:Vocalo.org

Gene "Duke of Earl" Chandler tells Vocalo his feelings about the practice of Sampling in today's music, and talks about dicey subject matters in some rap lyrics....

plus, a mash-up/commentary I created featuring a record by Gene Chandler & Jerry Butler (two Chicago music legends arguably recorded at the top of their game). The record is from 1970, and called "Ten & Two (Take this Woman off the Corner)".

The second song featured is "The Corner" by Common featuring Kanye West (two Chicago music superstars arguably recorded at the top of their game).....

the former track calls for an end to "The Corner", while the latter glorifies it....

Produced by Ayana Contreras. 

Native Chicagoan Gene Chandler (chart-topping soul singer/songwriter & producer) talks about royalties (payment for the play and/or performance of songs), tells the story behind the song that started his career ("Duke of Earl"), and the record label he started. He also tells us one of his biggest regrets.

By the way... besides being a #1 hit, "Duke of Earl" ("duke-duke-duke-duke-of-earl") has been appropriated in countless ways, among them: sampling by hip-hop group Cypress Hill, and a reworking for a commercial advertising Hellman's "Dijonnaise" (a combination of dijon mustard and mayo

["di-di-di-di-jonn-aise"]).

For more of my interview with Gene, in which we talk about sampling and hip-hop, click here.

Ayana Contreras

A favorite record of mine, a B-Side from 1971, was written in Chicago, featured a Chicago artist and players, was recorded in Chicago, and was released on a Chicago label (Mercury). I had the opportunity to talk to the man who wrote it, Sidney Barnes, about it; and I flashed-back vicariously through him (he hadn't heard the track in thirty years).

(pictured Top to Bottom, Left to Right)

The White Stripes, Gene Chandler, Vocalites like YOU,

Howlin' Wolf, Honeycut...just to name a few..

want more? Click Here...

Featured music (local stuff in bold print):

Love to the People--Curtis Mayfield

He Can Only Hold Her--Amy Winehouse

Groovy Situation--Gene Chandler

Grip Like a Vice--The Go! Team

Sunday Drive--DJ Sun

Special--Garbage

Drivin Me Wild--Common f/Lily Allen

Remember the Rain--21st Century

Smilin--Cee-lo, Big Boi, Scar & DJ Swiff

Got to Be Down--Robin Thicke f/ Faith Evans 

Exact to Me--The Sea & Cake

Sunset & Vine-- The Charlatans UK

Imitosis--Andrew Bird

Yellow Spring--Christopher Willits