Road Music: July 2008 Archives

4: 30 p.m. July 7

Soul music comes from the church.
This also begins to explain soul’s connection with American foodways.
Several years ago I caught the Rev. Al Green preaching at his Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, 787 Hale Rd. in Memphis, Tn. It was his birthday and the spread of neighborly food presented after the service was as abundant as his message. Last summer we returned to his church.
While Rev. Green was not present, I’m still recovering from brunch down the road at T.H. Hamilton’s Piccadilly Cafeteria, 3968 Elvis Presley Blvd. Green beans. Fried okra.
And sweet potatoes. Fried chicken. Crawfish etoufee. Chocolate chip pecan pie.
Herbert Wiley, vocalist-bandleader of the chitlin’ circuit legends Wiley and the Checkmates recalled the ambiance at an early 1960s juke joint before Sunday morning church in North Mississippi: “Hot in the summertime,” Wiley said earlier today while taking a cab to a New York lunch spot.........

8:55 p.m. July 6---

The highlight of my July 4 weekend was seeing Chuck Prophet and his Mission Express band kick off the 28th annual American Music Festival at FitzGerald's roadhouse in Berwyn, Ill. Based in San Francisco, Prophet doesn't get around these parts much. Prophet deals vivid mash-ups of soul, country and pop hooks that reflect his travels across America dating back to his 1985 band Green on Red.
I went back to reconsider a 2002 profile I did on Prophet when he was opening for Lucinda Williams. He called me from an economy hotel in St. Paul, Mn. to talk about absorbing the sounds of the road: "In the last five years of traveling, the one thing I've liked to do is pick up mix tapes," he said. "These guys will take Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody' on 45 RPM and put a beat behind it when it comes to the 'mama-mia' part. I'm a fan of DJ culture. I love the way they can turn things sideways....I listen to old music. I've always kept my eye in the rearview mirror, but I've started to look down the road ahead."
One of the highlights of Prophet's July 2 set was his groove drenched "Summertime Thing"" and the encore of a ladies choice instrumental "Theme From a Summer Place.' Lights on, hands off.
And every summer its inevitable someone asks me to assemble a good road mix tape.
Here's 18 songs to consider. Thanks for the inspiration, Chuck.................