Betty Wright

Thank you for stopping by the Science of Soul web site, I hope all our UK mums had a lovely Mothers Day today! This this weeks show I'll be featuring the new album the mother of 5, Betty Wright, less Patrick who he she lost in a shooting incident in 2005, but new product from this lady is always an exciting event and this set really lives up to expectations "Living Love Lies" I had the hardest time picking 3 tracks to play on this weeks show but I have to tell you I have no real favorites on this album I just love the whole set and the more I hear it the better it gets...rest assured I'll be featuring more over the coming weeks.

Loretta

A new name to me was a young lady from France I believe, Loretta, her latest set is pretty impressive I have included a duet from the album "Give It Up" with another France based soul-man Leon, thanks to Mickey for bringing this to my attention [her video is at foot of page]. If you haven't picked the latest Soul Junction compilation album " Extra Rich In Soul " I urge you to do so. I have had it in rotation in my car for the last few weeks, It's another that just gets better the more you play it. Happy Birthday to the queen of soul Aretha

Aretha & Chaka

Franklin who turned 72 this last week, scary how time flies, lol.  If you got £250 plus booking fee lying around, Chaka Khan is appearing at Ronnie Scott's in London.....and yes I did say £250, now don't get me wrong I love Chaka as much as the next man but shitttttttttt...£250...other new music on this weeks show comes from Mr X , Walter Christoper and Kenny Edwards along with the usual mix of old skool soul. Okey...on with the music enjoy and please share the S-O-S link with friends
...music is a wonderful gift to give and it don't cost a penny..click 4 podcast

This Sunday's Playlist, 30th. March 2014

Hour One
Andre' Lee - Gonna Go Steppin'
The Emotions - I Could Never Be Happy

2014 album

Kenny Edwards - Something About You
Natural Impulse - Thank You Baby
Mary Mundy - You Put A Hurting On Me
Dan Greer - It Hurts So Much To Lose At Love
Ronnie McNeir - Letter From A Fool
Charles Wilson - What One Man Wont Do Another Will
Walter Christopher - You're Beautiful
Betty Wright - The Train
Betty Wright - If They Knew Better They Would Do Better
Lee Williams /Cymbals - It's Every Thing About You
Mr. X - I Gotta Walk

Hour Two
Loretta feat. Leon - Give It Up
Darrow Fletcher - The Rising Cost Of Love

her 2008 album

Will Downing ft Avery Sunshine -
                 You Were Meant Just For Me
General Crook - In The Warmth Of My Arms
Betty Wright - Dry Well (for Patrick)
Giovanca - Pure Bliss
Syl Johnson - Could I Be Falling In Love
21st. Century - Remember The Rain
Kwick - Let This Moment Be Forever
Willie Clayton - If Your Love Wasn't
                                 Good Enough To Keep Me
Aretha Franklin - You Can't Take Me For Granted
Randy Jackson - How Can I Be Sure

Betty Wright's Biography:

Born 21 December 1953, Miami, Florida, USA. A former member of her family gospel group, the Echoes Of Joy, Wright's first recordings were as a backing singer. She later embarked on a solo career and scored a minor hit with "Girls Can't Do What The Guys Do" in 1968. "Clean Up Woman" (1972), a US R&B number 2/pop number 6 hit, established a punchier, less passive style which later releases, "Baby Sitter" (1972) and "Let Me Be Your Lovemaker" (1973), consolidated. Although "Shoorah Shoorah" and "Where Is The Love?" reached the UK Top 30 in 1975, the singer was unable to sustain a wider success. Wright nonetheless continued recording into the 90s and also forged a career as a US television talk show hostess.

Chicago Blues Festival

Thanks to Mickey for keeping the web site up and running with new stuff while I have been away the last couple of weeks and Alex Totney and Bill Bishop for covering my shows, It was tough hanging out in Chicago but someone has to do it, Lol.

I have not had much time since I got back so not much planning for this weeks show but have no fear it will be smooth and soulful. I was sad to hear the news that one of Bloodstone's founding member, Mr Charles Love had passed, Bloodstone have been an ever consistent force in soul music for over 40 years and remain as popular on the live music circuit as ever ...as they say quality lasts Charles died in his home town of Kansas city, Missouri, USA. A mission fulfilled and a wonderful legacy of music left ...RIP Mr Charles Love.

