Tag Archives: Classic Soul

Shows

#228 – David Clayton Thomas – Soul Ballads

David Clayton Thomas is one of the most recognizable voices in all of popular music.  He led the hugely successful band Blood Sweat & Tears for around 30 years, having hits like “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” and “Spinning Wheel,” before embarking on a solo career in the early 2000’s.  His latest project is a true labor of love, Soul Ballads (view entry on Amazon.com) comprises 12 classic R&B tracks, filtered through Clayton-Thomas’ deep resonating voice.  In part one of our interview, we delve into this project, talking about his influences from Otis Redding to Sam Cooke.  He also tells us why he was reluctant to record “Midnight Train to Georgia” at first.

Shows

#169 – Barbara Carr – Keep the Fire Burning

Singer Barbara Carr has had a long and interesting career, which began when she signed with the legendary Chess label in 1966, recording singles like “Don’t Knock Love.”  But, when her career didn’t take off right away – she walked away to raise a family.  But, the music called her back.  She and her husband formed their own record label and began releasing albums on her own.  A contract with Echo Records heated things up in the late Nineties, with a string of sexually bold singles like “Footprints on the Ceiling,” and “If You Can’t Cut the Mustard.”

Now Barbara’s back with a brand new disc produced by Johnny Rawls called Keep the Fire Burning.

Shows

#34 – Solomon Burke Tribute

Solomon Burke

Solomon Burke was one of the greatest soul singers of all time. Sadly, he passed away over the weekend at the age of 70. Icon Fetch had a chance to talk with Solomon back in May about his latest CD, “Nothing’s Impossible.” We’re going to re-air that interview, plus delve more into his classic music, as well as talk with some of the people that were influenced by his artistry.  Click below to hear the tribute and to listen to the interview with Solomon Burke.

Shows

#17 – Delbert McClinton – Acquired Taste

Delbert McClinton

Delbert McClinton has been playing his own mix of blues, country and rock n’ roll for almost 50 years with no sign of slowing down.  His latest release, Acquired Taste, was a gritty collection of songs and another triumph.  He talks with Icon Fetch about where he still gets inspiration for his songs (he co-wrote almost every song on the album), plus his upcoming Sandy Beaches 17, a cruise vacation that he started that’s in it’s, that’s right, seventeenth year.  In addition, he sets to rest the rumor that he taught a young John Lennon how to play harmonica.  Click below for the Delbert McClinton interview.

Shows

#4 – Solomon Burke – Nothing’s Impossible & Robert Rodriguez – Fab Four FAQ 2.0

He is the King of Rock and Soul, Mr. Solomon Burke, and he’s just released his latest CD, “Nothing’s Impossible.” We’ll talk to Solomon about recording the new record with legendary producer Willie Mitchell, who weeks after wrapping up the sessions, passed away of heart failure. Mitchell was responsible for most of Al Green’s big hits and lends that same style to Burke’s disc.

Solomon had a great string of R&B hits in the mid-60’s, but is probably best known for “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love,” a song covered by the Rolling Stones and featured prominently in the Blues Brothers movie.  Burke’s other film credits include working alongside Dennis Quaid in “The Big Easy.”  He won a Grammy in 2002 for his album “Don’t Give Up On Me.”  Click below for the Solomon Burke interview.  {mp3}show4solomonburke{/mp3}  {enclose show4solomonburke.mp3}

For more information on Solomon Burke, visit his official site (www.thekingsolomonburke.com)

Also on the show is Robert Rodriguez, author of “Fab Four FAQ 2.0“.  He talks to Icon Fetch about his new Beatles book, covering the solo years 1970-1980.  Robert’s interview is at the end of our show with Solomon Burke.  Click below for the Robert Rodriguez Beatles interview.

Robert’s official site is: www.fabfourfaq2.com

Shows

#2 – Darlene Love – Fame the Musical

Darlene Love

Singer is unsung hero of rock

She’s one of the greatest singers in the history of music. Darlene Love has lent her voice to countless hit singles over the years, including “He’s a Rebel” by the Crystals, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” by the Righteous Brothers, and her own holiday classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”.She’s also had the opportunity to sing with many legends of music including Elvis,Sam Cooke, Aretha, Marvin Gaye, Cher, and even Cheech & Chong! Many others will remember her as Danny Glover’s wife in the Lethal Weapon movies. Darlene is currently gearing up for a run of “Fame the Musical” in Australia, where she stars as Miss Sherman, a no-nonsense teacher at the school for the arts. We’ll also discuss the new DVD release of “The T.A.M.I. Show”, which Darlene was a part of.

You can find out more about Darlene, by going to her official site, www.darleneloveworld.com

Singer Darlene Love has lent her voice to literally hundreds of recordings over the years.  We’ve assembled a list of some of her “Greatest Hits”

  • “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” – Darlene Love – One of Darlene’s greatest moments.  A stone-cold holiday classic from Phil Spector’s A Christmas Gift to You.  You can close your eyes and feel the snow falling on you.
  • “He’s a Rebel” – credited to the Crystals, but it’s actually Darlene on lead vocals.  Her first #1 hit.
  • “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah – Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans – Darlene sings on this Disney classic turned inside-out.  Extra points for Billy Strange’s guitar solo that sounds like it’s coming from another planet.
  • “(Today I Met) The Boy I’m Gonna Marry” – Darlene Love – One of the few Spector tracks to actually sport Miss D’s name.  Darlene reaches back to her days in the gospel choir for a gutty performance.  Imagine her preaching to the congregation about her good news.
  • “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)” – Betty Everett – Darlene and the Blossoms do the question-asking, like “Is it in his eyes”?  sharing the lead vocalis with Betty.  The vocal ascending that they do when Betty sings “Kiss him / and squeeze him tight” will send shivers.
  • “Poor Side of Town” – Johnny Rivers – Darlene & the Blossoms show off their gentler side as they echo Johnny’s verses with sweet sophistication.
  • “The Right Time” – Bobby Darin – Darlene duets with Bobby on this under-appreciated cut from a lost Darin LP called Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles
  • “Brown-Eyed Woman” – Bill Medley – The deep-voiced half of the Righteous Brothers testifies his love for Darlene, while she and her sisters turn up the heat.
  • “Basketball Jones – Cheech and Chong – Showing that she truly is one of the most versatile of vocalists, Darlene lends her talents to C&C’s parody of the Brighter Side of Darkness “Love Jones.”