Powerhouse Radio Blog

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
01/04/2007

The Stax record label, shown above on the extreme right in yellow, is returning after more than 30 years. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Stax featured the classic soul sounds of the Bar-Kays, Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor, the Mad-Lads, the Soul Children, Frederick Knight, and many others. Just re-signed to the label is arguably their biggest former star, Isaac Hayes. He joins Angie Stone to form a nice foundation for a new roster of talent. Stax folded in 1975. Their studios were sold in 1981, and demolished in 1989. The new Stax Museum of American Soul Music was constructed on the old site, opening in 2003, along with the Stax Music Academy. Concord Records, who will be resurrecting the label, bought the Stax name in 2004. Concord plans to release deluxe versions of classic Stax albums. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jill Scott Wins with Golden Collaborations

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
01/02/2007

Happy New Year! Grammy Award winning Jill Scott's next studio album, The Real Thing, should be released by mid-2007. With hits "The Way" and "He Loves Me" under her vocal belt, Jill has been living her life like it's "Golden," connecting to her fans from Scott central in Philly P-A. Until The Real Thing is completed, as a teaser, Hidden Beach Records, (Scott's label), is releasing a compilation of Jill's best duets, featuring these highlights... "The Rain" featuring Will Smith "God Bless the Child" featuring Al Jarreau and George Benson "Let Me" featuring Sergio Mendes and Will.i.am "Said Enough" featuring the Isley Brothers "Kingdom Come" featuring Kirk Franklin "Slide" featuring Jeff Bradshaw "Love Rain" featuring Mos Def "Sometime I Wonder" featuring Darius Rucker "8 Minutes to Sunrise" featuring Common "Funky for You" featuring Common and Bilal "Day Dreamin'" featuring Lupe Fiasco "Good Morning Heartache" featuring Chris Botti "One Time" featuring Eric Roberson Collaborations is expected to be available on Tuesday, January 30, 2007. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Original Dreamgirl Showstopper Jennifer Holliday

Photo
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/27/2006

Here's a picture of the original Dreamgirls showstopper, Jennifer Holliday. This is one of the 45 rpm picture sleeves from the original Broadway cast album. Jennifer is our final classic soul 45 rpm picture treat for you this holiday week, as we head towards 2007. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bill Withers Gift of Giving Message

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/26/2006

Here's the picture sleeve and message from a classic soul Bill Withers 45 rpm release, "The Gift of Giving." Enjoy your holiday week. Previous Post | Next Post

0 James Brown Peace on Earth Message

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/25/2006

Here's the picture sleeve and lyrics to a classic soul James Brown 45 rpm release, "Hey America, It's Christmas Time." Merry Christmas! ---------- ***update (at 9:01 AM Eastern) *** I decided over a week ago to post three classic soul 45 rpm picture sleeves Christmas week and debated which one to use first. Ironically, I chose James Brown for Christmas Day, and I was saddened this morning at about 8 AM Eastern time to learn of his passing at the age of 73. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Tribute to Ahmet Ertegun by Narada Michael Walden

Commentary
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/21/2006

Ahmet Ertegun: July 31, 1923 - December 14, 2006 Ahmet Ertegun, a U-S immigrant from Turkey, was a founder of Atlantic Records. He helped popularize R&B and soul music to the masses. See the red Atlantic label above. In the spirit of Christmas, here's a tribute to Ahmet Ertegun written by producer/artist Narada Michael Walden. "Ahmet, God shines down upon your precious heart and soul, His choice Blessings for the love you have given on a regular basis of your life. Our hearts are heavy with sadness because you were so Damn Cool. You who've been witness to so many miracles in your life. The Birth of Jazz with Louis Satchmo Armstrong as its Father. The Discovery of the Genius of Soul Ray Charles. The making way of the new sound for The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. The promoting of the Hot fresh sounds of Joe Turner, Ruth Brown who joins you in Heaven, and a host of others who created early Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Soul. You were not only there but helped make it happen. You and your Brother Neshway, who was always supportive of my career with Atlantic since 1976. Ahmet, I love you for taking me under your wing and teaching me the ropes. You so loved Barry White and inspired Phil Collins with his message. You were a delight and knew how to charm the beautiful ladies. I thank you most recently for introducing me to your long time friend Diana. She's beautiful and kind and knows you well. You kept us up with my friend Danni, till 4 in the morning at Kodak Theater bar explaining to us the history of Jazz and the evolution of music. That Louis was in fact the Father of Jazz and changed everything with his phrasings and Genius. And that we should make the Louis Armstrong Story Film. Then you'd swing over to memory lane where you brought sandwiches to the shivering cold Stones fans in London waiting for tickets all night long, to look out for them. How White people have always borrowed from the Black man's music. How delighted you were that to this day, that the Black man's sound and influence from the streets is still profound and rules. How to make Hits was still a big and major motivation for you even to the end as we were working co producing your Turkish artist and friend Tarkan. So many things I can say about you my friend but in closing, I'll never forget your embrace with Stevie Wonder last year after the Grammies and your profound tears with him and your wife. Brother Brother Brother, it is because of you , so many of us have had a voice and were able to be heard and loved round the world. As you are so loved and beloved round this world and in the hearts of true music lover's everywhere. I will love and cherish you... Eternally, Your Brother Always, Narada Michael Walden" "PS: I recorded 7 solo albums for Atlantic Records 1976 thru the 80's, and dozens of productions from my first of Don Cherry 1976 thru Stacey Lattisaw's, Let Me Be Your Angel LP and thru her career - to Sister Sledge, All American Girls, in the disco period (which later became the Hit "Sex Bomb" for Tom Jones)." "Ahmet, You have always been a friend of mine." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Last Minute Classic Soul Gift Ideas

