00:13 Solomom Burke makes wise cracks, banters with audience as stage is getting ready. 1:39 Allison Miner introduces the people onstage. 02:12 Suzan Jenkins introduces Solomon Burke and interview participants. She also talks about oral history project and awards of The Rhythm & Blues Foundation. 04:10 Solomon Burke talks about his childhood, youth, family, ealiest music experiences. Mentions growing up in Philadelphia, spirituality, religion, his birth circumstances, Mt. Vernon St., tent revival touring, his first sermon at age 7, his earliest radio ministry at age 12. 06:15 Suzan asks Solomon about his improvisation and emotional delivery and gives the context of his early years as a singer. 07:00 Solomon was influenced by listening to radio with his grandmother (no television): Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Big Joe Turner, Clara Ward. Studying the Bible and also other cultures, willingness to learn new things and different types of music discussed. 09:02 Solomon recounts his large number of children. Jokingly claims it was due to music and no TV. 10:00 Solomon calls out to Reggie (Clarence Reginald Toussaint - Allen Toussaint’s son) and introduces him to the audience. 10:29 Suzan asks about Solomon’s incorporation of gospel/religious music into his secular music. She mentions he was working with Lester Young, Buddy Lucas, Panama Francis, Eric Gales, Sam the Man Taylor, King Curtis. She recounts how Solomon said in an earlier interview he would go into the recording studio with music planned and lyrics coming to him during the recording process. 11:19 Solomon talks about his recording process, recording direct to tape, input from other musicians, improvisation and operating from his feelings at any given time. Improvisational arrangement during recording as well as during performances. 12:41 Solomon names his composers and songs they wrote, including Brook Benton, Don Covay, Otis Blackwell, Allen Toussaint, Bert Berns, Jim Reeves. 13:46 Suzan asks Solomon about “Just Out of Reach,” his meeting Gene Autry, black musicians recording country music. 14:10 Solomon talks of going to NYC to record, mentions “This Little Ring,” being signed to Atlantic Records, Jerry Wexler, Solomon’s recommendation by Billboard Magazine’s Bob Sculler (Robert Harold Schuller). 15:12 Solomon talks about his not wanting to sing R&B for religious reasons and as a result his label giving him Country Western songs to sing. In 1960 a Black man singing country was an anomaly. 16:35 Because it was unpresedented, Black radio was initially resistant to programming Solomon’s records. Gene Autry became involved as owner of the songs’ publishing (Four Star Music). Solomon recounts meeting his childhood idol Gene Autry, and his life-changing championing of Solomon’s music. 17:39 Solomon continues talking about his being the first Black artist to record Country music, mentions Charlie Pride, Ray Charles. 18:39 Solomon’s record “Got to Get You Off My Mind” is played. Solomon encourages a dancing audience member as the record plays. 20:28 Suzan gives the context of the recording (for Atlantic in 1960, mentioning Ray Charles, The Coasters and the Drifters). 20:52 Solomon talks of his major recordings for Atlantic, “Cry to Me,” “He’ll Have to Go,” “A Tear Fell,” “Home in My Heart,” “Everyboby Needs Somebody”and more. 21:43 Solomon discuses Apollo Records, his musical development and Soul Music. He brings up Sam the Man Taylor’s and Lester Young’s sax solos on Solomon’s “Just Walking in a Dream” album. 23:17 Solomon gives his definition of the term Soul Music. 23:50 Suzan brings up musical collaborations. She and Solomon talk back and forth about his collaborations, Soul Clan: Joe Tex, Don Covey, Ben E. King, Arthur Conley, Otis Redding. 24:43 Suzan asks about Solomon’s recent album (Soul of the Blues, recorded April 1993), he talks about it briefly and talks about his plans for the future, deferring to his son (King Solomon Haile Selassie) who was the album’s producer. 27:36 Selassie gives the background and concept of the album. He and Solomon discuss how it was created. 30:10 Solomon talks about Suzan Jenkins and the work of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, shout out to trustee Ed Bradley in the audience. 33:10 Selassie talks about personnel on the Soul of the Blues album. New Orleans musicians on the album include George Porter, Jr., Eric Traub, David Torkonowsky, Raymond Weber, Herman Ernest III., Jamil Sharif, Steve Suter, and John Touchy (John Sinclair did liner notes). 34:16 Solomon says he intends to record a live album at the House of Blues in New Orleans soon. 34:58 Suzan talks about the Jazz fest Gospel tent, Solomon chimes in with mention of Albertina Walker, talks about Gospel as the roots of his music, about his planned Jazz Fest performance. 37:12 Questions from the audience start. 37:19 Solomon tells story of his selling popcorn at the Apollo Theater. 39:31 Solomon says there was only one Soul Clan record issued and tells about its circumstances, the unrealized plan to subsidize a low income community, Otis Redding unable to be part of the recording.
