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Allan Raible writes about music and the music industry. He is based in New York.
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Remembering Isaac Hayes (1942-2008)
August 11, 2008 11:55 AM
The death of Isaac Hayes yesterday came with great sadness and shock. Hayes was one of the most iconic soul music artists of our time. He was a massively gifted musical giant. Of course, he was most famous for his soundtrack to “Shaft,” and he embodied the cool image of that film’s title character, but that was only the tip of the iceberg.
Hayes’ arrangements were distinctively groovy. He was one of Stax records’ greatest musical architects. His songs were as elegant and impressive as they were effortlessly funky. What he could do with a string section and a flute was incredible. Just listening to a certain kind of sleek wah-wah guitar line brings to mind Isaac Hayes' signature sound. If you have ever heard his truly expansive versions of “Walk on By” or “The Look of Love,” you know that he could even add soul to the music of Burt Bacharach.
His only true peer may have been Curtis Mayfield whose work on “Superfly” was just as classic as Hayes’ work on “Shaft.” Sadly, now both masters are gone.
Hayes later also proved himself to be a gifted comedian with his work as the voice of Chef on “South Park.” Up until his controversial exit from the show, he was always a good source for a laugh, famously singing some of the most inappropriately funny songs ever put on television.
Isaac Hayes was indeed a legend. His influence helped shape the sound of modern R&B and hip-hop. He worked on Alicia Keys’ debut album (providing a typically Hayes-ian arrangement on her song “Rock Wit U”) and his work has been sampled by everyone from Jay-Z to Portishead.
Farewell, Mr. Hayes. There’s a reason why the nickname “Black Moses” stuck. In the world of soul music, you were indeed an epic titan.
What did Isaac Hayes’ music and influence mean to you?
August 11, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (19)
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thoughts and prayers for his family
Posted by: chris | Aug 11, 2008 12:16:01 PM
There are times when i am sad , but not as sad as i was on yesterday. A bright light has gone off. I never ssaw him in person ,but in my heart i have , his music was the bomb .I am going to miss him very much. To the family ,may God Bless and keep you . God pick his flower and took him home. Love Ya!!!! All CECE from Marion, SC
Posted by: Carolyn Clark | Aug 11, 2008 1:41:01 PM
Isaac Hayes was one of the best in the music industry and he will truly be missed by all. I send a heartfelt Sympathy.
Posted by: vivian Cary | Aug 11, 2008 2:29:16 PM
Isaac Hayes was one of the best in the music industry and he will truly be missed by all. I send a heartfelt Sympathy to his family.
Posted by: vivian Carey | Aug 11, 2008 2:32:09 PM
words can't really express the sadness I felt when I heard that Issac hayes passed away. After the loss of Bernie mac I felt the world has lost two great human beings. His music was something that no one will ever be able to duplicate or come close to recreate. Black Moses was one of the greatest artist of all time. I saw in person in Cincinnati in 1971 and it was a performance I will never forget. To his family my prayers go out to them and I know that the Lord will comfort them. Heaven has another great human being and a great muscian, a true legend. I will trully miss his music and his films,I will treasure the time the Lord gave him to us.
Posted by: natalie zanders | Aug 11, 2008 2:56:28 PM
losing Issac and bernie this weekend its hurt growing up in cleveland seeing isssac hayes in concert he was a performer then bernie mac a comedian he could make you laugh this is a sad day
Posted by: Jaye cartier | Aug 11, 2008 4:17:39 PM
my prayers and thoughts are with the family of the two great legend.
Posted by: the williams family | Aug 11, 2008 4:23:07 PM
my prayers and thoughts are with the family of the two great legends. baton rouge,la.
Posted by: the williams family | Aug 11, 2008 4:25:49 PM
my prayers go to the families of two great legends who past away too early.Berrnie Mac and Issac Hayes will always be remembered in our hearts and minds.
Posted by: ninon hill | Aug 11, 2008 4:42:47 PM
my thoughts and prayers go out to each of those families that lost there loved one this weekend music and comedy has both lost a legend.
Posted by: the braddix family | Aug 11, 2008 5:34:57 PM
I LOVE this guys both I have all Your movies and songs your gone BUT NOT FORGOTTEN our prays are with your Familys LOVE YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Margaret Atkins/Family | Aug 11, 2008 7:34:48 PM
Isaac Hayes was such a musical genius, self-taught and one who never wavered from his image as a strong Black man.
