Chapter 6: Soul & Motown
The Commodores
A group originally known as the Mystics were fronted by Lionel Ritchie who later went on to have a successful solo career, started as a funk inspired R&B group influenced by James Brown that evolved to a ballad style sound
claves
A pair of hand-held wooden bars used as percussion instruments in African and Latin American music.
Smokey Robinson
One of the main Motown producers, created many hits for his group and other Motown acts, became vice-president of Motown,
Sam Cooke
Pioneers of soul; began his professional singing career as lead vocalist for the Soul Stirrers. Demonstrated racial pride by challenging Jim Crow laws and segregation; inspired Aretha Franklin
timbre
complexity or quality of sound that makes musical instruments, human voices, or other sources sound unique
The Temptations
Achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records, had a five-decade career that included R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music, Motown group known for their smooth singing style and athletic dance move,
Respect
Aretha Franklin
Shop Around
Barry Gordy's first hit with Smokey Robinson.
Otis Redding
Became biggest-selling artist for Stax Records, wrote songs from personal experiences, never took or remade songs from other artist, inspired by the aggressive vocals of Little Richard and the crooning style of Sam Cooke. Died in a plane crash just 3 days after recording his biggest hit.
Rick James
Black artist signed by Motown to join two white guys in a group called the Mynah Birds, the groups recording were never released and the two remaining group members went on to join a very successful folk rock band called Buffalo Springfield.
Ray Charles
Blind piano player who combined gospel, R&B, country, jazz and played many styles of music including rock and roll. His band usually included a small orchestra including many vocalist.
Etta James
Chess Records first crossover artist.
The Impressions
Chicago Soul group with doo-wop style vocals. Formed by teenagers Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. As the civil rights movement escalated, Mayfield's lyrics became more encouraging to African Americans.
Motor City
Detroit's nickname and the inspiration for Barry Gordy's naming of his record label.
synthesizer
Electronic instrument that produces a wide variety of sounds by combining sound generators and sound modifiers in a single console.
Zero
Elvis Presley recorded over 600 songs, how many songs did Elvis write?
The Ford Assembly Line
Featured in the first music video by Martha and the Vandelas.
Les Paul
First person to make a solid bodied electric guitar.
Berry Gordy Jr.
Formed Motown Records in 1959, based in Detroit, MI, wanted to produce crossover hits that appealed to white audiences, derived production methods from Brill Building practices, studio musicians crafted arrangements (Funk Brothers), controlled all aspects of music for almost all of the artists he signed including professionalism, sophistication of artists, choreography, and dress.
Marvin Gaye
Grew up influenced by gospel, was the son of a preacher, signed by Motown and married Barry Gordy's sister, became one of Motown's most consistently popular acts, heavily influenced by the jazz and soul style of Ray Charles, was shot and killed by his father during an argument in 1984.
Booker T. & the MG's
Instrumental R&B/funk band that was influential in shaping the sound of Southern soul and Memphis soul. They were the main studio musicians for all artists that recorded at Stax/Volt studios. The group was named after their organist but was also a tribute to one of the first civil rights activist.
Please, Please, Please
James Brown
The Jackson 5
Kid group of siblings from Gary, Indiana fronted by a 10 year old who danced like a miniature James Brown, transcended all race and age barriers, mainly performed pop oriented music geared towards teens and pre-teens, managed by their father who pulled the group out of Motown due to Gordy's unwillingness to give the group creative freedom over the music, last major recording act to be signed by Motown.
Lamont Dozier
Motown songwriter who had a goal to overcome the stigma of race music in America.
Jackie Wilson
Motown's first performer, our class was first introduced to him in the movie LaBamba.
Mary Wells
My Guy was the first hit by this artist
Aretha Franklin
Queen of Soul, began singing gospel music at an early age and made it her first profession, known for the overwhelming power and intensity of vocal delivery who produced an extraordinary and virtually uninterrupted stream of hit records over a five-year period.
What I'd Say
Ray Charles
James Brown
Recognized as the Godfather of Soul and Father of Funk. Inspired by gospel roots and revolutionized black music. Performances were theatrical. The horns were "backup singers" and was known to fire band members if they missed a note.
Wilson Pickett
Signed by Atlantic, associated with the Stax sound. Was Atlantic's best-selling southern soul performer. Had gospel roots and was a major figure in the development of American soul music.
Amen
The Impressions
My Girl
The Temptations
The Funk Brothers
This group created the Motown sound.
In the Midnight Hour
Wilson Pickett
major chords
mainly use in blues music, upbeat or triumphant sound
hook
often a short riff, passage, or phrase that is used in popular music to make a song appealing and to catch the ear of the listener.
ritard
to gradually become slower
Stevie Wonder
was born blind, started as a child solo artist that was able to negotiate his contract with Motown later in life, one of the very few artists to remain with the label yet maintain creative control over his music, played multiple instruments, advocated for the making of MLK Jr. Day a national holiday