Category Archives: Soul

It’s All Relative, non-white

White people have family problems, from dysfunctionality to red-neckery to, well, racism. People of color may have the occasional hubbub and brouhaha, but when they are family they ARE related. Share it!

Lambert Wilson captures the calypso canticle with “Family,” a raw expression of love for the folks.

A little more island music from Clifford Clarke’s “Family Christmas.” He’s got the family love, so he’s wishing it all around the world. Unity, mon.

Motown plus from James Shelton, Kuipiio Livingston, Peggy James, and Christopher L Poole flips for joy in “Family.” They build a love fest.

Karew Family rolls into some Motown rap with “Family Holiday.” Nonverbal expressions of wonderment and happiness.

Lizzy Morris ups the R+B to gospel with “Family Christmas.” She feels it, she means it. That’s love, baby.

Curtis Turrentine relies on the beat with his soul-ful “Family Christmas.” More stories. (And a ‘Family Affair’ mash up.) But they’re synced up.

Soul disco from Steven Drayton, Tony Terry, Kizzle, and The Messenger bounces and pops out “Family Christmas.” No lie. Just fun.

Bloodstone layers on the soul (and disco) to elevate “Christmas Day with My Family.” Beautiful. And they greet you at the end of the song (with family stories)! Now you belong!

EX-Mas, what now?

Head swirling, room closing in, future uncertain–

You left me and I don’t know what to do next.

“What Do the Lonely Do at Christmas?” wonders Anthony Hamilton in just the right R+B.

The same question from The Emotions results in no more answer.

Sing a Song of Singing Songs: party time

Laying into the music, Shannon Doyle burns up the home studio with “Just Another Christmas Song.” Fun acoustic rock that shreds more than shares.

Chris Rudd (feat. Marcus Colbert) get all Motown disco for what i believe is a sincere musical trip into “Another Christmas Song.” Hiphop vertigo. I mean wow.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings name drop some carols and sample some trads, but the soul they bring to their sing-along “Just Another Christmas Song” moves the dance floor to come up and getcha. Oh yeah, i think that’s a kazoo.

Sing a Song of Singing Songs: join in

Pentatonix doesn’t often ask you to help out (only every concert). So don’t miss out on this opportunity to join together in “The Christmas Sing-Along.” Grease up those scat wheels, you’ll need ’em.

Parodies’ Paradise: 2015 “Hello”

Adele’s lead single from her third studio album became her second UK number-one single, following… the largest opening week sales in three years… debuted at the top of the BillboardHot 100 in the US, reigning for 10 consecutive weeks… fourth number-one on the chart… the first song to sell over a million digital copies in a week… 2015’s 7th best-selling single… the music video broke the Vevo Record by achieving over 27.7 million views within a 24-hour span… also broke the record for shortest time to attain 100 million Vevo views, as well as shortest time to reach one billion YouTube views (88 days)… won three Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance.

Adele-able parodies tend to lift the level of high humor due to her… saintliness?

Alyssa Smith plays her collegiate parody into a “Hello It’s Christmas.” But it takes forever and the lip synching is novocained.

Nicole Wilson invites you to her Xmas party with her “‘Hello’ Adele Parody.” That’s some trouble for an e-vite.

Kelsey Lynn Ellis redeems the echoey vocalizations with “Hello from the North Pole” in which Santa searches for the faithful.

Tim Wheeler takes it up a pearly gate with “Hello, Christmas Eve” pitching services for his church. Wait. this is advertising!

Kelli Smith goes Jesus with Josh Christopher’s “Hello.” Christ’s birth is a wake up call, y’all. Hello!

Newlife fights the war against Christmas with “Hello (It’s Christmas Time).” I’m not sure which haters don’t want him to don his gay apparel, but he makes a case for ostentatious decorating. Great video.

Rakhee Noazaria spends a whole minute trying to get the ‘rents to answer the door in her “Hello (Christmas Edition).” Hehe.

Joel Kopischke, a god among parodists, has Kelli Cramer sing about a disappointed list maker in “‘Hello’ Adele Christmas Parody.” Kelli sells it, and the humor is largely blown out of the water by her vocals.

Phat Daddies make the obvious play with “Ho Ho” casting Santa as the emo whiner we hate to see. Nice parody.

The same idea in “Ho Ho” by The White Boys takes its own sweet time, but comes off funnier.

Kim Novak brings it down the chimney with her “Ho Ho.” It’s not all cookie jokes, but Santa takes it on the belly here.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1972 “Me and Mrs. Jones”

Billy Paul’s only #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100… for three weeks… also achieved this feat on Billboard’s R&B Singles chart… for four weeks.

Kevin and Bean featured someone by the band handle MMM with a raunchy “Me and Mrs. Claus” back in 1997.

Bob Rivers handles his ’02 samey with masterful soul. “Me and Mrs. Claus” underplays the wacky and turns up the wit. Nice.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1967 “Soul Man”

Sam and Dave dropped the most successful Stax Records single to date upon its release… the single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart… number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States…  number two in Canada… awarded the 1968 Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental.

What’s the funny hook for Christmas on soul? Follow the Mistletones to their buddy, “Snowman.” Yeah, you saw that coming.

Parodies’ Paradise: 1960 “Shop Around”

The Miracles’ big hit was their first number 1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart… eight weeks at the top… also hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100… also reached No. 1 on the Cash Box magazine Top 100 pop chart… the first million-selling record for the Miracles and for the Motown Record Corporation… a 2006 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee.

The Mistletones get easy mileage out of awkward lingerie gift getting by guys in their “Shop Around.” Oh my!

Jesus Christ! the place

Vanessa Bell Armstrong funks up the soul for a wonderful testament to the time and place of the birth of the Light of the World, despite the over-tympanification. “The Inn Keeper” is a song to feel deep down into your faith organs.