I had a chance to hook up with my good friend Aaron Cohen whilst in Chicago, as well as knowing Chicago's best restaurants he finds time to write books ....Amazing, Lol. If you have not yet had a chance to read Aaron's excellent book "Amazing Grace" It's an in-depth look at the music and social implications of Aretha Franklin's album of the same name, It's both a refreshing and thought provoking look at music from a completely different angle. Highly recommended, I can't wait for his current work in progress, a book on the impact of soul music on Chicago to hit the streets. Amazing Grace is easily available from book stores and Amazon and various other mail order outlets.

Ok on with the music... sit back enjoy and remember to share the S-O-S link ... Bridge readers: Podcast link here.

Sundays musical menu for 23rd. March, 2014


Hour One
Latimore - Sweet Vibrations
Edwin Starr - There You Go
The Dramatics - What You See Is What You Get
E R I C - Backstage
Jimmy Sterling - I'm In Love With A Woman Every One Talks About
Mel Waiters - Got My Whisky
Bobby Rush - Big Fat Woman
Willie Clayton - Dance The Night Away
C. Robert Walker - Somethings Going on
A Taste Of Honey - Don't You Lead Me On
Sir Charles Jones - I Tried
Bloodstone - It Should Have Been Me
The O'Jays - My Favorite Person
Freddie North - Oh Lord, What Are You Doing To Me

Hour Two
Willie Clayton ft Tyrone Davis - Stop By
Bobby Rush - I Can't Find My Keys
Barrett Strong - Surrender
Latimore - Let's Straighten It Out
The Undisputed Truth - Life Ain't Easy
Theodis Ealey - If You Leave Me, I'm Going With You
Ski Johnson ft Tony Terry - Sailing
Alex Lattimore - Promise
Sir Charles Jones - On My Own Again
Sandra Feva - Leaving This Time
Dionne Warwick - On My Way
Kwick - You're Saying Goodbye Again

Science Of Soul

Now in her seventies, Mavis Staples has been a fixture in the music world for decades. One of the most enduring figures of popular music, she and her family fused gospel, soul, folk and rock to transcend racism and oppression through song. Honing her prodigious talent on the Southern gospel circuit of the 1950s, Mavis and The Staple Singers went on to sell more than 30 million records, with message-oriented soul music that became a soundtrack to the Civil Rights Movement-inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. himself. Here, Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot cuts to the heart of Mavis Staples's music, revealing the intimate stories of her sixty-year career. From her love affair with Bob Dylan, to her creative collaborations with Prince, to her recent revival alongside Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, this definitive account shows Mavis Staples as you've never seen her before. I'll Take You There was written with the complete cooperation of Mavis Staples and her family. Readers will also hear from Prince, Bonnie Raitt, David Byrne, Marty Stuart, Ry Cooder, Steve Cropper and many other artists who have been influenced by Mavis's talent. Filled with never-before-told stories, this fascinating biography illuminates a legendary singer and group during a historic period of change in America.

Attracting passionate fans primarily among African American listeners in the South, Southern Soul draws on such diverse influences as the blues, 1960s-era Deep Soul, contemporary R & B, neosoul, rap, hip-hop, and gospel. Aggressively danceable, lyrically evocative, and fervidly emotional, Southern Soul songs often portray unabashedly carnal themes, and audiences delight in the performer-audience interaction and communal solidarity at live performances. Examining the history and development of Southern Soul from its modern roots in the 1960s and 1970s, David Whiteis highlights some of Southern Soul's most popular and important entertainers and provides first-hand accounts from the clubs, show lounges, festivals, and other local venues where these performers work. Profiles of veteran artists such as Denise LaSalle, the late J. Blackfoot, Latimore, and Bobby Rush--as well as other contemporary artists T. K. Soul, Ms. Jody, Sweet Angel, Willie Clayton, and Sir Charles Jones--touch on issues of faith and sensuality, artistic identity and stereotyping, trickster antics, and future directions of the genre. These revealing discussions, drawing on extensive new interviews, also acknowledge the challenges of striving for mainstream popularity while still retaining the cultural and regional identity of the music and of maintaining artistic ownership and control in the age of digital dissemination. Both books can be found at Amazon (£12.84, £16.99 respectively)

