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black bloggers on isaac hayes, by the time i get to phoenix, do your thing, isaac hayes, isaac hayes death, isaac hayes music, issac hayes tribute, it's all in the game, list of artists that sample isaac hayes music, never can say goodbye, remembering isaac hayes, walk on by
by vivrant thang on isaac hayes death
My heart is heavy people.
As I’ve traveled through the black blogosphere this weekend, I see that I’m not alone. Check out Afrobella’s beautiful tribute. Harlem nearly brought me to tears with his poetic, moving piece over at Soul Bounce.
I tell you, there is surely a good show going on up there right about now. Isaac and Bernie on one stage. Doesn’t get much better than that.
I regret that I haven’t spent more time with his music or studying up on his legendary career like I have Luther or Stevie for example. In my travels, here’s a few things that I found most interesting:
- Hayes’ work with Sam & Dave, Otis Redding, Booker T & the MG’s, the Mar-Keys, theBar-Kays, Rufus & Carla Thomas, and virtually the entire Stax roster created what was known as the “Memphis Sound.” It transformed popular music, was absorbed by everyone from Elvis Presley and Ray Charles to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
- His album To Be Continued featured the original version of “Ike’s Rap,” a decade before Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”
- Shaft was the first album in history by a solo black artist to hit #1 on both the Pop and R&B chart (14 weeks, making it the #3 R&B album of the entire decade of the ’70s). At the Academy Awards, he became the first Black composer to win the Oscar for Best Musical Score. In addition to garnering three Grammy awards, the music from Shaft won a Golden Globe award, the NAACP Image Award, and the prestigious Edison award, Europe’s highest music honor.
- The album Joy; included “I Love You That’s All,” which became a sampler’s delight for everyone from TLC to Eric B. & Rakim and Big Daddy Kane. In the last decade or so, Hayes’ work has
gone on to be sampled nearly 200 times on recordings by artists including Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Biggie, Tupac, Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Ashanti, Wu-Tang, Pete Rock, Ludacris, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Ice Cube, and Destiny’s Child. (update: I am so grateful that Kevin Nottingham has composed an extremely thorough list of artists/songs that sampled his music. Check that out). - Hayes has been a coronated King of the Ada coastal district of Ghana in western Africa since 1992 – where he is a member of the Royal Family.
At the time of his death, Isaac had just wrapped a film with the late Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson called “Soul Men.” He will play himself. We need to make that #1 at the box office for several reasons. Period.
I’m a huge fan of Blaxploitation era films so Shaft is one of my favorite movie soundtracks of all time. However, there are a few other songs that I’d like to share that have touched me over the years.
Once when an ex was trying to get back in my good graces, he created a mix that included this song. It almost worked. Isaac’s sensual baritone was very compelling.
It’s All In The Game
Here’s some other “hot buttered soul” from “Black Moses” that I love.
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Walk On By (live performance; his rendition gives me chills)
Never Can Say Goodbye
Do Your Thing (I can dig it!)
The Look of Love (live performance)
After I heard the news today, I sat in the park listening to the radio tribute – with people calling in to the station all saying the same thing. “Too soon” and “Tomorrow is not promised.” I’ve lost most of my immediate family, including my Daddy, so I know all too well how fleeting this life can be.
As the second half of this year moves rapidly on by, I am pledging to stay focused on the things that make me happy and continuing to remove the things that are not. I don’t know how much time I have left here but I’m going to make the most of it. I’ve been wasting a lot of time not pursuing what’s truly important to me and that has to change. Isaac had been singing since he was five and stopped when his voice cracked. When he picked up that mic again, he even taught himself several instruments to boot. The rest is history. There’s a lesson there for all of us.
Let’s celebrate Isaac Hayes today for all the beautiful music he gave us and all the harmonies he’s going to create up there with some of the greats that are are no longer with us. Share some of your favorite “hot buttered soul” in the comments.
I hope to come across some musical tributes from some of the black blogosphere’s talented podcasters over the next few days and I’ll be sure to link them here.
