Artist Guide

"Booty Roll"

Steve Perry (21st Century)

Composed by Steve Perry

August 2014:

Reprinted from Daddy B. Nice's Corner, Top Ten "Breaking" Southern Soul Singles for August 2014

9. "Live My Life Again"-----------Steve Perry

There are certain things a commentator like your Daddy B. Nice just has to let play out, even though he knows the result is doomed from the get-go, like Luther Lackey "retiring" from Southern Soul or Steve Perry changing his name to Prince Mekl to avoid being confused with Journey's Steve Perry.

It's easier said than done, and it looks as if Steve has thought better about it--to the extent of calling himself "Steve Perry" in the middle of his new song, "Live My Life Again," a contemporary re-tooling of Tyrone Davis's "Turn Back The Hands Of Time.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Live My Life Again" on Spreaker/YouTube.

*********

Note: Steve Perry also appears on Daddy B. Nice's original Top 100 Southern Soul Artists (90's-00's). The "21st Century" after Steve Perry's name in the headline is to distinguish his artist-guide entries on this page from his artist-guide page on Daddy B. Nice's original chart.

*********

July 5, 2012: Steve Perry has changed his performance name to Prince Mekel. When asked about the motivation for the switch, Steve told your Daddy B. Nice that he'd decided to change because he didn't want to be confused with other artists any longer. (Steve Perry of the rock band Journey is more famous and always comes up first on the search engines when googling "Steve Perry.")

Perry--or Prince Mekel--is already changing venue spots and promotional materials to "Prince Mekel (formerly Steve Perry)."

Scroll down this page to Tidbits #2 for more information.

--Daddy B. Nice

**********

Southern Soul music's Steve Perry has grown a unique identity, one which couldn't have been predicted years ago when your Daddy B. Nice wrote the first Artist Guide to Steve Perry. Then he was a raw up-and-comer, the "Booty Roll" a nascent gleam in his eye. Now he's a crowd-pleasing performer with the confident moves and gym-honed pecs of a male stripper, not that that tells the whole story by any means.

Musically, Perry has a lot in common with Walter Waiters, with whom he shares a groove-oriented approach to songwriting. Within two or three basic formats, his songs tend to follow familiar tempos and chord changes.

For example, Perry's "You're A Freak (Shirley, Don't Lie)," "Meat On Her Bones" and even the speeded-up "Throw That Thang" are all essentially the same song, with the same chord changes, cloned with minor tweaks.

And "Booty Roll," of course, comes from a long line of Perry-inspired. one-chord fast jams.

But Steve Perry is much more of a vocalist than Walter Waiters. Perry has a lot in common with T. K. Soul, with even more resonance at times, if less range. Perry can deliver hormone-lathering passion, such as "Share This Night With Me," which touches ladies in secret parts of the heart that even those booty-rolling hips can't reach.

With no further adieu, then, and by way of explaining the phenomenon that is "Booty Roll," please take this opportunity to:

Watch Peanut make that "Booty Roll" by Steve Perry on YouTube while you read.

Are you watching this little girl booty-rolling in her bedroom? Are you fantasizing about the cultural milieu beyond Peanut's closed bedroom door--her big sisters, big brothers, daddy and mama and cousins--and what kind of booty-rolling "they be doin'"?

Booty Roll appeared as a Steve Perry single in 2008 on a little-noticed album, The Best Of Steve Perry, that has already gone out of print.

Although it was a finalist for Best Club (Fast) Song of the year, the bawdy jam was mostly a no-show in Daddy B. Nice's Southern Soul Awards for 2008, nor was it among the Top 25 Southern Soul songs of the year.

And yet, "Booty Roll" persevered in the "field," gathering booty-rolling adherents in the clubs steadily through 2009 and 2010. By 2011 the booty-rolling in chitlin' circuit venues had become so ubiquitous that producer/writer Jonothan Burton decided to reinvent himself as performer Sir Jonothan Burton and put out a single titled, "Too Much Booty Shaking," which did become the dance club jam of the year.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Booty Roll" on YouTube while you read.

There are no less than three versions of the song currently on YouTube, a testament to the tune's popularity, and the comments from listeners go on for pages. Usually they're of the "We booty roll in Chula, Mississippi" / "We booty roll in Detroit, Michigan" variety.

