What is Soul Music? We know the legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Curits Mayfield and Marvin Gaye but really what is it? Can it be defined by a simple definition? In their words:
"Soul is the ability to make other people feel what you're feeling. It's hard to laugh when you want to cry. Some people can hide it. I can't, so when I sing, It doesn't come across fake."
The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, Newsweek, August 1967
"What is a soul? It's like electricity - we don't really know what it is, but it's a force that can light a room."
Ray Charles
"Painless preaching is as good a term as any for what we do."
Curtis Mayfield
"When I'm on stage, I'm trying to do one thing: bring people joy. Just like church does. People don't go to church to find trouble, they go there to lose it."
Godfather of Soul James Brown
"I sing about life."
Marvin Gaye
Conclusion: Soul Music is Secular testifying. It is the child of Gospel and Rhythm and Blues, born in the late 1950's. It is struggle put to music and it is still alive today.
Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved A Man
Ray Charles - Hallelujah I Love Her So
Curtis Mayfield - We The People Darker Than Blue
James Brown - Please, Please, Please
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On / What's Happening Brother
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