The Night Shift

When it comes to songs that bring memories (and the occasional tear), the one song that still stops me in my tracks, it’s the Tempts’ “A Song For You”.  You can’t dance to it; you just have to sit and listen.  Sing along if you think you can; but, even in private, I rarely try to drown out what I still think was Dennis Edwards’ finest performance.

The album was a bon-voyage present from a group of friends.  The title song was my favorite at the time (quite a feat, considering the slavish devotion I paid to those Jackson boys); and I was planning to buy the album with the first paycheck from my new job.  Instead, thanks to my friends, I got to take the album with me and play it all summer on my tiny portable record player.  “A Song For You” and “Memories” are on every ‘mellow’ playlist I write and disc I burn.  They are my lullabies; the background music when I study; the wind-down music when I want to sit and chill.  They have quieted fussy babies; and, kicked-off reunions with my friends.  But, most of all, they remind me of good people I miss; and more good people I’ve met along the way.

So, on Sunday evenings, when the local r&b channel airs its “Quiet Storm” show, I close my eyes and remember…

It’s June, 1975.  We’re done with high school; and looking forward to leaving (scattering, really) in September.  I can’t wait, and take an out-of-town summer job.  There’s one last hurrah, though:  a surprise party at my house; and two albums wrapped in paper (thanks, guys).  For the PCs, I pour a little on the ground for one of us, and toast the rest.

P.S.  That’s the Commodores backing up the Tempts on “Happy People”.  They were listed on the album as “The Temptations Band”.

Class of ‘75 – The Temptations by JBethune

I wasn’t going to let April 2 pass without paying tribute to Marvin Gaye.  Had he lived, he would be 71 today.  There’s not much to say beyond that.  In light of the circumstances of April 1, 1984, I found “Piece of Clay” to be particularly beautiful and haunting.

This is dedicated to my mom, Ethel Mae McKenzie White, who celebrates her own birthday in two days and always had plenty of Motown playing around the house; to Curt Jones (I can’t hear “Too Busy Thinking  About My Baby” without remembering him singing that song on our bus to summer camp); and to my cousin, Patricia (I can’t listen to “Got To Give It Up” without remembering her wedding reception).

Is that the Temptations singing background on “Try It Baby” and “Your Precious Love”?

Marvin Gaye

Song – Artist (other than Marvin Gaye) – Album {time}

1. Nightshift Intro – The Commodores – The Commodores Anthology
2. Come Get To This – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {2:41}
3. Try It Baby – Anthology (Disc 1) {2:59}
4. Pride and Joy – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {2:07}
5. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye {3:16}
6. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {2:57}
7. Stubborn Kind of Fellow – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 1) {2:44}
8. Your Precious Love (feat. Tammi Terrell)– Very Best of Marvin Gaye {3:04}
9. I’ll Be Doggone – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {2:48}
10. Trouble Man – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {3:58}
11. I Want You – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {3:57}
12. Got to Give It Up, Part 1 – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye {4;15}
13. After The Dance – The Best of Marvin Gaye {3:31}
14. Let’s Get It On – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {4:53}
15. Distant Lover [Live] –  Very Best of Marvin Gaye {6:18}
16. Sexual Healing – Slow Jams – {4:10}
17. What’s Going On – Anthology {3:58}
18. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye {3:16}
19. Inner City Blues  - Very Best of Marvin Gaye {5:28}
20. The World Is Rated X – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {3:50}
21. God Is Love – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {2:52}
22. Piece of Clay – Phenomenon: Music From The Motion Picture {5:11}

When I ’dipped my toes’ in this year’s Cupid’s Hunt Podcast Collaboration Event, I had in mind one list of tracks to post on Facebook or MySpace.  Each song on the list had a theme; be it first love, great love, love gone wrong, “I want you” or wedding jams (Greg and I married four days before Valentines Day).  The list grew, split and became several lists…all while I was learning the basics of blogging; podcasting; soft-and hardware and whatever else had come down the pike since I bought (and never used) dj software back in the days of Windows 98.

My first mix is some of my favorite songs that say “I want you”, smooth and cool.  Screaming and shouting might wake us up; but it’s smooth and cool that keeps us awake on the night shift.  

Cupid’s Hunt: TNS – I Want You

Playlist - Song – Artist – Album [time]

1. That the Way It’s Got To Be (Body and Soul) – The Soul Generation – Beyond Body and Soul [3:08]
2. I Want You – Marvin  Gaye – The Very Best of Marvin Gaye [3:57]
3. Make Me Want You – Curt Jones - 360 Degrees [5:29]
4. Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye – The Very Best of Marvin Gaye [4:53]
5. Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye – Slow Jams [4:10]
6. Give It To Me – The Whispers - Greatest Slow Jams [5:24]
7. Lady – The Whispers – Greatest Slow Jams [5:07]
8. Hey Girl (I Like Your Style) – The Temptations – Love Songs [3:29]
9. Reasons - Earth, Wind & Fire – That’s The Way Of The World [4:58]
10. Love Won’t Let Me Wait – Major Harris – My Way [5:34]
11. Turn Your Lights Down Low – Lauren Hill and Bob Marley – The Ultimate Mp3 Zone [4:02]
12. A Little Bit More – Freddie Jackson/Melba Moore – Body and Soul:  Duets [4:55]
13. Practice What You Preach – Barry White - The Icon Is Love [5:58]