Rock and Pop Music Chapter 8: Soul Music

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Questions and Answers

What was Cholly Atkins known for?

Singing

Songwriting

Choreography (correct)

Playing the guitar

Who are The Four Tops?

A group together since the mid-1950s that wrote songs like 'Baby I Need Your Loving'.

What was the signature format of The Temptations?

Dual lead singer format with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin.

What is psychedelic soul?

Music that combines elements of psychedelic rock with elements of soul music. Signup and view all the answers

Why was Smokey Robinson significant to Motown in the 1960s?

His songwriting ability. Signup and view all the answers

What was Marvin Gaye's biggest solo hit?

'I Heard It Through the Grapevine'. Signup and view all the answers

_______ guaranteed a consistency in musical style among Gordy's Motown artists.

Sticking with a few songwriter-producers Signup and view all the answers

What do The Four Tops and The Temptations represent in Motown history?

They represented the second wave of major Motown stars. Signup and view all the answers

By the mid-1960s, the _______ were Motown's biggest act.

Supremes Signup and view all the answers

What aspect was characteristic of almost all soul singers?

Their early opportunities to develop their musical abilities occurred in the religious setting. Signup and view all the answers

When did soul and Motown start?

during the 1960s Signup and view all the answers

What does soul signify in music?

a feeling, vocal freedom, bringing forward feelings Signup and view all the answers

There is a relationship between soul music and black church music.

True Signup and view all the answers

From which genres do soul artists derive their music?

blues, gospel, jazz, R&B, and rock and roll Signup and view all the answers

What musical styles from the Mississippi Delta area blended with gospel music?

the gospel from the black southern, usually Baptist church Signup and view all the answers

What caused the start of blues music in the 1920s?

widespread migration of southern blacks northward to look for jobs in the industrial northeast and Midwest Signup and view all the answers

How were 1940s blues described?

happy, uptempo, aggressive, and electrified Signup and view all the answers

Who was one of the biggest names in gospel music?

Thomas Dorsey Signup and view all the answers

Which independent record companies helped popularize blues and gospel in the 40s?

Savoy, Apollo, Specialty, Chess, Atlantic, Peacock, and Vee Jay Signup and view all the answers

In which decade did the expansion of black music into the white market occur?

the 1950s Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered an influential champion of black music?

Alan Freed Signup and view all the answers

Which group did Clyde McPhatter help to form?

the Dominoes Signup and view all the answers

What was the first hit for Atlantic Records?

"Drinking Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee" Signup and view all the answers

Who steered the direction of Atlantic Records to soul music in the 60s?

Jerry Wexler Signup and view all the answers

What were the early 1970s like for Stax Records?

Rough Signup and view all the answers

What did Wilson Pickett mean when he said soul singers put 'ten, maybe twenty notes to one word'?

melisma Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes how Aretha Franklin changed the song 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus'?

She subdivided each of the 4-measure phrases into two halves and then elongated each half into a full 4-measure phrase of its own Signup and view all the answers

James Brown's music is characterized by what?

raw and basic vocals with emotive improvisation and vocal interpolation Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'blue note'?

a pitch that is unstable, vacillating between A and A flat Signup and view all the answers

What is melisma in singing?

Technique in which one syllable is extended over two or more pitches Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Soul Music Overview

Soul music and Motown emerged in the 1960s, blending various musical influences.
It emphasizes emotional expression, vocal freedom, and personal feeling in performance.

Cultural and Musical Influences

Roots in blues, gospel, jazz, R&B, and rock and roll; deeply connected to black church music traditions.
Influences from the Mississippi Delta area blended with Southern Baptist gospel styles.
Blues developed in the 1920s due to the migration of southern blacks to northern industrial areas.

Notable Figures and Groups

Mahalia Jackson popularized gospel music among black and white audiences.
Thomas Dorsey, a key figure in gospel, influenced the transition to soul.
Alan Freed played a critical role in championing black music during the 1950s.
The Drifters and Clyde McPhatter were significant contributors to early soul music.
Sam Cooke, a former lead of the Soul Stirrers, became a major soul artist, known for crossover hits.

Record Labels and Industry Impact

Atlantic Records and Stax were pivotal in promoting soul music; Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler were influential figures.
By the mid-1950s, Atlantic Records secured a significant share of popular hits in the music industry.
Jerry Wexler’s return to Southern studios revitalized the sound of soul, merging genres like blues, gospel, and country & western.

Evolution and Key Artists

Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Isaac Hayes were influential Stax artists shaping the soul genre.
Aretha Franklin, known as "Lady Soul," signed with Atlantic Records, achieving immense success.
James Brown's electrifying performances and raw vocal style solidified his status as a key figure in soul music.
Curtis Mayfield represented the blend of pop and gospel with political themes through his music.

Musical Characteristics

Soul music employs improvisation and vocal techniques like melisma, with expressive and emotive timbres.
The use of blue notes contributes to the distinct sound of soul music.
Franklin’s alterations to traditional hymns exemplified the freedom and creativity inherent in soul.

Decline and Legacy

By the mid-1970s, soul music's prominence began to wane, with iconic figures and labels like Stax facing challenges.
Despite the decline, soul music significantly influenced the resurgence of R&B and the evolution of music genres that followed.
Soul's legacy is comparable to the crucial role of Sun Records in rock and roll history.

Motown's Influence

Motown, founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in Detroit, became a dominant force in the 1960s music scene.
The label focused on creating polished pop hits with artists like Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.
The structured approach to artist development and consistent quality contributed to Motown’s success.

Significant Songs and Contributions

Key tracks include "Respect" by Aretha Franklin and "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.
Motown's choreography and stage presence were led by figures like Cholly Atkins, enhancing live performances.

This overview captures critical elements of soul music, its cultural significance, key artists, and the impact of record labels on the genre's development and legacy.

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Test your knowledge on Soul Music with these flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 8 of Rock and Pop Music. Explore the origins, emotional depth, and influences of this powerful genre that emerged in the 1960s and shaped the music landscape. Perfect for music enthusiasts and students alike!