Soul’s Best Screamer?

[Optimal Saint]

When I say screamer I don’t mean a powerhouse gospel styled shouter

I mean an actual scream

The contenders:

James Brown: as Eddie Murphy once said, to James a scream was a lyric

Wilson Pickett: in the liner notes of one of my Pickett CDs someone said that “James Brown screamed screams, Wilson Pickett screamed notes”

David Ruffin: he didn’t do it nearly as often as the other two but he used it to devastating effect to perfectly punctuate a song. I also think that no matter how well you can sing a proper Ruffin scream is a whole different talent

Who else comes to mind?

[marv2]

Wilson Pickett hands down!

[arr&bee]

Folks who have just eaten at grady's,hehe...seriously-james brown!!

[lockhartgary]

Definitely James Brown

From the gospel arena[[if I may): Julius Cheeks [[of the Sensational Nightingales). Wilson Picket modeled himself after him.

[jboy88]

Any singer whose last name is LeVert.

[Ms Flo]

Prince & Philip Bailey

[marv2]

Ali-Ollie Woodson could throw down!

[midnightman]

James, Tina and The Wicked Pickett.

[marv2]

Patti LaBelle!

[Jerry Oz]

Wilson Pickett hands down!Was my first thought. But the best screamer of all time was Little Richard, hands down. Maybe he is more rock 'n roll than soul, though. James Brown would be my next suggestion.

Of the women, I'd nominate '60s and '70s era Tina Turner. Then i would suggest Chaka Khan although she's much more than just a screamer.

[marv2]

Honorable mentions:

Leslie Wilson of New Birth
Larry Dodson of the Bar-Kays

[mr_june]

JB, Wilson and Bobby Womack

[marv2]

Was my first thought. But the best screamer of all time was Little Richard, hands down. Maybe he is more rock 'n roll than soul, though. James Brown would be my next suggestion.

Of the women, I'd nominate '60s and '70s era Tina Turner. Then i would suggest Chaka Khan although she's much more than just a screamer.

YES Chaka Khan!

[phil]

Wilson Pickett: in the liner notes of one of my Pickett CDs someone said that “James Brown screamed screams, "Wilson Pickett screamed notes"


I believe it's Jerry Wexler who said this. Besides Wilson David Ruffin, Bobby Womack and James Brown are the best screamers for me.

[Sotosound]

Wilson and JB come to mind.

My favourite screaming track is “I’m A Greedy Man Parts 1 and 2” by JB. That’s a super exciting tour de force.

[motony]

1)James Brown 2)Wilson Pickett 3)Bobby Womack and all 3 were way more then screamers for sure.

[Optimal Saint]

It’s been a while since I really listened to his stuff but I didn’t think of Bobby Womack

[Optimal Saint]

I believe it's Jerry Wexler who said this. Besides Wilson David Ruffin, Bobby Womack and James Brown are the best screamers for me.

That sounds right

[144man]

Screamin' Jay Hawkins:)

[midnightman]

Wilson and JB come to mind.

My favourite screaming track is “I’m A Greedy Man Parts 1 and 2” by JB. That’s a super exciting tour de force.

My favorite JB screams are at the ends of songs like "I've Got Money" and "Cold Sweat". His screams were pretty primal, like it came from within him and he had to get it out of him.

[Jerry Oz]

YES Chaka Khan!
I used to think of her as just a screamer until I saw Rufus I in concert [[circa 1979). Her image as a wild child didn't prepare me for the show and she blew me away with the performance. Been in love with her ever since.

[nysister]

Johnnie Taylor

[thatanyway]

Heh - it IS James Brown, it's just not more mysterious than that.

Yep - honorary mention to Prince - but often times his screams had a bit of singing-tone to them or a cheeky beep-chirp [[hmm what words are we going to use here? :D Who just said beep-chirp? I guess I did).

That raw scream, you know, that's a scream and not trying to be something other, that was Trademark James Brown imo.


Who said Philip Bailey?? :) He is a singER.

[midnightman]

Prince's screams are classic.

[manny]

- Frank Brunson [[on "Cold Blooded")
- Joe Ligon on any Mighty Clouds Of Joy song
- David Ebo on Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes "Big Singing Star" [[ABC "Reaching For The World" LP)
- Jimmy Ellis [[from Trammps). There's a Jimmy's solo version, accapella, from "Move" that demosntrated he was a great screamer gospel-style singer

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Patti LaBelle!

Without question, good call !! I hear more screams, than lyrics on most of her songs. It's why I don't particularly, care for her music.

[Boogiedown]

@ 1:11---

the best scream on any record !!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT44c3lHFP4

oh , but not soul in the least you say??
au contraire ... the song spent five weeks on the Soul Chart in early 1976.:)

[Ngroove]

Wilson Pickett

Exciting Wicked Pickett Screaming Example: Both sides of "I Found A True Love", Atlantic Records 45-2558, "I Found A True Love" / "For Better Or Worse".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP3tSZxIeA8

[marv2]

@ 1:11---

the best scream on any record !!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT44c3lHFP4

oh , but not soul in the least you say??
au contraire ... the song spent five weeks on the Soul Chart in early 1976.:)

I hated that record. I would almost run out of the house when I would hear that on the radio. LOL!

[MIKEW-UK]

Baby Huey....A Change is Gonna Come..... you can fast forward 8 minutes but you'll miss the build up:cool:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj8YPvsOBko

[lockhartgary]

How about none other that Al Green? Especially live in his later years.

[mr_june]

Wilson Pickett

Exciting Wicked Pickett Screaming Example: Both sides of "I Found A True Love", Atlantic Records 45-2558, "I Found A True Love" / "For Better Or Worse".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP3tSZxIeA8

You can add Hey Jude also. He takes that song home with, wailings and screams to high heaven. I picked Wilson, JB and Bobby. To me, Wilson stands out due to his variety of screams as featured in Hey Jude. The screaming featured at the end of the song is a highlight, tour de force, show stopping, Y'all can go home now climax for sure.

[vgalindo]

Natalie Cole live in concert.

[Boogiedown]

Jimmy Ellis :cool:

as heard @ 2:48 ....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOit2SLe1r4