The Influences of Northern Soul Music

WELCOME TO OLD SCHOOL SOUL MUSIC!

Old school soul music is the language of the soul. It is an expression of ones being through music and typically describes ‘back in the days’, classic Soul music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s & 90’s. This music genre is the combination of popular genres of music which is the gospel and rhythm and blues. As you most probably know Soul music was a music genre emulating from the USA and originated by African Americans.

These old school classic Soul tunes are usually very rich with raw emotions and and allows lovers of Soul music to remember and reminisce about they good old days, hence the name “Old School Soul” - the music of the soul! Its inspiration is the experiences of the black singer which is embodied to its music. It’s a musical form of release and cry of oppression to express ones self during good times and bad. That is why soul music is like a balm on the weary soul, it touches the depths of the heart and mind as if the words are healing your being and calming your senses.

Old school soul music is the rhythm and blues music sung by black artists in the early 1940’s. Their music started from the multi-layered rhythms, harmonies, secular testimonies of the singer, the performance is very emotional and is characterized by the shouts, call and response styles of music that is usually done in the churches where black people gather. This is a very intense and electrifying vocal and musical experience because this music is their very raw emotions that are put into words and the melody is impromptu.

This type of singing has lead music producers to develop this kind of music to cater to the demands of black and white people across America. They hired and trained songwriters, singers, composers and seasoned musicians to create this kind of music. And from then on doors have opened to various artists who became the fore fathers of Soul music and even the once insular Gospel music has now become a popular secular form of art.

Soul music has also opened doors to a better understanding between the African (Back people) Americans and the White Americans; they slowly realized that black music is not a form of devil worship nor evil culture or degrading in any sense.

Some of the forerunners of old school soul music are Sam Cooke who is known to be the founder and pioneer of soul music with hits like Wonderful World, You Send Me and Bring it Home to Me; Jackie Wilson is the most influential soul singer of his generation and the best vocal gymnast of his era, this is because of his amazing vocal ranges, Nina Simone is the high priestess of soul music and Etta James is Grammy Award winning artist. Some of the earliest soul artist includes Ray Charles who is known and considered to be the inventor of soul music by infusing R&B and soul music together in his songs and thus creating a new level of music genre, has become the most famous blind pianist and singer to ever hit America.

James Brown another soul music virtuoso has created a form of soul music genre with his band, featuring Jimmy Nolen who invented 16 note strumming style; Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis on alto sax, William "Bootsy" Collins on bass; Maceo Parker on tenor sax, and Fred Wesley on trombone. Together they created a new soul music comprised of choppy rhythms and jazz horns; he has invented a new narrative form of music. He clears the relationship of sexual lust and religion and together with his music he has defined a new form of soul genre. And the counter part of Ray Charles the great Aretha Franklin. She is a Detroit Gospel singer who has been a Multi Awarded singer she belongs to the icon of soul music. Because of her music, that centres on women empowerment and other encouraging music to others. She represents the needs, the emotional struggles and love of a woman through her songs and that what makes Aretha Franklin one of the icons of classic, quality Old School Soul Music.

Article Source: http://www.aword2thewise.com

TJ Grooves is author of this article on Soul Music. Find more information about Sweet Soul Music here.

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