I need a playlist...

Cathy C · Apr 28, 2015

My new heroine is an R&B fan, 24 years old, but prefers older stuff, including stuff from the Harlem Revival. Help me out with me a list of songs/artists that would be on her playlist. One scene where it's critical is at the beginning, when she's about to move to another city to start college (which gets interrupted). She's happy, joyous and ready to take charge. Later in the book, she's emotionally devastated, so good bluesy to pour out her broken heart in song. I also need one or two male/female duets

I'm a heavy metal girl, so I'm clueless. She insists it has to be old R&B and I'm stumped!

Maze Runner · Apr 28, 2015

Just trying to think--any more specific time periods?

Cathy C · Apr 28, 2015

I'm open to suggestion. :Shrug:

Something I can download & listen to while I write

C.bronco · Apr 28, 2015

Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker, and Ray Charles are a few of many awesome artists.

Cathy C · Apr 28, 2015

Thanks! She's also a singer, so alto/2nd sopranofemale singers too.

ElaineA · Apr 28, 2015

I'm totally starting by going against your requirements here, but she if she's at all willing to listen to a terrific modern singer who could have been plopped into the early 60's R&B scene try Amy Winehouse, particularly songs from the Frank Album.

Of course, just about anything by Aretha, Tina Turner, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations.

A specific few of my favorites:
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrelll--A duet, woot!) *Never fails to make me dance.
Tell Him (The Exciters) *very happy love song
My Girl (The Temptations) *mellow love song
Tracks of My Tears (Smoky Robinson) *getting sadder
Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding--one of the best songs of all time, regardless of genre, IMO) *straight mellow awesomeness

I'm getting carried away...

Cathy C · Apr 29, 2015

ElaineA said:
I'm totally starting by going against your requirements here, but she if she's at all willing to listen to a terrific modern singer who could have been plopped into the early 60's R&B scene try Amy Winehouse, particularly songs from the Frank Album.

Of course, just about anything by Aretha, Tina Turner, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations.

A specific few of my favorites:
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye/Tammy Terrelll--A duet, woot!) *Never fails to make me dance.
Tell Him (The Exciters) *very happy love song
My Girl (The Temptations) *mellow love song
Tracks of My Tears (Smoky Robinson) *getting sadder
Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding--one of the best songs of all time, regardless of genre, IMO) *straight mellow awesomeness

I'm getting carried away...

Hey! I remember most of these. I guess I never considered them R&B, but more pop. That's the trick--since I don't listen to R&B, I really don't know what/who qualifies as part of the definition.

The bolded part gives me a great idea for a subplot! I was trying to figure out how to bond my heroine with a new girl who's the next lead in the series. There's my answer!!

williemeikle · Apr 29, 2015

Sam and Dave, in particular "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I'm Coming"
Wilson Pickett - "In the Midnight Hour"
Eddie Floyd - "Knock on Wood"
Jackie Wilson - "Higher and Higher"

williemeikle · Apr 29, 2015

And this... after this, not much else is needed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis_Blue/Otis_Redding_Sings_Soul

ElaineA · Apr 29, 2015

Cathy C said:
The bolded part gives me a great idea for a subplot! I was trying to figure out how to bond my heroine with a new girl who's the next lead in the series. There's my answer!!

Heh, glad to have spurred an idea.

Amy was another in the long, tragic line of musicians dying at age 27. She was a stunningly gifted singer.

Maze Runner · Apr 29, 2015

^^Couldn't agree more on Amy Winehouse. And she would have only gotten better--she would have to allowed herself to be more vulnerable-- very sad about that.

Definitely Marvin and Tammi. Also Teena Marie and Rick James.

Tammi Terrell's another very sad story.

A good list of great female r&b singers.

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054626775/

Male/female duet--Luther and Cheryl Lynn--If This World Were Mine I'll link the thread so you can look around if you want

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaENjtzt9b4&index=35&list=PLZ5hxt5RKkkFyKVvcNQv6TzSU-Kut3QXf

Giving Up Donny Hathaway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVsoH1P1TEM

Giving Up Aaliyah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6rApnmKqqM

Aretha and Stevie Till You Come Back to Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md7pchh9A48&list=RDmd7pchh9A48#t=4

ElaineA · Apr 29, 2015

Guh

I hadn't know that about Tammi Terrell. What a sad loss. Her and Marvin's voices were so perfect together.

benbradley · Apr 29, 2015

This is my go-to site for a lot of pop music info. Click on Main Index for either songs by title, or artist names and all the top 40 song titles from each artist, or Top 40 Hits of 1930-1999 for all the songs in a particular year:
http://www.ntl.matrix.com.br/pfilho/summer.html

When you find a song you think might fit, the lyrics are (almost always) right there, and chances are good you can hear it on Youtube.

Maze Runner · Apr 30, 2015

ElaineA said:
Guh I hadn't know that about Tammi Terrell. What a sad loss. Her and Marvin's voices were so perfect together.

Yes, they were. We all know Marvin's sad story, and Luther's, and Aaliyah who died in a plane crash at 22 yrs old.

Axl Prose · May 2, 2015

James Brown
James Brown
and...James Brown

But I like him when he's heavy in the funk

Ketzel · May 2, 2015

Harlem Renaissance blues (not yet rhythm and blues): Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith would be on her playlist for sure.

Vito · May 4, 2015

"Ball and Chain" by Big Mama Thornton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rNX1DKuMI

Vito · May 4, 2015

"Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by Lloyd Price

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYO263wui1w

Vito · May 4, 2015

"Stormy Monday" - Bobby Blue Bland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCqEzfWrXfM

Vito · May 4, 2015

"Gangster of Love" - Johnny "Guitar" Watson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhv2vvSCMf4

Vito · May 4, 2015

"Snatch It Back and Hold It" - Junior Wells

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSscKLEvlMg

Cathy C · May 5, 2015

Ketzel said:
Harlem Renaissance blues (not yet rhythm and blues): Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith would be on her playlist for sure.

Thanks for all the names, guys! I just discovered Ethyl Waters on a page with these two. Perfect for the voice in my head!

Also Pointer Sisters and Patti LaBelle for courage moments.

Vito · May 8, 2015

If you're still looking for a duet, here's "Tramp" by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas. Not sure if it's from the time frame you're looking for (it was released in 1967) but it's a great performance nonetheless...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP7VU6AVIgc

I need a playlist...

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

I have plans...

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

All about that action, boss.

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

The force is strong in this one.

The force is strong in this one.

All about that action, boss.

All about that action, boss.

It's a doggy dog world

Leaving on the 2:19

Recalled to life

Recalled to life

Recalled to life

Recalled to life

Recalled to life

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Recalled to life