Knowledge (XXG)

The Soulful Strings

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with initiating the strings-based concept; however, he added that the flute and guitar parts became a "driving force" as much as the string section. Larry Grogan, founding editor of the soul music website Funky16Corners, writes that although superficially the project might appear to be in the "easy
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Between 1966 and 1971, the Soulful Strings released six studio albums, all recorded at Chess's Ter Mar Studios, and one live album. This period coincided with the peak of Cadet Records' influence, during which Green continued to produce other acts, including Ashby,
397:". The album also included three Evans compositions, among them "The Stepper" and "Soul Message". Evans later said that the decision to issue "The Stepper" as a single, rather than the Stepney-arranged cover of 451:), focused on original material, producing tracks such as "Zambezi" and "Chocolate Candy". Aside from Evans' compositions, the album featured songs written by or with Hathaway and Upchurch. Grogan describes 176:(drums), Bobby Christian (vibraphone, percussion) and, later, Billy Wooten, in place of Stepney. Sol Bobrov and Bruce Hayden were among the eponymous string players. Other contributors included 1199: 254:
listening/kitsch" category, their music reveals " a Montovani-esque vibe, but rather an energetic soul/funk/jazz rhythm section augmented (not overpowered) by strings".
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label. As of October 2014, the Strings' catalog remained out of print, although their biggest US hit, "Burning Spear", was included on the 2004 Chess compilation
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Release information per Both Sides Now Publications' Cadet Records discography (albums) and Funky16Corners (singles); all chart peaks from US charts compiled by
402: 240:(rather than any violins) as lead string instruments, beside the cellos. He described the combination of two violas and four cellos as "a very dark sound". 420:(1969) was recorded live at London House over two nights in November 1968. Composed solely of cover versions, it included the Temptations' hit " 1342: 1332: 510: 305: 631: 584: 382: 145:
in 1966. Predominantly a studio band, the project was created and led by Richard Evans, a staff producer and musical arranger with the
1260: 236:, where he later worked as a professor teaching jazz arrangements, Evans attributed the ensemble's distinctive sound to his use of 1337: 296:
magazine's reviewer wrote: "The result is a surprise. Instead of harming the feel of the music, a new dimension is added."
1299: 1153: 1073: 954: 767: 1193: 413: 986: 474:. The album appeared in early 1971, by which point the Chess brothers had sold Chess Records and its subsidiaries to 570: 463:, similarly included "Zambezi" and "Chocolate Candy" on his playlist reflecting the best music from Evans' career. 374: 344: 177: 825: 907: 803: 233: 1015: 799: 455:
as, variously, "by far the best of the Soulful Strings albums" and "the group's masterpiece". Producer and DJ
275: 200:. Simultaneously, Stepney – often assisted by Upchurch, Christian and Jennings – also worked with the group 853: 666: 577: 460: 394: 328: 317: 300: 279: 478:(GRT). In 1972, the GRT-owned Cadet label issued a compilation album by the group, a two-disc set titled 555: 475: 205: 662: 1304: 1158: 1078: 1047: 991: 959: 772: 594: 421: 292: 390: 316:
chart for 33 weeks. It included the Evans-composed "Burning Spear", which was a top 40 hit on the
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The ensemble made its concert debut, as a thirteen-piece, with a series of shows at Chicago's
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nightclub in mid 1968. By the time the concerts were announced, the group's second album,
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peaked at number 59 on the Top LP's chart and at number 6 and number 2, respectively, on
566: 456: 386: 271: 181: 1217: 741: 1326: 1185: 1109: 879:"Chicago Soul – Electric Blues, Funk and Soul: The New Sound of Chicago in the 1960s" 310: 250: 221: 185: 157: 150: 146: 94: 73: 878: 378: 370: 197: 193: 1276: 903: 443:
Breaking the pattern of their two previous releases, the group's 1969 studio LP,
636: 437: 433: 332: 324: 245: 290:". While commenting on the prominence of viola and flute in the arrangements, 165: 336: 283: 138: 45: 1131: 1051: 1023: 857: 35: 425: 142: 31: 931: 632:"Bassist-turned-arranger Richard Evans put the soul in Cadet Records" 711: 156:
The group comprised various members of Cadet's house band – such as
266:(1966), included covers of contemporary rock and pop songs such as 237: 1298:
Billboard Music Popularity Chart Department (December 28, 1968).
