Soul Ballad
tagStarted 1962Peak 1965-1975Last big hit still active
Located in 3 routes
The slow, emotionally maximal heart of classic soul: aching, melismatic lead vocals over swelling strings or churchy organ, a crawling 12/8 'soul waltz' beat, restrained horns and dramatic dynamic builds. Devotion, heartbreak and pleading delivered with full-throated, sermon-like intensity. Made for the last dance.
History
Descended from gospel-derived slow R&B and crooners like Jackie Wilson, the soul ballad matured at Stax, Atlantic and Chicago in the 1960s as singers stretched out over orchestral arrangements. Otis Redding's 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' and Percy Sledge's 'When a Man Loves a Woman' set the template that carried through the 1970s.
Defining artists
Essential listening
- I've Been Loving You Too Long — Otis ReddingSpotifyYouTube
- When a Man Loves a Woman — Percy SledgeSpotifyYouTube
- (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman — Aretha FranklinSpotifyYouTube
- Bring It On Home to Me — Sam CookeSpotifyYouTube
- Only the Strong Survive — Jerry ButlerSpotifyYouTube
- Rainy Night in Georgia — Brook BentonSpotifyYouTube
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_music
- https://www.allmusic.com/style/soul-ma0000002748
- https://www.britannica.com/art/soul-music
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_a_Man_Loves_a_Woman_(song)