Love Hangover

Was pleasantly surprised to see that "Love Hangover" was written by Alice Coltrane's sister, Marilyn McLeod. Not exactly too shocking considering their Detroit origins and origins in a musical family. Even with the vastly different styles, one can still detect shared roots in Detroit's black music. 

Searching for Sugar Man in Song of Solomon and Sixto Rodriguez

Have you ever noticed how the beautiful, haunting poem, "Sugar Man," by Sixto Rodriguez, a Mexican-American Detroit folk musician whose music was legendary for liberal whites in apartheid South Africa, could be linked to Toni Morrison's excellent novel, Song of Solomon? Although I am sure there is no direct connection between Sixto Rodriguez and Toni Morrison, since Rodriguez's music never was big in the US during the 1970s and he worked as a laborer in Detroit after his recording career tapered off. Regardless, I find it fascinating how this Detroit singer-guitarist wrote a song about a "Sugarman" in the same decade that Toni Morrison's excellent novel also included a Sugarman character, in a bluesy folk song sung by children in reference to Solomon, an ancestor of Milkman's who learned how to fly. I first read Song of Solomon a few years ago, and wrote about it on this blog. Here is the song in the novel about Solomon/Sugarman

O Sugarman don't leave me here

Cotton balls to choke me

O Sugarman don't leave me here

Buckra's arms to yoke me. . . .

Sugarman done fly away

Sugarman done gone

Sugarman cut across the sky

Sugarman gone home. (Morrison 49)

As for Rodriguez, I heard about him while in Cape Town, South Africa. A stunning documentary on the search for Sixto Rodriguez by some South Africans who grew up loving his music for its rebellious tone and message to those living under apartheid dictatorship, was often mentioned and I finally watched it while flying from Johannesburg to Germany. Everybody should watch Searching for Sugar Man to read about the quest to discover the identity of 'Sugar Man' Sixto Rodriguez, which the clever South Africans finally pinpointed to a specific US region because of a lyric referring to a place in Michigan. Eventually, they got Rodriguez to come to South Africa and perform, and it's quite magical for the audience of the film and the plethora of South Africans in the concert to see the legendary Sugar Man in the flesh! Since the documentary won many accolades, one hopes that Sixto Rodriguez's music and life gets the recognition he deserves for his contributions to folk-rock and contribution to an ethos of resistance half-way around the world. The humble troubadour, cheated by the guy who collected the royalties from his record sales in South Africa, has apparently used his profits from tours in South Africa and elsewhere to share with friends and family, and he still works as a construction worker! Listen to "Sugar Man" here, and you may see some of the parallels in this "Sugar Man" and the Sugarman of Toni Morrison. 

Indeed, Rodriguez was a sort of Sugarman in the Morrisonian sense because he was "the answer that makes my questions disappear" for anti-apartheid white youth of South Africa. Like the ancestral Solomon of Milkman, this "Sugar Man" of Rodriguez makes questions disappear, and is believed by the singer to be of help, even though he is a drug dealer pushing "jumpers, coke, and sweet Mary Jane." Thus, this drug-dealing "Sugar Man" is far from the Morrison Sugarman who learned to fly, with flight as a common motif in African-American folklore for returning back to Africa, escaping the horrors of slavery in the US South. Nevertheless, one sees that, to Rodriguez and rebellious youth living in oppressive societies, the escape via drugs and the inherent rebelliousness of partaking, like learning to fly, learning to ride the air in Morrison's novel, are both powerful experiences. To be honest, I am sure there was no influence from Rodriguez on Morrison's novel, and their respective "Sugar Men" are vastly different, yet each provides an answer to one's past and current problems, and each one is heavily flawed in their own way. For instance, the Solomon in Morrison's novel learns to fly, but leaves his family behind in the process of doing so, which contradicts my perspective on the novel since flight to me was a metaphor for maturity and learning to love. Likewise, Rodriguez's "Sugar Man" presumably dies after meeting a "false friend" in the dusty lonely streets of Detroit, so despite his escapist and "silver magic ships," he too cannot escape the harsher realities of life that pervade even into the consciousness of the drug-addled mind. 