224:, often given a musical interpretation that combined soul, jazz, 225: 53: 1277:"GRT Consolidated Chess/Cadet Album Discography (1971–1975)" 1211: 1209: 514:– Cadet LPS-796 (1967); US #59, US R&B #6, US Jazz #2 323:
listings. Among the other songs on the LP were covers of
1218:"Richard Evans: The Cadet Concept – 10 of His Greatest 742:"Richard Evans: The Cadet Concept – 10 of His Greatest" 735: 733: 731: 729: 405:", led to difficulties in their working relationship. 761: 759: 705: 703: 220:
The Soulful Strings' repertoire consisted mainly of
1099: 1097: 701: 699: 697: 695: 693: 691: 689: 687: 685: 683: 83: 79: 69: 59: 41: 27: 20: 1244: 980: 978: 590:"Jericho" / "The Who Who Song" – Cadet 5617 (1968) 625: 623: 621: 619: 617: 615: 613: 1198:: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) ( 532:– Cadet LPS-820 (1969); US #125, US R&B #47 520:– Cadet LPS-805 (1968); US #189, US R&B #43 506:– Cadet LPS-776 (1966); US #166, US R&B #25 1182:Back by Demand: The Soulful Strings in Concert 530:Back by Demand: The Soulful Strings in Concert 418:Back by Demand: The Soulful Strings in Concert 793: 791: 600:"Zambezi" / "A Love Song" – Cadet 5654 (1969) 580:" – Cadet 5576 (1967); US #64, US R&B #36 8: 1152:Billboard Review Panel (November 16, 1968). 1108:(LP liner-note essay). The Soulful Strings. 1042: 1040: 926: 924: 538:– Cadet LPS-834 (1969); US #183, US Jazz #19 408:In November that year, the Strings released 766:Billboard Review Panel (January 23, 1971). 656: 654: 385:", and three recent songs by the Beatles: " 1184:(LP sleeve credits). The Soulful Strings. 955:"Album Reviews" > "Special Merit Picks" 768:"Album Reviews" > "Special Merit Picks" 470:, consisted of cover versions of songs by 249:magazine, Evans credited Chess co-founder 17: 953:Billboard Review Panel (March 11, 1967). 630:Ubick, Dan; Ma, David (October 8, 2014). 526:– Cadet LPS-814 (1968); US Christmas #35 1072:Billboard Review Panel (July 6, 1968). 826:"Marlena Shaw: California Soul II Soul" 609: 1191: 987:"Soulful Strings in Debut at Chi Club" 459:, in his role as an educator with the 184:, both on keyboards, and jazz harpist 932:"Cadet Album Discography (1965–1971)" 597:" / "Listen Here" – Cadet 5633 (1969) 358:s best-selling R&B and Jazz LPs. 7: 1300:"Billboard Best Bets for Christmas" 1247:The Encyclopedia of Rock Obituaries 798:Rodewald, Nik (November 18, 2014). 262:The Soulful Strings' debut album, 232:. Speaking to an interviewer from 14: 1251:. London: Omnibus Press. p.  1018:Groovin' with the Soulful Strings 985:Billboard staff (June 22, 1968). 908:Berklee College of Music Archives 710:Grogan, Larry (October 8, 2014). 511:Groovin' with the Soulful Strings 306:Groovin' with the Soulful Strings 904:"Richard Evans" > "Chapter 6" 383:(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay 347:". Their most successful album, 480:The Best of the Soulful Strings 824:Lewis, Pete (September 2015). 