#soul classics

It's a new dawn—it's a new day. It's a new life—for me and I'm feeling good! Nina Simone: Feeling Good (1965)

"Feeling Good" originated as a show tune written by English composers Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse in 1964 for their musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. It was first performed during the 1964 UK tour by Cy Grant before being famously recorded by Nina Simone in 1965. Key details regarding its origin:

Original Purpose: It was written for a British stage musical that later toured to Broadway in 1965.

Context: The song was designed to express euphoria and liberation.

Famous Renditions: While it originated in a musical, Nina Simone's 1965 version on her album I Put a Spell on You is considered the definitive version. It was later covered by artists like Michael Bublé in 2005.

Nina Simone was an American pianist, singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop.

The way the SPACE is filled on Luther Vandross’ song ‘I’ve Been Working’ off his first album Never Too Much...

It’s the the balance between Marcus Miller’s steady bass line that hums through you & the mellow guitar’s funky disco-esque chord progression throughout, neither one overpowering the other.

It’s the almost conversational call and response between the bass and Luther’s lead vocals during the chorus while that instigating 80s synth subtly provokes the musical discussion to keep going.

It’s also funny cos you’d think background vocalists are meant to be “blending and becoming one,” but you can hear Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston’s mom, standing out LOUD and clear on every track she’s on hahaha. She said, “Yall gon HEAR my ass!” Lol!

Hope y’all are having a good day so far. If not? Have some sonic joy.

This is a public service announcement…. ….. . With soul!