VEGANGELICA

Yes, soul/funk does have that feeling for me, too, VocalsBass...and I remember that Brothers Johnson song (I'm listening right now).

It's interesting to hear what you like about r&b/soul/funk, because these genres are the ones I have a very hard time enjoying. I wouldn't ever listen to them on my own, just for fun. I'm trying to listen to these songs right now not so much for the pleasure of listening to them but for the pleasure of trying to understand what others like in the songs and what musical qualities the genres have.

I find that usually the genres or songs that resonate with me the most are ones that have a mixture of sadness, sweetness, quirkiness, and a feeling of aggression...so soul music isn't a genre I relate to very well.

Sometimes my reaction to sweet, happy, funky songs is to feel angry because the songs are sooo happy, so one-sided. The buoyancy of the songs often bothers me (depending on my mood).

I struggle the most trying to appreciate soul love songs, especially simple ones. The focus on love seems so narrow to me. I think I prefer songs that deal with problems or have some irony in them, or have a wider perspective than just human love.

Maybe I'm often too cynical for peppy, funky songs. But, I still like Funkytown. Partly because of the way it sounds (the drums, especially the low beat), but also...now that I think about it more...the song *isn't* about love. It deals with wanting something more...moving on to somewhere else (a new town) that will help the person have a different feeling (a better one). Since I've lived in a fair number of different cities and situations in my life, I can relate.

__________________

right-track

Then you're on the right track...so to speak.
Although you're looking in the wrong place. Which I'll come to later.
To key to understand soul music is to understand empathy. Some life experience helps too, but empathy above all else.

Soul music has all this...if you know where to look.



The Reverend Cecil Washington with I Don't Like To Lose.
Yes, he really is a pastor!
An aggressive subject matter for a man of the cloth dontcha think?
Quirky too.
The song starts the way it finishes with a splash(?) of guitar and just builds and builds.
Mournful and defiant.

I agree here. At least in part. The beauty of the finest kind of soul music is it's ability to uplift a person even when the subject matter is grim.
And it's ability to sadden, when the mood is light.

If you know where to look.

Sad and uplifting at the same time. Smiling through tears;



Now were on the same page.
The trouble with some soul music is that it lacks real content.
I'm very fussy with what I choose to listen to in this genre.
A good soul song is like a fine wine. It needs a connoisseurs approach and at first listen an incredible soul song can leave you cold.
Once you've developed a taste and you know what you want and expect from a song, they'll improve with age and repeated listens.

I'll throw this one in because I just know you'll love it!

VEGANGELICA

Ahh...I think I see what you mean, right-track. Thank you for the explanation. The happy sound of soul songs is not meant to trivialize the serious subject matter, but to lift your spirits while simultaneously acknowledging the troubles described in the songs.

So, perhaps listening to a peppy soul song can be like watching someone trying to dredge up some reserve happiness when dealing with sad times: observing such a person may be more heart-wrenching than seeing someone who is just wallowing in the sadness, giving into it completely.

I will remember that and try not to dismiss a song too quickly.

Heh heh...you are right, right-track. I do like Al Wilson's song. It tells a story (I like story songs), and the story has several levels of meaning. On the surface it is filled with sexual innuendos (which I'm a fan of, as you may know) intended to be blatant and amusing: she "wrapped him up all cosy in a curvature of silk," "She stroked his pretty skin".... It is a song about a wizard's wand and wizard's sleeve!

Underneath, however, the song deals with the serious topic of a man's exploitation of a woman's tenderness. Mean ol' snake!!!

Having rescued many a wounded animal in my life, I also related to the song that way, too. It's kind of a compassionate, tender vegan song!

Your perspective helps me understand these songs better.

Thank you for your explanation, VB. A lot of the songs do sound very straight-forward in both their content and sound...and they seem easy to understand, unlike songs in some genres. Those are likable qualities.

