Today I was driving through North Carolina and Virginia. And the pickings were slim on AM radio. Or so I thought.I’ve got nothing against Jesus. But evidently, on AM radio in the South, they talk about Jesus a lot. Blacks and whites. Mexicans too.
Then I came upon WARR in Warren County, N.C., where disc jockey Sherman Johnson was playing some nice soul music – oldies by Candi Staton, Sam & Dave and Sam Cooke, plus new stuff by people I’d never heard of.
What tripped me out was: Deejay spun two songs, almost back-to-back, where Marvin Sease was mentioned in the lyrics. In the lyrics!
I halfway know who Marvin Sease is. I might even have a promo copy of one of his late-’80s CDs somewhere in a box. But why would two other singers – young cats – name-check him? Is Marvin Sease the new King of Soul or something? Is this a Southern thing?
Evidently.
I’m streaming those two tracks I heard, because they’re good songs. And because I didn’t know that young guys were making soul music (not neo-soul but SOUL) and that it’s being played on the radio.
The first song is “I’m Goin’ Back Home” by O.B. Buchana. He’s from Mississippi. I was instantly pulled into the story O.B. tells in this song.
To hear “I’m Goin’ Back Home” on my Vox blog, click here.
It’s from Buchana’s 2007 CD “Goin’ Back Home.” (Downloadable from eMusic, Amazon and iTunes Plus.)
The other song is “Friday” by Sir Charles Jones. He’s from Alabama. What I dig about this song and O.B. Buchana’s is how they’re rooted in real life... and how they’re about the importance of music in life.
To stream “Friday” on my Vox blog, click here.
This 2001 track is available on Jones’s new greatest-hits CD, “For Your Love, Best of Sir Charles Jones.” (Downloadable from eMusic, Amazon and iTunes Plus.)
By the way, in the photos above, O.B. is on the left, Sir Charles is on the right.
Now, can somebody please explain to me why Marvin Sease is so big of a deal?
UBM,
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing sooooo hard! I haven't heard the name Marvin Sease in so long.
Once upon a time I worked in radio in the South East. During that time I had the (dis) pleasure of hearing Marvin Sease in concert, I'm not kidding! He is popular amongst (Crown Royal drinkers) people who are from more rural areas.
His claim to fame is the song (are you ready) Candy Licker. I don't think any explanation is needed as to what the song is about.
Thanks; I needed that laugh!
I've heard the name, but didn't know his claim to fame. Uh...thanks mes deux cents.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he got any airplay on east coast radio, or maybe he did and I just slept on it.
That hair sure looks juicy!
I am dying at "Crown Royal drinkers!" Mes deux cents, you just killed it!
ReplyDeletePart of his Wiki entry concurs:
"The female fan base has been engrossed with his signature blues, gospel-drenched soul, and sleazy lyrics that have ensured a continued industry with merchandising in the Deep South."
:( wish i could stay and take in more sights...must get ready 4 work!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday UCBM!
He is popular amongst (Crown Royal drinkers) people who are from more rural areas.
ReplyDeleteOh snap, mes deux cents... When you said that, I realized that that's a Crown Royal bottle on the floor in the picture of O.B. Buchana!
interesting... i need to investigate this contemporary Southern soul thing!
ReplyDeletethe Marvin Sease fixation is certainly curious, though i know that he's maintained massive popularity in some quarters.
This post by Preston Lauterbach at Souled On really tells Sease's story - and the story behind "Candy Licker" - very well. I think his music is too crude for my tastes, but he certainly is a star in the soul-blues world.
ReplyDeleteOff topic? On topic? Whatever, this is from the Wikipedia entry for Crown Royal:
ReplyDelete"Among trumpet players the velvet Crown Royal bag is well-known as one of a number of possible approaches to a muted trumpet solo in the second movement of Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F. Many brass musicians, especially trumpet players, use the velvet bag as a carrying case for their mutes."
Ok! come on now, I am from Alabama. Marvin Sease was the man in the early 90's and late 80's.
ReplyDeleteThe Elks Lodge and The Hole in the wall were the place to here his number one song Candy Licker.
Baby let me be your, candy licker, I'll lick you up and lick you down baby I want to beee your candy licker. My husband and me did a lot of late nights with the Candy Licker.
The real soul, Dave. I'm with you on that over this noveau-soul sound that's too contrived. I like a little grease and dirt in my funk and soul.
ReplyDeleteThanks to "Candy Licker," a Marvin Sease reference in a soul song is code for cunnilingus.
ReplyDeleteDid they rhyme his name with "aim to please" or "down on my knees?"
UBM--when I was on my country hiatus this summer, I was 5 miles from Warren County. Listening to the radio made me feel like I was in some '60's time warp!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I was a bit creeped out every time I listened to the radio; thank God for Michael Baisden!
And make that early 60's, not late 60's.
ReplyDelete^ Yeah, IW, that was the feeling. Like being in a black-and-white movie all of a sudden.
ReplyDeleteAt least my deejay put "Young Hearts Run Free" into the mix. That song always makes me smile... even though it tells a sad story.