Up cooking some BBQ with some family and we having discussions about various music who stood out based on what style of music. So the soul topic came up and I said Otis Redding hands down is the goat. So what to do you think Texags.
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Greatest Soul Singer
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Last: 1 yr ago by dude95
Otis for sure
Otis Redding was the man. Let's get that out of the way, but every time I listen to St. Paul and the Broken Bones, I hear a lot of Otis...along with other influences. All that to say, if you haven't heard of St Paul, do yourself a favor.
They even cover him often
They even cover him often
I actually listen to St. Paul and the Broken Bones and they do a great cover of Otis I've been loving you to long.
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Ben l'Oncle Soul can cover some Otis too
If you ever heard about the Monterey Pop Festival which 95% of the lineup was rock and had artist like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Janis Joplin. Otis was probably the odd guy out as soul guy but he absolutely won over that crowd after having to follow those acts.
So had one family member say that our present day soul is Chris Stapleton. She's trying to muddy the topic cause Chris has some soul but he's also Country. I'm Country old school Willie, Waylon, Merle, Johnny. So is Stapleton Soul?
Sam Cooke
Yep. It's Sam Cooke all the way.
Otis>>>Sam
Sam Cooke seems to be the face of the 60s soul genre for whatever reason, but Otis was the better singer. To me it's pretty clear when you listen to both of their recordings of A Change Is Gonna Come. Sam's vocals were more polished and smoothed, but Otis was more dynamic and gritty, which better suited the songs they were singing. Maybe it doesn't help that Sam's recordings were more often arranged with all the strings, which cheapened them imo, but whatever.
Sam Cooke seems to be the face of the 60s soul genre for whatever reason, but Otis was the better singer. To me it's pretty clear when you listen to both of their recordings of A Change Is Gonna Come. Sam's vocals were more polished and smoothed, but Otis was more dynamic and gritty, which better suited the songs they were singing. Maybe it doesn't help that Sam's recordings were more often arranged with all the strings, which cheapened them imo, but whatever.
It's Otis Redding and Sam Cooke for me 1a and 1b.
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Scotts Tot said:
Otis>>>Sam
Sam Cooke seems to be the face of the 60s soul genre for whatever reason, but Otis was the better singer. To me it's pretty clear when you listen to both of their recordings of A Change Is Gonna Come. Sam's vocals were more polished and smoothed, but Otis was more dynamic and gritty, which better suited the songs they were singing. Maybe it doesn't help that Sam's recordings were more often arranged with all the strings, which cheapened them imo, but whatever.
His studio recordings were definitely clean/soft, but it was the 60's. I'd put his vocals from Live at the Harlem Square Club up against Otis Redding any day. Otis was that guy for sure, but Sam Cooke clears him. I probably have David Ruffin third.
Scotts Tot said:
Otis>>>Sam
Sam Cooke seems to be the face of the 60s soul genre for whatever reason, but Otis was the better singer. To me it's pretty clear when you listen to both of their recordings of A Change Is Gonna Come. Sam's vocals were more polished and smoothed, but Otis was more dynamic and gritty, which better suited the songs they were singing. Maybe it doesn't help that Sam's recordings were more often arranged with all the strings, which cheapened them imo, but whatever.
Interesting take considering it is Sam Cooke's song and Otis covered it.
The difference in style partly can be attributed to Otis covering it as a tribute to Sam who has just passed. It was intentionally less polished and without orchestration. And likely even more emotional.
FWIW
Sam Cooke had 4 #1 hits on the R&B chart and another 6 that went to #2.
Otis Redding only #1 hit was Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay which was released posthumously. And he had one song that got to #2.
But popularity is not the only measure. And as I said they are almost inseparable to me.
Both died much too young (33 and 36). I wish we had a few more decades of music from both of them.
Besides the obvious Otis and Sam entries:
Jackie Wilson
Teddy Pendergrass
Marvin Gaye
Wilson Pickett
Etta James
Aretha Franklin
Jackie Wilson
Teddy Pendergrass
Marvin Gaye
Wilson Pickett
Etta James
Aretha Franklin
I like Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin.
