Joe Tex: The Dapper Dropper

"If I were a disease - Dr. Feelgood would cure me!"

King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, JT

Joe was a master of the shout out. Whether shouting out to Rufus Thomas at the end of his "Walking the Dog" rip, "Looking for My Pig", or telling Elvis to "get it!" in his "Heartbreak Hotel" cover, JT always gave credit where it was due. 

The Ichiband of merry posters are huge fans of "I'm a Man", where Joe name checks B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, the Rolling Stones, James Brown, Willie Mays and Roger Miller. I think it's been posted four/ five times this month, but what the heck, here it is again.

The flip of SYSLJFM!!!!

But that's far from the end of the story - there are numerous examples of Tex giving his fellow soul singers some love in song. There was the 1970 single "You're Right, Ray Charles", wherein RC tells JT that he needs to stop singing slow songs and rock it out. Considering Ray's tendencies to cover "Eleanor Rigby" around this time I'm not entirely sure that this song makes any sense, but since Joe wrote from life, I wonder what the conversation described in this song was really like.

On "Woman Stealer", Joe, B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland and Little Johnny Taylor have gotten together to stop woman stealers from stealing women.  Joe goes upside somebody's head yet again, but at least this time he's doing it to dudes. 

But the ultimate Joe Tex name drop song didn't get released until a 1985 UK double LP called Different Strokes, even though it's a 1970 recording. More on this comp in a few days. The song is a cover of a 1955 Ruth Brown hit, "I Can See Everybody's Baby". 

Joe's version is radically different. He turns it into a travelogue - Ruth sticks close to home looking for her baby, but Joe travels all over the US looking for his. And he just can't find her. But while he's looking, he "sees" the following women: Ray Charles', Johnny Taylor's, James Brown's (waitaminute! that's Joe Tex's woman!), Wilson Pickett's, Tom Jones', Clarence Carter's, Marvin Gaye's, Elvis Presley's, Joe Simon's, the Chambers Brothers', Sam and Dave's, Isaac Hayes', Lee Dorsey's, Bobby Bland's, Junior Walker's, Little Richard's, and Bobby Womack's.

Scratchy Singles

 

With Mark Ehmcke

1. Mother Popcorn Pt. 1 - James Brown

2. Skip A Rope - Henson Cargill

3. Long Tall Shorty - Tommy Tucker

4. Joanne - Mike Nesmith

5. Reconsider Me - Johnny Adams

6. Boom Boom - David Clayton Thomas

7. The Price - Solomon Burke

8. Shang A Lang - Tinker's Moon

9. The Walker - Duane Eddy

10. Walk Away - The James Gang

11. Will It Go Round In Circles - Billy Preston

12. Once - Larry Hale

13. Gimme Dat Ding - The Pipkins

14. Leader of the Laundromat - The Detergents

15. Love Like A Man - Ten Years After

16. Shout and Shimmy - James Brown and his Famous Flames

17. Lovey Kravezit - The Everly Brothers

18. It's All Meat - Eric Burdon and the Animals

19. Silver Threads and Golden Needles - The Springfields

20. Boss City - Wes Montgomery

21. Riders In The Sky - Dave and Pancho

22. Lah-TeeLah-Tah - The Falcons

23. Give Me One More Chance - Wilmer Alexander

24. Shoo-Ba-Do Ba-Do-Ba-Da - Winston Hewitt

25. Who Turns Me On - Nino Tempo & April Stevens

James Brown Month: Honky Tonk . . . POPCORN! Bill Doggett

This slammin' floorfiller bears the distinction of being the first James Brown production to feature Bootsy & Catfish Collins, Frankie "Kash" Waddy, Philippé Wynne, Robert McCullough, Clayton Gunnels and Darryl Jamison - they were called the Pacesetters at the time, but one night in Columbus, Georgia, on zero notice, after James had fired his entire band for wanting more money, they became the core of the JB's.

Happy Hour With Debbie D!

WFMU's Rock 'n' Soul Ichiban is now Boss Radio 66!

Here's more info from Bazooka Joe!

Unless your soul has been living under a rock, you’ve noticed that the Ichiban has been a goner since this past June. Well fear not, ye faithful freaks, ‘cos we’re givin’ it back to ya but gooder as BOSS RADIO 66 - the only radio on Earth with that legendary Rock ‘n’ Soul Ichiban sound! The nonstop hipness and hilarity ensues with the wyldest selection of garage, funk, go-go, psych, rhythm & blues, rockabilly, soul, sound bites, movie trailers and tons more nonsense 24 hours every day. This is the insanity you’ve been waiting for, and it’s bigger, bolder and better than ever! So come on let’s pow wow at our new home - the brand new Rock ‘n’ Roll Broadcasting Service at rrbs.org!