Freda Payne's "Band of Gold"

Featuring songwriting credits from some of Motown's best, Holland and Dozier, this hit carries the Motown sound into 1970 with a strong, pronounced beat, funky bass, string sections, an unexpected sitar solo, and typical romantic lyrical fare for a lover. That this is from 1970 and not, perhaps, 1965, would seem to suggest that by 1970 the Motown sound was dated, but far from it, the Motown formula for commercially successful hip-hop also incorporated stylistic innovations within R&B and soul music. Indeed, this track represents R&B at a changing period, when funk arose as the most popular form of music for Black youth and the soundtrack of the Black Power era. A similar track marking the 'end' of the Motown sound and the rise of funk, "I Want You Back," forever associated with a youthful Michael Jackson, also features strong, funky bass, propulsive, funky percussion, strings, and a conga. It was released in 1969, just one year before "Band of Gold," showing the flexibility of Motown and Motown-influenced soul to survive a rather smooth transition to funk. What I find perhaps more amazing about this soul-pop gem is the versatility of the artist, who previously excelled as a jazz vocalist, too. She even tackled more progressive, freer elements of jazz, brilliantly converting Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" to a ballad with introspective lyrics. This simply shows Payne's talent in both idioms, soul and jazz, as well as the versatility many soul singers retained for both their more commercially successful genre and jazz. Below are the lyrics, enjoy!

Now that you're gone

All that's left is a band of gold

All that's left of the dream I hold

Is a band of gold

And the memories of what love could be

If you are still here with me

You took me from the shelter of a mother I had never known

Who loved any other

We kissed after taking vows

But that night on our honeymoon

We stayed in separate rooms

I wait in the darkness of my lonely room

Filled with sadness, filled with gloom

Hoping soon that you'll walk

Back through that door

And love me like you tried before

Since you've been gone

All that's left is a band of gold

All that's left of the dream I hold

Is a band of gold

And the dream of what love could be

If you are still here with me

Ooh, don't you know that I wait in the darkness of my lonely room

Filled with sadness, filled with gloom

Hoping soon that you'll walk

Back through that door

And love me like you tried before

Since you've been gone

All that's left is a band of gold

All that's left of the dream I hold

Is a band of gold

And the dream of what love could be

If you are still here with me

Best of Motown

Berry Gordy, founder of Detroit's Motown, is responsible for some of the best pop music in American history. His formula: keep it simple and maintain that funky handclap and tambourine. The Motown house band, the Funk Brothers, were more than able to provide a strong musical backbone for Motown's strong vocalists. Indeed, their use of strings (something from the traditional pop tradition in American music) avoids being cheesy most of the time. Thus, Motown's success is a celebration of R&B music's ability to synthesize various genres of music (funk, gospel, jazz, pop, and soul). Some of America's music legends also got their start through Motown, such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross. Thank you, Berry Gordy and Motown for producing so much amazing music.

1. Jr. Walker and the All-Stars, "Shotgun" is one of the funkiest cuts I've ever heard with some amazing R&B-styled saxophone. This melody was later adapted for the intro of Season 6 of The Cosby Show. Everybody was doing the shotgun when this jam was released back in 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMs9NudasVI

2. Diana Ross and the Supreme's "Baby Love" is a classic Motown moment. Sweet and simple love song by one of the best girl groups. "Instead of breaking up, let's do some kissing and making up." Nice horn section as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eYAilmqe9w

3. Diana & The Supreme's "Where Did Our Love Go" is similar to "Baby Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlgHudEv_VA&feature=related

4. Diana & The Supreme's "Stop! In the Name of Love" is a song everyone knows. I first heard this back in elementary school. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJzcGO0qUfw&feature=related

5. Jackson 5's cover of Smokey Robinson's "Who's Loving You" is one of the best soul ballads. Bluesy piano intro, powerful vocals from young Michael, and beautiful back up vocals from Jackson's group. "Don't you know I sit around, with my head hanging down, and I wonder who's loving you."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOxIKJTTB2k

