Tag Archives: Wilson Pickett

Today – The Late Wilson Pickett was born in 1941

Wilson Pickett was born March 18, 1941 and he died January 19, 2006.

A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100.

The early hit I Found A Love with The Falcons (audio only 1962):

Wilson Pickett was one of the rawest and sweatiest, singing  some of soul’s best  dancefloor grooves. He had hits a plenty:  “In the Midnight Hour,” “Land of 1000 Dances,” “Mustang Sally,” and “Funky Broadway” and more.

He is often a preferred alternative of fans who like their soul on the raw side. He also played an important part in establishing Southern soul as a vital part of the soul genre.

His hits were often written and recorded with the very best of the session musicians in Memphis and Muscle Shoals.

The impact of Pickett’s songwriting and recording led to his 1991 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Land of 1000 Dances – Live:

There are very few songs by “The Wicked” Picket on Spotify so we have included a fabulous radio documentary from BBC.  Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who and a Wilson Pickett fan, tells the story of the soul legend:

I have to include an audio clip of my favourite Pickett recording, Engine #9:

Fantastic song, what a groove!

Other Mar-18:

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Top 5 Duane Allman (aka Skydog) collaborations

 1. Aretha Franklin and Duane Allman – The Weight

Aretha Franklin hooked up with Duane Allman and recorded this version at Muscle Shoals. It is Loose and  funky as hell, and full of those incredible Aretha vocals I love, it sounds like good southern gospel. Duane Allman plays bottle guitar throughout like that guitar god that he is. Listen to it, heavenly is the best description!

2. Derek and the Dominoes/Eric Clapton with Duane Allman – Layla (studio outake)

Slowhand and Skydog together, what a match!

derek

When asked about playing with Clapton, Allman said I played the Gibson parts and Eric played the fender parts. This studio outtake from the reissue in 2009 is even better than the iconic original.

3. Boz Scaggs with Duane Allman – Loan me a Dime

Boz Scagg’s self-titled album from 1969, Boz Scaggs (Atlantic SD-33-8239)  which features Duane Allman on five tracks, including the amazing slow blues jam ”Loan Me A Dime.” On the video below, you can hear Allman exchanging riffs with Larry Knechtel’s organ. Here it is, a twelve minute blues lament:

This song portrays the best of both Duane and Boz.It is a shame we don’t have anyone making music like this anymore.Good music is never out of style. Duane’s work is incredible!

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