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The month of June is Black
Music Month. Black popular music, is the language of
“communities under siege and in crisis while engaged in
various modes of resistance while taking time to get their
swerve on,” asserts Mark Anthony Neal, Duke University
scholar and culture critic.
Neal’s definition fits my
experience to a tee!
As a baby boomer whose coming
of age was birthed during the late 1960s and early 70s by
the conjugation of the Soul Era black church and the Civil
Rights/Black Power protest movement, black popular music was
and will always be, for me, about politics and pleasure or
romance and resistance.
In tribute to Black Music
Month, my wife Willetta and I, after some debate, are
putting forward our favorite artists and the songs that we
deem most memorable for our “old school” experience.
We hope that you will do the
same.
Our Favorite Old School Songs
and Artists:
#1 – Aretha Franklin:
“Call Me”
Aretha’s gospel roots, along
with a message of an apparent struggle for respect or
possible relationship conflict provide a unique undertone to
her soulful yet clear voice in much of her music. This song,
however was inspired when Aretha witnessed a loving couple
interacting on New York City’s Park Avenue and overheard
them say to each other, “I love you, call me.” The
experience obviously deeply resonated with her. Franklin
also shows extraordinary versatility by playing the piano on
the recording.
#2 – Stevie Wonder:
“Knocks Me Off My Feet”
Although Wonder often uses
his music as a platform for activism and to make the world a
better place, no one is better in composing romantic lyrics
and sweet melodies. Stevie Wonder is an American icon whose
longevity speaks for itself. His career has existed for over
five decades and he is still relevant.
#3 – The Temptations:
“Beauty’s Only Skin Deep”
The early years of this
esteemed Motown group made an indelible imprint on my young
mind. While I prefer their “The Way You Do the Things You
Do,” Willetta and I, both agree that the Tempting
Temptations’ brand presented the “total package” – the
peerless artistry of lead singers David Ruffin and Eddie
Kendricks, superb choreography and outstanding costume
design.
#4 – Donny Hathaway:
“A Song for You”
Hathaway was a gifted
vocalist, musician and creative genius whose music blended
pop, jazz and a heavy influence of blues and gospel. In
contrast to my wife, I personally prefer Donny’s
collaborations with Roberta Flack or songs like “The
Ghetto.”
#5 – Earth, Wind and Fire:
“Love’s Holiday”
This. Right. Here!
“Would you mind, If I looked into your eyes till I'm
hypnotized, And I lose my pride
“Would you mind, If I make love to you till I'm satisfied,
once again
“Cause I never ever felt this way in my heart
before, oh Love, has found its way in my heart tonight”
After all of these decades, I still can’t get the
lyrics and melody of this tune out of my head. Neither can I
forget the dreamy images of the burgeoning experience of a
romance-in-sync that has lasted over four decades and evoked
by this unparalleled love song. Using horns, string and
percussion instruments, EW&F creatively and sensually blends
R&B, funk, jazz, disco, pop and rock music with Latin and
African flavors and is one of the greatest bands of all time
anywhere.
#6. The Stylistics:
“Hurry Up This Way Again”
Smooth as silk. The
Stylistics’ Philadelphia soul sound dominated the 1970s
record charts by the unique falsetto voice of lead singer
Russell Thompkins, Jr. and the creativity of producers Thom
Bell and Linda Creed. There are many Stylistics hits to
choose from. “People Make the World Go Round” enhanced my
enjoyment of Spike Lee’s movie “Crooklyn” and makes an
excellent choice but we settled on “Hurry Up This Way Again”
because of how eloquently it speaks to the depth of pain in
being apart from the person you truly love.
#7. Marvin Gaye:
“What’s Going On?”
This song was stuck on the
jukebox in the student union during my freshman year of
college. I suspected that a member of the Black Student
Union rigged the equipment to play on an endless loop. Yet,
no one complained because “What’s Going On” is noticeably
political and spoke directly to the political conflict of
those times. I also like Gaye’s collaborations with the
beautiful late performer, Tammi Terrell. However, for the
gifted musician’s reputation as a “romance” icon, the
sexually explicit lyrics of “Let’s Get It On” and/or “Got To
Give It Up” may speak better to that experience.
#8. Ohio Players:
“Heaven Must Be Like This”
A fabulous funk, soul and R&B
band formed a short jaunt down I-75 south to Dayton, Ohio,
the Ohio Players were superbly skilled musicians. In
addition to their unique sound and creativity they left
their imprint on romantic music by being one of the first to
bring “behind closed-door bedroom conversations” out in the
open through song. The dynamic group stretched lyrical
boundaries and opened the door for the later genre of rap
music by moving the content of love music from an emotional
to a physical experience and using more suggestive, if not
explicit, expression.
#9. The Impressions:
“We’re A Winner”
Chicago, Illinois is a
political hotbed fueled by the intersection of social
justice, community organizing, religion and the great
migration of blacks from southern states like Mississippi.
No other black music discography contains more politically
conscious content than the activist, gospel-infused Chicago
sound of the Impressions. Often compared with Motown artists
such as the Temptations, 4 Tops and Smoky Robinson and the
Miracles, the Impressions soared above its rivals and
inspired a generation of activists like me, via the social
awareness and song writing of legend Curtis Mayfield.
#10. The Isleys: “For
the Love of You”
This iconic band from
Cincinnati, Ohio is as equally adept at producing political
protest compositions like “Fight the Power” or baby-making
music such as “Voyage to Atlantis” and the above “For the
Love of You.” Ronald Isley, surviving member, continues the
group’s sensual legacy through his sexy contemporary songs
such as “Just Came Here to Chill.”
#Honorable Mention: Minnie Ripperton’s
“Loving You,” is my pick while Willetta chooses Gladys
Knight & the Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
Please let me know how your favorite old
school soul music compares to ours.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
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