The Robinson Caruso Organization

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – “You’re All I Need To Get By”

jamesrone612 — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:48:29 +0000

Nick Ashford wrote this song with Valerie Simpson in 1968, and they both sung backup it. It’s one of my favorite songs ever. I just can’t get over how beautiful it is. Nick Ashford died on Monday. He was 70 years old.

And here’s Aretha’s version of it. Not as good, but different.

The Delfonics – “When You Get Right Down To It”

jamesrone612 — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:24:00 +0000

If you’re in the mood for Philly soul, chances are there’s a lady in your life. I really can’t imagine the need for this kind of audio velvet if you’re spending your evenings in with a bag of Bugles, a 2 liter of Diet Ginger Ale and a DVD copy of This Is…Spinal Tap. I can only really listen to one Delfonics song at a time – a whole album can have a smothering effect – but this is usually the one I pick. Keep your eyes out for The Mad Men of Soul…Part Two!

Sly and the Family Stone – “If You Want Me To Stay”

jamesrone612 — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:16:32 +0000

Sly was starting to crack up a little by the time Fresh came out, but it’s still a solid record of minimalist funk – I love that this bass line is front and center. Probably my favorite Sly song, if I’m forced to choose. Oh, and we have a new gig on the show calendar!

The RCO Returns to Honey!

jamesrone612 — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:02:53 +0000

After a brief hiatus, the Robinson Caruso Organization is back at Honey on Monday, July 11 from 9-10pm. Here’s a picture to remind you what that looks like. Sheena is looking all coy in this one.

A Monday night show? Sure. Why not? We’re trying something new. It’s a $3 cover, and you’ll be in in bed in time to look feel like a responsible, day-jobbing Midwesterner (if that’s your thing). Wanna know more? Here’s the Facebook Event Page.

The Rance Allen Group – “Ain’t No Need Of Crying”

jamesrone612 — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 03:50:13 +0000

Rance Allen is a preacher and a gospel artist who recorded for a few labels throughout his career, but they were with Stax when they did this one. I’m a sucker for this sound, which is why I’m such a giant Donny Hathaway fan. Here’s a lovely tune for warm rainy days during the summer.

And it’s “Ain’t No Need Of Crying”, not “Ain’t No Need In Crying.”

Sam Cooke – “Sugar Dumpling”

jamesrone612 — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:48:36 +0000

This song makes me think of summer. It’s always a shame when a song you love bears the ugly mark of the misogyny of the early 1960′s, but it makes the song valuable as a cultural signifier as well as a damn catchy piece of songwriting. I love that organ, and I love the rhythm…although I can’t imagine what he intends to do with “seven different kinds of meat.”

Roberta Flack – “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”

jamesrone612 — Fri, 20 May 2011 14:50:46 +0000

I had a big, big Roberta Flack thing in college. I used to DJ a soul music radio show on KCOU Columbia, and when I tabulated whose music I had played the most on that show (Why did I do that? Because I am male and I listen to a lot of music.), Roberta Flack was number two, right after Stevie Wonder. An unlikely statistic, I guess, but I’ve always loved her voice, her songs, and her patience as a performer. There’s no frills on Roberta, ever. Her showmanship comes from being completely present, not from trying to whip up the crowd into a fervor. It’s not better, it’s not worse, it’s just another flavor of ice cream. Here’s one of her most famous tunes from the exceptional First Take, which has some of the most pretentious liner notes ever.

The Jacksons – Can You Feel It?

jamesrone612 — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 23:53:23 +0000

…well? Can you? It’s mind-blowing to me that this song was recorded and released after Michael went solo. He was already one of the biggest stars in the world, and he decided to make another record with his less talented and weirdly perma-smiling family. I’m pretty sure they made another one after this as well. The music on Triumph and Destiny is unimpeachable, though. Super-duper tight corporate R&B. Can’t stay mad at that.

365 Twin Cities Gives the RCO Some Shine!

jamesrone612 — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:22:26 +0000

Check it out!

Demo: “Bad Side”

jamesrone612 — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:56:26 +0000

Here’s a new tune. I’ve been working on this one for a few weeks, although the skeleton of it has been in place from the start. I’m pretty pleased with it, although the home recording, as always, leaves plenty to be desired. In particular, the ad lib vocal over the final refrain is rough and raw, but I figured that I might like that later. I just did it a few moments ago, so time will tell. But isn’t this what the internet is for? Sharing things with people before you’re really ready to?