Musical families

We're back in Houston and again off to Red Cat Jazz cafe for another gig.  This time a male singer, Spud Howard, fronting the house band.  But it led me to query definitions: Soul, R&B, neoSoul and related jazz and funk.  I know jazz well enough but the others merge into a mush of similarity in my thoughts, being similar and related.  My readings suggest a matter of historical development, relationships and influences (including from jazz), varied instrumentation and lyrical styles all grouped under the broad umbrella of R&B (from an AI overview but clearly taken from Wikipedia and probably some other sources).  Listening to a string of tracks from Spotify playlists just confirmed the similarities and justified the confusion.  Whatever, this night was the male voice of Spud Howard in place of Jenni P and her female voice.  I expected a difference and there was plenty despite the same back-line band.  Perhaps I'd judge Jenni as neoSoul and Spud as Soul or perhaps R&B, for what it matters.  There was energy of drive and funk here, and immense expression, with or without accompaniment.  Arms adrift and feet moving across stage.  Occasionally songs that I knew and plenty more known by the audience who sang along.  Busy, bent notes, screams, dense improv and touches of spoken words, dirt and emotions raw and evident.  Immensity and intensity that expresses but also invites, so many of the audience, as usual virtually all women, were up and dancing along, then perhaps a slow, staccato reverb on a pensive ballad then the snap and excitement resumes.  This was a show of obvious energy and rabid invitation.  Again pretty much a medley for an hour or so.  Just a stunner.  A second week at Red Cat and a second week of stunning R&B-somewhere music.  I smiled widely, whooped frequently and loved them both and I was not alone.

Spud Howard (vocals) performed at Red Cat Jazz Club, Houston TX, with the host band comprising Pierre Grijaliva (bass), Ronald Dorsey (drums) and Jorvan Butler (keys).