0 Ann Peebles - Brand New Classics

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/22/2006

One of my favorite ladies from the "school of Southern soul," Ann Peebles, is about to release her first album in over a decade. In a biography about the St. Louis, Missouri native, Christine Ohlman and Ron Wynn write that Ann Peebles "was the queen of Willie Mitchell's Memphis based Hi Records roster during the 1970's, when Al Green was its undisputed king." Her masterpiece, "I Can't Stand the Rain," has been covered by everyone from Tina Turner on one end of the spectrum to a version by Larry Graham's Graham Central Station on the other end. Peebles original of "Rain" was one of the favorite songs of the late Beatle John Lennon. Track Records, based in the UK, is releasing Ann's "Brand New Classics" on June 12, 2006. In summarizing Peebles brilliant career, Track Records says "She co-wrote a generous share of her own material with husband Don Bryant, and while she cut plenty of love and heartbreak tunes, her persona was built on the grit and resilient strength she displayed on songs like "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down" (a number one single for Paul Young in the UK)." "Her best recordings hold up among the greatest of their era. Her songs have been covered by Humble Pie, Bette Midler, Booker T & M.G.'s, and Missy Elliot." Here's an advance review of "Brand New Classics," written by Ed Bumgardner, that appeared in Winston-Salem, North Carolina's Relish publication... "In recent years, a handful of savvy producers have taken it upon themselves to rediscover and record many of the forgotten soul and R&B singers, most of whom, despite getting on in years, remain in fine (and refined) voice. The latest such project is Brand New Classics, a new album by Ann Peebles, one of the finest of the Memphis soul singers of the 1970s (her distinctive phrasing was an influence on Al Green). This disc will thrill older soul-music fans even as it effectively introduces Peebles to a new generation. Live re-toolings of many of her greatest songs ("I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," "I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home") - and a soaring adaptation of Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is" - are smartly navigated by a full band in semi-acoustic arrangements. The dynamic inflections and emotional power of Peebles' delivery remain captivating, so much so that five bonus studio tracks merely cap an organic, contemporary-sounding album that goes for the heart and ends up a classic soul celebration." ---------- Ann is an artist who never "crossed-over" to mainstream success, but she is highly respected by her music peers. She is a "must play" artist when presenting a serious collection of classic R&B and classic Soul tunes. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bobby Bland - Blues Master

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/23/2006

Imagine sitting in a large club, with just a handful of music fans, soaking up a soulful performance by a legendary blues master. I don't recall the reason why, but on this particular weeknight, only about 30 people came out to hear Bobby Bland. It was the last set of two shows for the evening. The stage was the Club Harlem in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The decade: mid 1970's. I learned that night how a professional singer delivers a performance that rises to fan expectations, regardless of whether 30, or 3,000, or 3 million people are watching. Bobby "Blue" Bland hails from Rosemont, Tennessee. He did his first recording in Memphis, Tennessee in 1951. During the early years, he worked with B.B. King, Junior Parker, and Johnny Ace. Bobby earned the nickname "blue" from his energy and enthusiasm. The Bobby Bland style is a fusion of gospel, R&B, and blues. This mix has worked well for him through the decades. One of his biggest classic R&B hits is "Turn on Your Love Light," a number two soul hit in 1961 - a song that's been covered by everyone from Solomon Burke to Tom Jones. With an incredible string of successes through 1985, Bland had 63 different songs make the R&B charts. Early in his career, he and his band did over 300 live shows a year. Bobby's most recent release was in 2003. He's recorded lots of music in every decade since the 1950's. In 2004's Elwood's Blues, Interviews with the Blues Legends and Stars, (by Dan Aykroyd and Ben Manilla), Bland is asked how he keeps finding fresh material... "You have a lot of help in that area, because people get kind of attached to you as you grow. They know the type of material that you've been good at, that you've been fortunate to sell, and they know the type of story that you'd like to tell." Bland explains that the signature growl in his voice happened after his tonsils were removed. He went from a high falsetto to a low baritone. The growl was refined with the help of a sermon by Rev. C. L. Franklin, "The Eagle Stirred His Nest." Bland continues... "I listened to this particular part over and over and I said, "It looks like I could use this for something." So I started to practice the different squalls that he was doing - I stole the squall thing from him." "C. L. Franklin was one of my favorite preachers. I always liked his daughter too - my favorite singer, Aretha." In the interview, Elwood Blues asks Bobby Bland if the thread of sadness that most blues songs are based on makes young people less interested in the blues. Bland says that "blues is a downer to younger black people, mainly because our history carries a lot of guilt and disappointment." "Blues basically was done by being sad, being out in the country and not allowed to do certain things. So young black people, some of them don't want to look back on that era." "They want to look ahead the way Dr. King has brought them up to now. There's no looking back, we got to go forward. But the blues will always be here." Bobby Bland was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, along with Sam & Dave, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Elmore James, and Jimi Hendrix. Anything but bland, Bobby is a "Blue" giant among legendary company. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Baby Makin' Isley Brothers