412:, a collection of traditional 1: 1279:. Both Sides Now Publications 934:. Both Sides Now Publications 141:instrumental group formed in 1343:Musical groups from Illinois 1333:American soul musical groups 667:Red Bull Music Academy Radio 472:Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff 365:featured interpretations of 800:"Remembering Richard Evans" 309:(1967), had been on the US 1359: 1048:"Soulful Strings: Awards" 712:"Richard Evans 1932–2014" 276:the Mamas & the Papas 243:In a 2009 interview with 234:Berklee College of Music 204:, recording for Chess's 168:), Lenny Druss (flute), 1243:Talevski, Nick (1999). 1104:Magnus, Johnny (1968). 663:"Richard Evans Special" 571:Love Is a Hurtin' Thing 432:", as well as songs by 375:It Ain't Necessarily So 361:Released in June 1968, 345:(I Know) I'm Losing You 578:Within You Without You 544:– Cadet LPS-846 (1971) 524:The Magic of Christmas 466:The group's final LP, 461:Red Bull Music Academy 410:The Magic of Christmas 403:Since You've Been Gone 329:Within You Without You 1338:Cadet Records artists 1014:Goble, Ryan Randall. 587:" – Cadet 5607 (1968) 573:" – Cadet 5559 (1967) 562:" – Cadet 5540 (1966) 476:General Recorded Tape 447:(often mis-titled as 595:I Wish It Would Rain 422:I Wish It Would Rain 1194:cite AV media notes 854:"Rotary Connection" 585:The Dock of the Bay 576:"Burning Spear" / " 280:California Dreamin' 135:The Soulful Strings 22:The Soulful Strings 560:Message to Michael 424:", a reworking of 268:the Rolling Stones 1124:"Soulful Strings 1016:"Soulful Strings 883:Soul Jazz Records 661:Degiorgio, Krik. 583:"The Stepper" / " 327:' Indian-styled " 202:Rotary Connection 137:were an American 132: 131: 1350: 1318: 1317: 1315: 1313: 1295: 1289: 1288: 1286: 1284: 1273: 1267: 1266: 1250: 1240: 1234: 1233: 1231: 1229: 1213: 1204: 1203: 1197: 1189: 1178: 1172: 1171: 1169: 1167: 1149: 1143: 1142: 1140: 1138: 1126:Another Exposure 1120: 1114: 1113: 1106:Another Exposure 1101: 1092: 1091: 1089: 1087: 1069: 1063: 1062: 1060: 1058: 1044: 1035: 1034: 1032: 1030: 1011: 1005: 1004: 1002: 1000: 982: 973: 972: 970: 968: 950: 944: 943: 941: 939: 928: 919: 918: 916: 914: 900: 894: 893: 891: 889: 875: 869: 868: 866: 864: 849: 843: 842: 840: 838: 831:Blues & Soul 821: 815: 814: 812: 810: 795: 786: 785: 783: 781: 763: 754: 753: 751: 749: 737: 724: 723: 721: 719: 714:. Funky16Corners 707: 678: 677: 675: 673: 658: 649: 648: 646: 644: 627: 542:Play Gamble-Huff 518:Another Exposure 468:Play Gamble-Huff 363:Another Exposure 357: 288:Eight Miles High 86: 62: 50:psychedelic rock 18: 1358: 1357: 1353: 1352: 1351: 1349: 1348: 1347: 1323: 1322: 1321: 1311: 1309: 1297: 1296: 1292: 1282: 1280: 1275: 1274: 1270: 1263: 1242: 1241: 1237: 1227: 1225: 1220:[cont.] 1216:Grogan, Larry. 