Doing It My Way - Breaking Down This Week's Soul Vibrations Radio Show

For the best part of 40 years it has been my ambition to present a radio show.

I was blessed to be given the chance to be a radio DJ less than two years ago. I now present "Soul Vibrations" every Friday at 6 pm UK time on Phat Soul Radio.

This week I feel moved to write about the show, not because I want to "blow my own trumpet" but because I feel the music, old and new, this particular week proved to be probably the best mix of tunes, the highest quality songs that I have had the privilege to put together.

That isn't to say that songs I have played in the past but omitted this week were in any way inferior; I have played some real crackers over the past 21 months. It's just that this show feels somehow special.

So, in addition to sharing the link to the replay of the show I would ask your forbearance as I wax lyrical about some of the artists and songs in this week's play list.

Soul Vibrations on Phat Soul Radio with DJ Pauly Friday 3 October 2014 by Dj Pauly (Paul T Forrest) on Mixcloud

After the usual excellent introduction from Ronnie Grieco "Just Ain't No Love" we move straight into a Southern Soul threesome courtesy of Otis Clay, Marvin Sease and LGB.

Our first new offering is from Dasha Logan (a new name to me) featuring Paul Johnson, the extended Soul Mix of "Cleverly". Our October Album of the Month is from Gwendolyn Collins, entitled "Storytelling - Side 1", from which we play the remix of "Take A Walk". I was privileged to see Gwendolyn in concert at The Jazz Cafe in London last week; watch out for an upcoming interview.

Gwendolyn Collins at The Jazz Cafe in London

Another new name, Me'nage debuts on Soul Vibrations with "Tasty Love", followed by the first offering on this week's show by Adrena, who's "Cheatin' In The Back Street" reminds me of the kind of vocal performance that Denise LaSalle has made a long career with. Fitting then, that The Queen Of The Blues herself offers Adrena some advice, after the event, that she should have "Kept It In The Bedroom". Johnnie Taylor adds his ten-cents' worth with "Hijackin' Love".

After Al Green's classic "Sha La La (Make Me Happy)" we feature Donnell Sullivan with a great uptempo new song, "Leaving", before enjoying a slow to mid-tempo Motown mix, courtesy of Junior Walker, Jimmy Ruffin, Marvin & Tammi, The Supremes and The Spinners.

There follows a selection of some of the smoothest sounds around, beginning with our second offering from Gwendolyn Collins' album,"The Simple Things", probably my favourite track; I just love Gwen's tribute to her parents at the end of the song.

Next comes our Record of the Month for October: Nellie Travis joins Adrena trying to impart wisdom but the younger woman really doesn't want to give up "Another Woman's Man". This record has it all: great Southern Soul singing; real-life issues addressed by two wonderful vocalists. Watch out for Adrena - she has a great future - you heard it here first!

Jureesa "The Duchess" McBride has one of the smoothest Southern Soul voices around, although she can get Bluesy when necessary. On "I Want To Be Your Super Mistress" The Duchess reaches into her Deep Soul bag, oozes sensuality and delivers a fine vocal performance.

Lola Love is another fine Southern Soul vocalist. Following on from her "The Other Shoe", Lola is back with a great Soulful performance on "I Deserve Better".

One of the most highly respected Soul duos around, Kindred The Family Soul, from Philadelphia, bring us their smooth "A Couple Friends", the title song from a former Soul Vibrations Album of the Month.

Yet another current Soul Diva, Gina Carey follows her excellent "Through The Water", with the equally spine-tingling "Eyes Of A Child"; those high notes just melt me; reminiscent of Minnie Ripperton.

There are so many talented female vocalists on the Soul Music scene right now. Former UK Soul Chart-topping artist Marcia Mitchell brings us her recent hit, "Give Me A Chance To Love You".

Vel Omarr

Vel Omarr continues in the Smooth Soul vein with "The Greatest Song I Ever Sang"

Following these wonderful current  gems, we bring you a string of Southern Soul classics: Bobby Womack "Doing It My Way"; "Precious Precious" from Otis Clay; Ann Peebles "I Can't Stand The Rain"; then a twosome from a lovely lady who had a birthday this week, Dorothy Moore, "Let The Healing Begin" followed by her monster hit from 1976, "Misty Blue".

Karena K recently described her duet with Wily Bo Walker, "Love Will Find A Way" as Acapella Jazz, but I know I am not alone in loving the Doo Wop feel to it, so it only seems natural to follow with Carl Gardner & The Coasters' version of "If I Had A Hammer"; the 1969 remake of "Oh, What A Night" by The Dells and "One Life To Live" by The Manhattans from 1972 but could easily have been recorded ten years earlier.

