Name-Droppers: Sweet Soul Music

Arthur Conley: Sweet Soul Music

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"Do you like good music?" asks Arthur Conley at the start of his biggest hit, "Sweet Soul Music". Apparently we do, because it made it up to #2 on both the Pop and R&B charts in the U.S. in 1967. The rest of the song is one big feel-good shout-out to some of the then-current royalty of soul: Lou Rawls, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and Otis Redding (who co-wrote the songs with Conley).

Aside from being a great song, "Sweet Soul Music" also gave its name to the title of an highly recommended book about southern soul music by Peter Guralnick. I read the book years ago, but as I hold it in my hands, flipping through the pages, I'm thinking it's time for a re-read.