I should qualify my earlier statement about love songs, so I don't seem completely inhuman: I don't dislike *all* love songs...so, for example, I always liked The Beatles' "I want to hold your hand" (about as simple as one can get!), and John Denver's "Annie's Song" (about as flowery, emotional, and sentimental as a song can get).

I think the problem I have with some of the soul songs I've heard is that they can be over-the-top romantic (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), yet seem to say it in the same way as many other songs: "I'm missing you, I love you, why did you leave me? I can't live without you!" etc. etc.

I like what you say about how songs can be like memories of the past, of the good ol' days. That's a nice view to have of them. And it is nice that you are open to appreciating so many different music genres.

__________________

TheBig3

One of the greats...

__________________
I've moved to a new address

ChloeHonor

Anything by Sly or Parliament/Funkadelic

Al Green - Love and Happiness
Billy Preston - Nothing From Nothing
Bootsy Collins - I'd Rather Be With You
Bootsy Collins - Vanish In Our Sleep
The Delfonics - Ready Or Not
The Delfonics - La La Means I Love You
The Delfonics - Didn't I Blow Your Mind
Frankie Vallie - Beggin'
Funkadelic - Who Says A Funk Band Can't Play Rock?
Funkadelic - Smokey
Funkadelic - Never Gonna Tell It
Funkadelic - Flashlight
Funkadelic - Soul Mate
Funkadelic - One Nation Under A Groove
Graham Central Station - Can You Handle It
Graham Central Station - Hair
Isaac Hayes - Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic
James Brown - Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
James Brown - Cold Sweat
Labi Siffre - I Got The
Marvin Gaye - Got To Give It Up
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On?
The O'Jays - For The Love Of Money
Parliament - Dr Funkenstein
Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come
Shuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter 23
Sly & The Family Stone - If You Want Me To Stay
Sly & The Family Stone - Hot Fun In The Summer Time
Sly & The Family Stone - Family Affair
Sly & The Family Stone - Skin I'm In
Smokey Robinson - Tracks Of My Tears
Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
Stevie Wonder - I Was Made To Love Her
Stevie Wonder - Superstition
The Temptations - Papa Was A Rolling Stone
War - Why Can't We Be Friends
War - Low Rider

This list could go on so much longer...

Also Ruth Copeland is amazing, she was backed by Funkadelic. There are a few videos on youtube, I think.

derek

These were great ones.

Gap Band--"Burn Rubber on Me"
Dazz Band--"Whip it"
Rick James--"Give It To Me Baby"

Necromancer

I always liked this one by the Gap Band.
YouTube - The Gap Band - Early In The Morning

Bustin Out is a Funk Classic.
YouTube - RICK JAMES-BUSTIN OUT (ON THE FUNK)

The bass guitar in this song has some of the greatest bass work ever done.
YouTube - Brothers Johnson - Get The Funk Out My Face

This came out in 1974 by the Ohio Players. (this one has a little more jazz & soul with the funk, compared to the others named.
YouTube - Ohio Players- Skin Tight

This is one of my favorite by Clinton, I like the way he struts on stage.
The Rock Guitar on the entro shows the P-Funk influence.
YouTube - George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic 'Cosmic slop' 2007

GravitySlips

I'm no soul connoisseur, but my flatmate is right into it and he DJs at soul and psych/garage nights in Glasgow. He just got this on 7'' and I absolutely love it:

right-track

If he hasn't heard this one, then you might want to put him onto it.
'The Night' - The Four Seasons. Get's in my top 10 soul songs just about every time.
Bass driven classic complete with organ and a smattering of brass. Great dancer too!

GravitySlips

I'll be sure to mention it, that's a cracking tune!

I'm going to go through this thread and check a lot of these links out, I enjoy almost everything my flatmate plays but I really know sweet F-A about soul music - I can see myself getting into it a lot though, and there are loads of good little clubnights in Glasgow dedicated to this music that I've started going to. Songs like the one you posted RT are brilliant, and you can't beat hearing this stuff when you're drunk in a club either!