Deep Southern Soul

[Billy Freemantle]

From time to time we get the accusation that this or record is not really soul. This is rarely the case with Southern sou. I wonder how many forum members listen to this style of soul.

Here is one of my favourites.

[jazzyjas]

ahh deep soul. garethx should get in on this one. he knows a lot.

for me, it's something i rarely indulge in, but it sure can move me at times. just today i was listening to "average guy" by the masqueraders and it paralyzed me for the 500th time. it never fails. that song is just so damn good and it epitomizes deep soul to me. "things have more meaning now" by peggy scott is mindblowing too. it's an early 70s old town release. if you've got "old town & barry soul stirrers" (the old cd from the 90s) it's the last track i believe.

i think that many people on this board will attest to northern soul songs getting them all choked up, but it seems that the feeling is different. you feel really euphoric like you want to get up and dance and be in your own little world when the song is playing and your happiness could lead to tears if it's just that good or if it takes you back in time on a nostalgia trip. as for northern stuff, when you hear "she just sits there", you're aware of the lyrical content and the serious aspect, but that punchy musical arrangement is the dominant part of the song. maybe something like "the drifter" would be more closely related to the basic spirit of deep soul. the music, the singing and the lyrics are all more like one big expression. in that song (the drifter), they all fit together as one perfectly and do the trick emotionally, but there's that big production still in your face. deep soul seems to have some intimacy and raw emotion that you just don't find in a lot of northern soul songs.

it seems like deep soul is an entirely different feeling. on a really good piece of deep soul, you can get really drawn in to the lyrics of the song and the singer's heartfelt delivery. the music and the singing seem to be coming from an extremely emotional place in many cases. there seems to be a bit more storytelling going on too. plus, it sounds less commercial most of the time. deep soul records seem to perform a different function and appeal to a different part of your senses. just good listening kind of stuff most of the time. no question on the soul content either. it's always there.

Here's some I like:

1. I Kept On Smiling-Cal Brandon-Hit Man

2. A Nickel and a Nail-O.V. Wright-Back Beat

3. Tumblin' Down-James Fry-Hi

4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby-Sam & Dave-Stax (sorry so common-but great vocals)

5. I Can't Stand to See You Go-Joe Valentine-Ronn

Just kind of rambling on and thinking outloud.

KTF

Jas

[jazzyjas]

I just re-read my last post after putting it up. As regards to this sentence:

<<>>

i can't believe i wrote that. that's not entirely true at all. plenty of northern records have loads of emotion. i was just referring more to the intimacy aspect and the difference in presentation from typical northern sounds.

just felt that i needed to clarify that because it came off like i was discrediting thousands of great songs.

KTF

Jas

[Chalky]

Love it personally. Just had the Willie Hightower (self titled cd) on in the cab last couplke of days. Recommended by someone on here, forget who but cheers

For some great deep soul and some notes by John Ridley go >>HERE<<

[Billy Freemantle]

For some great deep soul and some notes by John Ridley go >>HERE<<

Yes. John Ridley's spot is brilliant. An education. Here is one record that he features.

[Chalky]

The first 45 from Jimmy Armstrong also featured on John Ridley's page is awesome, same as the Jimmy Braswell.

[Billy Freemantle]

Here's some I like:

1. I Kept On Smiling-Cal Brandon-Hit Man

2. A Nickel and a Nail-O.V. Wright-Back Beat

3. Tumblin' Down-James Fry-Hi

4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby-Sam & Dave-Stax (sorry so common-but great vocals)

5. I Can't Stand to See You Go-Joe Valentine-Ronn

Just kind of rambling on and thinking outloud.

One of the sweetest O'V Wrights must be this one.

[Chalky]

One of my faves is Benny Latimore - I Can't Go On - Blade. Tried to put a soundfile up but wouldn't let me for some reason

[Guest]

Here's some I like:

1. I Kept On Smiling-Cal Brandon-Hit Man

2. A Nickel and a Nail-O.V. Wright-Back Beat

3. Tumblin' Down-James Fry-Hi

4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby-Sam & Dave-Stax (sorry so common-but great vocals)

5. I Can't Stand to See You Go-Joe Valentine-Ronn

Just kind of rambling on and thinking outloud.

