Powerhouse Radio Blog

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
02/12/2009

Annette Guest, Joyce Jones, and lead vocalist Rochelle Fleming had their share of big hits when they busted out of Philadelphia, PA during the golden era of classic soul. First Choice was backed instrumentally by the MFSB gang. The ladies recorded for Philly Groove Records. You Can't go wrong with these 5 from First Choice: "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" "The Player" "Newsy Neighbors" "Love and Happiness" "Smarty Pants" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Dionne Warwick Tracks The Cat to Philly

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
12/01/2008

The recent 4 CD 2008 release, Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, captured just about everyone who has recorded in the City of Brotherly Love. On these ambitious projects, you can't include everybody. Dionne Warwick's 1975 album Track of The Cat, produced, arranged, and conducted by Thom Bell with Philadelphia International Record's house band MFSB, is just one example of another artist who could have been better represented in the anthology with her own solo work. A moderate commercial success, Track of The Cat, released by Warner Brothers, included "Once You Hit The Road," a single from the album that got some radio airplay. Delfonics and Stylistics Producer Thom Bell's classical training was a big influence in the production of the masterpiece title cut for Dionne. Linda Creed and Thom Bell wrote the song lyrics to accompany the mesmerizing "cat" melody. "Track of The Cat" allows the strength of Dionne Warwick's vocal subtleties to shine while strings, French horns, and an immaculate arrangement keep the medium tempo vamp flowing forward with a memorable bass line. This is a song to love. The entire album was recorded in Philly with MFSB. It would have been nice to include Dionne Warwick's "Track of The Cat" on Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia. Dionne is represented on the collection by her duet with the Spinners: "Then Came You," yet another Thom Bell gem. Previous Post | Next Post

1 Sam Cooke's Song of Change

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
11/05/2008

On January, 30, 1964, 11 months before Lyndon Johnson was elected President of the United States, Sam Cooke recorded a spectacular pop anthem at the RCA studios in Hollywood, California. The song would stand the test of time. "A Change Is Gonna Come" tells the story of the struggle for respect, dignity, and validation. This is a great classic soul masterpiece. Thank you Powerhouse Radio listener Dot, for suggesting that we play this song in honor of the election of Barack Obama. Previous Post | Next Post

0 11 Halloween Music Picks to Spook Your Soul

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
10/29/2008

When you seek out entertaining Halloween music, you have to have frightful, suspenseful, wacky, weird, ghostly, chilling, quirky and fun filled scary themes. What else would charm the primal groove of your 'All Saints Eve' soul? These rhythmic wonders fit the bill and deliver the goods. Here are my 11 Halloween Music Picks to Spook Your Soul: "Thriller" - Michael Jackson "Superstition" - Stevie Wonder "Addams Groove" - Hammer "Ghostbusters" - Ray Parker Jr. "Born on Halloween" - Blue Magic "Skeleton In the Closet" - Louis Armstrong with Jimmy Dorsey "I Put A Spell On You" - Screamin' Jay Hawkins "Haunted (By Your Love)" - Blue Magic "Headless Horseman" - Bing Crosby with Vic Schoen "Spooky" - Classics IV with Dennis Yost "Devil with The Blue Dress" - Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels Grab these for your Halloween party, digital music player, or CD burn. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Natalie Cole: Still Unforgettable

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
09/02/2008

On Tuesday, September 9, 2008, Natalie Cole is set to release Still Unforgettable, a new collection of songs she's compiled from "the great American song book." Natalie recorded Unforgettable...with Love in 1991 featuring the title track duet with her late father, Nat King Cole. The album Unforgettable...with Love sold over 14 million copies. Still Unforgettable promises 14 more memorable melodies from the world of pop standards, including one more duet with her late father: "Walkin' My Baby Back Home." Other CD highlights: "The Best Is Yet To Come" "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" "It's All Right With Me" "Nice N' Easy" "Something's Gotta Give" "But Beautiful" Still Unforgettable will be distributed by Rhino/WEA on the DMI label. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Marvin Gaye: You're The Man by a Landslide

