0 Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie, Klymaxx, and ZAPP! get Unsung

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/15/2009

TV One will be profiling more vintage R&B talent on the 2nd season of their revealing documentary showcase: Unsung. To the lovers of classic soul, Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie, Klymaxx, and ZAPP! are successful performers with large fan bases. Unsung explores the premise that these artists peaked professionally at a level somewhat short of the massive impact of some bigger superstars, however, they deserve an investigative nod for their valuable contributions. Catch the new shows beginning Sunday, November 1, 2009, on TV One. Previous Post | Next Post

0 This Is It Is Not the Last of Michael Jackson Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/13/2009

Watch and listen to my thoughts about the new Michael Jackson song, "This Is It." There are more unreleased tracks in the Michael Jackson vault waiting to eventually surface. The Jacksons are featured on "This Is It" singing background vocals. You'll hear the track at the end of the movie Michael Jackson's This Is It, and it is featured on the companion 2 CD record. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Mariah Carey Crafts Foreigner Love Song Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/07/2009

With a voice as strong as ever, Mariah Carey revives a song from the past, and brings it up to the present, with this live performance of Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is." The version on her new 2009 album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel is good, but not quite as electric as this live performance, proving that great performers are inspired by the energy radiating from their responsive audiences. Watch the video, then vote for the performance you like better, either Mariah Carey's "I Want To Know What Love Is," or Whitney Houston's "I Look To You." 2022 Update: Voting is over. Thank you! We've replaced the original MSN Mariah Carey live video that is no longer available with the one below that is equally as good. Enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Fraulein Whitney Houston German Fernsehen Video

• Video
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/06/2009

Music is the universal language, as Whitney Houston sings her latest song "I Look To You," on the German television program, Wetten Das, during her fall 2009 promotional tour in Deutschland. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Leon Huff is King of Philly Soul Keyboard

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/01/2009

Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff are usually identified as the signature writers, arrangers, and producers for their Philadelphia International Records empire. The hot piano riffs behind many of those Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, Intruders, and O'Jays recordings come courtesy of keyboard king Leon Huff. When you are pumping out the hits for a stable of stars, you have little time remaining for your own solo projects. Incredibly, Leon Huff released only one solo album in 1980: Here To Create Music. This record was re-released in 2008 on CD by Sony BMG, Legacy, and Philadelphia International Records. Listen to 30 seconds of Leon Huff strutting his stuff on "I Ain't Jivin', I'm Jammin'," an excellent example of his sophisticated Philly musical fusion pulling together orchestration, funk, and sensational soul. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Patti Austin Sings for Godfather Quincy Jones

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/29/2009

The 14th Annual Bermuda Music Festival takes place on Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31, 2009. Erykah Badu, James Ingram, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Michael McDonald, Kenny Rogers, Naturally Seven, and Patti Austin are scheduled to perform. Austin's godfather, Quincy Jones, will be there too to join the fun and introduce the artists. Patti performs on Friday, October 30. The Saturday night Halloween program will feature a special presentation of Michael Jackson's Thriller video. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The New Michael Jackson Song - This Is It

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/24/2009

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, a brand new Michael Jackson song, "This Is It," will be released. An international debut of Jackson's double CD This Is It happens Monday, October 26. Finally, according to an official MichaelJackson.com release, north America gets the twin-disc This Is It on Tuesday, October 27th. Michael Jackson's This Is It, the movie, hits theaters for a two week only limited engagement on Wednesday, October 28th. Previous Post | Next Post

0 George Benson Releases Songs and Stories

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/23/2009

George Benson likes to throw rigid music categories out the window when he describes himself as "an entertainer" at heart. During his successful career, George has repeatedly walked across 'genre street' bridging jazz, classic soul, and straight ahead R&B. The new George Benson album, Songs and Stories, scheduled for an October 2009 release, leans toward the pop mainstream with tracks written by among others James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Bill Withers, and Donny Hathaway. In reading through the official George Benson biography in the About section on his website, it's clear that he has paid his dues excelling in a variety of award winning roles as both a guitarist and vocalist. Benson's hits are well known: "This Masquerade," "Give Me The Night," "Inside Love." A novelty favorite of mine is 1975's "Supership," a danceable ditty complete with ocean liner horn sound effects. Songs and Stories continues the George Benson legacy with these tracks: "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" "Family Reunion" "Show Me The Love" "A Telephone Call Away" "Someday We'll All Be Free" "Nuthin' But A Party" "Come In From The Cold" "Exotica" "Rainy Night In Georgia" "One Like You" "Living In High Definition" "Sailing" Join Mr. Benson as he continues his international 2009 tour: October 22, 2009 Westbury, NY - Westbury Music Fair October 24, Detroit, MI - Masonic Center November 12, Yerevan, Armenia - National Academic Opera and Ballet November 14, Moscow, Russia - Kremlin Palace November 16, Baku, Azerbaijan - Heydar Aliyev Palace November 18, Dubai, UAE - Emirates Golf Club November 19, Manama, Bahrain - Venue to be announced November 22, Rome, Italy - Sala Santa Cecilia November 23, Naples, Italy - Teatro Augesteo November 24, Bari, Italy - Teatroteam November 25, Catania, Italy - Teatro Metropolitan Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Pointer Sisters Keep their Trio Together

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/17/2009

The beat goes on for The Pointer Sisters, despite the loss of June Pointer in April, 2006. There's strength in the family when multiple generations can sing together to create harmony in the name of beautiful music. Issa, (on the right, with Ruth (left) and Anita Pointer (middle) is Ruth's daughter. Issa officially joined the group in 2003, and was 7 years old when the Pointer Sisters toured in 1985. Discover the official Pointer Sisters website. Catch the Pointer Sisters Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Bally's in Atlantic City, NJ. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Oz with a free NYC Concert

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/15/2009

Jennifer Hudson with Questlove aka ?uestlove of the Roots, are scheduled to perform songs from The Wizard of Oz, in honor of the 70th anniversary of the historic 1939 movie. The free outdoor concert in New York City's Central Park, Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at 7:30 pm is being sponsored by the online movie rental company Netflix. Following the concert, there will be an outdoor screening of The Wizard of Oz. (8:30 pm - Rumsey Playfield). Have lots of bandwidth? Netflix says you can watch the movie online (no charge) on Saturday, October 3, from www.netflix.com/wizardofoz. We don't know what songs Jennifer Hudson and company will be singing in Central Park, but here are the top 5 songs from the original Wizard of Oz soundtrack: "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" "We're Off to See The Wizard" "If I Only Had a Brain" "If I Only Had a Heart" "Over the Rainbow" Judy Garland lit up the silver screen with her version. Now listen to 30 seconds of Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles singing "Over the Rainbow," followed by 30 seconds of Michael Jackson's "Ease on Down The Road" from the Wiz (1978). Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post