This Sunday's play list - 16th. March 2014


Hour One
Omar - There's Nothing Like This
Lalah Hathaway - Heaven Knows
Curtis Hairston - All Are One
Al Wilson - Touch & Go
Maze - Before I Let Go
Al Johnson - Since You Walked Out Of My Life
The Spinners - He'' Never Love You..
Angie Stone - I Wish I Didn't
Al Green - You Ought To Be With Me
Al Hudson - Now That I Found You
Luther Ingram - Do You Love Somebody
Alicia Keys - Don't You Know My Name

Hour Two

Mr Day - Queen Of The Ministerials

Teddy Pendergrass - Love TKO

Betty Wright - Old Songs

Josh Osho - Imperfections

Intruders - Sad Girl

Khemistry - Can You Feel My Love

Denise Williams - Black Butterfly

Rockie Robins - Try To Think

Isley Brothers - Work To Do

Dramatics - Beautiful People

JP Robinson - Our Day Is Here

Khemistry - Walking Papers

Bettye Swann - Tell It Like It Is

Thanks To Bill Bishop for keeping my chair warm this week

The Science Of Soul

Welcome to this weeks show, on Friday I took a flight to the USA and will be sending you in the first hour a Chicago vibe! It's only right and proper we feature the music that came this amazing city. It's still pretty cool over here but not much snow. I'm gonna be on a whirlwind tour and I plan on being in Indiana and Ohio over the following 10 days. I'll be catching up with friends and making many new ones, of that I'm sure. You can follow my progress though my Facebook page, updated as and when I get time. So be sure to check it out, (just click the link on the top of this page). Talking of  FB, Mickey posted a couple of his vintage shows on my time line this week, I did share the link but if you missed them go on my time line and check them out, think you will enjoy.

Short and sweet this week ...enjoy the sound of Chicago and of course share the link.

This Sunday's Show, 9th. March, 2014


Hour One

The Dells - Soul Stolling
R Kelly - Steppin' In The Name Of Love
L.V. Johnson - Cold & Mean
Jackie Wilson - Just As Soon As The Feelings Over
EWF - That's The Way Of The World
Wendell B - Work
Lou Bond - Why Must Our Eyes Be Turned Backwards
Tyrone Davis - Call Tyrone
Curtis Mayfield - When Seasons Change
Fat Larry's Band - How Good Is Love

Hour Two
Rosie Gaines - Crazy
Brass Construction - Wake Up
The Impressions - Wish I Could Stay In Bed
LTD - Shine On
Larrick Ebanks - Deeper & Deeper
Danny Johnson - Taking My Love For Granted
Soul Papers/Coco - Find My Love
Zoom - Love Seasons
Donny Hathaway - Someday, We'll All Be Free
C Robert Walker - Mind Traveling
Ronnie Dyson - I Think I'll Tell Her
Thanks to Alex Totney for playing Bill's records this week

Chicago's Biography:

Chicago's black founder

When we think of Chicago, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan’s Bulls, Al Capone, the famous Wrigley Field and The Chicago Blues come to mind. It is also the city to elect the first ever black female US senator : Carol Mosley-Braun. It is also where Barack Obama’s makes his home. There’s a part of Chicago most don’t know: The 3rd largest city in the USA was founded by a Black man. (Last) August 12 marked the 175th anniversary of the founding of Chicago! The first European settler in Chicago, Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable, arrived in the 1770s, married a (native indian) Potawatomi woman, and founded the area’s first trading post. By August 12, 1833, the Town of Chicago was organized with a population of 350. Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable first arrived on the western shores of Lake Michigan around 1779. Born in Saint-Marc, in a country called Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), he built the first permanent settlement at the mouth of the river just east of the present Michigan Avenue Bridge on the north bank. Of African and French descent, he was born to a slave named Suzanna (who may have origins in Vaudreuil, Québec) and a French pirate mate named Pointe du Sable who served on the Black Sea Gull. After his father sent him to study at a Catholic school in France, du Sable and a friend, Jacques Clamorgan, traveled to Louisiana (then a French colony) and then to Michigan, where he married a aboriginal woman named Kittahawa (fleet-of-foot). To marry her, the twenty-five-year-old Jean Baptiste had to become a member of her tribe. He took an eagle as his tribal symbol. The Potawatomi tribe called him "Black Chief," and he became a high-ranking member of the tribe. Du Sable’s granddaughter, Eulalia, was the first non-aboriginal born in Chicago. Du Sable made several trips to Canada to buy fur, and it is written that he had strong relationships with the French of New-France. Americans, for centuries, refused to acknowledge that a Black man could have founded the third largest city of the USA. It is only in 1968 that Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable was finally official recognized as the founding Father of Chicago.

