Down Home Girl - Alvin Robinson

Perhaps you've heard the Coasters spot on version of "Down Home Girl". Or maybe you're more familiar with the Old Crown Medicine Show or Rolling Stones version, but chances are you've never heard Alvin Robinson's original New Orleans masterpiece. For me, Robinson's funky novelty mixed with raw sexuality makes his the definitive version. The single was first released in 1964 (his only for Red Bird), a year before the Stones recorded it for their No. 2 LP.

Honorary soul brothers Jerry Lieber and Artie Bulter both wrote and produced "Down Home Girl", in addition to "Jailhouse Rock", "Stand By Me", "Love Potion #9",  and a number of other iconic classics. Initially, I had wanted to post this last summer, in memory of Jerry Lieber's death. However, obtaining a clean and inexpensive copy took longer than expected. Lieber was arguably one of the most successful songwriters in rock n' roll history, therefore I wanted to pay my respects and give this talented crafter of hall of fame hits his due. Enjoy!


Down Home Girl

In addition to writing "Down Home Girl"  Lieber and Bulter also wrote many of the Coasters best material, including "Down In Mexico".

Whatever Turns You On - Travis Wammack

Travis Wammack is another one of my favorite country funk musicians, right up there with Tony Joe White and Jim Ford. Considered the fastest guitarslinger in the south and a child prodigy since eleven (when he first started cutting singles), he signed to deep soul mecca Muscle Shoals and spent the better part of ten years as Little Richard's band leader.

1972's "Whatever Turns You On" was penned by George Jackson (who wrote Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock n' Roll") and gets my britches movin' everytime. Enjoy!


Whatever Turns You On

(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days- Inez & Charlie Foxx

Dynamic brother and sister soul duo Inez & Charlie Foxx released this countdown, or rather countup to ending a relationship in 1967. Although it's a later song and their last hit together "Count The Days" is actually more of a throwback to earlier soul music. The 45 was also co-produced and written by Jerry Williams (a.k.a. Swamp Dogg) which is another reason why I dig this jam.


(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days

"Mockingbird" was the Foxx siblings first hit. It's since been covered by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Carly Simon and James Taylor.