Keeping the Faith
Johnny Otis
Listen/Download Johnny Otis Show – Keep the Faith Pt1
Listen/Download Johnny Otis Show – Keep the Faith Pt2
Greetings all.
I’m going to get the week started with an update of the medical situation here at the Funky16Corners compound.
I do so not only because many of you have sent along your prayers and good wishes for my wife’s health, but also because the next steps we take will likely effect the weekly workings of the blog*.
Back just before last Halloween my wife was diagnosed with leukemia.
It was, and has been for the last 5+ months been a rather harrowing roller coaster ride for the whole family, but especially Jen.
She has been facing cancer with a remarkable amount of courage.
The next few months will see us moving on to the next, crucial stage in her treatment, a stem cell transplant.
This is not only time consuming (in the hospital for nearly a month and then a few months of frequent outpatient visits) but – as you might imagine – a very serious medical process.
We have been extraordinarily lucky that Jen was able to find a stem cell/bone marrow match in a fairly short period of time, unusual because she doesn’t have any siblings (the first place they generally look to for a transplant).
Jen will be getting her transplant from an unrelated donor.
The donor pool needs to grow so that when people are in need of transplants the doctors have a large and diverse field of samples in which to find a match.
Getting tested for inclusion in the pool is short and painless process.
The bigger (and more diverse) the donor pool is, the greater the likelihood that someone else will be able to find a match and survive leukemia.
If you have the time, watch the video for the Be The Match foundation and/or follow the link to their site.
Once there you can read up on your read ups, register to become a donor (they send you the kit) and increase the possibility that someone out there will find a match.
I’m telling you from personal experience, this is very important, and you can change someone’s life without any risk to your own.
Today’s selection is appropriate not only because the title of the song has become a motto of sort for Funky16Corners, but particularly because the last several months have been all about keeping the faith.
When we marked the passing of the mighty Johnny Otis back in January, I made mention of (but did not own, at the time) the 45 you see before you today.
An unusual omission, when you think of it, since the title is practically inscribed on the Funky16Corners coin of the realm, and it is undeniably an exceptionally groovy bit of soul.
Though Johnny Otis hit the charts consistently in the late 50s and then again a decade later, the period in between produced some remarkable sides.
‘Keep the Faith Pts 1&2’ is one of those classic sounds that skirt the border that runs (and fluctuates) between soul and funk. It is also something that might to lesser ears be filed under ‘novelty’, solely on the basis of the numerous direct and indirect quotes (musical and lyrical) from the popular records of the day.
There are shouts to ‘Try a Little Tenderness’, ‘You Got Me Hummin’, ‘I’m Losing You’, ‘Knock On Wood’, ‘I Don’t Need No Doctor’, ‘Mustang Sally’ and in all likelihood a couple more I’m missing.
However – big however here – what you get on top of the references is a stellar vocal by Johnny himself (where a few years later you’d probably be hearing Delmar Evans), sweet female backing harmonies, some nice, hard drums and a delicious bed of greasy organ.
You also get (this starting to sound like a Ginsu knife commercial yet?) is a very groovy Part 2, in which the offering is mostly (but not entirely) instrumental, the bottom a little more audible and young Shuggie gets to drop a lick here and there.
This is one of those records I am honestly shocked is not a much bigger deal (Part 1 or 2) with the collectors, and the DJs and the dancers.
Eldo is an interesting label in that the bulk of its releases fall between 1960 and 1962, and the rest after it appears to have been reactivated by Otis for a short time in 1968 (when ‘Keep the Faith’ dropped) with a couple of sides by Johnny and a couple by Gene ‘The Mighty Flea’ Connors.
The later stuff isn’t terribly common or cheap, but their not crazy expensive either, falling into that gray area between your run of the mill collectors and (probably ignored by) the high-dollar ballers who think it beneath them to drop anything less than a fat wad on a 45.
It is exceedingly cool, hot enough for any soul night and anyone that says different is gonna get a poke in the eye.
There, I said it.
Dig it, and I’ll see you when I see you.
Peace
Larry
*Though I’m not 100% sure what I’m going to do yet (this is all a day to day process) I suspect that I may have to reduce the posting frequency for a time
Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos).
If you want one of the new Funky16Corners stickers (free, of course) click here for info.
Check out the Funky16Corners Store at Cafe Press
Enough Already, Funk, Funk 45, Funky16Corners, Johnny Otis, Soul, Soul 45
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Funk, Funky16Corners, Soul
Themocracy
Dear Jen & Larry,
I wish you a full recovery, painless as possible and quick as it can be.
Be strong, keep supporting each other and keep believing!!
thinking of you from Brooklyn, NY.
Eilon
Kind thoughts and good vibrations continue to flow from our musically fortified compound to yours. Update as you can. We’ll be here when you get back.
Best wishes for you and your family.
I completely agree with you on this track, is splendid, I often play it un my sessions in Madrid and I always get a great response. This 45 and the ones from Kent are among my favorites.
Jorge
Thoughts with you, Jen and your family Larry….hope all goes well:)
Keep the faith, amen !
Thanks everyone!
Sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she takes the treatment well and thrives for many years to come.
Sending positive vibes to you and your wife.
Larry, it’s rather sad to read of your wife’s health challenges.
However, modern medicine can truly work miracles. I’m confident that the treatment will be successful and Jen will make a full recover.
Lots of love and best wishes to you both!
James
x
ps. This is indeed a great tune!
My very best wishes hopes and prayers are with you both – and your blog is an inspiration. Thank you
Best wishes to you and Jen! Checking out the marrow registry now…
“keep the faith part 2” is on a new johnny otis comp issued by ace records this year. i was blown away by it’s gritty quality and total grooviness when i heard it. i think the liner notes suggest it wasn’t shuggie laying down those notes though..
Mark
Who do they say the guitarist is?
Larry