0 Grammy Spectacular Struts Live Stuff Center Stage

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/09/2009

Have the Grammy Awards discovered a new magic formula?...bury the awards and spotlight the music? Their 51st annual extravaganza at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was front loaded with lots of live music, and very little of the less than compelling award show dribble that usually interrupts the pacing of the live performances that highlight this television event. But hey, it's an awards show right? After an energetic opening from U2, Whitney Houston presented Jennifer Hudson with her best R&B Album of the year Grammy Award (Hudson, record executive Clive Davis, and Houston are pictured left to right). You may have thought you were watching a live concert for the first 90 minutes, happily replacing the sometimes boring dialogue accompanying many of the formulaic Grammy presenters and winner acceptance speeches. The show was improved this year by the Hollywood stars who teamed up with the musician presenters to frame the introduction of each specific award. Actors have the skill to sell those adlibs just a little bit better reading the scripted introductions rather than musicians who fumble when eyeballing their television teleprompter lines. Clearly, the inter-genre collaborations keep this program from being totally predictable. Cold Play with Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder with The Jonas Brothers, or Al Green with Justin Timberlake made for some inventive musical television. If you could only take about the first 2 hours of the Grammy marathon, you were rewarded with several interesting sets featuring some very good performances. Previous Post | Next Post

1 The Chambers Brothers Shout

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/05/2009

The weekend of February 12 - 13, 1971, The Chambers Brothers made their 4th appearance at Bill Graham's legendary Fillmore East in New York City. Here's the biography that was included in the official program that weekend (from an original hard copy in the PowerhouseRadio.com archive). "The Chambers Brothers, Willie, George, Lester and Joe were born in Mississippi and made their debut in Lee County's Mount Calvary Baptist Church." "At that time George was seventeen; Willie was eleven; Lester was nine; and Joe seven. Soon afterwards the family moved to Los Angeles and the Brothers continued to sing together in church groups." "Their first professional break came when they met the owner of a club called The Ash Grove, and from there they moved on to gigs in other local clubs." "In 1961 the Brothers turned professional, and for the next two-and-a-half years continued to concentrate on gospel songs and play small clubs and coffee houses." "When their emphasis changed to pop tunes and blues, they found themselves in need of a drummer. They met Brian Keenan one night at Ondine in New York, liked his playing, and asked him to join the group." "Brian was born in Manhattan, but raised in small towns in Ireland and England. When he was eleven, he returned to the United States, living in the Bronx." "One of his main hobbies was observing the street bongo-players and by the time he moved back to England as a teenager, he had his own set of drums. After living in London for several years, Brian once again returned to New York where he met the Brothers." ---------- Before The Chambers Brothers scored with several big hits while recording for Columbia, they recorded a series of tracks around 1965. The picture above is from Vault Records album #120 Shout, released in 1968, three years too late, masquerading as new product to compete with the hot Columbia material. Shout featured an 11 minute live version of a song originally made famous by the Isley Brothers. The other Shout tracks were recorded in the studio. Although the Chambers Brothers were ultimately more popular with the pure pop crowd than the classic soul fraternity, they are significant in the 60's landscape because they attracted an integrated audience with their soft psychedelics and gospel influenced vocals. The Chambers Brothers had the crossover appeal of a Prince, Michael Jackson, and Sly & The Family Stone. Here are my picks for the top 5 Chambers Brothers Songs: "Funky" "People Get Ready" "Love, Peace, and Happiness" "I Can't Turn You Loose" "Time Has Come Today" Previous Post | Next Post

0 A New Peaches and Herb Snack

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/03/2009

"Reunited," "Shake Your Groove Thing," and one of my classic soul favorites, "Two Little Kids." Three memorable hits hammering home the musical mark of Peaches & Herb. Herb Fame, the original male half of this duo, has been honored to host a variety of lady partners who have filled the role of "Peaches." Colors of Love is a brand new Peaches and Herb CD scheduled for an April, 2009 release.   I would expect that we'll hear more of the tight romantic harmonies this duo is famous for. Peaches and Herb will be appearing in Washington, DC, at Blues Alley for two shows on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Brook Benton Crosses the Soul Bridge

