1965
When I think of classic “country-and-western” music I think of a song like this – a jaunty rhythm, the twang of a steel guitar, a catch in the voice, and a lyric filled with heartbreak (and a hint of humour).
There’s a couple of special things about this steamy Northern Soul double-header by Rosa Lee Brooks. Firstly, the A-side – My Diary – is written and produced by Arthur Lee of Love; and secondly, the guitarist playing those familiar-sounding licks is a young “Jimmy” Hendrix.
The Kinks – Nothin’ In the World Can Stop Me Worryin’ ‘Bout That Girl
9th January 2024 · 1960s, 1965, MusicI’ve never really been a fan of The Kinks though I’ve come to love Waterloo Sunset and Sunny Afternoon because, well, who doesn’t? And Ray Davies once walked past me coming out of Costa in Highgate so we’re *almost* friends.
On the surface, this is little more than a thinly disguised rewrite of Like A Rolling Stone. But there’s something special about it too… especially that familiar guitar sound. Those licks, borrowed more or less straight from Mike Bloomfield’s on the Dylan song, are played by a young session player called Jimmy Hendrix.
Roy Head had his solitary hit single with Treat Her Right in 1965 – aided by his extraordinary dance moves on TV shows like this.
When I get the urge to hear some soul music, I often go straight to Otis. And when I go to Otis, I tend to go straight to Try A Little Tenderness. It was only when this came on the radio the other day that I remembered what a highlight it is on the immortal album Otis Blue.
The deeper I delve into the vaults of old soul, the more buried treasure I find. Like this 1965 gem by The Brilliants.
Not only is this one of the catchiest songs of all time but the story behind the song is remarkable… and lives up to the title.
This Northern Soul classic came out in 19675, two years before The Invitations came to the UK to perform. It didn’t go quite as they expected.
The Toys were a teenage trio who formed at high school in New York in 1961. They sold two million copies of their only hit single. (more…)