Ben E. King…. I Count The Tears. In Memory 1938-2015

 

What memories of not only my youth but straight into adulthood as Ben E. King’s vocal talent and music will always stand the test of time.

For that’s how good the songs were all made coming from that golden era of our baby boomer age.

Benjamin Earl King left us yesterday at the age of 76 and although his stint with The Drifters was not that long, what an impact he made.

I guess some would say why not have his signature song playing “Stand By Me”, I’d reply because I had to take it back a little bit further of my first memories of hearing him. “I Count The Tears” just happened to be my very fav. from his time with The Drifters, although everything he sang with them and as a solo artist as far as I’m concerned are all gems.

Clyde McPhatter, Rudy Lewis and Johnny Moore before and after him also made the groups songs absolute classics. I have fav.’s from them as well.

But with the release of the movie of the same name in 1986 Stand By Me reignited and turned on another and will for future generations to come.

In 2015, King’s original version written by written by King, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (inspired from Lord Stand by Me with Psalms 46:2–3) was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress and very well deserved. Why The Drifters didn’t want the song still mystifies me.

#1 when it was released as King’s solo in 61′, it managed to no surprise chart again in 86′ to #9. How’s that for longevity.

“Save The Last Dance” earned him a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

That is a statement in itself for the vocalization talent of Ben E. King and the song in whole. Yesterday we lost another legend of the top of the R&B and Pop class. He will be remembered always and bring us back to moments from the years of those songs.

One thing that can never ever die, Music.

The bodies of those that made it may leave but the Soul forever remains with us and God.

Thank You Ben.

 

Timeless As The Legend Who Sang It. Mr. Percy Sledge 1940-2015.

 

“When A Man Loves A Women”

This song has gone down in history as one of the most classic love soul ballads of all time. Something they just do not create anymore.

He left us yesterday April 14th but only in body for his voice and this song will reign Forever.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ “Hello Stranger” ~ Barbara Lewis

I was 6 when this song came out in 63′, seems like yesterday.

Barbara Lewis born in Salem, Mi. wrote every single song on her debut album with Hello Stranger that shot to #3 on Billboard 100 and #1 on R&B for two weeks.

She should have been bigger with the voice she had, songs didn’t seem to be flying at her like the other Atlantic label singers. They were reluctant to even release this instant hit. Ollie McLaughlin a small time Ann Arbor DJ produced Hello Stranger had gotten The Dells to back Lewis’s lead vocals. It was recorded at Chess Records but they needed Atlantic to get it released nationally.

Then in 65′ Bert Berns produced back to back hits for her within 3 months of each other “Baby I’m Yours” (June) and “Make Me Your Baby” (Sept.) both going to #11 on Billboard and then sadly she would never again have a major hit.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ ~ “Your Baby Doesn’t Love You Anymore” ~ Ruby & The Romantics

The music business referred this group as one hit wonders when they were anything but. Their first song was their biggest hit at #1 “Our Day Will Come” but it shouldn’t have ended there.

My Summer Love” had reached #16 on the Hot 100 their third release, the original version of “Hey There Lonely Boy” went to #27.

Songs like Baby Come Home, When You’re Young and in Love, By The Way and certainly this 1965 release of the one you are hearing should have topped the charts.

Nash had a beautiful voice and the group sounded beyond good enough to have stayed on the top. In reality Allen Stanton of the label they were signed to Knap didn’t even want them to record “Our Day Will Come” and later cut another fabulous song Moonlight and Music out of an album. So you tell me.

Saturday “Slow Down (But Don’t Stop)” ~ Benny Latimore

I have been waiting forever for somebody to finally post this song on You Tube.

Outside of Latimore’s 74′ release of “Lets Straighten It Out” nothing in my mind ever came close again until this one. From the 1988 album of the same name the song was the ultimate getting things heated up number. Reminds me of a lot of good times partying with friends around the time of its release. Another great one from the album was “All You’ll Ever Need”.

Latimore had a different tone than traditional Blues. He was a master at combing it with pure raw R&B ballads and all done more than tastefully. To me he was the one who finally put the “Soul” back in the 80s that had been missing since the 60s.

Sunday Evening ~ “Down In Mississippi” ~ Ry Cooder & The Moula Banda Rhythm Aces (Featuring) Terry Evans

Filmed and recorded at The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA on March 25, 1987.

When Cooder got this ensemble together it was more heavenly made and magical. The harmonies of Bobby King, Terry Evans, Arnold McCuller & Willie Green Jr. enhanced more than just the music. Terry Evans on this song brought it all the way down to where the Blues had originated. The Soul…and it poured out of him and the rest that night up on the stage and moved the emotions of every single individual in the audience not just listening but actually hearing and feeling it.

And that in itself defines what the Blues is all about. Pure raw emotion expressed from the heart and Evans sang it convictionally.