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/09/2006

"Baby Makin' Music," scheduled for release today, marks the 36th album, (not counting compilations), featuring the remarkable sound of the Isley Brothers. 1959's "Shout" was their first collection. Ronald and Ernie carry the torch forward with this fourth Isley Brothers CD of the new millennium. "Blast Off," featuring guest R. Kelly, is the first single from "Baby Makin' Music." "Blast Off" is one of the better slow tracks, and there are a lot of them. Out of 11 tracks, "Pretty Woman" can be called uptempo, three songs can be tagged as medium tempo - and the rest are smooth waves pushing the mellow "quiet storm" Baby Makin' ship. You're My Star Blast Off (featuring R. Kelly) Just Came Here To Chill Gotta Be With You Pretty Woman Forever Mackin Show Me Give It To You Beautiful Heaven Hooked Us Up You Helped Me Write This Song Ronald "Mr. Biggs" Isley can still croon with the best of them. His falsetto still has enough silk to compensate for some loss of shine in his velvet voice. "Gotta Be With You," serving up Ernie Isleys' understated signature guitar, brings to mind the rhythm of 2001's "Contagious." Seal has written a couple of songs, rounding out the softer sound of "Baby Makin' Music." For longevity alone, the Isley Brothers deserve praise. Decade after decade, they've stayed current with the trends, without abandoning their unique style or voice. ---------- Here's an Isley Brothers mini concert review I wrote back in 2004: The Isley Brothers, lead by Ronald and Ernie, on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, Philadelphia PA, performed in front of just slightly under 1 million people on July 4, 2004. So what's a 2004 Isley Brothers Concert like? Here's their musical set, in order of performance: Between the Sheets Footsteps in the Dark Who's That Lady It's Your Thing Twist and Shout This Old Heart of Mine For The Love of You Busted Voyage to Atlantis Summer Breeze Keep it on the Down Low Contagious Shout 45 minutes of hits. Compared to an Isley Brothers/Graham Central Station concert I saw back in the day, this show was better, because Ron Isley, like a fine wine, only gets better with age. Previous Post | Next Post

0 'Peace Out' from War on Cinco De Mayo Day

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/05/2006

I've spent two memorable Cinco De Mayo days having a funky good time. One in San Antonio, Texas, the other in Seattle, Washington. Great music was at the centerpiece of both lively celebrations. According to Mexonline.com, an online guide to Mexico, The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, May 5th, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It's primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla, and throughout the state of Puebla. The holiday is recognized in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities (with significant Mexican populations). Cinco De Mayo day is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, (which is September 16). Cinco De Mayo day offers us the opportunity to think about groups and individuals who have effectively blended elements of Latin, soul, rock, and R&B. Santana, Malo, Joe Cuba, Tito Puente, Coke Escovedo, and Shelia E., (Coke's daughter), all have had success expressing their music through strong Latin roots. Perhaps the most successful R&B, soul, rock, and Latin fusion blend, with a touch of jazz, comes from the hit making ensemble: War. Bill Dahl, in a Billboard review, writes about the story of War: "Freewheeling War mixed rock, jazz, and soul influences into a spicy stew throughout the 1970's, resulting in a series of R&B and pop hits sporting funky melodies and politically aware messages. Born in Long Beach, California, in 1969, the large combo initially served as rocker Eric Burdon's group, backing the ex-Animal on his 1970 million-seller "Spill the Wine." The band signed with United Artists in 1971 and enjoyed its first smash the next year with "Slippin' into Darkness." Tapping into a sizzling, horn-fueled rock/soul synthesis, "The World Is a Ghetto," "The Cisco Kid," and "Why Can't We be Friends?" all went gold during the mid 1970's. Despite numerous personnel and label changes, War remained popular throughout the 1980's. In the early 1990's, War experienced a revival, partially due to the fact that all of their albums were reissued. The group was also acknowledged as a primary influence on contemporary R&B and hip hop. War released a new album in 1994 to capitalize on their new found popularity." ---------- War is still touring and performing. Here's their intense 2006 schedule: Friday, May 5, 2006 Victorville, CA San Bernardino Co. Fair Saturday, May 6, 2006 Coarsegold, CA Half Dome Chukchansi Casino Saturday, May 13, 2006 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre Thursday, May 25, 2006 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern Saturday, May 27, 2006 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre Sunday, May 28, 2006 Avila Beach, CA Avila Beach Resort Saturday, June 3, 2006 El Paso, TX Custom Car & Chopper Festival Sunday, June 4, 2006 Beaumont, CA Cherry Festival Sunday, June 11, 2006 Santa Rosa, CA Sonoma Co. Fairgrounds Saturday, June 24, 2006 Sacramento, CA Meadowview Jazz & Cultural Festival Sunday, June 25, 2006 Philadelphia, PA West Oak Lane Festival Friday, July 28, 2006 Canal Fulton, OH Rock & Roll Resort Fest Friday, August 4, 2006 Columbus, OH Ohio State Fair Tuesday, August 8, 2006 Camden, NJ Wiggins Park Saturday, August 12, 2006 Camp Verde, AZ Cliff Castle Casino Saturday, August 26, 2006 Albany, OR Art & Air Festival Sunday, August 27, 2006 Palmer, AK Alaska State Fair Thursday, August 31, 2006 Sparks, NV John Ascuaga's Nugget Saturday, September 2, 2006 Long Beach, CA Blues Festival Sunday, September 3, 2006 Virginia Beach, VA American Music Fest Wednesday, September 20, 2006 Marysville, WA Tulalip Casino Saturday, October 21, 2006 Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage Sunday, October 22, 2006 Annapolis, MD Rams Head On Stage Thursday, November 2, 2006 Highland, CA San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino War's unique sound comes from a talented mix of musicians, including keyboard specialist Lonnie Jordan, and Danish-born harmonica player Lee Oskar. "The Cisco Kid" is the song that gained war a strong following in the Latino community. Previous Post | Next Post