Papa Don Association – Souled Out
Papa Don Schroeder
Listen/Download Papa Don Association – Souled Out
Greetings all
Welcome to another fine week here at the Funky16Corners.
The tune I bring you today is one of those records that I knew of, but hadn’t heard until very recently, when it turned up in a friend’s sale list.
If any part of the name Papa Don Association rings a bell, it might be because the man behind the record is in fact famed southern soul producer/songwriter Papa Don Schroeder.
Known to soul fans for his work with artists like James and Bobby Purify and Mighty Sam (and his familiar PDP logo on their 45s) Schroeder was a significant presence on the southern scene during the 1960s.
Released in 1968, the sole 45 by The Papa Don Association featured the song you see before you today – ‘Souled Out’ (credited to Schroeder) – and a reworking of Procol Harum’s ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ on the flipside.
‘Souled Out’ is a certifiably mighty piece of funky southern soul.
The opening bass (some goddamn funky bass!) and drum combo out to be in some kind of hall of fame, and the rest of the song has a muscular, Booker T and the MG’s edge to it.
If you get the chance, slap on the headphones and turn up the volume and really listen to the drum sound. The back and forth between the snare roll and the bass drum (which almost echoes) is really something else.
I have had no luck in discovering who the ‘Papa Don Association’ actually was, but my suspicion leans in the direction of the American Studios crew in Memphis, with whom Schroeder worked extensively during the period. There’s a similarity here to Rosie Grier’s ‘Slow Drag’ that pushes me in that direction as well.
This is one you want to slap on in the heat of a particularly sweaty dance if only to kick things up just a little bit more. The pulse of ‘Souled Out’ conjures up the image of any number of fine frames being shaken and stirred vigorously.
This is a heater indeed, and I hope you dig it as much as I do.
See you all on Wednesday.
Keep the faith
Larry
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Also, the brand new Funky16Corners ‘Keep Calm and Stay Funky’ stickers have arrived!
The stickers are 4″ x 3″ and printed on high quality, glossy stock.
They are $2.00 each, with free shipping in the US ($2.00 per order shipping outside of the US).
Click here to go to the ordering page.
Also, make sure that you check out the links below to the Be The Match Foundation and POAC (click on the logos for more info).
Themocracy
The only bad thing you can say is the track’s much too short. Was there ever an LP?
Not that I know of. My suspicion is that Schroeder came up with a tune he liked, had the band record it, put out a 45 and when it didn’t generate any hear, that was the end of the Papa Don Association.
That should read “generate any HEAT”…