with producer Carl Davis' fledgling record label, Dakar. His first single was a "B" side hit, "Can I Change My Mind" which went to #5 on the pop and #1 on the R&B charts.
     "Turn Back the Hands Of Time" was co-written by Jack Daniels and Bonnie Thompson who wrote his first hit as well. With background vocals by Barbara Acklin, Eugene Record, and Robert Lester, Davis rode the song to #3 on the pop charts, which was his highest position on the Hot 100.
     Tyrone continued to chart throughout the 70's, although he did much better on the R&B list having hits all the way through the mid-80's. He continued to record and tour up till a stroke affected him in 2004. He passed away less than a year later at the age of 66.

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The Chi-Lites--Oh Girl (1972)

     It's Friday morning and rainy here in Nashville...one of those mornings one wishes to crawl up on the couch with a book and let the day pass you by. The music needs to be mellow as well and the Chi-Lites seem to fill the bill.
     The group was formed in the late 50's as the "Hi-Lites", but changed it in 1964 to give tribute to their hometown. It was in the 60's that Eugene Record was added to sing lead, and with his vocals, and songwriting ability, they began to make some waves by the late 60's. They began having some chart action during the 1969/70 period, and broke through to the top 10 with, "Have You Seen Her" in 1971. "Oh Girl" shot up to number one in the Spring of the next year.
     The Chi-Lites was a presence on the pop charts for the rest of the early/mid 70's, with Record leaving for a few years to attempt a solo career, but came back in 1980.  They had a presence on the R&B charts up through the mid-80's.

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R.I.P. ---Don Cornelius (1936-2012)

     My experience growing up with any minority groups were few. I lived in an area south of St. Louis Co., that was a lily white as any place could be. My high school had over 2,000 students and it was not until my last two years (1977/78) that other black (or any other hue) students could be found. My first real introduction to "the black experience" was found on late Saturday mornings on Channel 11, when I discovered, "Soul Train".
     It would be easy to attempt to compare "American Bandstand" to "Soul Train", and to a certain extent you would be correct. Chicago born Cornelius had been inspired to put together a show like 'AB", but with soul music instead. They also had the same effect on teens, but in different eras. Bandstand was most influential during the 50's and early 60's, when teenagers were just getting into  rock and roll, and found themselves influenced by styles that they saw dancers and singers wearing. TV (and especially their advertisers)  was also just learning about the power the medium had over teens as well. The influence was as much cultural as musical.
      By the time, "Soul Train" was first aired on August 17, 1970, times had changed. Don Cornelius saw black music going in a direction that was influenced much more by Memphis and later Philadelphia than the R&B influenced pop churned out by Motown. He also felt (correctly as it turned out), that black teens also needed to be influenced by their own sounds and styles. He was not only correct, but just like in the early 50's when white teens would get in their cars, out of earshot of their parents, and turn on the local R&B station, white kids from all over, would turn off AB and turn on Soul Train.
     I could never dance (still can't), but was wowed by the dances and the dancers on the Train. I learned about many artists that would have never been talked about in the halls of my school. It's also where my love for Philly Soul came to birth.....and where else would a white boy from the rural midwest learn about Afro-Sheen and Colt 45 Malt Liquor??
    The show itself went on without Cornelius from 1993-2006 as he was never much of a fan of hip hop or rap, and decided it was time to allow the show to led by a new generation. He passed away this morning of a self-inflicted gun shot wound in LA. There are not many in the media portion of popular music that earned the title of legend, but he has. Rest in Peace Brother Don...

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The Blackbyrds--Walking in Rhythm (1975)

     Trumpet player Donald Byrd had spent well over 20 years playing in bands. The jazz leader had a undergraduate degree from Wayne State , and then a master's degree from Manhattan School of Music. From that point on he played in various groups, and as a sideman for many of the best in the business; Coltrane, Monk, Rollins, Herbie Hancock, and Art Blakley.
      He also loved to teach, and it was during his stint at Howard University that he came up with the idea of putting together his own group, made up of the best students in his class. They were signed to Fantasy records in 1973 and just two years later hit gold with the single, "Walking in Rhythm". They stayed together as a band until 1980, and has not only been an influence on a generation of jazz-funk bands, but an early generation of hip hop artists as their music has been heavily sampled. Byrd continues to teach, most recently as an artist-in-residence at the University of Delaware.