The Isley Brothers - Just One More Time
Little Richard - Greenwood, Mississippi
Otis Redding - Security
Etta James - I Got You Babe
King Coleman - Alley Rat
Robert Parker - Across the Tracks
Andre Williams - Georgia May Is Movin'
Sir Douglass Quintet - She's Gotta Be Boss
The Remains - Don't Look Back
Gregory Dee & the Avanties - Because Of You
Easybeats - I'll Make You Happy
Henchmen - The James Brown
The Wheel-A-Ways - Bad Little Woman
James Brown - Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud
Danny Warner - (You Got) The Power Of Love
Little Johnny and the Silvertones - Eock 'Til The End Of Time
Rocky Roberts & the Airdales - The Bird's the Word
Gary Byrd - Are You Really Ready For Black Power
Syl Johnson - Different Strokes For Different Folks
Bettye Lavette - Witchcraft In The Air

JAMES BROWN'S future shock! Pt. 1

James Brown had a television show in the '70s called Future Shock.  Here is episode 13.

This is from the master tape that my pal, Eugene dubbed while working in the library at WTBS in Atlanta, Georgia.  Future Shock aired regionally on WTCG, the original Ted Turner station.  Special guests include a tribute to George Carver in this episode.  The dance contests are second to none!

James Brown Month: Godfather in the Garage - The Sonics

While what they really do is make me pine for a full-on Etiquette-fi version of a James Brown number, Norton's meltdown of early Sonics tapes, The Savage Young Sonics, features takes on JB's versions of "Night Train", "Hold It" and "Think".

JAMES BROWN'S future shock Pt. 3

James Brown had a television show in the '70s called Future Shock.  Here is another episode featuring special guests singer Arthur Prysock, porn star Marilyn Chambers, a history lesson and Body Heat!! Don't miss part 1 and 2!!

Editor's note:  Ichiban pal, Fred is looking for an episode of Future Shock from 1976 featuring his band "Sounder".  If anyone has any leads, please get in touch!

James Brown Month: Godfather in the Garage part 2 - Link Wray "Hold It"

Link Wray savaging the James Brown Band instro "Hold It".

The Mal Thursday Show

Today's Ichiban mix with Boss Jock Mal Thursday!

Petula Clark- Heart
The Everly Brothers - Since You Broke My Heart
The Beat Buddies - Pins In My Heart
Long John & The Silvermen - Heart Filled With Love
Question Mark & The Mysterians - Don't Break This Heart Of Mine
Goldie & The Gingerbreads - Can't You Hear My Heartbeat
The Bar Boys - That's The Sound Of My Heart
The Mothers Of Invention - Ain't Got No Heart
The Ventures - Lonely Heart
The Laughing Kind - Empty Heart
The Playboys Of Edinburgh - Wish You Had a Heart
The Undertakers - Unchain My Heart
The Bobby Fuller Four - Baby My Heart
Duane Eddy - Deep in the Heart of Texas
Little Willie John - Heartbreak (It's Hurting Me)
Erma Franklin - Piece of My Heart
Otis Redding - Pain in My Heart (alternate take)
James Brown - Your Cheatin' Heart
Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces - Chained to Your Heart
The Flirtations - Nothing But a Heartache
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Whole Lotta Shakin' in My Heart (Since I Met You)
James Brown - Every Beat of My Heart
The Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul (Live ;68)
The Yardbirds - Evil-Hearted You
Don Fardon - Take a Heart
The Loose Ends - I Ain't Gonna Eat My Heart Out Anymore
The Hi Numbers - Heart of Stone
Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich - Hear's a Heart
Cat Stevens - Smash Your Heart
Jack Nitzsche - Theme for a Broken Heart
Marvin Gaye - One More Heartache

James Brown Month: James Brown, Bobby Byrd and the JB's

Live on Italian TV, ca. 1971 - same tour as the Love, Power, Peace live album.

James Brown Month: BOCKY & THE VISIONS - Godfather in the Garage Part 1

The first in a JB Month Series featuring some of the greatest garage/frat performances of James Brown classics.

