This week Ken Shane brings us a non-disco hit from one of the dance genre’s most iconic bands.
Ken Shane’s Soul Serenade
465 Articles
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Last summer Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings blew away a Newport Folk Festival crowd. Last week they were back in Rhode Island, and Ken Shane was there.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
The Temptations’ hit “My Girl” is the very definition of a Motown standard. This week Ken Shane unearths a rare a cappella version of the soul classic.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Eddie Holland had moderate success as a recording artist, but his greatest contribution came as a member of one of the leading songwriting teams in history.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
By 1968 Dusty Springfield’s career had stalled. Then she signed with Atlantic Records and released the classic Dusty in Memphis.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
The life of Linda Jones was cut short far too soon, but she left behind some of the most powerful performances in the history of soul music.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1956 the Dells struck gold with their hit “Oh, What a Night.” Thirteen years later they recorded it again, and it made them stars.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1964, Bessie Banks released the great soul ballad “Go Now.” Before her version had a chance to climb the charts, the Moody Blues had it covered in a big way.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
We’ve come to expect reissue brilliance from Rhino Handmade. Their new Percy Sledge release is no exception. One lucky reader has a chance to win a copy.
Ken Shane
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In 1967, Stevie Wonder co-wrote a classic song of romantic longing, but it remained largely unknown until the Queen of Soul released her smash cover in 1973.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In case you missed the sly double entendre in John Lennon’s lyrics for “Come Together,” Ike & Tina Turner released their own version to drive the point home.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Sly & the Family Stone released their breakthrough album in May 1969. This week Ken Shane fondly remembers the album’s title track.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In the true spirit of what the holiday has become, Ken Shane serves up a musical feast full of Thanksgiving flavor.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
The 1972 blaxploitation film “Across 110 Street” has been largely forgotten, but Bobby Womack’s indelible title song lives on.
Ken Shane
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In 1966 the legendary songwriter/producer Jerry Ragovoy found himself with a full orchestra and free studio time. He certainly made the most of it.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
To make up for the inexcusable absence of the King of Soul from his Soul Serenade column, Ken Shane offers up a double shot of James Brown.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
When General Norman Johnson died on Oct. 13, the world of soul music suffered another incalculable loss. Ken Shane remembers the great singer.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Earlier this year HBO aired the New Orleans-based series Treme, featuring remarkable music each week. Now it’s been collected in a soundtrack album.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Solomon Burke was known as the King of Rock and Soul. When he died last Sunday, he left behind a long string of soul classics. Ken Shane remembers.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Ken Shane celebrates the six-month anniversary of his Soul Serenade column with an awesome mix that includes every song that has appeared in his column so far.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1968, the guitarist for an obscure group wrote a song that became a Top 30 hit. He went on to legendary success, but not as a songwriter.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
In 1962, Dionne Warwick began her historic collaboration with Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Two years later she had the first in a long string of Top Ten hits.
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
“Show and Tell” is just one of those songs that thrills me whenever it comes on the radio. It’s been doing that since Al Wilson released it in 1973. I…
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Last week, as you will no doubt recall, Soul Serenade focused on the great Laura Nyro and her song “Timer.” This week’s column has a Laura Nyro connection as well….
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
I have written extensively about Laura Nyro for Popdose. There was my review of the splendid Iconoclassic reissue of her live album Season of Light, and more recently, a review…
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Working with producer Thom Bell, the Delfonics hit the charts with a string of unforgettable singles, including 1970’s “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time).”
Ken Shane
2 Min Read
It’s surprising to me that we’re now several months into Soul Serenade, and I have yet to feature a track by the Temptations. They are, after all, my favorite soul…
Ken Shane
2 Min Read
The story of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell is one that ends tragically, but begins in glory. Together they stormed the charts in 1967 with a series of indelible soul…
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
Gene McDaniels is an artist who saw success during the years between the rise of Elvis Presley, and the rise of the Beatles. Many people think that popular music was…
Ken Shane
1 Min Read
“Get On Up” by the Esquires was a huge record on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in the summer of 1967. It was a perfect song for the a cappella groups…