Hayes was one of the first R&B artists to seize on the idea of an album being a vehicle for artistic showcases, rather than an unrelated collection of previously issued singles. "HBS" showed him to be a visionary arranger and bandleader in addition to being a skilled singer, songwriter and musician, and logically led him to lead his talent to the movies as a composer (winning a Grammy and an Oscar for the soundtrack of "Shaft") as well as to continue his unique brand of orchestrated soul music over many more albums across the 1970s.
Comparing the full-length album versions of these songs to the necessarily edited singles versions is a revealing experience. The album versions show someone who could easily make previously existing songs serve his richly romantic aims, whereas those who would follow him into the orchestrated soul field (Curtis Mayfield, Gamble and Huff, Barry White etc.) would concentrate much more on presenting original material.
Hayes had an amazing way to transform the songs of others without it being a derivative exercise. Orchestral soul predated Hayes (i.e. what Gamble-Huff were doing with the Intruders, Jerry Butler, etc.) but he significantly raised the stakes and upped the ambition level sky high.
Great piece on an amazing album by one of the larger-than-life artists of the era. Over the years, so many samples have been pulled from the LP, and no doubt, many hipsters came to it via Portishead's 'Glory Box.'
I have been listening to his soundtrack to 'Truck Turner' a lot, and I am probably in the minority when I say this, but of his three soundtracks ('Shaft,' 'Tough Guys,' and 'Truck Turner'), TT is my favorite.
This is lovely. I like the way you deconstruct Hayes' own deconstructions and reconstructions by looking both at his musicality and that of his band. It offers another way to listen to an album that is very familiar, but still yields rewards, just as this essay does.
My first exposure to Hayes' symphonic soul was 'The Look Of Love' on an easy listening compilation in the late 90s. To this day, the guitar solo in that song gives me chills. Just insane what he was able to do with it. You feel like the strings are going to give out.
I was lucky enough to play Walk On By at a DJ set at Port Said in NYC last year, and I can attest that the song absolutely crushes on a proper (loud) soundsystem.
Thanks for reconnecting me back to some core memories.
Wonderful writing and innovative thinking in this piece, Robert. Well done!
Although I’ve listened to this album many times, I never thought of comparing it to classical symphonic form. But now that you mention it and also sonata form I’m listening to this “familiar” LP in a whole new way.
Thanks, Andrew - the thought about 'Hot Buttered Soul' being structured like a symphony just kind of came to me as I was listening to it for the essay. It seems to fit, in my opinion.
Hayes was one of the first R&B artists to seize on the idea of an album being a vehicle for artistic showcases, rather than an unrelated collection of previously issued singles. "HBS" showed him to be a visionary arranger and bandleader in addition to being a skilled singer, songwriter and musician, and logically led him to lead his talent to the movies as a composer (winning a Grammy and an Oscar for the soundtrack of "Shaft") as well as to continue his unique brand of orchestrated soul music over many more albums across the 1970s.
Comparing the full-length album versions of these songs to the necessarily edited singles versions is a revealing experience. The album versions show someone who could easily make previously existing songs serve his richly romantic aims, whereas those who would follow him into the orchestrated soul field (Curtis Mayfield, Gamble and Huff, Barry White etc.) would concentrate much more on presenting original material.
Hayes had an amazing way to transform the songs of others without it being a derivative exercise. Orchestral soul predated Hayes (i.e. what Gamble-Huff were doing with the Intruders, Jerry Butler, etc.) but he significantly raised the stakes and upped the ambition level sky high.
What a legend.
Oh yes - Isaac Hayes has always loomed large for me ever since I first heard the 'Theme from Shaft.'
Great piece on an amazing album by one of the larger-than-life artists of the era. Over the years, so many samples have been pulled from the LP, and no doubt, many hipsters came to it via Portishead's 'Glory Box.'
I have been listening to his soundtrack to 'Truck Turner' a lot, and I am probably in the minority when I say this, but of his three soundtracks ('Shaft,' 'Tough Guys,' and 'Truck Turner'), TT is my favorite.
Thanks, Michael, for the kind words.
Terrific piece. Symphonic soul is the best possible description of this groundbreaking record.
Thanks, Andres - appreciate it.
This is lovely. I like the way you deconstruct Hayes' own deconstructions and reconstructions by looking both at his musicality and that of his band. It offers another way to listen to an album that is very familiar, but still yields rewards, just as this essay does.
Thanks for the kind words - much appreciated. I enjoyed writing the essay and trying to put into words how I feel about Hayes and 'Hot Buttered Soul.'
This was such a great read.
My first exposure to Hayes' symphonic soul was 'The Look Of Love' on an easy listening compilation in the late 90s. To this day, the guitar solo in that song gives me chills. Just insane what he was able to do with it. You feel like the strings are going to give out.
I was lucky enough to play Walk On By at a DJ set at Port Said in NYC last year, and I can attest that the song absolutely crushes on a proper (loud) soundsystem.
Thanks for reconnecting me back to some core memories.
Thanks, James, for the kind words, and you're very welcome.
Hayes' version of 'The Look of Love' is great, and oh yeah, that guitar solo is iconic - one for the ages!
Wonderful writing and innovative thinking in this piece, Robert. Well done!
Although I’ve listened to this album many times, I never thought of comparing it to classical symphonic form. But now that you mention it and also sonata form I’m listening to this “familiar” LP in a whole new way.
Thanks, Andrew - the thought about 'Hot Buttered Soul' being structured like a symphony just kind of came to me as I was listening to it for the essay. It seems to fit, in my opinion.
Excellent work on an album that is indeed momentous! Here’s my take from its 50th anniversary: https://rockandrollglobe.com/soul/still-churning-after-all-these-years-hot-buttered-soul-at-50/
Thank you, Jeremy. Looking forward to checking out your take - thank you for sharing.