Listening to Sam & Dave on Radio Paradise

Sam: Hey Dave, What do think we should call our group? Dave: I don't know!

Posted 7 months ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

EXCELLENT!! Thanx RP!

Posted 7 months ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

love this version. love it!!

Posted 1 year ago by lily34 [ Reply ]

kcar wrote:

This ain't Motown, my friend, this is Stax Records out of Memphis, TN. That's why he called out to Steve Cropper (you're right, I think: that wouldn't happen on a Motown recording). Sam and Dave were "loaned" to record with Stax by Atlantic Records and had their biggest hits with Stax.

Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn were not anonymous to those in the know, btw. They were Stax's studio musicians and were members of Booker T. and the MGs (Biggest hit was "Green Onions"). Booker T. Jones was also a Stax house musician. I know Steve and Duck were in the movie "Blues Brothers"; not sure about Booker.

Stax had a rougher, bluesier sound than Motown. Isaac Hayes became their biggest talent after Otis Redding died and Atlantic ended its distribution contract with Stax and claimed the rights to all of Stax's 1960-67, moves that deprived Stax of revenue from its very successful back catalog.

There's a great documentary about Stax available on PBS and YouTube...

very cool. i didn't know all this.
i did, though, meet steve cropper in lexington, ky at an event for the non-profit i was working for at the time. he was very pleasant.

Posted 1 year ago by lily34 [ Reply ]

kcar wrote:

This ain't Motown, my friend, this is Stax Records out of Memphis, TN. That's why he called out to Steve Cropper (you're right, I think: that wouldn't happen on a Motown recording). Sam and Dave were "loaned" to record with Stax by Atlantic Records and had their biggest hits with Stax.

Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn were not anonymous to those in the know, btw. They were Stax's studio musicians and were members of Booker T. and the MGs (Biggest hit was "Green Onions"). Booker T. Jones was also a Stax house musician. I know Steve and Duck were in the movie "Blues Brothers"; not sure about Booker.

Stax had a rougher, bluesier sound than Motown. Isaac Hayes became their biggest talent after Otis Redding died and Atlantic ended its distribution contract with Stax and claimed the rights to all of Stax's 1960-67, moves that deprived Stax of revenue from its very successful back catalog.

There's a great documentary about Stax available on PBS and YouTube...

Thank You for the info!

Posted 1 year ago by joejennings [ Reply ]

kcar wrote:

This ain't Motown, my friend, this is Stax Records out of Memphis, TN. That's why he called out to Steve Cropper (you're right, I think: that wouldn't happen on a Motown recording). Sam and Dave were "loaned" to record with Stax by Atlantic Records and had their biggest hits with Stax.

Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn were not anonymous to those in the know, btw. They were Stax's studio musicians and were members of Booker T. and the MGs (Biggest hit was "Green Onions"). Booker T. Jones was also a Stax house musician. I know Steve and Duck were in the movie "Blues Brothers"; not sure about Booker.

Stax had a rougher, bluesier sound than Motown. Isaac Hayes became their biggest talent after Otis Redding died and Atlantic ended its distribution contract with Stax and claimed the rights to all of Stax's 1960-67, moves that deprived Stax of revenue from its very successful back catalog.

There's a great documentary about Stax available on PBS and YouTube...

Others have pointed out my Motown/Stax goof and I'm happy to say I learned something (actually a lot) today, thanks

Posted 1 year ago by horseplayer [ Reply ]

ImaOldman wrote:

Very fucking bitchin'

And, in fairness, I am pretty sure that John and Dan would be the first to agree with that. The Blues Brothers was as much a celebration of the music and artists as it was a performance.

Posted 3 years ago by daiv [ Reply ]

Oh dear.... I've been singing along with the words "I was educated at Woodstock" my entire life. It finally occurred to me that this song was written before the event. Thanks for posting the proper lyrics, Bill and Rebecca!

Posted 3 years ago by mattenuttall [ Reply ]

Michaeljcovel wrote:

Truly a bitchen song but how bitchen would it have been without John and Dan?

