Soul, Funk and Blues Music, Old and New

Wife grew up just outside of Detroit and was a MAJOR Motown fan. She seen the Supremes in concert there. Actually, she taught me to like Motown. I was strictly a Rocker!
 
I lived in Detroit and near Detroit for six years. My native-born Detroit friends grew up having many of the big names in Motown playing at their sock hops and senior proms when they were just getting started. Those Motown groups didn't just "burst" on the scene like groups today.....they had to pay their dues and that meant playing at high schools, lodges, and state fairs for peanuts, trying to be "discovered".
 
I didn't look at the other posts, just picked out the first that came to mind. I was amazed to look back over the posts and see how many Marvin Gaye fans were here, but he was something, loved him. Diana's tribute to him still brings tears to my eyes.
 
Unfortunately, somewhat erroneously as Northern Soul isn't mainstream soul but a separate sub culture based on rare tracks and also has its own dress code and dance style.

Northern Soul was, and still is, a music and dance subculture that emerged in the North of England in the late 1960s, initially an offshoot of the British Mod scene. - Wigan Casino and Twisted Wheel.

Though the scene was biggest in the mid to late 70s, it was driven by obscure tracks of the heyday of American soul between 1965 and 1971.

They wanted to find tracks that had flopped or never been released but which, according to the aesthetic of Northern Soul, were masterpieces.

Today there are still DJs and collectors trying to find the next big Northern Soul hit among reels of tape and acetate pressings made 40 years ago.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/0/24164508


Here's a mainstream soul song, by Sam and Dave, which brings back good memories for me.

http://youtu.be/ZVx2i6jGzf8


..and here's a Northern Soul one that is a favourite.

http://youtu.be/lYzcWY8Cj0o
 
David Ruffin was my favorite Temptation even after I saw the movie, "The Temptations." I never knew or thought David to be the way he appeared to be in the movie. I was able to meet and talk with David in Atlantic City in 1989. I thought then that he was doing drugs by his eyes and the continual sniffing and snorting. Being a trained Substance Abuse Counselor, I am able to spot a drug addict much more often then someone who has no connection to this habit. When I spoke with him, it was mostly small talk, like what was his favorite song to perform and did he ever think about making a movie and other chatter. He was a very charismatic person and had no problem with relating or connecting to people. He asked me what my favorite Temptation song was and I told him without hesitation that it was, "I Wish That It Would Rain." He sang the first two lines right there in the hallway of the theater. It was great.

David lived a very sad life, at least from my perspective. He allowed himself to be used and abused by those around him and also by himself. This man is another example of a great entertainer making bad choices. He denied his many fans of his talents by making those choices. So, we are all losers in this part of David's life and death.

I had received the two tickets, including a backstage pass at the Trump Taj Mahal in AC by signing up for a Player's Club card and being selected from all of the entries.

I wanted to add the following YouTube video. You may not watch all of it, but you will get the idea of who David Ruffin really was. David had extraordinary talent, but led a very conflicted life. Yes, as you can tell, David was one of my favorite soul performers. And believe me, he had soul. Just listen to how he sings and performs his music. There is so much feeling and passion that anyone who ever heard David sing, would be a fan. It is his lifestyle that killed him and has denied many to hear and see him perform.

 
Thanks oldman, for a very interesting and informative post. Have watched some of the video, will finish watching the rest of it tomorrow. :)
 
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