My Jams ’73

On By Lady GIn Music, My Jams
1973 my jams pic
Diva of Soul editing My Jams ’73

This post is a continuation of the “My Jams” series.  If you haven’t already, please check out previous posts for years 1966 through 1972. Please note that “That’s My Jam” is the first post in this series.

We’re riding home from the hospital.  I’m glad that mama is back with us.  I missed her when she was gone.  Lord bless daddy because he tried to put all of my hair into afro-puffs; it was not a good look.

By the way, some doctors took a baby out of mama’s tummy.  That’s why she was at the hospital.   Right now she is holding the baby tight over her shoulder.  I can’t take my eyes off him.  He has slick black hair and is wearing a light blue outfit.  I wonder how long mama and daddy plan to keep him?

What’s happening babies? It’s 1973!

Let me tell you, some strange things ‘happened’ this year! You already know that mama and daddy brought a baby boy home.  But did you also know that we had a blizzard down South?  Yeah chile, you heard me, we got goo gobs of snow.

Daddy and Uncle Rabbit made a ‘real’ snowman!  I was so thrilled because I had never seen one outside of television.

Enough about my folks, how are you guys faring in this fine year?  What’cha know good?  That’s what my Godfather used to ask me.  He’d ask, “What’cha know good Gwin?” Frankly, I had no idea what he was asking me so I usually answered with any number of random responses.

Moving on!  Now, if everybody is of sound mind and heart, let’s go ‘head with the matter at hand.

My Jams ‘73

“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye

As soon as folks heard that unique guitar slide opening and the lyrics, “I’ve been really trying baby…” every eye closed, everybody’s fingers snapped and ALL bodies started rocking.  Yassss!!!!

This song, my friends, is the quintessential request to make love!  I s’pect a whole lot of folks got in trouble with this jam.

Attention ladies! Player alert lyrics: “Giving yourself to me could never be wrong, if the love is true.”

I say, if you gon’ play me, play me good!

“Show and Tell” by Al Wilson

Play this song at any old school soul party and see if folks don’t start hollering!  I dare you!  If you do take this dare, watch as men start looking for a lady to hold close and work up on some…

Attention ladies! Player alert lyrics: “Show me and tell me that you feel the same way too.”

Ladies, I wonder how he wants you to show him?

I’ll betcha a fat man that somebody will be showing something by the end of that party.

“Will it go Round in Circles” by Billy Preston

This jam was fun!  I was that kid who always listened closely to the lyrics of a song.  I was so tickled by the fact that Billy seemed to be singing about nonsense, “I got a dance that ain’t got no steps…”

I loved it!  But I still don’t know what it means though.

“Pillow Talk” by Sylvia

…Or how to seduce a man on a track 101.

I remember seeing Sylvia purr this song on Soul Train.  Baby she was 80 years old if she was a day (just kidding she was probably in her late 30s or early 40s).

Regardless of age, her looks, vocal style and mannerisms were very sexy.

I don’t think she had any trouble getting what she wanted.

“Aye…aye…aye…aye, aye, aye, aye”

“Never Gonna Give You Up” by Barry White

Now this song is something serious right here!  Barry (The Maestro) was a true musician down to the bone!

Friends, you just wait until we get to the end of this post ‘cause I got something for ya!

What got me about Barry was that he used every instrument at his disposal to get his point across and then he added a sexy baritone on top! “…make love to you right now that’s all I want to do…”

What the hell?  We still ain’t ready for Barry to this day!

“That Lady” by The Isley Brothers

Hot Damn! Here them boys come!  It’s time to do some math y’all!

What is 3+3?

The answer:

Rudolph, Ronald, O’Kelly plus Ernie, Marvin and Chris, or in other words, the 3 older Isley brothers plus 3 younger family members (2 brothers and a brother in law).  Now if you like numbers, the answer is 6.

Okay, let’s talk about that freaking screaming guitar that Ernie is laying down on this jam.  Who does it remind you of?  If you said Jimi Hendrix then you are correct!  It seems that Jimi used to play guitar for the older brothers.  In fact, he lived with them for a short time.  Clearly Ernie was heavily influenced by Mr. Hendrix.  You can read more about that here.