Floyd Taylor

RIP Floyd Taylor (1954-2014)

On this weeks Science of Soul I'll pay tribute to Floyd Taylor who sadly passed on February 20th, from reports that have been published at the time of writing this it seems Floyd suffered a fatal heart attack during the early hours, he was just 60 yrs old. To be the sibling of a soul legend like Johnnie Taylor was never going to make Floyd's life easy in the music business, the inevitable comparisons with his father were ever present in everything he did, the fact they were very similar vocally made it possibly even more difficult for him. In-spite of this Floyd left his mark on soul music history and sometimes you forget just how much great music he gave us. I was due to meet up with Floyd at the Star Plaza theater in Merriville, Indiana on March 15th sadly it's not meant to be. His home going service will be held at the Omega Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago at 11pm on Saturday March 8th. I send my condolences and respect to the family.

On brighter note I will still be at the Star Plaza on 15th, so if any of you are planning on catching this great show. Just hit me on Facebook or drop me an email at bill.randle@thebridgeradio.net,  it will be great to meet up and chat about all things soulful. In fact the show on Sunday March 9th will be coming to you from the Windy City its gonna be a celebration of Chicago soul ...put the date in your diary.

A very mixed bag on tonight's play list, but I think you will enjoy. Please remember to spread the S-O-S link and give the gift of music.

One last thing ....THANK YOU ALL for the birthday wishes on Monday I'm still in a state of shock that so many wonderful friends took time out to get in touch....I'm a lucky man.

Tracklisting for Sunday 2nd. March 2014


Hour One
Nellie 'Tiger' Travis - Mr Sexy Man
Reggie Griffin - Whisper
Bill Spoon - I Can't Wait Till The Weekend
Mel Waiters - He Didn't Take Your Woman
Lamont Dozier - Ain't Nobody Love You
Debra Debbs - Sometime
Quintin Moore - Natural Sister
Al Chestnut - Touch Me In A Special Way
Neo Experience - Human
Floyd Taylor - When You Finally realise
Floyd Taylor - We Going Stepping
Floyd Taylor - All Of You All Of Me
Marcel Russell - Now That Its Over
Charles Wilson - What One Man Wont Do Another Will

Hour Two

The Impressions - Maybe I'm Mistaken

Paul Kelly - You Turned A Lion Into A Lamb

Mark IV - Only I Still Love You

Motivation - Until You Change

Nickolas Bearde - You Better Go

T K Soul - Caught up in the middle of doing wrong

Phil Perry - Just A Little A Little Bit

Betty Wright - So Long So Wrong

The Barkays - Flying High On Your Love

Tevin Campbell - Can We Talk

Ms Monique - Mr Do Right

Denise Lasalle - Come To Bed

A. J. Debravo - You Blow My Mind

Marcia Mitchell - For Love

Floyd Taylor Biography:

The mention of the name "Taylor" in any conversation about true R&B and Soul Music certainly brings to mind the Legendary Johnnie Taylor. And legendary he was, even in his own time. Admired, mimicked, copied, and loved by most, Johnnie Taylor left a lasting and indelible mark on the American Music Scene.

For decades, from the turbulent sixties to the new millennium, Johnnie was in the spotlight, on the radio, and on the stage. His untimely passing in May of 2000 opened the gates for a flood of singers to hit the radio waves with their tributes and sound-alikes and pleadings for acceptance as the heir to Johnnie's exalted station as Monarch in the Kingdom of Soul. Well...here comes the real deal, the heir, the Legacy.......Floyd Taylor.  More at: Malaco Records