June 22, 2020

1966 - August: Wilson Pickett “The Exciting Wilson Pickett”

26 minutes

While you may think of Motown when you first hear Wilson Pickett, this sound is neither from Detroit or its counterpart from Philadelphia. This is from the deep south with the deep soul of the 2 M's - Memphis and Muscle Shoals. The Exciting Wilson Pickett was Pickett's third studio album and firmly established his credentials as one of the leading lights of Soul music.

Pickett grew up in Alabama, and like many soul singers at the time he got his start in church. He had a contentious relationship with his mother who he described as "the baddest woman in my book." Eventually he went to live with his father - and further honed his singing style - in Detroit.

Many tracks on this album were recorded at Muscle Shoals with a backup band called The Swampers. Lynyrd Skynyrd would cite them as they "were known to pick a song or two." The Swampers would tour with Pickett and form an interracial act during a time when this was unusual..

Wilson Pickett was known by a number of names including "Wild Wilson" or "Wicked Pickett," and was known for his wild lifestyle. He would have a number of difficulties with alcohol and cocaine over the decades, which would put him in trouble with relationships and the law. Wilson Pickett was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Wilson Pickett died of a heart attack in 2006, just weeks shy of his 65th birthday.

The Land of 1,000 Dances

This song was a minor hit in 1963 for Chris, Kenner, but became a top 10 hit for Pickett. While he doesn't name 1,000 dances (and the name of the song never appears in the lyrics), he does name 16 including the Pony, The Mashed Potato, and The Twist. You may remember this song from the movie "Forrest Gump."

Barefootin'

The second track featured in today's podcast is also a remake (originally recorded by Robert Parker), with a faster tempo than the original. Check out that horn section by The Swampers.

99-1/2 Won't Do

This is a slower track based off a gospel track transitioned to a love song. "I got to have all your love, night and day. Not just a little part, but all of your heart, sugar, Ninety-nine and a half just won't do."

In the Midnight Hour

This is a signature song he co-wrote, and also connects with gospel songs - I may meet Jesus soon in the morning, maybe in the midnight hour. This song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Theme from the television series “Gilligan's Island”

This comedy was current in 1966, but we all remember this from reruns on afternoon TV after school.

STAFF PICKS:

“Over Under Sideways Down” by The Yardbirds

Bruce brings us a song inspired by Rock Around the Clock by Haley and the Comets. It came out as a single in May 1966, and was on the charts at the time. That's Jeff Beck on the lead guitar, and he also plays bass on this track as well.

“Sunny Afternoon” by The Kinks

Rob's staff pick made it to #14 on the Billboard charts. Brothers Ray and Dave Davies formed The Kinks in 1964, and Ray Davies wrote this song. It is about the massive taxes that the British Labour party was pushing out under Harold Wilson.

“You Don't Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield

Brian's staff pick features his favorite female vocalist from the 1960's. Springfield heard this tune originally in Italian, and had new lyrics written for it. She cried when she first heard this song with the new lyrics. A number of artists covered this song, including Elvis Presley.

“Sweet Young Thing” by The Chocolate Watchband

Wayne features an American garage band from California, who sing about a Peeping Tom spotting his “sweet young thing” at a party. Wayne found this group off a compilation album called Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968.

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

“Jeff's Boogie” by The Yardbirds

This instrumental from the B-side of “Over Under Sideways Down” wraps us up this week's podcast.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.

...more

View all episodes

By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

4747 ratings