Black Moses will truly be missed, although I heard he has a new CD coming on Stax at the top of 2009. So, maybe that will leave a final note for us to enjoy along with his incredible catalog.
Posted by: Marilyn B | Aug 11, 2008 9:47:02 PM
I was too young to go house parties when Isaac Hayes was enjoying his first heyday, but I still have vivid memories of many of his tunes.
As a city kid, my grandmother would take me to the country (East Texas) every summer.
There, my cousins had all of the latest hits of the day, including those by Isaac Hayes. I will never forget hearing them play "Walk On By"on the record player in 1969. That next summer, they were playing "I Stand Accused". Then, my grandmother took up the slack in '71. She slid across the seat of her sea green Coupe deVille and popped in her 8-track tape of Shaft so that we could be entertained during our yearly East Texas pilgrimage. You read it right. An 8-track tape. Her favorite song was "The Theme from Shaft" but I liked the instrumental tune "Ellie's Love Theme" best. As I reached my teens, I started getting into gospel music, dance music, pop, & disco so I kind of lost touch with deep soul music for a minute. But during the late 80's as I started to get into rap, and some of the better rappers returned me to my soul roots. Public Enemy's "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" in '88, DJ Quik's "Born and Raised in Compton" in '92, all of which sampled Hayes' "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" all come to mind.
And let me not forget one of my all time favorite rap songs is the 1991 cut "Mind Playin' Tricks on Me" by the Geto Boys from they sampled Ike's "Hung Up On My Baby".
In the 90's, I got into Electronica/Trip-Hop. Portishead's 1995 "Glory Box" unabashedly sampled the haunting "Ike's Rap II" and is one of the best.
So you see, Ike had a hold on me, no matter what genre of music he popped out of. And he still does. RIP Black Moses.
Posted by: G | Aug 11, 2008 11:19:21 PM
Though d 'black moses' is gone,he lives on through his music.Rest in peace...
Posted by: tammy | Aug 12, 2008 3:25:21 PM
Iaasac Hayes....a talented, awesome musical icon. He was an excellent actor. My memories of him go back to my teenage year. I love to hear his voice, whether he was talking or belting out a tune. He will be missed but his music, his movies, his memory will live on.
Posted by: PJ | Aug 12, 2008 6:03:30 PM
Rest in peace Black Moses,your music will always live in our hearts forever.
Posted by: Eline | Aug 15, 2008 9:22:25 PM
My prayers and condolences go out to first, but not least the family of Bernie Mac, and the Mr. Isaac Hayes, "The Black Moses" of our time. You will always stand out amongest the best performers of all time. I had the pleasure of seeing you several time in Kansas City along with those fabulous Bar-Kays. Isaac was "chained-to-the-tee" and so entertaining!! Love to both families. We will see them again. LOVE TO ALL!!!
Posted by: LT | Aug 16, 2008 6:34:19 PM
Ike, Black Moses....Isaac Hayes, this music icon will truly be missed. My prayers and thoughts go to the family of this awesome man.
My memories of Isaac Hayes began with my parents, singing, dancing, making love, etc. to the sounds of an icon before his time. I instantly became a true fan, who began a musical love affair with Isaac Hayes by the age of five. In chains, Black Moses was posted on my bedroom wall. Ike's sexy, sultry voice was so mesmerizing that his performance could bring down a house!!!!
I will always cherish songs like "By the Time I Get to Phoenix, "Walk on By", "I Stand Accused", "Soulsville", "One Woman", "The Look of Love", "Come Live With Me".....even the spiritual song, "His Eye is on the Sparrow". This great artist, entertainer, musical genius, was the pioneer for many talented individuals....we applaud you Isaac Hayes!!!!
You will always be my man, Ike, Black Moses.....Rest "Soul Man" rest......
Posted by: PB | Aug 16, 2008 9:14:28 PM
RIP MR Hayes your voice was hypnotic and riveting. Your someone important in my life. I may have never personally met you. But listening to you helped me to overcome when i needed too. And to superceed where i needed to as well. You will be missed. God Bless You......
Posted by: Carmen | Aug 22, 2008 11:26:13 AM
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