This is why the Internet is so valuable. I'm not sure where I saw the link, but something this week led me to the web site of New York public television station WNET, or THIRTEEN and the program "Soul!"

"Soul!" aired from 1968 to 1973, and was produced at WNET studios: "It was the first program on WNET to be recorded with the then-new technology of videotape, and most of the shows were recorded in real-time—not live, but unedited."

According to the original 1968 announcement posted on the site, the show was "devoted entirely to and aimed at the metropolitan area’s black community. The format of Soul! resembles some of the popular late night programs – segmented, lively, informative and entertaining. Appearing on the show will be top stars and up-and-coming young talents from the black community. There will also be pertinent features dealing with all aspects of the social, cultural and artistic life of the black population."

The best part? Nine of the episodes are available for streaming on the site, and they're a goldmine for fans of jazz, funk and blues from that era. I was drawn to an episode from 1972 that dedicates most of an hour to performance by Rahsaan Roland Kirk and his band, the Vibration Society. And these aren't just any performances. Kirk, a blind multi-instrumentalist who often played as many as three horns at the same time, offers long versions of his own "BlackNuss" and "The Inflated Tear," and spend 16 incredible minutes on "The Old Rugged Cross," playing it straight (or as straight as Kirk could play) before tearing back into it double time in a frenetic performance that inspires Kirk to grab a folding chair and methodically tear it apart while the studio audience applauds wildly.

Other episodes feature performances by Taj Mahal, Earth, Wind and Fire, Black Heat featuring David "Fathead" Newman, Max Roach and more. A full list of episodes reveals even more great artists, though the note at the top that "this list does not reflect the existence of physical tapes of all these episodes. It is for reference only" tempers expectations a bit. Still, if only this fraction of episodes is unearthed, it's still a treasure trove for music fans.

Labels: music, TV