Soul of Vietnam

Annotation — Vietnam War Compilations

The first compilation dedicated specifically to Vietnam War soul music. Released in 1993 by Risky Business (# AK 53917), a label dedicated to budget compilations. It contained a basic selection of tracks by well-known artists, such as "Marching of to War" by William Bell, "I Should Be Proud" by Martha and The Vandellas, and "I Believe I'm Gonna Make It" by Joe Tex. Oddly, it contained the song "Choice of Colors" by The Impressions about civil rights, which makes no reference to war at all. The booklet contained a small article by Leo Sacks, which said that: "this is a monument...These are sacred songs, individual offerings. There are songs of faith, messages to the fallen, mementos of lost youth and ruminations which have meaning only to those left behind". Also see: Vietnam War: Soul, Gospel, & Funk Songs. The article also contained some very interesting interviews with the artists. Such as with William Bell, who was drafted to Vietnam in 1963. He said that: "So many mixed emotions were running around in my head...I felt patriotic, but I didn't see the purpose of this war. And if you're going to fight, you better have a good reason to die. A lot of my buddies didn't make it back. I didn't know if I'd make it back. And if I did, how would my family accept me? What sort of problems would I have?"

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Notes

Risky Business (Sony budget label) AK 53917, CD, USA, 1993; 12 tracks of late-1960s and early-1970s soul about going to war, letters home and coming back, including William Bell "Marching Off to War", Martha Reeves & The Vandellas "I Should Be Proud", Johnny & Jon "Christmas in Vietnam", Roy C "Open Letter to the President" and Swamp Dogg "Sam Stone"; booklet essay by Leo Sacks. Also issued on cassette (AT 53917). Entered as one release. [From Discogs]

About the artist

Various Artists

Themes

Soldier's Perspective · Home Front Perspective · Vet