Legacy Podcasts

In this episode, PIR artist Jean Carne describes the Philly sound as one that made you want to dance with its grooves, and was filled with positive lyrical messages as well. “If you sing with emotion, the better the audience will love you.  And I wanted to be loved” – Bunny “Mr. Emotions” Sigler, who Gamble and Huff found in their now exhaustive talent-search.  As the label worked with an ever increasing number of artists, its songwriters now included Linda Creed and Thom Bell, and Gene McFadden and John Whitehead, who kept the love train rolling along with in its distinctive style of great music and positive messages. Songs Included:  ”TSOP” (MFSB); “Picture Us” (Bunny Sigler); “Sunshine” (The O’Jays); “Bad Luck” (Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes) Producer:  Joyride Media Recommended:  Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia Concert DVD

“I look cool but on the inside I’m a nervous wreck” – Nick Ashford.  As they began their career as performers, Nick and Valerie found some challenges in appearing on stage, as Nick details in this podcast.  ”In the early years, I was just uncomfortable.  They would put towels around me I’d sweat so much before I’d even go on.”  But they also found they enjoyed meeting most anyone could help with songwriting, as Nick explains “I get inspiration from the people I meet.  Seems like everybody’s got a story.  What people are feeling, that’s what we want to write about.”  Their longevity and success may be built on this simple idea, and may be why President Barack Obama has a special version of one of their songs.  As Nick says, “You can do it, if you have the energy and the will to do it.” Songs included: “Found A Cure” “I’m Every Woman” “Solid (as Barack)” Producer: Joyride Media Recommended: Ashford & Simpson: The Real Thing

 In this podcast, the living legend of blues guitar describes his start in Louisiana, his relationship with the instrument and the move to Chicago.  Once there, he established himself at the 708 Club, which lead to his first encounter with the “MF”s at Chess, including “Muddy, Wolf and Walter” (as in Waters, Howling and Little!).  Buddy’s excitement at his first recording session with Cobra Records, and the way he tells the story is the same excitement he had after seeing Guitar Slim perform.  ”I want to sound like BB King and act like Guitar Slim.”  Noting the man had a fishing line instead of a guitar strap, “That’s what you call PLAYING a guitar.   He didn’t baby it and I don’t now.  People want to know how come you break so many strings.  If you don’t break ‘em, you aren’t playing.” Songs included: “Let Me Love You Baby” “Mustang Sally” “Stone Crazy” Producer: Joyride Media Reccomended: Buddy Guy – Can’t Quit the Blues

The story of Bill Withers continues with the artist, himself, thinking back to the the making of his debut album.   The record was produced by legendary R&B keyboardist Booker T Jones.  In an odd twist, the backing band was most of the Booker T & the MGs, but with Steven Stills subbing for Steve Cropper.  The combination was perfect for Bill Wither’s acoustic soul.  Critic Anthony DeCurtis adds some of his own insights about these sessions. Producer: Joyride Media Reccomended: Bill Withers catalog

Fats Waller’s famous compositions of the 1930s and 40s have attained an immortal, standard-level of recognition and have stood the test of time. But what is lesser known is that Fats Waller was also an entertainer par excellence, bringing the music he performed to life with jokes and asides to the audience.  As historian Dick Hyman explains, “he was engaging in signifying – critiquing something while you are actually performing.  Satirizing what he is singing in very sophisticated ways.”  Playwrite and critic Murray Horowitz calls Waller “one of the greatest jazz musicians of the first 50 years of the music, but also one of the great comedians of the golden age of American comedy”! Music included: “Ain’t Misbehavin’” “Bessie Bessie” “Christopher Columbus” “A Change in Me” “It’s a Sin to Lie” and “Your Feets Too Big” Producer: Joyride Media Reccomended:  Fats Waller:  If You Gotta Ask

Producer:  Joyride Media

In this podcast, musicians Herbie Hancock, David Amram and Jimmy Cobb address the music theory behind Kind of Blue, and how the feeling of the musicians was equally as important as the compositions themselves in its creation.  Considered “Modal Jazz” as it is written from a few basic notes that form the structure of the song, it is as Herbie Hancock says “a new use of an old technique.”  David Amram expounds: “Miles knew that music from India, the middle east and native music around the world would have a basic scale, and the sophistication would be in HOW you did it.”  Herbie Hancock concurs with Amram on his interpretation of this historic album: “Musicians could easily learn the songs, of course the challenge was playing them.” Songs included: “All Blues” “Blue in Green” and “Freddie Freeloader” Producer: Joyride Media Recommended: Kind of Blue -50th Anniversary Legacy Edition (2-cd)

