Wednesday, February 07, 2007

A Challenge: Kentucky Soul?

A reader of this blog and a fellow Kentucky native asked me if I knew of any soul records made in Kentucky. Considering that there was some recording going on in just about any city of considerable size, I would figure that some - albeit terminally obscure - soul records came out of Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green or Ashland. Of course, it is possible that many Kentucky artists made their way to Cincinnati instead, since King Records and a host of other labels were there. At any rate, I am not aware of any Kentucky soul records, although I know Phillip Mitchell was from Louisville. Does anyone have any ideas or resources they would like to share? Any info would be welcomed.

3 comments:

The Stepfather of Soul said...

Southern Soul list member Blue Escorpio sent the following. More info is very welcomed!

Hi Jason,

I'm a 61 year old Belgian ,Blues and Soul,Gospel,Jazz and more aficionado.,and a listee at "The Southern Soul List".Yesterday John Glassburner posted "The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow" by Archie Dale and the Tones of Joy on Lu Sound out of Kentucky.

A further search on the net and in magazines (Blues & Rhythm # 195-"The Cliff Butler Story" / # 189-Obit Mary Ann Fisher) led to more:

Mary Ann Fisher was born in Henderson County,Kentucky,February 23,1923.She passed away on March 12,2004 in Louisville,Kentucky.In 1955 she met Ray Charles.She toured with Ray Charles from 1955 until 1958.Later on she became a solo act.She recorded two sides for Fire (Bobby Robinson's label) in 1959,two releases for Seg-Way in 1961,and two sides for Imperial in 1962.She also recorded "What Kind Of Man Are You" (with Ray Charles) on Atlantic.Her first album,"Songbird of the South" on Baby Hippo Records was released in January 2003.

"The Cliff Butler Story" (minus the pictures and label scans) is here http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=49&storyid=2898

and "Swan Song For The Songbird" obit for Mary Ann Fisher http://www.louisvillemusicnews.net/webmanager/index.php?WEB_CAT_ID=49&storyid=2006

Thank you for all the great music and cheers,

Marc aka blueescorpio2000 / Blue Escorpio

Brian Phillips said...

I just traded for a single:

On Bee Gee 0001 (I'm not making this up, you know!)

You Made It Thunder/Fifth Street - Mercy Men

Writing credits include Richard Illman
http://meridiancommunityband.org/mcb_clinicians_illman.html

Charles Mealing:
http://www.markbishopmusic.com/photos/Mark%20Bishop%20Homecoming%20Pics/DSC00734.JPG

I cannot find any reliable information on Mike Finley, who wrote "You Made it Thunder"

BMI turns up no information, either. Both sides of this record are hot pieces of Blue-Eyed Soul; "Fifth Street" features a "Funky Broadway"-styled break.

Brian Phillips

Brian Phillips said...

OH!

The Bee Gee label was based in Lexington, KY.

Oops.