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