Today we've got this classic from Cleveland wailers Bocky and the Visions, hitting it TWO TIMES and taking it into the REDDA with "I Go Crazy" and "Good Good Lovin'".

Ten dollar two sider alert

More about Bocky

James Brown Month History Lesson: Mr. Dynamite Unauthorized

Interesting for expert and novice alike, here's a compilation of documentaries, news clips and TV appearances from Soul Brother Ichiban. The first hour is a British documentary from the late 70s (first 20 minutes, VERY interesting - Brown shoots pool, combs his hair, negotiates a deal on a show, goes to Africa) and an 80s US documentary (a useful career trajectory).   The second hour is shorter TV interviews and features from the 80s when Brown's career was really being reappriased by the mainstream. The Dick Cavett feature with interviews with Little Richard (starts at 1:10) is especially worth watching

 It's a mixed bag, and hardly all new (it eventually starts covering the same material more times than Brown recorded versions of "Please Please"). AND every ten minutes there's an ad for some IT synergistic something or other that stands in marked contrast to whatever funky thing is going on in the documentary. However, it's worth a bookmark and slow troll through the footage. I had to see it all, anyway.

JAMES BROWN'S future shock Pt. 2

James Brown had a television show in the '70s called Future Shock.  Here is episode 14 taken from the original master tapes from the video library at WTBS in Atlanta, Georgia.  Includes a history lesson, dance contests and special guest Lee "The Burner" Austin singing his heart out!

Part 1

Meet The Mighty Manfred and Richard D

Be sure to check out our super special guest DJ set from The Professor of Rock 'n' Roll, Mr. Manfred Jones, aka the Mighty Manfred, aka the person that trained me at my first radio gig, WUOG in Athens, Georgia, way back in 1988. He's heard on the Sirius/XM "Underground Garage" channel. He's also been fronting the world's longest running garage band, The Woggles since 1987.

Playlist:

Mighty Manfred Podcast at Rock And Soul Ichiban, WFMU

1. Don Gardner - My Baby Likes To Boogaloo
2. Los Buenos - Woovy Groovy
3. The Mohawks - Champ
4. Los Impala - Todo Gira
5. King Khan & His Shrines - Kukamonga Boogaloo
6. Rex Garvin - Emulsified
7. Chubby Checker - Karate Monkey
8. Little Willie John - Uh Uh Baby
9. The Branded - You Got The Hurt
10. The Devils - The Devil Dance
11. Muck & The Mires - Doreen
12. Revellions - Up To You
13. Lyn Collins - Think (About It)
14. Freddy & The Kinfolk - Blabbermouth
15. Etta James - You Got It
16. Hal Driggers - Brown Baggin'
17. Earl King - Trick Bag
18. Solomon Burke - Can't Stop Lovin' You
19. The Clique - Superman
20. The Sheep - Twelve Months Later
21. Human Beinz - Nobody But Me
22. James Brown - Shout & Shimmy
23. Tony Clarke - Woman, Love and a Man
24. Lavern Baker - Bumble Bee
25. Heino - Karamba, Karacho, Ein Whiskey
26. Big Al Downing - Georgia Slop
27. Eddie Bo - Every Dog Has His Day
28. Sir Latimore Brown - Shake & Vibrate
29. Dorothy, Oma and Zelpha - Gonna Put It On Your Mind
30. The A-bones - Take Up The Slack Daddy-O

Download it now!

When you're done with that, check out Ichiban listener # 1 - Richard D, aka the Sebring Man from down in F-l-a. He's contributed many top notch Soul tracks for the Ichiban stream. Thanks, Richard!

-----------------------------------------
Folder - 01 tracks - Richard_Ds_Party_3
Tracks:   58:26 minutes playtime

