Doug Sahm "The Rains Came"

Doug's live cover of an old rocker.



And the original version by Big Sambo and The House Wreckers.

George Soule "Catch Me I'm Falling"

Not to snark too much, but the barrel-scrapings that indie-label soul reissue specialists have been foisting on some of us who are nostalgically drawn to Southern Soul have got me skeptical.  (Later, much, for Northern Soul.)  Every once in awhile, a lost gem does resurface.  (Jimmy Lewis! Jimmy Lewis!  OK, I'll save him for a later post.)  Check out the new album pieced together from demos from this tiny cat who played keyboards and drums for Malaco Records in the early days and then went on to Fame in Muscle Shoals.  He penned hits for, among others, Brook Benton and Percy Sledge.  Here he sings his own stuff in a voice that is by turns flexibly light and downhome gritty.  He slings the hooks, he tosses of a few cagy metaphors, he lets you know how hurt a man in love can be.  Thanks to Soulscape for another imaginative reissue.  (Find the CD here or here.)   Read an interview with gentleman here.

Laba Sosseh "La Bicycletta"

 

I've recently discovered this charming Senegambian salsero. He was a charter member of Star Band de Dakar and then formed Super Star (with whom he recorded this version of one of his signature songs).

More can be learned by clicking here.