I would say yes. To me, his tone quality and vocal stylings are far more soul-based than country.BurnetAggie99 said:
So had one family member say that our present day soul is Chris Stapleton. She's trying to muddy the topic cause Chris has some soul but he's also Country. I'm Country old school Willie, Waylon, Merle, Johnny. So is Stapleton Soul?
EclipseAg said:I would say yes. To me, his tone quality and vocal stylings are far more soul-based than country.BurnetAggie99 said:
So had one family member say that our present day soul is Chris Stapleton. She's trying to muddy the topic cause Chris has some soul but he's also Country. I'm Country old school Willie, Waylon, Merle, Johnny. So is Stapleton Soul?
To me Stapleton is almost as much blues as he is country. He's so damn good he really defies simple categorization.
What exactly is soul? Wikipedia say Ray Charles is soul. If so, I'd put him over everyone else in this thread.
I also really like Smokey Robinson.
I also really like Smokey Robinson.
If you haven't ever read the story behind Sam Cooke writing A Change is Gonna Come and later Otis covering it, it's really interesting.
Both gone too soon.
Both gone too soon.
Personal favorites are Marvin Gaye and David Ruffin
I'd put Otis Redding at Whisky A Go Go against Sam Cooke's at Harlem SquareHead Ninja In Charge said:Scotts Tot said:
Otis>>>Sam
Sam Cooke seems to be the face of the 60s soul genre for whatever reason, but Otis was the better singer. To me it's pretty clear when you listen to both of their recordings of A Change Is Gonna Come. Sam's vocals were more polished and smoothed, but Otis was more dynamic and gritty, which better suited the songs they were singing. Maybe it doesn't help that Sam's recordings were more often arranged with all the strings, which cheapened them imo, but whatever.
His studio recordings were definitely clean/soft, but it was the 60's. I'd put his vocals from Live at the Harlem Square Club up against Otis Redding any day. Otis was that guy for sure, but Sam Cooke clears him. I probably have David Ruffin third.
I'd have a real tough time choosing between Otis Redding and Bill Withers though. Withers live album at Carnegie Hall is one of my all-time favorite albums.
My Trinity:
Otis
Wilson
Sam
Otis
Wilson
Sam
“Things weren’t gentle and politically correct in those days. We weren’t candy asses. Okay?”
-Frank Borman
“Who are you to doubt El Dandy? ‘Cause this guy’s a serious professional.”
-Bret Hart
-Frank Borman
“Who are you to doubt El Dandy? ‘Cause this guy’s a serious professional.”
-Bret Hart
Prob Otis or Sam but Al Green is my personal fav.
Chris Stapleton is not soul.
As for Blue eyed soul, Tom Jones is/was a bad ass.
As for Blue eyed soul, Tom Jones is/was a bad ass.
AgPediRPh said:
Personal favorites are Marvin Gaye and David Ruffin
Macarthur said:
Chris Stapleton is not soul.
As for Blue eyed soul, Tom Jones is/was a bad ass.
Check out Nathaniel Rateliff. Incredible.
Glad someone finally mentioned Al Green. Marvin is my favorite, though.
Was listening on shuffle in the car on the way home from gymnastics and Aretha came on. Daughter was instantly hooked and demanded more. I love introducing my kids to awesome music from the past.
Love soul / funk / R&B bands like The Commodores and EW&F also.
That's the Way of the World by EW&F is one of my favorite songs ever. Perfect combo of soul and funk.
Was listening on shuffle in the car on the way home from gymnastics and Aretha came on. Daughter was instantly hooked and demanded more. I love introducing my kids to awesome music from the past.
Love soul / funk / R&B bands like The Commodores and EW&F also.
That's the Way of the World by EW&F is one of my favorite songs ever. Perfect combo of soul and funk.
The Teskey Brothers got some soul.
Go figure a Black Sabbath song would get in here..but it's amazing and my go to for Soul
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