#doo wop bop

[galaxina-the-pyro]

So a long time ago I drew Isabella in fifties attire cuz I wanted her to be in “My Sweet Ride” so badly, and when I looked back on it recently…

…yeah. 😂 I had to redo her design, I just HAD to. And since I’m on a “Isabella, Buford, and Baljeet need to hang out more” kick, you get some 50s Buford and Baljeet style too.

(Also gonna tag @dooffirmations, cuz she totally inspired this actually bfbfnfnfn, I now accept the headcanon that Isabella, Buford, and Baljeet were hanging out the whole time during “My Sweet Ride”, cuz what else could they have been doing?)

[rhapsodynew]

#On this day

Ella Fitzgerald's first concert took place 90 years ago. This is a recording of the 1968 concert

[canmking]

E l l a F i t z g e r a l d

[constanzel]

Everything makes me think of THEM <3

[juice-boxy]

for the song game this one here: katchi ofenbach vs nick waterhouse mainly the doo's lol

I absolutely love this analysis thank you

[nerdyqueerr]

Latest shakespeare in the park production I saw was Macbeth, and they lined the audience area with branches which was innocuous enough, but then when Macduff and Malcolm have the woods walk, the actresses (was an all women cast too, woo!) got audience members to pick up all those branches and hold them up which was sooo cool. And then also they made us sing I Don't Know But I've Been Told with lyrics modified to trash Macbeth.

love shakespeare. did a hamlet run tonight, looked someone dead in the eye to say “am i a coward?” during a speech and the fucker shrugged and nodded

[janixiisstuff]

I really love life 💗💜 I am so lucky to be in love with everything 🪩🤍🏹 sometimes I just gotta step back and remember how beautiful everything is🌞💋☀️🍒

[yourstormthlaylirahh]

Nothing - and I mean nothing - beats listening to The Wanderer and Runaround Sue back to back. It will never stop being funny

[strniohoeee]

matt and reader bffs to lovers and they don't know about eachothers crushes

he asks her to go stargaze on the beach, she sits on his lap and he's all touchy and then they have a steamy makeout session where she has to stop him before things get too heated and then they finish in his car

Tell Him

Pairing: Matt Sturniolo X Female Reader

Synopsis: A beach trip at night takes a turn once feelings are expressed. But does it go how they want it to?🌙

Warnings⚠️: SMUTTTT, car sex. Nothing too crazy though. This was actually super fun to write! Hope yall enjoy🤞🏽

Song for the imagine: Tell Him- Ms. Lauryn Hill

⚠️This is an 18+ imagine, so minors do not interact, or do??⚠️

Cause he’s all that I got

And tell him

Tell him I need him

Tell him I need him

And it’ll be alright

“Would you like to come to the beach with me?” Matt suddenly asks me as I’m sitting in nicks room

“Just me or both of us?” I asked him

“Just you” he said smiling at me

“Yeah sure sounds fun” I said

“Alright I’ll be waiting in the car for you” he said before walking out the room

I grabbed my stuff and looked over at Nick

“Why is he taking me to the beach?” I asked him

“Well usually he goes to the beach at night to have deep talks and get in tune with his emotions, so maybe he wants to talk to you. Since you always tell him about your own issues, and you guys bond over that” Nick replied to me

“Ohhh okay. Sounds nice I’ll see you later” I said hugging Nick

“Have fun” he said waving bye to me one last time

“Thanks” I said and walked out his room

I headed out the front door and got into Matt’s car. He put the directions in, and he started to drive off.

“So what’s the special occasion” I said giggling

“Nothing. I just go to the beach to think, and I felt like bringing you along so we can talk” he said

“Orrr you’re taking me there to murder me” I said

“Well if I wanted to murder you Nick and Chris know you’re with me, so I wouldn’t get away with it” he said sighing

“You weirdo” I said laughing

“You started it” he replied pointing his finger at me

We drove in silence as my phone was plugged into the aux “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” album playing as we chatted here and there.