Which brings me to another point!  Jimi Hendrix was a brother! So please stop attributing screaming guitars exclusively to White rock and rollers!  That said; Jimi was not the first brother to slay on a guitar.   Do I need to mention Mississippi blues guitarist Robert Johnson?  Hell he influenced just about anybody who picked up a guitar since he died; whether they know it or not.

Y’all I could go on talking about past and present black guitarists-just not today 🙂

My dear White friends please do not be offended.  While I truly adore George Harrison and Eric Clapton, right now I just need to give my people some shine!

End of diatribe!

“Cisco Kid” by War

Talk about multicultural/ multiethnic!  That’s War!  I loved watching all of those brothers, of various colors and ethnicities, jamming!

Side note, this song reminds me of my cousin Angelo.  He used to sing it to death!

“Misdemeanor” by Foster Sylvers

If you don’t know this bass-line then I say, “Off with your head!”

This little number was sampled about 10,000 times  (exaggeration) in the world of Hip Hop.  The D.O.C. out of Cali comes to mind.

I just love the sweet way that Foster and his sisters sing this jam.  It will always be one of my favorites.

Go ‘head on Leon Sylvers- songwriter, composer, bassist, and producer.  Y’all go check out ANY of his productions with SOLAR records so you can understand the hype! Best believe we will be talking about SOLAR later.

“I’ll Always Love My Mama” by The Intruders

“You only get one, you only get one…yeah.”  ‘Nuff said!

“Natural High” by Bloodstone

This one is for all of the lovers out there!  Just get in your car and put this jam on blast.   Trust me, anything that was wrong when you left will surely be alright when you get back.

Dig the instrumental mini- interludes in this jam!  Yass!!!

“I Believe in You” by Johnnie Taylor

Uncle Johnnie is leveling with Auntie!  Here he’s talking about their mutual belief in one another despite the actions of the ‘street committee.’

“Anytime you stand up against your own mother that makes me know that I can believe in you…” HA!

Alright!  Let’s move things along.

Before we fly away from 1973, let me mention:

“The Love I Lost” by Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes

“Rockin’ Roll Baby” by The Stylistics

“Come Get to This” by Marvin Gaye

“I’ve Got So Much To Give” by Barry White

“Hey You Get Off My Mountain” by The Dramatics

“Come Go With Me” by The Staple Singers

“So Very Hard To Go” by Tower of Power

“There’s No Me Without You” by The Manhattans

“Leaving Me” by The Independents:  “I’m sick baby!”

“Keep Your Head To The Sky” by Earth Wind and Fire

“I Wanna Know Your Name” by The Intruders

 One more thing, I promised to offer a gift.  Today, my gift to you is Maestro Barry White as conductor for The Love Unlimited Orchestra.  The jam is “Love’s Theme” and it is his baby!

 

 

Family, take note!  This brother is conducting a full Orchestra!  Where do you see this now?  Where?  Huh?  Where?  I’m sorry….I just CAN’T.

Y’all let’s demand that decision makers put music lessons back in our schools so that our children can learn to play instruments and compose ‘real’ music.

Stepping down from my soapbox!

So long 1973!

 

 

Next Thursday:  My Jams ‘74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36 thoughts on “My Jams ’73”

  1. Pingback: Rambling Musical Commentary: Pick Up On The Fact – Seek The Best Blog

  2. Now friend, that post brought me back to soooo many awesome song memories, too many to count….now I know what I gotta pull out of the vault, a little dusting off and we’ll be good to Jam. Rocking it Lady G, Rocking it!!!!!

