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    0 50 Ways To Love Michael Jackson

    If 50 is the new 40, then the decade defying young at heart Michael Jackson has a lot to celebrate during many fun filled years to come. The media certified tabloid musical giant, lovingly crowned, "The King of Pop," turns 50 years old on August 29, 2008. Jacko joins Madonna, who also turns 50 on August 16, 2008, as another new AARP recruit (formerly American Association of Retired Persons). Barring any health issues, I believe that Michael Jackson will eventually make a notable comeback. In honor of his 50th birthday, here is my endearing timeline list of 50 Ways to Love Michael Jackson: 1958 - Michael Jackson is born (August 29th) 1968 - The Jackson 5 are signed by Motown Records 1969 - Motown releases Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5 album 1970 - "I Want You Back" - Jackson 5 #1 song in January 1970 - "ABC" - Jackson 5 #1 in April 1970 - "The Love You Save" - Jackson 5 #1 in June 1970 - "I'll Be There" - Jackson 5 #1 in October 1971 - "Never Can Say Goodbye" - Jackson 5 #1 in May 1972 - "Got To Be There," MJ's first solo album is released 1972 - "Ben" becomes a hit single and album. (Rat power movie theme)! 1972 - MJ scores with the top 2 hit "Rockin' Robin'," a remake of the 1958 Bobby Day smash 1974 - "Dancing Machine" - Jackson 5 #1 in May 1976 - The Jacksons release The Jacksons on Epic Records produced by Philadelphia's Gamble & Huff 1977 - MJ begins preparing for his role in the movie The Wiz 1978 - The Jacksons release the critically acclaimed Destiny album 1979 - MJ releases Off The Wall produced by Quincy Jones 1980 - MJ scores a #1 song with "Rock With You" 1982 - MJ duets with Paul McCartney on Thriller with "The Girl Is Mine" 1982 - MJ writes and produces "Muscles," a top 10 Diana Ross hit 1983 - The Jackson 5 reunite for Motown's 25th Anniversary show in Los Angeles featuring a moonwalking MJ 1983 - Thriller conquers the charts 1983 - MJ duets with Paul McCartney for "Say Say Say," spending 6 weeks at #1 1984 - MJ wins 7 American Music Awards 1984 - MJ wins 3 MTV Music Video Awards 1984 - MJ receives 2nd degree burns on the set of a Pepsi commercial 1984 - MJ sings "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger on the Jacksons album Victory 1985 - MJ buys the publishing company owning the rights to 250 Beatles songs for $47.5 million 1985 - MJ and Lionel Richie write "We Are The World" and record the song with 43 stars to benefit USA for Africa's efforts for famine relief 1986 - MJ gets wacky with Bubbles the chimpanzee, Crusher, his 300 pound snake, and cocoons in a hyperbaric breathing chamber for shots of hyped oxygen 1987 - MJ's "Bad" tops the charts (R&B and pop) 1987 - MJ reaches #1 (pop & R&B) in Britain with the Siedah Garrett duet, "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" 1988 - MJ buys Sycamore Ranch in California - the future Neverland Ranch 1988 - "Man In The Mirror" become a #1 song 1990 - MJ wins the Entertainer of the Decade Award from the America Cinema Awards Foundation 1991 - MJ signs what is called a billion-dollar entertainment deal with Sony Music 1991 - The Dangerous album is released 1992 - MJ is interviewed by Ebony Magazine 1992 - The Jacksons: An American Dream debuts on national television dramatizing the story of the famous Gary, Indiana family 1993 - MJ performs during halftime at Super Bowl XXVII (27) 1994 - MJ retains attorney Johnny Cochran and settles a 1993 child molestation charge out of court for a reported $20 million dollars 1995 - MJ and sister Janet Jackson sound off on the song "Scream" 1995 - MJ and wife Lisa Marie Presley call it quits 1995 - HIStory: Past, Present, and Future , Book 1 MJ's double album of past hits creates some buzz and becomes a #1 best seller 1996 - MJ marries Debbie Rowe 2001 - Invincible CD is released 2006 - MJ escapes to the island of Bahrain, off the coast of Saudi Arabia, to rebuild his career 2007 - MJ is interviewed by Ebony magazine 2008 - 25th anniversary version of Thriller is released 2008 - MJ's plastic surgeon checks into a California psychiatric hospital 2008 - Rumors fly that MJ will make a comeback at a Las Vegas casino hotel Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Rudy Ray Moore Plays it Raw, Rude & Real

    Rudy Ray Moore, also known as the Mighty Dolemite, is another superfly player, who like Blowfly, has a somewhat ignominious reputation for his own series of rowdy party platters. Moore has recorded at least 15 albums during a career that spans 4 decades. His first record, Eat Out More Often, hit the streets in 1970. Even more graphic than Blowfly, Rudy Ray Moore's pulsating collection of steamy hot wax spawned a cast of characters who carried melodrama to hilarious heights. Between Moore and Blowfly, you'll get all you can handle from a couple of outrageous guys who filled a void with enterprising musical soul-comedy few others were willing to match or touch. Some elements of today's hip hop can credit the 'no holds barred anything goes style' pioneered by Moore and his contemporaries, exemplified by free flowing, uncensored, musical verse. October 21, 2008 update: Moore passed away at the age of 81 in Akron, Ohio. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Classic Soul Icons: Cooke, Benton, & Eckstine

