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The "DADDIES": 1st Annual (2007) Southern Soul Music Awards
(Scroll down for "Best Of 2006," "2007 In Review" and "Best Southern Soul Samplers.")
Below is a list of the finalists for the inaugural "Daddy" awards. The award winners are listed at the end of the "finalists" list. Music published before 2007 was eligible if the bulk of its chitlin' circuit airplay came in 2007. The numbers below do NOT denote rankings. CD's and song samples are available in the
CD Store or
Comprehensive Index. DBN.
"Daddy" Finalists:
Best Mid-Tempo Southern Soul Song:
1. "Just A Little Bit" by
Willie Clayton
2. "The Rabbit Got The Gun" by
Walt Love
3. "Please Let Me In" by
Theodis Ealey
4. "Can We Go There" by
Ms. Nicole Jackson
5. "I Need To See You" by
J. T. Watkins
6. "Thank You Mamma" by
L. J. Echols
7. "Pop That Middle" by
Theodis Ealey
8. "All My Money's Gone" by
O. B. Buchana
9. "She's Gone" by
Wilson Meadows
10. "The Itch" by
Keb' Mo'
11. "Get Me Weak" by
Vickie Baker
12. "You Make Me Happy" by
Nathaniel Kimble
13. "Doin' My Job" by
The Duchess
Best Southern Soul Club Song
1. "Dirty South Steppin'" by
Mr. Sam
2. "Cupid Shuffle (Remix)" by
Cupid
3. "Party Like Back In The Day" by
T. K. Soul
4. "Do Yo Dance" by
Cupid w/
Cristal
5. "Down South Shuffle" by
R-3 w/
Onyx Amiira &
Bigg Robb
6. "Zydefunk Slide" by
Lil' Fallay
7. "Get Low" by
Simeo
8. "Grown & Sexy" (Remix) by
Da Problem Solvas w/
Sir Charles Jones
9. "Red House" by
Uncle Wayne
10. "The Twist" by
Jacquel
Best Southern Soul Collaboration
1. "Good Lovin' Will Make U Cry" (Bigg Robb Remix) by
Carl Marshall w/
Bigg Robb
2. "I'm Just A Fool (Part 2)" by
J. Blackfoot w/
Sir Charles Jones
3. "Dog Kinda Love (
Simeo Remix)" by
Dicky Williams w/
Ken Massey
4. "All My Money's Gone" by
O. B. Buchana w/
Luther Lackey
5. "One Way Love" by
Ms. Jody w/
O. B. Buchana
6. "Two Different People" by
J. Blackfoot w/
Ann Hines
Best Southern Soul Ballad
1. "For Your Love" by
Sir Charles Jones
2. "Try Me" by
T. K. Soul
3. "It's Okay" by
Steve Perry
4. "Scat Cat Here Kitty Kitty" by
Barbara Carr
5. "You Got Me Where You Want Me" by
El' Willie
6. "Love Makes The World Go Round" by
David Sea
7. "You Still Got It" by
Floyd Taylor
8. "Your Dog's About To Kill My Cat" by
Ms. Jody
9. "Somebody's Getting It" by
Earl Duke
10. "She Didn't Have To Hurt Ya Boy Like That" by
Wendell B
11. "Friends Don't" by
The Duchess
12. "I'm Just A Fool (Part 2)" by
J. Blackfoot w/
Sir Charles Jones
13. "Good Lovin' Will Make U Cry" (Bigg Robb Remix) by
Carl Marshall w/
Bigg Robb
14. "Say Yes" by
Cupid
15. "You Did It To You" by
Ms. Monique
Best Southern Soul Song by a Longtime Veteran:
1. "My Give A Damn Gave Out" by
Latimore
2. "I Like This Place" by
Carl Sims
3. "Mississippi Woman" by
Denise LaSalle
4. "I'm Just A Fool (Part 2)" by
J. Blackfoot w/
Sir Charles Jones
5. "Plumber Man" by
Charles Wilson
6. "Get Me Weak" by
Vickie Baker
7. "Scat Cat Here Kitty Kitty" by
Barbara Carr
8, "Friday Night Fish Fry" by
Mel Waiters
Best Female Southern Soul Vocal:
1. "Mississippi Woman" by
Denise LaSalle
2. "Older Woman, Younger Man" by
Pat Cooley
3. "Mike's Place" by
Sweet Angel
4. "Your Dog's About To Kill My Cat" by
Ms. Jody
5. "That's My Shugga Daddy" by
Jewel J
6. "Can We Go There" by
Ms. Nicole Jackson
7. "Friends Don't" by
The Duchess
8. "Scat Cat Here Kitty Kitty" by
Barbara Carr
9. "Someone Else's Bed" by
Mashaa
10. "Too Much Lickin'" by
Jacquel
Best Male Southern Soul Vocal:
1. "Baby Come Back Home" by
Vick Allen
2. "It's Okay" by
Steve Perry
3. "If I Could Do It All Over" by
Donnie Ray
4. "Somebody Else" by
Lenny Williams
5. "Try Me" by
T. K. Soul
6. "You Still Got It" by
Floyd Taylor
7. "Give Me A Chance" by
Omar Cunningham
8. "Plumber Man" by
Charles Wilson
9. "She's Gone" by
Wilson Meadows
10. "You Got Me Where You Want Me" by
El' Willie
11. "Please Let Me In" by
Theodis Ealey
12. "Just A Little Bit" by
Willie Clayton
13. "Up In Here" by
Bobby Rush
14. "Somebody's Gettin' It" by
Earl Duke
Best Airplay Breakthrough By An Aspiring (But Not New) Southern Soul Artist
1.
Pat Cooley ("Older Woman, Younger Man," "I Ain't Goin' Where You Go")
2.
Big G ("Thank You, Girl," "I'd Rather Go Blind," "Prove My Love")
3. Walter Waiters ("Careful Woman," "Don't Scratch My Back," "Crazy Sexy Smooth," "Do What It Takes")
4.
Cupid ("Cupid Shuffle," "I Fell In Love With You," "Do Yo Dance," "Say Yes")
5.
J. T. Watkins ("Where Did Our Love Go," "Watch Over Me," "I Need To See You")
6.
Patrick Harris ("Moan," "I Fooled You This Time," "Right On Time")
7.
El' Willie ("Marry Me," "You Got Me Where You Want Me," "Crazy Kind Of Love")
8.
Jacquel ("The Twist," "Too Much Lickin'")
9.
L. J. Echols ("Well Runs Dry," "Thank You Mamma")
Hardest-Touring Southern Soul Crowd-Pleaser:
1.
T. K. Soul
2.
Bobby Rush
3.
O. B. Buchana
4.
Billy "Soul" Bonds
5.
Willie Clayton
6.
Ms. Jody
Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song:
1. "Midnight Call" by
Lou Pride
2. "Mississippi Woman" (Delta Blues Mix) by
Denise LaSalle
3. "My In-Laws (Ain't Nothin' But Outlaws)" by
Dr. "Feelgood" Potts
4. "I Got 3 Problems" by
Bobby Rush
5. "Dog Kind Of Love" (
Simeo Remix) by
Dicky Williams w/
Ken Massey
6. "Another Man's Meat On My Plate" by
Sweet Angel
7. "Lookin' For A New Love Tonight" by
Z. Z. Hill, Jr.
Best "Cover" Song By A Southern Soul Artist:
1. "I'd Rather Go Blind"------------------
Big G
2. "Dedicated To The One I Love"-------
Wilson Meadows
3. "Since I Fell For You"-----------------
Swamp Dogg
4. "Plumber Man"-----------------------
Charles Wilson
5. "Scat Cat Here Kitty Kitty"---------
Barbara Carr
6. "Find Yourself Another Girl"------
J. T. Watkins
7. "Mississippi Woman"----------
Denise LaSalle
Best "Out Of Left Field" Southern Soul Song:
1. "Woman Crazy" by
Twinkie Man
2. "I Need Some Money" by
Swamp Dogg
3. "Block Party" by
Chuck Brown
4. "Red House" by
Uncle Wayne
5. "Older Woman, Younger Man" by
Pat Cooley
6. "Bootie-Mitized" by
Teddy Bear
7. "Dog Kind Of Love" by
Dicky Williams w/
Ken Massey
8. "You Walked Out" by
Ghetto Cowboy
Best Southern Soul Songwriter
1.
