| Southern soul | |
|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Late 1950s,Southern United States |
| Derivative forms | Memphis soul |
| Other topics | |
Southern soul orcountry soul is a type ofsoul andcountry music that emerged from theSouthern United States. The music originated from a combination of styles, includingblues (both12 bar andjump),country, earlyR&B, and a stronggospel influence that emanated from the sounds of Southernblack churches. Bass guitar, drums, horn section, and gospel roots vocal are important to soulgroove. This rhythmic force made it a strong influence in the rise offunk music. The terms "deep soul", "country soul",[1] "downhome soul" and "hard soul" have been used synonymously with "Southern soul".[2]p. 18
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Some soul musicians were from southern states: these includedGeorgia nativesOtis Redding[3] andJames Brown,Rufus Thomas andBobby "Blue" Bland[4] (fromTennessee),Eddie Floyd (from Alabama), Johnnie Taylor, Al Green (fromArkansas).[5]
Southern soul was at its peak through the 1960s, whenMemphis soul and theMuscle Shoals sound were popular. In 1963, Stan Lewis foundedJewel Records in Shreveport, Louisiana, along with two subsidiary labels, Paula and Ronn.[6] Lewis signed soul and blues artists such asToissaint McCall,Bobby Rush,John Lee Hooker,Charles Brown,Buster Benton,Lightnin’ Hopkins,Ted Taylor andLittle Johnny Taylor.[7] In 1966, the Shreveport-based Murco Records released "Losin' Boy" byEddy Giles, which held a place onCashbox magazine's Hot 100 for five weeks. Murco Records had soul chart success with its other artist includedReuben Bell.[8]
Other significant contributors wereStax Records[9] with their house bandBooker T. & the MGs as well as New York based LabelAtlantic Records. Atlantic wasRay Charles's home, and became an early exporter of the "Muscle Shoals Sound" by distributingPercy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a Woman", recorded atRick Hall'sFAME Studios. FAME becoming the studio of choice for new and experienced artists alike. Establishing the city ofMuscle Shoals, Alabama as a major part of southern soul.Aretha Franklin credits FAME as the place her career turned around, andEtta James recorded hit album "Tell Mama" there.[10]
The Stax label's most successful artist of the 1960s,Otis Redding, was influenced by fellow Georgia nativeLittle Richard and the more cosmopolitan sounds ofMississippi-bornSam Cooke. Other Stax artists of note includedJohnnie Taylor,Soul Children,the Dramatics (from Detroit),Eddie Floyd,the Staple Singers,Carla Thomas, andIsaac Hayes.[11]Atlantic Records artistsSam & Dave's records were released on the Stax label and featured the MGs.Wilson Pickett launched his solo career through his collaboration with the Stax team, and Pickett gained big hit "Land of a Thousand Dances" withFAME Studios musicians inMuscle Shoals, Alabama.[12]
AfterSam & Dave moved from Stax toAtlantic Records,[13] Stax producerDavid Porter and his songwriting and production partner Isaac Hayes decided to put together a new vocal group of two men and two women. They recruitedJ. Blackfoot, together with Norman West, Anita Louis, and Shelbra Bennett, to formThe Soul Children. Between 1968 and 1978, The Soul Children had 15 hits on the R&B chart, including three that crossed over to theBillboard Hot 100, and recorded seven albums.[14][15]
Another Memphis 1960s labelGoldwax Records, featuredJames Carr,Spencer Wiggins, and the Ovations.[16]Al Green,Otis Clay, O.V. Wright,Don Bryant,Ann Peebles and Quiet Elegance recorded for Memphis's 70s labelHi Records, where they were produced byWillie Mitchell.[17]
Also influential was the "Muscle Shoals Sound", originating fromMuscle Shoals, Alabama. TheMuscle Shoals Rhythm Section played on hits by many Stax artists during the late 1960s through the mid-1970s, and Atlantic Records artistsWilson Pickett,Percy Sledge,Joe Tex andAretha Franklin.[18] Producer and session guitaristChips Moman producedBobby Womack and Womack wrote R&B song "I'm in Love" forWilson Pickett.[19]Bobby Womack gained R&B hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now" in 1981.[20]
Malaco Records introduced Dorothy Moore,Bobby Bland, Johnnie Taylor, Denise Lasalle, Little Milton and others.[21]In 1983, former Soul Children singer J. Blackfoot saw success on soul chart with his single "Taxi".[22] In 1987,Marvin Sease gained an R&B hit with "Candy Licker".[23]
After 1990, southern soul music was still recorded and performed by singers such asSharon Jones,[24]Charles Bradley,[25]Peggy Scott-Adams,Trudy Lynn,[26]Roy C,Sir Charles Jones,Barbara Carr,Willie Clayton,Bobby Rush,[27]Denise LaSalle,Gwen McCrae,Johnnie Taylor,[28]Omar Cunningham,[29] andWilliam Bell.[30]