Categories
-
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 09/16/2014
Looking forward to hearing Whitney Houston Live, her first-ever live album featuring restored and remastered tracks. Release date is November 10, 2014. Previous Post | Next Post
-
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/21/2013
The Essential Bill Withers is a new 34-track 2013 anthology that features all of his hits and more. "Better Days (Theme from Man and Boy)" "Ain't No Sunshine" "Harlem" "Grandma's Hands" "Hope She'll Be Happier" "Better Off Dead" "Lonely Town, Lonely Street" "Let Me in Your Life" "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?" "Use Me" "Friend of Mine" "I Can't Write Left-Handed" "Lean on Me" "Make a Smile for Me" "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" "Heartbreak Road" "Railroad Man" Disc Two "Family Table" "The Best You Can" "Hello Like Before" "I Wish You Well" "Don't You Want to Stay?" "I'll Be with You" "My Imagination" "Lovely Day" "I Want to Spend the Night" "Tender Things" "Let Me Be the One You Need" "Memories Are That Way" "Soul Shadows" "Just the Two of Us" "In the Name of Love" "We Could Be Sweet Lovers" "Something That Turns You On" Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 TSOP Soul Radio Salutes Philadelphia
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 07/31/2011
If your passion is nothing but wall-to-wall Gamble & Huff Philly style sounds, you may want to check out TSOP Soul Radio, an online repository of the best of Philadelphia International Records. You'll hear a steady diet of O'Jays, Teddy Pendegrass, MFSB, and more. An appealing element of listening to TSOP Soul Radio is the deep track selection, playing almost everything from the Philadelphia International Records catalogue. 2022 Update: TSOP Soul Radio is now sunset, but Gamble-Huff Music Lives on. Check them out. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 6 Songs from 2010 with Powerhouse Soul
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 12/08/2010
Across all musical genres the usual suspects released an adequate supply of new tunes during 2010. It's debatable how much of it was truly distinguished. Among our 6 Songs from 2010 with powerhouse soul, just 2 are new, the rest are covers, albeit very good ones. The emotional power of the 20 live tracks provided by the artists on the Hope for Haiti Now album benefiting the victims of the earthquake there reflect the seriousness of one of the most important stories of the year. 1) "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) Version 1.0" by Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge, and Rihanna is at the top of our list. Good message, great collaboration, nice beat. 2) "Wake Up Everybody" lead by John Legend, Melanie Fiona, and Common is next. A very good contemporary version of the classic by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes. 3) "The Word" by Bettye LaVette is the surprise of the year. Good things come to those who wait. Ms. Lavette retooled this Lennon & McCartney song and took it to Memphis. 4) "Move on Up" Angelique Kidjo (with John Legend & Bono) turned Curtis Mayfield's anthem into a world music theme. Exposure during the World Cup was nice. 5) "Night Shift" (Tribute to Michael Jackson version), the Commodores. In 2010 the Commodores re-released their original hit with new lyrics dedicated to the King of Pop to coincide with the anniversary of his death. The update works perfectly. 6) "Breaking News," Michael Jackson. When your "B" material is still better than the "A" material of many other artists, you know you are special. This is an excellent, sarcastic boogie-down "in your face" response to the media for their attempt to demonize M-J. The song opens with hilarious sound bites from frantic TV & radio news reporters talking smack about his antics. "Breaking News" was recorded a couple of years ago, but never released until this fall. It's included on Jackson's scheduled December 14th offering of never released material: Michael. Previous Post | Next Post
-
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/03/2010
Country tunes in Nashville for the talented tongue of Millie Jackson? That's what she did in 1981, broadening her horizons to the masses. This 45 RPM picture sleeve single is from her country album, Just a Li'l Bit Country. She tackles the Don Gibson song, "I Can't Stop Loving You," a major hit for Ray Charles in 1962. There must have been an international market for European country lovers, as this particular copy was made and pressed in West Germany by Polydor Records. However, what Millie Jackson does best is to rock the house with her live and uncensored no holds barred charm. An excellent example, Millie's classic soul jewel, "If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Want to Be Right." Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 Bloodstone Stays Cool with Natural High Vibes
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 07/07/2010
"Natural High" was Bloodstone's only certified-gold single. "Why do I keep my mind, on you all of the time" lyrically opens the #4 R&B, #10 pop 1973 hit. Group member Charles McCormick, (2nd from the left), wrote this classic soul ballad for his wife, his senior-class high school sweetheart. Bloodstone was formed in Kansas City, Missouri, by McCormick, Harry Williams, Charles Love, Willis Draffen Jr., and Roger Durham. When the temperature gets hot, "Natural High" puts you in a cool state of mind. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 Millie Jackson gets Naughty again
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 12/29/2009
One of the best live Millie Jackson tracks you'll ever want to hear is her lustful version of "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Want To Be Right)." Millie takes the Luther Ingram hit and jazzes it up with one of her classic soul old school razor tongued raps. If you've never heard it, listen Thursday morning December 31, (Eastern time) during the Powerhouse Radio New Year's Eve special (9 am - midnight +). Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 Eddie Floyd Knocks on Wood 60 Times
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 08/04/2009
From 1968 - 1974, Eddie Floyd recorded for Stax Records during the golden age of the Memphis label. Steve Cropper, (Booker T. & the MG's guitarist), and Floyd co-wrote the memorable "Knock on Wood," a classic soul favorite that's been recorded by scores of artists. For a unique hobby Eddie has collected over 60 cover versions of "Knock on Wood" as recorded by other artists, including the Otis Redding - Carla Thomas duet, and the Amii Stewart '#1 song' version from 1979. It was nice to see his "I've Never Found Me A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)" appear on the 2008 soundtrack of the Bernie Mac - Samuel L. Jackson musical comedy Soul Men. "I've Never Found Me A Girl...," as well as "Knock On Wood," appear on the Very Best of Eddie Floyd, remastered and re-released in 2007. In 2008, the reincarnated Stax label released the new album Eddie Loves You So, featuring Mr. Floyd (now in his 70's) updating some of his vintage songs. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 Whitney Houston Hosts Free Song Download
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 07/30/2009
As the momentum builds towards the release of a brand new Whitney Houston album, her promotional push is in high gear. During July, listening parties were held in Los Angeles and New York City for her fans to preview new tracks. "I Look To You," the title track from the album, is a simply arranged, emotionally sung ballad, reminiscent of the slow jam style that appeared on The Bodyguard soundtrack. Whitney's voice navigates the tune effectively. Her pipes resonate with less sonic command than I was expecting, but this song doesn't need exaggerated drama. You can grab "I Look To You" right now, but you have to move fast. A free mp3 download of the appealing song is available at WhitneyHouston.com through Friday, July 31. The release date for the album has been moved up to Tuesday, August 31, 2009. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 Bill Withers Sings 9 for the Sunshine
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 07/23/2009
These 9 Bill Withers songs are classics. "Ain't No Sunshine" "Lean On Me" "Lovely Day" "Just The Two of Us" (featuring Grover Washington Jr.) "Use Me" "Grandma's Hands" "Who Is He? (and What Is He To You)" "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" "Harlem" The West Virginia, singer - songwriter achieved most of his success in a relatively short period, 1971 - 1978. Still, Bill eclipsed the trendy, harder edged dance and pop music of his heyday by commanding graceful instrumentation, great lyrics, genuine emotion, and subtle soul in his songs. Previous Post | Next Post