Frederick Knight ("Someone Else's Bed" by Mashaa)
2.
Floyd Hamberlin ("Mississippi Woman" by Denise LaSalle, "Mississippi Boy" by Charles Wilson)
3.
Bigg Robb &
Sure2B ("I Thought She Was At Home With The Kids" by
Problem Solvas w/ Bigg Robb)
4.
Bruce Billups/Theodis Ealey ("Please Let Me In" by
Theodis Ealey)
5.
Carl Marshall ("Good Loving Will Make You Cry")
6.
Terry Kimble/T. K. Soul ("Try Me")
7.
Sam Fallie/Mr. Sam ("Work Yo Body")
Best Southern Soul Arranger/Producer:
1.
John Ward ("Your Dog's About To Kill My Cat"---Ms. Jody; "All My Money's Gone"---O. B. Buchana; "Mississippi Woman"---Denise LaSalle)
2.
Bigg Robb/Robert Smith ("I Thought She Was At Home"---Problem Solvas w/ Bigg Robb; "Good Lovin' Will Make U Cry"---Carl Marshall w/ Bigg Robb; "Big Man Love"---Bigg Robb, "Older Woman, Younger Man"---Pat Cooley)
3.
Simeo Overall/Simeo ("Dog Kind Of Love"----------Dicky Williams w/ Ken Massey, "Get Low"---Simeo, "That Boom"---Charles Wilson)
4.
Bruce Billups &
Theodis Ealey ("Please Let Me In," "Pop That Middle," "I'm The Man You Need"---Theodis Ealey; "Fire"---Lebrado)
5.
Archie Love ("Work Yo Body," "12 Steps 4 Cheaters," "Dirty South Steppin'"---Mr. Sam; "Friends Don't," "Doin' My Job"---The Duchess)
6.
Terry Kimble/T. K. Soul ("It Ain't Cheatin' Til U Get Caught," "Party Like Back In The Day," "Try Me," "#1 Fan"---T. K. Soul)
Best Southern Soul Debut
1.
"Can We Go There" by Ms. Nicole Jackson
2.
"Red Cadillac" by Uncle Wayne
3. "Money Or Fame" by
Aaron Young
4. "It Ain't Easy"
Z. Z. Hill Jr.
5. "Mike's Place" by
Sweet Angel
6. "Work Yo Body" by
Mr. Sam
7. "Friends Don't" by
The Duchess
8. "Woman Crazy" by
Twinkie Man
9. "I Like Big Girls" by
Bigg Joe
10. "The Shadow Knows" by
Fred Bolton
11. "That's My Shugga Daddy" by
Jewel J.
12. "Someone Else's Bed" by
Mashaa
13. "Playa Haters"
T. J. Hooker Taylor
(end of "Daddies" Finalists list)
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And The Winners of the Inaugural "Daddy" Awards for Southern Soul Music Are. . .
