I had some trouble putting together this week’s playlist. At first, I wanted to do all delta blues-type stuff, but I kept adding songs that weren’t in that style/genre. Then I finally deleted all of that playlist and put together what you see below, an R&B/soul set that I think is pretty good.

1. Aaron Neville, “Everybody Plays the Fool”: Dude’s voice is very distinctive, and I like this song mostly for the little keyboard flourish at the end of the chorus.
2. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”: This song just rules, plain and simple. The vocal delivery from both Gaye and Terrell is magnificent, and this is just one of the best R&B/soul songs ever.
3. Aretha Franklin, “I Never Loved a Man (The Way That I Love You)”: Aretha is the queen, and this song is just one of many reasons why. Honestly, I could’ve put any Aretha Franklin song on this list and it would’ve slapped. She’s just that good.
4. Nina Simone, “Strange Fruit (Live)”: Shivers. Every damn time. This woman…just…damn.
5. Ike & Tina Turner, “Proud Mary”: No one does a rave up like Tina Turner. Ike can go to hell, though.
6. Jackie Wilson, “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher”: Damn, but this guy’s voice. Just listen to him hit those high notes. It’s great.
7. James Brown, “I Feel Good”: You can’t help but sing along with the Godfather of Soul when this one comes on.
8. Ray Charles, “Hallelujah I Love Her So”: Ray just knocks it out of the park on this one. And every one. He’s just so good.
9. Sam Cooke, “A Change is Gonna Come”: This man. This voice. This song. God damn.
10. Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine”: The repeated, “I know,” over and over, long past when you’d think he’d run out of breath…so good. And fun to play on the guitar, too.