The Isaac Hayes obsession continues with this week’s Friday Cocktail Hour. That’s Isaac at the piano with his songwriting partner David Porter.
I’m repeating myself this week. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby was featured in the infancy of the Friday Cocktail Hour. Only three versions were posted, so I feel comfortable with this reboot.
Hayes and Porter wrote this great soul torch song in 1966 for Stax recording artists, Sam & Dave. They were more or less Hayes and Porter’s alter egos.
We begin at the beginning with Sam & Dave:
Otis Redding & Carla Thomas took a crack at this week’s song in 1967:
Next up, FCH regular Billy Eckstine with a gorgeous rendition of the Hayes-Porter classic.
Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville’s duet was featured in the 2020 post. It was one of the best pop records of 1989.
Here’s a genuine odd couple: Patti LaBelle and Travis Tritt.
Finally, Isaac Hayes, Sam Moore, and Steve Cropper live in Cleveland:
What would a Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, King Curtis followed by Booker T & The MGS.
Whoever posted the video got the freeze frame image wrong. It’s the Stax guys, not Ella.
That’s it for this week. Let’s toast the musical glories of Memphis. It’s what Isaac Hayes and James Garner would want. Never argue with them.
I love this song deeply. It moves the soul.
Sadly your pick of YouTube videos for the Patti LaBelle and Travis Tritt seems to have been pulled from YouTube. Yes
It’s a shame – Patti is amazing.
Not that I’m biased – I got to see her at the Aspen Jazz Fest when I was in 5th grade. My parents insisted that I come, and man it was worth being sleep-deprived the next day.