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Wake Up Everybody

I was reminded of this song during the Grammys tonight upon hearing that Teddy Pendergrass has passed away.

When listening, it’s helpful to remember Alexander Weheliye‘s elegant description of the song. On the topic of intros, he writes:

My all-time favorite in this category is Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ “Wake Up Everybody,” which gently burrows into the tympanum with its harp swooshes, a tambourine, and two different piano motifs, to then guide us into the pièce de resistance: a very subtle bass solo that never reappears in the duration of this 7:33-minute masterpiece. (2005:1)

So, return the play head to its start, and repeat…

And do check out Weheliye‘s Phonographies: Grooves in Sonic Afro-Modernity for more…

Featured Image is cover for Wake Up Everybody/ Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (Philadelphia International, 1975)

photo from bradleyloos on flickr

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