Philadelphia International takes over the airwaves of the 70s: the incredible O’Jays are featured in this podcast, with founding member Walter WIlliams, who talks about growing up with Eddie Levert in Ohio, where they were REQUIRED to sing gospel.  After an encounter with Gamble and Huff during and Intruders show at the Apollo Theatre, The O’Jays joined Philadelphia International as the label hit its creative and commercial peak.  Gamble and Huff showed their prowess with established artists (The Spinners, Lou Rawls and Denice Williams) and with new groups such as The Three Degrees, as part of a Motown-like string of hits. Songs included in this podcast: “For the love of Money” “Backstabbers” (O’Jays) “Then Came You” (The Spinners featuring Dionne Warwick) “Gonna Take a Miracle” (Denice Williams) “Enjoy Yourself” (The Jacksons) “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” “When Will I See You Again?” (The Three Degrees) Producer:  Joyride Media Recommended:  Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia Concert DVD

Nick and Valerie describe their years as songwriters with Motown, and the moment when they asked Berry Gordy for a “divorce,” so they could become artists themselves.  It turned out to be the best of both worlds, as they would frequently return to work with various Motown artists, while continuing to grow as performers themselves.  Valerie Simpson maintains a generous point of view on writing for others: “I wear the hat of a songwriter when I’m writing.  That’s the idea — for some great artist to sing your song.  I’m really happy when I hear Diana Ross sing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” — I could not have done that better!”  Reflecting on the countless covers of that most famous composition, she says, “the song belongs to everyone.”Songs included:  “I’m Every Woman” “Your Precious Love” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” Producer: Joyride Media Recommended: Ashford & Simpson: The Real Thing

Producer: Joyride Media Reccomended: Buddy Guy – Can’t Quit the Blues

The music of Bill Withers can definitely speak for itself as a timeless collection of songs, perfect for 1971 with it’s mix of gritty southern R&B, introspective and politically charged lyrics, and even a touch of Woodstock hippie vibes.   But his debut album, “Just as I Am” has a very underrated role in the history of landmark albums by DIY artists who circumvented the major label system.   Bill discusses how he was put off by the LA star machine and wound up landing at Clarence Avant’s startup indie label, Sussex Records. Producer: Joyride Media Reccomended: Bill Withers catalog

Strangely enough, two things happened to Fats after he died: he essentially disappeared from our culture’s memory for over 30 years, and when he was talked about, it centered around his clowning and humor, which was sorely misunderstood. Despite his untimely death, Fats Waller spent nearly every day of his short life making the music he loved. In that time, he created a rich, prolific legacy that today is justly revered. Producer: Joyride Media Reccomended:  Fats Waller:  If You Gotta Ask

The legendary track “Cupid” kicks off our second Sam Cooke feature.   As soon as you hear his voice,  it’s undeniable that this is what Sam Cooke was born to do.  His brother, LC Cooke, talks here about the moment Sam knew that he was going to be pro very early in life.   Even as a kid, he used to perform for popsicle sticks representing his audience to prepare for a life free of the 9-5 grind.  Click the big play button for more. Producer:  Joyride Media Recommended: The Best of Sam Cooke

Our second Miles Davis segment begins with legendary saxophonist Jackie McLean and Kind of Blue drummer Jimmy Cobb talking about the sound Miles was after with his 1959 sextet at the first Kind of Blue recording session on March 2, 1959.  Herbie Hancock also adds his thoughts on Miles’ priority for the session to capture the moment – not to do multiple takes of the same piece to create something mistake-free. Music heard in all the Miles Davis episodes comes from the new 50th Anniversary Legacy Edition of Kind of Blue – winner of  “Best Album Notes” at this past weekend’s Grammy© Awards!  So please join us in congratulating the author, Francis Davis, for his achievement. Producer: Joyride Media Recommended: Kind of Blue -50th Anniversary Legacy Edition (2-cd)

As introduced by the host, Jeff Foxx, Philly International’s biggest hits were filled with lush strings and beautiful horns from their house orchestra, MFSB.  Gamble & Huff recall what they remember about the arrangements, and call out many of the people who were responsible for these recordings.  Members of the Delfonics discuss Thom Bell’s arrangements of their early hits like “Ready or Not” and “La La La La La Means I love You.”  We also hear from Russel Tompkins, Jr of the Stylistics. Producer:  Joyride Media Recommended:  Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia Concert DVD