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Dobie Gray--Drift Away (1973)

     Was getting ready to write today's blog, when I got the word that Dobie Gray passed yesterday.....so we reflect on his career today...

     He was born Lawrence Brown in 1940 and has had what one would call the career of a music lifer. He had two major hits, "The 'In' Crowd" in 1965, and "Drift Away" in 1973, he recorded on many small labels as well. Gray helped provide vocals on soundtracks and spent two and half years working in the Los Angeles production of "Hair". Dobie's last charting song was 1979's, "You Can Do It" which reached #35 on the charts, and was then followed by a long stretch where he concentrated on music that was more country in style. Artists such as Ray Charles, George Jones, Charlie Pride, and Don Williams recorded Gray's music, and in 1986/87, made a series of singles that made it on the country charts.

    Beyond 1990 was a time of writing and singing, with a resurgence in the spotlight in 2003 due to the success of Uncle Kracker's cover of "Drift Away". He was 71....

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Brook Benton--Rainy Night in Georgia (1970)

     Brook Benton was earning a good living as a songwriter and producer in the mid-50's for artists such as Clyde McPhatter, and Nat King Cole. He was also beginning to record some himself with so-so results until 1959, when his, "It's Just a Matter of Time" reached #3 on the charts. This continues a four year period where he records a LOT of singles, and 15 of them made the top 20.
     The British invasion years were not kind to him, but he made a major comeback on the charts in 1970 after a move to Atlantic Records with, "Rainy Night in Georgia"

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The Three Degrees--When Will I See You Again (1974)

     The Three Degrees began in 1963 out of Philadelphia, and was discovered (and managed) by Richard Barrett. The original lineup was Fayette Pinkney, Shirley Porter, and Linda Turner, although Pinkney was the only one who was still around at the time of this recording (she left soon afterward however and was replaced by Helen Scott).

      Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff wrote this song, and Shelia Ferguson recalled that when Kenny first played it for her she was unimpressed. "....I threw a tantrum. I screamed and yelled and said I would never sing it. I thought it was ridiculously insulting to be given such a simple song and that it took no talent to sing it. We did do it and several million copies later, I realized that he knew more than me." There time on the charts was done by the late 70's, but continued recording regularly into the mid-80's and still tours today (with a different set of woman).

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Billy Preston---Outa Space (1972)

     He had been around.....a lot.

     As a child he played organ alongside Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, and Andre Crouch. In the early 60's, he had already played in Little Richard's band and appeared on an album with Sam Cooke in addition to releasing his own gospel album in 1963. During that time he was touring with Richard, they traveled to Hamburg, Germany where he met a fledgling group from Liverpool called The Beatles. The meeting was a friendly one and would later be of great benefit to the group and to Preston.
 
      In 1965 he would release his first secular album (he released 7 of them in the 60's), and in 1967 would join Ray Charles' band which was where he was in 1969 when George Harrison came to see him play. Harrison was working with the other Beatles on what was to eventually become the "Let it Be" album and film. Pressures from many different places led him in exasperation to walk out for a period of time. While gone, he caught Ray Charles' concert in London. George had been the Beatle who was closest friends to Preston and the after the concert was invited to visit them all at the studio. 

      The meeting was a magical one as all of the Beatles were on their best behavior and after sitting in with them on a session invited him to record with them. The result was that the infusion of soul and excitement that Preston brought to the album saved it from being a disaster. He is the only one besides Tony Sheridan (very early in their careers) to share billing with them on a recording. The exposure was also very beneficial as it helped launch a very successful recording period throughout the 70's. 

