...And Everything I Do Is Funky Like Lee Dorsey | Live Performance (1967)

We are spoiled. Video of today's artists and performers can be found all over YouTube, TV, and film. While I'm no stranger to the music of Lee Dorsey, I don't think I've ever encountered live footage of him getting down. I've only been able to imagine in my mind his persona, style, and swag when enjoying his records. To see his performance visually realized in front of me seems almost surreal... Like I'm seeing something I'm not supposed to see. In these videos Lee Dorsey performs his popular favorites "Get Out Of My Life, Woman" and "Ride Your Pony" while he holds the stage down like a boss! I should have known better since "everything he does has gotta be funky". This footage was filmed in Germany and is part of a larger series of performances from a Sam & Dave tour in 1967. Props to Aristotlekh for the upload! 

The Nite-Liters - "Afro-Strut / (We've Got To) Pull Together" (RCA, 1972)

This 45 showcases two distinct sounds from the Nite-Liters. "Afro-Strut" is a killer funky drum and horn driven cut, while "Pull Together" is a more uplifting chant and saxophone vamp. Both sounds are typical of Nite-Liters output and showcase their range as a an outfit.

I've been trying to find Lp's by the Nite-Liters since I've started buying records. I can find their 45's pretty regularly, but their albums NEVER pop up for me. There was one tragic time I dug up a clean copy of the Nite-Liter's fourth album Different Strokes at a local spot...only to walk out empty handed. The shopkeeper told me that if I found anything in the crates of un-priced records, that he'd give me a number at the counter. Admittedly, the whole ordeal sounded a tad sketchy, but I had just started to become a regular patron and felt I had a developed a decent rapport with the shop-keeper. I was super stoked to dive in and after a little over an hour, I pulled a couple dozen pieces, some of which I still haven't seen in the field to this day. I was geeked! After some self-editing, I cautiously took my stack to the register. The store owner flipped through it all at the counter, and shockingly refused to sell or even price the records for me. His logic was that he could get “more than $100 apiece” for the records I selected. I was livid. I walked right out the door and have never returned.

The Nite-Liters were founded in Louisville, KY by Harvey Fuqua and Tony Churchill. Fuqua later went on to hold it down as a producer and songwriter for Motown. Check the liner notes of your favorite records, it's amazing how often Harvey Fuqua's name appears in credits! The Nite-Liter's went on to become New Birth, whose records are a little easier to track down. Even today, when I'm out shopping for records and I come across a New Birth album, I still pause and reflect on the time when I first started digging for funk records, and their music and albums were elusive and acted as a promising gateway to new, exciting, and unfamiliar sonic territory.

New Digs | Late November 2012

This post is a continuation of the last new digs contribution as I had too many new records to share. As you can see, these latest hauls represent a variety of sounds and genres. A handful of long time wants can finally be crossed off the list. Check the bounty below.

Sparks - Whomp That Sucker (RCA, 1981)

The Dance - Dance For Your Dinner (Go-Go Records, 1980)

Ernie Johnson - Just In Time (Ronn, 1985)

Michael Orr - Spread Love (Counter Pointe, 2000) <---reissue

Guns & Butter - S/T (Cotillion, 1972)

Green Lyte Sunday - S/T (RCA, 1970)

Cat - S/T (RCA, 1970)

Gotham - Pass The Butter (Natural Resources, 1972)

Ballin' jack - S/T (Columbia, 1970)

Ray Baretto - Acid (Fania, 1968)

Soul Survivors - When The Whistle Blows, Anything Goes (Crimson, 1967)

Al Hirt - Soul In The Horn (RCA, 1967)

Group Home - Supa Star 12"

Movement Ex - S/T (Columbia, 1990)

Two Sisters - S/T (Sugarscoop, 1983)

"Rappin Tate" The Great - Ambitious 12"

New Digs | Mid November 2012

Christmas arrived a little early 'round these parts. I've come across a big grip of new used records and now I have the exciting problem of finding time to give them all a proper listen! This lot features a mix of interesting rock and soul albums that will all spend quality time circling the platter in the upcoming weeks. Check them out!

Mount Rushmore - High On Mount Rushmore (Dot, 1969)

Colours - S/T (Dot, 1968)

Christie - Yellow River (Epic, 1970)

Ebony Rhythm Band - Soul Heart Transplant : The Lamp Sessions (Now-Again, 2004)

The Fantastic Johnny C - Boogaloo Down Broadway (Phil-La Soul, 1968)

Stevie Wonder - Up Tight Everything's Alright (Tamla, 1966)

Otis Williams - Greatest Hits (Power Pak, 19??)

James Brown - Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (Polydor, 1973)

Shack - "It's Good To Be Careful (But It's Better To Be Loved)" (Volt, 1971)

I'm not even gonna front like I know anything about Shack... In fact, I know NOTHING. It's crazy how often one off Stax/Volt 45's pop up. I'm feeling the Staples Singers inspired life lesson of the song and the strong horns really bring the heat throughout the cut. When trying dig up some dirt about the group, I discovered two massive box sets that contain all of the singles released on Stax/ Volt from 1969-1975 (here and here). I only knew of the first volume of the box set, and now I'm gonna have to track down the others... Deeper into the wormhole I go...