Very briefly: Following is a small collection of songs that are united by one simple theme — noteworthy spoken word introductions. Your job is to determine which of the introductions is the most noteworthy of all. Is it:
a) Stan Ivory (and his Omnificent Orchestra)’s smoove mooves in “Give Me the Real Thang”?
b) Millie Jackson threatening her lover’s wife with “a good A-kickin'” in “Leftovers”?
c) Jerry Washington extolling the virtues of pure, selfless love in “I Come A Long Ways”?
d.) Bobby Dixon making it crystal clear just… how… low… a… man… can… get… in “Woman, You Made Me”?
While you’re ranking these for spoken word excellence, set your mind thinking about other rock oratorical masterworks that strike your fancy. In the meantime, as always,
I look forward to your responses.
HVB
This is a fine, find Mini-Thrifty Music edition. I really like “I Come a Long Ways” and “Leftovers”, but Bobby Dixon’s “Woman, You Made Me” gets the nod as “most noteworthy” thanks to the guitar noodling that accompanies his intro.
“Only the Strong Survive” and “Patches” may be my favorite songs with spoken-word parts, and I’m always fascinated by Elvis’ spoken-word segment in “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” (or whatever the title is – GOT THAT BERLYANT [WHO’S GOT ONE MORE DAY TO SERVE ON HIS PINCE NEZ SUSPENSION]?:) Who but The King, I think to myself, could pull off off such a corny spoken-word piece? He says it like he means it, or at least means something. I find it disturbing in a good way, kind of like a good Sandy Dennis performance. She’s the Sandy D from Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, right? I would hate to be Pince Nezed over a Sandy Dennis/Sandy Duncan mixup. I know Mockcarr would kick my ass if that happened.
You’re right about the importance of that guitar noodling in “Woman, You Made Me” — I swear, it sounds like some greek dude with a bouzouki walked in off the street (or perhaps out of the gutter) and joined in the studio fun for a song or two. Or kind of like the weird, echo-saturated guitar music you hear in Vietnamese restaurants. Strange!
Townsman Rick, I really want to hear your thoughts on Stan Ivory and his Omnificent Orchestra. I for one *LOVE* that “Real Thang” song. And I gor-and-damn-TEE that you’ll never hear it anywhere else.
NOTE: Townsman Berlyant’s Pince Nez suspension has been served. Thank you.