R&B and Soul

R&B (Rhythm and Blues)• R&B now and then, use of term• Early characteristics: shouter singing style,

boogie-woogie piano

Ex: Joe Turner and Pete Johnson – “Roll ‘Em Pete” (1938)

R&B

• Fully formed by 1940s• Big band swing dies during WWII, leads to smaller

combos• Urban image from swing/jazz origins

• Instrument lineup• Sounds like 50s Rock n Roll (black/white)

• Fast/lively • fun/party/sex • 12-bar form

Louis Jordan (1908-1975)• b. Brinkley, Arkansas (Delta)• Father led dance band in Little Rock• Alto Sax at 7• 1935: NYC, Chick Webb’s

band with Ella Fitzgerald• Hollywood

Ex: Louis Jordan – “Caledonia” (1945)

• Jump blues• Tympany Five: backed Bing, Louis, Ella, etc.

Fats Domino (1928-)

• b. Antoine Domino, New Orleans, Louisiana• 1st recording, #2 R&B

Ex: Fats Domino –“The Fat Man” (1949)

• Commercial peak mid-50s

Fats Domino Ex: Fats Domino –“Ain’t That a Shame” (1955)

• Crossover to RnR? (#1 R&B, #10 Pop)

• Covered by Pat Boone – white cover versions, success, changes

Ex: Pat Boone – “Ain’t That a Shame” (1955)

Little Richard (1932-)• Richard Wayne Penniman• b. Macon, Georgia

Ex: Little Richard –“Tutti Frutti” (1955)

• From nightclub act: Tutti Frutti Good Booty, cleaned up for record

Ex: Pat Boone – “Tutti Frutti” (1955)• Outsold original 5:1• Pat Boone not keen on this cover• Common practice in 40s and 50s

Little Richard

• Hollywood• Long career

Ex: Little Richard – “Long Tall Sally” (1956)

• Both examples recorded in New Orleans, other recording dates in NO and LA

Gospel• Fisk Jubilee Singers (1871-2000s)• Fisk U, Nashville, est. 1866• European and Northern tours• African-American religious songs

influenced by Western Classical tradition

Gospel• John Alexander’s Sterling Jubilee Singers• Continues Concert Spiritual Tradition• Gospel quartet sound (but 5)• Marketing, crossover both ways

Ex: John Alexander’s Sterling Jubilee Singers –“Jesus Hits Like an Atom Bomb” (late 1940s)

Gospel• Rev. CL Franklin (1915-1984)• b. Sunflower County, Mississippi• Started preaching at 16• Detroit

Ex: “Two Fish and FiveLoaves of Bread”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLdrFtxKq5s

Soul Music• Starts same time as Rock n Roll

• Gospel: Divine love, God• R&B: Human love, sex• Taboo mix of

blues and gospel

• Very connected to R&B: labels, audience, performers, and releases and re-releases

Ray Charles (1930-2004)• b. Albany, Georgia, grew up in Greenville, Florida• Blind by 6• Crooner since late 40s• Often credited with starting Soul (“I Got a Woman”)• Atlantic, 1954

Ray Charles

Ex: Ray Charles – “I Got a Woman” (1954)

• #1 R&B, Elvis cover ’55

• Love song version of gospel standard• Speech singing (Preacher style)

• Vocables: words and sounds blurred• Melisma: one syllable stretched over many notes

Ray Charles• Heroin 16 years,

50s/60s• 2 country albums, ’62• Bill Cosby story

Ex: Ray Charles – “What’d I Say” (1959)

• #1 R&B, #6 Pop, covers• Composition on stage, 1am

Sam Cooke (1931-1964)

• b. Clarksdale, MS• Chicago 1933• Huge influence

• Shot to death by motel clerk in LA, no charges laid

Ex: Sam Cooke – “Bring It On Home To Me” (1962)• LA studio, orchestral

Ex: Sam Cooke – “Bring It On Home To Me” (1964)• Live, Harlem Square Club, Miami – the “real” Sam?

Aretha Franklin (1942-)

• b. Memphis, Detroit at 5

• Gospel with Dad• Teen Gospel records• 18: Columbia – lush pop• 1967: Atlantic (grittier, FAME band)

Ex: Aretha Franklin –“I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)” (1967)

Etta James (1938-2012)

• Various genres• Chess, early 1960s• Heroin• FAME

Ex: Etta James –“Something’s Got A Hold On Me” (1962) Chess, genre?