Powerhouse Radio Blog

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/12/2007

Will Ebony do the hard reporting and present a balanced representation about the past 25 years in the life of the controversial Michael? We'll see. I'm looking forward to reading it. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Darlene Love Shines on It's Christmas of Course 2007

Christmas
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/08/2007

Darlene Love, the famous voice of The Crystals, has released her first Christmas Album. It's Christmas Of Course features a welcome blend of contemporary holiday songs from the 1970's and 1980's. Darlene digs right into a variety neo-classics, showing her versatility as a singer. You won't find Irving Berlin or Felix Mendelssohn inspired Christmas music on this upbeat release. Darlene Love is a child of the rock and soul era. She punches out these multi-genre holiday anthems with allegiance to the rhythmic pop beat. "We had a rule on this album: no oldies. We wanted to leave the '50s and '60s behind," according to Shawn Amos, Vice President of A&R for Shout! Factory, (the record label releasing Love's It's Christmas Of Course). Darlene is an example of how talent and luck can keep one in the game for the long haul. She's had her share of hits with The Crystals under the guidance of Phil Spector. She's paid her dues singing background vocals for Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, The Mamas and Papas, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys, and Cher. What I like the most about It's Christmas Of Course is how Darlene Love sings such a wide range of material with authority, refinement, and subtlety. But then, she's worked with the best. I like all of the tracks on It's Christmas Of Course, however, 4 of my favorites are: "Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas" "Please Come Home For Christmas" "What Christmas Means To Me" "Thanks For Christmas" Here are all of the tracks with a notation about the original artists: "Christmas All Over Again" (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) "Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas" (The Staple Singers) "Christmas Wish" (NRBQ) "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto" (James Brown) "Please Come Home For Christmas" (Charles Brown) "2000 Miles" (The Pretenders) "Christmas Is The Time To Say 'I Love You'" (Billy Squier) "What Christmas Means To Me" (Stevie Wonder) "Christmas Must Be Tonight" (The Band) "Thanks For Christmas" (XTC) "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (John & Yoko & The Plastic Ono Band w/the Harlem Community Choir) "Night Of Peace" (Original Song) Cissy Houston, the famous mother of Whitney, is a guest vocalist on "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)." The first track, "Christmas All Over Again," features a nice retro arrangement bringing to mind some classic Spectoresque girl group gusto. You know it's Darlene Love when you hear this one. Darlene gets gritty on "Who Took The Merry Out of Christmas," and "Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto." She's got a lot of soul in her powerful voice. Whatever your musical taste, these 12 songs offer a fresh and enjoyable take on a cross-section of neo-classic holiday favorites. Even though this is Darlene's first solo Christmas album, she recorded "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" for Phil Spector's Christmas album in 1963. Love has performed the song for the past 20 years on David Letterman's Late Show television broadcast. Dave says that the performance is his favorite thing about Christmas. What else has Darlene been doing in recent years? Just Lighting up Broadway with her performances in... 1) "Grease," 2) the Tony-Award nominated "Leader of the Pack," and 3) her current 2-year run as Motormouth Maybelle in the Tony-Award winning "Hairspray." Darlene Love will appear at the Lincoln Center in New York City on December 17, 2007 for her annual Christmas Concert performance. She'll also appear on The David Letterman Show for the 22nd consecutive year on December 24, 2007. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Arrested Development Delivers New Music

Review
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/07/2007

Atlanta, Georgia's Arrested Development is back. Pictured is their 1992 release, 3 Years, 5 months and 2 Days in the Life Of... Bookdiva D reviews Arrested Development's new 2007 CD, Since the Last Time. 2021 Update: This review was removed by 'Bookdiva D.' Previous Post | Next Post

