Sound & Groove, Episode 47: "Bobby Womack: A Tribute to a King" Part 1

Bobby Womack in a moment of glee during his 1970s heyday when his own recordings were generating R&B smash hits with the occasional pop crossover success, though many of those were driven toward recognition thanks to others doing cover versions. Nonetheless, a scintillating roll that didn't ease up till the decade became old.

Bobby Womack was a true soul pioneer that kept the flame burning until the end, trying to keep a link back to his era of soul where its realness, its honesty and passion was the most essential thing of all. It wasn't so much about the execution but the feel that mattered in a music style that generated from gospel and church roots. He passed away at age 70 on June 30th yet survived to tell a story of trials and tribulations that most legends never got to live to tell. 

He did it all with a force of personality and worldly wisdom, performing with a variety of contemporaries as distant in time and style as Sam Cooke, Ron Wood, Jim Ford, Wilton Felder, Patti Labelle, Mos-Def and Gorillaz. This will be the first of 3 episodes where I review his career by acknowledging his heroes as well as tracks he played on, wrote or put out under his own name during his nearly 6 decades in the business, starting as a gospel kid with his brothers (later to be called the Valentinos) and ending as a living legend. 

Hear another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2014. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. That's Heaven to Me- Sam Cooke (1962)

2. It's All Over Now- The Rolling Stones (1964) 

3. Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You've Been Gone)- Aretha Franklin (1967)

4. I'm in Love- Wilson Pickett (1967)

5. Runnin' Away- Sly & the Family Stone (1971)

6. Trust Me- Janis Joplin (1971)

7. I Can Understand it- Bobby Womack (1972)

8. Check it Out- Bobby Womack (1975)

Info of note:

Intro- Foxhole" by Television (1978))

Outro- "Carried Away" by Television (1978)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove, Episode 46: Where the Water Flows- Seafaring Songs Part 2

The very rural, Americana-minded Decembrists just sitting on the lawn of the old cabin. But unlike most teams of musicians in such a scenario, these wizards have a recording contract at their disposal. With such a harkening back to the days when country-rock/folk ruled the roost, they've been a critical darling since their arrival on the indie scene. And wouldn't cha know it? They have a water-based song to be found here in this 2nd episode of the current theme. 

Whether it's heading out there for sailing, boating or swimming, bodies of water are all around us and define our planet's existence and habitat. Better yet for us musicologists it' helped artists find their muse. find awesome metaphors to build their best compositions around. That's where I, your benevolent host Evan Dowbiggin, come in. For the 2nd of 2 episodes I compile and explain/break down the selection of tunes that refer to bodies of water and such. You may learn a few things but most of all you'll hear a song that grabs your ear, catches your fancy. Away we go! 

Hear another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2014. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. Suboceana- Tom Tom Club (1988)

2. Waterfall- The Stone Roses (1989)

3. Bear Creek Blues- John Prine (2005)

4. Drowning in the Sea of Love- Joe Simon (1971)

5. Take Me to the River- Al Green (1974)

6. Down By the Water- The Decembrists (2011)

7. Silver Springs- Fleetwood Mac (1977)

8. Ferry Cross the Mersey- Gerry & the Pacemakers (1964)

Info of note:

Intro- "Big Boss Groove" by the Style Council (1986)

Outro- "Shout to the Top" by the Style Council (1984)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove Episode 45: Where the Water Flows- Seafaring Songs, Part1

The eternally searching and spiritually yearning Mike Scott, the central force and only permanent member of seminal 80s band the Waterboys. Starting off in the mould of expressionist, soulful folk-rockers a la Dylan/Van Morrison and philosophical new wave rockers like U2, Dexy's Midnight Runners and Big Country, the Waterboys never sold a platinum record but penned several timeless tunes- dominated by 1985's towering salvo "The Whole of the Moon." Often on record sounding relentless, overblown, ambitious and always at the highest dynamic level in their early days, they eventually repealed that wall of sound to bathe in jaunty, traditional Celtic folk. A common use of the sea or ocean in lyrical themes was the band's calling card on several milestone albums including A Pagan Place (1984) and This is the Sea (1985) eventually morphing to a more spare, modest, but no less enthralling traditional Irish/Celtic folk on Fisherman's Blues (1988). One of 8 artists represented in this particular podcast of Sound & Groove.

Whether it's heading out there for sailing, boating or swimming, bodies of water are all around us and define our planet's existence and habitat. Better yet for us musicologists it' helped artists find their muse. find awesome metaphors to build their best compositions around. That's where I, your benevolent host Evan Dowbiggin, come in. For the first of 2 episodes (the next in mid-May) I compile and explain/break down the selection of tunes that refer to bodies of water and such. You may learn a few things but most of all you'll hear a song that grabs your ear, catches your fancy. Away we go! 

