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By Larry, January 26, 2017 1:43 pm

The Isley Brothers

Listen/Download – Isley Brothers – Nowhere To Run MP3

Greetings all.

The end of the week is upon us, and I will remind you – as I always do – not to forget to dig into the Funky16Corners Radio Show, which drops each and every Friday with the best in soul, funk, jazz and rare groove, all on original vinyl.

You can subscribe to the show as a podcast in iTunes, listen on your mobile device via Stitcher or TuneIn, check it out on Mixcloud or gran yourself an MP3 right here at Funky16Corners.com.

I usually prep these posts weeks in advance, in an attempt to stockpile enough so that the chaos of normal life doesn’t intrude on the routine of the blog.

That said, the previous four posts were a reaction to the events of the last few months – culminating in the inauguration – and they all fell together in the space of a couple of hours last weekend.

The post you see before you today was written and assembled weeks ago, but manages to capture (at least in its title) a bit of the current, angst-ridden zeitgeist.

It comes to us courtesy of the mighty Isley Brothers.

I am in the habit of grabbing each and every original Tamla/Motown LP I find in the wild (not as common as you’d think) and I was very happy indeed when I found the record you see before you.

I was even happier when I discovered that the purchase would also scratch another itch, the one that concerns itself with Motown having their acts cover songs by other (Motown) acts.

This was a fairly common phenomenon, and the Isley Brothers take on Martha and the Vandella’s ‘Nowhere To Run’ is a killer.

The groovy thing is, that is is no mere retread. It is a different backing track than the Vandellas hit, slightly sparer with interesting guitar and piano touches, with the harmony backing vocals much more prominent in the mix, and a great wailing lead vocal.

While I don’t think that the Isley’s take on the song would have surpassed Martha and the Vandellas (in fact the Isleys version remained an LP-only cut), which has a uniquely clear, direct sound as well as Martha Reeves remarkable lead vocal, it is excellent.

If you can get your hands on a copy of the LP, do so, as there are a number of amazing tracks, including ‘Seek and You Shall Find’ which I consider something of a forgotten Motown classic.

I hope you dig the tune, that you can all hang on to the ride, and I’ll see you on Monday..

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.

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.

Comments (1)

By Larry, October 26, 2014 11:07 am

Marvin Gaye

Listen/Download Marvin Gaye – Baby Don’t You Do It

Greetings all

Allow me to usher you all in to the new week, with some of the old time soul music.

But first, I have to let you know that next week (Tuesday, to be exact) marks the 10th Anniversary of the Funky16Corners Blog.

To commemorate this momentous occasion, I have put together five mixes containing my favorite sides in separate categories.

I’ve put a lot of work (and thought) in these playlists, and I think you’ll dig them. So stay tuned, stop by and get your download on.

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I was digging in my record room the other day, looking for something else (found it quick, too!) and in my travels I pulled the record you see before you from the box.

Marvin Gaye is unquestionably one of the greatest soul singers of the classic era, though there are many for whom his early (non-duet) works are largely unheard.

This is due to the fact that over the years the moody, worldy Marvin of ‘What’s Going On’ and beyond has become in many ways THE Marvin Gaye.

But die-hard soulies, who like to hit the dance floor and groove on that sweet Tamla/Motown ish, know that Marvin had many years of great work behind him before that landmark album.

Looking back, I’m still not sure if I initially heard today’s selection via Mr Gaye or by the Small Faces.

I do remember buying a copy of the old ‘Marvin Gaye Super Hits’ LP, the one with the Marvin-as-Superman cartoon cover, in the city, but I suspect that the Small Faces ripping take on the song made it into my ears first via a mix tape.

That said, ‘Baby Don’t You Do It’, written and produced by Holland/Dozier/Holland is prime 1964 Motor City soul clapping beauty, with a machine gun snare drum opening, and dueling piano and guitar.

The tune is a dance floor mover, which is something that coverers, from the Small Faces, to the Who, to the Band, (who turn the fast-forward soul into rolling funk) recognized and capitalized on.

As groovy as ‘Baby Don’t You Do It’ is, wasn’t a huge hit, grazing the R&B Top 30 in September of 1964.

Of course, knowledgeable tastemakers such as yourselves don’t need a chart to prove how solid a record this is, right?

Dig it,and I’ll will return on Wednesday with some more stuff.

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).

PS Head over to Iron Leg too.