1215: 1214: 1207: 1190: 1180: 1179: 1175: 1165: 1163: 1154:"Album Reviews" 1151: 1150: 1146: 1136: 1134: 1122: 1121: 1117: 1103: 1102: 1095: 1085: 1083: 1074:"Album Reviews" 1071: 1070: 1066: 1056: 1054: 1046: 1045: 1038: 1028: 1026: 1013: 1012: 1008: 998: 996: 984: 983: 976: 966: 964: 952: 951: 947: 937: 935: 930: 929: 922: 912: 910: 902: 901: 897: 887: 885: 877: 876: 872: 862: 860: 852:Kellman, Andy. 851: 850: 846: 836: 834: 823: 822: 818: 808: 806: 797: 796: 789: 779: 777: 765: 764: 757: 747: 745: 740:Grogan, Larry. 739: 738: 727: 717: 715: 709: 708: 681: 671: 669: 660: 659: 652: 642: 640: 629: 628: 611: 607: 488: 399:Aretha Franklin 395:The Inner Light 355: 341:the Temptations 321:R&B Singles 260: 218: 178:Johnny Griffith 174:Morris Jennings 172:(bass, cello), 170:Cleveland Eaton 162:Charles Stepney 117:Bobby Christian 113:Morris Jennings 108:Cleveland Eaton 100:Charles Stepney 84: 65:1966–1971 60: 23: 12: 11: 5: 1356: 1354: 1346: 1345: 1340: 1335: 1325: 1324: 1320: 1319: 1290: 1268: 1261: 1235: 1205: 1173: 1144: 1115: 1093: 1064: 1036: 1006: 974: 945: 920: 895: 870: 844: 816: 787: 755: 725: 679: 650: 608: 606: 603: 602: 601: 598: 591: 588: 581: 574: 567:Paint It Black 563: 556:The Sidewinder 551: 550: 546: 545: 539: 533: 527: 521: 515: 507: 504:Paint It Black 500: 499: 487: 484: 457:Kirk Degiorgio 414:holiday-season 387:Hello, Goodbye 272:Paint It Black 264:Paint It Black 259: 256: 222:cover versions 217: 214: 182:Donny Hathaway 130: 129: 128: 127: 124: 121: 118: 115: 110: 105: 102: 97: 92: 87: 81: 80: 77: 76: 71: 67: 66: 63: 57: 56: 43: 39: 38: 29: 25: 24: 21: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1355: 1344: 1341: 1339: 1336: 1334: 1331: 1330: 1328: 1312:September 30, 1307: 1306: 1301: 1294: 1291: 1283:September 30, 1278: 1272: 1269: 1264: 1262:0-7119-7548-5 1258: 1254: 1249: 1248: 1239: 1236: 1228:September 30, 1223: 1221: 1212: 1210: 1206: 1201: 1195: 1187: 1186:Cadet Records 1183: 1177: 1174: 1166:September 30, 1161: 1160: 1155: 1148: 1145: 1137:September 30, 1133: 1129: 1127: 1119: 1116: 1111: 1110:Cadet Records 1107: 1100: 1098: 1094: 1086:September 30, 1081: 1080: 1075: 1068: 1065: 1057:September 30, 1053: 1049: 1043: 1041: 1037: 1029:September 30, 1025: 1021: 1019: 1010: 1007: 999:September 30, 994: 993: 988: 981: 979: 975: 967:September 30, 962: 961: 956: 949: 946: 938:September 30, 933: 927: 925: 921: 913:September 30, 909: 905: 899: 896: 884: 880: 874: 871: 863:September 30, 859: 855: 848: 845: 837:September 30, 833: 832: 827: 820: 817: 805: 801: 794: 792: 788: 780:September 30, 775: 774: 769: 762: 760: 756: 748:September 30, 743: 736: 734: 732: 730: 726: 718:September 30, 713: 706: 704: 702: 700: 698: 696: 694: 692: 690: 688: 686: 684: 680: 672:September 30, 668: 664: 657: 655: 651: 643:September 30, 639: 638: 633: 626: 