Richie Havens (Jan 1941 – April 2013)

A beautiful voice and rare man.

 

Aretha Franklin

It’s the Queen of Soul’s birthday today, so here she is covering Stephen Stills’ Love The One You’re With, from Live at Fillmore West (1971), one of the great live soul recordings; edged out, arguably, only by Otis Redding’s Live in Europe (1967). Anyway…

Billie Holiday, 1958

“Somebody once said we never know what is enough until we know what’s more than enough” – Billie Holiday

(Photographed at the d’Orly airport, Paris, by Jean-Pierre Leloir)

Sandie Shaw – Sympathy For The Devil

It’s far, far better than you think it will be. A brilliant gem…

Stevie Wonder

I’m New Here, Gil Scott-Heron

Old. But gold.

Michael Kiwanuka – Lasan

London -based singer-songwriter, Michael Kiwanuka, sings Lasan, from his debut album Home Again.

(via Nowness)

Etta James – Only Women Bleed (Live)

Just stumbled across this live Etta James cover of Alice Cooper’s Only Women Bleed (1986).  Pained, unsentimental, raw. Gorgeous.

Nina Simone

“There’s no excuse for the young people not knowing who the heroes and heroines are or were” – Nina Simone