tight person of the day: betty harris

When it comes to soul music, there is an unspoken rule. If your name is Betty, then you are primed to be the tightest person around. I mean, really! Betty Harris is a goddess. She looks eight feet tall and ready to dominate in that photo. Luv her.

I first learned of Betty through her cover of Solomon Burke's hit "Cry to Me." Dirty Dancing, anyone? She slowed it wayyyy down and it made things get real sexy. Which is hard to do, considering Solomon's was also sexing things up.

Here's the Solomon song:



And Betty's version:



So, you can see (or hear) that Betty is an amazing vocal talent. In the sixties, Betty was being produced by Allen Toussaint. She released several singles during this time, but never really had the breakout success of some other ladies we know today, like Miz Aretha. I really enjoy Betty's ballads. The song I'm sharing today is from 1968 and is a more upbeat Betty (even though she's singing about a mean man - just go with it).

Betty Harris - Mean Man

baby don't you do it: battle royale

TWO OF MY ULTIMATE FAVORITES. ONE TIGHT SOUL SONG. ONE EPIC BATTLE.

This battle isn't even fair. It really doesn't get any better than Marvin Gaye or The Band. I mean, come on.

In 1964, the ultimate baller of all time known as Marvin Gaye recorded "Baby Don't You Do It" for Tamla (Motown). This is a classic HDH (Holland-Dozier-Holland) sound. This song wasn't a huge charter (I mean, it was #27 but it will be #1 in my heart always) but it has been covered several times.

Obvi, Marvin is the most amazing man and perhaps one of the best soul singers EVER. He just had it. He had an amazing vocal range. He had tons of hits and is in my top 5 performers/artists. I love everything about Marvin. "Sexual Healing" is a choice karaoke song. What's Going On is my favorite album ever and is probably the best album of all time. I'm just being real. ANYWAY, enough gushing. Check out Marvin's great tune.

Marvin Gaye - Baby Don't You Do It

Then this happened. The Band recorded their own version of "Baby Don't You Do It" called simply "Don't Do It." It's featured on their album Rock of Ages, and also in that movie some guy with crazy eyebrows directed called The Last Waltz.

The Band started as the backing band, the Hawks, for fantastic person/total nutjob Ronnie Hawkins in the late fifties/early sixties. Levon was at the HELM (HAW HAW HAW) for most of the ride after they left Ronnie, and for a while they played as Levon and the Hawks. They were totally well-rounded with super tight musicianship. Bob Dylan recruited the ballers for his tour in 1965 and soon they were playing with him constantly and making the recordings that became The Basement Tapes. They released their first album as THE BAND in 1968, followed by many more and some fantastic songs. They performed their final concert, which was made into a movie, in 1976.

The Band's sound is really difficult for me to pin down. Also, if I talk about them too much I will literally start weeping. They are very important to me. They had country elements but also a super soulful rhythm section. I can't even handle it. All the dudes could play different instruments and they had that amazing vocal layering with Rick, Richard, and Levon all taking on the singing role. NOTE: You should definitely read Levon's book This Wheel's on Fire for amazing insight into the band. I'm re-reading it right now and it's been bad because I can't put it down and I end up going to bed at midnight.

The Band played "Don't Do It" as the encore of their final show during the taping of The Last Waltz. Check out their version.

The Band - Don't Do It



So, needless to say, both versions are awesome. This is what I always end up doing with these Battle Royale posts. I start out with a good idea and then I can't choose because both artists own my world.

the muppets do the beatles

Hello, two of my favorite things. Obvi, I have a Muppets love that will live forever. But who doesn't like the Beatles. This marriage is the best thing I've seen since Elizabeth Taylor shacked up with that truck driver. I was inspired by this post to include some of the Muppets/Beatles videos here. Some are quite heartfelt and serious. Oh, and DOY, these are all from the Muppet Show aka the greatest show with puppets I've ever known.

I really like this version of "Octopus' Garden" because I'm digging on the super cocky octopus on drums. What a nut! But seriously, how tight would an octopus be in a rock band? Take that guy on tour, asap. He could go for hours with all those arms. Also, Robin is a highly underrated Muppets character. He's cute as hell. But Miss Piggy singing back-up? Nuff said.



This cover of "Blackbird" is kinda bringing tears to my eyes right now. I really like it. Sgt. Floyd Pepper is rocking the vocals hard. I also like that he is playing this with Janice. Were they ever dating? I could never tell. OOPS FORGET THEY WEREN'T REAL KTHXBYE. Floyd also does a super tight version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

southern nights: battle royale

TWO AWESOME DUDES. ONE TIGHT SONG. BATTLE ROYALE PART FIVE.