KTF

Jas

[Billy Freemantle]

I haven't got the Benny Latimore. But here is a gorgeous sound by Annette Schnell performing as Annetta.

[jocko]

Here's some I like:

1. I Kept On Smiling-Cal Brandon-Hit Man

2. A Nickel and a Nail-O.V. Wright-Back Beat

3. Tumblin' Down-James Fry-Hi

4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby-Sam & Dave-Stax (sorry so common-but great vocals)

5. I Can't Stand to See You Go-Joe Valentine-Ronn

Just kind of rambling on and thinking outloud.

KTF

Jas

O.V. Wright's "A Nickel And A Nail" is one of my alltime favourite deep soul tunes, very soulful indeed.

I also like James Fry "Tumblin' Down" but I think the other side "Still Around" is far superior.

[Billy Freemantle]

A thread about deep soul must have this one.

[Guest noss]

When Gareth and I started the George Jackson soul nights it was our intention to exclusively promote Deep Soul. I believe that this was the only night of its kind in London at the time.

[Billy Freemantle]

Chalky mentioned Willie Hightower.

[jazzyjas]

hey Jocko not so fast those were MY choices

1. I Kept On Smiling-Cal Brandon-Hit Man

2. A Nickel and a Nail-O.V. Wright-Back Beat

3. Tumblin' Down-James Fry-Hi

4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby-Sam & Dave-Stax (sorry so common-but great vocals)

5. I Can't Stand to See You Go-Joe Valentine-Ronn

Christian--I checked out James Fry's "Still Around". FANTASTIC! Thanks for bringing that one to my attention.

Also, I checked out the John Ridley page. i've got the Hoagy Lands, the Pussycats, and the Lee Maye & the Zoniccs on Gaye. Anybody know the value of this 45?

KTF

Jas

[Guest]

hey Jocko not so fast those were MY choices

1. I Kept On Smiling-Cal Brandon-Hit Man

2. A Nickel and a Nail-O.V. Wright-Back Beat

3. Tumblin' Down-James Fry-Hi

4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby-Sam & Dave-Stax (sorry so common-but great vocals)

5. I Can't Stand to See You Go-Joe Valentine-Ronn

Christian--I checked out James Fry's "Still Around". FANTASTIC! Thanks for bringing that one to my attention.

Also, I checked out the John Ridley page. i've got the Hoagy Lands, the Pussycats, and the Lee Maye & the Zoniccs on Gaye. Anybody know the value of this 45?

KTF

Jas

Precisely, the choices were not mine, even if I actually like all of Jas' choices. I only commented on two particular favourites among the ones he chose.

A longtime deep fave of mine is Little Buster "I'm So Lonely" on Jubilee. A very sparse and haunting production and a soulful vocal. Shouldn't cost too many £'s on the internet.

[Billy Freemantle]

Also, I checked out the John Ridley page. i've got the Hoagy Lands, the Pussycats, and the Lee Maye & the Zoniccs on Gaye. Anybody know the value of this 45?

KTF

Jas

Here is the Lee Maye.

[Garethx]

I'll write a bit more about some specific records when I've got more time, but I'd just like to say that I love Deep Soul. To me it's the artistic pinnacle of the entire history of rhythm and blues and the greatest expression of the African-American voice in the arts. The soulmen and women of the classic era helped to create an artform that was very special and will never be repeated. Some of the very best deep soul records are almost beyond belief.

[Guest noss]

Chalky mentioned Willie Hightower.

A regular GJ spin. Also check out "Time Has Bought About A Change" also on Fame. The Joe Valentine is genius., as is "A Woman's Love". Often overlooked are some of the more obvious artists e.g:

Wilson Pickett "I've Come Along Way", "Jealous Love" & "Back In My Arms Again", a superior version of Thomas Bailey, all on Atlantic.

[Billy Freemantle]

Southern Soul put out by a Detroit label here. This was on Carnival I think. Kent did a 'Carnival of Soul Cd a few years back.

This is Little Royal.

[Chalky]

Southern Soul put out by a Detroit label here. This was on Carnival I think. Kent did a 'Carnival of Soul Cd a few years back.

This is Little Royal.

Two fantastic sides on that 45, I've been giving the other side a spin out a few times

[Billy Freemantle]

Can anybody put up Doris Allen - A Shell of Woman. Have that on a great LP that Charley put out called 'Southern Soul Belles' but don't have that with me me at the moment. Along with so much southern soul that has to be up there with the best.