Mr Wiggles & Wigglin' Men - (Parkway 104 1964) Fat Back Pt 2 (Instr)
***  with richard - intro
Larry Bright - (Del Fi 4209 1963) The Bacon Fat
Don Covay - (LP Firefly 313 1958  "Ooh My Soul,")
                      track: Believe It or Not
Teddy & Continentals - (Pik 235 1961) Ev' Rybody Pony
DeNielle and the Dramatics -  (Margate 1967?)  The Octopus
Don Gardner - (TNT 500 1966) Let's Party
King Coleman - (Columbia 41927 1961) Black Bottom Blues
Gate Wesley & Band - (Atlantic 2319 1966) Do The Batman
*** richard - first set recap - with Melvin Jackson -
                 (LP Limelight 86071 1969 "Funky Skull,")
                     track: Funky Skull Pt 1 (Instr)
B Goode - (Gem 0100 1968) Hokey Pokey Rock
The Emperors - (Brunswick 55333 1967) Karate Boogaloo
Soul Brothers - (Pine Hill 1967) Boogaloo Time  (Instr)
Bobby Patterson - (Jetstar 111 1968) Broadway Ain't Funky No More
The Twistin' KIngs - (Motown 1022 1961) White House Twist
Johnny Winter - (Frolic 503 1962) Voodoo Twist
The Fantastic Johnny C - (Phil La 305 1967) Boogaloo Down Broadway
*** richard - second set recap - with Melvin Jackson -
                 (LP Limelight 86071 1969 "Funky Skull,")
                     track: Funky Skull Pt 1 (Instr)
The Cavaliers - (Tel 1006 1959) I Wanna Dance
The Jive Five - (Beltone 2019 1962) Hully Gully Calling Time
Roy Lee Johnson - (OKeh 7182 1962) Busy Body
Harvey Scales & Seven Sounds - (Magic Touch 2007 1967) Get Down
AC Reed - (Nike 2002 1967) Boogaloo Tramp
Soul Brothers Six - (Atlantic 2645 1969) Drive
*** richard - final set recap - with Melvin Jackson -
                 (LP Limelight 86071 1969 "Funky Skull,")
                     track: Funky Skull Pt 1 (Instr)
Big Elmer Parker - (Blue Jay 1969) Going to New York Pt 1

Download Party Mix 3 now!

sounds like ...

1 Classics IV: Don't Make Me Wait (= Buddy Holly)
2 Johnny Cymbal: Little Miss Lonely (= Dion & Belmonts)
3 Sherry Dinning: Obion Bottom Land (= Bobbie Gentry)
4 The Matadors: Nonsense (= Coasters)
5 Terry Knight & The Pack: Dirty Lady (= Donovan)
6 Mickey Gilley: Come On Baby (= Jerry Lee Lewis)
7 Johnny Doe: Plan Of A Lifetime (= Johnny Cash)
8 Jackie DeShannon: Are You Ready For This (= Supremes)
9 Kane & Abel: Break Down And Cry (= Righteous Brothers)
10 Jolly Joker: Lie-De-Lo (= Chubby Checker)
11 David Box: I've Had My Moments (= Roy Orbison)
12 Joe Freeman: My Nana (= Neil Diamond)
13 Belfast Gypsies: The Crazy World Inside Me (= Them / Van Morrison)
14 The Bee Gees: In My Own Time (= Beatles)
15 The Tikis: Pay Attention To Me (= Beatles)
16 David Box: Little Lonely Summer Girl (= Buddy Holly)
17 The Squires: Go Ahead (= Byrds)
18 Stacie Johnson: Woman In My Eyes (= Jackson 5)
19 Freddie North: Lovin' On Back Streets (= Charlie Rich)
20 The James Boys: Good Buddies (= Everly Brothers)
21 South Central Bell ad (= Aretha Franklin)
22 Eddie Rambeau: The Train (= Gene Pitney)
23 Billy Guy: Whip It On Me (= Isley Brothers)
24 Frank Williams & The Rocketeers: You Got To Be A Man (= James Brown)
25 The Two Of Us: Nothing But A Man (= Mamas & Papas)
26 Chris Clark: I Want To Go Back There Again (= Smokey Robinson)
27 Etta James: Tough Lover (= Little Richard)
28 Tommy Dae & The High Tensions: 1967 Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie (= Mitch Ryder)
29 Richie Barrett: Some Other Guy (= Ray Charles)
30 Eddie Quinteros: Come On Little Girl (And Dance With Me) (= Ritchie Valens)
31 Johnny Taylor: Rome Wasn't Built In A Day (= Sam Cooke)
32 The Sands: Open Your Eyes (= Seeds)
33 Johnny Caswell: (You're) My Girl (= Ronettes)
 
SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY

Sob Story: Those Weepin' Blues

 

unknown: Uy, Uy, Uy

Kokomo Arnold: Crying Blues

The Five Du-Tones: Divorce Court

Andre Williams with The Don Juans: Pullin' Time

Billy Miranda: Go Ahead

The Cadets: Car Crash

Billy Ward & The Dominoes: The Bells

The Companions: I Didn't Know (You Got Married)

Cliff Jackson & Jellean Delk with The Naturals: Frank, This Is It

Fats Domino: I Just Cry

Ike Perry & The Lyrics: Darling

Jackie & The Starlites: Valerie

Little Tommy Brown: Don't Leave Me

James "Sugarboy" Crawford & The Shaweez feat. Big Boy Myles: No One To Love Me

The Starfires: Three Roses

Tarheel Slim & Little Ann: It's Too Late

Jackie & The Starlites: I Found Out Too Late

Tiny Grimes, voc. Screaming Jay Hawkins: Why Did You Waste My Time?