624: 622: 620: 618: 616: 614: 610: 604: 599: 596: 592: 589: 586: 582: 579: 575: 572: 568: 564: 561: 557: 553: 552: 548: 547: 543: 540: 537: 534: 531: 528: 525: 522: 519: 516: 513: 512: 508: 505: 502: 501: 497: 496: 495: 493: 485: 483: 481: 477: 473: 469: 464: 462: 458: 454: 450: 446: 441: 439: 435: 431: 430:Clair de Lune 427: 423: 419: 415: 411: 406: 404: 400: 396: 392: 388: 384: 380: 376: 372: 368: 364: 359: 354: 350: 346: 342: 338: 334: 330: 326: 322: 320: 315: 313: 308: 307: 302: 297: 295: 294: 289: 285: 281: 277: 273: 269: 265: 257: 255: 252: 251:Leonard Chess 248: 247: 241: 239: 235: 231: 227: 223: 215: 213: 211: 207: 206:Cadet Concept 203: 199: 195: 189: 187: 186:Dorothy Ashby 183: 179: 175: 171: 167: 163: 160:(on guitar), 159: 158:Phil Upchurch 154: 152: 151:Cadet Records 148: 147:Chess Records 144: 140: 136: 125: 122: 119: 116: 114: 111: 109: 106: 103: 101: 98: 96: 95:Phil Upchurch 93: 91:Richard Evans 90: 89: 88: 82: 78: 75: 72: 68: 64: 58: 55: 51: 47: 44: 40: 37: 33: 30: 26: 19: 16: 1310:. 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F16zine 492:Billboard 353:Billboard 337:All Blues 319:Billboard 312:Billboard 293:Billboard 284:the Byrds 139:soul-jazz 46:Soul-jazz 1132:AllMusic 1052:AllMusic 1024:AllMusic 858:AllMusic 349:Groovin' 314:Top LP's 164:(organ, 36:Illinois 1188:. 1969. 549:Singles 426:Debussy 416:songs. 393:" and " 216:Concept 143:Chicago 32:Chicago 1259:  498:Albums 367:George 339:" and 282:" and 258:Career 238:violas 70:Labels 42:Genres 28:Origin 569:" / " 558:" / " 356:' 74:Cadet 1314:2015 1285:2015 1257:ISBN 1230:2015 1200:link 1168:2015 1139:2015 1088:2015 1059:2015 1031:2015 1001:2015 969:2015 940:2015 915:2015 890:2015 865:2015 839:2015 811:2015 782:2015 750:2015 720:2015 674:2015 645:2015 436:and 428:'s " 401:'s " 389:", " 381:'s " 373:'s " 369:and 335:'s " 228:and 226:funk 196:and 180:and 54:funk 377:", 343:' " 331:", 286:' " 278:' " 274:", 270:' " 1329:: 1302:. 1255:. 1253:65 1208:^ 1196:}} 1192:{{ 1156:. 1130:. 1096:^ 1076:. 1050:. 1039:^ 1022:. 989:. 977:^ 957:. 923:^ 906:. 881:. 856:. 828:. 802:. 790:^ 770:. 758:^ 728:^ 682:^ 665:. 653:^ 634:. 612:^ 482:. 440:. 212:. 188:. 153:. 52:, 48:, 34:, 1316:. 1287:. 1265:. 1232:. 1222:" 1202:) 1170:. 1141:. 1128:" 1112:. 1090:. 1061:. 1033:. 1020:" 1003:. 971:. 942:. 917:. 892:. 867:. 841:. 813:. 784:. 752:. 722:. 676:. 647:. 593:" 565:" 554:"

Index

Chicago
Illinois
Soul-jazz
psychedelic rock
funk
Cadet
Phil Upchurch
Charles Stepney
Cleveland Eaton
Morris Jennings
soul-jazz
Chicago
Chess Records
Cadet Records
Phil Upchurch
Charles Stepney
vibraphone
Cleveland Eaton
Morris Jennings
Johnny Griffith
Donny Hathaway
Dorothy Ashby
Woody Herman
Marlena Shaw
Rotary Connection
Cadet Concept
cover versions
funk
psychedelia
Berklee College of Music

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