“Oh I love this song” I said putting the volume

“Doo Wop” Matt said looking at the song

“Guys you know you better watch out, some girls some girls are only about that thing that thing” I said bopping my head to the music and singing along

“You play this album a lot” he said looking over at me

“Lauryn Hill is brilliant, and all her songs are amazing. This is my favorite album of hers” I said

“I know! I remember when you first got your apartment and I got you that record player this was the first vinyl you purchased” he replied

“Dang I forgot about that! You have good ass memory Matt” I said looking at him

“Well it was all you would talk about and all you played” he said laughing

“That’s very true” I said nodding my head

“I like it though, not my music taste, but her works amazing” he said

“I can respect that” I said

Another 30 minutes went by before we got to the beach. The longest hour of my life. My ass was hurting and my knees were cracking once I hopped out of the car.

“Such a long drive” I said cracking my back after shutting the car door

“Not that long of drive at least when you’re the driver” he said shutting his door

“I suppose that’s true” I said cracking my neck

“Let’s head out to the sand and watch the stars” Matt said clapping his hands together

“Matt there’s no one here” I said looking around

“Well yeah it’s 1AM” he said laughing

“Are you sure we can be here?” I said getting scared

“Yeah it’s 24 hours, it’s just 1AM on a Tuesday night. I don’t expect many people to be here” he said laughing

“Touché” I said looking at him

“Last one to the sand is a loser” I said smacking Matt and booking it

“HEY NOT FAIR YOURE A CHEATER” he yelled and began to run after me

I got the sand first and started running closer to the water when I fell over a rock in the ground. I face planted on the sand

“OH MY GOD” Matt said finally catching up to me

I rolled over holding my stomach and laughing.

“Holy shit” I said giggling trying to get up

“That’s what you get for being a cheater” Matt said

“I didn’t cheat” I said laughing

He held his hands out and helped me up as we continued laughing

After we calmed down we sat down in the sand watching the waves crash onto shore

“So tell me” I said

“Tell you what?” He asked

“Tell me why you come out here alone all the time” I said

“Well the waves help me think, I usually bring my notebook with me and write everytime I hear a wave hit the shore” he said

“Wow Matthew….that was deep” I said running my hand through the sand

“Sorry I don’t mean to get like dark or anything” he said throwing seashells in front of him

“No I don’t mind tell me more” I said glancing over at him

“Well I brought you today instead of my notebook, you get deep like me and I’ve genuinely been needing a talk with someone” he replied

“Well here I am” I said putting my hands up

“I just think a lot. About my future, where am I going to be, how I should go about certain things because I want a specific result….you know” he said looking over at me

“Well you know every cause has an effect, so I don’t think you should really try to focus on how you want to mold your future. Obviously you should give it thought, but we’re all humans and fuck ups make us. If you’re trying super hard to be perfect you’re going to wear yourself out” I replied

“That’s true….I never thought of it that way” he said smiling while looking at the water

“Well that’s what I’m here for. A second opinion…something like that” I said

“Do you ever think of just running away, and being someone else” he blurted out

“I mean it has crossed my mind, but not really. Do you think this about yourself?” I asked him looking over at him

“Mmm I also have, but I love my life. I guess sometimes I just think how my life would be without this publicity. Would I be happier? Would I be sad? Would I be more anxious? Just stuff like that” he replied

“I think you’d be worse, and I know it sounds mean, but think about it. This fame has brought you out of your shell in so many aspects.” I told him

“Once again, very true. I don’t know I just get in my head and start thinking weird things” he said shaking his head

“It’s not weird. Every human has thought this way at one point or another” I said

Matt nodded his head and leaned back resting his head on his hands as he looked at the stars.

I leaned back too, and watched the stars with him.

“When I’m with you, I’m just exactly where I want to be, I could die right now and feel happy. You complete me” Matt said

“Thanks Matt. I think we were exactly what we needed in each others lives” I replied to him

“You’re the best thank you” he said bumping into me

“Always Matthew….always” I said looking up at the sky

We sat in silence for a while as we let the breeze dance against our skin, as the stars reflected off our eyes.

“If there’s one thing you could tell someone right now what would you tell them?” He asked randomly

I thought for a few seconds really letting this question linger in my head. Was he giving me a chance to open up about my feelings regarding him, or did he mean something else? I was a bit scared to say how I felt, but something kept telling me to just say what I wanted, so I did.