Update: Here are the mixes as promised:
- DJ Parler: Samplology: Isaac Hayes Chapter (features Isaac’s music along with the artists that were inspired by it)
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 
Hello there!
It is a shame that Isaac Hayes has passed away…and a day after black people all over the world were just bracing themselves after hearing about the passing of Bernie McCullough…
At the height of his career, Isaac Hayes represented a different type of black masculinity. He had a lot of mystery about him. Many women found him to be extremely sexy, although he was not the “all-American pretty boy type”…
I pray that he is resting with God. He was a legend who did not make his people ashamed with any scandals….
Peace, blessings and DUNAMIS!
Lisa
*** Please feel welcome to stop by my blog any time and jump into some deep conversations!!
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I knew I’d come here this morning and you would have the crib decked out in Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac’s remembrance, like no other blog. I expect that kind of excellence from you. LOL.
The song Walk On By, I love that song til death. So mesmerizing and rhythmic. I hate that both men’s time here on Earth has passed, but as you stated, it’s a celebration of Life. And these two brothers enjoyed their life to the fullest. They will be missed. Rest In Peace.
I’m still trying to boycott this because I don’t want to deal with it.
What I’ll have to do is watch his triumphant scene in Wattstax to begin the acceptance process.
I was recently offered an opportunity that I felt was beyond my skill level and I wanted to turn it down out of fear that I will fail. The message in this blog is that I can’t go out like that so I’m going to try my best and embrace the possibilities.
Isaac Hayes is one of the reasons that I am proud to say I’m from Memphis… He was a real role model and an example of what being proud of your heritage meant. We will definitely miss the music. Marvalus placed a quote on her blog from Mark Twain on Sunday that included the words “Dance like no one is watching” and after this weekend I’m definitely making that commitment to myself and God…
Such a beautiful tribute, V…I used to listen to those Isaac Hayes records at my momma’s house, not fully understanding then. But I do now, and I’m thankful that she opened my ears to some of the best music I’ve ever heard.
One of my musical heroes has passed on. R.I.P. Isaac Hayes.
My mother was a big fan of his version of “I Stand Accused.” To this day, when he starts his rap at the beginning of the song, I smile and think of my mother. Yet as I grew older, I began to really appreciate what the words really meant.
Of course, “Theme From Shaft” is one of my favorite all-time songs. Someday, when I get as good as you in this blogging thing, I’ll list my top fifty (though, like yours, it will end up being nine hundred strong.
Some of my other favorites include:
The Shaft Soundtrack (especially the theme and Cafe Regio’s)
Walk On By
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
The Black Moses album
Great Tribute, Viv.
@lisa – indeed, he was the epitome of coolness and positivity. that will be missed. thanks for stopping by.
@don – I had to do it. When I heard the news, I was driving and it was reminiscent of Luther because I had to pull over to the side of the road to call my Momma. Walk On By gives me chills. Seriously. So I feel you on you loving that song to death.
@stylus – I know, Stylus, I know. 😦
I’m glad the post spoke to you about that. As for the opportunity, without even knowing what it is, I know you should go for it. You don’t know if you’re going to fail until you try and think about how many successes came through failure. As cliche as it is, it ain’t nothing but the truth. Besides, I don’t know about the others but I’m not kidding when I say I want to be like you when I grow up 🙂 Yes you CAN!
@sabrina – I’m glad you commented on this, being from Memphis.
@marvalus – so many people have mentioned how he was one of their parents’ favorite artists and that they passed the love of his music on down. that’s big. when i talked to my mother i asked her what her favorite song was.
@tws- I Stand Accused was in fact another great one. Again, what I’m loving about these Isaac rememberances is how the music makes people think of their parents and the 8 tracks and records they would spin.
Come on now! LOL! Get to work on that top fifty. It’s going to be painful and you’ll have some regrets but it’s ultimately satisfying to be able to go and see in one place the songs that have meant the most to you. I still need to add to it so it will be well over 1000 by the time I’m done.
Two great losses in one weekend. May they rest in peace.
P.S. The food at his restaurant was good as hell.
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@ph – Re his food: That’s an important point to make!