0 Angela Bofill Battles Life Beyond Music

Biography
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/06/2007

After a couple of massive strokes, Angela Bofill continues rehabilitation treatment on the road to recovery. Additional details are available on the official Angela Bofill website. Quite a bit has been written since her first stroke in 2006 about how her lack of health insurance has affected her ability to receive adequate health care. The music community has rallied around her cause with financial donations. Other friends have become involved in her plight by bringing awareness of her specific situation to the national U.S. health care debate - and the fact that many people don't have any health insurance. Ms. Bofill was 24 years old when she recorded her first album, Angie on the Arista GRP label in 1978. She was born in New York City, grew up in the West Bronx, and attended Hunter High School, Manhattan School of Music, and Hartford Conservatory of Music. Angie has one of those rare cross-over voices, equally suited for R&B or jazz. She's performed with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Cannonball Adderly, and others. On his new 2007 release Missing You, Peabo Bryson tackles Angela's classic, "I Try," a song that she wrote. Her stellar version, on the record Angel of The Night, is still the best rendering of this torch song. Her are 3 Angela Bofill albums you'll love: Angel of The Night Platinum & Gold Collection Angie Previous Post | Next Post

0 Keith Sweat's Sweet Christmas of Love 2007

Christmas
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/01/2007

Somewhat late to the 2007 Christmas party is Keith Sweat, who is scheduled to release A Christmas of Love on November 20th. Sweat has been busy this year, hosting his own syndicated radio show, The Keith Sweat Hotel, live from Atlanta, GA, most nights from 7pm - midnight. Keith has written 3 songs for his brand new Christmas collection: "It's Christmas Again," "Once A Year," and "Under The Tree." Sweat is one of the few survivors from the late 1980's "new jack swing" era. His trademark is "slow jam" magic, and Keith Sweat fans won't be disappointed in the interesting mix of songs on A Christmas of Love. Sweat is credited with forming the group LSG with the late Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill. They released Levert-Sweat-Gill in 1997. Keith has produced songs for The Isley Brothers, The O'Jays, Dru Hill, and Men At Large. A Christmas of Love features: "Be Your Santa Claus" "Party Christmas" "It's Christmas Again" "The Christmas Song" "All I Want For Christmas" "Once A Year" "Nothing Like Christmas" "Point Of Christmas" "Under The Tree" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Halloween Funk from the Devil Town Vampire

Halloween
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/31/2007

Flashback to Ghoulish Grooves Make up Funky Halloween Treats from 2006, then listen to the Halloween "Devil Town" vampire get funky for 60 seconds! Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

0 American Gangster Grabs Classic Soul Gold

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/30/2007

The explosive movie American Gangster grabs the audio gold of 1970's classic soul to help give the story emphasis and emotional guts. American Gangster opens this week. 2 different soundtracks will be available next Tuesday, November 6, 2007. Bobby Womack, Sam & Dave, and the Staple Singers keep the battle between Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe grounded in the sonic grooves of urban America during the Vietnam War era. Public Enemy is here too, as are a couple of blues legends, Lowell Fulson, and John Lee Hooker. Anthony Hamilton, Hank Schocklee, and Marc Streitenfeld also perform songs on the original motion picture soundtrack. Note that Jay-Z has a separate CD, American Gangster with his own music inspired by the film. Bobby Bland's hit "Ain't No Love In The Heart of the City," prominently used to promote the flick, is surprisingly missing in action from the original soundtrack. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Retro-Soul makes a Mighty Comeback

