> Reg was a great soul singer-unless
> you're so narrow minded as to only be able to understand soul in the
> context
> of a black singer from either Detroit or Memphis
No I'm not being narrow-minded.
I just don't think most of these so-called white soul singers were
really that at all.
Steve Marriott - now HE had a great voice! Bordering on real soul
singing at times..... One or two others (including Reg's good moments)
But even their BEST doesn't compare to singers like Jackie Wilson, Dobie
Gray, Smokey Robinson, etc.
I bet you the singers (Reg etc.) themselves would (have) agree(d) with
you too!!
I think that if you're only hearing British R&B in
> the context (or in comparison) of the American originals, you're really
> missing out on a lot. To me, the whole thing that's so amazing is that
> there's no reason why any British R&B should have really worked. You're
>
> talking about a whole style of music that existed purely as an
> appreciation
> and a desire to emulate as another-and yet, they created valid music of
> their
> own.
Now - I think there's a BIG difference between R'n'B and Soul that
should be realised here...... British R'n'B was one thing - Blue-eyed
soul another.... I'd be the first to agree with you about the British
R'n'B...... Eric Burdon, Ray Davies, John Lennon, Steve Marriott, Van
Morrison - founders of 'British RnB' a music very different to 'real'
black R'n'B - but also very valid...
At times I think British groups even BETTERED RnB tunes (RocknRoll
Music, Baby Please Don't Go...) - but I haven't come across that with
soul music (yet?)
At the same time I wouldn't really say these were really BLUES singers -
just like I've been saying about the British 'soul' singers..........
Call me a snob - but that's my opinion.
Paul
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