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Roots of Soul: Blues, Gospel, Motown: Part 1

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Join as we trace the story of soul music -- from roots in blues, gospel, and pop to a renaissance across the pond as Northern Soul. Capes! Romance! Police brutality!

From early performers such as Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, and James Brown, to mid-60's labels and regional sounds -- Motown, Stax and Volt, Atlantic, and the regional sounds out of Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia -- to a rediscovery of soul in the North of England.

Adapted for radio are excerpts of an essay by music journalist Richie Unterberger, "Soul," which appears in the All Music Guide to Soul.

Today is Part 1 of (at least) 2, so join me next week for the second installment of the story of soul.

(Skip to minute 4:35.)

Playlist

  1. I Got a Woman by Ray Charles on Ray Charles (aka Hallelujah I Love Her So) (Atlantic)
  2. Break
  3. Lonely Teardrops by Jackie Wilson on The Greatest Hits of the Early Years (Atlantic)
  4. A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke on Keep Movin' On (ABKCO)
  5. You've Got the Power by James Brown & Bea Ford on James Brown's Original Funky Divas (Universal)
  6. Please, Please, Please by James Brown & the Famous Flames on Get on Up (Universal)
  7. Break
  8. This Magic Moment by The Drifters & Ben E. King on Up on The Roof: The Best of The Drifters (Atlantic)
  9. Break
  10. Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  11. Two Lovers by Mary Wells on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  12. Break
  13. You've Really Got A Hold on Me by The Miracles on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  14. Baby Love by The Supremes on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  15. Reach Out, I'll Be There by Four Tops on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  16. The Hunter Gets Captured by The Game by The Marvelettes on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  17. Break
  18. Love Child by Diana Ross & The Supremes on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  19. Break
  20. War by Edwin Starr on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  21. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  22. Break
  23. Never Can Say Goodbye by Jackson 5 on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  24. Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  25. Break
  26. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  27. Break
  28. I Wanna Be Where You Are by Michael Jackson on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  29. Break
  30. Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  31. Break
  32. Don't Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston on Motown: The Complete No. 1's (Motown)
  33. Break
  34. I Didn't Believe by Rufus & Friend on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  35. Break
  36. Wait A Minute by Barbara Stephens on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  37. Green Onions by Booker T. & The MG's on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  38. Break
  39. I'll Bring It On Home To You by Carla Thomas on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  40. Somebody Mentioned Your Name by William Bell on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  41. In The Twilight Zone by The Astors on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  42. Sugar Sugar by The Mad Lads on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  43. Break
  44. When My Love Comes Down by Ruby Johnson on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)
  45. Able Mable by Mable John on Stax-Volt: The Complete Singles 1959 - 1968 (Stax-Volt)