Before I knew what a process was I knew about Percy Sledge. Staring at the photos of his improbably straightened and waved hair I had no idea it was the result of a vigorous and rather painful exercise called “conking” in which African American soul singers straightened out their natural hair in the days before Malcolm, Stokely and H Rap made it righteous to rock the Afro.
Percy was from the south and the Mr Whippy wave and the implausibly tight and shiny suit into which his rather lumpy frame appeared to be squeezed were part of the look that was expected of an entertainer down there.
But it all rather put me off Mr P, as did the ubiquity of his hit “When A Man Loves A Woman”
which at that time was featured in some sort of movie and seemed mawkishly sentimental even in spite of its joyously out of tune horns. Which in brilliant “soul” fashion were left untouched in the final record.
But he was a force - a fine singer. And I discovered it going backwards from Elvis. The king had one of the great voices and to many the Memphis sessions (produced with the Fame band by Chips Moman) are a highpoint. I liked Long Black Limousine, and loved True Love Travels On A Gravel Road (for its title as much as the song).
But one day I heard Percy’s version. And he smashes Elvis.
Not many can say that. And so rest in peace Percy - you left a mark.
-TH
(to read about Percy and his ilk we recommend Peter Guralnick’s majestic Sweet Soul Music. He forgot more than we’ll ever know)