2007 "Daddy" for Best Mid-Tempo Southern Soul Song:
"Please Let Me In" by Theodis Ealey
2007 "Daddy" for Best Southern Soul Club Song:
"Do Yo Dance" by Cupid w/ Cristal
2007 "Daddy" for Best Southern Soul Collaboration:
"Good Lovin' Will Make U Cry" (Bigg Robb Remix) by Carl Marshall w/ Bigg Robb
2007 "Daddy" for Best Southern Soul Ballad:
"I'm Just A Fool (Part 2)" by J. Blackfoot w/ Sir Charles Jones
2007 "Daddy" for Best Southern Soul Song By A Longtime Veteran:
"Mississippi Woman" by Denise LaSalle
2007 "Daddy" for Best Female Southern Soul Vocal:
"Your Dog's About To Kill My Cat" by Ms. Jody
2007 "Daddy" for Best Male Southern Soul Vocal:
"You Got Me Where You Want Me" by El' Willie
2007 "Daddy" for Best Airplay Breakthrough By A Veteran (Non-Debut) Southern Soul Artist:
Walter Waiters
2007 "Daddy" for Hardest-Touring Southern Soul Crowd-Pleaser:
T. K. Soul
2007 "Daddy" for Best Chitlin' Circuit Blues Song:
"My In-Laws (Ain't Nothin' But Outlaws)" by Dr. "Feelgood" Potts
2007 "Daddy" for Best "Cover" Song By A Southern Soul Artist:
"Dedicated To The One I Love" by Wilson Meadows
2007 "Daddy" for Best "Out Of Left Field" Southern Soul Song:
"Red House" by Uncle Wayne
2007 "Daddy" for Best Southern Soul Songwriter:
Frederick Knight for "Someone Else's Bed"
2007 "Daddy" for Best Southern Soul Arranger/Producer:
Bigg Robb
2007 "Daddy" for Best Southern Soul Debut:
"Work Yo Body" by Mr. Sam
CONGRATULATIONS!!
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2007: Whatta Year!
2007. What a year.
On the one hand, you had Bigg Robb, Cupid, Uncle Wayne and Simeo stretching Southern Soul from the hiphop side.
On the other, you had full-fledged, unashamedly traditional sounds from Ms. Jody, Carl Marshall, J. Blackfoot and Billy "Soul" Bonds.
And in the middle, riding the mainline current, were the current godfathers, Willie Clayton and Theodis Ealey, distilling the very essence of Southern Soul.
Lenny Williams attacked Southern Soul from an urban, jazz-based sound, sounding eerily like vintage R. Kelly on "Somebody Else."
T. K. Soul made a hybrid sound based on simple pop melodies.
Bobby Rush and Dr. "Feelgood" Potts took a breather from Southern Soul altogether. They took off their shoes, sat on their respective porches and played some blues.
The best line from a song in 2007 was the pithy couplet from the cheater in Bigg Robb's "I Thought She Was At Home," upon seeing his wife with another guy in the lobby of the Hampton Inn:
"And I never thought she would do to me,
What I thought I would never do to her."
2007 was a year of the "Bigs," as in Bigg Robb and Big G and Bigg Joe, and a year for the "W's," as in Walter Waiters and El Willie and Uncle Wayne.
Overall, it wasn't an especially strong year for female artists, although Ecko's stable of divas--Denise LaSalle, Barbara Carr and Ms. Jody--picked up a lot of the slack.
Over at Malaco, one had to wonder if storied songwriter Frederick Knight didn't regret the decision to give his song "Someone Else's Bed"--one of the best of all time--to first-timer Mashaa instead of a seasoned pro like Shirley Brown, who might have had a LaSalle-"Mississippi Woman"-style smash with it.
Carl Marshall took Stephen Stills' venerable folk-rock song, "Love The One You're With" to task. In his hugely popular "Good Loving Will Make You Cry," Marshall advised listeners that--if tears weren't being shed during intercourse--to "leave the one you're with."
The big news from J. Blackfoot in 2007 was his reprise single of "I'm Just A Fool For You" starring Sir Charles Jones, whom we all came to know (via the record) was J. Blackfoot's nephew. The single was even more inspired than Blackfoot's duet with talented vocalist Lenny Williams on the original.
Why? Because the melodious track morphed into Sir Charles Jones' "Is Anybody Lonely" via one of the most compelling bridges--J. phones Sir Charles and they talk while the Blackfoot song dissolves into "Lonely"--heard in any year.
