By SB (205.186.129.168) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 04:16 pm:

How would you describe what "SOUL" is, and whom has it?

For instance - I am proud that the word has come out of the black musical experience - yet we know that not all black folks sing "SOUL", and we've also learned that different races can sing w/a "SOUL" flavor or tone.

Charlie Pride may not be considered a "SOUL" singer - but to the many that love his voice and songs, must feel he puts all of his "SOUL" into his songs.

Barbara Streisand is not considered a "SOUL" singer - but I have loved many of her songs and found them "SOULFUL." Some may not think of Nat King Cole as a "SOUL" singer - but I do. And how many artists are out there - where one has asked - is that artist(s) black or what?

I'm not thru elaborating on what the word means to me - but I'll have to test my mind and heart ova it a little bit more.

There are several threads on this forum with the word "SOUL" in them - but what actually does it mean to the masses?

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 04:38 pm:

OK SB!!!...SOUL=OTIS REDDING!!!...SERIOUSLY...THE ARTISTS YOU'VE MENTIONED DO HAVE "SOUL" IN THE CONTEXT OF SINGING OR PLAYING WHICH EVOLVES FROM THE VERY CORE OF THEIR BEING!!!...NOTHING SUPERFICIAL OR PLASTICIZED...BUT A CERTAIN INTROSPECTIVE REALITY WHICH EXPOSES ONES BASIC ESSENCE IN THEIR CREATIVE INTREPRETATION!!!...STU(TO THE CORE)BASS

By SB (205.186.129.168) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

STUBASS - LOL! WHAT?!

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 04:46 pm:

GEEZ SB!!!...I DON'T STUTTER AND YOU DON'T WEAR A HEARING AID...SO WHATS NOT TO UNDERSTAND???...STU(DEEP...DEEP)BASS

By Eli (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 04:51 pm:

Soul is a feeling, an expression from the depths of the inner being that manifests itself in a way
that can move you to tears or fill you with joy or both at the same time.
Soul does not have to be relegated to people of African decent alone.
Soul is real as in the way Willie nelson sings Always on my mind or in the way patsy Cline sings Crazy which by the way was written by Willie nelson.

Of course, to me Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, especially during his tenure with the Soul Stirrers will always IMO epitomize "soul" and if you could just stand in the middle of anylonesomehighway. USA and absorb the spirit of every little wooden church that ever was then you too can experience the world of soul.

By 1Wicked (24.126.64.120) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 05:15 pm:

I agree Stu. I dig James Taylor for the same reasons. He writes from his soul...even as dark as that may be (his battles with mental health are well chronicled)...and he writes "up" tunes as well. When Mike McLean first spoke of his new and wonderful relationship with Annie...the first that popped into my head were the lyrics to "Your Smiling Face". Simplistic lyrics, maybe...but a beautiful sentiment...written from his reality and conveyed with his soul.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 05:28 pm:

SB,

the meaning of "SOUL" can be interpreted in various ways, because the very significance can be so diverse in it's own interpretation, and much besides just being about the music we have grown so fond of, the very 'soul' music, that we love.

That is why I felt very compelled to post the thread here, under the topic: July 4, 1983: In Rememberance of 'Joe'.

Anyone that has read that story cannot walk away without being moved by it's 'powerful' significance and the spiritual meaning of the human psyche and drama, and that was just one interpretation of the very 'soul' and how might we respond individually, or collectively, in such a given situation such as Joe Delaney did, by giving to someone what he ultimately had sacrificed, to someone else he didn't even know--the gift of life-- and while in the process, losing his very own....

By Des (81.152.235.231) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 07:09 pm:

I think Eli nails it pretty good and manages to communicate the nature of "soul music".
Jazz instrumentalists who "get to you" in a solo or even a "phrase" are playing "soul music"
I've been trying to think of something new to say that would add something of merit to what Eli said...This might make a reader seek out something that chills me just thinking about it.Namely,the title track from a 1979 Norman Connors album - "Invitation" . The female singer (I'm sorry I can't remember her name - shame on me)produces an elongated note that commences the fadeout on the track and she just defines raw,sexy and emotional "soul" right there. Thinking about this is gonna make me dig it out the Loft...it was on two L.P. platters to be played at 45rpm (ie like extended 12" singles) and "Invitation" was the absolute standout track.....if anybody remembers that track and knows (and hopefully agrees with me) I'd love to read their thoughts - no-one , I repeat , no-one I've ever known has heard that track -- but loved it when I taped it for 'em...
Des

By Jody (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 07:58 pm:

Soul-The recipticle that holds the heart...

