For most of its 35-year run, there was no better outlet for soul music on television than Soul Train. Featuring a diverse palette of R&B artists and the commanding presence of creator/producer/host Don Cornelius, Soul Train has become an institution, the longest-running, nationally syndicated show in American history - albeit one that modern audiences would be slow to appreciate, were it not for the efforts of Time-Life Entertainment in releasing several official DVDs of content from the shows back in 2009.
Now, Time-Life follows up those discs with a special compilation, The Best of Soul Train Live, in stores tomorrow. While most of the performances on the program were lip-synched to the original tracks, a few here and there were not. And a dozen such performances will be captured on this DVD. Most of them stem from the show's first four seasons, although there is a legendary 1979 duet between Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson on his "Ooo, Baby Baby" and a medley of hits from Stevie Wonder performed in 1991.
Hit the jump for full track details and an Amazon link, and remember - as always, we wish you love, peace...and soul!
Various Artists, The Best of Soul Train Live (Time-Life Records, 2011)
- Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
- Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner
- Use Me - Bill Withers
- Super Bad (Pts. 1 & 2) - James Brown
- Ooo, Baby Baby - Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson
- That Lady (Part 1) - The Isley Brothers
- Love and Happiness - Al Green
- What is Hip? - The Tower of Power
- Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe - Barry White
- Dance to the Music/I Want to Take You Higher - Sly & The Family Stone
- Wake Up Everybody (Part 1) - Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes
- My Cherie Amour/Sir Duke/I Wish/These Three Words - Stevie Wonder
Track 1 from Season 4, Episode 12 - 12/7/1974
Track 2 from Season 1, Episode 30 - 4/22/1972
Track 3 from Season 2, Episode 7 - 11/4/1972
Track 4 from Season 2, Episode 19 - 2/20/1973
Track 5 from Season 9, Episode 12 - 12/1/1979
Track 6 from Season 3, Episode 5 - 9/29/1973
Track 7 from Season 2, Episode 22 - 3/17/1973
Track 8 from Season 3, Episode 12 - 11/17/1973
Track 9 from Season 3, Episode 9 - 10/27/1973
Track 10 from Season 3, Episode 38 - 6/29/1974
Track 11 from Season 4, Episode 39 - 6/21/1975
Track 12 from Season 21, Episode 1 - 9/21/1991
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