Joe Simon - "Nine Pound Steel"

My Dad was in the military and we moved around a lot, but my parents are from Alabama and I inherited my Dad's love of southern soul.  One of his favorite songs was Nine Pound Steel by Joe Simon.  He loved it so much that he would play it over and over and over.  Often for an hour or so straight.  We knew every note and every word.  My sisters and I got so sick of my Dad playing this record that we hid the 45 in a stack of albums.  Needless to say, it didn't stay hidden for long and we had to suffer through enless hours of what we thought was a depressing, sad song.

Now, however, it's my favorite Joe Simon song and I can clearly hear my Dad's voice singing it.  "Through these bars, I see the sun.  I'm here because of the wrong I've done...."

 

I also want you to hear one more Joe Simon song.  This was out when I was in high school and southernsoulradio.com has been playing it lately.  I hadn't heard it in probably 30+ years and it brought back some good memories.

Joe Simon had other hits but these are my two favorites.

Enjoy!

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Southern Soul Paradise

Betty Padgett - "Never Coming Home"

This is what southern soul sounds like.  I love this song - it's for all the women who've ever been mistreated. It also shows you that you can make it on your own if you have to. 

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Southern Soul Paradise

Favorite Marvin Sease Songs

As you know from my past blogs, I love Marvin Sease. A lot of people only knew Candy Licker, but he had a lot of great music. I started a list of my top five Marvin Sease songs, but then it led to the top 10, and I finally made myself stop with the top 15.

1. Bad Love Affair
2. She’s My Woman
3. Sit Down On It
4. Quiet As It’s Kept
5. Ghetto Man
6. I’m Mr. Jody
7. Show Me What You Got
8. My Dog Won’t Bark
9. Motel Lover
10. Do You Qualify
11. I Stand Accused
12. I Gotta Clean Up
13. Don’t Forget To Tell On You
14. Funky Christmas (the radio stations in Alabama played this a lot during the Christmas season – it is one of the best Christmas songs out)
15. Gone On
Candy Licker!  This classic is so great and precedent setting, that it didn't make my list; it stands on its own.
Thank you for giving us wonderful music - we'll miss you, Marvin!

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Southern Soul Paradise

FLJ, the Chat Room, and Southern Soul Radio

One of the things I like to do through the week when I don’t have go to work is listen to Funky Larry Jones on southernsoulradio.com and join the party in the chat room.  Have you tried it?  It’s a lot of fun to talk - in real time - to him and other listeners just like you.  Conversations are lively and everyone makes you feel like you’re part of the room.  The music is always good and the company is always entertaining.  Listen in the mornings from somewhere around 8 a.m. - 12 noon EST.

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Southern Soul Paradise

Marvin Sease

The world has lost another magical voice. I have been a Marvin Sease fan for years and I am truly going to miss his music. His death was an enormous shock to me. Some of his songs are what legends are made of (like Candy Licker) but he really had such a wide range of awesome songs and was super talented. I spend a lot of time traveling and his CDs have kept me company plenty of times as I’ve gone up and down the road. I was fortunate to see him in concert many, many times and he always gave his all and put on a great show. In fact, he was one of the hardest working performers I know and there is no one like him. I will miss him.

My prayers are with his family; may he rest in peace.
Southern Soul Paradise

Selma's Jubilee

The Bridge Crossing Jubilee takes place March 3 – 7 at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama!  It is a street festival of music, art and history.  The Jubilee is a celebration and commemoration of the right to vote and the March from Selma to Montgomery. It also serves as a reunion for many of the Voting and Civil Rights participants.   There are plenty of activities planned and on Saturday, March 5, there will be a blues stage featuring Lenny Williams and Big Robb!!  Check out http://selmajubilee.com/ for more information about the Jubilee and click on the Events Schedule tab for details about 2011 event.

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Southern Soul Paradise