The Soul Maker

A Soul Symphony #1 - David Ruffin - Each Day Is A Lifetime - 1971

2009-07-31T15:30:00.012+02:00

I never heard a song like this.

A Soul Symphony. It doesn't look like the usual Motown songs. Maybe that's why the LP David (1971) wasn't released until 2004.

David Ruffin was the lead singer of The Temptations from 1964 til 1968, then he started a solo career. You can find the amazing "My Whole World Ended ( The Moment You Left Me)" on his first solo LP.

"Each Day Is A Lifetime" is a masterpiece.

The heart-breaking voice of David Ruffin. This is a deeply sad song about a man, thinking every single day of his love lost, over and over. He is haunted, and we are too.

Where does it come from ? Who has written this masterpiece ? I found out it was written by Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris and Henry Cosby.

I knew Henry Cosby cause he co-wrote many Motown songs ( "The Tears Of A Clown", "I Was Made To Love Her", etc...). And I was suprised to see that Dino Fekaris co-wrote the Gloria Gaynor hit "I Will Survive". These songs are totally different, but you can find similarities in the way to describe the sorrows of the daily life.
David Van DePitte, the arranger of Marvin Gaye's What's Goin On, co-arranged the song with Henry Cosby. And, of course, the fantastic Funk Brothers play on the song.

I dream of an LP full of songs like this. Something between symphonic music and soul music.

"I remember holding you, and feelin' like a king...
How I miss you baby, when I think of all the little things I used to do with you
Now that I'm without you, I'm so blue"

I wish I wrote these simple but so touching lyrics.

Now, listen to this hidden gem. Do you feel the same way ?

The Desert Island Songs #1 - Friend Of The Devil - Grateful Dead

2009-07-27T13:08:00.006+02:00

If I was on a desert island ?

Ok, I want this song, Friend Of The Devil.

This was written by the legendary band Grateful Dead in their 1970 LP American Beauty.

I must have listen to it a thousand times. There's something deeply melancholic.

The story is about a man, on the run from the police, "trailed by twenty hounds", and helped by the devil.

I can feel hope, but in the same time, I feel he won't ever go home, and see his "sweet Anne Marie".

Will the Devil find him back ? Or The Sheriff ? You don't know.

Everytime the song begins, this is new journey. I can see him running in fields, I see the sunlight going down. I hear hounds barking.

Jerry Garcia's voice is great, and man, these guitars !!

I want that song on the island, because there's everything in it. This is mankind.

Now listen to it, and tell me if you feel the same way.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre

2009-07-21T22:44:00.016+02:00

Something like a revival, but there is no nostalgy. Something raw, frontal, underground, looking for a sensation, an emotion, where music doesn't always mean perfection.

Founded in 1990, The Brian Jonestown Massacre has been probably one of the greatest band in the 90's, but they remain in shadows.

Through 1995 til 2001, they released seven albums. Their leader and true genius, Anton Newcombe, was a highly creative character.

Maybe you can imagine the Rolling Stones driven by Brian Jones, instead of Mick Jagger, a kind of wonderful psychedelic rock.

The name of the band is influenced by the story of Brian Jones, which was surely a major fear and obsession to Anton Newcombe, the fear of losing his art, his music, his band.

It made him fail every attempt to break through into the light.

The magic era of creativity is passed, but the band is still active, despite the departure of major members.

Here is a personal composition, a view of their best songs, and you will no longer ignore that amazing band.

http://rapidshare.com/files/258418901/The_Brian_Jonestown_Massacre_-_A_Personal_Composition.7z

01 That Girl Suicide ( Methodrone - 1995 )

02 Vacuum Boots ( Take It From The Man ! - 1996 )

03 Nevertheless ( Bravery, Repetition and Noise - 2001 )

04 Not If You Were The Last Dandy On Earth ( Give It Back ! - 1997 )

05 Servo ( Give It Back ! - 1997 )

06 B.S.A. ( Take It From The Man ! - 1996 )

07 Telegram ( Bravery, Repetition and Noise - 2001 )

08 All Around You (Intro) (Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request - 1996)

09 Going To Hell ( Strung Out In Heaven - 1998 )

10 The Godspell According To A.A. Newcombe ( Bringing It All Back Home Again - 1999 )

11 Moneky Puzzle ( Take It From The Man ! - 1996 )

12 Whoever You Are ( Give It Back ! - 1997 )

13 Oh Lord ( Take It From The Man ! - 1996 )

14 Short Wave ( Methodrone - 1995 )

15 Maybe Tomorrow ( Strung Out In Heaven - 1998 )

16 Open Heart Surgery ( Bravery, Repetition and Noise - 2001 )

17 If I Love You ? ( Bravery, Repetition and Noise - 2001 )

18 Fucker ( Take It From The Man ! - 1996 )

19 Stolen ( Bravery, Repetition and Noise - 2001 )

20 Down ( Thank God For Mental Illness - 1996 )

21 End Of The Day ( Methodrone - 1995 )

22 Baby (Prepraise) ( Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request - 1996 )

23 (David Bowie I Love You) Since I Was Six ( Take It From The Man ! - 1996 )

You can listen now the first song of the compilation, "THAT GIRL SUICIDE", from their first LP, "METHODRONE". Enjoy !!!!

P.S. : Check out the exciting documentary "DIG !" (2004) by Ondi Timoner, featuring The Brian Jonestown Massacre & The Dandy Warhols.

The Beginning...

2009-07-21T19:28:00.003+02:00

Hello Everybody, and welcome.

I'll try to share my vision of music with you.

Every kind of music that moves my soul and I hope it'll move you too.

This is living, so don't hesitate.