By Soul Sister (65.43.167.42) on Sunday, July 06, 2003 - 10:54 pm:

Hi SB & Everyone;
I am coming in a little late on this one, Eli pretty much covered it but I'll simply add: It the ability to move one's insides, spirit, heart, & emotion. It reaches the deepest depths of one's feelings. For a soul singer, not neccessarily one that sings in a soulful manner, but one who can move the soul in another, the singer thats not afraid to be so honest & open about his own soul that he shows his true raw emotions & heart for all the world to see, now thats a soulful singer, very few singers are capable of letting themself go to the point of exposing themself, or wearing their true heart on their sleeve. I only know of one today thats living.
S.S.

By WaltBaby (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 12:59 am:

Des: the singer you refer to on "Invitation" was Ada Dyer or as Norman Connors called her "Miss Adaritha" I must agree that was one of my favorite tracks of many by Norman Connors. I had looked and looked for that album on CD to no avail, but finally got that one track on one of the many "Best Of Norman Connors Collections" that was issued on Buddha. Beyond that I also concur with Eli's definition of soul.

By Rasputin (68.42.158.155) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 12:59 am:

As the Funkadelics once stated on "What is Soul?"

- Soul is a ham hock in your corn flakes -

and I betcha' that ain't some imitation of Black folk life experiences, trying to be explained away as if everyone had some!

The field "holler" never died ..... just covered! Compare Al Hibbler to the Righteous Brothers(?)!!!!

Black-atcha .... with SOUL

By onyx (209.202.131.83) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 02:12 am:

To me soul is from within. It is your life, set to music, the stories from your anscesters and the way you feel about what you are singing. You can't learn it, the studio can't cover it, either you have deep roots within you or you are just a singer. Race is not an issue.

By SB (205.187.255.184) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 06:36 am:

STUBASS - you had to mention Otis didn't you? How did I know you'd do that? LOL! The rest of your post was tooooooo deep for me bro and caught me off guard. Rest assured, that you have a beautiful take on it. So don't get your pockets in a bunch. LOL!

I agree with all that has been written about this topic. I need to add some more but have to get off to work.

Thanks.

By JaSa (80.182.201.211) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 09:24 am:

VERY EMOTIONAL and full of feeling music,
It came out from american roots music(blues,country,gospel,jazz,pop...).Its so great because played by bands with different races musicians(just like Funk Bros and Booker T&MG's)

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 10:02 am:

Both Bobby Eli and SB hit it pretty square.
The thing about "soul" to me is that it's almost indefinable in the same way a feeling or emotion can't be solidly nailed down.
It's hard to give a quantative answer to a personal question like this. For example, I do not think "You Sexy Thing" is perticularly soulful, but "Kind Of A Drag" is. Make sense? I didn't think so.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 10:25 am:

Hey Gang:

Soul is not about race, creed or color.
It is about coming from an honest place in your heart, soul & being and putting it into music with a degree of emotion and feeling.

That is what soul is to me.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 12:18 pm:

THANKS SB!!!...I AM HOPING THAT MY POCKETS *DO* GET INTO A "BUNCH"!!!...A "BUNCH" OF CASH THAT IS!!!...STU(FOLDED OR WADDED...IT'S ALL CASH)BASS

By paulie3shoes (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 01:05 pm:

eh,
dis is paulie(over here)

to me, sole is wut i got on da bottom of my t'ree shoes, an i got t'ree of dem sos dat must meen dat i got sole, cuz i got more sole den anybody on dis form, capice???#$%^&*(
i said, CAPICE EHH!!!!!!!!!

waddya t'ink dats funny or sumtin???
do ya t'ink dat i am sum kinda klown????

Ill show ya funny!@#$^%&*()_@#$%^&*()_
POW BAM POW F*****kin POW!@#$^&

now dats much better!!!!!!!@#$^&*

By uk L&G Squad (217.14.178.43) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 01:08 pm:

Great stuff Paulie
uk all nighter Loon and goon squad
(mate)

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 03:35 pm:

One of my friends once asked me what I thought the definition of Soul was. I had never thought about it in an intellectual sense but knew that it was an inner feel. My answer was:

I am not sure how to put it into words but if you put Colin Powell, Nancy Wilson, Barbara Streisand, Lena Horne, The Fifth Dimension, Eartha Kitt, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Sly Stone, Steve Winwood, BB King, Jimmy Scott, Maybelle Carter, Mahalia Jackson, Peggy Lee, Loretta Lynn and Michael McDonald all in the same room; and then Aretha Franklin walks in and begins to squall and wail and everyone in the room feels what she is saying and nods in agreement, that is soul. It croses all lines of race, creed, color and genre. Who had more soul than Patsy Cline?

