[TV] Soul America BBC 4 Friday nights

[Ooh it’s a corner]

Another great Friday night BBC4 series, particularly for lovers of soul music. First episode was last Friday (3 part series), so will be on iPlayer. The first part includes, IMO, the best two soul vocalists of all time, Aretha and Otis - great also to recall Sam Cooke’s velvet tones and Clarence Carter(Patches was his big hit over here). I’m only part way through and am just getting to Motown so no doubt Stevie and Marvin still to come. Due reference too to the wonderful Stax house band effectively, Booker T and the MGs, who were responsible for so many classic instrumentals, Time Is Tight, Soul Limbo et al. Wonderful!

Additionally distracts me temporarily from all the striker threads!!

 

[AmexRuislip]

Cheers for posting

 

[BNthree]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000m7h1

1 episode available on iPlayer, linked above.

 

[zefarelly]

Haven't watched yet, fairly sure I've seen it all before, but always happy to watch most of it again.

Clarence Carter did better. And not just back door Santa!

 

[Stato]

Clarence Carter did better.

Indeed he did:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8FMEcKGOYc

 

[FIVESTEPS]

For those who like old style soul I recommend the COLEMINE record label started in 2007.Saw Durand Jones and the Indicators and the Yip last year at the Concorde2 and they were excellent.

 

[Gwylan]

Booker T and the MGs, who were responsible for so many classic instrumentals, Time Is Tight, Soul Limbo et al. Wonderful!

And to British audiences, indelibly linked to test match cricket - such a strange association for a southern soul band (although the royalties would have been handy)

It was an excellent programme - look forward to the next ones

 

[Comrade Sam]

Read Stuart Cosgrove's trilogy last year. Starting with Detroit 67: The Year That Changed Soul, which focuses on Detroit and Motown. The second book begins in Memphis 1968 with the death of Otis and the bin dispute. The final book is 1969 and is based in New York and the development of Soul into new forms - Which was less my thing. Brilliantly written and covers both the music, society and politics of the time: riots, MLK Jr, Black Panthers, Vietnam War and Peace movement, Police brutality, indie labels, hippies etc. Awesome!

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

Just watched Part Two - follows very much the rising social tensions among black Americans - how much has really changed in 50 years?
The music is great again of course - personal faves for me were the classic What’s Going On album from Marvin and the genius Stevie Wonder with Inner Visions - I know we can easily fall into hyperbole but for me it’s totally justified with SW. The album version of Living For The City is pure class!
And Candi Station’s Young Hearts Run Free brings back nostalgic memories of the long hot summer of ‘76! Great watch for soul fans.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Too much Motown for me last night because I much prefer Stax and Atlantic - Motown more “poppy”. I never “got” Diana Ross, who doesn’t compare to Aretha!

I appreciate Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Steve Wonder������, but prefer Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett and the like.

 

[Sorrel]

Didn't know about this - thanks for posting!