    The modern style of soul that morphed out of popular 1950's R&B was partly created by pioneer Sam Cooke. Cooke's 1957 smash, "You Send Me," was a #1 R&B hit for six weeks, and a #1 pop favorite for three weeks. The entire Cooke story is revealed in Dorothy Ferebee's review of Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke. Not everyone followed Cooke's mainstream cross-over appeal...       Brook Benton came close. "It's Just a Matter of Time" was a 1959 hit for Benton, a guy who started his career writing songs recorded by Nat King Cole and Clyde McPhatter (of the Drifters). The Barry White of his era, Benton had seven #1 R&B songs including "Rainy Night in Georgia," a #1 R&B song in 1970 (#4 pop). Benton's distinctive baritone was his trademark. Billy "Mr. B" Eckstine, another crooner with a magnificent voice, entered the R&B hit parade in 1946 with "Prisoner of Love," later reworked by James Brown. Eckstine also recorded "Blue Moon" in 1949, a song that would be taken to a new level by the Marcels with their 1961 hit.       This 45 rpm picture sleeve photo of Eckstine, (from the PowerhouseRadio.com archive), is from a 1976 session produced by Quincy Jones and Herb Alpert. Eckstine, solidly rooted in popular jazz, never significantly crossed over into the contemporary soul scene. As with singer Arthur Prysock, attempts by producers to blend Eckstine's style into youth oriented rhythms just never clicked. That's not to sell their vocal talents short. Billy Eckstine, Brook Benton, and especially Sam Cooke all deserve their place in the sun as classic soul icons who pioneered the genre. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Janet & Michael Jackson Share #1 at Billboard

    While I've been listening to Janet Jackson's new CD Discipline, trying to decide what if any of the collection I like, the release has quickly skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard 200. It's been a long time since Janet rose to #1. Then, I tried to figure out, when was the last time, if any, both Janet and Michael Jackson had #1 Billboard albums at the same time. Thriller 25, just released with plenty of remixes, is also slotted at #1 in the pop category for the Billboard publication issue of March 15, 2008. Superstition says beware of the Ides of March! That's the day Emperor Julius Caesar met his doom (March 15). For Janet and Michael however, it looks like this is their lucky day. Now known in the music biz as classic soul "legacy artists," Michael and Janet don't get as much airplay as in the past. # 1 chart positions for both of these records simultaneously in 2008 is quite a feat. I'll have much Janet's Jackson's Discipline soon. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 10 Glamorous and Gritty Grammy Highlights

    The 50th Annual Grammy Award telecast was a surprising winner. Great music performances overshadowed the disbursement of awards. There was so much eye-candy going on during many of the performances that you could mistake the jamming for a Hollywood musical. In order, here are my 10 Glamorous and Gritty Grammy Highlights: Beyonce' & Tina Turner's tag-team performance of "Proud Mary." Rihanna & Morris Day (pictured above) along with the Time delivering a seemingly well-rehearsed showstopper. Aretha Franklin's gospel tribute along with a cast of "thousands." Kanye West's acceptance speech for Best Rap Album. He refused to take the hook and get off the stage as he saluted the memory of his late mother. The "Rhapsody in Blue" jazz/classical tribute to George Gershwin featuring Herbie Hancock. Alicia Keys singing duet with a digitally recreated Frank Sinatra video. Good tape editing on Frank to pull this off! Amy Winehouse's mystical comments live from London for winning Record of the Year for "Rehab." George Lopez urging Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to select "a Mexican" running mate for vice president. Herbie Hancock winning the Grammy for Album of the Year...River: The Joni Letters. A real surprise. Mary J. Blige sticking out her rear end (and never facing the camera) while pimping for Chevrolet in the best commercial of the evening. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Grammys Sing for 50 Golden Moments this Sunday

    Do you have the patience? Do you have the stamina for another gut wrenching marathon of garbled gab, glittering bling, boring back stories, and haphazard harmonies from stars who may or may not have ever sung with each other? This is the promise of the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, this Sunday, February 10th, from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. CBS Television is promising an 8 pm - 11:30 pm Eastern show, but look for the live event to run over in it's time slot, as usual. Some of the planned artist collaborations look frightening. Many are quite a stretch. However, look for the Grammys to go all out for their 50th anniversary show. A soulful highlight may be Rihanna teaming up with a reunited 'the' Time for a special 50th anniversary segment. The music industry is in turmoil because of the expectation by a new generation of fans that tunes should be free. Look for the performers to put their best game face on in an attempt to drive casual and passionate viewers alike to create some buzz about the 50th Anniversary Grammy beat...and to seek out the music. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Musical Men Missing from NAACP Image Award Nominations

