UNSUNG HEROES
Reed showcases soul artists Hightower, Jones
Aretha Franklin's recent death spurred more than a few posts on social media reminding people to see their heroes before it's too late. But for musician Eli “Paperboy” Reed, there's more to his Friday show at Sonia with R&B singer Willie Hightower and Thelma Jones, who both began releasing sweet stacks of soul wax in the '60s.
“I don't think of it as, `Go see them before they are gone,'” Reed said. “I think, `Go see them because they are still sounding great.' That's why you should see them, because of their talent as performers.”
Reed helped put together the Hightower and Jones show to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday. But the Massachusetts native, who will lead the band behind the singers, doesn't consider this gig work. Reed has released half a dozen of his own killer R&B records and is working on a new album for 2019. Along the way, he's made sure to celebrate more obscure artists at every turn.
“When I was about 16, Peter Guralnick's (book)
`Sweet Soul Music' became my recordbuying guide and
I discovered these singers,” Reed said.
“Willie Hightower dealt with adult themes. He made serious music, serious Southern soul music, and was one of the first artists I loved. I tried to get them to let me sing his song `Time Has Brought about a Change' at my Brookline High School graduation, but they said no.”
The school's administration may now consider that a mistake considering Reed went on to tour the world. Oh, and the Hightower song is a lost gem.
“Thelma Jones did the original version of `The House That Jack Built,' which Aretha later made famous,” he said. “She is another real tough, hard-singing artist. She has everything I love about the music. She has a hard, aggressive, really hornheavy, really funky kind of sound.”
Despite their talent and longevity, both Hightower and Jones struggled to hit the mainstream. Recently, Hightower has slowed his live appearances but appears to be getting back into performing shape; Jones holds down a frequent gig singing at Barone's Famous Italian Restaurant in Los Angeles but doesn't do many other dates.
Beyond a chance to see two great performers who still haven't received the recognition they deserve, the show will allow Reed to dip into some hometown heroes' catalogs.
“I'm going to open the show doing a few of my favorite Bostonarea soul records with a band of guys I have recruited from New York and Boston for a sort of allstar band,” he said. “I wanted to make sure the band can live up to the quality of these records and that the artists feel comfortable. I feel incredibly blessed to play with so many of my idols, and every time I do, my whole goal is to make sure they feel like they can stretch out and enjoy themselves.”
Next up for Reed is a celebration of some younger heroes. Ahead of his 2019 album, he will release a new single and video this month with hip-hop pioneer Big Daddy Kane.
Eli “Paperboy” Reed presents Legends of Deep Soul starring Willie Hightower and Thelma Jones, at Sonia, 10 Brookline St., Cambridge, Friday. Tickets: $16; mideastoffers.com/sonia.