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/29/2009

I was about 5 years old when Brook Benton dominated the music charts, but older family members always listened to his records around the house. Benton was swept along by the new wave of late 1950's R&B, slowly morphing his easy listening approach to popular music into what I'd call pre-'Sam Cooke' soul. In 1984, just as the CD coffin was finally closing on vinyl albums, Mercury Records released a vinyl album Brook Benton: It's Just a Matter of Time - His Greatest Hits. Brook has a smooth, rich, deep, mellow voice, well suited for his mannerly disposition with songs. He serenades rather than shouts. Ann Rowena Harris, National Promotion Director of Urban Contemporary Music, Polygram Records, wrote the following liner notes on this 1984 album Brook Benton: It's Just a Matter of Time - His Greatest Hits: "It was just about the year that most teenage girls were swooning to Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, the time of year when you prepared to go that last mile down the aisle for graduation." "You can imagine how we felt in the fall of 1959. For us, we knew it was just a matter of time." "That seemed to be the record everybody started playing because we all knew we were headed for better things that fall." "It was then that the golden voice caught hold, as if it were one big love affair." "That was the voice of Brook Benton, smooth and deep like fine wine. It was Brook's "Endlessly" that kept you motivated through those final exams." "Brook Benton was born, Benjamin Franklin Peay, in Camden, South Carolina, September of 1931." "His first record for Mercury, the luminous "It's Just a Matter of Time," reached No. 3 on the pop charts." "Starting in 1959, and on through the early 60's, the team of Brook Benton and producer/song-writer Clyde Otis remained on top, a place previously and regally occupied by his great predecessor, Billy Eckstine." "In 1970, after Brook and Mercury had parted company he recorded perhaps his greatest single, the gossamer "Rainy Night in Georgia." "Brook still reigned supreme." "Though it's been years since the last hit, the voice still remains. This album is a fitting testimonial. Brook Benton will always have what it takes." Four years after this tribute album was released, Brook Benton passed away in 1988. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Alicia Keys Unites with Yamaha for Piano Bliss

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/27/2009

Alicia Keys and the world's largest musical instrument manufacturer, Yamaha, have announced a new partnership to distribute piano-inspired sounds and future products. Here is a photo of Keys playing Yamaha's new AvantGrand hybrid piano. "I wanted to create a sound that is just magnificent and that would inspire me to play," says Alicia. "It was an idea that was born during the creation of my last album As I Am, which was recorded at my own studio, The Oven Studios, in New York City." Keys has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide since the release of her first studio album Songs in A Minor in 2001. Want to take command of the keyboard like Alicia? You too can learn how to play the piano and many other musical instruments by visiting Jermaine Griggs' excellent Hear and Play website. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Lisa Lopes Leaves Left Eye-Legacy

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/22/2009

The official Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes website has announced the pending Tuesday, January 27, 2009 release of Eye-Legacy. Lisa, a former member of TLC, was killed in an automobile accident (April 25, 2002) at the age of 30 in Roma, Honduras, a popular Caribbean vacation retreat. TLC has sold over 45 million records, with "Waterfalls" leading the pack as one of their biggest hits in 1994. Mass Appeal Entertainment is collaborating with the Lopes family to present this new "Left Eye" collection. "Eye-Legacy offers a fresh twist on the only collection of unreleased songs created and performed by Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes," according to Mass Appeal Entertainment. The record company states that "the album is a tribute to "Left Eye" as an artist, the music she left behind, and the life she led as a creative and spiritual rapper, singer, songwriter, friend, daughter, and sister." Previous Post | Next Post

1 Lionel Richie Pitches New Melodies for 2009

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/19/2009

Lionel Richie is gearing up for a new studio album release scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th, 2009. From the sample tracks I've heard, the new CD Just Go, is a logical extension of the direction Lionel charted with the various "young gun" collaborators on his last album Coming Home, released in September, 2006. On Just Go, Ne-Yo, Akon, and a few others co-write and produce along with Mr. Richie to freshen-up Lionel's new millennium croon. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 90 seconds of "Just Go," by Lionel Richie, and cast your vote! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, and Beyonce' to Jam for Barack

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/15/2009

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (pic2009.org) has confirmed the talent line-up scheduled to perform on Sunday afternoon, January 18, 2009, 2:30 pm Eastern at the "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial." The event is free and open to the public, and may be worth the trip to Washington, DC. Here are the confirmed performers: Beyonce' Mary J. Blige Stevie Wonder John Legend Usher Herbie Hancock will.i.am Shakira Bono Bruce Springsteen Sheryl Crow James Taylor John Mellencamp Josh Groban Garth Brooks Renee Fleming Heather Headley Jennifer Nettles Queen Latifah, Jamie Foxx, Denzel Washington, and Martin Luther King III will read historical passages after each musical set as the stage is changed for the next performer. More talent will be announced as they are confirmed. HBO will broadcast the event live with a replay scheduled for later in the evening. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Chess Soul Drives Cadillac Records to the Bank

