Soul can be defined as a blend of Gospel and Rhythm & Blues. The themes are usually secular (i.e. not religious), but may still contain elements of testifying, in other words, sharing one life experiences. The word “soul” refers to deep heartfelt emotion, thus Soul music is considered emotional music. Borrowed from Gospel music is the caller-response technique, and from Rhythm & Blues the emphasis on catchy rhythms.
Soul music started around the 60’s, the same time Rock ‘n Roll took the stage. This early style of Soul “often included accompaniments featuring large brass, woodwind, and string sections, as well as backup vocal groups” (Crossroads in Music, p. 220).
Ray Charles, who we listened to before when discussing “From Blues to Rhythm & Blues” is often thought of as the first Soul singer. Listen to one of his hit songs, “Unchain my Heart.” Note how it reminds of a Gospel song with the caller-response, and the hand clapping. This performance almost looks like one of those African-American celebration churches.
A more “soulful” song is “I Need Your Love So Bad” by Irma Thomas.
Another famous song sung by Irma Thomas is “Time Is on My Side”.
You may not have heard this song sung by Irma Thomas before. Most people know “Time Is on My Side” because it was covered by the Rolling Stones. Below is their 1964 version (very much in the Rock ‘n Roll style of the time, and part of the “British Invasion”).
The version below dates from the 80’s.
Known as the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin is one of the most prominent Soul singers. Let’s take note of a couple of her most famous songs:
“Say a Little Prayer”
“A Natural Woman”
“Respect”
“I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”
Again, the more famous version is by the Rolling Stones:
It was also covered by Britney Spears in 1999:
Another interesting cover of this song is by Björk and PJ Harvey, performed at the 1994 BRIT-Awards:
This is song is a good example of how Rock ‘n Roll was based on other music genres; in this case Soul, which in turn is based on Gospel and Rhythm & Blues.
But, let’s get back to Soul Music.
Probably one of the most recognizable Soul songs is “My Girl.” Let’s listen to a live performance by The Temptations:
“My Girl” was also sung by the young Michael Jackson:
Another classic Soul song is “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.
Notice the electronic keyboard, as well as the electric bass guitar. These synthetic / electronic sounds will become increasingly more prominent as we listen to the next three genres: Funk, Disco, and Dance.
Showing posts with label Ray Charles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ray Charles. Show all posts
From Blues to Rhythm & Blues
Rhythm & Blues is a term used for African American music that evolved out of Blues, Gospel, and Jazz (the latter we will discuss next week). It is often associated with Soul, Funk, and Disco – we will look at these three genres later in this course.
In his “A Brief Introduction to Rhythm ‘n’ Blues,” Piero Scaruffi writes:
The lyrics still has the repetitive style typical of blues, but the sound is perked up and the theme much more humorous. Another hit by Louis Jordan is “Choo choo ch’boogie.”
Listen to Ray Charles singing “Baby Please Don’t Go / I Got a Woman.” He begins by singing the old blues song “Baby Please Don’t Go,” but the rhythm suddenly shifts as he starts singing “I Got a Woman.” This is a nice example of traditional blues changing in mood and style to what would later be known as Rhythm & Blues.
Koko Taylor, known as the “Queen of Blues,” is another important crossover artist from blues to Rhythm & Blues. Listen to her sing “Wang Dang Doogle.” Listen to orchestration and try to hear how this song is different from the typical blues songs (like “I’m a Woman”) for which Koko Taylor is known for.
Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” is a good example of what Rhythm & Blues eventually became. When listening to this song, try to identify the elements from blues and from Gospel. Can you identify anything unique about this song that is neither blues nor Gospel?
From here on it is a small step to Contemporary R&B, which you are probably much more familiar with, and which we will cover towards the end of the semester.
