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Wednesday, October 6, 2010

ARTHUR ALEXANDER - LOVE'S WHERE LIFE BEGINS


Arthur Alexander is one of the finest singers in the history of recorded music, and while he has had his fair share of recognition and (minor) hits, he has never truly been given the mass adulation and household name status that he truly deserves. His songs became far more famous as covered by other artists (his compositions "You Better Move On" was covered by artists ranging from the Rolling Stones all the way to George Jones and "Anna" was covered by the Beatles, who also covered his "Soldier Of Love" as well as "A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues which Arthur did not write but cut a blazing version of it nonetheless). All of those previously mentioned tracks are past 45's of the day, as well.

After many years out of the music biz and driving a bus, Arthur was beginning to have a bit of a music career renaissance when he died far too young (age 53) in 1993.

As a southerner (Arthur was from Sheffield, AL), Arthur's was seemingly influenced by the music that surrounded him- gospel, r&b, as well as country. This mind bogglingly great song shows a very strong country flavor but there is also no doubt that Arthur is a soul man of the highest order; Arthur also re-recorded it on his 1972 Warner Brothers LP and that version is fantastic, too. Don't you just love when music transcends boundaries and just IS...

from 1968...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I recently discovered the genius of Arthur Alexander. I knew Soldier of Love and Anna (Go To Him), etc. but the Warner and Monument recordings are equally fantastic (but inconsistent)... "Show Me The Road," "Mr. John", "Call Me Honey", "You Got Me Knockin'" are just incredible. The restraint and straight ahead deliver of "Show Me The Road" is nothing short of perfect. That song has become one of my all time favorites.

David McHank said...

Digging this one a lot.

Anonymous said...

Yes! Another one I'd never heard before - love the merging of country and r'n'b/soul. His 'Soldier of Love' is one of my favourites, too. Thanks Derek.

Holly said...

Love this - thank you!

Anonymous said...
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Unknown said...

Good record. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Does Stephen Malkmus' song "The Hook" off of his self titled album remind anyone else of this song?