happy birthday, motown!

Motown Records turns 50 years young today. This is the greatest. Can you believe 50 years ago today Berry Gordy founded this label that would literally CHANGE THE WORLD? It's so great. I had a wine flight to celebrate. You know how mama loves her cab sav.

Here's the deal: everyone knows those massive Motown hits. They are timeless and amazing. In 1959, Berry Gordy (look at that suave SOB above) got a loan from his family. Somehow, they managed to scrape together $800 for lil Berry and he started Tamla Records. He had big dreams. Berry had already worked with and discovered Smokey Robinson's group The Miracles, so he started writing songs and building up his label with more artists. Eventually, Tamla turned into Motown and soon tons of baby hits were born. Berry was instrumental in promoting African American artists. He got people listening to the good stuff. He definitely knew what he was doing, because he also had a pretty strong hold on the public image of all his artists. None of this Motown folks from that time would be caught in Us Weekly, if you get my drift. Also, look at that totally baller garage that Berry Gordy used to CRANK OUT THE HITS. That is so tight.

The list would be eighteen miles long of all the amazing acts and hits from Motown. I've blogged about many of them, and they all mean so much to me. It's time to get real and let the magic of Motown wash over you. The true definition of soul.

tight person of the day: bettye swann

Bettye is a soul singer, and I hate soul music so I don't know why I'm posting about her. HUGE SIKE. Bettye is awesome and pure and wonderful, but she's one of those singers that I want to listen to when I'm feeling down. I mean, this can be a good thing. I just like her voice when I'm sad, like when the Tivo recorded a bad episode of Match Game or Joe Jonas still hasn't asked me out. She's a baller for many reasons, but one of them is that her birth name is Betty Jean Champion and she upgraded big time. She's pretty tight and I love soul women. Check her out.

Bettye Swann - (My Heart Is) Closed For The Season

Bettye Swann - I'm Lonely For You

tight person of the day: otis redding

Otis is simply the best. I feel like you hear every emotion in his voice. It might be that he is two inches from the microphone but I love it. Pure and beautiful. When I hear Otis sing, I want to climb on top of a skyscraper and shout "Testify!" to passersby below. But I can't do that because I will be arrested. Most likely. However, that's what I feel in my heart. Has there ever been anything more gorgeous than "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay?" I think not. Otis was definitely taken too soon and I feel like he could have done even more wonderful things for humanity with his music. I feel like pretty much anyone of any age can enjoy Otis. He's universal, which a lot of artists really can't claim. I mean, I would dance the hell out of him, and so would Pe-Paw Jones in Mississippi. Anyway, here's some Otis to add to your collection or simply to just listen to from your screen and have a happy moment. It really doesn't get any better than this.


Otis Redding - These Arms of Mine
Also the song Swayze does it with that girl to in Road House. CRAZY FOR SWAYZE!

Otis Redding - Come To Me

Otis Redding - That's How Strong My Love Is