(J. Capaldi-S. Winwood) Producer: Jimmy Miller
Featuring Stevie Winwood on vocals. In 1969 Stevie helped form super group Blind Faith.
3. Blind Faith - Can't Find My Way Home (1969)
(S. Winwood) Producer: Jimmy Miller
In addition to Stevie Winwood, the group included Rick Grech, bass; Ginger Baker, drums; Eric Clapton on guitar and vocals. Eric went on to form Derek and the Dominos. Jimmy Miller, the Brooklyn born gifted producer/drummer who produced these 3 songs, went on to work with The Stones and other groups.
4. Derek and the Dominos - Layla (1970)
(Eric Clapton & Jim Gordon) Produced by Tom Dowd
Dominos included: Bobby Whitlock, keyboards & vocals; Carl Radle, bass; Jim Gordon, drums & piano; and Duane Allman on guitar. Duane was part of the Allman Brothers Band; he also did countless recording sessions: Aretha Franklin, Wilson Picket, John Hammond, King Curtis and many others.
5. The Allman Brothers Band - Little Martha (1971)
(D. Allman) Producer: Tom Dowd.
Not a typical Allman Bros. tune, but lovely. Duane played dobro here; Dickie Betts was on guitar.
6. Johnny Jenkins - Down Along the Cove
(Bob Dylan) Producers: Duane Allman & Johnny Sandlin.
Cool Dylan tune in which Duane Allman played smoking slide with Jenkins. Otis Redding used to work for Johnny Jenkins. In fact, he got his first recording break during a Jenkins session.Otis Redding - Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
7. Otis Redding - Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
(Otis Redding & Steve Cropper) Produced by
Otis loved Sam Cooke and did great things with Sam’s songs. His version of “Chain Gang”, in particular, is just incredible to me. This is something different: the main line of the chorus (the fa-fa, etc.) is an adaption of the horn lines in the next song, written by Sam.
8. Sam Cooke - Yeah Man (1964)
(Sam Cooke) Producers: S. Cooke, L Creatore, H. Peretti.
If this melody sounds familiar it’s because it’s the same melody used for the classic soul hit that follows.
9. Arthur Conley - Sweet Soul Music (1967)
(O. Redding & A. Conley) Producer: Otis Redding
Great adaption and rendition, a sweet tribute to soul music and Sam Cooke’senduring influence.
10. Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon & James Taylor - What a Wonderful World (1975)
(S. Cooke-H. Alpert-L. Adler) Producers : Art Garfunkel & Phil Ramone
Another great Sam Cooke tune. The trio croons some really smooth, beautiful harmonies that put a really original spin on this tune. I wish the three of them had recorded more, ‘cause I just love this. If you like this, look for JT & Garfunkel singing the classic Everly Bros hit, “Crying in the rain”, written by Carole King & Howard Greenfield. It’s gorgeous
11. George Jones - Bartender's Blues (1978)
(James Taylor) Producer: Billy Sherrill
The country master nails this great JT song; James sings harmony. Checkout the lyrics, they’re great.
12. James Taylor - You've Got a Friend (1971)
(Carole King) Producer: Peter Asher
James’ terrific performance scored a #1 hit with this one. He won a Grammy for best Pop vocal performance; King won song of the year. Wonderful Carole! The lady Randy Newman called the Irving Berlin of Rock and Roll. Producer Peter Asher was half of Peter & Gordon, the duo who had a big hit in 1964 with “World without love”, written by Paul McCartney.
13. The Shirelles - Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1960)
(Carole King & Gerry Goffin ) Producer: Luther Dixon
I told you Carole is wonderful! She arranged the tune: dig the soulful, innovative string arrangement. Lyricist Gerry Goffin (her ex-husband and writing partner) is a wonderful writer himself. He co-wrote many other hits, (with and without Carole) including classics like : “Take good care of my baby”, “Up on the roof”, “So sad the song”, “I’m saving all my love for you”, and others.
14. Aretha Franklin - A Natural Woman (1967)
(Gerry Goffin, Carole King & Jerry Wexler) Producer: Jerry Wexler
Goffin and Miss King write for the Queen of Soul who makes the song her own. Aretha was always royalty, but when she moved to Atlantic records she really ruled: she owned the throne. Gerry Goffin can write any kind of lyric!
15. Ray Charles - (Night Time Is) The Right Time (1958)
(N. Brown, O. Cadena, L. Herman) Producers: J. Wexler & A. Ertegun
Ray Charles also found a home at Atlantic. This is one of my favorite Ray songs; all the classic elements are here : Ray’s usual soulful performance, a stunning solo by Raelett Margie Hendrix, David Newman on Alto sax, great arrangement by Ray.