There was a staggering amount of soul going down in Nashville back in the day (back in the day being the '40s to the '70s), mostly on a stretch of asphalt know as Jefferson St. So far, its filled up 2 double disk sets called "Night Train to Nashville," and countless more left unknown to anyone beyond the dyed in the wool record hunters and music geeks. But with so many artists, why haven't any made it to the mainstream, or the nationwide consciousness?
Some might blame the building of I-40 right through the heart of Jeff St. Others might say that the country industry overshadows all other music (save maybe Contemporary Christian). Or, it might just be that Memphis was just a drive away, and was putting out more soul at a higher pace. I don't think we'll know.
Along with the lack of acknowledgment, there is also a lack of these artists still kicking it. Which brings us to tonight's subject, Nashville's Queen of the Blues, Marion James. While the cut is from the glory days, Marion is still making records and touring in this day and age. Indeed there is even word that she is getting ready to record some fresh music strait from Jefferson St. in the near future.
Marion is pretty deep into the Nashville scene, having been a regular performer on the Chitlin' Circuit, for a time with Jimi Hendrix and Billy Cox in tow (Jimi used to sleep on Marion's couch between shows). Billy himself was a regular in Nashville even after Jimi left for England.
The cut tonight is a bit of solid soul, one that sounds like it could have come out of Motown itself. Do enjoy.
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