Howard Priestley – författare

2022 Winner of the Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research - Association of Recorded Sound Collections ARSC It has long been acknowledged that Berry Gordy Jr and his Motown Empire put Detroit on the International musical map but it was the creative genius of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland who would take the sound into uncharted territory.In this book Howard Priestley explores in depth the story of the three friends, their meteoric rise to fame and their fall from the heights. How they helped to put Detroit Soul on the map and the series of events that saw the collapse of not only the recognised sound of Detroit but Soul in general as the 70s gave way to a more collective sound away from the diversity of Memphis, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami and, of course, Detroit.Priestley writes in both an entertaining and analytical way that reminds us just how many songs the trio have composed that have become an important and enduring part of the soundtrack to so many of our lives.

Soul music was born around the same time as the American Civil Rights movement and in many ways travelled the same routes around America. This new music was created by unique musicians, innovative producers and writers as well as unequalled singers. Along the way Soul also found inspiration in local culture and traditions giving every City its own identity. In 1966 Ben E. King released "What Is Soul?" on ATCO and defined as a burning feeling inside, made from love and loss but then in 1970 Funkadelic redefined it, telling us that Soul was a ham hock in your cornflakes or the ring around your bathtub which showed just how deep Soul could be and how it wasn't that easy to define.For Howard Priestley the title says it all and defines a huge part of his life. He has been fortunate to write about the music that has inspired these paintings and worked alongside many Funk artists, creating their concepts as well as designing their cover art.Every picture tells a story and he has used an infinite spectrum of colours that paints the United States Of America in a way never seen before. Complimented.by his words that showed how African-Americans contributed to the recording industry, pushing creators rights, developing record labels, supporting communities and local economy but also how, when black and white Americans worked in harmony, they would create timeless music that will make you want to add sound to the vision Priestley has shared here with you.

Whether you look over the sea of love or find yourself walking along the dock of the bay, you may drive down the highways of my life heading for the valley of the lonely or wander towards the dark en of the street.The story charts the rise and fall of key players in Soul city, USA. A city whose streets and districts reflect soul music by their names, culminating in the progress across the tracks in the inner city to chocolate city via Alphabet Street, crossing graffiti bridge.A story of power, deceit, love in its many shapes, betrayal and tragedy. Linking the characters is the spirit of the city, Soul Man, chartering a path that would damage the music forever.