News & Upcoming Events
Friday, May 31.....Rockin' For our Warriors Show....Cannstatter's Ballroom, 9130 Academy Rd. Philadelphia, Pa.
Saturday, June 1 VetRock 2013
Bader Field, Atlantic City
www.WiserCharitable.org for Tickets and info
Soul Survivors CD Heart Full Of Soul available now on iTunes and Amazon.com
Review of Heart Full of Soul on Amazon.com
Still on the expressway to greatness!, May 12, 2012
This review is from: Heart Full Of Soul (Audio CD)
If you ever wondered what happened to the group that had the monster soul and pop hit "Expressway to Your Heart" in 1967, here is your answer. Forty-two years later, they (Soul Survivors) have proven to be exactly what their name literally means. They expertly guide us through a ten-song tour of soul gems from 1955 to 1970, with the median year being 1966, one year prior to their own unforgettable smash. The Brothers Ingui sound fresh and strong, whether taking the lead vocal role or in close soul harmony. The arrangements hew tightly to the original versions, as they had better (!), given their classic nature. Are these covers as good as, or better than the originals? The latter would be asking too much, but "nearly as good as" is a fairly realistic assessment. Let me put it this way: If I didn't know the originals, I would love these renditions and want to have them. In any event, I didn't get enough of the Soul Survivors in the sixties, so I am just glad to have the chance to hear them again now. The least well known of these songs, "Soulful Love," an Impressions "B" side from 1970, comes off as a beautiful tribute to its composer and lead singer, the late Curtis Mayfield. My other favorites here that I keep going back to are: "What Does It Take" (originally by Junior Walker & the All Stars/1969), "All I Need" (originally by the Temptations/1967), "Never Like This Before" (originally by William Bell/1966), and the immortal Johnny Ace ballad from 1955, "Pledging My Love." I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but the disc's running time is 27:30. Pretty short, but it leaves one wanting more. And I hope more is on the way from these guys. Great stuff!
The Soul Survivors, Charlie & Richie Ingui, were among the Philadelphia performers featured in the book; Philadelphia: City Of Music by author James Rosin
"Philadelphia City of Music" released May 2006,
by author Jim Rosin.
Philadephia Weekly Top 100
Review of Heart Full Of Soul CD in U.K. magazine In The Basement
Review of the re-issue pressing of The Soul Survivors -- When The Whistle Blows Anything Goes With The Soul Survivors . . Vampi-Soul Records.
Some of the best blue-eyed soul to come out of America during the late 60s -- a soaring batch of tunes from a combo that broke down borders wherever they went! The album's the first by the group -- and easily their best -- based around their biggest hit ever, "Expressway (To Your Heart)", one of those songs you've heard a million times, but which always grabs you when it hits the break in the chorus! There's none of the "fake soul" style vocals that rock acts in later years would try to pick up, and these guys instead play like they're just a Philly group, ready to mash it up at some tasty club gigs. The whole thing's great, and titles include "Do You Feel It", "Respect", "Hey Gyp", "The Rydle", and "Taboo-India". CD features 4 bonus tracks all written and arranged by Gamble & Huff -- including regular and extended versions of "Explosion In Your Soul", plus "Impossible Mission" and "Poor Man's Dream".
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