Posts Tagged Soul
Archive
June 30, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
In Praise of José James
Music – these days – is free as the breeze. We don’t need the double vinyl gatefold to enjoy the latest and greatest. We can find more of the old-old stuff online now than was ever the case digging in stores. And I’ve always been across as many of the formats as I can be. […]Archive
April 10, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Merry Clayton: Beautiful Scars
Merry Clayton Beautiful Scars Motown Gospel Anyone that hadn’t already heard of Merry Clayton not only found out that they had heard her but also recognised her as the star of 20 Feet From Stardom. That documentary about backup singers put Clayton front and centre where she belonged – her own version of Gimme Shelter […]Archive
April 3, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Wil Sargisson & Margot Pierard (April 3, Hawke’s Bay)
Wil Sargisson & Margot Pierard: Margot and Wil Time A Part Hygge, Te Awanga; HB Saturday, April 3 I first heard Margot Pierard and Wil Sargisson work together late last year at a house concert in Hawke’s Bay. I was blown away. Here, two world class talents took us on a journey through some of […]Archive
March 15, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
The Brianna Thomas Band: Everybody Knows
The Brianna Thomas Band Everybody Knows Breathline Records Brianna Thomas is an utter powerhouse of a vocalist – blessed with a jazz sensibility, absolutely, but able to move that material right down into the funky soul and R&B worlds. Here on a set of re-imagined standards, that’s precisely what she does – making a funky […]Archive
February 17, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
William Stuckey: Love Of Mine
William Stuckey Love Of Mine Athens Of The North Scottish reissue label Athens of The North has your back when it comes to rare boogie, outsider funk, Northern Soul, those rare jams…things you hear and love straight away without always knowing the story behind them. Like Light In The Attic and other reissue labels their […]Archive
October 29, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Tami Neilson: CHICKABOOM!
Tami Neilson CHICKABOOM! Outside Music You don’t need me to tell you that it’s been a funny old year…still, I just have. I’m reminded of it daily, as we all are, but at this point in the year I’m doing my best to count blessings, to find highlights, to think of the good things that […]Archive
October 23, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings: Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In)
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Rendition Was In) Daptone Records It was such sad news that Sharon Jones died at just the age of 60. She was such a vital performer and her music – and the way she presented it – was all about joy. One […]Archive
September 8, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Dan Penn: Living On Mercy
Dan Penn Living On Mercy Last Music Company Dan Penn is songwriting royalty. Can you even name his one greatest song? At a pinch it’s Dark End of The Street. Of course. A song so monumental as to seem like it has just always been here. Found as much as written down. But that would […]Archive
August 29, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 64
Gil Scott-Heron, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1974) When I discovered Gil Scott-Heron it was all in – the poems, the songs. The books, the albums. It was just a whirlwind of words, a blur – and I still feel that way, whenever I dip back in. I’ve been feeling that way lately, hooked, […]Archive
August 4, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 269 – Thundercat, Wellington, 2018
It’s funny how sometimes you see a genius – a great talent – and it just doesn’t stick, doesn’t connect, doesn’t mean anything. The first time I saw Thundercat I was a fan – but I hated the show. It was busy when it didn’t need to be and felt very splatter-painting/ish and I just […]Archive
July 16, 2020 by Simon Sweetman