ain't no way

I have tears coming out of my eyes right now.

do right woman: battle royale

TWO VERY DIFFERENT SINGERS. ONE AMAZING SONG. BATTLE ROYALE.

( part deux )

I'm back and I've got a bone to pick with Texas weather. First of all, the warmth is super nice but it brings out all the crazies! Enough with the sidewalk guitar playing and saxophone playing. I know you really can't wait to cruise around town in your board shorts but I really can. Cool your jets! But then, overnight, it switches back to cold. Hello! I need to Neti Pot this crap like every damn day. And now it's slightly warm again. I'm sick and tired of it. So, to make myself feel better, I'm presenting a Battle Royale today.

"Do Right Woman" is such an amazing tune. I'm presenting it in two very different ways today.

First, a version by the Flying Burrito Brothers. If you are not familiar with this band, I urge you to get there. They are pretty much country rock at its finest. Also, you might know this band because of the big cheese Gram Parsons, who was a member. Gram is a personal love of mine. Gram and his friend Chris Hillman were in another band, The Byrds, and took this sweet and apple pie country sound to the Burrito Bros. Their most well-known album, Gilded Palace of Sin, was released in 1969. This group just flat out rules. They constantly wore Nudie suits and probably did tons of drugs, but I'm ok with it. Speaking of Nudies, will someone get me a suit with llamas all over it? Christmas is just around the corner.

ANYWAYZ, "Do Right Woman" is featured on this album and is really one of my favorite tracks. I just love the way Gram sings this. The thing about this whole album is that even though it has a country twang, they also manage to sound soulful and gospel-y at the same time (at least I think so). So awesome. I want to do a slow country shuffle and then drink a brewskie with all my soulmates. That's tight.

Flying Burrito Brothers - Do Right Woman

Um, doy. I think we all know about this lady. Aretha is pure magic. I mean, she's the goddamn Queen of Soul. And I love to make Blingees out of her. BLINGEES!! As soon as I hit Publish Post, I am off to create some fantastic new Blingees to surprise you with.

This version rules. The background singers going "DO RIGHT DO RIGHT." Nothing is as good as that. I want to be one of her singers. No one can break it down like Miz Aretha. She has been consistenly pumping out good, solid soul for years and years. Unfortch, I don't have the entire version of this song to share with you, but this snippet should be enough to whet your appetite. If you want to get a lady in the sack, put this song on and open a can of Chef Boyardee and you are in biz big time. Take my word.

Aretha Franklin - Do Right Woman

Enjoy this supreme battle of doin' right by each other. Wherever you and whoever you are, remember to be a do right woman or do right man. And enjoy that Chef Boyardee, playas.

I'm Barely Hangin' On, Y'all

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, one of the best things you can do for yourself is turn on the TV and look for one of many Motown Collection infomercials. The other night I was watching one and was reminded of the great classic by Diana Ross & The Supremes, You Keep Me Hangin' On. There's something about the funk guitar line that kills me. There's no reason to argue against The Supremes version of the song (and I ain't gonna try) but there are several other versions that are worth a listen.

Each song in the Is This Tight?: You Keep Me Hangin' On collection has something to stimulate your ears. Hugh Masekela, better known for the tune Grazing In the Grass, recorded a subtle, slow version in the vein of Richie Havens. Kim Wilde's version from the '80's has something for all you keytar solo enthusiasts. And of course Aretha's version is beyond incredible, trading an electric guitar for a dirty acoustic with a slide.

For the first time, Is This Tight? is toying with an embedded flash player in addition to our usual .zip download. It's a work in progress folks.

1. Diana Ross & The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On
2. Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hangin' On
3. Aretha Franklin - You Keep Me Hangin' On (This Girl's In Love With You/Spirit In the Dark Outtake)
4. Hugh Masekela - You Keep Me Hangin' On
5. Wilson Pickett - You Keep Me Hangin' On
6. Rod Stewart - You Keep Me Hangin' On
7. Kim Wilde - You Keep Me Hangin' On

Is This Tight? Collection You Keep Me Hangin' On

tight person of the day: aretha franklin

Aretha is a goddess. I pretty much love everything about her, but I have a special fondness for some of her albums from the seventies. I have serious issues with wishing I was this woman. However, that will never ever be, so I have to take comfort in just listening to the queen. These albums are tight because they are some of her last true soul/gospel albums before she switched totally to disco-ish music. I mean, who didn't in those days? The seventies were really an awesome time for most people. We all know how I feel about this decade. Anyway, check out some of these samples. Really, the whole albums are just as good as these songs, I swear it.

Spirit in the Dark - 1970

This album is totally b.a. I love the gospel influence on it. But it's also jazzy and poppy. There really is nothing better than Aretha on a piano. Except maybe Kettle Chips. YES! "Spirit in the Dark" makes me want to put on a robe, join a choir, scream until my nose bleeds, and then run off into the sunset on a magical unicorn. Too much?

Aretha Franklin - Spirit in the Dark

Young, Gifted, and Black - 1971

Basically anything I say about this album is going to sound cheesy and lame because it's truly one of the best albums ever. Soul, soul, soul. I mean, even just the title makes my head spin. So baller. "Rock Steady" is also an extremely tight song that is the perfect summer driving song. This album features Billy Preston on organ and Dr. John on percussion. So...IT SUCKS. Sike.

Aretha Franklin - Day Dreaming

Aretha Franklin - Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You)

Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) - 1973

I only got this album about a year ago, on the suggestion of my dad. It's really baller. The artwork is worth finding it. Fortunately, I was able to get it on vinyl which makes me life complete. But seriously, this album is crazy. Most reviews kinda slam it. But it's still Aretha, so it has to be better than the latest Fall Out Boy AMIRIGHT? I love the song "Angel."

Aretha Franklin - Master of Eyes (The Deepness of Your Eyes)