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      1. turkeystuffinggreenbeancasseroleturnipspumpkinpiew/whippedcreamandTums
        🙂 haha…..14 lb bird for two…gotta love life and leftovers….lots of pie….love me the pumpkin pie. Get to work today doing my first adult beverage event. 4 hr shift at almost double the pay of my normal shifts…woohoo! can ya tell I’m excited? and singing away my Lady, singing away 🙂

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  4. Pingback: Something Sweet As A Candy Bar | A Joyful Process

  5. T. Wayne

    That’s some debate! Though I think I gotta go with Philip Bailey on this one. It’s that EW&F thing! And that is no shade on Wayne Cooper, either. Heck, I suppose we could throw in all the falsetto singers who made their name in groups from the early 70s too…the likes of Ted Mills (Blue Magic), Russell Thompkins (the Stylistics), Harry Ray (The Moments/Ray, Goodman & Brown) to name just a few. Any group in those days that even wanted to sing had to have a great falsetto lead!

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    1. LOL!!! Okay, I’ll give you guys an honorary salute to Phillip due to his longstanding stature with the great EWF. I’m still checking for Wayne though.
      🙂
      Speaking of EWF, while I was pregnant with my youngest child, my best girls gave me the CD that Raphael Saddiq produced for EWF. Talk about the bomb? I just can’t. My favorite from that one was “Show me the Way” Hot damn! That joker was sho’nuff bad. Now I think I’ll 2 step T. Wayne! Check the cellos strumming in this one—you ain’t ready!
      Oh, also a few years back EWF hit us with:
      “Guiding Lights”
      If you have never heard these, you MUST!!!!!!

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      1. T. Wayne

        Ok, ok. You go get Wayne. LOL

        Now…about this “Show Me The Way.” Saadiq! That’s all. You knoooowwww! Yes that was sho’nuff bad…and had Maurice on the lead, not long after he had to stop performing live with the band.

        And go ahead and get that 2 step on!

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        1. Yessuh!
          Twin, when I first heard Maurice on that one after having been away so long I promise you I cried. Not just because I was pregnant 🙂 but because it just brought back such good memories of him and how much a role he played in the soundtrack of our lives.
          May he rest in peace! Love him.
          If you listen to the long version of “Show Me” you get to hear cellos come to the forefront and they do it masterfully baybee!

          Liked by 1 person

  6. ronbrownx

    Okay, I remember that song from the 80’s. You know I told you them was my San Antonio Days. MARIACHI! Hola…I’ll give him a 8 but Phillip is a 10 LOL! Check Phil in, “Keep Your Head to the Sky” especially right at the end.

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  7. ronbrownx

    Oh, just in case my first para. doesn’t make sense, take out the section from “We’re riding home-afro puffs. (got cut and pasted in by mistake)…lol

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  8. ronbrownx

    Okay! Tacky was a 73’er? Unc and Auntie sure waited a while before deciding to add to the number! We’re riding home from the hospital. I’m glad that mama is back with us. I missed her when she was gone. Lord bless daddy because he tried to put all of my hair into afro-puffs; it was not a good look.

    I remember “The Big Snow”. That year saw me in the worst fashion combo ever known to man, courtesy of Gramp! I didn’t really have “snow” clothes, so I ended up wearing hers. It was ugly.
    “Let’s Get It On” and “Distant Lover”by Marvin Gaye—When “Let’s Get it On” came out, I had a crush on a girl with the initials W.G. She was the cutest little thing to me. Of course, I was too shy to make my feelings known to her. I think my brother ended up “going with” her for a while.

    “Come Get to This” by Marvin Gaye—Almost anything by this man!

    “Show and Tell” by Al Wilson- I kinda dug that one too! Great choice
    .
    “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Barry White-I agree totally with this choice and anything else by this man. His voice was and is, one of a kind. Isaac Hayes kinda had the baritone thing going as well, but Barry’s seemed smoother and more polished. I loved the orchestral sound also.
    “I’ve Got So Much to Give” by Barry White—Almost anything by this man. I enjoyed his speaking voice as much as I enjoyed his singing voice; speaking in a Bass, singing in a Baritone! No WONDER he didn’t have to be slim, muscular or especially good looking; that voice sent shivers down the spine of many a women. Heck, he shivered me a couple of times even. Lol
    -Also, “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby”

    “That Lady” by The Isley Brothers- Is this when the guitar played by Ernie, became their signature sound? For me, the addition of that guitar is what made the Isley sound that I grew to know and love, that and the voice of Ron, of course.

