Ben E King RIP

The great Ben E King passed away.  It is unfortunate that his passing and the critical illness of BB King have confused a lot of people.  Ben E King was a soul singer who had hits with the Drifters.  They had hits with such songs as Under the Boardwalk and Save the Last Dance for Me.  After leaving the Drifters he had a hit with Stand By Me, which later was a hit again for the soundtrack of the movie Stand By Me.  For more information check out CNN here.

Donna Summers RIP

Donna Summers has died.  While she was known as a disco diva her songs much like the Tramps and a few other disco artists, had a strong basis in Soul and Funk.  For more information Click HERE.

Taylor Hicks: Christmas Melody

I made you wait didn't I:-)   Enjoy.

Casey James: Please Come Home For Christmas

One more for you Merry Christmas

The Temptations: Silent Night

Pure beauty.   The Temptations singing a classic Christmas song.   Give it a listen.

Otis Redding: Mr. Pitiful

The great soul master himself.  Otis Redding.

Billy Preston: Nothing From Nothing

The amazing Billy Preston playing one of his hits from the early 70s.  Preston will always be the true 5th Beatle with his work on the Get Back sessions, which became Let It Be. 

Lucy Lawless: What I Say

Yup, it is Xenia the warrior princess singing an old Ray Charles song.  Also, that is really Renee O'Conner joining Lucy on stage once again.  The video is three years old so I am little behind the times with this one, but I got a kick out of seeing Lucy rock out. 

Nick Ashford RIP

From Bob Corritore

• RIP Nick Ashford - May 4, 1941 to August 22, 2011. It seems to be a rough period for songwriters as we report the passing of Nick Ashford who, along with wife Valerie Simpson co-wrote many elegant pop-soul hits for Motown including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By," and "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand." He and his wife Valerie, billed as Ashford & Simpson, had success as artists in their own right as well as penning classics cut by Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye. Nick Ashford died from throat cancer on Monday, August 22. To hear "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_pmKPWLBrE.

Casey James: Use Me

Got this from the Taylor Hicks fan club.  A good video of Casey James doing an old Bill Withers tune.

Cee Lo Green: Its OK

Another great soul tune from Cee Lo Green.  Between Cee Lo, Taylor Hicks, and all of those great southern soul artists. I think the blues is alright.

Cee Lo Green: F You

I have debated posting this video, not because of the foul language (Beware Cee Lo using the F word a lot in this song:-) You see the kids at the high school are in love with this video not because it is an amazing soul song, and isn't it nice to hear a great melody on the radio again????  It is too bad that the kids have no clue about why THEY SHOULD LIKE THE SONG!!  Just because it is funny and he says F you, a couple a dozen times the high school crowd thinks its cool.  

The reason the language doesn't bother me, is that blues singers have sworn and cursed for decades.  there are songs out there from the 20s and 30s that would make a sailor blush!   So this is nothing new, and I certainly hope that Cee Lo can keep his career going after all the tiny boppers move on to the latest Lady Gaga single. What bothers me is the large number of Southern soul artists who are doing songs far better than this, that no one has heard.  I hope that a handful of kids who are into Cee Lo will look into soul music, or better yet search this blog for soul music, and find out that there are a lot more great artists doing this great music. 

However, that said this is a damn good song, so if you can handle the language give it a listen:-)

Taylor Hicks: Why Cant We Live Together

Another video of Taylor Hicks.  Won't comment on the keyboard playing:-)  But he does play a lot of instruments

The Tramps: Disco Inferno

I know it has been months since I posted a video, but I was feeling kinda of nostolgic for some sweet soul music, and The Tramps fit the bill.

Taylor Hicks: Soul Thing

Taylor Hicks singing a song he wrote when he was a kid.  Be sure to catch him on tour as he is in the midwest right now. 

Taylor Hicks: I Live On A Battlefield

Another great soul clip from the blue eyed soulman Taylor Hicks. 

Taylor HicksWith The UAB Gospel Choir: New Found Freedom

Taylor Hicks singing some gospel soul with a real gospel choir.

O'Jays: Love Train

A cool unplugged version of Love Train by the O'Jays from their television appearance on the view.

Taylor Hicks: Maybe You should

acoustic soul from Taylor Hicks recorded last night in Michigan. The internet is amazing how something can be online so quickly.

Taylor Hicks: Woman's Gotta Have It

video credit
The Taylor Hicks Community
PayTheDevil661


A very nice exclusive video to blues historian. Taylor Hicks performing Woman's Gotta Have It. Live! Thanks to my secret pals at the Taylor Hicks community for sending me the movie file. Enjoy!!!!!