Very fucking bitchin'

Posted 3 years ago by ImaOldman [ Reply ]

Updoot!!!

Posted 5 years ago by LeftShoe [ Reply ]

Probably one of my top 5 favorite Mondegreens is when someone told me they thought Sam & Dave were singing "I'm a slow man."

Posted 5 years ago by ziggytrix [ Reply ]

That's what I'm talking about!!!
I wouldn't mind if that was one of the songs they play when I snuff it.
Thanks for playing, don't think I knew that version.

Posted 5 years ago by Egctheow [ Reply ]

horseplayer wrote:

I was just thinking how odd that callout to the guitar player is for a Motown song. The incredible backing bands on those Motown records were always treated as so anonymous. I'm surprised they didn't do a re-take after reprimanding Sam (or was it Dave) for "breaking the fourth wall," as it were. Even so, it was decades after the song came out that I even found out who "Steve" was.

And yes, he could play it!

Not a Motown song. They recorded this in Memphis.

Posted 5 years ago by Grammarcop [ Reply ]

Posted 5 years ago by sunflowerbee [ Reply ]

rated high because i played it in high school band; i wonder how i would feel about it if i didn't

Posted 6 years ago by dischuckin [ Reply ]

BillG wrote:

I'm not sure. I agree — & just swapped it out with the original mono single mix.

7→8 now that I'm noticing this is the mono recording....weird how easily our ears can notice these things....esp. on FLAC. Long Live RP!!

Posted 6 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

Truly a bitchen song but how bitchen would it have been without John and Dan?

Posted 6 years ago by Michaeljcovel [ Reply ]

Sorry Bill. This following McCoy Tyner makes no sense at all!!!

Posted 6 years ago by jcyr [ Reply ]

horseplayer wrote:

I was just thinking how odd that callout to the guitar player is for a Motown song. The incredible backing bands on those Motown records were always treated as so anonymous. I'm surprised they didn't do a re-take after reprimanding Sam (or was it Dave) for "breaking the fourth wall," as it were. Even so, it was decades after the song came out that I even found out who "Steve" was.

And yes, he could play it!

This ain't Motown, my friend, this is Stax Records out of Memphis, TN. That's why he called out to Steve Cropper (you're right, I think: that wouldn't happen on a Motown recording). Sam and Dave were "loaned" to record with Stax by Atlantic Records and had their biggest hits with Stax.

Steve Cropper and Donald "Duck" Dunn were not anonymous to those in the know, btw. They were Stax's studio musicians and were members of Booker T. and the MGs (Biggest hit was "Green Onions"). Booker T. Jones was also a Stax house musician. I know Steve and Duck were in the movie "Blues Brothers"; not sure about Booker.

Stax had a rougher, bluesier sound than Motown. Isaac Hayes became their biggest talent after Otis Redding died and Atlantic ended its distribution contract with Stax and claimed the rights to all of Stax's 1960-67, moves that deprived Stax of revenue from its very successful back catalog.

There's a great documentary about Stax available on PBS and YouTube...

Posted 6 years ago by kcar [ Reply ]

Background vocals with Tina Turner anyone?

Posted 6 years ago by Chumbawamba-1984 [ Reply ]

copymonkey wrote:

..Play it Steve!

I was just thinking how odd that callout to the guitar player is for a Motown song. The incredible backing bands on those Motown records were always treated as so anonymous. I'm surprised they didn't do a re-take after reprimanding Sam (or was it Dave) for "breaking the fourth wall," as it were. Even so, it was decades after the song came out that I even found out who "Steve" was.

And yes, he could play it!

Posted 7 years ago by horseplayer [ Reply ]

apd wrote:

where is this version from? Compared to the version I'm used to, this sounds a bit... dunno - flat?

I'm not sure. I agree — & just swapped it out with the original mono single mix.

Posted 7 years ago by William [ Reply ]

DeemerDave wrote:

I prefer the Blues Brothers cover. The recording quality and the band performance are much better than the original.

