The Wild Reed: Celebrating the Proverbial “Soulman”

Something very special this evening. . . . It’s the music video for Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri’s wistful “Sidesteppin’ (With A Soulman),” one of a number of standout tracks from their 2013 album, A Place Where I Can Go.

Reviewer Brian Penn writes that “Sidesteppin’ (With A Soulman)” is a “moving tribute to the late Jimmy Ruffin” (right).

As you’ll see, the music video also pays tribute to a number of other great male “soul” singers, including Marvin Gaye (above), Stevie Wonder, and Daryl Hall & John Oates.

What does it take to let your guard down
Contemplate there is something good around
A sweet union in a wave of sound
Inspiration from a higher ground

Nothing compares to when the sparks fly
Your something in the universe
And your light still shines
in the music and the words

I’m side steppin’ with a soulman, a soulman
Hips swaying to the oldest dance around,
with a soulman . . .

About the phenomenal Kiki Dee, Brian Penn writes:

Where do I start a review for the Queen of British Rhythm ‘n’ Blues? Kiki won her first recording contract in 1963 but, inexplicably, a run of singles missed out on the charts. She later became the first British artist ever signed to Tamla Motown. An album called Great Expectations followed but still no commercial success for Kiki. Elton John saw her potential and signed her to his Rocket label in the mid ’70s. This proved to be her most fruitful period in the charts, duetting with Elton on “Don’t Go Breaking my Heart,” a chart topper in the UK and US. Solo she hit with “Amoureuse” and “I’ve Got the Music In Me,” both cracking the Top 20. Following starring roles in the West End [most notably in Blood Brothers], Kiki teamed up with Carmelo Luggeri in the ’90s, producing three albums [The Walk of Faith, Where Rivers Meet, and A Place Where I Can Go] and a highly respected live show.

The Wild Reed

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

Celebrating the Proverbial “Soulman”

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