    Mary J. Blige, Beyonce', Alicia Keys, and Jill Scott lead the nominees in the female music category for the 39th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The awards honor projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts, television, music, literature and motion pictures. "Stand Up and Be Counted" is the theme of this year's show. In the music category, is the NAACP missing the boat among younger male artists? Or, in the age of hip hop, is there a reason that the modern R&B genre is being dominated women? Only Prince is represented in the Outstanding Male Artist category. You can watch the NAACP Image Awards live on Valentine's Day, Thursday, February 14, 2008, 8:00-10:00 pm Eastern on Fox. Here are the nominees in the Recording Category: Outstanding New Artist: Corbin Blue - Walt Disney Records J. Holiday - Capitol Sean Kingston - Sony Outstanding Male Artist: Prince - Columbia Records Outstanding Female Artist: Alicia Keys - J Records Beyonce' - Columbia Records Jill Scott - Hidden Beach Recordings Mary J. Blige - Geffen Outstanding Duo or Group: Stephen Marley & Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley Outstanding Jazz Artist: Kirk Whalum - Rendezvouz Entertainment Patti Austin - Rendezvouz Entertainment Outstanding Gospel Artist - (Traditional or Contemporary): Marvin Winans - Pure Springs /EMI Gospel Sounds of Blackness - Sounds of Blackness Records Outstanding World Music Album: Angelique Kidjo - "Djin Djin"- Razor & Tie Various Artist - "Putumayo Presents: World Hits" - Putumayo Outstanding Music Video: "Beautiful Liar" - Beyonce' - Columbia Records "Just Fine" - Mary J. Blige - Geffen "Like You'll Never See Me Again" - Alicia Keys - J Records Outstanding Song: "Beautiful Flower" - India.Arie - Universal Republic "Just Fine" - Mary J. Blige - Geffen "Like You'll Never See Me Again" - Alicia Keys - J Records "Umbrella" - Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - Island Def Jam Outstanding Album: Alicia Keys - "As I Am" - J Records Mary J. Blige - "Growing Pains" - Geffen Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 Seeks Love on Valentine's Day

    The 25th anniversary edition of Thriller is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Will Michael Jackson find love right before Valentine's Day? When the 25th anniversary edition of Superfly was released in November, 1997, Curtis Mayfield fans hit the jackpot. The 2 CD set included all of the original songs from 1972, plus a bonus CD featuring a long Curtis Mayfield interview, some Curtis Mayfield radio public service announcements, plus new alternative mixes of most of the original songs. Will Thriller 25 live up to this standard? You can argue that both Superfly and Thriller are important albums in the history of classic soul. Both were innovative, commercially successful, and huge crossover hits. With sister Janet Jackson scheduled to release her own new album in February, will Thriller 25 receive any interest after so many previous Michael Jackson greatest hits collections? There will be 3 versions of Thriller 25 according to Sony BMG Music: A CD + Bonus DVD with the classic album cover featuring the debut of the Moonwalk from the Motown 25 celebration and a 20 page booklet. A CD + Bonus DVD with a newly designed "zombie" album cover featuring the debut of the Moonwalk from the Motown 25 celebration and a 20 page booklet. A hardbound case + book deluxe edition with a 48 page booklet as well as the CD + Bonus DVD. I don't see anything so compelling that would encourage me to grab a copy of Thriller 25 based upon these 3 descriptions. It's really all about the music, not collectable CD covers. Thriller 25, The World's Biggest Selling Album of all Time is plastered on the CD cover. Have you forgotten? We'll see if Michael and Janet can reenergize sagging careers with their February 2008 releases. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 50th Annual Grammy Grab to Spotlight Great R&B

    There a 7 R&B categories in the 50th Annual Grammy Awards to be held Sunday, February 10th, 2008, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Eligible music was released between October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007. Once upon a time the Grammy honorees shared about 26 awards each year. Now with over 100 categories and enough awards to stroke everyone's ego, the special nature of winning has been watered down. If all of the nominated records in the Best R&B album category are new productions, rather than reissues, then what's the difference between this category and the Best Contemporary R&B album? Maybe it's an artificial separation between some old school and new school performers. Here are 5 of the 7 R&B categories and the nominees: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance "Just Fine" Mary J. Blige "When I See You" Fantasia "No One" Alicia Keys "If I Have My Way" Chrisette Michele "Hate On Me" Jill Scott Best Male R&B Vocal Performance "Woman" Raheem DeVaughn "B.U.D.D.Y." Musiq Soulchild "Because Of You" Ne-Yo "Future Baby Mama" Prince "Please Don't Go" Tank Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals "Same Girl" R. Kelly Featuring Usher "Disrespectful" Chaka Khan Featuring Mary J. Blige "Hate That I Love You" Rihanna Featuring Ne-Yo "Baby" Angie Stone Featuring Betty Wright "Bartender" T-Pain Featuring Akon Best R&B Album Funk This Chaka Khan Lost & Found Ledisi Luvanmusiq Musiq Soulchild The Real Thing Jill Scott Sex, Love & Pain Tank Best Contemporary R&B Album Konvicted Akon Just Like You Keyshia Cole Fantasia Fantasia East Side Story Emily King Because Of You Ne-Yo Grammy.com has all of the Grammy Nominees and categories. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Retro-Soul makes a Mighty Comeback

    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

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