Soulful Sounds Of My Youth

~ beetleypete

I am reposting this music post from 2013. I came across it by chance, and noticed just one like and one comment, from a great friend who is now deceased.

Continuing what seems to be a musical theme this week, I am recalling some of the soul songs and dance classics, of my teenage years. They are all from America on this occasion, as the main alternatives here at the time were the Mersey Sound, or belated Rock and Roll. I doubt that this selection will attract that wide an audience, or receive a great deal of appreciation, as it is all in something of a niche market. However as a memento of the parties and clubs of my youth, it is a priceless personal souvenir.

Tell it like it is. ( 1967) The ultimate slow dance track, from the smooth voice of Mr Aaron Neville. I was not much past fifteen when this was released, and I have played it regularly ever since, for over forty-six years.

Louie Louie. Not the original 1957 version, but the 1963 release by The Kingsmen. This became a Mod classic in the UK during the early 1960’s. Covered many times since, nobody beats the early funky feel of this dance-floor essential. Despite sounding like a group of black singers with very soulful lead vocals, they were actually all white, and appeared strangely camp, clad in cardigans and wearing caps. Can’t beat the 60’s!

Seven Days Is Too Long. (1967) This simple soul dance hit from Chuck Wood was a big hit in the UK, on more than one occasion. It has become one of the hall of fame records for fans of ‘Northern Soul’, the American records played almost exclusively in clubs in the North of England. Even at 61, I cannot keep my feet still!

Nothing Can Stop Me. (1965) Snappy suited, with a Motown look and feel, Gene Chandler got feet tapping with this one. Better known for the huge hit ‘Duke of Earl’, Chandler moved on to greater things with this track, another adopted by those Northern Soul aficionados.

Barefootin’. Again in 1965, Robert Parker ensured that dance floors were filled with this upbeat recording. The subject of a few covers over the years, this is the original and best, from the man himself.

Cool Jerk. A year later, in 1966, The Capitols released this one-off. Almost in its own genre, it is still undoubtedly a classic, as the numerous cover versions and inclusion in film soundtracks can testify.

Comin’ Home Baby. This 1962 song by Mel Torme is not a soul song at all. It could be called Jazz, possibly even Swing. Looking back at Mel through modern eyes, he seems somewhat ridiculous. Sharp suit, bulging eyes, college-boy haircut, and snapping fingers clutching a cigarette. But he was the epitome of cool in 1962, and to my mind, this is still one of the coolest records ever made. This video is like watching a history documentary, but they are still doing this sort of thing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Perhaps better to not watch him though. Close your eyes and listen.

I Get The Sweetest Feeling.  Already well known for ‘Reet Petite’, and ‘Higher and Higher’, Jackie Wilson made the journey from Doo-wop to modern soul, throughout the 50’s and 60’s. This track is on my list for the memories it brings back to me, from 1968.

When I’m Gone. Saving the best until last perhaps, this short love song from the wonderful Brenda Holloway sums up the early years of Tamla Motown, and I simply love it.

There are many more, but this is just a snapshot of the party tunes of my youth. I enjoyed them then and now, and I hope that you do too.

33 thoughts on “Soulful Sounds Of My Youth”

  1. All good selections, especially Louie, Louie and Cool Jerk. Mel Torme had a downturn in his career after that tune. I remember a later TV interview where he talked about career… My work is being a singer whether I get paid $200 a night or $20,000.” I met him once, when his career was down and he was playing in a local Southern California club that also had a billiard hall attached. I was in my early 20s. I was playing a game by myself, when this short guy in a tux walked up and asked if I wanted to shoot some 8-ball for $1 a game. I recognized Mr. Torme and said I’d be happy to play some games but just for the set up fee since I assumed he was much better than me. He laughed and we played a few games while he was on break from his $500 a night show of three sets. He had been a favorite of my father… the “velvet fog.”

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  2. Pingback: Soulful Sounds Of My Youth | beetleypete | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  6. I must be the only person in the world who throws up a little in my mouth when I hear Aaron Neville. Don’t know why. Barefootin’ is a tongue in cheek classic. Brenda Holloway is still one of the best Motown female vocalists with string of hits. You could take about 80% of the R&B hits of the era and lay them over the Chandler groove. I’m not sure who started that but it encompassed a lot of great singing ensembles and spawned a number of “blue eyed” soul on both sides of the Atlantic. Mel Torme-please, couldn’t we have t had Tom Jones – Welcome to the sexist 60s🤣 Torme always seemed awkward trying to be the kind of “cool” owned by guys like Sinatra, Darin, Bennett. Although it took Bennett a while to age into it, like good whisky. A handful of cool tunes here!

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    1. Thanks, Phil. Sorry you don’t like Aaron. Mel Torme was supposed to be cool, and that was okay as long as you didn’t actually look at him. Glad you enjoyed the selection.

      Best wishes, Pete.

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