Soul of a Man (song)
Encyclopedia
"Soul of a Man" or "The Soul of a Man" is a blues-style gospel song recorded by Blind Willie Johnson
in 1930. As with most of Johnson's songs, it deals with a spiritual theme within a blues musical framework. Accompanying Johnson (vocal and guitar) is Willie B. Harris, sometimes identified as his first wife, who sang harmony on the refrain:
The song was released during the Depression "when the mood of the country had darkened" and in 1930, Johnson's records, with their religious themes, were "selling almost twice as many copies as Bessie Smith
, and three and four times as many as most of the country blues artists". "The Soul of a Man" was the second to the last of Blind Willie Johnson's singles.
, Irma Thomas
, Bruce Cockburn
, Ramblin' Jack Elliott
, and Doug Cox
. In 2006, Eric Burdon
recorded it for his album Soul of a Man
.
The song's title was also used as the title of the 2003 award winning blues documentary film The Soul of a Man.
Blind Willie Johnson
"Blind" Willie Johnson was an American singer and guitarist, whose music straddled the border between blues and spirituals....
in 1930. As with most of Johnson's songs, it deals with a spiritual theme within a blues musical framework. Accompanying Johnson (vocal and guitar) is Willie B. Harris, sometimes identified as his first wife, who sang harmony on the refrain:
- Well won't somebody tell me, answer if you can!
- I want somebody to tell me, just what is the soul of a man?
The song was released during the Depression "when the mood of the country had darkened" and in 1930, Johnson's records, with their religious themes, were "selling almost twice as many copies as Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer.Sometimes referred to as The Empress of the Blues, Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s...
, and three and four times as many as most of the country blues artists". "The Soul of a Man" was the second to the last of Blind Willie Johnson's singles.
Other versions
"Soul of a Man" has been recorded by various artists, including Monte MontgomeryMonte Montgomery
Monte Montgomery is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter.-Career:Montgomery appeared on PBS's Austin City Limits program on April 17, 1999....
, Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas is an American Grammy Award-winning soul and rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans"....
, Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Cockburn
Bruce Douglas Cockburn OC is a Canadian folk/rock guitarist and singer-songwriter. His most recent album was released in March 2011. He has written songs in styles ranging from folk to jazz-influenced rock to rock and roll.-Biography:...
, Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Ramblin' Jack Elliott is an American folk singer and performer.-Life and career:Elliot Charles Adnopoz was born in Brooklyn, New York to Jewish parents in 1931. Elliott grew up inspired by the rodeos at Madison Square Garden, and wanted to be a cowboy...
, and Doug Cox
Doug Cox
Doug Cox is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and music programmer, and is currently signed to Toronto's NorthernBlues Music.He is well known for his skills on the dobro and slide guitar...
. In 2006, Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
recorded it for his album Soul of a Man
Soul of a Man (Eric Burdon album)
Soul of a Man is a 2006 R&B album by Eric Burdon. It is dedicated to Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker and the city of New Orleans. It follows his 2004 comeback album My Secret Life and the 2005 live album & DVD Athens Traffic Live....
.
The song's title was also used as the title of the 2003 award winning blues documentary film The Soul of a Man.