Commentary
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/25/2007

Retro-soul has made a mighty comeback. New generations of inspired singers are latching onto musical arrangements from the old school. These artists make no apologies for belting out classic soul vocals wrapped around horns, organs, and bluesy keyboards. This is what separates them from neo-soul troopers Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, and others. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings have released a new 2007 CD that sounds like a time warp from 1967. Sharon and The Dap-Kings have a cult following, and it's easy to see why. She packs a punch delivering sounds reminiscent of Aretha, Gladys Knight, and Etta James. James Hunter is the real deal. His 2006 release People Gonna Talk blends a fusion of reggae, soul, and blues. Britain's Hunter has a lot of authenticity in his music. When you dig deep into his song catalogue, you realize that his love of classic soul is legitimate. The Dynamites are slightly over the top in lead singer Charles Walker's penchant for James Brown licks. This Nashville based band drives heavy and hard, as if they were the Stax rhythm section on speed. Even though I think James Hunter is a lot better, The Dynamites offer a nice recipe for some relentless R&B that pounds along using a commanding rhythm section. For my money, Charles Walker sounds more like David Clayton Thomas, (of Blood Sweat & Tears), Huey Lewis, or Wayne Cochran of Wayne Cochran & the C.C. Riders, rather than James Brown ? the big influence on The Dynamites. (A big shout-out to you if you remember Wayne Cochran & the C.C. Riders!) Last but not least, another Brit, 20 year old Joss Stone is in the house. When her debut record came out in 2003, I couldn't believe I was listening to a 16-year-old. Joss Stone has an original sound mimicking no one, although she does have the blood of Janis Joplin running through her veins! Stone's voice caught my immediate attention as her song played through store speakers at a Tower Records outlet I was visiting. We'll see how her career develops. On a side note, it's interesting how reviewers generally place these artists in the wrong musical categories. But then, in the modern music business, it's all about the marketing. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Dynamic Classic Soul of Betty Davis

Flashback
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/23/2007

In the past couple of years, I've received an incredible number of requests asking if I have the legendary classic soul album by Betty Davis, Betty Davis. Yup, and here it is. The LP is leaning against a microphone boom while sitting on top of a turntable in the PowerhouseRadio.com studio. Betty Davis was briefly married to trumpeter Miles Davis. On this album, released in 1973, she's joined by musicians Larry Graham and Hershall Kennedy (of Graham Central Station). Sly & The Family Stone's drummer Gregg Errico produced the release. Pointer Sisters Anita and June join the fun with other background singers on the session, including Sylvester! (the "You Make Me Feel Mighty Real" guy)... Journey guitarist Neal Schon is prominently featured on several tracks. Betty was raw and extreme in her vocal approach. She wrote and arranged all of the music on this album too. Ms. Davis cooked up some dynamic funk with a rock edge, similar to later solo efforts by Nona Hendryx of LaBelle fame. Enjoy a 60 second segment of the Betty Davis track "If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Patti LaBelle's Christmas 2007

Christmas
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/18/2007

Patti LaBelle's Miss Patti's Christmas is a pleasant surprise, but it shouldn't be. The vocal chops of Miss Patti are never in question, but the fear that this would be another typical Christmas song collection was. Fear not! Miss Patti's Christmas is an unusually surprising good mix of both the secular and sacred. Dynamic duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, who've had a great 2007 with plenty of work, guide this project as the executive producers. Clearly, there was a careful process to select just the right mix of songs for Miss Patti's Christmas. The contemporary songs are great, the traditional songs are wonderful, and the 2 gospel songs sparkle with praise. You won't find all of the usual suspects on Miss Patti's Christmas. She imprints her legendary personality on traditional holiday favorites: "It's the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," "Do You Hear What I Hear," and "Away In The Manger." We get a different arrangement and a slightly faster tempo on "Away In The Manger," a Christmas song Patti has previously recorded at a slower tempo. "What Do The Lonely Do at Christmas," made famous by The Emotions, gets a nice update by LaBelle. It's hard to imagine a version of Luther Vandross' "Every Year, Every Christmas" as good as the original, but once again, LaBelle rises to the occasion. This is one of the best tracks on the collection. You'll like the contemporary "Christmas Jam," a rhythmic rouser that opens the album. As a package, there's a good balance between uptempo and slower selections. Her voice is right in the pocket on the following 10 tracks... "Christmas Jam" "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" "What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas" "Holidays Mean More To Me" "It's Going To Be A Merry Christmas" "Do You Hear What I Hear"" "Nativity" "Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child" featuring The Soul Seekers "Every Year, Every Christmas" "Away In A Manger" Deck the Halls! Miss Patti's Christmas is excellent, and highly recommended. Previous Post | Next Post