7/11/70 - Soul Love, Hippie Love

I really, really, really should have gotten to this sooner than I am, but I've been so busy as of late with all that's been going on in my life that I didn't get to until I actually heard my big finale to the last entry on the radio.  Besides, we don't have five entries this time around...just a bit of variety but enough to talk about regardless:


Steal Away - Johnny Taylor

• Album: Released as a single (was not released on an album until his 1970 album "Greatest Hits")
• Information: Though originally based out of Chicago and first working with legendary soul artist Sam Cooke, Taylor moved to Stax and became one of it's premiere artists of the late 60s.
• Personal Thoughts: Well, this is probably one of the first songs I didn't get any information about since there is little out there about it.  As for how it is...this is just smooth Memphis soul with a great base line and Johnny singing about wanting to steal...well, isn't it obvious?  I admit that Stax always had some of the best soul of the period...and this song just proves how good they are, in their style and their smoothness with a great voice by Mr. Taylor and a nice "boom-shakalaka" at the end sort of moving it along.  Sort of wished I could find a bit more on the song...but unfortunately there isn't that much about it...and as for Mr. Taylor...well, there is another crucial song that we should get to...but it will take a few years to get to it.

Lay a Little Lovin' on Me - Robin McNamara

• Album: Lay a Little Lovin' on Me
• Information: Though originally part of a rock band since he was in high school, McNamara broke through on Broadway in 1969 as the lead character in the musical "Hair".  After signing to Jeff Barry's Steed Records and working with songwriting partner im Cretecos, they collaborated on this song, which nearly missed the top 10, only topping out this one-hit wonder at #11.
• Personal Thoughts: I dunno...is it supposed to be a hippie pop song?  Bubblegum?  Folk-inspired?  Some generic love song with a folkie/hippie/bubblegum vibe?  The beginning seems a tad generic but it seems to redeem itself with the chorus.  Probably one of those songs I wouldn't mind hearing on the radio occasionally but not something I probably go out searching for.