Perhaps, but the vocals on that version are nowhere near as soulful or funky as those of this original. It's pretty much the same band on both recordings - to me, this has more "feeling" than the later recording.

Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

I prefer the Blues Brothers cover. The recording quality and the band performance are much better than the original.

Posted 7 years ago by DeemerDave [ Reply ]

Agreed. Play the original 45 version so I can rate it a 10. apd wrote:

where is this version from? Compared to the version I'm used to, this sounds a bit... dunno - flat?

Posted 7 years ago by db8s [ Reply ]

Posted 7 years ago by VH1 [ Reply ]

where is this version from? Compared to the version I'm used to, this sounds a bit... dunno - flat?

Posted 7 years ago by apd [ Reply ]

Love it!
${#Dancingbanana_2}$
....the Blues Brothers cover still rates +1

Posted 8 years ago by 10th_rock [ Reply ]

oh hell yeah!!!!

Posted 8 years ago by Skydog [ Reply ]

Killer guitar rifts = hooks = great song

Posted 9 years ago by idiot_wind [ Reply ]

Proclivities wrote:

Yeah, that movie was pretty bad, but there were many which were far worse - "Ishtar" comes to mind. Anyhow, this classic came out almost twenty years before that clunker.

"The Color of Night" and "Natural Born Killers" both came out in '94 and almost caused the sun to go supernova, they were so bad. It was fun to see Jane March nude in "Color" but most of the audience was laughing 2/3 of the way through and it was not a comedy.

This version of "Soul Man" just isn't as good as the one that gets more airplay. Sounds like an out-take.

Posted 9 years ago by kcar [ Reply ]

Prefer their original 45 version - the backing had more soul/funk - but it sure brings back the memories of some great times in the black clubs in the ports of the Gulf of Mexico in the late sixties. As young English seamen we were welcomed royally and never had a moments trouble. A great anecdote which I cannot vouch for, but did hear it said more than once, was that Sam and Dave couldn't stand each other and never spoke to each other!!

Posted 10 years ago by Pedro1874 [ Reply ]

mcullers wrote:

This song shares a title with the worst movie ever made
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091991/

Yeah, that movie was pretty bad, but there were many which were far worse - "Ishtar" comes to mind. Anyhow, this classic came out almost twenty years before that clunker.

Posted 10 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

This song shares a title with the worst movie ever made
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091991/
Soul Man Poster

Posted 12 years ago by mcullers [ Reply ]

Grammarcop wrote:

I still prefer the original 1967 recording.

I think both versions were recorded in 1967.

Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities [ Reply ]

Grammarcop wrote:

I still prefer the original 1967 recording.

Yes Familiar is safer to broadcast. But if the original version is not also on this "Best of Sam and Dave" album. I would take it back.

Posted 12 years ago by max_p [ Reply ]

I still prefer the original 1967 recording.

Posted 12 years ago by Grammarcop [ Reply ]

Boogie music! Horns and everything! (Composer Issac Hayes before his gig on South Park.)

Posted 12 years ago by unclehud [ Reply ]

The very best music of its kind. That any of us took Belushi seriously as a frontman for an R and B group is a testiment to how badly he wanted to be one. "I hate Illinois Nazis!"

Posted 13 years ago by Sasha2001 [ Reply ]

AAAAAAAOOOOOWWWWWWW *doin the funky chicken (otherwise know as the ants in yer pants)*

Posted 13 years ago by jam5ie76 [ Reply ]

That rhythm guitar riff is yummmmayyyy!

Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph [ Reply ]

Love this song! Perfect for a wake-up song!

Posted 13 years ago by CasaE [ Reply ]

Oh...how music has changed!

Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent [ Reply ]

This is a good time to queue up the best of Stax cd that I have.

Posted 14 years ago by BKardon [ Reply ]

Memories of good soul music growing up in Philly ...

Posted 14 years ago by WayUpNorth [ Reply ]

This is the only REAL version of this tune. Love Sam & Dave...I'm kinda tiring of it actually....