“Well I would tell him that he’s an amazing person and that he should believe in himself more. He shouldn’t get in his head too much because he doubts himself too much. He’s a great person inside and out, and not many people get him; but I do. He has a beautiful soul, personality and he’s a charming guy. I would also tell him that I really liked him, and I have liked him for a while; but I’m not too sure if he feels the same” I said in a whisper

It got silent for a few seconds, and my brain was clouded with doubts and anxiety. I might’ve just made the worst mistake of my life.

“I think he would tell you that he likes you too, and that he gets in his head so much because you make him want to be the best version of himself. You make him think harder, love harder and overall want to be a better person. But I’m not sure” Matt said, sprinkling that doubt on his statement in case it would backfire, but it wouldn’t.

I turned my head and looked at Matt giving him a once over.

“You should be sure….because she does like you back” I said sitting up and looking down at him

He looked at me, his chest rising up and down as his pupils dilated. I licked my lips too and leaned down connecting our lips.

Our kiss became heated immediately and I got onto Matt straddling him. My knees buried into the sand as his hands ran up my thighs and to my waist.

Our tongues fighting against one another as he grabbed the back of my head with his right hand. Deepening our kiss as our teeth clashed against one another.

I pulled away and looked down at him. His cheeks tinted with a blush, and his lips swollen.

“I think we should head to the car before this gets out of hand” I said in a whisper

“Yeah I agree” he said nodding his head

We both got up and walked to the car. I needed him….I need his touch, his warmth, his lips….his tongue I needed it all

Once we got to the car I quickly turned around causing Matt to look confused. I pulled him in by his shirt and smashed our lips together, my hands running through his wavy hair

“Matt I…..I need more of you” I said in a whisper

“Okay my love” he replied back in a whisper

I opened the back door and hopped in, Matt soon following after.

“Listen I like you a lot, and I don’t want you to think this is all I want because it’s not. I want to know all of you” he said looking at me

“I want to know all of you too” I said looking at him

Matt licked his lips and pulled me in to connect our lips again. He slid to the middle seat, and I sat on his lap as we continued to make out.

My hands ran through his hair as I grinded down on him.

He pulled away to let a moan fall from his lips as he licked his lips

I moved my kisses to his jawline and then his neck. Peppering wet sloppy kisses down his neck as he leaned his head back letting pants fall from his mouth. His grip on my thighs got harder as his bulge grew.

I wrapped my arms around his neck as I reconnected our lips. My clothes cunt dragging along Matt’s bulge.

“Oh Matt” I moaned out looking at him

“You’re killing me” he replied moving his hands to my ass and gripping

I slid my shirt off and took my bra off. Matt’s eyes gazed down to my chest and he bit his bottom lip.

I grabbed his hands and placed them on my breast moaning at the feeling.

“You can touch me Matt I promise” I said smiling at him

He nodded his head and began to leave kisses from my neck down to the top of my breasts. Slowing inching over to my left breast and taking my nipple into his mouth. Swirling his tongue around as he looked up at me

My mouth fell open as I let a moan out

“Holy shit Matt” I moaned out grinding down harder on him

He slowly slid over my right nipple and swirled his tongue around the sensitive bud. My cunt was basically screaming for him, and it was getting harder to ignore it.

Math pulled away and pulled his shirt off. My eyes trailing to his tattooed arm looking it up and down….his tattoos were so attractive and this made my mouth run dry some more.

My nails raking up his arm, my eyes watching his own face. I raked my nails over to his chest and down his stomach stopping right at his waistband. Goosebumps littering his skin

“Are you ready Matt?” I asked him

“Yes” he moaned out breathlessly

I lifted off of Matt and slid my pants down along with my underwear. As I did this he unbuckled his belt and slid his pants and boxers down allowing his cock to spring forward

“Oh Matt” I said biting my lip and looking down

“Don’t say that” he said laughing and rubbing his eyes

“Who would’ve known you were hung” I said

“Stoppp” he said getting embarrassed

“Don’t get shy on me now” I said rubbing his face

I hovered over Matt’s dick, and he helped me sink down onto him. Our mouths falling open as we let our shaky sighs.

I completely sank down, his dick stretching me out in the perfect way. My hands gripping his shoulders as my head fell forward

“Fuck Matt” I moaned out

“You gotta move or I’ll cum from this” he moaned out

I nodded my head and began to bounce up and down on Matt’s dick. His hands on my ass as he helped me bounce up and down

All that could be heard is our moans and skin slapping as his dick hit all the right places.