Before the Jones' classic meandered back to the Blackfoot original, Sir Charles had tugged on fans' emotions in ways that had eluded him on his own recent records. And when Sir Charles replied to J., "Oh. . . I remember," and went on to say that, "Uncle J., I got so tired washing my own damn clothes," the hair stood up on the back of Daddy B. Nice's neck.
DBN
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Daddy B. Nice's Top 25 Southern Soul Songs Of 2006
1.
"Going Crazy"-----Willie Clayton
It scales heights in its opening bars that most songs never dream of, much less achieve.
Bargain-Priced Full Circle CD
2.
"If I Back It Up" -------Nellie "Tiger" Travis
You wanna know what's sexy? Real feeling--which makes this quite simply the sexiest song in ages.
Bargain-Priced "Wanna Be With You" CD
3.
"Droppin' Salt"------Reggie P.
A young artist who combines the emotional power of
Sir Charles Jones with the vocal chops and intensity of
Bobby "Blue" Bland.
Bargain-Priced "Why Me?" CD
4. "Wasn't None Of You"--------
Lijuana
Hooky melody, inspired arrangement, with the most authentic, personable female monologue since
Shirley Brown's "Woman To Woman."
5.
"New Lease On Life"------William Bell
And you're telling me the
Eric Clapton crowd wouldn't love Southern Soul? This blissful riff made a legend relevant again.
Bargain-Priced "New Lease On Life" CD
6. "Who You Been Lovin'"---
Napoleon w/
Mr. David
Stupendous bass line propelling a melody that would make early
McCartney proud.
7.
"Francine"-----------Theodis Ealey
Ealey's patience and persistence in shaping the song (it started as the R-rated "Let Me Put The Head In It") resulted in his finest since "Stand Up In It." The centerpiece of up-and-comer
Bruce Billups' compilation CD.
Bargain Priced: Southern Soul/Urban Mix
8.
"Can't Nobody Do Me Like You"------Lenny Williams
Elegant simplicity in melody, execution, and message.
Bargain Priced: It Must Be Love CD
9.
"Boom Boom Boom"----------Willie Clayton
Could Willie come even close to replicating the success of "Going Crazy"? The answer is yes.
Bargain Priced: Gifted CD
10. "Cuttin' Up Sideways"-----
Joy
Rough and rowdy---and catchy, too. That's what I'm talking about!
11.
"Heartache Medicine"------------Sterling Williams
Sterling Williams had competition from
Nolan Struck,
Stacy Mitchhart,
Dee Bradley and
Wilton Lombard in a great year for "Thrill Is Gone"-style blues.
Bargain Priced: Brand New Man CD
12. "Back In Love Again"--
Larry Milton
Lush, romantic, yet its driving beat carried it along like a swiftly-moving river.
13.
"Why Me?"-------Reggie P.
It dominated Southern Soul radio station airplay in the early months of the year, but it never got boring or grating. Just better.
Bargain Priced: Why Me? CD
14.
"My Name Is $$$$$" ----
Miz. B.
Hep'Me Records'
Senator Jones told your Daddy B. Nice he's the only one making "true" Southern Soul music, and this idiosyncratic gem is evidence.
Bargain Priced: My Name Is $$$$$ CD
15.
"I'm Missin' You Babe"----------Lebrado
This acoustic marvel featured a first-class melody and a guy-next-door vocal.
Bargain Priced: Try Me CD
16.
"Super Woman"----Nellie "Tiger" Travis
This superb ballad contained the year's most telling line. ("He's got that look in his eyes/And I know what that's all about.")
Bargain Priced: Wanna Be With You CD
17.
"Shake And Shimmey"-------------Larome Powers
With a nod to
Jeff Floyd's "I Found Love (On A Lonely Highway)", this take-no-prisoners debut took up the fallen mantle of vintage rock and roll.
Bargain Priced: What's Life Without Love CD
18.
"I Never Take A Day Off (From Loving My Baby)"------Ms. Jody
Ms. Jody's intriguing vocal was so country it sounded--well, country.
Bargain Priced: You're My Angel CD
19.
