Stranger and Patsy - "Down the Trainline"
Stranger and Patsy sing in exquisite harmony throughout “Down the Trainline,” but the subtle highlight is the four seconds when, starting at 0:25, Stranger sings alone, a most subdued and sleepy soul, drawing out every note, taking his time. The bounce, click and tap of the rhythm section is pleasing to me also.
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Baby Huey was a four hundred pound man who produced from his huge body a huge voice. Though his name was almost certainly conceived ironically, there is also something true in it: the baby’s lyrical approach and gritty whine are like that of a child hard done by.
“Hard Times” is a claustrophobic and sinister Chicago soul number. The low frequencies are filled with bass and brass, and the treble ones with skittering and crooked guitar lines. The middle of the sonic space is occupied by a full horn section and Baby Huey’s anguished and passionate voice.
Pay special attention to the psych-funk build-up to nothing starting at 2:05.