Matt leaned his head down and took my nipple into his mouth sucking harshly

“OH MY GOD” I moaned out as my eyes screwed shut

I continued to bounce on his dick. Matt’s head falling back slightly as he let out moans

“Just like that baby” he moaned out licking his lips

His pupils dilated, his cheeks red and a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.

I switched my bouncing to grinding as I was now chasing my high. Matt caught on and gripped my ass helping me grind against him

His pelvic bone kissing my clit causing me to shudder

“Fuck Matt I’m so fucking close” I moaned out, my nails digging into his shoulders

“Me too baby, me too” he grunted out

I leaned against him, our chests touched as my grinding became sloppy. I was getting tired, and my knees started to burn

“I got you baby” he said

Matt wrapped his left arm around me as he slid down a bit and started to fuck up into me

“OHHHH MATT MATT MATT” I began to moan out my toes curled as his hips snapped into me

My jaw fell slack and I caught myself drooling. My thighs began to shake as I felt my orgasm approaching. Matt was looking at me with his bottom lip in between his teeth

“You got this pretty, come on cum for me” he cooed

“I’m cumming oh my god im cumming” I moaned out as I clenched down on Matt’s dick

My nails dug into his shoulders as I began to shake, my thighs shaking and my jaw falling open as his name fell from my mouth repeatedly

“MATT MATT MATT” I moaned out as my chest heaved up and down against his chest

“I got you baby I got you” he said as he helped me ride out my high

He slowly lifted me off of him as I sat on his thighs. He began stroking his dick chasing his own high

He was staring at me with half lidded eyes and suddenly his face contorted and his mouth fell open

“Fuckkkk” he moaned out as his thighs began to shake and he began to shake a bit

He painted his lower abdomen with his cum. Watching him come undone because of me made my head spin, and it made me fall in love with him more.

I slid off of his lap and leaned over to the glove box grabbing him napkins so he could clean himself up.

After we got dressed again we sat in the back for a moment really taking in what happened.

“You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met” he said caressing my cheek

“You’re the most beautiful boy I’ve ever met” I said smiling at him

“I mean it when I say I want to know all about you. Your favorite color, your favorite makeup brand, your favorite childhood memory. I want it all” he said leaning in and placing a kiss on my lips

“I’ll tell you it all, only if you do the same for me” I said smiling at him

“I’m an open book I’ll tell you everything” he replied to me

“Good” I said kissing his hand

“Want to head back?” He asked me

“Yeah it’s pretty late” I said to him

We got back in the front and decided to head back to the house. One hour drive back home and we spent it the whole way listening to music and laughing about everything. Matt was really my other half and all I had to do was

Tell Him….

The End

I hope you guys enjoyed this one! I have one more request, and then I’ll start my Matt sad imagine🤭. Love yallllll🥹🖤🖤

-J💅🏽

[scary-ivy]

You don't like Grease? Rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong? Shoo-bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom? Chang chang changitty chang sha-bop? Dip da-dip da-dip doo-wop da doo-bee doo? Boogedy boogedy boogedy boogedyShoo-be doo-wop she-bop? Sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-na yippity dip de doom? Rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong? Shoo-bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom? Chang chang changitty chang sha-bop? Dip da-dip da-dip doo-wop da doo-bee doo? Boogedy boogedy boogedy boogedy Shoo-be doo-wop she-bop? Sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-na yippity dip de doom? Wop ba-ba lu-mop and wop bam boom????

[jules-has-notes]

Sh-Boom — VoicePlay music video

VoicePlay as a group has its roots in barbershop music, so tackling a doo-wop classic was a natural fit. But being the innovative bunch they are, they couldn't just recreate the sound of the original recording. It's a feel-good song, and they had to have a little extra fun with it. With some retro inspiration and a dash of 21st century zhuzhing up, they delivered a real bop.