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/08/2009

Chicago is one of the great American cities famous for creating musical history. The 'Windy City' has nurtured great artists, great music, and great radio. Curtis Mayfield, the Chi-Lites, Walter Jackson, the Lost Generation, and Ramsey Lewis are just a few of the 2nd generation Chi-Town classic soul sensations. One of the best first generation compilations featuring a treasure trove of Chicago goodies is the double CD Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest. 2008's Cadillac Records movie featuring Beyonce' as Etta James is a semi-fictional account of the story of Chicago's Chess Records, and it's founder, Leonard Chess. After the blues era peaked, Chess, notable for recording the blues masters, turned his attention to the emerging R&B scene. Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest, showcases recordings made between 1961 - 1971. What makes the Chess soul sound so distinctive is the close lineage the music has to the blues. Many of the 45 songs featured in this collection were regional rather than national or international hits. All the more reason to take a closer look at the tone and texture that makes these songs stand out. It doesn't get any better than the vintage classic soul sound of Gene Chandler, Fontella Bass, Etta James, and Billy Stewart. Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest was first issued in 1997, to mark the 50th anniversary of the record label. There's an authentic raw edge to most of these songs. Singing with emotion is the audience pleasing formula used by these artists. You won't find as much of the slick uptown production style that marked the later sophisticated soul of Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and Philadelphia International Records. Regardless, Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest is an excellent anthology revealing why the Windy City is so important in the history of R&B. Take a look through the track list. These songs will bring back great memories. CD 1 "Mama Didn't Lie" - Jan Bradley "Strange Feeling" - Billy Stewart "I've Been So Lonely" - Cookie & The Cupcakes "Soulful Dress" - Sugar Pie DeSanto "Love Ain't Nothin' (But A Monkey On Your Back) - Johnny Nash "Who's That Guy?" - The Kolettes "Ain't Love Good, Ain't Love Proud" - Tony Clarke "I Had A Talk with My Man" - Mitty Collier "I Can't Help Myself" - The Gems "Don't Mess Up A Good Thing" - Fontella Bass & Bobby McClure "Voice Your Choice" - The Radiants "Selfish One" - Jackie Ross "The Entertainer" - Tony Clarke "I Do Love You" - Billy Stewart "Love Is A Five Letter Word" - James Phelps "The Soul of A Man" - Fontella Bass "Temptation Bout To Get Me" - The Knight Brothers "Do I Make Myself Clear?" - Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto "Take Me For A Little While" - Jackie Ross "What About Me?" - The Valentinos "I'm Satisfied" - Mitty Collier "Searching For My Love" - Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces "Only Time Will Tell" - Etta James CD 2 "Rescue Me" - Fontella Bass "I'm Not Ashamed" - Bobby McClure "Stay By My Side" - Jo Ann Garrett "Have Pity On Me" - Billy Young "Wade In The Water" - Ramsey Lewis "I Fooled You This Time" - Gene Chandler "Don't Pass Me By" - Big Maybelle "Lonely Girl" - Andrea Davis "To Be A Lover" - Gene Chandler "Don't Knock Love" - Barbara Carr "I Believe She Will" - Eddie & Ernie "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" - Marlena Shaw "A Love Reputation" - Denise LaSalle "Dirty Man" - Laura Lee "I Can't Make It Without You" - Fred Hughes "Hold On" - The Radiants "Good To Me" - Irma Thomas "You Left The Water Running" - Maurice & Mac "Oh What A Day" - The Dells "Baby, I Love You" - Little Milton "Losers Weepers" - Etta James "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation" - The Dells Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest Previous Post | Next Post

0 India.Arie Drops Love Testimonial Kiss

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/06/2009

India.Arie has a new album on the way, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics, scheduled for release on Tuesday, February 10, 2009. She's nominated for a new Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a duo or group with vocals for "Words" by Anthony David (featuring India.Arie). The 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be presented on "Grammy Sunday," February 8, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California (broadcast live on CBS from 8 - 11:30 p.m Eastern). Previous Post | Next Post