October 24, 2011

Review: “Soul Feeling,” by Frankie Pighee & the Soulettes


DISC 1 , TRACK 3

“Soul Feeling”

Frankie Pighee & The Soulettes, from the compilation Boddie Recording Company: Cleveland, Ohio (The Numero Group)

Liner notes: Supported by a funk groove of organ and tambourine, Frankie Pighee, a 400-pound woman with a voice deeper than many men’s, salutes R&B greats Wilson Pickett and Sam & Dave on this 1967 single from the obscure Soul Kitchen label.

Behind the music: From the late ’50s to the late ’80s, the low-fi studio of the tiny Boddie Recording Company was responsible for nearly 300 albums and singles, most of which sold fewer than 1,000 copies. Heavy on soul with a side order of gospel, this fascinating archaeological study collects 58 tracks on three CDs.

Check it out if you like: Alvin Cash, The Velvelettes, Bessie Banks, and other underappreciated ’60s R&B figures.

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We didn't know what to expect when we told you we needed to raise $400,000 before our fiscal year closed on June 30, and we're thrilled to report that our incredible community of readers contributed some $415,000 to help us keep charging as hard as we can during this crazy year.

You just sent an incredible message: that quality journalism doesn't have to answer to advertisers, billionaires, or hedge funds; that newsrooms can eke out an existence thanks primarily to the generosity of its readers. That's so powerful. Especially during what's been called a "media extinction event" when those looking to make a profit from the news pull back, the Mother Jones community steps in.

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