3/12 & 3/19/2010 – Pickett Vs. Burke: Battle Of The Soul Titans!
Posted: March 12th, 2010 | Author: Matt The Cat | Filed under: R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: Friday Night Cat Fight, If You Need Me, Matt The Cat, Podcast, rhythm & blues, Rock & Roll | 8 Comments »Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show
“If You Need Me”
The soul classic “If You Need Me” was co-written by a young Wilson Pickett who had just recently left The Falcons. He sent a demo of the song to Atlantic in NY hoping to score a record deal. In a devastating blow, Atlantic gave the song to the already established Solomon Burke. Our friend, the legendary Lloyd Price stops in with some background information about this soul rumble. Both versions battled on the charts in 1963 and now both versions battle on The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show. But that’s not all. Soul titans Wilson Pickett and Solomon Burke battle it out over 2 different Cat Fights this week. The 2nd one is over Solomon’s song, “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love.”
This week’s show also contains the evolution of a Buddy Holly classic, the musical inspirations of Frank Guida AND some Top 40 radio chaos. So listen, vote and dig The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show.
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If You Need Me !! I do Matt I do Matt but on the radio nothing else !! Im going with the Wicked Wilson Pickett because he is Soul and he gets down like no one else but James Brown or Jackie Wilson !! Matt dont let the green grass fool you !! Yum Yum
I voted for Wilson Pickett, but it was really close for me on both songs and I can’t even articulate exactly what I liked better about WP’s approach on these two. Both guys are great. I just feel like Solomon Burke deserves better than he’s pulled here so far (down about 2:1 on both songs at this posting).
I voted for Solomon on “If you need me” and Wilson on “Everybody needs somebody to love” I love both of these performers so it was tough to decide. Love the longer shows Matt, thank you so much.
Got to hear the rest of the show… very enjoyable! Great stuff there.
You think maybe Dave Clark and Mick Smith of the Dave Clark Five had heard Kenny Dino’s 1961 stomper “Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last Night” which got to #24 US Billboard Hot 100 before DC5 cut “Bits and Pieces” in 1964 which went to #2 UK, #4 US? I think so. No match on the lyrics theme, really, but reminiscent stomper style and chord progression.
I really appreciate the playlist and links to buy in the newsletter email, available for those who don’t get it by signing up for free subscription at the bottom of the page here: https://www.mattthecat.com/
Thanks, Matt!
Tough call tonight. I went with the writer in both cases. It kind of points out what a great producer Jerry Wexler was as well.
Music was a cut-throat business back then.
I voted for Wilson Pickett both times but again these were close calls. IMO all 4 records were great!
Billy & the Essentials are one of my favorites. Thanks for playing a great song. I have always wondered about a Cat Fight over Maybe You’ll Be There. Lee Andrews & The Hearts vs. Billy & the Essentials.
Once again, thanks for taking the time to do an hour show. Our family really enjoys the features like the progressions of Peggy Sue Got Married & Quarter To Three. You just don’t hear informative programming like that on the radio anymore.
MTC,
Thank you for taking the time putting together another great show. The inside info from Lloyd Price was enlightening. The different versions of the Buddy Holly songs could have all been successes. The evolution of Gary Bonds’ “Quarter to Three” told the story behind the song. As far as Billy Carlucci and the Essentials, that was one of my favorite all time tunes. Thank you again for giving us your time, effort and knowledge each week. It’s sad rest of the country is not exposed to your work like it used to be. My vote was split this week, King Solomon for the first song and Wilson for ” Everybody needs someone to love”.
Went with Wilson on the first and Solomon on the second – thought they both sounded most soulful.