In his “A Brief Introduction to Rhythm ‘n’ Blues,” Piero Scaruffi writes:
The blues was mutating according to the changing social and artistic landscape. The 32 beats of white pop music, the dramatic emphasis of gospel singers, the heavy rhythm of jump blues, the tight brassy riffs of swing orchestras, the witty attitude of minstrel shows, all had a role in making blues music more malleable and entertaining. Transplanted in the dancehalls, the juke joints and the vaudeville theaters, blues music became energetic and exuberant. Form (arrangement, rhythm and vocal style) began to prevail over content (message and emotion). While the lyrics were still repeating the traditional themes of segregation, the music was largely abandoning its original traits.A prominent feature of Rhythm & Blues is its emphasis on beat, especially the backbeat or shuffle beat. We’ve already heard some songs that started to move away from traditional blues to a greater focus on dance rhythms. One example of this crossover style is Louis Jordan and his band. Below you will hear “Five Guys Named Moe,” by Louis Jordan.
The lyrics still has the repetitive style typical of blues, but the sound is perked up and the theme much more humorous. Another hit by Louis Jordan is “Choo choo ch’boogie.”
Listen to Ray Charles singing “Baby Please Don’t Go / I Got a Woman.” He begins by singing the old blues song “Baby Please Don’t Go,” but the rhythm suddenly shifts as he starts singing “I Got a Woman.” This is a nice example of traditional blues changing in mood and style to what would later be known as Rhythm & Blues.
Koko Taylor, known as the “Queen of Blues,” is another important crossover artist from blues to Rhythm & Blues. Listen to her sing “Wang Dang Doogle.” Listen to orchestration and try to hear how this song is different from the typical blues songs (like “I’m a Woman”) for which Koko Taylor is known for.
Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours” is a good example of what Rhythm & Blues eventually became. When listening to this song, try to identify the elements from blues and from Gospel. Can you identify anything unique about this song that is neither blues nor Gospel?
From here on it is a small step to Contemporary R&B, which you are probably much more familiar with, and which we will cover towards the end of the semester.
Blues: Percy Mayfield
Percy Mayfield made some important contributions to modern music, and is sometimes referred to as “Poet of the Blues.” Three songs that made lasting impressions are “Life is Suicide,” “Please Send Me Someone to Love,” and “Hit the Road Jack.”
When listening to these early songs of Mayfield, notice how he is moving away from the traditional Blues form. Mayfield is a significant early crossover artist towards Rhythm & Blues and Jazz.
Listen to his “Life is Suicide.” Something to listen to is the brass instruments playing a counter-melody to the vocalist’s main melody. Also note the lyrics that do not follow the traditional AAB-form, but is definitely blues in theme and tone.
The original “Please Send Me Someone to Love” can be listened to here. Listen to Sade’s version below in the YouTube-video. What you’ll notice is that the song has a strong Rhythm & Blues, or Soul feel to it. Although Percy Mayfield is known as the “Poet of the Blues,” his songs are often categorized under Rhythm & Blues.
Likely the most recognizable song by Percy Mayfield is “Hit the Road Jack.” Listen to it below, as performed by Ray Charles and his backing vocalists. A prominent feature of this song is the base contour (left hand on the piano) – a continual loop (i.e. repetition) of four notes in descending steps, giving the main four-beat pattern of this song. Also note the syncopated beat in-between these four main beats.
When listening to these early songs of Mayfield, notice how he is moving away from the traditional Blues form. Mayfield is a significant early crossover artist towards Rhythm & Blues and Jazz.
Listen to his “Life is Suicide.” Something to listen to is the brass instruments playing a counter-melody to the vocalist’s main melody. Also note the lyrics that do not follow the traditional AAB-form, but is definitely blues in theme and tone.
The original “Please Send Me Someone to Love” can be listened to here. Listen to Sade’s version below in the YouTube-video. What you’ll notice is that the song has a strong Rhythm & Blues, or Soul feel to it. Although Percy Mayfield is known as the “Poet of the Blues,” his songs are often categorized under Rhythm & Blues.
Likely the most recognizable song by Percy Mayfield is “Hit the Road Jack.” Listen to it below, as performed by Ray Charles and his backing vocalists. A prominent feature of this song is the base contour (left hand on the piano) – a continual loop (i.e. repetition) of four notes in descending steps, giving the main four-beat pattern of this song. Also note the syncopated beat in-between these four main beats.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)