By SB (205.186.130.116) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:00 pm:

You all are something else. You took the words from right off of the top of my head and from the bottom of my heart. I'm sure I could try and add something - but you all done summed it up - IMO.

I'll just remind us of what Aretha stated.

"(Soul is) the ability to make other people feel what you're feeling. It's hard to laugh when you want to cry. Some people can hide it. I can't, so when I sing, it doesn't come across fake."

-- Aretha Franklin, Newsweek, August 1967

http://www.rhino.com/features/liners/72576lin.html

And if we can get Jim Feliciano to hook us up w/that 31 second piece where Sam Cooke hums 8 bars of what "SOUL" means to him - then we'd be straight. It is the last track on the ""Portrait of a Legend", CD.

I kid you all not. That humming was the best I've eva heard, and one could feel the "SOUL", for real. Am I right or wrong Jim?

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:02 pm:

SB:
I've heard the "Portrait.." CD you're referring to.
Mr. Cooke summed it up quite nicely.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By SB (205.186.130.116) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:10 pm:

Hey KevGo. Did you really enjoy his humming those 8 bars or what? I could listen to him hum all day. I was just wondering if it was just me - what w/my being so smitten w/his legacy and all - here lately, although I did try to be objective when listening to the CD for the first time.

I found absolutely nothing lacking in his delivery - voice and style - btw.

And did I mention his humming? LOL!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 06:04 pm:

Hi SB,
Are you talkin' bout Sam singing his gospel cut, "JESUS GAVE ME WATER"?

Sam Cooke definately put all his 'soul' (and spirit) in that one, that was one beautiful piece-- that was just as though it was 'heaven' sent!

But unfortunately, I'm not able to 'paste' that particular Cooke number on this here forum, I cannot access that song's audio off of the internet, tried looking... it's just not there, as far as my 'search' for that one goes at this time.

But SB, you were quite absolutely 'RIGHT-ON' with that one!

But I've always said as a 'singer', that it was Sam Cooke who epitomized the very meaning of the term 'soul' in song. And in my opinion that's coming from the one and only, the incomporable, the legendary-- he was the 'greatest' soul singer there ever was-- Mr. Sam Cooke.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 06:38 pm:

Hey Folks:
Here's an interesting quote regarding soul from a man who knows - legendary record producer/arranger Arif Mardin:

"A singer who is soulful...gives himself or herself to the listener and brings the song across. The singer (does it) with his or her own creativity".

(From an online interview with the Album Network).

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By SB (206.215.14.206) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 06:57 pm:

Jim - it was the last inclusion on the "Legend", CD. Remember, there are 30 songs, and there is also one listed as 31 - called "Running Out The Tape." On it - one hears a host/DJ talkin' to Sam. He asked Sam to hum 8 bars - and Sam does it.

I loved "Jesus Gave Me Water", also. That was a sweet Gospel song. Sam sung it so swift, clear and articulate didn't he? The way he said "Water", was sweet to the ear.

KevGo - that is a wonderful and true quote you posted. I love it.

By Soul Sister (65.43.167.42) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 07:16 pm:

Hi SB;
I like what you said YOU are a soulful person. Just like Jimmy says , Areatha said it too, "Soul is the ability to make people feel what your feeling".
Jimmy says its your being, its who you are.

I'll add how many singers can get to that place and be naked to the audience? To put a song over it has to relate to people's feelings from genuine experiences or its just words. Soul is from deep within each of us but few get that deep. I'm talking about "THAT'deep!
S.S.

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.11.16) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 11:52 am:

SOUL 2 me~~~~is the result from the emotional out pour from the heart. When someone with so little can cause an abundant amout of feeling 2 flow from within, while doing whatever they do with every part of their being. I believe that Soul is when U close your eyes and just let it flow~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By Larry (68.164.131.199) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:20 pm:

I can pinpoint what Soul is (for me) by one artist and one song:

James Brown "Papa Don't Take No Mess".

Much as I love Patsy, I wouldn't mention her name in the same sentence. Soul to me is 100% a Black thing. A black music. Not to say all races don't have it or can't do it well. My 2 shekels.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.154) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:28 pm:

"All Around The World" with the line: GRITS AIN'T GROCERIES, EGGS AIN'T POULTRY AND MONA LISA WAS A MAN did it for me Larry.

