HE AND NONE OTHER IS THE KING OF SOFT R'n'R !

My personal opinion is that what made him a giant was his ability to convert the frantic rock 'n' roll hits of both Little Richard and Elvis to a softer, jazzy kind of smoother rock without actually turning to ballad styled numberS (With very few exceptions, like the "Valley Of Tears" which should be properly classified as a "slow walk").

His greatness was even enhanced by his strong french-inflected Louisiana drawl inherited by his parents, I guess, that gave any of his songs a peculiar touch where sweet, melodic lines were combined to a steady, almost monotonous beat which made the song a jewel all of its own if compared to any cover cut by other rock singers.

I would also spend a word for the incomparable sax riffs, though usually too short due to the then rule of the thumb about the song lasting no more than 2 to 2.50 min.

I'm not mentioning his piano playing as I think it speaks for itself when given the chance to elaborate on it. That can be better witnessed when listening to some of his live concerts.

Well, a book wouldn't be enough to recall and criticize his never ending list of records either top charting or bubbling right under the top level.

I would recommend reading his biography. Though synthetic it tells a lot about his career and the influence he exerted over a whole bunch of top artists that showed up later on.

Most of all, try to get all you can find of dear old "Fats" if you love that magic spell that spanned from the mid 50's to the mid 60's.

As I didn't think I'd come across such a great surprise, I can tell you I got the chills as if I were getting a prelude of an unexpected pneumonia as I listened to some of his songs. Having icy chills and sweating like a pig in the sun isn't usually a good sign, but in this case it surely was.

May you get them too! (Lol)

T H A N K Y O U E D I T O R !!!

Posted: 06-Mar-2008 02:47:09 PM

Heavenly Music For A Hell Of A Tragedy

I have no proper adjectives to qualify the beauty of the song and its rendition by Irma Thomas.

I think she has just outclassed all previous songs dealing with the "Kathryn" tornado that made New Orleans resembling a lunar landscape. The suffering experienced by its people goes far beyond my imagination, but Irma managed to make it shine in and with her voice.

The depth of her feelings is so vivid you wish you were there in those apocalyptic days to try to give a hand to the wounded, the homeless and let them know you really cared.

New Orleans, that legendary spot where in the beginning all we call music was started, that city so dear to our hearts for the spirit of its folks, their "no matter what" happiness, their warm and friendly approach to any stranger so that he might share in their joyful attitude and partake of their ups and downs to be a stranger no more, all this and much more was put upside down the day that nature unleashed its terrific power on the old "Queen Of The Cotton Land".

They say in Heaven there's no room for sorrow, but I wonder how dear old "Satchmo" 'soul looked like when he saw how badly battered his native hometown was left after the tornado moved out of its area.

Ok, friends told me New Orleans is working hard to cure its wounds and it's well on its way to her original splendid and somehow magic look. That is a good piece of news, but Irma Thomas will go down in history for leaving all of us a picture of what it felt when the rumbling and the roaring of the raging winds and waters where the only music you could hear.

Let me close with the heading: heavenly music for a hell of a tragedy.

Posted: 03-Mar-2008 05:42:48 PM