The Kindred Soul Of Danny Wagner: A Funky, Soulful Time Capsule from 1968
Man, let me tell ya—Danny Wagner’s The Kindred Soul Of Danny Wagner is like stumbling into a smoky jazz club where everyone’s wearing polyester and grooving to something that feels both timeless and totally of its era. Released in ’68 on Imperial Records, this album isn’t just funk and soul; it’s a vibe machine. With Gene Page (or Eugene Page, depending on how you wanna spell it) handling the arrangements and Bob Keene producing, it's got that polished-but-raw sound that makes your heart skip a beat.
Now, I gotta say, there are two tracks here that really stuck with me. First up: “Harlem Shuffle.” Oh man, this one hits different. It’s not just another cover—it’s like Danny took the original and gave it his own heartbeat. The horns? Insane. They punch through the mix like they’ve got something to prove. And when those backing vocals kick in, it’s impossible not to move. You know what I mean? Like, you’re sitting there trying to be cool, but then BAM—you’re tapping your foot, nodding your head, maybe even muttering "yeah" under your breath. That track alone could light up any room.
Then there’s “Unchained Melody.” Yeah, I know, right? Everyone’s done this song at some point, but Danny’s version… it’s softer, more intimate. He doesn’t overdo it—he lets the melody breathe, lets the strings swell around him like a warm hug. Honestly, hearing him sing “I need your love” kinda breaks my heart every time. There’s no big fireworks, no unnecessary drama—just pure emotion laid bare. It reminds me of late-night drives or staring out a rain-speckled window while thinking about someone who got away.
But here’s the thing—this whole record has this weird way of making you feel nostalgic for a time you probably weren’t even alive for. Tracks like “Bring It On Home To Me” and “My Buddy” keep things grounded with their heartfelt simplicity, while tunes like “Big Boy Pete” bring the energy back up. It’s like Danny knew exactly how to balance the highs and lows, keeping you hooked without ever feeling overwhelmed.
And can we talk about the credits real quick? Gene Page’s arrangements are next-level genius. Every horn blast, every string swell—it all fits together like pieces of a puzzle you didn’t realize was missing. Bob Keene as producer clearly had a vision too, because this thing flows so smoothly, it’s like listening to a conversation between old friends.
So yeah, The Kindred Soul Of Danny Wagner might’ve come out over 50 years ago, but it still slaps hard today. It’s an album that makes you want to dance, cry, and laugh all at once. Weirdly enough, listening to it made me think about how music used to feel like a shared secret—not just background noise. Maybe that’s why records like this stick around—they remind us of what it means to connect, to truly listen.
Oh, and hey—one last random thought. If aliens ever land and ask us to explain humanity through one song, I’d hand them “Harlem Shuffle.” Just saying.