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:32 pm:

WELL LARRY!!!...THERE'S "SOUL"(CAPS)...THE MUSIC MARKETED UNDER THE BANNER OF MUSIC PRIMARILY INSPIRED BY BLACK ARTISTS...AND "soul"...THE ESSENCE OF A MUSICAL FEELING!!!...EVERYONE HAS "soul"...AS IN AN INNER SPIRITUAL FEELING...AND WHEN THAT FEELING COMES THROUGH IN A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE...THEN THAT PARTICULAR ARTIST (REGARDLESS OF RACE...CREED...OR NATIONAL ORIGIN) IS EXPRESSING THEIR INDIVIDUAL "soul" IN THAT PERFORMANCE!!!... SOUL AS RELATES TO MUSIC...IS HOW WELL A PERFORMER...ANY PERFORMER...PULLS FROM WITHIN AND EXPOSES TO THE LISTENER JUST WHAT IS EMERGING FROM INSIDE THEM...AND NOT ALL ARTISTS CAN DO THAT!!!...SO WE SHOULD DIFFERENTIATE "SOUL" AS A BRAND NAME OF A MUSICAL STYLE...AND "soul"...WHAT IS DIVINELY INSPIRED!!!...RREGARDS...STU

By phillySOULman (151.197.183.125) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:49 pm:

Larry,
You are missing the point bro!!
It is not a Black thing , a White thing or relative to the color of ones skin.
It is SINCERITY of expression deep down inside of you.
A puppy dog can have "soulful eyes"
And yes Patsy Cline, to me did have soul relative to the sincerity of the delivery of her lyrics.
Kenny Rodgers has soul in his delivery of 'Lady"
and "She believes in me.
Listen to a song called "My strongest weakness" by Wynonna Judd,or "I cant make you love me" by Bonnie Raitt and then you tell me who has soul.

By Larry (68.164.131.199) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:53 pm:

Stu,

I misunderstood. I thought we were talking about Soul Music (eg. James Brown, Aretha et al) and not a soulful performance (eg. Boys Tabernacle Choir, Melissa Etheridge et al).

When I think Soul (and) Music, there's only thing I'm thinkin...and in the 70's they usually wore afro's


;)

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:57 pm:

IT CAN GET CONFUSING LARRY!!!...STU

By Eli (151.197.183.125) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 03:01 pm:

Larry,
I WAS talking about SOUL music bro!!
You do not have to be BLACK to do soul music.
The word soul as well as many others have been grosly misconstrued over the years.

Take the word "beat" for example.
To me and most other people "beat" meant the tempo and feel of a song.
To the hip hoppers the beat is what we used to call the backing track of a record.

So therefore the word "soul" has been pidgeonholed by some to be relegated to only the "James Browns and Slys of the world.

By Larry (68.164.131.199) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 03:04 pm:

Guys,

Please. I got your point (John Lennon on the bridge of "Yes It Is").

I'm just re-emphasizing mine. Soul to me is "Putney Swope", "Trouble Man", Dick Gregory and so on and so forth.

Indulge me for G-d sakes!!

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 03:07 pm:

HEY LARRY!!!...CONSIDER YOURSELF "INDULGED"!!!...STU

By SB (205.186.130.148) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 04:47 pm:

Hey Ya'll - how could we forget to include Gospel music as being "SOUL" music? Lord have mercy!

Anyway - when listening to Sam Cooke's "Jesus Gave Me Water", I want to get Happy. I know that many of you know what I am talking about too.

One of my cousins has a few gospel CDs out. She lives in Detroit, and has since 1971. She used to live down the block from Aretha Franklin's father's church for years back in the early to mid seventies. Was the church off of four miles or something like that?

Her name is Gloria Ward. Now that girl has a beautiful gospel voice - and so does her brother Mike - the one that played lead guitar on Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell."

My ex sister-in-law has a beautiful gospel voice also. She could sing the 'ell out of one of my all time fave gospel songs, which is - "Going Up A Yonder." She lives in B'ham, and has been recorded once. Now, I gets happy off of that one, and expecially when she used to sing it. I do declare!

Matter-of-fact - I can imagine that Eddie "Kornbread" Kendrick, sung like an angel all up there in church when he was a young boy. Folks probably thought they were listening to an angel when he sang. Paul too.

Umh-umh-umh. And Lionel Ritchie's "Jesus is Love." (I know)

By Soul Sister (65.43.167.42) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 06:21 pm:

That was rightious STUBASS you get it, and Bobby my brother sock it to em'!!

SB; Yes naturally gospel, the root of soul music.

