Did Jewish Brill writers prefer Black singers?
Moderator: mark
Did Jewish Brill writers prefer Black singers?
We know about Bacharachs obsession with Dionne Warwick, Lieber/Stoller affinity towards The Exciters and Drifters/Ben King. Carole King/Goffin with Little Eva and The Shirelles, and the drifters as well. Of course many writers did write with white singers as well but it seemed black singers got the best songs and often got to record them first. Was this mere coincidence? Were they making a statement? Or did they just prefer those particular singers? Or prefer the way black artists interpet songs? Ive never really heard much commentary on this subject and would like to hear from people who lived thru the era what there take is on it. Thanks.
Last edited by geoff85 on Wed May 07, 2014 6:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Did Jewish Brill writers prefer Black singers?
Interesting question. I will eagerly await the response of those who lived during those times.
However, I do have one theory, as least as it relates to Bacharach/David. For them, I think it was strictly about trying to capture a particular sound. They were going for a certain sophisticated soul sound, and they felt that black singers were key in getting that sound. In his book, Burt talks in explicitly racial terms, saying how he would have the black background singers on the low parts, and a group of white girl singers on the high parts, to lighten things up. He could have easily said the same thing with race-neutral language (surely black girls can sing high too!), but he didn't. His understanding was that black voices brought soul, and white voices brought levity. And let's not forget that many of Burt's musical heroes were black, so maybe he was trying to capture that "hip" sound that was authentic to black culture. Hal has often said that Dionne brought soul to their music, and that is one of the reasons that he preferred her interpretations to all others. So, I think it all comes back to the sound that they were trying to achieve, not a political statement.
However, I do have one theory, as least as it relates to Bacharach/David. For them, I think it was strictly about trying to capture a particular sound. They were going for a certain sophisticated soul sound, and they felt that black singers were key in getting that sound. In his book, Burt talks in explicitly racial terms, saying how he would have the black background singers on the low parts, and a group of white girl singers on the high parts, to lighten things up. He could have easily said the same thing with race-neutral language (surely black girls can sing high too!), but he didn't. His understanding was that black voices brought soul, and white voices brought levity. And let's not forget that many of Burt's musical heroes were black, so maybe he was trying to capture that "hip" sound that was authentic to black culture. Hal has often said that Dionne brought soul to their music, and that is one of the reasons that he preferred her interpretations to all others. So, I think it all comes back to the sound that they were trying to achieve, not a political statement.
Re: Did Jewish Brill writers prefer Black singers?
This is the theory I most subscribe to as well. With all the racism in society(even in the north back then) there must have been a reason why songwriters choose to use African American singers who were well in the minority in numbers and were being discriminated against in almost every aspect of life. They must have truly felt Black singers were adding something special to their songs.face wrote:Interesting question. I will eagerly await the response of those who lived during those times.
However, I do have one theory, as least as it relates to Bacharach/David. For them, I think it was strictly about trying to capture a particular sound. They were going for a certain sophisticated soul sound, and they felt that black singers were key in getting that sound. In his book, Burt talks in explicitly racial terms, saying how he would have the black background singers on the low parts, and a group of white girl singers on the high parts, to lighten things up. He could have easily said the same thing with race-neutral language (surely black girls can sing high too!), but he didn't. His understanding was that black voices brought soul, and white voices brought levity. And let's not forget that many of Burt's musical heroes were black, so maybe he was trying to capture that "hip" sound that was authentic to black culture. Hal has often said that Dionne brought soul to their music, and that is one of the reasons that he preferred her interpretations to all others. So, I think it all comes back to the sound that they were trying to achieve, not a political statement.
I have never heard of Burt breaking things down that frankly in terms of singers parts by race. Interesting. Cant argue with the results he got though.
Re: Did Jewish Brill writers prefer Black singers?
Jerry Leiber said that he was often overcome with emotion hearing Brenda of The Exciters sing his songs. After listening to alot of their songs I think they may be my favorite old school girl group even over Supremes but maybe a notch below Fifth Dimension if you consider them a girl group. If I was a teenager back in the sixties this would have been my jam. I love the Frankie Lymon quality to Brendas voice.
this is probably the sound they were trying to avoid.
this is probably the sound they were trying to avoid.