Cut of the Week: Transit-Come on and Ride

Who knew that a collaboration between the MTA and Jack White could be so Soulful?  Many of you probably know about Jack White's label Third Man Records, but probably more for the fact that it's run by one of the most eclectic and busy people of the music buisness, not to mention the founder of the White Stripes and the Dead Weather.  If not that, then probably for its "Stunt Records,"  like the peach scented record, Texas Sized 13" record, the Triple Decker Record, and most recently the Reggie Watts Hair Record (Jack's expression in that vid as he tried to play it was priceless!).

Soul Gear-The Technics 1200 Turntable

Tech 12s, Technics, or just plain 1200s, since the 1970's  the Technics turntable has been a constant to both DJs and audiophiles thanks to its rock solid construction, consistent performance, and high quality sound. So high of quality are these decks that they last for years and still command upwards of $300 on the used market.

Cut of the Week: Gloria Taylor-"Grounded" Part I On Silver Fox

Deeper the hole of soul goes.  The Silver Fox record's story is just about as short as House of the Fox (HF), dispite having an arguably larger name attached, this time yielding a CD collection called "My Goodness, Yes! The Silver Fox Soul Collection."  But while there seems to be more releases, larger names, and a longer lifespan to this label, there is possibly even less information out about the label.

Discussion: What is Soul?

"Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes"

Time for a bit of discussion.  Soul is one of those words that get thrown around quite a bit when discussing music.  This guitar player has soul, those lyrics really hit the soul, that beat is full of soul, etc., but just what is soul music?  At what point dose an artist cease being a soul artist (that first middle of the road hit might be a good start. . .)?  Dose Gospel count?

Some one pointed out to me last week that an artist can have soul and not be a soul artist.  One example is the Allman Brothers Band. Even though Duane Allman played on a number of landmark soul records,  the band sits in the jam band rock category pretty solidly.  Likewise with many blues masters (like B.B. King) and jazz artists (like Miles Davis), who may have contributed to the sound of soul, but never quite got the distincion of being in that category (unless they recorded a crossover hit or a "Jazz-Soul" tune).  And while soul came out of the church, could church music be called soul?  The jury may be out on that one for a while.

The question also can be applied to more modern R&B music, guys such as Cee-Lo, Kid CuDi, and so on.  Do they also fall under the banner, or do they fall solely under others?

I'd like to hear what other people have to say on the subject, so leave a comment below, and let everyone know where you stand.

Cut of the Week: Marion James-"Thats My Man"

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?

Soul Gear: The Hammond Organ

Where would we be without Laurens Hammond?  The Hammond Organ, specifically the B3, and its partner the Leslie rotating speaker, is one of the keyboards at the heart of soul music, right there with the Fender Rhoads and Honer Clavinet.  It has its lovers (that sound man, I have yet to hear an emulation that just nails it) and its haters (ask a roadie whats his least favorite piece of gear to move, and lets not get started on repairing a Porta-B). Its at the heart of some of the most famous soul records out there (who hasn't heard "Green Onions"?) and is so ubiquitous that there is nary a respectable studio without one.