What does a music geek do on vacation? Hit as many record shops as possible and surf the Internet for new sounds.
The biggest surprise was finding, "Vanthology," a little-heard of Van Morrison tribute album released in 2003. The CD features an all-star line-up of Rhythm and Blues greats, including Muskegon Heights' own Bettye LaVette who tears into the Van classic, "Real Real Gone."
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The CD is both a celebration of Morrison's music and classic Soul.
As if that wasn't enough to make an R&B music lover celebrate into the wee hours of the morning, I also dived headfirst into, "Eccentric Soul: The Capsoul Label." The collection of obscure 1970s soul gems were reissued by Bloodshoot Records (Bloodshotrecords.com) in 2004.
The 19 songs included on the CD were culled from the vaults of the the Columbus-based, Capsoul record label that existed briefly (five years) during the early 1970s. But, what a productive, if unheralded existance it was.
Highlights include "I Want To Be Ready," by Kool Blues, which begins as a smooth, subdued ballad, but evolves into a gut-wrenching ode to lost love and the James Brown inspired, "Sock It To 'Em Soul Brother," by Bill Moss.
Each seasoned performer brings their own inimitable styles to the songs, in most instances successfully breathing new life into their new versions while remaining true to the originals.
Former Stax label recording artist William Bell tackles, "Have I Told You Lately." The choice seems appropriate enough, since Bell's classic ballad, "I Forgot To Be Your Lover," featured the opening lyric: "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?"
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Frederick Knight, who after a few minor R&B hits in the 60s, decided to focus on a career as a record producer and song writer, reaches deep into the well for a soulful, near spritual rendering of, "Into The Mystic."
Other highlights include, Otis Clay's cover of, "Warm Love." The late, fiery Blues guitarist Son Seals, delivers one of his most restrained recordings with his simmering version of "Queen Of The Slipstream."
Sir Mack Rice, a former member of The Falcons, delivers the foot-stomping, "Gloria."
As noted in the album liner notes, "no synths, drum machines or protools" were used when recording the album. The effort gives each performance a gritty, authentic sound, usually missing from today's over-produced R&B.
Other scorchers include The Four Mints, "Too Far Gone," and the awkwardly named "Johnson, Hawksons, Tatum & Durr's, "A World Without You," and "You Can't Blame Me."
But, don't take my word for it, check it out for yourselves.