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
06/12/2008

I recently rediscovered a vintage, activist, gem of a song tailor made for the neurotic 2008 USA presidential election year. As several documentaries and books have revealed, Marvin Gaye was a creative kindred spirit who could not be held back by the predictable Motown hit machine. One year after releasing what many believe is the greatest classic soul album of all time, 1971's What's Going On, Marvin dropped a song to the streets that surged with social commentary: "You're The Man," in May, 1972. It was left off the Trouble Man album, and is one of those lost 45 rpm vinyl singles that featured part 1 only. The full version of the song (parts 1 & 2) can now be found on compilations (including 2001's The Very Best of Marvin Gaye 2 CD set). Given the histrionics of the George McGovern vs. Richard Nixon presidential election of 1972, "You're The Man" remains timeless even today with it's critical message. Your browser does not support the audio element. Check out the words, then listen to the last 60 seconds of this famous Motown piece. "You're The Man" Written by Marvin Gaye & Kenneth Stover Performed by Marvin Gaye © Motown Records Released May, 1972 Chart peaks: #7 R&B, #50 pop Talking, talking to the people try, get them to go your way tellin' us not to worry that we won't be led astray So blind, from signify their opponents always lie think about the mistakes you make I believe that miracles at stake We no busin', busin' is the issue Do you have a plan wager If, if you have a plan If you have a master plan I got to vote for you Hey hey, got to vote for you Cause, you're the man We don't want to hear no more lies About how you plan to economize We want our dollar value increased and employment to rise The nation's taxation causin' all of this inflation Don't give us no peace sign Turn around, and rob the people blind Economics is the issue Do you have a plan, wager Cause if you got a master plan I got to vote for you You're the man repeat: Don't you understand There's misery in the man Don't you understand There's misery in the man People marching on Washington Why not hear, what they have to say Because the tables just might turn against you brother sit around election day Politics and hypocrites Is turning us all into lunatics Can you take the guns from our sons Right all the wrongs this administrations done Peace and freedom is the issue Oh, do you have a plan, wager Ah, cause if got the plan If you got the master plan, Ohh I got to vote for you Hey hey, got to vote for you Cause, you're the man, Ahhh repeat: Got to vote for you Previous Post | Next Post

0 Temptations Gaze into the Crystal Ball of Confusion

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
05/01/2008

As prophetic today as it was in 1970, "Ball of Confusion" by the Temptations sings of troubled times, tortured souls, cultural chaos, disappearing civility, and other complicated themes of woe. Norman Whitfield produced and co-wrote this magnificent Motown track with Barrett Strong. Only in recent years does this song show up on CD's, as it was never included on a Temptations album when the single was originally released. An opening bass line builds together with the well arranged vocal gymnastics of the Temptations who take turns soaring through this dramatic slice of social commentary. Here's the actual 45 rpm vinyl picture sleeve from the PowerhouseRadio.com archive, front above, and back below. As you can see, the song lyrics were included on the sleeve of this Gordy G 7099 release. Previous Post | Next Post

0 7 Cameo Classics

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
04/09/2008

Cameo took several years to develop their style of funk and finally differentiate themselves from the Parliament-Funkadelic conglomerate; (to whom they are often compared). When their album Cardiac Arrest featuring "Rigor Mortis" came on the scene in 1977, group leader Larry Blackmon and company were building up their funk portfolio in the Big Apple, New York City. New Cameo albums hit the streets every year between 1977 through 1986, with Word Up! in 86' generating 3 big hit singles (#2, #3, & #7 on my list). In the 1980's, robotic electronic elements began to sterilize the raw funk sound of many classic soul groups. Cameo survived this industry change, using it to their advantage, by giving their catchy songs multiple hooks, gritty grooves, and levity laced lyrics. I saw Cameo perform live at the Missouri Black Expo in St. Louis in 1998. They were spectacular. When the final history of funk is written, Cameo will have a prominent chapter. Even Mariah Carey jumped on the Cameo bandwagon in 2001 (with Larry Blackmon along for the ride), sampling "Candy" on her song "Loverboy," albeit a weakly implemented cover at that. 7 Cameo Classics: "She's Strange" "Candy" "Word Up!" "Single Life" "Shake Your Pants" "I Just Want To Be" "Back and Forth" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Marvin Gaye's Magnificent Medley

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
03/13/2008

When was the last time you heard Marvin Gaye's magnificent medley in it's entirety from the song collection What's Going On? (the album considered by many as the best classic soul record of all time). The 6 tracks on side one of the original 1971 album are tightly edited together without silence between the songs, enhancing the impact of Marvin's topical social commentary and humane visionary themes. When the CD was finally released many years later, some listeners may have missed the ground breaking technique of a continuous medley: absent from most early R&B albums. With the CD, now all 9 tracks were available for the expected continuous play from start to finish. So a medley? No big deal. 2) "What's Happening Brother" 3) "Flyin' High (In The Friendly Sky)" 4) "Save The Children" 5) "God Is Love" 6) "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" By the way, track 1 is "What's Going On." Two bonus tracks were added to the remastered CD edition released in 2003 giving the record a total of 11 songs. Side one of the vinyl album is a masterpiece, and it's a treat to hear it today. I'm lucky to still have the original vinyl album in excellent condition. Previous Post | Next Post

0 5 Classic Soul Oscars

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
02/21/2008

It's Academy Award weekend. Here are 5 classic soul "Best Song" Oscars: "Say You, Say Me" - Lionel Richie - 1985 White Nights "I Just Called To Say I Love You" - Stevie Wonder - 1984 The Woman In Red "Last Dance" - Donna Summer - 1978 Thank God It's Friday "Theme From Shaft" - Isaac Hayes - 1971 Shaft "All The Way" - Billie Holiday - 1957 The Joker's Is Wild Good luck to the 2008 "Best Song" and "Best Score" nominees. Previous Post | Next Post