Details:

title: Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)

original performers: The Chords

written by: James Edwards, Carl Feaster, Claude Feaster, James Keyes, & Floyd McRae

arranged by: Geoff Castellucci & Hannah Juliano

release date: 30 August 2019

My favorite bits:

the slightly static-y, muffled sound and muted colors of the intro section to pay homage to the original version

Earl's clear, sweet timbre on the lead vocals

using Layne's percussion entrance as a transition to full audio

that lovely bell chord leading into the second verse

the steady swingy-ness of the rhythm section

Geoff gesturing along with the delayed ♫ "a-bove" ♫ while waiting to continue his bass line

the cool record-skip effects they added

the lovely descending riff Earl puts on ♫ "so fine" ♫

that bouncy little descending bass transition into the second chorus

J.None coming in slightly early on a belted ♫ "above" ♫

Layne slipping in some more modern record scratching and electronic sounds as the rhythm of the lyrics gets more adventurous

Geoff's scoop up into the lead melody and lyrics

that slightly dissonant harmony behind Geoff's first line

the rhythmic freedom in Earl's belted ♫ "I'm the only one you love" ♫

J's adorable head waggle as the trio starts "ya-da-da"-ing

the center trio's coordinated pop up into falsetto

that crunchy ending chord

the captions describing Layne's final descending ingressives as a "slow wind down like a tired robot with a hangover" 🤖 💤

additional props to Eli for wearing some darn snazzy shoes, knowing that they'd be very visible from where he's perched

Trivia:

In a departure from their usual studio spaces, VoicePlay filmed this video at Oliver's Classic Cars in Winter Park. It was a combination of a vintage automobile showroom / museum, and an event venue. The guys were quite taken with it.

Their camera operator for the shoot, Chadd Winston, was an old friend from the theme park performance circuit. Among their many shared jobs, he had been in the City Sounds street singers rotations at Universal Studios with the guys in the early 2000s, both with Eli in Japan, and with the 4:2:Five/VP boys in Orlando.

The cover art was once again designed by Rek Dunn.

The Chords' songwriting for this piece was inspired by the sounds of their neighborhood, and many of the seemingly nonsensical lyrics refer to people and places they heard every day.

VoicePlay's version of the song was recorded 65 years after the original topped the Billboard charts in 1954.

The video premiered on Geoff's mom's birthday, and he made sure to give her a shoutout in the YouTube comments. (Aww.)

Their Sing-Off colleagues, Street Corner Renaissance, had recorded their own version of the song back in 2012.

[the-90s-music-colosseum]

The 90s Song Ever - Round 1, Side A2

Alrighty, folks. We've suffered through 32 horrible polls. Ready for 32 more?

Beetlebum vs Are You That Somebody Sway vs River Of Deceit Hunger Strike vs Who Will Save Your Soul Generator vs Bills, Bills, Bills Doo Wop (That Thing) vs Finally Tearin' Up My Heart vs Silence Kid Enter Sandman vs Everybody (Backstreet's Back) Boombastic vs I'll Be There For You Yakko's World vs To Be With You Cotton Eye Joe vs Amish Paradise Nuthin' But A "G" Thang vs Basket Case Dagger vs Seven Rebel Girl vs Groove is in the Heart Baby Got Back vs Hallelujah Only Happy When It Rains vs Say You'll Be There U Can't Touch This vs How Bizarre Nancy Boy vs Cornflake Girl Affirmation vs Don't Walk Away The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air vs The Boy Is Mine Scatman (Ski-Ba-Bop-Ba-Dop-Dop) vs Juicy Buddy Holly vs Closing Time Pony vs Wynona's Big Brown Beaver Pretend We're Dead vs All I Wanna Do Santeria vs Send Me On My Way Birdhouse In Your Soul vs That Don't Impress Me Much Vogue vs Brain Stew Kiss Me vs These Are Days MMMBop vs Black Genie In A Bottle vs Bullet With Butterfly Wings Tank! (Cowboy Bebop opening theme) vs Smells Like Nirvana Mind Playing Tricks On Me vs (Everything I Do) I Do It For You Friday I'm In Love vs Would?

This is the second part of a four-part Round 1; you can find all polls and results for the first part here. Feel free to send in unhinged propaganda, start pointless fights and debates, be insane in the tags. It's what we do around here.

