SwingDJs

After listening to my friend Mousethief, DJ an after hours blues party, I was struck with a big realization. I don't have any "Motown" blues. I've got lots of other stuff, but no "Motown" other than 'Aretha Sings the Blues'.

Anyone have any fave "Motown" blues CDs to recommend.

Do you mean actual blues music done by Motown/soul muscians

or

slower BPM classic motown/soul songs?

Nate Dogg wrote:Do you mean actual blues music done by Motown/soul muscians

or

slower BPM classic motown/soul songs?

more along the lines of the classic motown soul songs

By way of example, I played "Bring It On Home" by Sam Cooke. I think Jerry is hunting for more in the same vein.

Jerry, I almost never remember my Blues sets, but I'll look over my collection to see what I might have played.

Kalman

I've played Marvin Gaye from time to time; the song I like best is "I've Got No Time for Tears"; people like "Mercy Mercy Me", although I think it's a little tough to dance to; I also have "Too Busy Thinking 'Bout my Baby" on a compilation disk - this was from a CD called "Motown Legends - Marvin Gaye".

Ray Charles is also good - I've lumped him into my Motown disk although he certainly transcends that label.

I also have some Wilson Pickett and Sam and Dave that I've been meaning to go through and see what could be danceable; I love to listen to motown and I think it is great fun to dance to once in a while.

Motown did record the blues. My favorite is an Amos Milburn LP with the songs “Bad Bad Whiskey” and “One Scotch One Bourbon One Beer”. There is a CD released in 1996 that has some of the other artists. Track list below. CD is Motown’s Blues Evolution, Motown 31543-0613-2.

1. Who's The Fool - Sammy Ward
2. Take Me - Mable John
3. Part Time Love - Sammy Ward
4. Actions Speak Louder Than Words - Mable John
5. What Makes You Love Him - Sammy Ward
6. I Guess There's No Love - Mable John
7. Bread Winner - Sammy Ward
8. Someday Pretty Baby - Sammy Ward
9. It's A Long, Long Time - Amos Milburn
10. I'm In My Wine - Amos Milburn
11. Hold Me Baby - Amos Milburn
12. Three Knocks On My Door - Earl King
13. A Man And A Book - Earl King
14. Hunger Pains - Earl King
15. Then You Changed - Sammy Ward
16. Cold Cold Heart - Arthur Adams
17. Let Me Love You Tonight - Arthur Adams
18. Dust My Broom - Luther Allison
19. Into My Life - Luther Allison
20. I Can Make It Thru The Day (But Oh Those Lonely... - Luther Allison

Here’s but a few of the early Motown soul stuff that I play on a regular basis for shaggers who like Beach Music. And lest you think I have the artists wrong, remember Motown liked for their artists to also record each other’s songs. So yes, Smokey made Tracks of My Tears famous, but Martha and the Vandellas covered it as well. Martha’s is much more danceable than the slower Smokey version.

Marvin Gaye – Come Get To This
Marvin Gaye – Darling You’re Wonderful
Bobby Militello & Jean Carn – Let’s Stay Together
Martha & Vandellas – Love Guess Who
Martha & Vandellas – Tracks Of My Tears
Temptations – I Want A Love I Can See
Temptations – I Can’t Think Of A Thing
Temptations – Love Is What You Make It
Jimmy Ruffin – I Know How To Love Her
Jimmy Ruffin – Too Busy Thinking About My Baby
Jimmy Ruffin – Beauty’s Only Skin Deep
David Ruffin – I’ve Got A Need For You
David Ruffin - Questions
Isley Brothers – My Love Is Your Love Forever
Contours – What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
Velvelettes – Everybody Needs Love
Spinners – The Girl’s Alright With Me
Chuck Jackson or Temptations – What In The World Am I Gonna Do
Smokey Robinson – Train Of Thought

And if you like Motown with a big band sound, then listen to Choker Campbell’s Motown LP “Hits of the Sixties” or give a listen to Sammy Davis Jr’s song “Hello Detroit”. I don't know the LP this song is from as I have a 45.

Best Regards,
Alan

I just watched a GREAT documentary last night, entitled "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". It's about the Motown Studio musicians, who called themselves The Funk Brothers. They provided the music for just about every major Motown recording from 1959 to 1977. They have more #1 hits than the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson combined, and until I watched this film, I had never heard of any of them.
[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008 ... d&v=glance[/url]

Highly recommended to anybody interested in Motown.

swingshiftmusic wrote:I just watched a GREAT documentary last night, entitled "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". It's about the Motown Studio musicians, who called themselves The Funk Brothers. They provided the music for just about every major Motown recording from 1959 to 1977. They have more #1 hits than the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson combined, and until I watched this film, I had never heard of any of them.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008 ... d&v=glance

Highly recommended to anybody interested in Motown.

Yes. A great documentary. The Funk Brothers rule.

Renting the film is worth it as there are some informative extras on the DVD that are worth seeing. As wonderful as the movie was (and it really was) seeing the few that are left with the addition of some newer Funk Brothers in concert was so incredible. All this feel good music with a crowd of people ranging in age headlining at a blues festival. Such a wonderful vibe. That cleared space (after some tables and chairs were moved) in the corporate booth rocked! 4 lindyhoppers singing and dancing the night away. *sigh* Such fun.

There is also a deluxe version of the soundtrack out, with a bonus CD that has alternate/instrumental versions. Matt Jones picked up and has been playing tracks off it.

Nathan

Nate Dogg wrote:There is also a deluxe version of the soundtrack out, with a bonus CD that has alternate/instrumental versions. Matt Jones picked up and has been playing tracks off it.

Nathan

yes, a fun cd. although jesse figured out that it's the original songs with just the instrumental tracks.

Peter Strom tends to lean toward this arena with his djing. His sets are enjoyable