One soul and one blues tune

On the train yesterday I overheard a conversation. A young lass was talking about some competition she and her band were in. They had to pick one soul and one blues tune. I have no idea what it was all about but it got me a thinking about what tunes I would choose if part of this competition. The first thing I’d do is avoid the usual soul and blues suspects. Nothing wrong with a little Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett or a Blues Brotherish Sweet Home Chicago. But the songs are pretty over tired. They may form part of the popular identity of blues and soul but they are, of course, just the tip of the musical iceberg.

So if I had me old mate Paul on bass and vocals and a decent drummer, what songs would I choose?

The soul tune is pretty easy. O.V. Wright’s Nickel and a Nail. Simply a stunning tune. A hard one to pull off simply because of the impassioned vocals. But I reckon we’d have the chops.

And if you don’t have the remarkable collection The Soul of O.V. Wright then you do not have a soul yourself.

OV Wright - Nickel and a Nail

Now for the blues tune. A tough choice indeed. But I started thinking about the late great Magic Sam. Sure he played a particular genre of Chicago blues but he was sublime. His early death robbing him of the fame and widespread recognition that the deserved.

I was going to choose something of West Side Soul but can’t find the CD. So I’ve gone to the absolutely brilliant Magic Sam Live. I’ve taken All You Love, a slow burner of a tune that has both soaring vocals and guitar.

Btw, your blues collection is not complete without West Side Soul and Magic Sam Live. Do yourself a favour.

Magic Sam - All of Your Love

So that would be my one soul and one blues tune. But that is not all. Earlier I mentioned the
ubiquitous soul and blues tunes that people trot out there by ruining good songs by over familiarity. Allow me to indulge one more tune and it is again by Magic Sam from the live album. It is the way overplayed Sweet Home Chicago. But don’t let that put you off. Have a listen to how Magic Sam tackles this song. It will make the song fresh to your ears.

Magic Sam - Sweet Home Chicago