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Ray Charles--I Can't Stop Loving You (1962)

      By 1962, Ray Charles was on top of him game commercially. After basically inventing soul music in the 1950's with Atlantic Records, he moved to ABC-Paramount in 1959 and began a streak of songs that became signature for him. "Georgia on my Mind" began the streak in 1960, then "Hit the Road Jack" in 1961 (The movie "Ray" gives the impression that he wrote that 'Jack', but it was actually written by songwriter Percy Mayfield). He wanted to move in a more country direction and with, "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music", not only showed his brilliance, but also brought an audience to the music as well.

     "I Can't Stop Loving You" was written by Don Gibson and recorded in December of 1957 as a B-side to "Oh, Lonesome Me", which garnered him  a two sided country hit. This clip is from 1969...

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Vicki Anderson--Message From the Soul Sisters (1970)

     Vicki Anderson was the lead female singer in James Brown's revue from 1965-68 and then again from 1969-72. Brown had labeled her the best female vocalist he ever worked with. She had a string of records out during that time including a couple of duet's with Brown. Although it never charted, her best known work as a solo artist was, "Message From the Soul Sisters". in 1970. She was married Bobby Byrd (who was an original member of Brown's band) up to his death in 2007 and their daughter Carleen Anderson has had some success in Great Britain.

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Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Dad.....smooth soul from the 70's

When you say, Cuba Gooding, many think of junior, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in "Jerry McGuire". The blog this morning however, is all about dad....

Dudley Gooding was born in Barbados who fled to Cuba in 1936, where he met and married. The couple were affiliated with Pan Africanist leader Marcus Garvey, which led to her murder. On her deathbed, he promised to name his first born son Cuba....which he did in New York City on this day in 1936.

Senior's claim to fame is as lead singer of the Main Ingredient from 1972 to 1977, he left for a solo carrier with Motown and had a few hits in the late 70's/early 80's. Here are their two biggest hits, "Everybody Plays the Fool" (1972), and  "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" (1974)...to hear songs like this and more...please click the live365 banner to the right....

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Happy 65th Birthday to the Rev. Al....

    The tension between the gospel music and worldly lyrics is one of the things that make R&B so appealing. Most all of the performers in this genre cut their teeth in the church and in the case of Al Green, his musical education began in a gospel quartet with his family called The Greene Brothers (He dropped the "e" when he began a solo career). His father kicked him our of the group with little Al was caught listening to Jackie Wilson records.....

     He won fame in the early 70's with a collection of songs that was some of the smoothest and sexiest sounds of that era...with that came all of the trappings (secular ones that is...) that being a popular young singer brings. An incident where a girlfriend assaulted him (with a pot of boiling grits no less...) and then committed suicide contributed to a reassessment of his life. This led him back to the church and in 1976 he became an ordained minster of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis TN, which he remains to this day. From 1981 to 89, he released a series of critically acclaimed gospel albums, and now records in both genres.   He continues to record quality music, both sacred and secular, and today the Bus wishes the Rev. Al Green a happy 65th birthday....

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Forgotten R&B Artist: Calvin Arnold

Calvin Arnold was one of the many artists who were popular within a certain region (this time in Georgia), but other than a song or two, never made it nation wide. He started out with The Gardenias in the early 60's then out on his own. He recorded one great song after another for almost a 10 year period. To my knowledge he is still alive in Georgia, but is out of the music biz. His appearance on the pop charts was relegated to "Funky Way" in 1968, but as you will hear, I think he had several songs that were much better that never saw the light of day. Hopefully, this will encourage you to seek out the sounds of this underrated singer....

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You didn't think I'd forget Aretha did you??

As mentioned in my previous post, today is also Aretha Franklin's 69th birthday. The last year has been tough on the Queen of Soul, so we hope this next year brings her good health and happiness. And for OUR happiness...I just happen to have a few videos for our pleasure....the last one especially is one of the most amazing performances I've ever seen....

 

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The O'Jays--Love Train (1973)

The O'Jays had been making records since the early 60's, but it wasn't until working with the production team of Gamble/Huff in the early 70's that things began to take off. The title track from the "Back Stabbers" album hit the charts in 72 reaching #3, but this song was the cut that they will always be remembered by. Upbeat, optimistic, and with a groove that just won't quit, "Love Train" soared to #1 on this day  in January 1973. Here is a great clip from Soul Train...

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