ISLEY BROS Career spans 4 decades. What great voices. Ronald's lead vocals are
sweet, soulful and sexy, with mighty power and cool control. The others
are always spot on, great harmonies and call and response improvising.
One bro, (O'Kelly) seemingly had the job of doing these wonderful high
pitched "WHOOOOOO"s every now and then.
The 50s stuff was gospelly soul twist music. they could put soul
into anything, even "Old Macdonalds Farm".
In the early 60s their guitarist was a young Jimi Hendrix.
After a spell with Motown, which wasn't their natural sound, they formed
their own label and did some ultra funky, hot steamy soul. "Pop That Thang",
for instance, just oozes sex, with a grinding rhythm, guitar spasms, and
lyrics like
"Pop that thang, bang bang bang
Pop that thang, bang bang bang.
Ting a ling a ling, hook it on up
Now get on down and do your stuff.
Hitch up to my wagon, n' get ready to roll,
Don't get on board if you can't carry the load.
If my balloon goes down, fill it up with wind
Look at that rooster running after that hen...."
In the 70s they got more of a rock - funk feel, due in no small part
to Ernie's Hendrix influenced guitar work.
They used to wear these really flashy, sequinned clothes on the covers,
and it was kinda funny watching them get older, fatter and greyer, squeezing
themselves into the tight outfits. There's even one cover where Rudolf
has a walking stick; immaculately studded and shaped, of course.
Essential "Soul Shout", "Isleys Greatest Hits", and Live it Up" l.p.s.