0 Prince heads to U.K. with 21 Nights Music Tour to Save Planet Earth

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/19/2007

20 years ago in the Spring of 1987, Prince's "Sign of the Times" was a #1 R&B hit. The reincarnation of the unpredictable Prince continues to pick up momentum right now in 2007. His next album, Planet Earth, is scheduled for release on Tuesday, July 24. Prince will perform 21 shows in 21 nights later this Summer during his London, U.K. tour at the new O2 Arena. Here are the official dates: August: Wednesday 1st, Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th August: Tuesday 7th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th August: Tuesday 14th, Friday 17th, Saturday 18th August: Friday 24th, Saturday 25th August: Tuesday 28th, Friday 31st September: Saturday 1st September: Thursday 6th September: Sunday 9th, Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th September: Sunday 16th, Thursday 20th, Friday 21st The first 15 shows sold out in just hours, so the promoters added another 6 shows. Tickets went on sale this past Friday, June 15th for the final 6 London performances. Previous Post | Next Post

0 10 Classic Soul Picks for Father's Day

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/15/2007

Color Him Father - the Winstons Daddy - Beyonce' Daddy Could Swear - Gladys Knight & the Pips Daddy's Home - Jermaine Jackson Dance with my Father - Luther Vandross Father Figure - George Michael Papa was a Rolling Stone - Temptations Papa's got a Brand New Bag - James Brown Song for my Father - Horace Silver Quintet Sugar Daddy - Jackson 5 Put these on your Dad's iPod, or burn them to a CD. When it comes to classic soul, (and a little jazz flava from Horace Silver), Dad never sounded better! Previous Post | Next Post

2 Beyonce' and Mary J. Blige Summer Tour Tickets Top the Charts

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/14/2007

It's a high roller payday for Beyonce' and Mary J. Blige as their Summer tours get ready to cash in on fans who can't get enough of these charming ladies. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I peeped the prices for Beyonce's Saturday, August 11th, 2007 performance at the Trump Taj Mahal Arena in Atlantic City, NJ: $195.75, $165.75, and $95.75 at the low end. Mary J. Blige, at the Borgata on Saturday, July 28th, also in A.C., isn't much better: $135.00, $115.00, and $95.00. These prices are out of control! What happened to reasonably priced live entertainment from these headline performers? Not that long ago, I went to see Patti Labelle at the Trump Taj Mahal Arena in Atlantic City, and the cost of the top ticket was about 1/5th of today's prices. What has happened to drive prices up almost 500%? There are a lot of legitimate reasons, but greed plays a large part in the process as our pockets continue to be picked. Last Summer, (2006), when Madonna tickets were going for around $300 each, people did a double take. Let's face it, at the time, Madonna wasn't burning up the charts to command such a premium. It's time to get real. Beyonce', Mary J. Blige, and other acts are pricing their non-affluent fans out of the market to attend live concerts. The cost factor difference between a music download for .99 cents, a CD for $20, and a $200 concert ticket is mind boggling. Concert ticket prices reflect a growing cultural divide between the bling crowd who can afford the luxury, and working class people who deserve a better break at seeing these acts perform live (who they helped make famous). If you've got the cash, tickets for Beyonce's August 11th show in Atlantic City go on sale this Saturday, June 16th, at 12 noon. Another option is to pray that you score free tickets from a radio station promotion. Now that will be just like hitting the lottery! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Chuck D and Randy Jackson to co-host 50 Years of Stax Records Classic Soul Concert

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/12/2007

Chuck D and Randy Jackson will host 50 Years of Stax: a Concert to Benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on Friday, June 22, 2007, at Memphis, Tennessee's historic Orpheum Theater (at the foot of Beale Street). Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Mavis Staples, Mable John, the Soul Children, and Angie Stone (among others) are all confirmed to appear. Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame, commenting on his role as a co-host for the benefit says: "The logo of Stax says it all. That finger snap graphic brings a funky sound effect by just looking at it. With it comes a catalog of soul heroes and heroines whose heart, souls and passions still echo across this planet today." Co-host producer, songwriter, and American Idol host Randy Jackson adds: "I am honored to be a part of this amazing music legacy. Stax records is the foundation that R&B was built on. The legendary artists that Stax built are such a huge part of my music roots." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Barry White Salute coming to NYC off Broadway