SisterSoulSister

By boynextdoor (65.238.140.174) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 08:21 pm:

When I think of soul I think of Bettye Levette. For a white, British gal....Dusty Springfield did some amazing stuff, esp. with the Memphis albumn.

By LUCY (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 08:41 pm:

ELI NAILED THIS ONE,HANDS DOWN.
TO ME ....SOUL COMES FROM WITHIN...YOU HAVE TO FEEL IT FROM DEEP INSIDE.
IT IS OF NO RACE OR COLOR.

By Musicchef (68.104.25.189) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 08:44 pm:

Putney Swope for President !!!! Truth and SOUL BABY !

Da Chef

By Nish (66.119.33.170) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 09:42 pm:

Soul ain't nothin' but a feeling. I think jazz artists have a lot of soul, playing what they feel at any particular moment.

By Des (81.152.238.45) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 09:48 pm:

Hey,Nish / I agree re.Jazz players (my post on this thread July 06) and I'm pleased somebody else took that line,too.
I was/am kind of surprised not more mention of Jazz players was made on this thread.
Des

By stranger56 (24.47.50.195) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 11:11 pm:

Soul is:

James telling you it's a man's world.....
Kenny Loggins, pleading to his dying father in This Is It....
Luther asking that you'll please be there, still in love with him(House Is Not A Home)....
Sinatra asking the bartender for one more drink for the road....

It is:

Aretha's Natural Woman...
Gladys' Midnight Train....
Patsy's Crazy....
Sam telling you that a change is gonna come....
...Oh, yes it is.....
It's Patti's Rainbow, but it's Judy's, too...
It's Smokey's Here I Go Again, and it's Moody's There I Go, There I Go, There I Go, There I Go.....
It's Ben E.'s Stand By Me, and it's Donnie's Stand......
It's Levi's I Believe In You And Me, but it's also Helen Reddy's You And Me Against The World.

SOUL is not a color.
It's a feeling.
Listen to the song.
Did you feel it?

THAT'S soul.

Jim

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 11:27 pm:

WOW... I like that stranger56, that was pretty deep!!!

By Eli (151.197.218.227) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 11:38 pm:

Just fantastic!!!!

By Soulaholic (68.41.47.183) on Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 11:44 pm:

Soul is when a person gives a part of them self in a performance and individuals recognize and relate to that unique and very rare human act.

I believe this happens in all sorts of things during our lives. Art, literature, love, friendship, respect, interaction with others.

Why it has manifested it self so much in music, I believe is because music is a medium that relates to us in a special way.

It touches our soul when it is given from the soul of others.

I may not be able to explain soul, but I know it when I see or hear it.

Soulaholic

By Hawk150 (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 07:53 am:

For me soul music is about a deep love for the human experience and a joy in being alive. Even when the experience is hard such as loosing a lover, the shared experience of human emotion brings both a powerful and joyful expression in having been in love. My favorite soul singers are David Ruffin, Marvin Gaye, Hank Williams, Patsy Klein, and yes, when she's doing it right, Diana Ross.

By stranger56 (165.155.128.121) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 09:03 am:

Jim & Eli,

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

Jim

By stranger56 (165.155.128.121) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 03:57 pm:

**It touches our soul when it is given from the soul of others**

Soulaholic,

Sounds like a pretty damn good job of explaining it right there, if you ask me.
VERY nicely done!

Jim

By SB (206.215.13.213) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 04:23 pm:

I found this site interesting.

http://www.soul24-7.com/cgi-bin/mb/view.pl?board=soul1

Click on "Forgotten tunes that people would go mad for"

By SB (206.215.13.213) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 05:09 pm:

Another one.

STUBASS - check out how handsome Otis Looks.

http://theband.hiof.no/articles/the_band_and_soul.html

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 05:43 pm:

GREAT PIC SB!!!...I WANT TO THANK MEL AGAIN FOR SENDING ME SOME AWESOME OTIS REDDING PICS!!!...I STILL HAVE TROUBLE REALIZING THAT OTIS WAS A MERE 26 YEARS OLD WHEN HE DIED!!!...MY BROTHER AND I WERE TALKING THE OTHER NIGHT...AND PLAYING OTIS AND RAY CHARLES CUTS (DEBATING THE GREATEST SOUL SINGER THING)...AND BRUCE SAID TO TRY TO IMAGINE WHAT OTIS WOULD HAVE SOUNDED LIKE TODAY...AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE JUST HOW FAR HIS WORK WOULD HAVE EVOLVED!!!...STUBASS

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 10:46 pm:

Say what, does the word 'SOUL' mean to me... ?

