Here are two funky songs with the same title. Both songs pointed towards a shift in Black music. I can explain the difference in the two songs using Soul Train gifs, which is pretty awesome. Here’s a gif that, to me, exemplifies King Floyd’s “Groove Me”. It’s dirty, backwoods funky. Which makes sense, because King… Read More “Groove Me” by King Floyd (1970)/”Groove Me” by Guy (1988)
I grew up somewhat religious. A belief in God was cultivated in me at a young age; my maternal grandparents (who I spent my early childhood with) were practicing Catholics. I said my prayers every night and occasionally went to church on Sundays. And if you know me and you’re thinking I went to Aretha… Read More “God” by John Lennon (1970)
John Mayer performed on the Grammy Awards back in 2003. After his simple performance of “Your Body Is A Wonderland” on the acoustic guitar, he asked the audience to give a warm welcome to an artist he described as “the blueprint”. There was applause, and then the camera panned over to James Taylor, sitting on… Read More “Fire And Rain” by James Taylor (1970)
Curtis Mayfield’s talent for writing plain-spoken songs that spoke reality was well-known by the time “Don’t Worry” came out. I was a few years away from entering this world when “Don’t Worry” was released, but I’d imagine that folks who were familiar with “Choice of Colors” and “Amen” freaked the fuck out when they heard… Read More “(Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go” by Curtis Mayfield (1970)
1994 was the year I discovered Van Morrison. Covers of two of his songs became top 40 hits that year. First up was John Mellencamp & Me’shell NdegeOcello’s re-do of “Wild Night”. Later that year, Brian McKnight covered “Crazy Love” on the Jason’s Lyric soundtrack. Van The Man’s “Brown Eyed Girl” was also a favorite… Read More “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison (1970)
I sailed through my childhood and teenage years with only a passing knowledge of even Paul Simon’s solo stuff, with the exception of Graceland and “Late In The Evening”. I’m sure some of S&G’s catalog crossed my ears (beyond “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, which was ubiquitous on Lite FM radio), but I wouldn’t have been… Read More “Cecilia” by Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
Diana Ross starred in a television special in 1971, and a soundtrack album was released concurrently. I’m too young to have seen the special (I wouldn’t make an appearance for another five years), but I played the soundtrack album regularly for a long time. The album boasted appearances from The Jackson 5 and Bill Cosby,… Read More “Call Me” by Aretha Franklin (1970)
Paul Simon, in my opinion, is one of the greatest American songwriters in modern history. Perhaps second to Stevie Wonder, actually. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” is his crowning achievement. It’s anthemic, it’s pop, it’s easy listening, it’s soul, it’s gospel, it’s classical. The lyrics soothe without being cloying or corny. Michael and Lionel should’ve listened… Read More “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
I’ve talked myself into bumping this song up a star, as it’s one of the best vocal group songs from the early ‘70s . It bridged the gap between doo-wop and the smooth Philly soul of Thom Bell (The Stylistics). There have been several amazing cover versions of “The Bells”, but I’m going to go with the… Read More “The Bells” by The Originals (1970)
If you’re a regular Billboard chart reader, you’ll probably be able to relate to this. Some songs hit #1 and your immediate thought is either “payola” or “wow, the American public got that _all_ wrong.” Not so with the Jackson 5′s #1 singles. Hell, the worst of the four (”The Love You Save”) is good. The other… Read More “ABC” by The Jackson 5 (1970)
Five Star Jamz 