Donald Woods: Death Of An Angel

The Five Wings: Teardrops Are Falling

Ada Ray: I No Longer Believe In Miracles

The Del-Prados: Oh Baby

The Jive Five: When I Was Single

The Soul Setters: Cecil, The Unwanted French Fry

James Brown: The Bells

Tarheel Slim & Little Ann: Two-Time Loser

Jackie & The Starlites: I Cried My Heart Out

Steve Evans: Dear Little Boy Of Mine

The Mal Thursday Show: Need

 THE MAL THURSDAY SHOW: Need

Playlist:
SOLOMON BURKE: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
THE PRETTY THINGS: Honey I Need / Me Needing You
THE SMALL FACES: You Need Loving (BBC)
THE DAVE CLARK FIVE: You Need Love
THE KINKS: I Don't Need You Anymore
THE HOLLIES: If I Needed Someone
THE BEATLES: I Need You
THANE RUSSELL: I Need You
THE MOVE: You're the One I Need
THE ROLLING STONES: Mona (I Need You Baby)
MANFRED MANN: I Need Your Love (Bed)

THE MAD HATTERS: I Need Love
THE THIRD BOOTH: I Need Love
THE FOGGY NOTIONS: Need a Little Lovin'
THE REASONS WHY: All I Really Need Is Love
QUESTION MARK & THE MYSTERIANS: I Need Somebody
PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS: All I Really Need Is You
IT'S THEM: Baby (I Still Need Your Lovin')

THE GRAINS OF SAND: She Needs Me
THE GREEN BEANS: Who Needs You
THE CHOCOLATE WATCHBAND: Don't Need Your Loving
THE OTHERS: I'm in Need
JOHN ENGLISH III & THE HEATHENS: I Need You Near
SUZI JANE HOKOM: Need All the Help I Can Get
THE GRASS ROOTS: Where Were You When I Needed You
THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION: Who Needs the Peace Corps

Mars Needs Women trailer

Mal Thursday's Texas Tyme Machine:
THE ZAKARY THAKS: I Need You
THE 13th FLOOR ELEVATORS: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love
DANNY & THE COUNTS: You Need Love
THE EPIC FIVE: I Need Your Lovin'
THE STOICS: Enough of What I Need
THE CHESSMEN: I Need You There
THE MOVING SIDEWALKS: Need Me
JOE TEX: You Need Me Baby

BOOKER T. & THE MGs: You're All I Need to Get By (bed)
WILSON PICKETT: If You Need Me
MARVIN GAYE: Need Your Lovin' (Want You Back)
SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES: Come Round Here (I'm the One You Need)
RAY CHARLES: I Don't Need No Doctor
JAMES BROWN: I Need Your Key (To Turn Me On)
BOBBY BYRD: I Need Help Pt. 1
JOHNNY K & THE DYNAMITES: I Don't Need Help
ETTA JAMES: (Don't Need Anybody to Tell Me) How to Treat My Man

Bonus Tracks:
THE GOLDEN EARRINGS: No Need to Worry
THE WHO: I Need You (Mono mix)
THE ROCKIN' VICKERS: I Don't Need Your Kind
THE VAGRANTS: I Don't Need Your Loving
STEPPENWOLF: Who Needs Ya
THE RATIONALS: I Need You
MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS: I Need Lovin' You
SAM & DAVE: I Got Everything I Need
OTIS REDDING: I Need Your Loving
THE SUPREMES: Baby, I Need Your Loving
THE ROLLING STONES: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

 

 

Suzy Jane Hokom

Give The Drummer Some

 