Would also dearly love to have access to a sound file of Paul Vann's 'Just the Touch of Your Hand' which must be one of the most soulful vocal performers bya white singer ever recorded.

Have found a link to the incomparable Doris Allen that i mentioned.

https://the.soulclub.org/stream/Doris_Allen..._Of_A_Woman.ram

[Chalky]

Can anybody put up Doris Allen - A Shell of Woman. Have that on a great LP that Charley put out called 'Southern Soul Belles' but don't have that with me me at the moment. Along with so much southern soul that has to be up there with the best.

Would also dearly love to have access to a sound file of Paul Vann's 'Just the Touch of Your Hand' which must be one of the most soulful vocal performers bya white singer ever recorded.

Have found a link to the incomparable Doris Allen that i mentioned.

https://the.soulclub.org/stream/Doris_Allen..._Of_A_Woman.ram

I've just tried to upload the Doris Allen but site wouldn't let me, will do as soon as Mike sorts though. Don't think I've got the Paul Vann one so wouldn't mind hearing myself.

[Billy Freemantle]

Here is an mp3 of Doris Allen.

[Billy Freemantle]

Another astonishingly beautiful record. Ella Washington - the Grass is always Greener

[Chalky]

Another astonishingly beautiful record. Ella Washington - the Grass is always Greener

again t'other side ain't bad either

[Guest]

Can anybody put up Doris Allen - A Shell of Woman. Have that on a great LP that Charley put out called 'Southern Soul Belles' but don't have that with me me at the moment. Along with so much southern soul that has to be up there with the best.

Would also dearly love to have access to a sound file of Paul Vann's 'Just the Touch of Your Hand' which must be one of the most soulful vocal performers bya white singer ever recorded.

Have found a link to the incomparable Doris Allen that i mentioned.

https://the.soulclub.org/stream/Doris_Allen..._Of_A_Woman.ram

To be honest I have not heard the Paul Vann tune as far as I recall. Is it the same song as the one by Al Gardner on Sir Rah?

[Guest]

Always liked "Cold Grey Dawn"...i think by Lee Andrews...might be wrong on artist, and haven't got time to dig it out.

Another classic deep soul 45' for me is Bobby Blands "Lead Me On"

spellbinding, has the emotive quality to reduce me to tears when alone and with too much alcohol running through my veins.

[Garethx]

I think the Paul Vann on SS7 is the original version of the Al Gardner classic.

[Guest rachel]

Not something I know much about but downloaded all the tunes above this evening and mmm what a perfect soundtrack to a quiet night in, feet up, small (ok large) whiskey....

[Sebastian]

I love deep soul but find it extremely difficult to just throw up a list of 5 tunes. There is just sooooo much. Here's one that always knocks me out though. "Easy As Saying 1-2-3" by Timmy Willis on Jubilee. And when it comes to Timmy's... how about "Thunder In My Heart" by Timmy Shaw on BON? Damn!

[Billy Freemantle]

Not something I know much about but downloaded all the tunes above this evening and mmm what a perfect soundtrack to a quiet night in, feet up, small (ok large) whiskey....

Rachel: Add this one by Edwin Starr's cousin to the mix. Brilliant blues piano.

Thank God we didn't lose Irma Thomas in the hurricane.

[Guest rachel]

Rachel: Add this one by Edwin Starr's cousin to the mix. Brilliant blues piano.

Thank God we didn't lose Irma Thomas in the hurricane.

Verrrry nice

[Guest Rich]

One of my faves is Benny Latimore - I Can't Go On - Blade. Tried to put a soundfile up but wouldn't let me for some reason

Latimore's 'The Early Years' CD is unmissable - as you probably know by reading the credits and thanks on the sleeve - probably the only way I was going to get his Blade offering anyway.

The J.P Robinson CD on the same label is another must IMO

[Chalky]

Latimore's 'The Early Years' CD is unmissable - as you probably know by reading the credits and thanks on the sleeve - probably the only way I was going to get his Blade offering anyway.

The J.P Robinson CD on the same label is another must IMO

I actually haven't got the cd so haven't seen the credits or thanks. I keep meaning to buy one