    “Cisco Kid” by War-I can see Angelo having an affinity for this song! lol
    “I Believe in You” and “by Johnnie Taylor—Loved Johnnie Taylor. I surprised to learn, while reading wiki, that he was once Sam Cooke’s replacement in the Gospel group, “The Soul Stirrers”. They say he “sounded remarkably like Sam Cooke” in his younger days. You know I had to go take a listen. Decide for yourself. Check out “Until Then” (Take 3) with Johnny Taylor and the Sour Stirrers.

    “Hey You Get Off My Mountain” by the Dramatics—I love this one also.

    “There’s No Me without you” by The Manhattans—Got us primed for “Kiss and Say Goodbye”, “We Never Danced to a Love Song”, “Here Comes the Hurt Again”, “Shining Star” and earned them a spot in my High School Memory book, among my favorite groups of 1979.

    “Keep Your Head To The Sky” by Earth Wind and Fire—Anything by this group. Great Choice. The greatest band of ALL TIME! And what about that high pitched acapella harmony at the end of this; Phil and nem went and got it! I got a feeling that Maurice wrote it deliberately to play to Phillips falsetto (the heavy use of vowel sounds that are easier to vocalize in a falsetto) just me though.

    I would add:
    -Leaving on that Midnight Train to GA by Gladys Knight and them Pips: Simply because, it’s about GA and trains. What could be better!

    -Why Can’t We Live Together by Timmy Thomas—I never knew the title, but when I took a listen, I said; “Oh yeah!” Sade and Santana did a version also. Great!!

    -“One of a Kind (Love Affair is)” and “Could it be I’m Falling in Love” by The Spinners; awesome! My boy Phillipe “got to be church grown” Wynn!

    -“Living for the City” and “Too High” by Stevie “That boy’s a musical genius” Wonder!—I loved the stuff that was going on in the background.

    -Love Train by the O’jays—Just love them trains and the O’Jays were the soundtrack of my teenaged years

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    1. You are Hilarious cous!

      Where shall I start?

      First, please don’t tell me you were out there with Gramp’s clothes on during the big snow of ’73! What did Eric and Bug have on? LMBAO!

      As for Midnight Train to Georgia, you best to believe that it was my Daddy’s favorite song what with the fact that he went over to Georgia on a train.

      Yes to your question, the addition of the three younger fellows to the Isleys meant a whole new sound; the signature that we all know and love. Ernie was the guitar that you know, Chris was the piano (and more) and Marvin was the bass. Now you see what I meant when I said: “Here them boys come!”

      And yes, I distinctly remember Angelo repetitively saying “Cisco kid wuz a friend of mine!” He kinda looks like a Cisco kid when you think about it! LOL!

      Yessuh…Phillip is the truth when it comes to falsetto but I have to say that the late Wayne Cooper from Cameo is probably my most favorite. Go google “Why Have I Lost You” so you can see what I mean. It was released twice with one longer version that he really kills! I just can’t wait to get to that dude; but that’s not until My Jams ’77 or ’78. Stay tuned!

      I love your selections! They are also my favorites, but I like to leave some off so that other people can bring them up. That makes it more interesting 😉

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      1. ronbrownx

        Eric had on some of Gramps clothing too! A jacket and a brown “tam”. Aleshia had her own clothes I believe.

        Stand by while I go check out this Cooper fellow! lol

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        1. I bet he rocked the hell out of that tam too! You know he always had them dreamy eyes!
          I had a major crushed on both of ya’ll. Then somebody had to tell me that was a no no! Hell I was 5! I didn’t know!
          LOL!!!

          Liked by 1 person

  9. T. Wayne

    Whooo, twin. WHOOO!

    I’m going to just sit here with some brown liquor (well maybe just a beer) and just nod my head to these tunes. Can’t do nothing else! 1973 is closed for business.

    I love, love, love these posts. And the way you write them is so entertaining! The part about Sylvia being 80 years old….priceless! And yes, I remember her on Soul Train singing that song!

    Thanks for sharing!

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