Why... it's the 'SOUL BROTHERS SIX' singing their 1967 'soul' hit: "Some Kind of Wonderful"!
http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/somekind.ra,

Say what, does the word 'SOUL' mean to me... ?

Why... it's JAMES and BOBBY PURIFY singing their 1967 'soul' hit: "Let Love Come Between Us"!
http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/letlovec.ra,

Now this... was 'gold 'n 'soul'!

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.110) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 01:27 am:

Gearhead Jim
2 very good sounds there bro'
I have alway's loved them both but the James and Bobby track
Man that is something else.

Needless to say my hot rodding speedster buddy,
both those cuts as well as others by both artists/groups were very big over here in those days gone by.

Regards the Soul Bros.Six material
all are good
then again with those vocals by mr anderson and co.say no more.
A big fave of mine is "Thank you baby(for loving me)which has special memories for me.

hey Mr DJ
It's the platters that matter

Catch ya on Route 66 Jim
your uk rare soul buddy
mel'n'groovy

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 06:49 am:

Hey my brother Mel,
This one here... is from the 'flip-side' of another single 'fave' of mine which I ultimately grew too fond of, and it is titled "Never Too Much Love" by the (most ever-so-soulful) 'Impressions'.

And you're gonna listen to it right here: http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/nevertoo.ra,

Again-- this beautiful 'soul' inspiration by the 'Impressions' was found on the B side... of their 1963 ABC PARAMOUNT release, "Talking 'Bout My Baby" ... and THAT one '45 release, was probably one of my all-time 'favorite' by them as well... but listen here man, I know you'll agree they had so many *hits* that were all too good!

Anyway Mel, I know you're gonna 'dig' into this one 'impressive' soul groove, likewise, just the same....

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.8.209) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 09:38 am:

Whole Hearted~Heart Wrenching 'Passion'...and again, I feeel that a person has 2 have experienced something very hard (2 the bone), 2 have anything 2 do with what is called 'Soul'.
Let's say a person who never had an experience of any kind that left a strong impact on their essence of being,be it Love, or Hate.If you've never been hungry, how can u say say how good it felt, 2 eat? you have something to talk about, to sing about, etc. It's almost like the 'How I got over' situation then again there R those who really enjoy doing certain things, they have their own kind of passion. So 2 ME, all soul, is not necessary the same,(different plains or levels maybe???). We have Soulful Detroit, Philly Soul, Sound Of Los Angeles, Northern Soul, all Soulful, but at different varieties. but all of it is 'Soul' or something like that..can anyone feel me on this one? or know how I'm trying' 2 explain my answer? Soul is more than just a style...it's more than knee deep!!!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 10:27 am:

Hey Medusa,

There was a quote by someone, or another, who once had said... "the soul, like the body, lives by what it feeds on."

Think about that, for example--
So it was with Mr. Brooke Benton... as he beautifully sang and he just poured his hungry 'soul' in that (lovely) 1970 R&B 'classic' back when... "A Rainy Night In Georgia".
http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/rainynig.ra,

By SB (205.187.255.62) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 03:16 pm:

Good day all,

Interesting websites - and especially the first one. Ckeck out all of the Artists that are mentioned.

Btw - one of the definitions of SOUL in the dictionary is quite interesting. It mentions the American Negroes.


http://www.allmusic.com/cg/x.dll?p=amg&sql=C7


http://www.soulmusic.com/

By SB (205.187.255.62) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 03:33 pm:

Ok folks - see sometimes my mind (though I forgets too much at times) doesn't fool me. Read up on the Sam Cooke piece on the 1st link. (towards bottom of page)

Towards the end of the piece - they discuss the killing of Sam.

"The case is still shrouded in doubt and mystery, and was never investigated the way the murder of a star of his stature would be today."

I do declare!

By ????????????? (81.174.193.105) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 03:42 pm:

????????????????????????/
that means soul
??????????????????////

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.13.137) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

whatever 'Soul' means 2 U, is............2 U
whatever 'Soul means 2 me, is............2 me
4
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~whatever reason!
...BUT, it's all "SOUL" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2 'US'
(sorry, but my feelings run deep)!!!