We kick off the final part of the show, the get up and boogie session, with another Manhattan's track: from their self-titled album released in 1976, comes a great Philly "Modern Soul" foot tapper, "Searching For Love", sounding rather like The O'Jays.

We continue in the Philly groove with The Trammps and a long version of "Hold Back The Night"; Jackie Moore "Both Ends Against The Middle"; "Mighty Love" from The Spinners and "The Soul City Walk", my anthem from the Disco floors of '76, by Archie Bell & The Drells.

We then head back into the Motor City with a selection of Dance Floor Fillers: "I Got A Feeling" by The Four Tops; The Isley Brothers with "Behind A Painted Smile" (without the trademark drum burst at the end, which seems to have been deleted from the digital recording) and Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life".

The grand finale consists of five Northern Soul stompers, comprising, from Motown: "R Dean Taylor "Ghost In My House" and "Tainted Love" by Gloria Jones; then a Chicago threesome, "Right Track" by Billy Butler; Major Lance "The Monkey Time" and "Nothing Can Stop Me" by Gene Chandler.

How can three hours go by so quickly? I hope you enjoyed listening to the show; thanks for joining me and I also hope you find this blog interesting and entertaining.

Southern Soul Is Alive And Kicking!

The Southern states of the U.S.A. are steeped in a long history of music. African Americans have enriched that history, from ”negro spirituals” through to Blues, Jazz, R&B and Soul Music.

This writer’s first introduction to Soul was via the rasping vocals of the likes of Otis Redding and Wilson Picket back in the 1960s.

The Stax record company, based in Memphis Tennessee, and the Fame, and later, Muscles Shoals studios based in Muscles Shoals Alabama, launched a new wave of Rhythm and Blues across America and the rest of the world during those halcyon days that revolutionised popular music.

Singers, such as Pickett, Joe Tex, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Candi Staton, Bettye Swan, The Staple Singers and Millie Jackson cut some of their biggest hits in Muscle Shoals.

The Stax label provided an even greater legacy through artists such as Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Eddie Floyd, Booker T & the MGs, William Bell, Johnnie Taylor and many more.

The seventies brought singers like Al Green, Denise Lasalle, Tommy Tate, Luther Ingram, Ann Peebles, Dorothy Moore to the public eye; all based in the Southern States.

So what’s happening today? Veterans such as Lasalle, Floyd, Moore and Staton continue to wow their fans; but a new breed of Southern Soul artists have burst on the scene in recent years.

Artists such as Darryl Johnson, Alonzo Reid, Sweet Angel, MsCharli Creole Diva and Jerry Adams are proving to lovers of Soul Music that the South still has a lot to offer.

Joe Tex II, son of the aforementioned Soul legend, is continuing the legacy of his father’s classic work; Joe’s reworking of I Gotcha into a soulful ballad is a fine example that the Southern Soul sound is still alive.

Darryl Johnson, of the Detroit Memphis Experience, and former member of The Chairmen of the Board, has launched his solo career with a beautiful song entitled “Nightmare” that has broken through to the UK Soul Top 20.

Sweet Angel has been recording bluesy soulful original material, in the Denise Lasalle, Betty Wright vein since 2007. Her latest single, “Still Crazy For You” is attracting radio play both sides of the Atlantic.

Alonzo Reid paid his dues as a youngster, learning from such gospel acts as the Swan Silvertones before going on the road with the Pilgrim Jubilees of Chicago. Alonzo later played behind the likes of Shirley Caesar, The Mighty Clouds Of Joy and The Soul Stirrers before crossing over to Rhythm and Blues in 1997.

Having played drums and percussion for the late, great Marvin Sease for 14 years, Alonzo stepped up to the plate with his debut CD, "Undercover Freak" in 2011. Alonzo has just released his new single, "Three Wishes".

MsCharli, Creole Diva, was first noticed as an opening act for the likes of Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland before being acclaimed as “Best New Female Vocalist” by highly regarded Southern Soul critics on the release of her debut EP, “Can I dance 2Nite” in 2004.

MsCharli currently has a new single, “Giddy Up” making waves, along with a clever Zydeco arrangement of the same song.

Jerry Adams, with a strong gospel background, and influenced by Motown giants , The Temptations and Marvin Gaye, is currently attracting a great degree of interest through his joint release of “Rock You” and a remake of the classic “My Girl”.

So, it is clear, that just from these few examples, Southern Soul IS alive and kicking!