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“Soul is like electricity. We don’t know what it is, but it’s a force that can light up a room”
- Ray Charles
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When you hear Severn recording artist Lou Pride sing, you know you're hearing a classic Blues / Soul voice. What you don't know is that Lou Pride has quite a history – albeit one that hasn't been well documented because, although he's had 5 albums and a number of singles to his credit in more than 30 years in the music business, recording has always taken a back seat to his desire to perform.
Like all celebrated Soul singers, Pride first started singing in Church in his hometown of Chicago – The First Baptist Church whose pastor was E.J. Cole, (Nat King Cole's father). This experience, coupled with witnessing a B.B. King performance at an early age, was all that Pride needed to help him set a course on singing as a career.
His sound remains firmly rooted in the church but he takes it uptown. Always touted as a “great showman”, Lou's now recording on a regular basis, and can legitimately add the label of “great recording artist”. For proof, listen to his first Severn release, Words Of Caution. And if that isn't convincing enough, pick up the Severn re-issue of sides cut by Pride in the early 70's, The Memphis / El Paso Sessions 1970-73, (that features tracks with the legendary Hi Rhythm Section and the Memphis Horns), or his latest on Severn, Keep On Believing, that stands in many circles as the best Soul album of 2005-06.
Most people associate Soul with the days when Stax was the epicentre of a tornado that hit worldwide in the 60's; where every corner of North America had its own brand of Soul – be it Chicago, Detroit, New York. But while those halcyon days of Soul may never return, and Soul may never again enjoy the commercial appeal it once had in its original form, there's always a place in everyone's heart for a great Soul singer – and Lou Pride is just that!
Living Blues nominated Lou Pride for “Most Outstanding Blues Singer” for 2003 on the strength of Words Of Caution. The Lou Pride sound is one that elevates feeling above all else. Make no mistake about it; this is Soul and don't it make you feel good!
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