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 05:00 pm:

REMEMBER AT THE END OF THE WIZARD OF OZ WHEN THE SCARECROW GOT HIS DIPLOMA AND STARTED QUOTING EQUATIONS,WELL SOMEONE MENTIONED THE WORD SOUL IN THE DICTIONARY IN RELATION TO THE AMERICAN NEGRO,THERE IS NO SUCH ANIMAL[THE WORD NEGRO IS A BASTARDIZATION OF THE SPANISH WORD AZENEGUE WHICH WAS USED TO DESCRIBE THE MOORS IN THE 14TH CENTURY OR SO]WOW WHERE DID THAT COME FROM AND WHAT IN THE [BLANK]DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH THIS THREAD?BEATS ME,I GUESS THAT CERTAIN THINGS IN THE DICTIONARY SHOULD BE CHANGED!WE RETURN NOW TO OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING!

By SB (205.187.255.62) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 05:30 pm:

R&B - I agree with you, and I feel your outrage. When I looked the word SOUL up in the dictionary - I was surprised and a little peeved to see that it is associated with the word Negro.

I brought it up, because I found it interesting, and I was astonished to see that it was there. I added it to this thread because the thread is about what SOUL means to us, and I suppose others. I wanted others to know that the dictionary still had the word Negro within it.

I was glad when the word Negro was replaced w/the word Black to describe the man/woman of African descent here in America. I abhor the fact that the word it is still in there.

But let's also admit that for a long period of time - the word was used to describe the Black man/woman in America, and we would not know what it meant if we did not have a history w/it.

Years ago - on all the census and application type forms - one had to choose that word to describe themselves if they were of African descent. It is listed on my birth certificate, and I am sure it is on many others.

If one looks up the word Black in the dictionary - there is only a short description of what it means as it relates to the Black race. Even there - it is still used to describe the Negro, and nowhere is the word SOUL listed under the word Black.

I agree w/you that it should certainly be changed.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 06:34 pm:

SB - I guess by now you know I love to LOL. When you posted "nowhere is the word SOUL listed under the word Black." I chuckled.

African-American is ok, especially when a pure blooded black African says it. He/she is acknowledging the heritage. When I am asked what race I am, I say "Black" so there will be no misunderstanding. That I am, down to the bone, with a whole lotta soul. :o)

By SB (205.187.255.62) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 06:52 pm:

I hear 'ya Sis. I don't ever want to offend anybody you know. I was the first to say - I believe that SOUL is felt and sung by all races - colors and creeds. And the more power to them.

Btw - did you know that some black folks don't want to be called African-American? Go figure?

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.13.137) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 06:54 pm:

U mean all this time, I thought the word 'Negro' meant black N Spanish or something like that????LOL!!!We (of so-called African decent), didn't name ourselves N the first place, but since we were once called Negroes, just like U were upset with the association of the word 'Black' with Soul, I would appreciate it if U wouldn't associate the word 'Negroe' with 'animals' OK?? since a Black/Negroe/African american didn't have anything 2 do with writing the dictionary or our own story anyway,...Jesse Jackson accepted the name"african american' 4 us.I'm quite N the know about my Heritage, but that's not the issue here..................... it's all about 'Soul' N music, so let's keep the music playing~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:09 pm:

SB - Ignorant they are, as they have been taught to hate themselves. I've never been to that great continent of Africa, but I hope to go one day. I will kiss the ground as I step off the plane. My heart will cry out to my ancestors, "I'm back."

By SB (205.187.255.62) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:13 pm:

Me too Sis. And I would bring some dirt back in a plastic bag.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:17 pm:

A friend of mine went, and asked me if I wanted anything. I asked her to bring back dirt from the villiage. I even gave her a cute little pill box to put in her purse. When she returned she said she forgot. I was mad. (LOL) She never gave me back my pill box.

By SB (205.187.255.62) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:22 pm:

My cousin - the one from Detroit, went two years ago. She belongs to some chuch group that does missionary work of some kind. I forgot to ask her to bring me something back. She just got back from India six weeks ago.

Maybe one day - I'll travel there. I've gotten over my fear of getting the regiment of shots that would be needed. I want to go to Senegal for sure. There are toooooo many places there I'd like to visit - but Senegal is one of the main ones.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:24 pm:

Now you've put the fear in me about those shots.

By SB (205.187.255.62) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:27 pm:

Sorry Sis. I used to work for a guy that went w/his wife. They told me the shots weren't as bad as some folks thought. They did mention something about "Take your own water." LOL!

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 07:29 pm:

LOL

By SB (206.215.13.166) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 05:37 pm:

Hey Sis. Leon Harris will be on CNN (CNN Presents) tonight at 8:00 p.m.. He will feature a show from Africa. The promo mentioned something along the lines - that he'll be searching for his roots.

I'm sure it will be a "Winner." I miss Curtis Mayfield so much. Here's to his hit tune "We're A Winner."