Hear another  musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2014. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat! 100% juicy tofu if you happen to be a vegetarian.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. It's a Very Deep Sea- Style Council (1988)

2. Still Water (Love)- The Four Tops (1970)

3. Rivers of Babylon- The Melodians (1970)

4. This is the Sea- The Waterboys (1985)

5. Oceans and Streams- The Black Keys (2008)

6. Whirpool- Seal (1991)

7. River Song- Dennis Wilson (1977)

8. Deep Forbidden Lake- Neil Young (1974)

Info of note:

Intro- "That Spiritual Feeling" by the Style Council (1989)

Outro- "Heavens Above" by the Style Council (1988)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove, Episode 44: Mind Over Matter- Music Inside Your Head, Part 2

The reclusive, forgotten but eventually reclaimed (Sixto) Rodriguez, a one-of-a-kind singer-songwriter out of Detroit who told it like he saw it, wrote incredibly perceptive about social issues in a way that came across as neither condescending, preachy or insincere. Yet his audience was not found in his own backyard but rather overseas, particularly in countries facing strife and social hardship such as South Africa where his legend grew after his career went silent and his songs became heavily identified with by those fighting with the anti-apartheid movement. That fanatic following led to his late 90s re-emergence from a near 2 decade sabbatical from the music industry to raise a family, showing up in South Africa to prove he was for real and had not perished. This inspiring redemption song was chronicled in 2011's Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugarman which led to an international discovery of his haunting, unique music.

Ah yes songs that explore the deep recesses of the mind from thoughts to dreams and imagination. It's all those songs where conjuring up images, stories and facts from one's central nervous system play a huge role in the lyrical content or song direction. Yeah, I was really putting on my thinking cap for this theme. After my silence in January I decided to make one episode per month the norm from now on however I am generously donating one last two-parter in order to assuage your fears that I am a cheapskate! Call it a raincheck or make-up date episode that follows this part 2. 

Hope you enjoy and don't MIND coming back for more hahaha... ok I'll stop now.hear a musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2013 with your host, Evan Dowbiggin. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat!

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Listing:

Track Listing:
1. In Your Mind- Bryan Ferry (1977)

2. Thoughts & Words- The Byrds (1967))

3. Brainwashed- George Harrison (2002)

4. Hot Head- Capt. Beefheart & the Magic Band (1980)

5. Welcome to My Nightmare- Alice Cooper (1975)
6. Psychotic Reaction- Count Five (1965)

7. Series of Dreams- Bob Dylan (1989)

8. I Think of You- Rodriguez (1971)

Info of note:

Intro- "Black Man" by Stevie Wonder (1976))

Outro- "Golden Lady" by Stevie Wonder (1973)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove, Episode 43: Mind Over Matter- Music Inside Your Head

Bobby Womack, a true soul pioneer that wrote some signature classics for so many artists besides himself and therefore never got the full recognition he deserved- at least outside of the R&B world. Seen here sporting a sweet sports coat in 1981 when he made an artistic bounceback and his first significant dent on the R&B charts since the mid-70s with The Poet, featuring one of the many songs that get inside your head featured in "Mind Over Matter" episode 1 here in March.

Ah yes songs that explore the deep recesses of the mind from thoughts to dreams and imagination. It's all those songs where conjuring up images, stories and facts from one's central nervous system play a huge role in the lyrical content or song direction. Yeah, I was really putting on my thinking cap for this theme. After my silence in January I decided to make one episode per month the norm from now on however I am generously donating one last two-parter in order to assuage your fears that I am a cheapskate! Call it a raincheck or make-up date episode that follows this part 1. 

Hope you enjoy and don't MIND coming back for more hahaha... ok I'll stop now.hear a musical journey through yet another themed podcast here in 2013 with your host, Evan Dowbiggin. And if you're new to this podcast: Every month there will be a theme that the selection of music is centered around. It will be jam packed with my analysis, synopses, breakdowns, anecdotes and other witticisms you might enjoy. And not to worry, each month will contain a different theme than the last. All killer, no filler... other than when I talk and introduce the tunes and recap the ones before it. But aside from that? 100% juicy meat!

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Edowrimple

Hear it on itunes now! http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/evan-dowbiggins-

podcast/id52303295

Track Listing:

1. (Didn't I) Blow Your Mind This Time- The Delfonics (1970)
2. Something on My Mind- Teenage Head (1980)
3. Suspicious Minds- Fine Young Cannibals (1986)
4. I've Got to Use My Imagination- Gladys Knight & the Pips (1974)
5. Think (About it)- Lyn Collins (1972)
6. The Whole World Lost its Head- The Go-Gos (1994)
7. Dreamworld- Rilo Kiley (2007)
8. In Dreams- Roy Orbison (1987 version)

9. Just My Imagination- Bobby Womack (1981)

Info of note:

Intro- "Copperhead Road" by Steve Earle (1988)

Outro- "CCKMP" by Steve Earle (1995)

All comments, questions and feedback are greatly welcomed and appreciated! I encourage participation. Even though I drain an hour off your life by listening to the podcast then checking through the links, at least you don't have to fork over your money to me... though if you feel like, you know... But in all seriousness, let me now what you'd like to hear or see and I'll consider it. Popular approval doesn't always sway me but having fans or listeners get their input would be just grand!

Sound & Groove Programming Note

Well you may've been pondering my long, inexplicably quiet absence. I got tied down with some personal issues and January went by without a show but in 2 weeks there will be one. I am switching to just doing one a month but I feel it's something easier to sink teeth into when it's 45 minutes per month of listening pleasure for all of you. So that's right, 12 podcasts await in 2014 cause I couldn't manage the 22-24 demand that I kept up with from 2012-2013. So keep those eyes peeled because the 28th- the last day in that odd month of February- will unveil a brand new episode and another with that theme not long after (1-2 weeks). In April will be a new episode of a totally different theme and rinse, lather, repeat for May. Take care monster music moodsters!