Posted 14 years ago by ziakut [ Reply ]

This one and Hold on I'm Comin' were two greats by Sam and Dave.

Posted 14 years ago by bachbeet [ Reply ]

..Play it Steve!

Posted 14 years ago by copymonkey [ Reply ]

Can't hear this without smiling. There should be more things in life that elicit that kind of response.

Posted 15 years ago by maryte [ Reply ]

First time I heard "soul music" was as a country bumkin attending The Cheeta in NYC. Never forget the impact. Music was never the same :-)

Posted 15 years ago by tumbledad [ Reply ]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for playing this instead of the fun, but inexplicably more frequently played, Blues Brothers cover.

Posted 15 years ago by ptooey [ Reply ]

This might just be my all-time favorite.

Posted 15 years ago by Grammarcop [ Reply ]

JustineFromWyoming wrote:

How come I always hear "... comin' to ya, in a CASSEROLE"? I guess I'm hungry.

I prefer using cornflower.....

Posted 15 years ago by hobiejoe [ Reply ]

ThirdRail_33 wrote:

One of the rare cases where a cover (i.e. The Blues Brothers), is better than the original.

Uhhhhh...

no.

Posted 15 years ago by Hairfarmer [ Reply ]

ThirdRail_33 wrote:

One of the rare cases where a cover (i.e. The Blues Brothers), is better than the original.

Is this meant to be funny? I sure hope so.

Posted 15 years ago by holborne [ Reply ]

How come I always hear "... comin' to ya, in a CASSEROLE"? I guess I'm hungry.

Posted 15 years ago by JustineFromWyoming [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by shawshank [ Reply ]

Borrowed from 'ce' below,

simple, pure, emotional and fun.
That perfectly sums it up.

Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc [ Reply ]

ce wrote:

Very true, and the BB know it and acknowledge it in the movie. Early in the BB movie, there is a closeup shot of a BB-hand putting a cassette of Sam & Dave (I think it was a "Best of") in their car stereo, and the next scene has S&D music. That brief closeup was there as a small tribute to Sam & Dave, a little "I thank you" from the BB. (Yes, I've seen that movie many, many times)

I agree with the tribute idea, but I'm pretty sure it was a close-up of an 8-track. ;)

Posted 16 years ago by goatshow [ Reply ]

coming to ya on a dusty road!

Posted 16 years ago by driver8 [ Reply ]

HazzeSwede wrote:

when music touched ones soul and made one sour over the ground on way home without shooting anyone!

....huh!?

Posted 16 years ago by musikalia [ Reply ]

Lotus_Miata wrote:

The Blues Brothers could have never been without the likes of Sam & Dave. I think theirs was done with respect to the original, yet playfully parodying the genre. I like both versions.

Very true, and the BB know it and acknowledge it in the movie. Early in the BB movie, there is a closeup shot of a BB-hand putting a cassette of Sam & Dave (I think it was a "Best of") in their car stereo, and the next scene has S&D music. That brief closeup was there as a small tribute to Sam & Dave, a little "I thank you" from the BB. (Yes, I've seen that movie many, many times) Having said that, Sam & Dave's music is a little "rough around the edges". That's partly because it's about 40 years old now, but I think it's also because it was never intended to be slick and smooth. It's simple, pure, emotional and fun. Glad to see some real/old soul on RP these days. A few years ago there was very little.

Posted 16 years ago by ce [ Reply ]

OMG YES! One of the only 10s I've ever given.

Posted 16 years ago by NiceGuy2005 [ Reply ]

driver8 wrote:

my upload! this one makes me happy!

Thank You Thank You very much! It makes me happy enough to cry a bit over lost times when music touched ones soul and made one sour over the ground on way home without shooting anyone!

Posted 17 years ago by HazzeSwede [ Reply ]

KevDogRedux wrote:

I heard Sam Moore interviewed on NPR. He claims to have always hated this song and having to sing it.

Heard that interview. Thought he came off as a bit of a jerk. Seemed like he knew it too, though, so at least he's honest!

