Listen to Soul Twist
Soul Twist Demo Tracks
- Alan Barnette - lead vocal
- Jim Stringer - guitar, vocal
- Carl Keesee - bass
- John McGlothlin - drums
- Jack Paine - tenor sax
- David Webb - organ
- Recorded live at Chris Burns Audio
- Additional recording and mix at The Music Room
Track 1 - Can't Sit Down
©1959 Cornell Muldrow / Dee Clark / Kal Mann
"Can't Sit Down" was originally recorded in 1959 by organist, Cornell Muldrow, and guitarist, Phil Upchurch under the name, The Bim Bam Boos". The "hit" version was a 1962 re-recording by the Phil Upchurch Combo featuring both Muldrow and Upchurch.
The version presented here, recorded by Soul Twist, captures the relentless dance groove. It also features tip of the hat in the final chorus to The Dovell's 1963 vocal version which went to #3 on the charts -- the original went only to #29.
Can't Sit Down
Track 2 - Pride and Joy
©1963 William "Mickey" Stevenson / Marvin Gaye / Norman Whitfield,
Marvin Gaye original, released in 1963, went to Number 10 on the pop charts. It was produced by Motown staff producer, Mickey Stevenson and features Martha Reeves and the Vandellas singing backup, and The Funk Brothers (notably James Jamerson on bass). Co-writer, Norman Whitfield, is also credited with The Four Tops hit, "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", and multi-platinum hit for both Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight, "I Heard it Through the Grapevine".
Soul Twist's version features powerful vocals by Alan Barnette, and convincing solos by David Webb and Jack Paine. Carl Keesee and Johnny Mac demonstrate some very funky groovin'.
Pride and Joy
Track 3 - Cry, Cry, Cry
©1960 Don Robey (more likely, staff writer, Joe Scott)
The original version by Bobby "Blue" Bland is one of the standout songs from Bland's finest hours. His vocal wraps this melody in a silk shawl. Wayne Bennett's guitar fills are a vital part of the fabric, as well.
If Bland wraps the melody in silk, Barnette drapes it in cashmere trimmed by rough burlap. The message from the songwriter is revenge... he wants you to cry... and you will.
Cry, Cry, Cry
Track 4 - Hitch Hike
©1962 Marvin Gaye
Although this song reached only to #30 on the pop charts, it spawned the thumbs-out, hitchhiker dance move which persisted up to and beyond the disco era. In fact, both Davey Jones of the Monkees and Axl Rose owe their basic stage move to the hitchhiker. Musically, "Hitch Hike" is just one step away from traditional twelve bar blues, which exposes Gaye's deep roots.
Soul Twist spins the tempo up just a bit and exchanges the flute solo for tenor sax, organ, and guitar solos. Martha Reeves didn't return the calls, so the Soul Twist chorus provides the response to Barnette's call.
Hitch Hike
Sample Soul Twist Repertoire.*
King Curtis - Soul Twist
Phil Upchurch - You Can't Sit Down
Marvin Gaye - Hitchhike
Bobby Day - Over and Over
Ray Charles - Halleluja, I Love Her So
Bobby "Blue" Bland - Don't Cry No More
The Kingsmen - Daivd's Mood
Hank Ballard - Sexy Ways
Clyde McPhatter - Deep Sea Ball
The Coasters - Great Big Idol
Sam & Dave - No More Pain
The Five Royales - Crazy, Crazy, Crazy
Solomon Burke - Don't You Feel Like Crying
James Carr - Dark End of the Street
Joe Tex - If Sugar Was as Sweet As You
...many more great make-you-wanna-dance tunes.
Download Sample Set List (click this link)
*Repertoire note -- we're not basing our repertoire on "what's most obscure". We hope to hit a sweet spot -- tunes you don't hear elsewhere, but that might tweak a memory and, in general, just good music from the defined genre. Let us know if there's something that you'd really like to hear the band play. You can email: Soul Twist Request