The deep, gravelly voice of Barry White is unmistakable and "soul" is a more than appropriate genre label for what he could do behind the microphone. He was a force, of an intimidating size, but a gentle giant and a crooner when it came to his music, which has always brought a smile to my face.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Here's 7 of my favorites from Barry White.
Week 31: BARRY WHITE
#210/420 - Barry White, “Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe”
The list is officially halfway done, but hopefully you the reader are like Barry White and still can’t get enough because there are 210 more songs where that came from on my way to 30. This classic disco/soul/whoopee-makin’ song gloriously pervaded pop culture into the ‘90s and ‘00s when I was younger and was one I was familiar with from early on as a result. It’s Barry White’s most iconic song and one of his best as well.
I pretty much enjoy whenever this manages to pop up, whether it’s Whacking Day on "The Simpsons" or the end credits to Bruce Willis and Mos Def in 16 Blocks, it makes anything that much more magical and groovy.
And damn sure these are some sexed up songs Barry White recorded.
#211/420 - Barry White, “Just the Way You Are”
Just a year after the original, Barry White took a stab at the Billy Joel classic to fine results, adding all the heft one would imagine a man of his stature would bring. And just like all great songs of this era, there is an obligatory sax solo.
#212/420 - Barry White, “Let the Music Play”
I really enjoy when Barry’s like, “and on and on and on” and the audio just fades into the distance... He manages to be both a bass line and the percussion with his vocals on this one. I’m really not quite sure how to describe the vocals any better than “vocal stomping”, but Barry surely comes crashing in on this one and you even get some doubled B.W. vocals which only intensifies the trippy effect.
#213/420 - Barry White, “It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me”
One of the classics for sure. While Barry White can sound like a jackhammer on some songs, here he is leisurely, effortless, and almost lethargic in his singing, lulling anyone who dares cross its soundwaves into the ecstasy described.
#214/420 - Barry White, “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up”
One of Barry’s first big singles, establishing a pattern of condensed singles with much longer album versions, this is one of those golden oldies they speak of. Drums and grunt/moan/roar start this one off and you get a collage of Barry voices going every which way, getting all sexual sounding and talking big commitment talk, but the real moment occurs when he’s “found what the world is searching for” and everything begins to escalate… and that’s when you know, he’s never (never) gonna give you up, or stop, or quit, or anything like that, basically just a servant of love.
So that’s cool.
And so are those disco flute accents.
#215/420 - Barry White, “Your Sweetness Is My Weakness”
One of the best grooves from Barry White accompanied by some great vocals. He really yells, “sweetness!” You can raise a clenched fist on that.
#216/420 - Barry White, “Oh Love, Well We Finally Made It”
My favorite of all from Barry White is this track from what is probably his best album, coming after “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” on side two. There is a floating, cloudy, idealistic feeling to this one, brightened by the female choir and fluttery saxophone. Nice balance and contrast between Barry’s low tones and the other singers’ higher ones. The combination of many rich sounds together makes for an under-appreciated heart-pounder in the dance floor disco soul genre.
Like much of Barry White’s best music, it’s great as a focus or in the background, taking center stage or providing ambiance. One of the most striking and memorable voices to ever grace popular music, Barry is missed.
Next week, we’ll be winding down 2018 in style with one of the perennial American classics, enjoyed by generation after generation. Often imitated but never matched, the Chairman of the Board himself, Frank Sinatra.
420 to 30: A Music Retrospective
Week 2: The Jackson 5/The Jacksons
Week 3: A Tribe Called Quest
Week 4: Weezer
Week 5: Bob Dylan
Week 6: Led Zeppelin
Week 7: 2Pac/Makaveli
Week 8: Billy Joel
Week 9: Electric Light Orchestra
Week 10: Elvis Presley
Week 11: Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band
Week 12: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Week 13: Nirvana
Week 14: The Doors
Week 15: The Rolling Stones
Week 16: Gnarls Barkley
Week 17: Gábor Szabó
Week 18: Galaxie 500
Week 19: Simon & Garfunkel
Week 20: Gorillaz
Week 21: Ennio Morricone
Week 22: The Moody Blues
Week 23: Koji Kondo
Week 24: Rob Zombie/White Zombie
Week 25: Paul McCartney/Wings
Week 26: George Harrison
Week 27: Phil Spector
Week 28: John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
Week 29: Public Enemy
Week 30: The Love Language
View the full list of "420 Songs" here: https://tinyurl.com/y8fboudu (Google spreadsheet link)