I'd like to listen to some good old (not new) R&B music, but I don't really know where to start. I'm trying to go back and listen to who the people I like listened to, and it struck me the other day that a lot of what Jimi Hendrix did sounds like R&B. So if someone could point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

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Well TGS, I can't direct from a US view but I can from a UK.
In the early to mid sixties Chuck Berry was the man we were all listening to and copying, listen to early Rolling Stones stuff for example.
Then it was the blues men coming across the pond by invitation, that were creating big interest from the likes of Clapton, Alexis Korner, John Mayal, the list is endless.
Anyway the cellar clubs of the UK is were it all happened. I know because I played in these places at the time. We had one in our town and our manager joint owned the place, we played there every week and rehearsed there. I practically lived in that place.
So I got to hear all the bands that came there and a lot came.
I have chosen one for you here, that gives a real sense and feel to how it was back then. It sounded exactly like this.
My band played with these in the club. We were young and we did the afternoon session for the kids and these did the night session.
They were called David John and the Mood and they did this cover of a Bo-Diddley song called ' I Love To See You Strut '
Just as an extra note. He was called David John Smith and he used to go to the Cavern in Liverpool a lot and he was talking with Paul McCartney one day, who suggested he drop the 'Smith' part.
So David John and the Mood. They didn't last too long, I don't know why ? because they were a great band, fantastic sound.
If you want to know how it sounded in the cellar clubs in the early sixties UK. this is it. I hope you enjoy.
I can find more if you want 'em.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sAWXncIcmU

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Hi TGS,

I'd start with Sam Cooke, then on to Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T and the MG's ( Steve Cropper is amazing!), Move on up to Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers. This list could go on for days. Any of that old 50's and 60's soul and R&B is smoking! Check it all out!

Dig it!

Here's a decent list of artists and songs. http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/page ... songs.html
I'm not a big fan of new RNB Music. The old stuff just blows me away.

The Meters

Wilson Pickett

Otis Redding

Anything that Steve Jordan played drums on.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

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i second all mentioned so far

here are names not yet mentioned:
issac hayes
curtis mayfield <- BIG influence on Jimi
al green
sam and dave
isley brothers
southside johnny and the asbury jukes
disciples of soul

those last two are actually Stevie Van Zandt's side projects from the 80's, but they play some good soul!

i have to add that R&B can easily get confused with some forms of funk...the closer to the 70's you get, the closer you are to funk i'd say. i was gonna add WAR and Tower of Power to the list but stopped myself for this fact.

Another good band for that "old" R&B :

The Funk Brothers (check out the DVD "Standing in the Shadows of Motown)

also, The Neville Brothers and The Crusaders.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I would say you should look at nearly anything from the 1960s that bears the name Motown Records.

Leo Nocentelli - google him

and Eddie Hinton from the Muscle Shoals groups too.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hey Texas
Here's a slightly different take. A list of Female R&B singers, musicians, and composers.

Aretha Franklin
Gladys Knight
Lena Horne
Etta James
Josephine Baker
Laverne Baker
Ruth Brown
Bessie Smith
Billie Holiday
Ethel Waters
Lil Hardin Armstrong (Louis Armstong's wife)

There's more I'm sure....

Isley Brothers

Curtis Mayfield

Mavis Staples

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Get this album, 'nuff said

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“All music is folk music, I ain't never heard no horse sing a song.” Louis Armstrong

Cool, now I have a better idea of who to look for.

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I would add two more labels - Stax and Atlantic - with those three you're off to a great start.

why stop with Mavis? go the distance with the Staple Singers. Pop Roebuck plays some sweet guitar. thanks for reminding me btw, cant believe i forgot them.