Spencer Davis, Stevie Winwood and Jackie Edwards: Fodder, (Paper) Sun and wholly ghost-ly
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Artist:
A track came up on the iPod the other day which, as usual, gave me an adrenaline boost but also set me to wondering: is this a classic old song covered by a million bands, probably first done by some soul group, then recast by the Brits? It sure sounded like it. Have a listen:When I researched the song, it seems that it was ONLY recorded by the Spencer Davis Group,
which increased my curiousity.Stepping back a moment for the chronologically disadvantaged, Stevie Winwood 
got his start as a 16-year old wunderkind in The Spencer Davis Group, whose biggest hits include "I'm A Man", "Keep On Running" and "Gimme Some Lovin'", all of whom ran hot on the engine of Stevie's vocals and instrumental talents on keyboards and guitar. Frankly, the rest of the band were just journeymen along for the ride, including the titular Spencer Davis. Steve went on to form the successful group Traffic, then resurfaced again in the 1980s with a solo career. Ok, history lesson over.Where did this track come from? It turns out that it was written by a now-obscure man called Jackie Edwards, along with Steve Winwood. Not only that, Jackie also wrote the band's singles "Keep On Running" and "Somebody Help Me". So who is Jackie Edwards? Some British 60s tunesmith, sipping tea next to Ray Davies? Nope, try a black Jamaican.
From AllMusic.com:"Jackie Edwards has been called the Nat King Cole of Jamaica, and in many ways it is an apt description for this smooth and versatile singer, who was also a gifted songwriter. Born Wilfred Gerald Edwards in 1938, he was a star on the island by the late 1950s, when he was discovered by future Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who persuaded Edwards to relocate to the U.K. in 1962. Edwards had a huge talent, and although some critics have dismissed him as too smooth and sentimental (he was the original "cool ruler"), he recorded solid material in all of Jamaica's evolving musical modes, including ska, rocksteady, roots and lovers rock (a style for which his approach was clearly a prototype), but also made contributions in straight pop styles, even recording a marvelous gospel album. His "Get Up" formed the compositional base for The Clash's "Revolution Rock." When Blackwell began steering his Island imprint more in the direction of rock in 1972, Edwards returned to Jamaica, where he recorded what is arguably his best work with producer Bunny Lee, who paired him with The Aggrovators. Somewhat forgotten today, possibly because he was more main-stream than the typical dreaded-out Jamaican singers of his era, Edwards was as versatile a performer (and as good a songwriter) as the island ever produced. He died on August 15, 1992 of a heart attack."So, now I'm very curious to hear some more of Jackie's music. Surely there are Moggers out there who know his output and could post a track or two? I'm counting on you.
which increased my curiousity.Stepping back a moment for the chronologically disadvantaged, Stevie Winwood got his start as a 16-year old wunderkind in The Spencer Davis Group, whose biggest hits include "I'm A Man", "Keep On Running" and "Gimme Some Lovin'", all of whom ran hot on the engine of Stevie's vocals and instrumental talents on keyboards and guitar. Frankly, the rest of the band were just journeymen along for the ride, including the titular Spencer Davis. Steve went on to form the successful group Traffic, then resurfaced again in the 1980s with a solo career. Ok, history lesson over.Where did this track come from? It turns out that it was written by a now-obscure man called Jackie Edwards, along with Steve Winwood. Not only that, Jackie also wrote the band's singles "Keep On Running" and "Somebody Help Me". So who is Jackie Edwards? Some British 60s tunesmith, sipping tea next to Ray Davies? Nope, try a black Jamaican.From AllMusic.com:"Jackie Edwards has been called the Nat King Cole of Jamaica, and in many ways it is an apt description for this smooth and versatile singer, who was also a gifted songwriter. Born Wilfred Gerald Edwards in 1938, he was a star on the island by the late 1950s, when he was discovered by future Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who persuaded Edwards to relocate to the U.K. in 1962. Edwards had a huge talent, and although some critics have dismissed him as too smooth and sentimental (he was the original "cool ruler"), he recorded solid material in all of Jamaica's evolving musical modes, including ska, rocksteady, roots and lovers rock (a style for which his approach was clearly a prototype), but also made contributions in straight pop styles, even recording a marvelous gospel album. His "Get Up" formed the compositional base for The Clash's "Revolution Rock." When Blackwell began steering his Island imprint more in the direction of rock in 1972, Edwards returned to Jamaica, where he recorded what is arguably his best work with producer Bunny Lee, who paired him with The Aggrovators. Somewhat forgotten today, possibly because he was more main-stream than the typical dreaded-out Jamaican singers of his era, Edwards was as versatile a performer (and as good a songwriter) as the island ever produced. He died on August 15, 1992 of a heart attack."So, now I'm very curious to hear some more of Jackie's music. Surely there are Moggers out there who know his output and could post a track or two? I'm counting on you.
Locating MOG account...
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