Listened to Stevie Wonders new single last week and in it he mentions Minnie Ripperton.Got me to thinking of other tracks that name check artists.Off the top of my head came Marvin Gaye's "Praise" where he sings the line "Stevie,we really dig it,hope you don't mind this riff from you" referring I always presumed to Stevie Wonder.
Then there is Gil's "Is that Jazz?" where he reels off a whole list of artists...
Count Basie
Duke Ellington
Stevie (again)
Bob Marley
John Coltrane
Charlie Parker
Lester Young
Billie Holliday
Miles Davis
Brother Ron (Carter?)
Dizzy Gillespie
Grover Washington

Anyone add any songs to the list?

Where U @: Aveley

Blimey there must be loads. Can only think of COMMODORES - NIGHTSHIFT. Does that count......

Gangstarr - Jazz thing springs to mind
& a housey one singing about Minnie climbing the stairway to heaven

Todd Gardner - "do you know house"

Just thought of another one.........
ZAPP - IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER

Michael Franks "The Lady wants to know" name checks Miles,Coltrane and Elvis.

The all too obvious Pasadenas-"Tribute (Ride on)"; Jackie Wilson,Marvin,Smokey,Little Richard,Supremes,and about 20 others.

Van Morrison-"Jackie Wilson said"

Blossom Dearie-"Sweet Georgie Fame"

PaulS ..ta that would have driven me mad until I got home ..right back top workieo

Gil Scott Heron-"Lady Day and John Coltrane"

After mentioning Stevie SIR DUKE comes to mind. How about Ella Mack the Knife scat? Paulette Reeves Jazz Freak. Chaka Chan Bebop melody

Rick Holmes & Noel Mcoy both have done long lists of artist in their songs

easy option i know but arthur conley/ sweet soul music

Another easy option (and Van M related - JW said) is Dexy's and Geno.

Thelonious Monk with his melodious funk - what a line

Good shout Simon,Kevin Rowland also sings about "Jimmy's machine" (Sex Machine I presume)in Geno.
Different vibe but he also name checks reams of Irish artists/writers/poets/playwrights in Dance Stance.

Where U @: Aveley

Tons of 'em really - Spandau "listening to Marvin all night long" on True, ABC - When Smokey Sings, Smokey himself on "Its time to stop shopping around" - actually that namechecks songs rather than artists, but its in the spirit of this thread...

Donnell Jones' Lood.

Although he doesn't name artists but DJ's/producers who some can be called artists too I suppose.

DC
www.sixmillionsteps.com

BILLY BRAGG-"LEVI STUBBS TEARS"

ABC-"WHEN SMOKEY SINGS"

What about the purple man himself or whatever he's called these days.....
Honey them hips is gone
That's alright, I clock em that way
Remind me of something JAMES used to say

I like em fat
I like em proud
Ya gotta have a mother for me.........

PRINCE - GETT OFF (presume he's talking about James Brown)

Billy Paul - Let em in

"Stevie" - PATRICE HOLLOWAY (tamla motown)

Seeing Jarreau Patrice Rushden

Genius of love - Tom Tom Club

Mentions:-
George Clinton
Bootsy Collins
Smokey Robinson
Bob Marley
Sly and Robbie
Kurtis Blow
James Brown
Hamilton Bohannon

Terry Callier and his tribute to 'Ordinary Joe' Williams warms my cockles every time.

And hitherto a point from elsehwere, is this - a la Ramsey Lewis' 'Wade In The Water' - one of those Northern Soul records that isn't a Northerm Soul record?

To the second point Mr Webster what about Having a Party Hecter Rivero same thread

And Gav Page mentioned The Snake, too.

Bit speculative this, but I had it on good authority from an officianado of the aforementioned sub genre that because there is a ceiling on what constitutes a Northern Soul record, their now digging through the floor and plying the '50's for tunes.

And back to the point...Eddie Jefferson and Richie Cole were 'Waiting For (Tom) Waites' were they not?

And is Natalie Cole's 'Annie May' about Tina Turner?

or have I just started the Stupidest Question Ever sub-thread?

Easy one here, George Benson 'Marvin Said'

On the subject of northern soul Mr W, quirkiest one in my collection is the 'disco' version of 'When Love Grows Cold', the theme tune from the TV series 'Edward & Mrs Simpson'. Man responsible was Ron Grainer, he who also did Dr Who and Steptoe and Son themes! A Wigan classic......

Where U @: Sunny Purfleet

NIK NAME Dad

Didn't Ron Grainer also do Man In A Suitcase which became the TFI Friday theme tune?

Sweet Soul Music - Artheur Conley
name checkin Joe Tex, the 'wicked' pickett etc!!

Where U @: Milton Keynes

NIK NAME Disco dave

Tower of power - Diggin' on James Brown