Sunday, February 28, 2021

There's a Heartbreak Somewhere: A Compendium of Country Soul

         I don't know why it took me so long to put together a country soul compilation as it's easily one of my very favorite genres/subgenres of music.  Perhaps, it's because it's a difficult genre/subgenre to adequately define.   I mean, "I" know it when I hear it, but I would also imagine some of the stuff that I consider to be country soul isn't seen that way by others.  

        Regardless, I hope folks enjoy the compilation, even if you have misgivings about some of the choices.  I would also highly recommend Charles Hughes' book - Country Soul: Making Music and Making Race in the American SouthIt's a very interesting look at the complicated racial dynamics at play amongst musicians, producers, record labels during the heyday of country soul in the 1960s and 1970s "country-soul triangle" (Memphis, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals).  It's published by an academic press and there's a little academic jargon, but it's really a must-read for any fan of country soul.  (You can also check out Charles Hughes' country soul playlist on Spotify if you're interested.)

       I'll post Discs 3 & 4 next month - in case, you were wondering why I omitted your favorite country soul artist. :)  I've also re-upped my rare soul compilations from five years ago.

Download Disc 1 and 2

Disc 1

Just A Little Lovin'

Shelby Lynne

To The Other Woman (I'm The Other Woman)

Doris Duke

A Woman Is A Man's Best Friend

James Carr

Ode to Billy Joe

Joe Tex

He Made A Woman Out Of Me

Bobbie Gentry

The Son Of Hickory Holler Tramp

O.C. Smith

A Man Needs a Woman (a Woman Needs a Man)

Z.Z. Hill

I Don't Need You No More

George Jackson

He'll Have To Go

Solomon Burke

Eddie And Polly

The Delines

It Ain't Easier

Yola

You Really Know How to Hurt a Guy

Arthur Conley

I Threw It All Away

Bob Dylan

Sleeping Without You Is a Dragg

Swamp Dogg

Patches

Clarence Carter

Just Like Old Times

Mighty Sam McClain

Your Cold Heart

Lloyd Hendricks

Stand By Your Man

Candi Staton

Disc 2

Hold on

Alabama Shakes

Let's Do It Over

Toussaint Mccall

Life Has Its Little Ups And Downs

Brook Benton

You've Been Crying

O.V. Wright

She's Not For You

Willie Nelson

Reconsider Me

Johnny Adams

Son Of A Preacher Man

Aretha Franklin

Needledrop Blues

Emily Duff

Fancy

Irma Thomas

You Are My Sunshine

Earl Gaines

She Ain't Gonna Do Right

James & Bobby Purify

I'm So Proud

Hacienda Brothers

While I'm Away (Baby Keep The Faith)

Eddy G Giles & The Jive Five

Loving Cup

The Rolling Stones

One and the Same

The War and Treaty

Hot Burrito #1

The Flying Burrito Brothers

Don't Make Me Hate Loving You

Jeanie Greene

Crying In The Chapel

Mavis Staples With The Staple Singers

 


7 comments:

rntcj said...

Hi!

Thanx for these. Wondering: can Willie Nelson be "soulful"? Also, thanx for the re-ups of Rare Soul comps. which have numerous "new" artists here = "new" hears here.

Cheers!
Ciao! For now.
rntcj

0 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ishkabibliophile said...

@mtcj,

I will defend to the hilt Willie's soulfulness! But I can definitely understand people objecting to his music being labeled as country soul - especially given his behind the beat singing. Oh well, such are the joys of putting together a country soul compilation...

Ishkabibliophile said...

@blackwalls,

Sorry about the delay, but just added your blog. Glad you're back on the internet!

Ish

0 said...

thanks, really appreciate it. added yours also.

rntcj said...

Hi!

Thanx for responding here. No very many do. Simple just not a Willie Nelson or C&W fan is all.

Cheers!
Ciao! For now.
rntcj

Ishkabibliophile said...

Cheers to you as well, rntcj! Also, speaking of rare soul, I've re-upped 4 out of print Sweet Sounds of Muscle Shoals cds. https://rightsideofagoodthing.blogspot.com/search?q=muscle+shoals

best,
Ish