Deep Soul
tagStarted 1963Peak 1966-1972Last big hit 1973From US South, United States
Located in 1 route
The most intense, slow-burning extreme of Southern soul: anguished, sermon-like lead vocals pushed to breaking, sparse churchy arrangements, gospel chords and quivering Hammond organ. Lyrics confront infidelity, guilt and longing head-on. Tortured, naked, ballad-heavy and emotionally devastating, built for catharsis.
History
Crystallized at Goldwax, Stax and Muscle Shoals studios in the mid-1960s, where writers Dan Penn and Chips Moman penned anguished standards. James Carr's 1967 'The Dark End of the Street' became its defining record. Critic Dave Marsh and writer Barney Hoskyns popularized 'deep soul' to name this raw, gospel-grounded vocal tradition.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- The Dark End of the Street — James CarrSpotifyYouTube
- That's How Strong My Love Is — O.V. WrightSpotifyYouTube
- When a Man Loves a Woman — Percy SledgeSpotifyYouTube
- I've Been Loving You Too Long — Otis ReddingSpotifyYouTube
- Cry to Me — Solomon BurkeSpotifyYouTube
- Do Right Woman, Do Right Man — Aretha FranklinSpotifyYouTube
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_End_of_the_Street
- https://memphismusichalloffame.com/inductee/jamescarr/
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-carr-mn0000093911
- https://www.britannica.com/art/soul-music