"Seventeen Days Of Loving"--------------Renea Mitchell
A recycled Southern Soul classic
(Carl Sims) executed with taste and distinction.
Bargain Priced: Road To Love CD
20.
"Just Don't Understand You"------Wendell B.
Almost overnight, seemingly, this talented, slow-tempo crooner muscled his way to crooner numero uno.
Bargain Priced: Good Times CD
21.
"Mr. Do Right"-------
Ms. Monique w/
Millie Jackson
The riveting Millie Jackson intro and the witty ending took this song to another level.
Bargain Priced: Soul Sessions: Chapter 1
22.
"Never Coming Home"------------Betty Padgett
Kick-ass soul-blues by a convincing new voice.
Bargain Priced: Never Coming Home CD
23.
"Somebody Lied On Me" ------------------Robert Hill
"True" Southern Soul? This little-known hit was the essence of Southern Soul--and more proof a new popular music genre is emerging. (And it also came from
Senator Jones.)
Bargain Priced: Somebody Lied On Me CD
24.
"You're A Liar"-------Barbara Carr
Producer
John Ward's rock-solid, fully fleshed-out arrangement arguably resulted in Barbara Carr's finest vocal performance ever.
Bargain Priced: Down Home Brother CD
25. "Can You Handle This"-----------
J. Harris
Southern Soul's answer to "smooth jazz" was just J. Harris being himself.
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Readers should be advised that this list omits a great many deserving Southern Soul songs and artists of 2006, to whom I duly apologize. The list includes material released in 2005, especially if the bulk of its "air" time came in 2006. 2004 releases were excluded, eliminating otherwise meritorious songs such as
T. K. Soul's "Ring My Bell" or
Bob Steele's "Yo Dress Is Too Short."
Here is a by-no-means exhaustive list of artists who also helped to create an exciting Southern Soul music scene in 2006:
Bobby Rush,
Billy "Soul" Bonds,
Kenne' Wayne,
Patrick Green,
"Guitar" George Baker,
Maurice Davis,
Charlie Brown,
Tyree Neal,
J. Blackfoot,
Ric E. Bluez,
Little Phil,
James Smith,
Arthur Foy,
Sheba Potts-Wright,
Roni,
Lois,
Omar Cunningham,
David Brinston,
O.B. Buchana,
Bill Coday,
Sergio Davis,
Willie Hill,
Keb' Mo',
Mr. David,
Nathaniel Kimble,
Lee "Shot" Williams,
Lee Fields,
Donnie Ray,
Lacee,
Carl Marshall,
Gwen McCrae,
Steve Perry,
Prince Kenyatta,
Gregg A. Smith,
Karen Wolfe,
Mel Waiters,
Judi Brown Eyes,
James Payne,
L. J. Echols,
Pat Cooley,
Joyce Lawson,
Coco,
Lorraine Turner,
Vick Allen,
Chairman Of The Board,
Rick Lawson, and
Big Cynthia. DBN
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May 13, 2008:
Daddy B. Nice Ranks. . .
The Dozen Best Southern Soul Compilations
Compilations--or samplers, as they are sometimes called--are a great way to experience Southern Soul "radio" without the radio. Since single-artist albums seldom contain more than two or three hits (at the most), compilations also deliver your favorite Southern Soul music (with many more hits per CD) at the lowest-possible cost. Compilations also provide a snapshot of the genre at a particular point in time: which artists are popular, and which styles of music are prevalent.
Unfortunately, it's a jungle out there, and once you start looking for value-conscious compilations you're almost immediately swallowed up in a "can't-see-the-forest-for-the-trees" situation of sensory overload. The record labels produce so many of these compilations that it's easy to lose motivation as you slog through one filler-loaded sampler after another.
Suddenly the pursuit of a lot of great music in one package becomes a headache. The reason the labels produce so many undistinguished compilations is because they routinely schedule them into their fiscal year. They're easy and cheap to produce. Once in awhile a really great and defining collection comes along, but more often than not they can lead the music fan to a lot of wasted time, money and disappointment.
