Soul!!

Let's try something different tonight. Instead of talking about indie rock or some alt-countryish band, let's talk some soul. Now, I am not a big soul guy typically, although I've spent time with soulish type artists like Sly, Stevie, and some Curtis. However, two new records have hit recently that have caught my attention. The first is by Bettye Lavette and her record, The Scene of the Crime. Belting out her style of soul for over 30 years, this CD features The Drive-By Truckers as the backing band. Not only do the Truckers get to explore some funkiness that their own records have yet to explore, Bettye Lavette's powerful voice brings real intensity. Bettye Lavette has seen and experienced some stuff in her life (including dissatisfaction with the industry, jealousy, love trouble) and her awe-inspiring, gravel throated voice, aided by the Truckers, help ya feel some of those things. Anyway, check out my favorite track from the record.

Bettye Lavette -- They Call It Love



The second record is by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and is entitled 100 Days, 100 Nights. Around since 1996, Sharon and her band remind one of the great soul bands of the 1960s and 1970s. These guys wear James Brown and Ike and Tina Turner on their sleeves, but that's cool because nothing sounds like that these days.

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings -- Tell Me


Enjoy this cool stuff. In fact, I can't really think of anything cooler than these records, other than maybe these guys (even pixelated these guys are cool):

BK