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/07/2007

Barry White: Guided By Destiny, a new off Broadway musical/concert, is scheduled for a two week showcase production June 14th - June 24th, 2007 at the Times Square Arts Center in New York City. The producers have created original music to go along with original Barry White and Love Unlimited songs. Artist Lanar will play the late classic soul icon Barry White (who passed away on July 3, 2003). Venus Adore is slotted as Glodean White, with Jessica Opong and Gezele Portwood rounding out The Love Not Limited Singers, (a trio performing as Love Unlimited in the production). Barry White: Guided By Destiny will explore the R&B legend's relationships with Muhammad Ali and Elvis Presley (credited with changing his life). Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth Wind & Fire 2007 Summer Tour

• Concerts
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/05/2007

Here are June and July 2007 tour dates for Earth Wind & Fire. June: Tuesday, June 5, Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Thursday, June 7, Portsmouth, VA - Harbor Center Tuesday, June 12, Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill Amphitheater Wednesday, June 13, Kettering, OH - Fraze Pavilion Friday, June 15, Chattanooga, TN - Riverbend Festival Saturday, June 16, Birmingham, AL - City Stages Sunday, June 17, Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Casino Tuesday, June 19, Fayetteville, AR - Arkansas Music Pavilion Friday, June 22, Aspen, CO - Jazz Festival Saturday, June 23, Rio Rancho , NM - Santa Ana Star Center Sunday, June 24, Prescott, AZ - Toyota Center Tuesday, June 26, Del Mar, CA - County Fair Wednesday, June 27, Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater Thursday, June 28, Tucson, AZ July: Tuesday, July 3, San Jauncito, CA - Soboba Casino Friday, July 6, Kelsieville, CA - Konocti Field Amphitheater Saturday, July 7, Bakersfield, CA - Brighthouse Amphitheater Sunday, July 8, Murphy's , CA - Iron Stone Winery Tuesday, July 10, Fresno, CA - Sarroyan Theater Friday, July 13, Lake Tahoe, CA - Harvey's Arena Saturday, July 14, Oakland, CA - Paramount Theater Sunday, July, 15, Costa Mesa, CA - OC Fair Wednesday, July 18, Sacramento, CA - Community Center Theater Friday, July, 20, Grand Ronde , OR - Spirit Mountain Casino Saturday, July 21, Grand Ronde , OR - Spirit Mountain Casino Sunday, July 22, Seattle, WA - Chateau Winery Previous Post | Next Post

0 Ashford & Simpson Send It

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/31/2007

Ashford & Simpson's 1977 classic soul album Send It is extremely rare. This photo is from the back of the vinyl album cover. "Don't Cost You Nothin," and the underground hit "Bourgie Bourgie" lit up the dance floor back in the day. Nick and Val are truly a unique act. As solid as a rock, they managed to served up 35 R&B single releases through 1997. As songwriters, it doesn't get any better than Ashford & Simpson, who have written these time tested hits: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross "Let's Go Get Stoned" - Ray Charles "California Soul" - 5th Dimension Catch Ashford & Simpson as the special guests of headliner Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Sunday, July 29, 2007, at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, PA. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bobby Womack the Poet

• Photo
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/29/2007

Bobby Womack's 1981 classic soul album, The Poet, was #1 on the R&B album chart for 5 weeks. The legendary track, "If You Think You're Lonely Now," is one of the album's highlights. If you have a copy of this rare album, hold on to it. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Janet Jackson Wraps up Love Doctor Role

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/24/2007

Janet Jackson recently mentioned on her official website that she's wrapped up filming her role in the new Tyler Perry movie, Why Did I Get Married?" Jackson plays "Diane," an author and psychologist who "writes about love, marriage, and relationships." Jill Scott is also featured in the movie, which is based on Tyler Perry's stage play of the same name. Why Did I Get Married is scheduled for a November 2007 theatrical release. Previous Post | Next Post

0 7 May Days for #1 Classic Soul R&B Hits

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/22/2007

Here's a quick time capsule look at 7 #1 chart topping R&B hits from the golden age of classic soul. Each song was #1 on the indicated day in May this week. 4 are from the 1970's, 2 are from the 1960's, and one goes all the way back to 1954, thanks to Hank Ballard & the Midnighters. May 20, 1972 - "I'll Take You There" - Staple Singers May 21, 1977 - " May 22, 1954 - "Work with me Annie" - Hank Ballard May 23, 1964 - "My Guy" - Mary Wells May 24, 1975 - "Shining Star - "Earth Wind & Fire May 25, 1963 - "If You Wanna Be Happy" - Jimmy Soul May 26, 1973 - "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby" - Barry White How many do you remember? Previous Post | Next Post