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 05:45 pm:

You hit the spot. I'm putting on my cd right now. "We're A Winner," along with the other Impressions' hits.

Thank you!

By SB (206.215.13.166) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 06:15 pm:

My bad Sis. I meant the mighty "Impressions'" hit and not just Curtis's.

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 06:28 pm:

TOTALLY NICE TUNE...AND I ESPECIALLY LIKE CURTIS' GUITAR RIFF ON THE BREAK!!!...STUBASS

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 06:54 pm:

And here they are again, because the words bears it's own in repeating--
It's the 'Impressions'... with "Never Too Much Love".
http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/nevertoo.ra,

By SB (206.215.13.166) on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 07:08 pm:

Ahhhhh! So sweet. Thanks Jim. "Never Too Much Love."

By WaltB (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 02:50 pm:

Des: The Norman Connors cd I mentioned that included "Invitation" featuring Ada Dyer was on Razor & Tie, not Buddah. It is entitled "The Best Of Norman Connors: Melancholy Fire"

By STUBASS (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 03:06 pm:

OK...AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE CORRECT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION..."WHAT IS SOUL"???...IS...(DRUMROLL PLEASE)...WHAT IS *THE CAPITAL OF SOUTH KOREA* ALEX!!!...STU(YABAZAO)BASS

By Des (217.42.9.42) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 06:00 pm:

Hey WattsBaby/ Thanks for the word on Norm's cd....I'm just wondering,were you playing this today and it reminded you to post the accurate label?Otherwise,what made you remember such a detail??
BTW,I've always resisted the Norman-C compilations cause there's always some favourite on one and not the other....BUT I'm gonna refresh my information and make a decision...all this talk of "Invitation" means I can't live without it in my Digital Format Life.....
Des

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 03:49 pm:

HEY STU EVEN THE BUNNY RABBITS KNOW THAT THE CAPITAL OF SOUTH KOREA IS NORTH KOREA OR IS THAT NORTH DAKOTA,I GET CONFUSED!!

By STUBASS (152.163.252.68) on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 07:15 pm:

THE ONLY THING BUNNY RABBITS AND NORTH KOREA HAVE IN COMMON IS *PROLIFORATION* R&B!!!...STU

By R&B (138.238.41.215) on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 11:20 am:

PROLIFO????!!....OH,OH I GET IT NOW,HAAAAA,GOOD ONE STU!

By WaltB (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 03:09 pm:

Des: Although it's very hard to find and fit all of the hits by Norman Connors on one cd, Melancholy Fire is pretty comprehensive in it's selection of material. To be truly satisfied you'd probably have to select two from the many collections of Best Of Norman Connors cd's.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, July 26, 2003 - 03:47 pm:

SOUL TO ME IS HEARING A SONG THAT GOES BEYOND THE MUSICAL PARTS,BUT THE MESSAGE THAT IT CONVEYS TOUCHES SOMETHING DEEP INSIDE[IT'S EITHER GONNA TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY OR BRING A TEAR TO YOUR EYES]BUT IF IT'S TRULY SOULFUL YOU'LL FEEL IT.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 01:53 am:

Curtis Mayfield like to use the word SOUL in his 60's compositions........ he wrote �The woman that I hold, shes gotta have soul� (�Woman Got Soul�), �I know we can make it with just a little bit of soul� (�Keep On Pushin�) and �If you got soul, everybody knows, that It�s Alright� (�It�s Alright�).
AND he knew what he was writing about.

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.2.9) on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 10:23 pm:

JS, I like your comment very much...and the Man Curtis, is one of those writers that put the "S" in Soul, if U know what I mean.

By moanman (24.44.218.110) on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 10:50 pm:

Soul music may be a "Black" concept, feeling, expression, idea, and I would never argue that. However, if I were to define what Soul music is to me, it would be: any singer, or song performance that delivers a quality so intense I get goosebumps on my skin, a tingle of chills down my back, or a gladful sense pride in my gut or my heart.

It ain't always *necessarily* -- a Black Thang-- a Brotha Belter or Sistuh Sanga who, with the sheer mighty force and power of their voice can perform this feat, this visceral phenomenon in my soul or solar plexus, but it (the feeling) tends to be somewhat spiritual in origin-- and we-- as Black people be a spiritual people. Don't we, ya'll? And yes, feel free to say "Amen!"-- if the spirit so moves ya.

Peace.

By Charmedes (142.165.109.223) on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 11:28 pm:

Soul music to me is the appropriate blend of spiritually, love and passion that binds people together.