Playlist with all the Side A1 and A2 songs! Join ColosseumCord - we talk about music and other stuff here :) Previous tournaments: #most attractive 90s musician, #90s album battle royale

Other music poll blogs: @the-80s-music-colosseum @the-70s-music-colosseum @60s-musician-tournament @80s-music-tourney @siblings-in-music-bracket @opera-music-tourney @70s-music-tourney @bestalbumsincethe80stournament

My main is @goodmotorfinger if anyone would like to witness me lose my mind over bands/cars/sci-fi on a regular basis!

[gerogerigaogaigar]

But wait there more! A thing I see people say about hip-hop is that it is misogynistic and mainly a boys club. To that I say, so is rock dipshit! So is the whole music industry! the ratio of respected women in hip-hop is probably about the same as the ratio in rock music. Here are some of the best women in hip-hop.

Doo Wop (That Thing) We heard Ms. Lauryn Hill on the flow playlist as a member of The Fugees. She is well respected as one of the best rappers of all time. Unfortunately her career is spotty at best, leaving her with only one legendary solo album.

Work It Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott is another rap legend. I love the hook on this one. She says "I put my thing down flip it and reverse it" and then she literally reverses the line and plays it backwards. Missy Elliott is deftly corny to say the least.

Woman Little Simz is rushing to the head of the pack in terms of recent rappers. Though she started in the mid '10's Little Simz dropped my 2021 album of the year with Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

Diddy Bop People are sleeping on Noname. She deserves more recognition so I'm putting her on this list.

U.N.I.T.Y. The first female rap superstar. Most people probably think of Queen Latifah as a 90's TV personality if at all, but she was a genuinely talented rapper who earned her superstar status.

Black Magic getting people to listen to Backxwash is one of my pet projects. You want angrier women? You want angry goth horrorcore transgender rap music? please listen to my current underrated fave.

Queen Bitch Lil' Kim was probably the first female rapper to use overt sexuality as a means to control her own image. She is an obvious influence on most modern female rappers. For example...

Bodak Yellow Cardi B is great because no other rapper talks about her pussy nearly this much.

Superbass Nicki Minaj is probably among the top ten most influential rappers of all time. She is probably most known for her bubbly pink brand of pop rap, but to real hip-hop heads she is renowned for her insane flow and ability to radically change her intonation at the flip of a switch.

Sho Shot "But where are the women in gangsta rap?" I hear you asking. Well look no further than The Lady Of Rage. She was a staple of Death Row Records throughout the 90's though she only released one album.

To Be Continued ===> Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6

[randomvarious]

Today's compilation:

Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 - Japanese Edition 2012 R&B / Doo Wop / Soul / Rock & Roll / Funk / Jazz / Blues / Pop

Alright, well, I had originally planned for this post to dovetail quite nicely with the end of Black History Month, but when you get a virus, it has a way of setting things back a bit. But then again, Black History should obviously be celebrated in every month, so either way, without further ado, here's a massive end to my foray into the history of Atlantic Records: a deeply comprehensive recounting of its first 27 years in the record business called Atlantic Rhythm & Blues: 1947-1974.

Now, maybe because of how this label is currently constituted, you think of Atlantic as being among the amorphous blob of major record labels whose fingers are seemingly in the pies of every popular genre, and the quality of the output is barely distinguishable from its other competitors. Like, who cares who's on Atlantic these days, right? A major label is a major label is a major label. They all basically feel indistinguishable from one another at this point, don't they?

But here's what you may not know about Atlantic in particular. For about two decades, until they started signing rock bands like Led Zeppelin, they were almost exclusively dedicated to nothing but secular, black-made music. And that's originally how they ended up making a name for themselves, as an independent label for black musicians that actually had a reputation for usually compensating their artists fairly.

So in 1985, the first iteration of Atlantic Rhythm & Blues 1947-1974 hit the shelves. It consisted of a whopping *186 songs*, chronologically spread across 14 separate records or 7 cassettes. And then in '91, it was reissued on CD in an 8-disc set, with an extra 17 songs mixed within.

