Your Daily Song Fix

Bill Withers was the last of six children born on July 4, 1938, in Slab Fork, West Virginia. He was the only man in his family who did not end up working in the coal mines of West Virginia.  Instead, he enlisted in the US Navy and became interested in writing and singing songs while stationed in Guam.  In 1967, after being discharged, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. As a self-proclaimed untrained musician, he became known for his story-telling ability and most of his early recordings did not feature a traditional song structure.  “Harlem” does not have a chorus; instead, each verse escalates in a crescendo as the song progresses. Withers uses this structure to build tension and compliment the story he’s telling in his lyrics.

If a man writes this song for you and you don’t fall in love with him your heart is made of stone. The Chicago-based group Pieces of Peace is also, almost certainly, the only band to ever be created in Chicago and disband in Singapore.

"Why would you deny me?"

If you’ve made it to Singapore as a band you’ve probably done something right, or have you?

I love my Dap Kings and my Amy Winehouse but sometimes there is nothing like the real deal.  This is song is 1960s soul that melts your heart and reminds you that you have to treat your lady right.

Sam Cooke began his career singing gospel, first with siblings and later as part of other various groups through the early 1950s.  In the second half of that decade, Cooke transitioned to pop music, releasing “Lovable,” his first pop single in 1956.  “Having a Party” was recorded in 1961 under his own record label after he had gained significant notoriety.  The studio version of this song features Cooke’s clear, soothing voice; something he carried over from his gospel days and a quality his fans adored him for.  The live version of the song appeared on “Live at the Harlem Square Club,” recorded in 1963, just one year before his controversial death in December, 1964.  In this live cut, a coarseness can be clearly heard in Cooke’s voice, probably as the result of time spent touring and performing live shows.  This grittier version of the song exemplifies something closer to rock and roll, and captures Sam Cooke’s true versatility as a singer and performer.

Studio version:

Live version:

This song is about a relationship between two best friends. Stephanie and Paulette are references to characters in Grease 2. From what I have read, everyone fights over Stephanie whereas Paulette tries hard and craves approval from the other characters. I guess that says something about the friendship described in this song…

The world lost two great musicians yesterday. Teddy Pendergrass, a Grammy award winning R&B/soul singer and songwriter, died after a long battle with colon cancer at age 59. Jay Reatard, garage punk musician and leader of the Reatards, died in his sleep from unknown causes at the age of 29. I am posting a song from each artist in memorial of the great music they contributed to this world.

Jay Reatard – It Aint Gonna Save Me

Teddy Pendergrass – Close The Door

Sorry Daily Song Fix has been missing in action this week. I develop websites, blogs, and web applications for a living and these past couple weeks have been really busy. Taylor, a Daily Song Fix reader, sent me a great suggestion – Honey Dove by Lee Fields. I had not heard of Lee Fields before Taylor mentioned him but according to Taylor, “Honey Dove” is a “great soulful song by the classic funk artist Lee Fields. Currently performing with The Expressions on the Truth and Soul label and putting out solid funk and soul!” I definitely agree that this is some solid funk and soul. I will be paying more attention to Lee Fields in the future. Thanks Taylor!

“Try a Little Tenderness” is a love song written by “Irving King” and Harry M. Woods, and recorded initially on December 8, 1932 by the Ray Noble Orchestra (with vocals by Val Rosing). Otis Redding’s live version from the amazing album Live in London & Paris starts off with a great soulful melody and then transitions into an upbeat groove backed by a fearless horn section. I put this entire album in the Daily Song Fix Store (see the tab – Listen and Shop!) because it really is an amazing album. Props to Joe @ Chowabunga for the song suggestion.
Update: The Live in Paris version stopped working so I embedded a different one below, still great!

Soulive is a really funky upbeat band and I will be posting lots of their music on this blog. This song is a bit soft and jazzy but very tasteful. Soulive teams up with Dave Matthews to cover the Ani Difranco song “Joyful Girl.” Eric Krasno takes a really awesome solo midway through the song to show some of that Soulive instrumental virtuosity. Enjoy!