In 1975, one of the biggest ballers alive, Allen Toussaint, released a totally tight album called Southern Nights. Of course, he had been working steadily until this point writing songs and producing and making a huge impact in the New Orleans music scene. I really love this album. The title track is so sweet. It is truly perfect for a southern summer night. Apparently, Allen wrote the song thinking of all his hot summer nights spent as a kid lazing about listening to stories. Summer rules! This song fits well with a blanket and like, one whole watermelon each, and like, one whole jug of sangria each, and some stars. Dead serious. This song makes most of my dreams come true. I love the piano. And also how he sounds like he is 65 miles away but also right next to me. To close, will someone please discuss that medallion with me? KTHANKS.

Allen Toussaint - Southern Nights

Well, a couple of years later, Glen Campbell decided this song reminded him of HIS childhood and he thought to record it himself. He gave it a good ole country spin and had a huge hit with this song. He released his version in 1977 and it went straight to the top of the charts. I totally love Glen Campbell, mostly for "Wichita Lineman." Which I LOVE. So, I think it's tight that he covered this song and really did give it his own sound. It's a slightly more danceable version, I think.

Glen Campbell - Southern Nights

Thoughts on a favorite? I tend to lean to the Toussaint just because no one can touch him. BUT I do love Glenny because I have a secret/not-so-secret soft spot for country. Either way, you are guaranteed a happy summer evening by listening. Seacrest out.

Justice Origins

Just FYI, y'all.

baby i need your loving: battle royale

THREE SONGS. THREE SOOTHING VOICES. BATTLE ROYALE PART IV.

This is an extra tricky song battle because I have three versions of this song. Also, I am really enjoying calling it a battle because in no way do I expect you to choose a winner/even pretend this is serious. "Baby I Need Your Loving" was a huge Motown hit for The Four Tops in 1964. Hello, it was written by Holland-Dozier-Holland who could write a tight song about me brushing my teeth. It's a classic song with a classic Motown feel. It's such a feel-good song. Who doesn't know all the words? It's one of those songs where I feel like groups of people will start singing it together and then wonder how they know every single lyric. I have included the original Four Tops version, but here are some BATTLERS.

The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving

Man. Love these guys. The Four Tops are, of course, a classic Motown quartet. TRIVIA: Did you know these guys were together for something crazy like forty years without a single line-up change? Seriously. They had a ton of hits that we all know and love in the sixties. I can get down to a Four Tops song anytime, anywhere. If you can't, I feel like you might need to CHECK YOUR PULSE. "Baby I Need Your Loving" really started it all for this group. Check the vid.

Johnny Rivers - Baby I Need Your Lovin'


Johnny Rivers is a huge personal fave. He recorded a cover version in 1967 and titled it "Baby I Need Your Lovin'". He was only released as a single but had success. I mean, how could it not? He also covered "Tracks of My Tears" during this period. Loving the Motown thing from Johnny.

The Supremes - Baby I Need Your Loving

The Supremes got in the mix with their version, recorded in 1966. It appears on their album A' Go-Go, which has a ton of crazy stuff on it. A million covers! Of course, we all know that The Supremes were a Motown girl group and pretty much the biggest ballers of the sixties, except for maybe the Beatles. I'm dead serious. These girls are like the highest selling vocal group EVER. That is ridiculous. This version features the original gals: Diana, Mary, and Florence.



SO, which one do you like the best? Personally, I can't go wrong with the O.G. Four Tops version, but I have to admit it's a nice change of pace to hear the soothing female vocals from Diana. But, I also love Johnny's crooner style. A near impossible choice, but at least nothing will disappoint you. Now, I'm off to a busy day. Sike, the only real thing I have to do today is eat lunch.

Sunkist Vibrations

So I've had the song Love Sensation by Loleatta Holloway for a few years now, but I'm just realizing that it was sampled by the greatest band of our time, Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch. I mean, when you're coming up with a band name, anything that contains the phrase "Funky Bunch" definitely has staying power.





For any of you who actually want Loleatta Holloway's song, here you go. It's pretty baller and deserves to be revisited.

I'm sure you guys aren't aware that Marky Mark is the poet of our generation:

Vibrations good like Sunkist
Many wanna know who done this
Marky Mark and I'm here to move you
Rhymes will groove you

Get funky in 2k9 y'all.

What A Man

True statements regarding Linda Lyndell:

1. Best name in the biz.
2. There is no woman in the world who could compete with that bouffant.
3. WHITE GIRL GOT SOUL.

The video for En Vogue's version shows that rare moment when R & B met with grunge fashion. Girls grinding all over the place in men's flannel shirts HOLLA/MISS U

Don't Hurt 'Em

"Aint gonna hurt nobody / We're just dancin' y'all"

Probably one of the best lyrics ever.





I knew Kid N' Play's version was a cover, but I had no clue Brick was responsible for the original. Don't they look like total ballers? Plus, the bass player in Brick is named Ray Ransom, which is really tight.