Alvin Robinson Was GOD!

[ghost of miles]

I think Funky 16 Corners is an Indianapolis-based project. They do a lot of research on the 1960s/70s Indiana soul scene.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I think Funky 16 Corners is an Indianapolis-based project. They do a lot of research on the 1960s/70s Indiana soul scene.

They're Philly, actually. But they do a lot of research way down yonder in NO. Well, about NO funkensoul.

MG

[paul secor]

I've just been listening to Alvin Robinson's 1969 Pulsar (released & unreleased) sides that Ace put out on CD. Some good stuff - the best of it holds up pretty well with his earlier recordings - but this stuff is more funk oriented. (I probably should say later funk oriented, since the Imperial/Post/Red Bird/ Tiger/Blue Cat sides are definitely funky, but I think you know what I mean.) Anyway, in general, his voice doesn't mesh with the late 60's funk backings and tunes as well as it did with the earlier backing bands - not his fault - he sounded like what he sounded like. It was up to the producer and musicians to deal with that.

[paul secor]

Mention should be made of another New Orleans artist, Snooks Eaglin, who also had a strong Ray Charles quality in his vocals - though not as raw as Alvin Robinson's - and who made a lot of fine r&b records for Imperial in the early 1960's. He also recorded more folk-oriented material for other labels.

Edited February 13, 2006 by paul secor