By Severin
This week, a minimalist write-up (for an overstuffed A-list), as I am still rather under the weather, but I will say that:
The Soul Stirrers were formed in 1926, lasted for over eighty years with many members passing through, including Lou Rawls and Johnny Taylor, and their song here features a young Sam Cooke.
Hedningama are singing to the old Finnish god, Ukkonen, asking him to: “Stir the stalwart male and rouse him, raise the lust for love.”
South African Zulu vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo became well known in the USA and Europe in 1986 after they appeared on Paul Simon's Graceland, but since then became very firmly established across the globe in their own right. The nominator described their “selfless spirit and soaring vocals”.
Jesus and Mary Chain's reference to “her way of praying” is not what most of us would recognise but all interpretations welcome here.
Otis Redding is missing his lover and (in fantastic form vocally as ever) is sending out a prayer to her to come back to him.
Moddi's cover of Pussy Riot's Punk Prayer is a sublime performance and his/their request to Holy Mary to drive Putin away is, sadly still relevant today.
Great harmonies from The Mighty Diamonds and their prayer to Jah. One of two on the Jah list this week.
Spanish flamenco singer Sandra Carrasco's song title translates as “I ask the heavens”. The music itself is haunting and ethereal at first, but builds throughout its six or so minutes to become something more rousing.
The Staple Singers’ great gospel recording dates from 1967 and urges a child to carry on praying whether other people fall by the wayside or not.
Weather Prophets aren't going that far. Walking sadly along the harbour, Peter Astor’s heart “grows heavy as a stone” and he almost prays but that seems to be it.
The second reggae song and another prayer to Jah. This one from Jay Tees. As mentioned by pepejeine, this is from the early eighties but has a classic reggae Studio One sound that makes it seem much earlier.
And next, a second prayer to the “Mother of God”. This one of a very different type. John Tavener is, of course, one of Britain's greatest composers and this is quite beautiful.
Can't beat the O’Jays on Soul Train, performing a Gamble and Huff gospel banger. Putting their hands together to pray rather than to clap. Or possibly both.
Madonna with what I'm always told was her most controversial song and video. There are an awful lot of songs that blend love or sex with religion. And I seem to have picked three of them.
Souad Massi is an Algerian Berber singer and her song tells of betrayal and heartache. The prayer to get through this is in the chorus. “Lord, put your hand on my heart, take me out of this darkness and this wandering, the oppressed are serene with you/ Their rights are upheld in the face of injustice.”
Psalm from John Coltrane's A Love Supreme is purely instrumental but he did write out his own prayer or psalm which he “plays” through his music. The words appear on the video.
Invocatory A-List Playlist:
Soul Stirrers – Praying Ground (Nicko)
Hedningarna - Pornopolka (Traktor Albatrost)
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Hear Our Prayer (IsabelleForshaw)
Jesus and Mary Chain – Her Way of Praying (happyclapper)
Otis Redding – My Lover's Prayer (magicman)
Moddi – Punk Prayer (barbryn)
The Mighty Diamonds – Pray Unto Thee (Nicko)
Sandra Carrasco - Le pregunté yo a los cielos (Maki)
Staple Singers – Pray On (Fred Erickson)
Weather Prophets – Almost Prayed (vanwolf2)
Jay Tees – A Prayer to Jah (pejepeine)
John Tavener – Mother of God, Here I Stand (magicman)
The O'Jays – Put Your Hands Together (Nicko)
Madonna – Like a Prayer (barbryn)
Souad Massi – Oumniya (untergunther)
John Coltrane Quartet – A Love Supreme: 4th Movement (Psalm) (Nilpferd)
Benedictory B-List Playlist:
Leonard Cohen – Who By Fire (ParaMhor)
JS Bach (sung by Maria Callas) – Ave Maria (Loud Atlas)
Mahalia Jackson – Just a Closer Walk With Thee (Marconius7)
Dionne Warwick – I Say a little Prayer (SweetHomeAlabama)
Velvet Underground – Jesus (Tarquin Spodd)
Ray Charles – Sinner's Prayer (magicman)
Tess Parks – Do You Pray? (vanwolf)
Michael Rose – Pray (Nicko)
Kokia - Thank You For the Beautiful World of Music That Resembles Prayer (ajostu)
Sweet Honey In the Rock – Prayer to the One (Marconius7)
Charles Mingus – Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting (BanazirGalbazi)
David Bowie – Word On a Wing (AltraEgo)
Guru’s Wildcard Picks:
Teardrops – A Prayer
Mammut – Pray For Air
Joni Mitchell – The Same Situation
Souad Massi
These playlists were inspired by readers' song nominations in response to last week's topic: Dear God! It's songs about prayers and praying … The next topic will launch on Thursday at around 1pm UK time.
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