Posted 17 years ago by ziggytrix [ Reply ]

play it steve!!

Posted 17 years ago by aandyy [ Reply ]

Posted 17 years ago by d00kie [ Reply ]

I'm diggin it.

Posted 17 years ago by Darrooon [ Reply ]

ThirdRail_33 wrote:

One of the rare cases where a cover (i.e. The Blues Brothers), is better than the original.

The Blues Brothers could have never been without the likes of Sam & Dave. I think theirs was done with respect to the original, yet playfully parodying the genre. I like both versions. Geez... I'm certainly no Lester Bangs!

Posted 17 years ago by Lotus_Miata [ Reply ]

ThirdRail_33 wrote:

One of the rare cases where a cover (i.e. The Blues Brothers), is better than the original.

Consider that it was recorded in one take with a four track analog machine and sparsely miked .. well, comparing this version to that of the Blues Brothers with Paul leading the show -- like trying to criticize some of Edison's early efforts like the Jubilee Singers of 1914.

Posted 17 years ago by Misterfixit [ Reply ]

Posted 17 years ago by Kristi [ Reply ]

Wizzuvv_oz wrote:

No, I performed the measurements on the soulometer and it turns out that the Sam and Dave version has 6% more soul. I give this an 8.

Your soulmeter needs to be recalibrated.

Posted 17 years ago by pevend [ Reply ]

rKokon wrote:

I hate it too

Gee, you don't say.

I am thrilled to hear it here so I could give it a 1!

That's pretty sad. And sadly typical.

Posted 17 years ago by dwhayslett [ Reply ]

One of the rare cases where a cover (i.e. The Blues Brothers), is better than the original.

Posted 17 years ago by ThirdRail_33 [ Reply ]

LizDeines wrote:

Please, please, please play the Blues Brother's version!!

I second that! Still a fantastic song to hear on a Friday.

Posted 17 years ago by Land_Shark [ Reply ]

I spent many many nights dancing to this tune in high school.

Posted 17 years ago by hippiechick [ Reply ]

RussNelson wrote:

For a couple of white guys (and a white backup band), the Blues Brothers rendition has more soul.

No, I performed the measurements on the soulometer and it turns out that the Sam and Dav version has 6% more soul. I give this an 8.

Posted 17 years ago by Wizzuvvoz [ Reply ]

RussNelson wrote:

For a couple of white guys (and a white backup band), the Blues Brothers rendition has more soul.

Posted 17 years ago by Cachatons [ Reply ]

It'd sound better if Sam & Dave were wearing bumble bee costumes while singing this.

Posted 17 years ago by NeuroJoe [ Reply ]

For a couple of white guys (and a white backup band), the Blues Brothers rendition has more soul.

Posted 17 years ago by RussNelson [ Reply ]

Play it Steve

Posted 17 years ago by eastcoast [ Reply ]

Please, please, please play the Blues Brother's version!!

Posted 17 years ago by LizDeines [ Reply ]

I'm coming! I'm a soul man! I never get tired of this song.

Posted 17 years ago by driver8 [ Reply ]

Steve Cropper rocks!

Posted 17 years ago by fretman [ Reply ]

KevDogRedux wrote:

I heard Sam Moore interviewed on NPR. He claims to have always hated this song and having to sing it.

I hate it too, and I am thrilled to hear it here so I could give it a 1!

Posted 17 years ago by rKokon [ Reply ]

Looky here! It's playing again! Yeah!

Posted 17 years ago by driver8 [ Reply ]

KevDogRedux wrote:

I heard Sam Moore interviewed on NPR. He claims to have always hated this song and having to sing it.

Too bad - it is a classic. Wiki says it was written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter.

Posted 17 years ago by driver8 [ Reply ]

I heard Sam Moore interviewed on NPR. He claims to have always hated this song and having to sing it.

Posted 17 years ago by KevDogRedux [ Reply ]

Ah yes, some Sam & Dave in the morning. That got me up and moving. Nice to hear the original version of Soul Man again.