What Can You Do Now? by Harvey & Ann: A Raw, Soul-Stirring Punch from 1963
Alright, let’s get real here. If you’re into that gritty, sweat-soaked blend of Funk/Soul and Blues with a heavy Rhythm & Blues heartbeat, then What Can You Do Now? by Harvey & Ann is gonna slap you upside the head—in the best way possible. Released in ’63 under their own label (Harvey—yeah, they didn’t need no big-shot execs breathing down their necks), this album hits like a freight train full of raw emotion and unfiltered talent.
First off, the title track, “What Can You Do Now?”—man, it’s an instant gut-punch. The groove grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go until your feet are stomping holes in the floorboards. It’s got this swaggering bassline that feels like it crawled straight out of some smoky juke joint where people live to dance. And Ann’s vocals? Damn. She belts it out like she’s daring life itself to knock her down again. That kind of passion ain’t something you fake—it either comes through or it doesn’t, and oh boy, does it ever come through here. Every time I hear this track, I feel like I’ve been hit by lightning.
Then there’s “Will I Do?”—a slower burn but just as lethal. This one sneaks up on you with its bluesy undertones and those soulful harmonies between Harvey and Ann. There’s a vulnerability here that cuts deep; it’s not polished or perfect, but that’s what makes it stick. When Ann sings, “Will I do for love?” you can practically hear decades of heartbreak packed into those few words. It’s messy, it’s real, and honestly? It hurts so good. Tracks like this remind me why music mattered back then—it wasn’t about playlists or algorithms; it was about telling stories that made you feel alive.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this album ain’t flawless. Some parts sound like they were recorded in someone’s garage during a power outage—but maybe that’s part of its charm. It’s rough around the edges, sure, but isn’t that how the best things usually are?
Here’s the kicker though: listening to What Can You Do Now?, I couldn’t help thinking how rare it is these days to find artists who pour their guts into every note like Harvey & Ann did. Most modern stuff sounds like it was made by robots programmed to sound “safe.” Not this. This album screams HUMANITY at the top of its lungs. So if you wanna shake off whatever numbness the world’s thrown at you lately, give this record a spin—and prepare to have your soul rearranged.
Oh, and one last thing—don’t ask me why, but halfway through writing this review, my cat started howling along with “Will I Do?” Maybe he gets it too.