With Dusty Digger

1. Honey Stop Twistin' (1962) -- Jimmy Donley (USA)

Unknown drummer

2. Hypodermic Needle (1968) -- Novak's Kapelle (Austria)

Drums by Erwin Novak

3. For Your Love (1969) -- The Ace Kefford Stand (England)

Drums by Cozy Powell

4. Soul Thing (1968) -- Mark McIver (USA)

Unknown drummer, possibly Walter Blue

5. Straight Shooter (live at Monterey Pop 1967) -- The Mamas & The Papas (USA)

Drums by Eddie Hoh

6. I'm A Midnight Mover (1969) -- The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (USA)

Drums by James Gadson

7. All I Can Do (1969) -- The Carpenters (USA)

Drums by Karen Carpenter

8. Ivor the Engine Driver (1966) -- The Who (England)

Drums by Keith Moon

9. Jolie Fille (1969) -- Les Sound Track (Canada)

Drums by Pat Nemath

10. Comin' Back (1966) -- Gabor Szabo (Hungary)

Drums by Bernard Purdie

11. Gay Drums (1968) -- Leslie Butler & Count Ossie (Jamaica)

Drums by Count Ossie & others

12. Mi Mercy Cha (196?) -- Los Barba (Cuba)

Unknwn drummer

13. Music Talk (1966) -- Georgie Fame (England)

Drums by Mitch Mitchell

14. Afro Soul (1969) -- The Fabulous Shalimars (USA)

Unknwn drummer

15. Charly's Drums (1967) -- Charly Antolini (Switzerland)

Drums by Charly Antolini

16. I Got The Feelin' (1968) -- James Brown & The Famous Flames (USA)

Drums by Clyde Stubblefield

17. Brutus Drums (1968) -- Eddie Warner (France)

Drums by Pierre-Alain Dahan

18. I'll Be There (1968) -- Franciene Thomas (USA)

Unknown drummer, member of Jay Floyd & The Cooks

19. Go On (1967) -- Junior Cole & The Crescents (USA)

Unknown drummer

20. Sun Never Shines (1969) -- The Music Emporium (USA)

Drums by Dora Wahl

21. Alright (1967) -- The Groop (USA)

Unknown drummer

JOE TEX month Day 6: The Anna/Chess singles: 1960-1963

It's a hit!

The turn of the decade saw Joe land on yet another roster, this time the proto-Motown label Anna.

The thought of Joe Tex on the label that eventually turns into Motown leads to all kinds of speculation of what Joe would have sounded like if he stayed in Detroit. Considering both Joe and Motown's fondness for two part titles, the parenthetical possibilities are endless.

"If Sugar Pie Honey Bunch (Was As Sweet As You)" . . .

"You've Really Got a Hold On (To What You've Got)" . . .

"Mickey's Monkey (Don't Stop No Show)!"

For Anna (and Chess, who licensed the early Anna material) Tex delivered his best series of singles yet. His songwriting was growing by leaps and bounds and his performances exude the miles of confidence, charm and shamelessness that makes his work for Dial so unique and special.

Eventually all of these wound up on the post-"Hold on the What You've Got" compilation album at the top of this post, which is to my ears the first must-own Joe Tex LP (unless you've got 'em all on 45 that is!)

The biggest innovation in his performance style are the raps. Both "I Will Never Break Your Heart" and the eventual Etta James hit "All I Could Do Was Cry" stretch out over both sides of the 45, and the second part is all storytelling. While they're not quite the full-on knowledge drops that he gets into in a few years, it's still the first appearance of the style that set him apart from all other soul singers.

"I'll Never Break Your Heart" is an uptempo answer record to the Impressions' classic "He Will Break Your Heart". It cooks delightfully for the first half, with the Texcitement building every minute, but it really takes off on the flip, where Joe preaches himself into a frenzy. He's so worked up at the end that he hollers "It's a hit!" Sadly, it wasn't. Joe still had four frustrating years to go.

His other singles for Anna are more straight ahead, but they still are a breed apart from typical R&B. Check out the hilarious "Don't Play" down at the first post of Joe Tex month, and dig "Ain't I a Mess", an autobiographical tale of destiny that includes his Grandma, a travelogue of soul-circuit theaters and that fantastic laugh.

Tune in tomorrow for the incredible story of the Joe Tex/James Brown war.

The Real Nitty Gritty -- tonight at 7:00 + WHIG OUT at 8:00

It's the last day of the WFMU Marathon! Tune in to The Real Nitty Gritty tonight at 7PM to hear a whole mess of records. Anyone who pledges $20 or more during the show tonight gets the chance to win one of this week's prizes: -Kill 'em and Leave- James Brown biography by James McBride OR Norton Records Early Northwest Rockers & Instrumentals.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SUPPORTING WFMU
Pledge at https://wfmu.org/playlists/RG to keep freeform corporate-free radio alive!