I was at the Park Slope Flea Market yesterday and came across this gem.  It’s a vinyl LP called “Lesbian Concentrate: A Lesbianthology of Songs and Poems.”  I wasn’t gonna drop 15 bucks on it, but I sure as Hell was gonna take a picture of it.  When I got home, I did a little research and discovered this about this bizarre LP.  First, it was created as a response to anti-gay rights advocate Anita Bryant.  Anita is one of those sorry fools on the wrong side of history making a name for herself by crusading against people’s civil rights all in the name of her crazy religious beliefs.  Luckily Anita was the sort of woman who would get pied in the face on live TV, which praise Jesus, is preserved for all time for you to watch.

The other thing I learned about this goofy record is that it is frequently included on lists of the “worst” album covers of all time.  I find this incredibly stupid.  First of all, lesbian orange juice?  Fuck yea!  The cover is cool.  I suppose people just think the title and the whole “lesbianthology” thing is just really funny and odd.  Well, none of that makes it a BAD cover, just strange and far out.  Oh, in case you are curious, the whole “OJ” thing is based on the fact that “saintly” Anita hails from Florida.  And did I mention how much she sucks?  Haha, I’m sure she is a lovely woman…Anyway, also blessed be to youtube for having a track or two from the LP, which I’m also including.  The song is “Don’t Pray for Me” by Mary Watkins.  It’s a pretty funky track with some good lyrics.  Best line: “Stop quoting scriptures out of context, to stir up feelings of bigotry…HATRED AND BIGOTRY!”  Right on Mary, right on…

Part 86 kicks your ass.  It’s soul week at williesimpson.com, and I got the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, in two incredible clips.  The first is a dancing lesson not meant for beginners.  It’s James in full 70s flair, just announcing steps and performing them with utter mastery.  I don’t know who this tape is supposed to help, outside his own potential backup dancers who were never in his league anyway.  It’s both really funny and truly spellbinding to see the master of dance just strut his magic.  Clip two is another rare clip of James performing his classic “Get Up Offa That Thing.”  This is a hard stomping dance funk explosion of a song.  I really believe James was the Mozart of funk and soul.  An artist without peer, a true genius plugged directly into God’s inspiration.  There is just no other explanation for his dazzling gifts.  So get up offa that thing folks, and dance till you feel better, and happy Friday.

Happy Tuesday everybody, part 83 of my countdown is all about soul.  In fact the rest of the week is soul week here at williesimpson.com.  I officially kick things off with Al Green’s soulful classic, “Tired of Being Alone,” from his 1971 LP, Al Green Gets Next to You. This song is like a bridge from classic Motown pop to sophisticated 70s soul.  It features that familiar Motown sound with the syncopated brass and steady drumming, but is differentiated with less busy production that allows for Al’s voice to soar seductively in an emptier space.  It’s a work of genius.  This clip is a priceless rare performance of a young Al singing live in full 70s soul glam.  It’s Al in his utter prime which is kind of redundant because he has rarely been out of his prime in his sprawling hall of fame career.  Be sure to come back tomorrow for some classic Marvin Gaye.