For example, one wants to avoid, for the most part, the filler-filled "Family of Southern Soul" samplers from Hep'Me Records (except the one featured below). One should be wary of the "Soul Blues Hits" samplers from Ecko Records, many of which feature covers of hits, not the originals. And Malaco Records has two or three different series of samplers that are guilty of one or both of the above.
Probably the best compilation (although technically not a compilation) of the modern rock and roll era was "The Harder They Come" soundtrack that introduced reggae to the world in the early seventies. That's the kind of sampler you want to buy: one that you'll play until your ears go deaf.
Your Daddy B. Nice has spent the last few days wading and rummaging through the compilations that are most likely to turn on the Southern Soul fan--and that are most important to the Southern Soul genre. Here are Daddy's picks.
1.
Ultimate Southern Soul (Mardi Gras, 2003)
In many ways, Sir Charles Jones' crowning achievement, lining up his own two songs "Slow Roll It" (lead-sung by The Love Doctor) and "Friday" in the one and two slots on the same blockbuster album. The CD also boasts The Love Doctor's other undisputed triumph, "Lies." This album defined the cutting edge of contemporary Southern Soul in the early years of the 21st century.
Other stand-outs: Mr. Zay's "She Only Wants To See Me On Friday" (written by Luther Lackey), Sir Charles' "Is Anybody Lonely" and (the late) Big Ike's "Teddy Bear." Also La Keisha, Cicero Blake, Eric Perkins, X-Man and others.
2.
Soul Heaven (Malaco, 2007)
The authoritative classics from the "mother" of all contemporary Southern Soul labels. Tracks of note: Otis Redding's "Try A Little Tenderness," Albert King's "I'll Play The Blues For You," James Brown's "I Got You (I Feel Good)," Z. Z. Hill's "Down Home Blues," Tyrone Davis' "Turn Back The Hands Of Time," Little Milton's "The Blues Is Alright," and--of course--Johnnie Taylor's "Soul Heaven."
3.
Top Of The Stax: 20 Greatest Hits (Stax, 1990)
This bargain-priced 20-track CD has the usual classics (Booker T & The MG's "Green Onions," The Staples Singers' "Respect Yourself," Otis Redding's "Dock Of The Bay"), but it's liberally sprinkled with fascinating, much-more-obscure songs that will make the music as a whole sound new again, songs like William Bell's "I Forgot To Be Your Lover," The Soul Children's "I'll Be The Other Woman," and Frederick Knight's quaint version of his "I've Been Lonely For So Long" (made famous by Keisa Brown).
4.
Motel Lovers: Southern Soul From The Chitlin' Circuit (Trikont, 2007)
The CD Universe review calls this pricey import CD a "dazzling compilation," and your Daddy B. Nice is inclined to agree. 18 tracks--double-album-sized, in other words--with an intriguing mix of old and new centered around the theme of Marvin Sease's "Motel Lover."
Included: Peggy Scott-Adams, Sheba Potts-Wright, Big Cynthia, Bobby Rush, Mel Waiters, Sir Charles Jones, Barbara Carr, Lee Fields, O. B. Buchana, Floyd Taylor, Denise LaSalle and many more. The song selection favors little-known "hits," if they can even be called hits, and yet it's a solid assortment of music that will gratify Southern Soul connoisseurs already overly familiar with the classics.
5.
Chitlin' Circuit Soul! The Best of Today's Southern Blues (Rhino/WEA, 2001)
Another historically essential assortment. Important tracks: Latimore's "Let's Straighten It Out," Z. Z. Hill's "Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It," Clarence Carter's "Strokin'," Bobby Rush's "Sue," Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Members Only," Shirley Brown's "Woman To Woman," Wilson Meadows' "That's Still My Love."
6.
