Friday, May 8, 2009

The SOOOUUULLLL TTTRRRAAAIIINNN!!!


I watched this show in the pre cable days of my youth, when I had to dance while adjusting the antenna to keep the picture from disappearing. I use to fantasize about moving to California just to get on Soul Train. I wanted to hang out with Francesca, Little Joe, Fawn, Tyrone "The Bone" Proctor and Damita Joe Freeman.
Alas, I grew up. When I saw the show in the 90's it was but a shell of what it once was. I imagine that Don Cornelius' retirement had a lot to do with it.

I went with performances by Al Green and Joe Tex (the last performance has a dance solo by Damita Jo Freeman).

This meme was developed by Marvalus View and Ms. Grapevine. The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate; any music genre
2. Old School is defined as music created before 1999
3. No offensive words allowed, please use edited radio version
4. Post a video of your favorite Old School song to take us back down memory lane
5. Add your name to the meme list so that others can check you out
6. Have fun & don't forget to leave comments for other participants

If you want to join in on the fun, click here.



13 comments:

Revvy Rev said...

Al definitely works. I see you been like me - only come out on Fridays. It is busy around here as I am sure that it is where you are.

Hagar's Daughter said...

I wonder how many times Al Green has been on Soul Train. He was always a joy to watch on the show. Joe Tex's appearance spotlighting the dancer was great.

How do you remember the dancer's names? I only remember Jody Wately and Jeff Daniel by name.

Happy OSF.

Martin Lindsey said...

I'm learning a lot about Joe Tex today.

And yeah, how do you know the dancer's names (LOL)? This particular young lady's routine was a perfect illustration of the song. Great performance.

Only Al could rock an arm sling and make it look cool.

Great choices.

Unknown said...

Happy OSF! I remember Rosie Perez as a dancer. I also remember sexy Asian woman that danced for many years. I learned today about the connection between ST dancers and Shalamar. Your choice of Al Green is outstanding!

I invite your blog readers to let their minds flow back to the best of Soul Train.

peace, Villager

Vérité Parlant said...

Al Green! Yessssss. Not only did I love him, but my mother did as well. She was in her 40s when he was soaring to stardom. It was the first time I recall she and I wanting to buy the same music. And she'd stopped buying records before that. She and my dad only had big band, jazz music, classical, Aretha, etc.

Jo Tex tails on one of mine too. He must've gotten around on YouTube, Soul Train. :-)

Thank you and Happy OSF!

Hey Shae! said...

Look at Al Green looking you. I don't know that I've ever seen him young. LOL Al Green had a permanent spot on the scramble board, remember that? LOL

Candy Minx said...

Hey there! We went to our first bbq in ages last night...just as pulled up to the party the smell of the drum and bbq was so exciting! Yeah, summer is here!

Love Al Green! I can totally relate to the fantasy of going to dance on SoulTrain, I had it too. I can't imagine dancing in front of a camera NOW!
Ha!

Unknown said...

AWESOME!! You can never go wrong with Al! Al was a popular pick for this theme!

pjazzypar said...

Hey Rev, It's true, I have not been an active blogger lately. I need inspiration sometimes.

Hagar's Daughter, I remember the dancers names because that's what teenagers do I guess. I use to read Right On Magazine and the dances were really big in the early 70's.

Martin Lindsey., Yeah that Al Green was something else.

Villager, Rosie did dance on Soul Train for a while. The Asian woman (from the Super Freak video) danced on the show way too long as I remember it.

Verite Palant, My mother loved Al too! I have never heard anyone say that they did not enjoy Al's music.

Hey Shae, Al Green is huge! That scramble board was a mess, you would have to be an imbecile not to guess correctly :-)

Candy, You got to love a barbecue. That is one of the things I miss about Michigan, someone was forever throwing something on a grill and getting together. I can see you sashaying down the Soul Train line now :-)

Regina, You cannot go wrong with Al!

Lori said...

Okay, I know I'm late. But I've gotta admit I had a crush on one of the Soul Train regulars you mentioned--Tyrone (LOL). Oh, yes, those were the days. And you're right, if you read "Right On!" magazine you could learn all of the dancers' names and get some really great posters too (smile).

Revvy Rev said...

I know you are busy, just pick up some hardware I have for you when you have time.

Malcolm said...

These were both excellent choices! I don't recall ever hearing "Sweet Sixteen" until now. I'm going to have to pick that up. I wonder if Al holds the record for most "Soul Train" appearances because it seemed like he was on there every other week when I was a kid.

Damita Jo was gettin' down. I also remember her from "Private Benjamin". Do you have any idea what she's doing these days?

Greg L said...

Y'all are a bit older than myself but I think I should have been born at least 10 years earlier. It's a shame I don't know a place today where they play music that makes me want to dance.

p.s. I don't know how anyone could not have been captivated by Damita Jo Freeman!