Old Music Friday
Old Music Friday
Dear friend who turns up the volume to eleven,
The Instagram algorithm got one right this year. It introduced me to Owen Cutts and his Friday reels: “OLD MUSIC FRIDAY!!” I’ve been meaning to tell you about it.
Every week he spotlights an artist of old — someone you’ve forgotten, or maybe never knew. He’s wildly expressive and knows his stuff; every reel teaches you something about songwriting, performance, or backstory while being genuinely entertaining. The reels are below, and I’ve also built playlists in Apple Music and Spotify if you’d rather just listen.
Mr. Cutts, I salute you. I look forward to you every Friday morning when I open IG.
My Highlights and Surprises
- Les Fleurs — Minnie Riperton. I remember “Loving You” but never heard this one. The chorus and the build to it are amazing.
- Stay with Me — Lorraine Ellison. The power of her voice.
- Jealous Guy — Donny Hathaway. A live, soulful cover of John Lennon’s song. His piano accompaniment drives the whole thing.
- Don’t You Know — Della Reese. The biggest surprise. I knew her from “Touched by an Angel” and “Chico and the Man.” Knew nothing of her music.
- Reach Out, I’ll Be There — The Four Tops. The “Rah!” See Owen’s reel for more on this.
- War — Edwin Starr. Probably first heard this through Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in Rush Hour movies. Edwin’s vocals, The Originals on background, and The Funk Brothers on instruments!
- Midnight Train to Georgia — Gladys Knight and the Pips. Her voice is great, but the Pips make the song. Their harmonies, their response to her calls. “Woo-Woo!!” I remember hearing this song as a kid, but it is so much better today.
The OMF List:
| Song | Artist | Link | Post Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| What A Difference A Day Made | Dinah Washington | video | Oct 3, 2025 |
| Les Fleurs | Minnie Riperton | video | Oct 10, 2025 |
| Stay with Me | Lorraine Ellison | video | Oct 17, 2025 |
| The Great Gig In the Sky | Pink Floyd | video | Oct 24, 2025 |
| I’ve Got a Need for You | David Ruffin | video | Oct 31, 2025 |
| Sparkle | Aretha Franklin | video | Nov 7, 2025 |
| Shake a Tail Feather | Ray Charles | video | Nov 14, 2025 |
| Stand on the Word | The Joubert Singers | video | Nov 21, 2025 |
| Jealous Guy | Donny Hathaway | video | Nov 28, 2025 |
| You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me | Dusty Springfield | IG link | Dec 5, 2025 |
| Ready or Not Here I Come | The Delfonics | video | Dec 12, 2025 |
| Little Things Mean a Lot | Bettye Swann | video | Dec 19, 2025 |
| Silent Night | The Temptations | video | Dec 26, 2025 |
| Cry Baby | Janis Joplin | video | Jan 9, 2026 |
| Crosstown Traffic | The Jimi Hendrix Experience | video | Jan 16, 2026 |
| Don’t You Know | Della Reese | video | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Here You Come Again | Millie Jackson | video | Jan 30, 2026 |
| Go Now | The Moody Blues | video | Feb 6, 2026 |
| Somebody Else’s Guy | Jocelyn Brown | video | Feb 13, 2026 |
| Pastime Paradise | Stevie Wonder | video | Feb 20, 2026 |
| Daydream | Gunter Kallmann Choir | video | Feb 27, 2026 |
| War | Edwin Starr | video | Mar 6, 2026 |
| Piece of My Heart | Erma Franklin | video | Mar 13, 2026 |
| I Put a Spell On You | Screamin’ Jay Hawkins | video | Mar 20, 2026 |
| (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay | Otis Redding | video | Mar 27, 2026 |
| Sh-Boom | The Chords | video | Apr 3, 2026 |
| Hang On In There Baby | Johnny Bristol | video | Apr 10, 2026 |
| Midnight Train to Georgia | Gladys Knight & The Pips | video | Apr 17, 2026 |
| Thanks for Saving My Life | Billy Paul | video | Apr 24, 2026 |
| Nights On Broadway | Candi Staton | video | May 1, 2026 |
| Stand By Me | Ben E. King | video | May 8, 2026 |
| Reach Out, I’ll Be There | Four Tops | video | May 15, 2026 |
| This Is It | Melba Moore | video | May 22, 2026 |
| Gimme a Little Sign | Brenton Wood | video | May 29, 2026 |
| What a Wonderful Thing Love Is | Al Green | video | Jun 5, 2026 |
| What You Won’t Do For Love | Bobby Caldwell | video | Jun 12, 2026 |
| Love Hangover | Diana Ross | video | Jun 19, 2026 |
| Heat Wave | Martha Reeves and the Vandellas | video | Jun 26, 2026 |
| All This Love That I’m Givin’ | Gwen McCrae | video | Jul 3, 2026 |
| Sinnerman | Nina Simone | video | Jul 10, 2026 |
| Sympathy for the Devil | Rolling Stones | video | Jul 17, 2026 |
| I Can’t Stand the Rain | Ann Peebles | video | Jul 24, 2026 |
| I Keep Forgettin’ | Michael McDonald | video | Jul 31, 2026 |
| Close the Door | Teddy Pendergrass | video | Aug 7, 2026 |
| Best of My Love | The Emotions | video | Aug 14, 2026 |
| So In Love | Curtis Mayfield | video | Aug 21, 2026 |
| Two Doors Down | Dolly Parton | video | Aug 28, 2026 |
| Sweet Soul Music | Arthur Conley | video | Sep 4, 2026 |
| Rich Girl | Hall & Oates | video | Sep 11, 2026 |
| Everyday People | Sly & the Family Stone | video | Sep 18, 2026 |
Yours,
rs