Asymmetric Music

Methodology:

"Soul" is not a synonym for "black music." It's a specific style of music, the characteristics of which are a melismatic and emotional vocal style derivative of the black churches and a conventional R&B backbeat- not funk or disco. You'll notice that I stretched the category a little while excepting Motown and Doo Wop, which I'll reserve for other posts.

Originally, my wife was to choose the songs for this post, but the process derailed halfway when I noticed the potential for disaster. There's no doubt in my mind that had I continued to let her choose, this post would have turned into a mushy, sticky mess. Sorry, baby, I couldn't let that happen.

The songs couldn't be about break up or cheating- they had to represent the sunny side of love. "Let's Get it On," for all of its romantic utility, is more sexual than romantic.

I could have delved deep into my collection and dazzled you with some rarities, but that would have been childish.

I'll separate the sexes. Guy's first only because I already started it.

Here they are:

Wilson Pickett passed away recently so I'll put him up first. Forget intellectual coherence, "I Found a Love" is 100% emotion. The guy's so happy about his find that he just has to yell. It's the podcast.

Wilson Pickett's Greatest Hits

Follow up:

Otis Redding is much more than "Dock of the Bay." He was the greatest of the pure Soul singers. His music is spare, but full of personality and propelled by the best "rough" Soul voice of all time, more expressive and subtle than Wilson Pickett's. I've included my two favorites here, "This Heart of Mine" and "I've Been Loving You Too Long."

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Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding

The best "smooth" Soul voice belonged to Sam Cooke, probably the best all-around singer of the Rock era. I'll add "Cupid" as a bonus, it being Valentine's Day and all, but my wife picked "When a Boy Falls in Love." She likes when men describe how love makes them feel (see?).

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Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964

Percy Sledge has a starker and surely less psychologically healthy view of love. Dude, bros before...

Very few singers are as original and inimitable as Al Green. Most Soul aficionados see him as the last great Soul singer, with the baton having gone from Cooke to Redding to him. So mesmerizing to women, that they often dropped their grits while cooking. Unfortunately for Green, he happened to be right under them one time. Fortunately for the Lord, the experience inspired Green to spread His Word.

"L-O-V-E" would be a more appropriate song for today, but "Tired of Being Alone" has always been my favorite. The falsetto middle in "Tired" is one of the most exciting moments in Soul. Ahh, I'll include L-O-V-E too.

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The Absolute Best

One of the Canturbury Tales has "sovereignty" as a woman's greatest desire in marriage. Bobby "Blue" Bland understands that. "Lead me On."

The Anthology

Normally, it's proper to wish that another find romance in life. I kind of hope that Little Willie John didn't, however, as he spent the last years of his life in jail.

I like "Need Your Love so Bad," but my wife likes the chivalry implied in "Let Them Talk." Your gain.

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The Very Best of Little Willie John

James Brown stopped recording hit ballads in the late sixties. He still has plenty of very lovely ones. His lady's about to leave in "Please, Please, Please" so it breaks one of my criteria. We'll save that for the 15th, after you've blown it. "Try Me" is good.

Star Time (4CD)

"This Magic Moment," The Drifters

The Drifters - All-Time Greatest Hits & More: 1959-1965 by William W. Johnstone

Beautiful. The Impressions with "I'm so Proud."

Ultimate Collection

Finally, "You Make Me Feel Brank New" by the Stylistics is one of those songs that borders on the too-mushy, but isn't. Chicks dig it, and guys can stand it. It's my wife's favorite from the bunch. It has a very effective baritone-falsetto contrast, similar to some of the Temptations' songs.

The Best of the Stylistics