But sprinkled in amongst the texted one-liners are responses that go to the heart of the song's allure, such as this one:

I'm from Indianapolis and I went to Mississippi for my cousin's wedding last year the first time I ever heard this song & them country broads was on the floor makin it roll. Alot of our people are church folks & I kept thinking "Hell naw, I know this cat ain't sayin what I think he sayin" But when his saved, sanctified, & filled with the precious holy ghost mama heard this song she literally rebuked the dj in the name of Jesus....priceless.
djseriousbizness 1 year ago

Although your Daddy B. Nice wasn't a fan of the song when it came out, "Booty Roll" has burrowed into its special place in my musical universe through sheer persistence. Where formerly I became annoyed at the repetitiousness of the "Booty Roll" phrase, now the chant inexplicably brings a smile of surrender.

Even the vintage Casio keyboard precipitates a grin, as if Southern Soul had met up with the garage bands of the 90's or even circled around to rock and roll tunes like "Love Potion #9" (by The Clovers), "96 Tears" (by Question Mark & The Mysterians) or "Wooly Bully" (by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs).

What "Booty Roll" shares with these jams of yesteryear is pure, mindless, Bacchanalian good times.

Perry's stage shows have contributed to the success of "Booty Roll," with Steve frequently exposing a chest as finely sculpted as the most photogenic hiphopper. He's also become a master of the pelvic thrust, the "base" move of the "Booty Roll," following Peter Gabriel and a long line of performers adept at making the front of the pants bulge.

But the motions of a satyr are only part of the mystique. Steve Perry's music, mostly uncharted territory beyond the three or four singles that fans associate with his name, is surprisingly varied and accomplished. The bulk of his music has yet to be heard by the average Southern Soul fan.

Perry has been slow to release a new album since "Booty Roll" and the 2008 "best-of" CD, choosing instead to release three singles:

Share This Night Single (2011)

Push It Single (2011)

Throw That Thang Single

None has had the impact of "Booty Roll." "Share This Night," the only ballad, is Perry's steamiest to date.

To shop for all of Steve Perry's albums, go to "Perry, Steve" in Daddy B. Nice's CD Store.

For more commentary on Steve Perry's pre-"Booty Roll" career in Southern Soul music, go to Daddy B. Nice's Original Artist Guide to Steve Perry.

--Daddy B. Nice

About Steve Perry (21st Century)

Steve Perry was born and raised in Pratville, Alabama. With the help of his brother Anthony, Steve began writing and producing music in the mid-nineties, selling records out of a car at one point. In 1998 Perry self-produced a CD called Who's Stealin' My Love, and in 2001 the CD appeared on the Bluesland label.

She Caught Me (Bluesland), with the single "Casino," was released in 2002.

In 2003, Steve Perry signed a deal with a new label and self-produced the CD I Need U (Juana), containing the radio single "Let Me Go."

Juana Records, with ties to Malaco Records, gave Perry his first national distribution and the oversight of Frederick Knight, who was the executive producer on the album. "Let Me Go" was a solid hit on the chitlin' circuit and established Perry as an up and coming artist.

Come Back Love (Bluesland), was released in 2005. The album included the novelty hit, "You're A Freak (Shirley, Don't Lie)," which became the most popular "response" tune spawned by Shirley Brown's popular "Sleep With One Eye Open" radio single (Woman Enough, Malaco, 2004). The album also spawned the singles "Donkey Donk" and "You Can't Raise Her."

It's Okay (Bluesland, 2007) generated the title tune as a single.

Steve Perry's breakthrough hit single, "Booty Roll" made its appearance the following year, 2008, on the compilation CD, The Best Of Steve Perry (Bluesland).

Limited printings and distribution have hampered the availability of Perry's music. Since 2008 he has released three singles but no albums. However, Perry has put the singles, and many of his past songs, on YouTube, giving him much-needed exposure. (Scroll down for links.)

Steve Perry Discography and Track Listing:

Due to the difficulty of finding Steve Perry product on the Web (the search engines don't distinguish between Southern Soul's Steve Perry and the much more well-known Steve Perry of the rock band Journey), I have included track listings along with the albums in Perry's discography.

