HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SOUL MAN:

Only the soulful survive (DAVE HOEKSTRA, October 10, 2002, Chicago Sun-Times)

Soul music is a sweaty hybrid of religion, conviction and intrigue. These elements create plenty of memorable sparks in "Plenty Good Lovin': The Lost Solo Album," recorded in 1970 and 1971 by Sam Moore, the lead vocalist of the soul duo Sam & Dave.

Just released on the 2K Sounds label, the 10-track album was produced for Atlantic Records by legendary rhythm and blues saxophonist Curtis "King Curtis" Ousley, who was attempting to expand Moore's style from the saucy rhythms associated with Sam & Dave's first label, Stax. As the recording project wound down in the summer of 1971, Moore witnessed Curtis' fatal stabbing in New York City. Ousley was 37.

At the time of his death, King Curtis had been named leader of Aretha Franklin's backing band, which is why she is playing keyboards on the gospel-tinged "Part Time Love." And Chicagoan Donny Hathaway guests on keyboards because he was a member of Curtis' late-'60s band the Kingpins. In the winter of 1979, Hathaway plunged to his death from the 15th floor of a New York hotel. He was 34. [...]

"Plenty Good Lovin' " finds Moore dealing from all his strengths. He vamps like Sam Cooke in the sprightly title track, and he goes down for deep blues in "If I Should Lose Your Love," which was supposed to be the first single from the album. But the record was never released due to the murder of Curtis and Moore's own drug addictions. [...]

Moore turns 67 on Saturday.

If you like Soul Music (and if you don't you're a philistine), we highly recommend: Sweet Soul Music : Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom (Peter Guralnick). His Elvis bio is excellent too. Posted by Orrin Judd at October 13, 2002 3:58 PM