Blues Soul And Old School (Robb Music, 2007)
Gotta have those new sounds too. Bigg Robb's excellent sampler from last year enthralled the chitlin' circuit as much as Sir Charles Jones and The Love Doctor's "Ultimate Southern Soul" sampler had five years earlier, and the collaboration of Carl Marshall and Bigg Robb on the remix of Marshall's "Good Loving Will Make You Cry"--the centerpiece of the disc--was as momentous and significant as "Friday" and "Slow Roll It" were back in the day.
Other outstanding tracks: Pat Cooley's "Older Woman, Younger Man," Bigg Robb's "Keep On Swingin'," Bigg Robb & Problem Solvas w/ Sir Charles Jones' "Grown & Sexy (Remix)" and R-3's (Bigg Robb's son) w/ Onyx Omira's "Down South Shuffle."
7.
Rhythm Country & Blues (MCA/Nashville, 1994)
Today, with country making inroads into Southern Soul with the Bigg Robb remix of Carl Marshall's "Good Lovin'" and Ms. Jody's "I Never Take A Day Off" and Trisha Barnwell's "Sweet Home Alabama," it's electrifying to listen to Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave) and Conway Twitty negotiate their way (in the mid-nineties) through an absolutely majestic version of "Rainy Night In Georgia."
You can practically hear and smell the earthworms coming up through the wet red clay soil. Aaron Neville and Trisha Yearwood pull off similar magic grafting mesmerizing vocals on Patsy Cline's "I Fall To Pieces." For more than a few people, this collection of duets featuring R&B stars paired with country stars is one of the most beloved albums in their music libraries.
8.
1st Family Of Southern Soul: Vol. 1 (Hep'Me, 2006)
The first cut sets the tone with the incomparable, deep-masculine-voiced intro (don't know who it is) to Miz. B's "My Name Is $$$," reminding us of the idiosyncratic but pivotal niche occupied by producer Senator Jones in contemporary Southern Soul. Songs by Little Kim Stewart, Robert Hill, Willis Pugh, Alfreida Upshaw, The Love Doctor, Sorrento Ussery, Monique Ford and more.
9.
The Kings & Queens Of Ace (Ace, 1997)
This crucial nineties sampler memorializes many of the great early stars of contemporary soul not to be found anywhere else: Ronnie Lovejoy, Pat Brown, Cynthia Walker (before she became Big Cynthia), Lee Fields, Billy "Soul" Bonds, X. Parker (later X-Man), Bobby Jonz and more.
10.
21st Century Blues (Ecko, 2008)
Can't forget Ecko Records out of Memphis. It seems to me that producer John Ward used to have an X-rated sampler that I could no longer find (not the latest "Sex-Rated" sampler) and that otherwise would have made this list.
21st Century Blues, however, is a fine new introduction to a number of Southern Soul artists: Ronnie Lovejoy, Luther Lackey, Lee "Shot" Williams, Sterling Williams, Carl Sims, Toni Green, Barbara Carr, Kenne' Wayne, Charles Wilson, Ms. Jody and more.
11.
Southern Soul Radio (Malaco, 2007)
Very good new assortment of Southern Soul from Malaco Records in Jackson. Covers a wide range of artists not included elsewhere, with an emphasis on the last few years. So you get Willie Clayton's "Going Crazy," Billy "Soul" Bonds' "Scat Cat," T. K. Soul's "Cheatin' & Lying," Mel Waiters' "Friday Night Fish Fry," Larome Powers' "Shake & Shimmy," Chuck Strong's "Rock That Man In The Boat," Shirley Brown's "Sleep With One Eye Open" and many more.
12.
A Southern Soul Party: Sir Charles Jones & Friends (Hep'Me, 2004)
This sampler cemented Sir Charles Jones' Sinatra-like reputation for delivering his own "rat-pack" of entertainers for the Southern Soul audience. Must-hears are his own "The Letter (Guilty)," Wilton Lombard's "It's A Cruel World," Sorrento Ussery's "Put That Thang In Motion," Robert Hill's "Somebody Lied On Me" and The Love Doctor's "There's No One Like Mama."
--Daddy B. Nice
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