LITTLE RICHARD - I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GOT BUT IT'S GOT ME

So, I’m reading Peter Guralnick’s Sweet Soul Music again and flicked to the selected discography. He calls this song (originally on Vee Jay label) arguably equal to James Carr’s Dark End of the Street as the greatest soul ballad of all time – which is a big call.

From 1965, Jimi Hendrix - then known as Maurice James - plays guitar (and was quoted to say a year later "I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his voice") and Don Covay wrote it, so before you even hear it, you just know its going to be good.

I like it a lot, Little Richard is direct, sometimes blunt, the line about ‘you’re not very much to look at’ kinda cuts into the sentiment a bit, but 'the creator, the originator' of rock n’ roll's mid-60s crossover into soul is my favourite Little Richard period.

Saw Richard Penniman play in Las Vegas once with Chuck Berry, but he didn’t play this song, bummer. We sat next to a drunken woman from the Midwest, who, after explaining to her that we were from Australia, slurred, ‘So, you came all the way from Wales to see Chubby Checker?’

No, and no!

Funny. Chuck and Little Richard were awesome though.

Anyway have a listen...

Little Richard - I Don't Know What You Got But It's Got Me

PERCY SLEDGE - KIND WOMAN

Sometimes it takes a gentle reminder to realise how a singer and band can make a good song sound incredible.

I was in an antique store recently and the lady behind the counter was playing Buffalo Springfield's Kind Woman. It was good browsing music, Richie Furay's voice breaking when he sings 'Kind Woman, don't leave me lonely tonight' could well be his finest moment BUT then I remembered I had Percy Sledge's version at home on 45.

Listening to Percy's take on the song made me re-realise how much feeling this man could put into a tune. True, he was the singer of one of the most played songs ever (especially around Valentine's Day) and I've probably dug his other songs more -- like True Love Travels on a Gravel Road and Out of Left Field, so it was a nice surprise to rediscover the brilliance of Kind Woman, listen to those horns, piano and drums as well. Thanks Antique Shop lady!

Listen and compare the songs below...

Kind Woman - Percy Sledge


Kind Woman - Buffalo Springfield

BOBBY BLAND - AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO

B.O.Bee-Bee.Y

Simutaneously and seemingly effortlessly parlaying regret and late-night-speakeasy desire, Bobby Bland's trademark gutteral gargle was straight from the church -- influenced by Aretha's father Rev C.L Franklin. He called it 'the squall'.

Bobby did many sides for Duke, this tune, released in 1964 was his highest charter but to me, the best album is Two Steps From the Blues from 1961 -- incredible cover art too, he is literally standing at the foot of two steps, the album title kinda sums up where he was at too -- not quite straight blues, horn-driven but not quite straight soul, something in-between.

There's a Memphis walk of fame music note in the footpath dedicated to him on Beale Street right near Furry Lewis's, but before you tread that well-worn path to pay respect, try and go see him play, though a little weathered, 'the squall' is still intact. I saw him play in London once with Irma Thomas. Amazing!

Bobby Bland - Ain't Nothing You Can Do