Timmy Thomas
Timmy Thomas, born Timothy Earle Thomas on November 13, 1944, in Evansville, Indiana, was an influential American R&B singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer. He was the youngest of twelve children and grew up in a musically inclined household, which helped shape his artistic endeavors. By the age of ten, he began playing the organ, and his passion for music only deepened as he matured.
Thomas had a diverse musical education, studying music with jazz legends such as Cannonball Adderley and Donald Byrd. However, he eventually found his niche in soul music, where he would carve out a significant career. In his early years, he worked as a session musician in Memphis, contributing to various recordings before launching his solo career.
He gained widespread recognition for his hit song "Why Can't We Live Together," released in 1972. The track is noted for its socially conscious lyrics and has had a lasting impact on popular music, resonating with audiences for its poignant message about unity and understanding . This song became a defining moment in his career, showcasing both his vocal and songwriting talent.
Throughout his career, Timmy Thomas continued to produce music and perform, leaving a legacy that influenced countless artists in the R&B and soul genres. He passed away on March 11, 2022, but remains remembered for his contributions to music and the impact of his work on societal issues.
In summary, Timmy Thomas is celebrated for his musical talent, particularly his iconic song "Why Can't We Live Together," which underscored important social themes during a turbulent time in American history.
Why Can’t We Live Together
A1 Why Can't We Live Together
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
4:40
A2 Rainbow Power
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:02
A3 Take Care Of Home
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
2:37
A4 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Written-By – Ewan McColl
3:18
A5 The Coldest Days Of My Life
Written-By – Carl Davis, Eugene Record
4:07
B1 In The Beginning
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:03
B2 Cold Cold People
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
4:06
B3 Opportunity
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:11
B4 Dizzy Dizzy World
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:36
B5 Funky Me
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:02
Label: Glades – 33-6501
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Timmy Thomas’s 1972 debut, Why Can't We Live Together, is a pioneering soul album recognized for its sparse, "soulful minimalism" and groundbreaking use of a drum machine (Maestro Rhythm Master) instead of a live drummer. Driven by Thomas's impassioned vocals and melodic organ, the album features topical,,,peace-focused lyrics, creating a unique, hypnotic sound that transcends its minimal production.
The album is defined by a stripped-down, almost mechanical sound, with Thomas playing Lowrey organ, bass pedals, and singing all parts, often accompanied only by the rhythm machine.
The album's centerpiece, "Why Can't We Live Together," was a massive hit, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973. It is known for its anti-war, pro-unity message. The record is described as having a slightly haunting yet intimate feel, with intense, focused performances. Includes notable, soulful covers like "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and The Chi-lites' "The Coldest Days Of My Life".
It is regarded as a unique, influential soul record that pioneered the use of electronic percussion in pop music. Some critics found the album’s consistent reliance on the same, repetitive rhythm machine and organ style to be monotonous or similar across tracks, potentially limiting its overall variety.
Despite being perceived by some as having a "samey" sound, the album is celebrated for its raw emotion and innovation, and is widely regarded as a unique, ahead-of-its-time masterpiece of 70s soul, driven by its stark, poignant title track and a singular artistic vision.
You’re The Song I’ve Always Wanted To Sing
Written-By – S. McKenney, T. Thomas
3:37
A2 I've Got To See You Tonight
Written-By – Willy Hale
3:16
A3 Sweet Brown Sugar
Written-By – Betty Wright
3:11
A4 Deep In You
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:41
A5 Spread Us Around
Written-By – Alaimo, T. Thomas
2:58
B1 One Brief Moment
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:48
B2 What Can I Tell Her
Written-By – Shapiro, Reid, Clarke
5:45
B3 Ebony Affair
Written-By – Timmy Thomas
3:51
B4 Let Me Be Your Eyes
Written-By – H.W. Casey, T. Thomas
3:49
Label: Glades – 6504
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Timmy Thomas's You're The Song I've Always Wanted To Sing (1974) is praised as a soulful, rich Miami soul masterpiece, building on his famous drum machine style with fuller arrangements, featuring Willie "Little Beaver" Hale's guitar and Thomas's deep vocals, offering a consistent listen with highlights like the title track, "Rainbow People," and proto-funk instrumental "Funky Me," making it an underrated gem with warm, pioneering soul/funk sounds.
A warm, fuller sound than his debut, blending pioneering early drum machine grooves with soulful organ, tasteful guitar work (from Little Beaver), and Thomas's heartfelt vocals.
Early Miami soul, cosmic soul, with hints of funk, disco-funk, and Stevie Wonder-esque flair, noted for its primitive yet effective solo-organ soul.
Highlights:- Title Track: A standout with its emotive core; "Rainbow People" & "Take Care Of Home": Examples of uptempo soulful tracks; "Funky Me": An instrumental praised as almost proto-industrial funk.
Considered an "unsung classic" and a "killer album," with reviewers noting its consistent quality and deep soulfulness, making it a must-listen for fans of early '70s soul.
In essence, it's a highly regarded, soul album that showcases Thomas's evolving sound and remains a favorite for its genuine warmth and innovation.
You re The Song I ve Always Wanted To Sing