Jul 072005
Hamilton Bohannon: Save Their Souls and Getting to the Other Side
From: Stop & Go (Dakar, 1972)
Ok, so this is going to have to be one of those “let the music speak for itself” posts, because I don’t know SHIT about Hamilton Bohannon. Which is just as well, because I don’t think there’s much to be said to aid in the appreciation of these tracks. I throw these on and sit on my porch and think “damn, Summer should be six months long.”
Right, so I know the dude’s a drummer, and that he came up with Stevie Wonder. I’ve also heard a decent amount of his later music, which doesn’t have as much backbeat appeal as this record, but really is pretty solid dancefloor music. But this stuff, THIS stuff. I’m saying. Lemonade, man.
Follow Us On Twitter
And who can forget the Tom Tom Club's great shout-out to him in "Genius of Love"? "Bohannon, Bohannon, Bohannon, Bohannon"
It`s amazing how you related this guy with that song….
Killer, killer tunes. Perfect summer music, now all i need is some sun to play them in……….
Thanks again for more great stuff.
this album is a monster. really the only bohannon album worth picking up, at least that's what i've been told
yeah, I think there are people who would disagree about this being his best, but as far as my own aesthetic and that of most people who check this site, it's a surefire winner. too hot.
The other album worth picking up is "Summertime Groove" from 1978, because of the original full version of "Let's Start The Dance" (an ultimate floor-filler) and because of the voice of Carolyn Crawford.
The rest of Bohannon's output is basically one formula repeated all over again. That per se would be a bad thing, but musically most of his grooves just… don't groove. And the worst moments happen, when he opens his mouth. I really wonder how he did manage to sell his stuff to the label bosses all over again…?
Oops, correction, the sentence "That per se would be a bad thing" should read:
That per se WOULDN'T be a bad thing [...]
Re: Lou's comment…agreed on "Let's Start The Dance" &, for Carolyn Crawford wildness, the title track of "Cut Loose"…which again repeats the choppy groove of "Let's Start The Dance", but with that even wilder vocal.
I believe Bohannon is originally from Atlanta, GA. His Dakar LP's (like this one) are the ones to find… they all groove nicely and with a great local homegrown feel.
Also recommended on Dakar:
"Keep on Dancin'" (1974)
"Dance Your Ass Off" (1975)
"Gittin' Off" (1976)
I've enjoyed your blog here for some time now.
Keep on steppin'
-Stack
this is proper because i've only heard that song "Me and The Gang" (my name's leRoy, but you can call me LEEEEroy), and have been trying to find good non-disco-y stuff. Thank you and keep up the good work!!!
Save Their Souls sounds so good by itself, it makes Jay-Z's "Cashmere Thoughts" seem like a cruel joke when he sampled it back in '96. Hot shit.
Right On!
You are all out of your minds.
Bohannon is the fuckin shit.
10xdope
sure he put out sum crap. but there
is tons and tons of killer stuff out there.