The man who wrote the song J. B. Lenoir was born in Mississippi in 1929 and the lyrics were inspired by Civil Rights and the Free Speech movements. He died in 1967 after suffering a heart attack associated from a car accident three weeks earlier.

No doubt he was smiling from up above from the performance Terry Evans who gave it more than his all singing Lenoir’s work that night.

And Cooder is a genius who has always played with genuine originality, another guitarist that will go into the history books as being among the best.

 

Motown Monday ~ “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go” ~ Hank Ballard and The Midnighters

Written by Hank Ballard
Released 1960
#1 on US R&B & #6 US Pop

John Henry Kendricks was born in Detroit in 1927 and returned here in his mid-teens after his Dad died. Song writer/guitarist Alonzo Tucker founded the group and after a long string of hits both as The Royals (1952) then The Midnighters, in 1961 they had two songs in the top 10, Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go & Finger Poppin Time which was nominated for a Grammy.

Motown Monday ~ “Laughing Boy” ~ Mary Wells

 

Written by Smokey Robinson
Released in 1963

Mary had 10 consecutive #1 hits between 1962-63, this should have been number 11.

There is something about this song that puts a smile on my face but in reality every early Motown song does that. A classic period and a classy singer who started off the very long ride Motown had.

Laughing Boy also made you appreciate the Muse behind the singers with Ivory Joe Hunter’s piano, James Jamerson’s bass and the beat of William “Benny” Benjamin’s drums. Music never had it so good.

Saturday Night Soul ( Blue Eyed Style ) ~ The Righteous Brothers

It’s hard to believe out of all the hits that this duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield had only two singles reached #1 just twice on the US billboard 100 and once in the UK. The 1964 hit “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” is still the most played record in radio history. And crossing over to the #2 spot on the R&B charts set them in stone as the kings of Blue Eyed Soul.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ “Stay With Me” ~ Lorraine Ellison

Released in 1966 as a single and from her first album “Heart And Soul”. aka “Stay With Me (baby).

Yes Janis covered it and yes we know Bette Midler did the song in “The Rose” but there is no rendition that can touch who originally recorded it. The absolute utter passion that poured out of Lorraine Ellison’s soul into those who listened to it.

This was one of those songs that wailed the feeling convincingly and did it drained with every ounce of emotion and word sung. She wasn’t just singing another set of lyrics written, she dissected every single feeling the words of the song expressed. It’s presentation had you crying with her as she pleaded their defining meanings.

Sunday Smooth Soul’ ~ “Stay In My Corner” ~ The Dells

Outside of Detroit’s own Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops, Marvin Junior’s almost as smooth baritone vocals made this 1965 release soothing to everybody’s soul. His 17 second note holding on the one word “BaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaBY” made both females cringe and had the males in awe. The 65′ release of this record hit #3 on the R&B Hot Black Singles chart, its re-release in 1968 hit #10 on billboard 100.

The song defined passion and definitely defined “Soul”.

Saturday Soul & The Detroit Red Wings Keep The Steak Alive with #22! ~ Higher and Higher ~ Jackie Wilson

The Motor City Always Had It!!!

Red Wings now have 22 consecutive wins on home ice. And as in our past with “Mr. Excitement” we keep going higher and higher.

Enjoy The Ride…….

Motown Monday ~ Trouble Man ~ Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye wrote every single song on this films soundtrack. He not only composed, produced and arranged them but along with the vocals he played the drums, keyboards & piano for the songs. Sadly the title track would ultimately epitomize his life at its conclusion.

One very talented yet tormented soul that has been very missed not only by the fans of the city who enjoyed his early works with Motown, but by the entire music world.

Etta James Broke Down the Barriers and Won.

Saturday Smooth ~ Babyface ~ For The Cool In You

Written by Kenneth Brian “Babyface” Edmonds.
Released off the songs self entitled 4th album in Aug. 1993.

Now I’ve got to admit beyond the middle 1970s when I personally thought that music went down straight down the toilet, there were also sporadic exceptions that came along. Nothing I’d go out and buy an album for but there was some definitely good singles and songs that emerged. And to me this was one of them.

Saturday Soul Check ~ Roy Brown ~ Hard Luck

Hard Luck Blues was Roy Brown’s biggest seller in 1950 but it wasn’t his first song he wrote or recorded.

Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men with The Griffin Brothers.

Motown Monday ~ The Way You Dog Me Around ~ The Diablos featuring Nolan Strong

Before there was even a “Motown”.

Motown Monday ~ Marv Johnson ~ Come To Me

Written by Marv Johnson & Berry Gordy Jr.

Released in May 1959.

You are hearing the very first single that ever came out of ” Motown” released on Tamla Label. It was a Midwest hit but because the label was still a local company just starting out Gordy sold the rights of the song to United Artists so it could be distributed nationally. And it indeed become a national #30 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and # 3 on the national R&B chart by early 1960.

Sunday Blues ~ Janis ~ Maybe

Released the year I was born ~ 1957

Written by Arelene Smith