2001 Who's Stealin' My Love (Bluesland)
I Gotta Good Woman
2 Oow Oow Baby
3 Gotta Get To Know Ya
4 Don't Give My Love Away
5 Let Me Be Your Lover
6 Share Your Life
7 Shake
8 Who's Stealin' My Love
9 Don't You Know I Love You
10 Tell Me
11 Straighten up or Get Out


2002 She Caught Me (Bluesland)
Casino
4:14
2 Now That I Got U
4:12
3 Party All Night Long
3:54
4 Sexy Lady
Steve Perry
4:15
5 A Woman's Love
3:48
6 I Found My Angel
4:05
7 Choosy Lover
4:04
8 She Caught Me
3:28
9 Dance
4:09
10 Adore U

2003 I Need U (Juana)
Nosey Neighbors (3:45)
Meat on Her Bones (4:07)
Let Me Go (4:47)
Whip Cream (4:04)
Treat Her Right (4:32)
Shake What Yo Mama Gave Ya (3:50)
Sound Like Good Love (4:41)
All Woman (5:16)
Roll It (3:31)
I Need U (4:43)

2005-06 Come Back Love (Bluesland)
Track Listing: You're A Freak; Donkey Donk; Come Back Love; Change In Me; Slide; U Can't Raise Me; Satisfied; Still My Boo; Let's Get Married;

It's Okay (Bluesland, 2007)
Track Listing: What Are You Talking About; My Life; Thank You Mama; If You Don't Somebody Will; Swang; Women Are Tired; It's Okay; Pop It Baby; My Love Is The Bomb; Somebody Here Is Lonely;

The Best Of Steve Perry (2008) Bluesland
1. Booty Roll 3:44
2. It's Okay 5:17
3. U Can't Raise Her 4:37
4. Let Me Go 4:47
5. Come Back Love 4:46
6. Shake 3:23
7. You're A Freak 4:18
8. I Need You 4:42
9. Thank You Mama 5:15
10. Still My Boo 4:15

Tidbits

1.

June 17, 2012: YouTube Offerings for Steve Perry, as follows:


Listen to Steve Perry singing "Let Me Go" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Booty Roll" on YouTube.


Listen to Steve Perry singing "Share this Night" on YouTube.

Listen to (and watch) Steve Perry working the crowd live in Eldorado, Arkansas.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "You Can't Raise Her" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Treat Her Like A Lady" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Throw That Thang" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Twurk And Slide" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Meat On Her Bones" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Push It" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Donkey Donk" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "Whip Cream" on YouTube.

Listen to Steve Perry singing "You're A Freak (Shirley, Don't Lie)" on YouTube.

Watch Peanut make that "Booty Roll" by Steve Perry on YouTube.

2.

Posted from Daddy B. Nice's Mailbag 2012: Steve Perry's name-change exchange with Daddy B. Nice:


A Mailbag Overflowing....

THANKS VERY MUCH


Dear Daddy B. Nice

I am presently known as Prince Mekel, formerly Steve Perry. I appreciate the write up about my music, especially the "Booty Roll". Booty Roll is taking off in a lot of places and traveling across the country.
The song stayed hot down South for a while, three years later the song "Booty Roll" is doing great. "Booty Roll" is a song the young and old still dance to in clubs, reunions, parties, etc.

I thank you again about the July 2012, 21st Century write-up about me and my music. You can go to my store www.princemekel.com. I thank GOD who Bless me with my music, DJ'S, Fan's, Brother Anthony who took me further in my music, Friends, and Family.

Sincerely,

Prince Mekel

Daddy B. Nice replies:

Good to hear from you, Steve.

Can you tell me something about your name change (and the why's of it) that I can pass on to my readers?

Daddy B Nice

Prince Mekel (Steve Perry) replies:

Dear Daddy B. Nice

Thank you so much responding, I decided to change my name, because I can perform without people getting me mix up with other artists. A name like Prince Mekel is respect with flavor.

Prince Mekel is who I am now. My career begin in 1997. Personally, I don't sound like other artists coming behind me, they trying to sound like Prince Mekel.

The Artist before me like Marvin Sease, and Sam&Dave etc., I give honor. Thank You Again for thinking positive write-up about the formerly Steve Perry which is Prince Mekel now.

Sincerely,

Prince Mekel

*********

If You Liked. . . You'll Love

If you liked Sam & Dave's "I Thank You," you'll love Steve Perry's "Booty Roll."

Honorary "B" Side

"Let Me Go"