The Soul Movers

On The In Side

(Career)

Great taste is a terrific thing to have. And loving Southern-styled (vs. Motown, etc.) soul of the '60s'/70s is also a no-brainer. And every town should have, assuming that it is a place worth living, a band like the Soul Movers. It makes for a great night out. Real music performed in bars for real people with real beer.

However, that does not mean, hey go make a record, so that I can hear just how much you don’t sing with the force and authority of an Aretha Franklin or Betty Everett or even, if you will, a Janis Joplin. You’re cruisin' for a bruisin'.

Way back in the ‘60s the debate started about “can a white man/woman sing the blues?” I believe that there has been a lot of solid evidence since then, that the question borders on an academic silliness for any number of reasons. So, that is not where we are coming from. Unfortunately, while the band plays more than passably well and with the appropriate restraint and taste, the whole megillah falls to the lead vocals.

While frontwoman Lizzie Mack sings well, “well” isn’t close enough. To these ears, she sounds like a funky East Coast prep school girl. Nice diction, though.

Again, if they are playing at the local watering hole (probably more likely, if you live in Australia, by the way), then The Soul Movers would make for a great evening. On the other hand, if you are in soul mood, I would have to say that you are better served by spinning some old school sides on the Atlantic label.