But this edition that I have for you all today is a much, much rarer one that was issued exclusively in Japan in 2012. And what it consists of is the same eight discs from the 1991 reissue, plus two more, which have songs on it that were handpicked by Japan's own super selector, Keishi Suzuki, who ends up supplying 52 more songs—a lot of them rarities—bringing the total amount of tracks within the release to a grand total of *255*! 😯

Now, obviously, that is a whole lot of music, and I'm not gonna write an ungodly amount of paragraphs to cover it all, but regarding the first discs in this box set, what I'll say is this: these are must-listens for any old school r&b/soul/doo wop novice or junkie out there. These CDs do a wonderful job of allowing you to take a bird's eye view of this label that managed to develop itself into an indefatigable powerhouse for popular black music. From its earliest days of jazzy and jump-bluesy instrumentals, to its deeper endeavors into soul, you can trace this label's contours and get a feel for just how eminent its entire existence has been upon the history of popular music writ large. From its first star Ruth Brown—who helped earn the label its clever, Yankee Stadium-inspired nickname of 'The House That Ruth Built'—to Ray Charles, to The Drifters, to Otis Redding, to Wilson Pickett, and to the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin; it's all in those first 8 discs.

But those final two Keishi Suzuki-curated CDs are the ones I'm here to write about especially today, because a whole bunch of these total obscurities are, really, absolutely phenomenal.

Like, maybe you're familiar with 60s soul-man Don Covay, who had a solid number of Billboard Hot 100 and R&B chart hits in his career, and also penned Aretha Franklin's own mega hit, "Chain of Fools." But did you know that Covay actually started out under the name of 'Pretty Boy' and performed with a raucous Little Richard-esque rock & roll flair? Suzuki provides "Bip Bop Bip" here, an energetic tune with scratchy, throaty shouts, mashing hi-hats, and an electrifying saxophone solo. And it was actually produced by Little Richard himself!

Then there's Lawrence & The Arabians (what a fucking name, man), a short-lived all-white group, who in 1967 released the outstanding "I'll Try Harder," a fully uptempo and poppy piece of horn-heavy blue-eyed soul that sounds partially cut from some type of Motown cloth. Delightful gem right there.

And lastly, we have Peggy Scott, a pretty well-known southern soul and R&B entity in her own right who managed to make the American top 40 thrice in the late 60s. But after she stopped charting, Scott ended up releasing just one single on Atlantic—through their Atco sublabel—and in 1972, on that single's B-side, she showed that she could still more than hack it with the fantastic "One Night Is All I Need," on which her voice is striking all throughout, but is especially so whenever she goes for that gravelly passion 😌.

And these final two discs in this set have more underappreciated stunners on them too, but we're done here. This is such an excellent release that I shelled out a pretty pretty penny for, and I'm ultimately glad I did, because while the easier-to-find editions of this thing are cheaper and deeply satisfying themselves, nothing beats the thrill of being exposed to underheard gems that not very many other people know about. And in that regard, Keishi Suzuki knocked his task way out of the park.

A magnificent album, both for its extensive chronologizing of one of the most important labels in the history of popular music, as well as its extra 50+ songs that get some much needed light shone upon them too.

Highlights:

CD1:

Ruth Brown - "So Long" Joe Morris - "Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere" Ruth Brown - "Tear Drops From My Eyes" Joe Turner - "The Chill Is On" Joe Turner - "Sweet Sixteen" Willis Jackson - "Gator's Groove"

CD2:

Ruth Brown - "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean" Ruth Brown - "Wild Wild Young Men" Ray Charles - "Mess Around" Joe Turner - "Honey Hush" LaVern Baker - "Soul On Fire" Professor Longhair - "Tipitina" The Drifters - 'White Christmas" The Drifters - "Whatcha Gonna Do" Joe Turner - "Shake, Rattle and Roll" Tommy Ridgley - "Jam Up" Al Hibbler - "After the Lights Go Down Low" Ray Charles - "I Got a Woman" Ray Charles - "Greenbacks"

CD3:

Ray Charles - "A Fool for You" Ray Charles - "This Little Girl of Mine" The Robins - "Smokey Joe's Cafe" The Drifters - "Ruby Baby" The Cookies - "In Paradise" Ray Charles - "Drown In My Own Tears" The Coasters - "Down In Mexico" Ray Charles - "Lonely Avenue" Clyde McPhatter - "Without Love" Chuck Willis - "C.C. Rider"

CD4:

