Today I'm featuring the under-appreciated Louisiana soul belter, Carol Fran.  

I was first introduced to her music during my radio days in the late nineties through what was then some contemporary "soul-blues" recordings she released with guitar player Clarence Holliman.  The soul blues scene emerged in the 1980s after traditional soul music had lost favor with the general public.  It was in this scene that some 1960s soul artists (Irma Thomas, Etta James, Johnnie Taylor, Ann Peebles, Bobby Blue Bland, etc) were able to find a second career when record labels like Malaco, Black Top and Bullseye repackaged southern soul, called it blues and marketed it towards dudes who were really into "the Blues Brothers".  At least that's how I imagine the idea came about.  If you ever want to see the kind of dudes I'm talking about, spend a day at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival this summer and look for the shirtless middle-aged white guys.  I used to kind of resent this industry-created genre, but now I feel differently.  At least some artists were able to continue their careers after their music lost it's wider popularity.  Not to mention, had it not been for the "soul-blues" scene of the 80s and 90s, it probably would have been a lot longer before I had found out about Carol Fran since her mid-century records weren't exactly easily accessible in Olympia, WA. 

Carol is one of those artists who's had a lengthy career with very little commercial success.  Perhaps she was a victim to over-saturation of the soul market, or maybe she just didn't land on a label with enough power to get her radio play.  One thing is for sure, with the distinct quality of her voice and her creative delivery, she should have been a huge star.  Carol Fran stands out.  If you want to learn more about her you can find a detailed biography here  http://allmusic.com/artist/carol-fran-p77338/biography and here's a great article about her http://www.bestofneworleans.com/gambit/lady-sings-the-blues/Content?oid=1242771

Please join me in appreciating some of her finest recordings.

Her earliest sides were cut for swamp blues/r&b label Excello.

This is sequel to the above.


One of my all-time favorites.





And listen to how she handles a ballad. I dare you not to melt into a great big puddle right here on the spot.


- Post by Portland's DJ Action Slacks of Sugar Town

Women's History Month - Shirley Goodman

I will be celebrating some of my favorite ladies from the golden age of R&B and soul all though March. This is not so much a history lesson as it is simply a chance to share my appreciation for some really incredible ladies!

 I'm starting with the late Shirley Goodman, originally from New Orleans. She is probably best remembered as half of the R&B duo of Shirley & Lee, who recorded two of the best records of the 1950s, "Feels So Good" and "Let the Good Times Roll" as well as many other fabulous examples of traditional New Orleans R&B.  Also she was cute as a button!

 Shirley isn't really celebrated very much. I suppose that's because most of her work was as half of various duos- Shirley & Lee, Shirley and Jessie (Hill), Shirley & Company, etc. And yet, she possessed one of the most charming and unique voices in the history of American music. Also Shirley will surprise you. Her voice pops up where you least expect it, as it did as a backing vocalist on the Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street" lp.

 I adore Shirley, so today I ask you to take a few minutes and listen to her magic on the cuts I've posted below.

"Feel So Good" was the first 50s R&B song I completely fell in love with, sparking a life-long obsession with the best music ever laid on wax.

After Shirley split with Lee she teamed up with another New Orleans legend. Jessie Hill is best known for his iconic R&B anthem "Ooh Poo Pah Doo." My favorite record by Shirley & Jessie is not available on youtube, however this one is also is a Northern Soul classic. Here we have Shirley with "and Company". I've never bothered to learn more about "& Company" but I do find him to be pretty awesome. Prior to recording this MAJOR hit, Shirley was resigned to a life outside of the music biz. It was Sylvia Robinson who coaxed her back into the spotlight to record for her All Platinum Records. THANK YOU SYLVIA, because this is by far one of my favorite disco songs! Finally, this is a special reunion between Shirley & Lee on the show Midnight Special during Shirley's "Shame Shame Shame" era. Note Lee's outfit.

- Post by Portland's DJ Action Slacks of Sugar Town