Friday, February 27, 2009

Branded Black Owned: OSF The Sophomore Year

Everything about the music of Motown - it's sound, the style and fashion of its artists, it's simple sophistication, it's market and cultural dominance, and perhaps most of all the model of black economic independence, entrepreneurship, and self-determination exhibited by founder Berry Gordy - captivated my attention and put its stamp upon me.

To this day, I still have quite an affection for the Motor City. Back in the day, a young player was caught up and just trying to learn to play and play right. These are some of the sounds still indelibly embedded upon his mind.

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell


The Temptations


Martha & The Vandellas

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Rev!

You have definitely laid down one great sound track for Back in the Day! And you're right about Motown's impact on the world and the classy way it portrayed black culture.
Great choices!

Anonymous said...

Hey Rev!

You have definitely laid down one great sound track for Back in the Day! And you're right about Motown's impact on the world and the classy way it portrayed black culture.
Great choices!

pjazzypar said...

See now you are not playing fair. Ain't no party like a 60's Motown party, cause a Motown party don't stop! Jimmy Mack is one of my all time favorite! Lovin the choices.

Pearl said...

When you talk about Motown, one of the words that comes up is always "classy", and truly it was. Not only was the music "classic" in the sense that it rarely seems dated and required a real musical talent/ear but the musicians themselves carried themselves so well. The harmonies, the steps, right down to the way they dressed all combined for an identifiable look and sound that just makes you smile.
Thanks for bringing up some great memories!
Pearl

Vérité Parlant said...

I remember every one of those, Rev. "Jimmy Mack." Goodness. I remember riding with my mom down Carrolton Avenue singing that song. I was singing. She was bopping her head. :-) And I loves the Temps, Marvin, and wanted to sing like Tammi.

Pop Art Diva Enterprises said...

Marvin Gaye - miss him. I heard it through the Grapevine is still one of my all time favorites of that era.

And Martha and the Vandellas can't be beat for Motown girl groups.

SjP said...

Rev! Stop That! You taking me back. Those were the days...blue light in the basement....

iriegal said...

I love all your picks this week rev. JIMMY MACK was the song! Motown had it going on back in da day

Edirin said...

wats up rev, how you been? you have some classics here, really enjoyed marvin gaye and tammi terrell, great track, way b4 my time though

anyway, have a fantastic weekend

Unknown said...

Great picks! All favorites of mine from my childhood!
I Love, love, love Marvin! But Jimmy Mack was one of my grandmother's favorites!

Anonymous said...

Last year I read Motown: Music, Money, Sex and Power and it sure was an eye opener. He came from being quite lazy and disgusting, and worked his way to becoming an instrumental and phenomenal aspect of music and culture today. Very impressive.

I love Motown and everything it stood for - Marvin, Tammy, Martha, Smokey and the list goes on.

Happy OSF.

msladyDeborah said...

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing!

Being a Motown baby myself, I must say that you have got it going on this OSF.

I just watched an excellent American Masters that featured Marvin Gaye last Sunday.

This was a great era of American music. I appreciate listening to these tunes even now.

Happy OSF to you Revvy!