Better decade for Soul music, the 1960s or the 1970s

[MichaelSherry59]

So... Based of from my experience from using this incredible forum dedicated to soul music, I've noticed the majority of us were either teenagers during the 1960s or the 1970s and that's were our formative years happened during our youth and we love both decades for soul music equally or a bit more than the other, so I thought I'd make this a fun question :cool:

Better decade for soul music... The 1960s or the 1970s?

[Motown Eddie]

Good Question! I have to say that the 1960's was the better decade for Soul Music. This was truly the era in which Soul really took off. There was several different regional styles of the music to choose from with Motown/Northern Soul, Stax/Southern Soul, as well as the sounds of Chicago, New Orleans & Philadelphia. The first half of the '70s would see Soul continuing to flourish thanks mostly to Progressive Soul [Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder & others] & Philly Soul but the influences of Funk & Disco would gradually take over by the end of that decade.

[lockhartgary]

I was born in 1965; I would definitely say the 60s was the better decade. The productions were not a polished as they would become in the 70s and appealed to me more.

[daviddesper]

Definitely the 60s. To my teenage ears, the music focused on beat and songs that told a story. For example, everyone could relate to My Girl, You Can't Hurry Love, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, etc.

The 70s were still hot of course but there was a lot more experimentation and perhaps more of a crossover effect with rock and psychedelia, so as a result songs became more of a creative expression as opposed to just good old fashioned toe tapping music. Hope that makes sense.

[Mondeo]

I’m gonna possibly cheat but I’d go for the decade in the middle; 1965 - 1975
1965 was warming up ready for the golden era of ‘66 ‘67 HDH knocking them out the park then ‘71 ‘72 ‘73 ‘74 Stevie, Marvin, Tempts having a run of classic albums. By 1975 it had peaked and the down turn started.

[MichaelSherry59]

I’m gonna possibly cheat but I’d go for the decade in the middle; 1965 - 1975
1965 was warming up ready for the golden era of ‘66 ‘67 HDH knocking them out the park then ‘71 ‘72 ‘73 ‘74 Stevie, Marvin, Tempts having a run of classic albums. By 1975 it had peaked and the down turn started.

I agree with this, I can remember feeling really disappointed with what was being released post 75

[robb_k]

19402

To me it was The '60s. I started listening to music at the very beginning of The 1950s, so 1968-69 was already getting "too modern" for me. There wasn't even all that much I liked in The 1970s. But, I guess it's just a matter of taste. I like Jazz/Blues/Gospel/R&B and Soul, mainly from about 1930-1970.

I don't like Funk, Rap, and most Disco, or the new "R&B" or new Soul music much, unless they use old-fashioned real musical instruments, as opposed to digital creations.

Naturally, people born and raised later like later-created music.

[PeaceNHarmony]

I straddle - for me, mid-60's through mid-70's!

[MichaelSherry59]

I straddle - for me, mid-60's through mid-70's!

Let me take a guess, 65-74?:cool:

[lucky2012]

1965-1975 Motown, Memphis[[Stax/Atlantic) and Philly Soul!!

[PeaceNHarmony]

Let me take a guess, 65-74?:cool:I'll take it!

[daviddesper]

Actually if I had known that splitting a decade was an option, I would have gone for that as well. In the early 60s, the singers sounded soooooooo young and immature. But by the mid 60s they had grown up. The best example I can think of is The Marvelettes. As much as I grew to love them, some of their very early stuff is almost unlistenable. I am so glad that Motown stuck with them and gave them some better production and direction.