Categories
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0 Countdown to the 2009 Essence Music Festival
- News
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 06/06/2009
More music, more voices, and more culture will be jammed into the 15th anniversary of the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, July 3 - 5, 2009, than ever before. The celebration promises to delivery a bayou full of music, motivation, and merry-making. Beyonce', Teena Marie, Al Green, Anita Baker, Salt-N-Pepa, and John Legend lead the evening performance schedule. Dozens of other acts are also on the bill. Daytime events include a big tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes. 270,000 people attended in 2008. Over 200,000 attended in 2007. Previous Post | Next Post
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- Biography
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 06/04/2009
I was lucky enough to work at an R&B radio station in the 1970's that allowed us (the dj's) to play Koko Taylor right along side of the Temptations and Aretha Franklin. The somewhat eclectic mix helped me to develop a reverence and appreciation for the blues masters, who by the mid 1960's had long since slipped off of the popular music charts. NPR Music on their All Songs Considered blog has a Look Back at blues legend Koko Taylor, including videos and bio. She passed away on June 3, 2009, at the age of 80. In the Blues Brothers 2000 movie, Koko Taylor performs in the grand finale as one of The Louisiana Gator Boys. Previous Post | Next Post
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1 Al B. Sure comes Home for Honey
- News
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 06/02/2009
When Al B. Sure entered a Sony Music sponsored song contest in the 1980's, luck with talent attracted the ear of judge Quincy Jones, who picked Al B. to receive the top honor from among 50 finalists. With some grooming, Sure eventually went on to release the successful 1988 hit In Effect Mode, featuring his anthem "Nite and Day." On Tuesday, June 23, 2009, Al B. Sure leaps ahead 21 years to release Honey, I'm Home, a brand new album featuring 10 original songs. 2022 Update: Sadly his love blog referenced below is gone, but you can keep up with Al B. Sure on his official website. Laura Krier in southern Spain has a great new audio conversation with "Mr. Nite and Day." You can hear it by visiting the official Al B. Sure love blog and clicking on the "interview with Laura Krier" link. During the interview, Al B. has a great tip for up and coming artists. Sure says, in effect, forget about the technology, it's all about the song. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 AWB - Hall and Oates Box Set Bonanzas
- News
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/29/2009
New box sets paired with massive vintage catalogue reissues just keep on comin' for many seasoned legacy artists. The complete Average White Band catalogue of 12 albums released from 1973 to 1982 are now recast as four 2-CD slip-cased sets on Edsel Records, under the supervision of original AWB band members Alan Gorrie, Hamish Stuart and Onnie McIntyre. Listen to my classic AWB interview from 1974 with Malcolm Duncan and Hamish Stuart from the band. The group was in New York City appearing at the Bottom Line Club. Our conversation was recorded at NYU's radio station in the Washington Square Loeb Student Center in downtown Manhattan. Straight From Philadelphia is another new box set from Daryl Hall & John Oates scheduled for a June 2, 2009 release. For a pretty hefty price, fans will be able to relive "Sara Smile," She's Gone," and their other soulful sounds. Learn more on their official websites as Hall and Oates and AWB roll on. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. stay Sweet
- Website
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/28/2009
From her hosting stint with the TV show Solid Gold, to their solo hits, to their life with the 5th Dimension, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. are great examples of how far talent can take you. The official McCoo and Davis website proudly proclaims how the couple is "celebrating a lifetime of entertainment, distinction, and a legacy of giving." You don't have to be a star to be in their show. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. will be appearing in Las Vegas July 3 - July 5, 2009, at the Suncoast Hotel. Previous Post | Next Post
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- Flashback
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/27/2009
Here's Sam Cooke in a lighter studio moment from way back in 1962. The photo is on the back of the vinyl release The Best of Sam Cooke. Producers Hugo & Luigi proclaim on the album jacket "he lives in the top ten," and Sam Cooke did, with these memorable favorites included in this collection: "You Send Me" "Only Sixteen" " Everybody Loves To Cha Cha Cha" "For Sentimental Reasons" "Wonderful World" "Summertime" "Chain Gang" "Cupid" "Twistin' The Night Away" "Sad Mood" "Having A Party" "Bring It On Home To Me" Discover much more about Sam Cooke in the PowerhouseRadio.com Archive. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Jody Watley Declares New International Independence
- Website
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/18/2009
Long after her fun-filled days with Shalamar, vocalist Jody Watley continued to release new songs via the independent music circuit. She's just expanded her reach, by signing an international marketing agreement with London based ADA-Global, who will distribute her Avitone Records independent back catalogue from 1995 to the present. Check out my 2006 update on Jody Watley's The Makeover album, which is scheduled to be revised and re-released soon as the first Avitone-ADA project. Jody has planned these upcoming mini-tour concert dates: Thursday, July 30, 2009, The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA, 8 pm Friday, July 31, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Times Square, New York, NY, 8 pm Sunday, August 2, Halstead Market Days Festival, Chicago, IL, 8:30 pm Follow Jody Watley: On Music, Pop Culture, and Life by reading her motivating blog updates. You can also learn more at the official Jody Watley website. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Soul Men Mac and Jackson Spread Boogie Flu
- Audio
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/14/2009
Now out on DVD, Soul Men, the 2008 movie, with the late Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson, (pictured here with the late Isaac Hayes), is a raunchy, entertaining, musical laugh fest. Surprise, surprise, these Hollywood guys not only have the gift of gab, but they can bust a classic soul vocal move! Here's what I call a genre buster..."Boogie Ain't Nuttin' (But Gettin' Down)," a track featured in both the movie, and on the Original Soul Men Soundtrack. Listen to my 60 second remix of "Boogie Ain't Nuttin' (But Gettin' Down)" performed by Bernie Mac and Samuel L. Jackson. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 Diana Ross Rolls into Foxwoods Country
- News
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/12/2009
A now somewhat rare Diana Ross concert appearance is always a treat. Mashantucket, Connecticut, Motown legions will be thrilled to check out Ms. Ross, live, Saturday, May 16, 2009, for an 8 pm show at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Previous Post | Next Post
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0 War Keeps West Coast Peace with Classic Soul Jams
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 05/07/2009
Lonnie Jordan, War, and crew are teaming up with Tierra, Malo, and El Chicano for some May, 2009 west coast gigs. You may remember Malo's Latin cross-over hit "Suavecito." The group was lead by Carlos Santana's brother, Jorge. El Chicano's most memorable track was the smooth instrumental favorite "Viva Tirado." War Dates: Saturday, May 23, 2009, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA with Tierra, Malo, and El Chicano Sunday, May 24, Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA with Tierra, Malo, and El Chicano Find recent War videos featured on the band's official website. 2022 Update: An older 'War live' video that was originally posted below has been removed. Here's a newer one, an excellent live version of "Why Can't We Be Friends" (Live at KAABOO Del Mar 2018 in Del Mar, CA). Previous Post | Next Post