6. Jackson 5's " I Want You Back" is one of the unforgettable pop songs that made Michael Jackson a household name. Though not nearly as good as "Who's Loving You," this is also great pop music. "When I had you to myself, I didn't want you around. Those pretty faces always made you stand out in the crowd." 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptu0a7vsMcM

7. Jackson 5's "ABC" is another pop song everybody of every race knows. Music transcends everything. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOXG8wtxx_w

8. Smokey Robinson's "The Tracks of My Tears" sounds a little Caribbean, which is no surprise if you know that Robinson based it partially on the melody of a calypso song sung by Harry Belafonte. Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNS6D4hSQdA

9. Martha & the Vandellas's "Dancing In the Street" is another Motown jam I've known for several years. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7b5HXZRQFss

10. The Temptations' "My Girl" is another northern soul gem. Written by Smokey Robinson, I believe.

"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZh7nRw6gl8

11. The Four Tops's "I Can't Help Myself" is a song I believe I first heard while watching that terrible TV show, Clueless, back in elementary school. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3bksUSPB4c

12. Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin" is another classic slow jam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlzY6cWpoMQ

13. Diana Ross's I'm Coming Out" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPpE_BrX0FM

14. The Miracles' "Shop Around" was one of Smokey's earliest hits http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQGXa3FiXKM

15. Temptations's "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" is a song I first heard from an episode of Fresh Prince back in the mid-1990s. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBCpcSvxYeo

16. The Temptations's "Just My Imagination" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5Z9-QCmZyw

17. Smokey Robinson's "You Really Got a Hold On Me" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdDnqSFYXFs "I don't want you, but I need you. Don't wanna kiss you, but I need to."

18. Stevie Wonder's "Uptight" is one of his best early cuts. My jam. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbyOLzEyfk

19. Stevie's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inXC_lab-34

20. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas's "Nowhere to Run" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQRIOKvR2WM

21. Stevie's "For Once in My Life" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vxVyaYuGYE&feature=related

22. Stevie's "Hey Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjIIY41w6yI

23. Stevie's "I Wish" ("Lookin' back on when I was a little nappy-headed boy") http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYKYka-PNt0

24. Stevie's "Superstition" is essential funk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0SE

25. Stevie's "Isn't She Lovely" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-n3Ydy7ras

26. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f39Zs0gB87c

27. Marvin's "Mercy Mercy Me" is a song I heard on television back in the 1990s when I would watch those infomercials about CDs with old music, mostly R&B. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxgeYXCjM8

28. Marvin Gaye's "Stubborn Kind of Fellow" is early and classic Marvin Gaye with a Latin clave rhythm. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDWK5IANPWo

29. Marvin Gaye's "Pride and Joy" has been a personal favorite since I first heard the song back in high school. Sounds like gospel music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmx3IS6yelw

30. Marvin Gaye's "Can I Get a Witness" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-gVSQShRb0

31. Marvin's "Wonderful One" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KILfZM_v-AI

32. Marvin's "How Sweet (It Is to Be Loved By You)" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH0Q2lBK9-U

33. Marvin's "Ain't That Peculiar" has always been a favorite funky song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mInOfZamIxU

34. Marvin's "It Takes Two" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCwe2WftI7Y

35. Marvin's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" is the definitive version of the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPnZZTVp_2A

36. Mavin's "Let's Get It On" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_tRctLmbc

37. Mary Wells's "My Guy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgwpHYzcwUA Great bass

38. Jr. Walker's "I'm a Roadrunner" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ek1UslvFps

39. The Miracles's "Going to a Go-Go" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Tfm70dL5s has some great drumming

40. Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPOPp8kXnyE

41. Martha & the Vandellas, "Jimmy Mack" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obvSFWvgBhg&feature=related

42. Diana Ross & the Supreme's "You Can't Hurry Love" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyxVYl8DrKI

43. Temptations's "Can't Get Next to You" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v70jpvR-7VY

44. The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hanging On"

45. Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg2vMrDzoXM

46. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas' "Heatwave"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEz2kEpbMG4