Westender

Yes, so much was crammed in to an hour that it did leave you feeling a bit unsatisfied. Lots of good bits, some very insightful comments and interesting contributions from the musicians but we could have done with a whole lot more. The ending left us with the message that soul is done and dusted. And it is. There are no great singers, vocal groups have long disappeared, the funk bands have withered away and the era of great labels, writers and producers is long gone. Pity that the legacy of those brilliant artists of the 60s and 70s wasn't developed and extended. Why that is could have provided an interesting part 4.

Thinksmart has made a number of very good points. I enjoyed E2 as much for the social history as for the music. And I guess that really is the point of the programme. Its not a history of soul music, but how the politics of the time were reflected in the music. To that end, I think the programme is interesting and worthwhile, though I share a frustration that many artists haven't been mentioned - no Sly Stone was a shocking omission for instance - and that it seems the music was only made in Memphis or Detroit!

Don't think you tell could the definitive history of soul music in 3 hours. Inevitably there were short cuts and omissions, which was to be expected. What we did have was highly enjoyable, and served as a very good introduction to the topic. A more exhaustive series, drawing in many of the artists not included is probably something we will never get. More's the pity. I think the civil rights issue is fundamental to the development of soul music. The music was the soundtrack to the era and I believe much of the music was inspired by political events. Can't see how you could tell the story of soul and not reflect upon the times and the circumstances under which it was created. More of that next week, I suspect.

Bobby James, just, over Jimmy Burns. Just like the slight rasp in the voice even though the Burns track is a slightly cleaner production. The other 2 are some way behind.

It was quite interesting from a social history point of view but not that illuminating. Some of the statements presented as fact were highly dubious. I did enjoy the sequence with Greg Edwards, who I listened to avidly on Capital radio. Greg was a great broadcaster but "Soul Spectrum" was pretty much back to back contemporary dance music and in no sense a look at the breadth and depth of soul music or its influences.

As good as I hoped and expected. Walter Jackson sets a ridiculously high bar with the stunning opener, and then we have the brilliant and oh so under appreciated Jimmy Radcliffe and Junior Lewis (CL Blast) to round things off. Can we have a companion CD featuring the great female voices of the era now please?

Looks a cracking compilation. Have ordered my copy.... Another top notch offering from Kent, who have done a fantastic job in putting out so much classic soul music over the last 20 odd years.

Welcome article on a very under rated singer. The 3 deep cuts mentioned are quite outstanding.

Damn! I loved the early stuff and 4U2Enjoy in particular. So many top quality tracks.

One of the most exciting, intense, energetic and distinctively brilliant recording artists of the last 70 years. Not many singers could hammer out a lyric like awopbopaloobop etc and make it sound so alive. It was simply thrilling to see him perform and to hear his fervent vocals. His rock n roll was hugely influential but his soul sides and gospel recordings show the range of his considerable abilities.

A unique and truly brilliant artist. Here he combines with a lovely song and deft arrangement to magical effect....

1-125, no way. I can just about get down to a top 10 (in no particular order) Jimmy Robins - I made it over Barbara West - Anyone but you Paul Kelly - The day after forever Judy White - Satisfaction guaranteed Otis Redding - Just one more day Jean Plum - Look at the boy Bob & Earl - Dont ever leave me Knight Bros - I'm never gonna live it down Sam & Bill - I feel like crying Arthur Conley - Let nothing separate us

Very nice. Right up my street. Thanks for the heads up.

More in the same vein. Laura sounding just great and the MS boys are in top form. Timeless brilliance.....

Paul was a fantastic singer. Alas we only saw glimpses of his great talent....

The Isley's have a fantastic catalogue to draw upon but really the quality dried up by the late 70's. Now down to a duo. I dunno, I think it might be best just to retire gracefully and remember them when they were in their pomp during the 60's and 70's.

Memphis Soul par excellence. OV was one of the greats.

Great artist with a fantastic back catalogue. 50 years making great music. You could drop a needle on almost anything he recorded and hit on a top track but i really liked a lot of his later recordings for Malaco. This is a real gem.....

Bad news. Jackie was for me a Premier league vocalist. Very under rated and under recorded. Her recordings at Muscle Shoals are sublime and essential.

15 years since volume 4......seems incredible that all that time has elapsed since I brought and enjoyed these CD's. 1-4 were tremendous compilations, containing no end of ultra high quality material. The listing here looks to be up to the high standard already set. Impossible not to order a copy.

Very little in it. The Faulk record has a slightly sharper sound but Ree is a better singer.

Where do you start....He was one of the greats. A complete one off, brilliant and original. What song to pick? Frankly you could choose dozens such is the quality of his recordings. I really like this oh so gentle ballad.

THis is just sensational. You can really appreciate the quality of Levi's delivery with this version. His vocal from about 1'45' is breathtaking. What a singer. And what a group. The quality of their recordings didnt drop off when they left Motown. Some of the ABC stuff is terrific.

I'll go for the Vivian Copeland version. Production is a bit stripped down but very effective with good lead and background harmonies. Susan Phillips has a rather thin voice despite a very good horn arrangement and backing harmonies. Don't care for the BJE version at all. Far too lush string arrangement and that harp!!

Vocal for me, though its a close run thing as the instrumental track is so beautifully arranged and stands up in its own right.