Song of the day – 159: Syl Johnson

I was watching To Kill A Mockingbird last night, which of course features the killer courtroom scene with Gregory Peck playing Atticus, the white lawyer defending a black farm worker wrongly accused of rape. Man, that was some kind of moving – almost more for what was left unsaid, and the silent dignity of the folk in the balcony – than what was said.

So I thought I’d share this song with you: there sure is a connection. Betrayal and prejudice and pride and… damn, it’s fine.

I was sent Syl Johnson’s new compilation Complete Mythology, and Bangs knows it’s rare enough that I receive unsolicited CDs in the mail, let alone unsolicited CDs that I actually fucking totally dig. It’s from the Numero Group, who are the business when it comes to forgotten bruised soul from the 60s and 70s so I weren’t surprised, no, not at all… just thankful that some folk stay in touch.

This is a great, great song, as the Wu-Tang Clan would presumably agree, as they sampled it for  ‘Hollow Bones’. Don’t hate me just because I’m black, the man sings distraught. Damn, the anguish in Syl’s voice.

One correspondent indicated they preferred Ken Boothe’s  darker, moodier reggae version. It’s got some beautiful horns on it but I’d much rather it went on for longer. I guess you can make your own minds up.

by Everett True

My name is Everett True. I am a music critic. This is what I do. I criticise music. The clue is in my job description – music critic. I do not consider myself a journalist, as I do not research or report hard news. I do not consider myself a commentator as I believe that everyone should be a participant. I criticise people and in return I am not surprised if other people criticise me. It is part of the whole deal of being in the public arena. I am Everett True. Believe in me and I have power like a God. Quit believing in me and I no longer exist.