Mike: you say, "It is rooted in Blues and Gospel. If Bluegrass is second generation folk, so is Rythem and Blues."

Amen, brother. I couldn't agree more.

Some would argue that the Stax/Volt Memphis brand of soul is more down-home and "authentic" than Detroit's Motown sound. They have a point, but then again, it's *all* great music.

You'd probably enjoy New Orleans R&B as well, which is less widely known and supremely funky. Check out my favorite radio station any weeknight between 7pm and midnight any weeknight:

www.wwoz.org