Gifts
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/20/2006

You have only four days left before Christmas to select some last minute gifts. For the classic soul lover, why not create a custom music CD with some all time favorites? Skip the malls, the crowds, the headaches, and the costly expense of overnight shipping by going with a digital gift you can download instantly. The trick will be to transfer it to CD. Don't have a large collection in your own music library? No problem. It's iTunes to the rescue. Not only does iTunes allow you to instantly download a bunch of songs to your PC in the popular MP3 format, but you can then burn the songs to CD, and create a personalized custom jewel case with your own gift message. Skip the jewel case and place the CD in a regular gift box if you don't have any jewel cases. In less than 10 minutes, you can create an instant gift the music lover on your list will enjoy. Don't want to bother with iTunes? Try the free contemporary Christmas song (link removed) we are offering as a download now through December 31, 2006. 2021 update: the free contemporary Christmas song offer has expired. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Puzzling Christmas Songs are no Mystery

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/19/2006

About this time, you should be vibrating with the rhythms of Christmas song melodies, dancing in your head. Can you recite the lyrics in your sleep? You can? Ok. Then you'll have no problem acing this Christmas song puzzle (link removed). If you can solve it in less than 90 seconds, you are a Christmas song sing-a-long expert. 2021 Update: The puzzle was done in Adobe Flash and is no longer supported. Check out Stories Behind the Best Loved Christmas Songs in Powerhouse Radio's music book review section. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Alicia Keys, Usher, & Mary J. Blige Wallpaper Windows

Website
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/13/2006

2021 Update: No more wallpaper, icons, or banners but the Alicia, Usher, and Mary J. websites are their social media anchors. Looking for some delightful pictures to spruce up your computer desktop as the stress starts to pile up before the holidays? While your friends or office mates get off on their animated dancing Santas, pump some soul into your PC with some fresh visuals that say, "I am a fan." Alicia Keys, Usher, and Mary J. Blige are all offering some nice wallpaper, icons, or banners you can download in a jiffy. Once on the linked pages above... Right click on the image and select "save picture as..." to your "My Pictures" folder. Click the start button, and select "My Pictures." Highlight the picture you want. Finally, choose "set as desktop background" under the left menu "picture tasks." Want to change the image? Right click on your desktop, select properties, then select the "desktop tab." Mary J. is hot as she heads to the Grammy Awards. Congratulations to Alicia Keys for a major upgrade to her website. Previous Post | Next Post

1 Hair Raising Melba Moore is still Here

Biography
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/12/2006

Melba Moore's memorable R&B and pop hits include "This Is It," "You Stepped Into My Life," "Falling," "I am His Lady," and the Grammy nominated "Lean On Me." Her 1990 recording of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was instrumental in getting the song entered into the U-S Congressional Record as the official African American National Anthem. Melba Moore began her career in the ground breaking Broadway musical "Hair," where she originated the role of Dionne. During her 18 months in the show, she eventually replaced Dianne Keaton. Right after "Hair" came the role of Lutiebelle Gussiemae Jenkins in the long running musical, "Purlie," which won Melba the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress in a musical. In 1996 Melba took over the role of "Fantine" in the Broadway musical "Les Miserables." She was in the 2003 movie, "The Fighting Temptations," along with Beyonce', and Cuba Gooding Jr. Melba, who's survived her share of pain, has come back from the depths of despair, and overcome the hard times. Recently, she's recorded some soul stirring gospel, including 2004's "Nobody but Jesus" album, and her latest, "I'm Still Here." You can pick up on more of the Melba Moore experience which is waiting for you right now. Previous Post | Next Post