Joss Stone “Free Me”

Should mvyradio be playing this song ? . . .

There has always been a component of Soul on mvyradio. We always try to have one or two new songs that keep us linked to that genre, which, in pure form, links directly to our fondness for Blues.

The problem with Soul, can be that it doesn’t share some of the most important properties that make something an “mvy song.” SOME Soul songs just don’t have that organic, rootsy feel, that we love in our blues, and folk, and americana. Even some great modern Soul tracks can have that overly-slick, overly processed feel---which works for the song, but doesn’t necessarily make the song fit comfortably on the station.

Joss Stone is right on the line, to my ears. Some of her past tracks have had that very authentic, straight back to Otis Redding and Al Green feel. And some songs have been produced for pop radio shininess, and disposability.

To Joss’ credit, this new album was made without the aid or permission of her record company, who had been pushing her in a more pop direction, while she wanted to make more of a classic Soul record.

But did she go far enough? Is it something that mvy should be playing? Or is it too slick for the station?



See Joss on Jimmy Kimmel.

Buy Joss Stone’s ”Colour Me Free” on CD.

See this previous post, for details on how a song gets into rotation on mvyradio, then let me know what you think.