Chuck Willis - "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes" The Coasters - "Yakety Yak" Ray Charles - "Night Time Is the Right Time" The Coasters - "Charlie Brown" Ray Charles - "What'd I Say" The Drifters - "There Goes My Baby" Ray Charles - "Let the Good Times Roll" The Coasters - "Poison Ivy" Ben E. King - "Stand by Me" LaVern Baker - "Saved"

CD5:

The Mar-Keys - "Last Night" The Falcons - "I Found a Love" Ben E. King - "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" Booker T. & The MG's - "Green Onions" Doris Troy - "Just One Look" Esther Phillips - "Release Me" The Drifters - "Under the Boardwalk"

CD6:

Otis Redding - "I've Been Loving You Too Long" Wilson Pickett - "In the Midnight Hour" Otis Redding - "Respect" Percy Sledge - "When a Man Loves a Woman" Wilson Pickett - "634-5789" Sam & Dave - "Hold On, I'm Coming" The Capitols - "Cool Jerk" Wilson Pickett - "Land of 1000 Dances" Eddie Floyd - "Knock On Wood" Otis Redding - "Try a Little Tenderness" Wilson Pickett - "Mustang Sally" Sam & Dave - "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" Arthur Conley - "Sweet Soul Music" Aretha Franklin - "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" Aretha Franklin - "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" Otis & Carla - "Tramp" Wilson Pickett - "Funky Broadway" Booker T. & The MG's - "Hip-Hug-Her" Sam & Dave - "Soul Man"

CD7:

Aretha Franklin - "Respect" Aretha Franklin - "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" The Bar-Kays - "Soul Finger" Aretha Franklin - "Baby, I Love You" Aretha Franklin - "Chain of Fools" Wilson Pickett - "I'm in Love" King Curtis - "Memphis Soul Stew" Aretha Franklin - "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" Otis Redding - "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" Archie Bell & The Drells - "Tighten Up" Clarence Carter - "Slip Away" Aretha Franklin - "Think" Clarence Carter - "Too Weak to Fight" Donny Hathaway - "The Ghetto" Tyrone Davis - "Turn Back the Hands of Time" Les McCann & Eddie Harris - "Compared to What" Aretha Franklin - "Call Me"

CD8:

Aretha Franklin - "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" King Floyd - "Groove Me" Clarence Carter - "Patches" Wilson Pickett - "Don't Knock My Love" The Beginning of the End - "Funky Nassau (Parts 1 & 2)" Persuaders - "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" Aretha Franklin - "Rock Steady" Aretha Franklin - "Day Dreaming" Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - "You've Got a Friend" Betty Wright - "Clean Up Woman" The Spinners - "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" Roberta Flack - "Killing Me Softly With His Song" Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - "Where Is the Love" The Spinners - "I'll Be Around" Roberta Flack - "Feel Like Makin' Love" The Spinners - "One of a Kind (Love Affair)" Blue Magic - "Sideshow" The Spinners - "Mighty Love"

apparently you can have too many hyperlinks in a post...will include the rest in a reblog...

[priestoctober99]

Where do you go when you’re resting on Sunday?

Inside of your mind I mean, not physically. For me it’s between two places, but I’m only writing about one today. The place I go when I need to meditate, clear my head is a beach. I have Caribbean blood, my father is from Barbados. So I can’t help but feel a connection with the salty tide in my bones. When I need to recollect or fall asleep, I’ll conjure sounds of the sea in my mind. The smell of sea water and salt. The warmth on my face. A small portal radio with batteries halfway dead on the inside playing old bops that nobody knows anymore. ( Some zamrock? Some doo wops from the 60s? ) and even the faint sounds of other voices and the smells of boardwalk food. This made up beach in my mind helps me relax at times you know?

It makes me feel like living on or near a beach is in my future. A place where I can leave my front door, slide on old worn sandals that are in desperate need of replacing but I’m too stubborn to replace them because I’ve had em for years and walk down the street eating a tangerine to the beach. Waving to familiar faces in jeeps or people carrying surfboards and coolers to the same beach I’m going to. The same one where I can relax in my mind.

One day I’ll live by the beach you know? It won’t be such a dream. It’ll be more than just my mind space for meditation. Take care of yourself today baby, you deserve rest on Sundays.

[danishprince]

realized today to my horror that despite assistant stage managing a high school production of grease nine years ago i still have the entirety of "we go together" memorized (there was not enough space for all the options here). sad!