Sound & Groove, Episode 49: "Bobby Womack: A Tribute to a King, Part 3"

Bobby Womack returned to prominence in the years leading up to his death, earning the backing of such high profile fans as Mariah Carey, Kelly Rowland then Damion Albarn of Gorillaz who took it upon himself to help write and produce Bobby's swan song album, 2012's superb Bravest Man in the Universe. It would be his last as he passed away in 2014 after a myriad of health problems.

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 3rd 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. I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much- Bobby Womack (1986)

2. Harlem Shuffle- The Rolling Stones (1986) 

3. The Want of a Nail- Todd Rundgren (1989)

4. If You Think You're Lonely Now- K-Ci Hailey (1993)

5. Daylight- Kelly Rowland feat. Travis McCoy (2007)

6. Woman's Gotta Have it- Calvin Richardson (2009)

7. Stylo- Gorillaz feat. Mos Def (2010)

8. Please Forgive My Heart- Bobby Womack (2012)

Info of note:

Intro- "Friction" by Television (1977)

Outro- "Marquee Moon" by Television (1977)

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 48: "Bobby Womack: A Tribute to a King" Part 2

The duo Womack and Womack, a husband-and-wife team that wrote, sang and recorded together for a good 35 years plus before Cecil, Bobby's younger brother by 3 years, passed away in 2011. Linda Womack (nee Cooke) was the former stepdaughter of Bobby and daughter of soul legend Sam Cooke. With such great bloodlines it's no wonder their music was at the forefront of smooth, gut-wrenching soul in the 80s, an otherwise limp decade for true soul music. They stuck together even after relocating to Africa where they connected to their cultural and racial heritage, changed their names and raised a family of children known collectively as a singing group called the House of Zekkariyas.

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 2nd 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. If You Don't Want My Love, Give it Back- Ron Wood (1975)

2. Breezin'- George Benson (1976) 

3. You're Welcome, Stop on By (Live)- Rufus (1978)

4. Inherit the Wind- Wilton Felder (1980)

5. So Many Sides of You- Bobby Womack (1981)

6. Express Myself- Womack & Womack (1983)

7. Love Has Finally Come at Last- Bobby Womack feat. Patti Labelle (1984)

Info of note:

Intro- "Days" 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 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!