Music Blog

A Little Bit Louder Now

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Glyn’s Mixed Music Bag week #22
where we are asked to write about a song by a group
or solo singer beginning with the letter I or J.

There is only one band in the history of American music that had a proven influence on both The Beatles and the rapper Ice Cube and had a hit in six straight decades, from the ‘50s to the ‘00s. That band is the mighty Isley Brothers, one the most influential bands in American musical history.

Formed in the mid-’50s as a teenage gospel quartet by the four eldest Isley Brothers (O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald and Vernon), the original group quit performing when Vernon was tragically killed at age 13 while riding his bike. In 1957, at the urging of their parents, the remaining three brothers moved to New York City to make it as a R&R band. The first song they wrote together was something called “Shout!”— a massive smash that had multiple lives thanks to its inclusion on the Animal House soundtrack – and is probably playing at an event near you, right now.

From that first single and album in 1959, the Isley Brothers repeatedly redefined what their music was and what it was called; they dominated the black music charts like no band before or since. The Isley Brothers can count both Jimi Hendrix (who toured with them in the early ‘60s) and Elton John (whose band backed the Isleys up in the UK) as backing musicians. They have arguably the most legendary run of albums in R&B history. After early R&R success (and an incredible detour with Motown), the band released all of their albums independently on their own T-Neck Records, reinventing R&B over and over again in the process.

In 1973, the younger brothers Ernie and Marvin joined the band alongside their brother in law, Chris Jasper. Ernie Isley is one of the most well-known and respected guitarists and song writers in the history of the business and together the brothers wrote and produced many of the hits that we know and love today.

The Isley Brothers were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, in a class with their old backing guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. The band received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2014 and have sold millions of records the world over; 16 of their albums hit the Top 40 and all of them are powerhouses on the R&B charts. They have bridged cultural differences by blending Soul and R&B with Funk, bringing a new style of music to the mainstream and having a lasting impact on countless artists to follow. Their music has transcended through generations and their reach has extended to the modern day where their music is frequently sampled all throughout hip hop and modern pop. They are, in many respects, the most important and influential band in the history of American music, the only band who could be sampled by Notorious B.I.G. and covered by The Yardbirds! What a career!

Released in 1959, “Shout!” is an electrifying anthem that broke the mold of R&R and R&B, becoming an enduring symbol of musical joy and freedom. The song’s inception, inspired by a live improvisation on Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops,” captured a spontaneous burst of energy and emotion. The studio recording, characterized by its gospel-infused harmonies and a simple yet profound chorus urged listeners to release their inhibitions and “shout a little bit louder now”.

Though “Shout” didn’t immediately climb the charts, its influence and popularity grew over time, becoming a live performance staple for the Isley Brothers. Covered by numerous artists across a variety of genres, “Shout” has demonstrated its versatile appeal and enduring legacy. It’s more than just a song …. it’s an anthem of liberation and celebration.

Here now are the Isley Brothers with their iconic recording of “Shout!”

Mixed Music Bag 2024 – week 22 – Japan…sort of

Big thanks to Glyn for hosting Mixed Music Bag every week.

Thanks for joining me today and spinning some tunes.

See you on the flip side. 😎

NARŠ2024

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use by anyone without permission. NARŠ2017-present.

27 thoughts on “A Little Bit Louder Now”

  10. I got to know that song from the cover (copy?) by Lulu. My favourite Isley Brothers song is This Old Heart Of Mine – I bought the single and still love it to this day.

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  11. Yeah – we featured them some time ago on my ’70s blog and I was totally amazed. I had simply just associated them with ‘Summer Breeze’ (see what happens when you don’t broaden your musical horizons?) and found I either already knew some of their work- but didn’t know it 😉 – or loved the stounds that were new to me.

    Good shout! 🙂

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    1. Funny you should say that, Cee Tee! When I was reading up on the Isleys, I shared some of the info with my husband who was very surprised at how many songs they did. In this post, I chose to talk about how the brothers got started; I didn’t even scratch the surface of their musical catalog.

      Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.

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    1. Thanks, Willow! If I had dug deeper into the Isley Brothers incredible career, I’d need to post in installments! There is so much info about them and their vast musical repertoire.

      Glad you enjoyed this read! 🩶🎶🩶

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