Isly brothers – Giving it back – 1974

[Roland Bru]

The title refers to the fact that these are covers, by white performers, that are performed soulfully by the Isley brothers and friends. At first hearing, a soulful rendition of the famous protest song Ohio seems as silly as a gospel version of The Final Countdown by Europe. Ohio was sung originally by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, listen to a beautiful live version on Four way street. (It’s about ‘police brutality’ at Kent State University in 1970, resulting in four deaths, go read the book by James Michener about the events).

However, it’s done very tastefully with snippets of a prayer and a little bit Machine gun (Jimi Hendrix). After that, Fire and rain, originally by James Taylor, and Love the one you’re with (by Steven Stills) are a little disappointing, but the songs between those two are great, especially Lay lady lay. The sweet acoustic guitars, the funny bongos and that almost falsetto solo singing is heartbreaking. Spill the wine has a Caribbean feel, with the percussion and flute parts. Nothing to do but today is the most funky song, almost James Brown in ambition. Cold Bologna sounds like Cold baloney most of the time, but still fun with that funky bass part. Fun it is then, but hardly essential, I’m afraid.