Didn't get a chance to respond to the review til now, and I am pretty much in full agreement. The live-in-studio element that you stated I totally agree with, that's exactly why it is so awesome. Sometimes I hear old soul/R&B guys and go "damn, some of this would have been even better live," but we don't have enough great live albums from this era of soul (Harlem Square, Whisky A Go-Go, etc. being exceptions). Shout captures the live soul spirit better than almost anything I've heard in the genre, and that's probably why it sold: you get this sound in an enjoyable studio single. And I 100% agree with your reasoning for "Respectable" being chosen to cover since it is actually a song rather than just a fiery rave-up. I would even go far that Respectable actually builds really well on Shout because it almost takes the energy of Shout but puts in a soulful context. There are few songs that capture that frenzy of first being in love better than Respectable, overdriven soul to its breaking point, but instead of collapsing, it explodes with joy. I love it so damn much.
The rest of the album is definitely underwhelming like you said for similar reasons you noted for James Brown having struggles with finding commercial success with his initial soul balladeering: their covers of How Deep Is The Ocean and Lucky Old Sun are fun, but they just never reach the explosiveness of Shout nor the overdriven soulful bliss of Respectable, so they just sort of pale in comparison. But there's not a single song on here I don't enjoy at least a little bit, and when your finale is Shout, the ride is worth it. Anyways, an excellent review George, and that initial discussion you had about the Isley's beginnings was awesome.
Didn't get a chance to respond to the review til now, and I am pretty much in full agreement. The live-in-studio element that you stated I totally agree with, that's exactly why it is so awesome. Sometimes I hear old soul/R&B guys and go "damn, some of this would have been even better live," but we don't have enough great live albums from this era of soul (Harlem Square, Whisky A Go-Go, etc. being exceptions). Shout captures the live soul spirit better than almost anything I've heard in the genre, and that's probably why it sold: you get this sound in an enjoyable studio single. And I 100% agree with your reasoning for "Respectable" being chosen to cover since it is actually a song rather than just a fiery rave-up. I would even go far that Respectable actually builds really well on Shout because it almost takes the energy of Shout but puts in a soulful context. There are few songs that capture that frenzy of first being in love better than Respectable, overdriven soul to its breaking point, but instead of collapsing, it explodes with joy. I love it so damn much.
The rest of the album is definitely underwhelming like you said for similar reasons you noted for James Brown having struggles with finding commercial success with his initial soul balladeering: their covers of How Deep Is The Ocean and Lucky Old Sun are fun, but they just never reach the explosiveness of Shout nor the overdriven soulful bliss of Respectable, so they just sort of pale in comparison. But there's not a single song on here I don't enjoy at least a little bit, and when your finale is Shout, the ride is worth it. Anyways, an excellent review George, and that initial discussion you had about the Isley's beginnings was awesome.
Hell yes! Been waiting for you to get to this one! Sleep can wait, gotta read this!