0 The New Michael Jackson Song - This Is It

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/24/2009

On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, a brand new Michael Jackson song, "This Is It," will be released. An international debut of Jackson's double CD This Is It happens Monday, October 26. Finally, according to an official MichaelJackson.com release, north America gets the twin-disc This Is It on Tuesday, October 27th. Michael Jackson's This Is It, the movie, hits theaters for a two week only limited engagement on Wednesday, October 28th. Previous Post | Next Post

0 George Benson Releases Songs and Stories

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/23/2009

George Benson likes to throw rigid music categories out the window when he describes himself as "an entertainer" at heart. During his successful career, George has repeatedly walked across 'genre street' bridging jazz, classic soul, and straight ahead R&B. The new George Benson album, Songs and Stories, scheduled for an October 2009 release, leans toward the pop mainstream with tracks written by among others James Taylor, Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Bill Withers, and Donny Hathaway. In reading through the official George Benson biography in the About section on his website, it's clear that he has paid his dues excelling in a variety of award winning roles as both a guitarist and vocalist. Benson's hits are well known: "This Masquerade," "Give Me The Night," "Inside Love." A novelty favorite of mine is 1975's "Supership," a danceable ditty complete with ocean liner horn sound effects. Songs and Stories continues the George Benson legacy with these tracks: "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" "Family Reunion" "Show Me The Love" "A Telephone Call Away" "Someday We'll All Be Free" "Nuthin' But A Party" "Come In From The Cold" "Exotica" "Rainy Night In Georgia" "One Like You" "Living In High Definition" "Sailing" Join Mr. Benson as he continues his international 2009 tour: October 22, 2009 Westbury, NY - Westbury Music Fair October 24, Detroit, MI - Masonic Center November 12, Yerevan, Armenia - National Academic Opera and Ballet November 14, Moscow, Russia - Kremlin Palace November 16, Baku, Azerbaijan - Heydar Aliyev Palace November 18, Dubai, UAE - Emirates Golf Club November 19, Manama, Bahrain - Venue to be announced November 22, Rome, Italy - Sala Santa Cecilia November 23, Naples, Italy - Teatro Augesteo November 24, Bari, Italy - Teatroteam November 25, Catania, Italy - Teatro Metropolitan Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Pointer Sisters Keep their Trio Together

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/17/2009

The beat goes on for The Pointer Sisters, despite the loss of June Pointer in April, 2006. There's strength in the family when multiple generations can sing together to create harmony in the name of beautiful music. Issa, (on the right, with Ruth (left) and Anita Pointer (middle) is Ruth's daughter. Issa officially joined the group in 2003, and was 7 years old when the Pointer Sisters toured in 1985. Discover the official Pointer Sisters website. Catch the Pointer Sisters Saturday, September 26, 2009, at Bally's in Atlantic City, NJ. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Oz with a free NYC Concert

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/15/2009

Jennifer Hudson with Questlove aka ?uestlove of the Roots, are scheduled to perform songs from The Wizard of Oz, in honor of the 70th anniversary of the historic 1939 movie. The free outdoor concert in New York City's Central Park, Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at 7:30 pm is being sponsored by the online movie rental company Netflix. Following the concert, there will be an outdoor screening of The Wizard of Oz. (8:30 pm - Rumsey Playfield). Have lots of bandwidth? Netflix says you can watch the movie online (no charge) on Saturday, October 3, from www.netflix.com/wizardofoz. We don't know what songs Jennifer Hudson and company will be singing in Central Park, but here are the top 5 songs from the original Wizard of Oz soundtrack: "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" "We're Off to See The Wizard" "If I Only Had a Brain" "If I Only Had a Heart" "Over the Rainbow" Judy Garland lit up the silver screen with her version. Now listen to 30 seconds of Patti LaBelle & the Bluebelles singing "Over the Rainbow," followed by 30 seconds of Michael Jackson's "Ease on Down The Road" from the Wiz (1978). Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post

1 Kool & the Gang Fall Tour

• Website
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/10/2009

Kool & the Gang take it to the stage this fall as they continue their 2009 tour. Mr. Bell and company still receive a lot of well deserved press. Scan through the Kool & the Gang history at their official website. There are several very good early Kool & the Gang albums (pre 1979 Ladies Night). I recommend their jazzy 1969 debut release, Kool & the Gang, and 1972's underrated funk frolic: Music Is the Message. Kool & the Gang are excellent live, so check them out when they come to your town. Friday, September 18, 2009 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Cerritos, CA Friday, September 25, Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ Saturday, September 26, Tropicana, Atlantic City, NJ Sunday, September 27, Hollywood Bowl - Disco Fever 3, Los Angeles, CA October Friday, October 2, Gretna Heritage Festival, Gretna, LA Saturday, October 3, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Biloxi, MS Monday, October 12, Epcot Center, Lake Buena Vista, FL Tuesday, October 13, Epcot Center, Lake Buena Vista, FL Saturday, October 17, US Airways Center Phoenix, AZ Thursday, October 29, Steel Arena Kosice, Slovak Republic November Thursday, November 12, El San Juan Hotel & Casino, San Juan, Puerto Rico Previous Post | Next Post

0 La Toya Jackson Ties New Song to MJ Charity

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/08/2009

Downloads of La Toya Jackson's new song, "Home" will benefit her late brother Michael's favorite charity, Aids Project LA (APLA). "Home" is also the first video La Toya has done in the past 20 years. An official La Toya release says that Michael personally supported and donated to APLA, and it was a charity that he strongly believed in. In the spirit of carrying on Michael's legacy, La Toya and JaTail Records/Bungalo/Universal have teamed up to assist APLA. 2022 Update: The song download link is sunset and removed. Previous Post | Next Post

0 B.T. Express Beat Non-Stop Groove

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/03/2009

Brooklyn, New York's B.T. Express are remembered for their 1974 classic soul hits "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" and "Express." They chugged along the funky 'dance-music' track conducting 8 energetic albums including Non-Stop, their 2nd release, shown here. Listen to 30 seconds of the underground favorite, "Peace Pipe," the first track on Non-Stop. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post  

0 Blue Magic - Major Harris - Margie Joseph Live

• Audio
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/01/2009

Here's Blue Magic, Major Harris, and Margie Joseph on stage at the Latin Casino dinner theatre in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Bill Thompson, an entertainment writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer in a 1975 article described their appearance: "there was an Atlantic Records Company musical extravaganza and recording session Monday night that would make Caesars Palace in Las Vegas seem like a coffee shop." Thompson added "the show began with the orchestra playing the sound track of the movie Jaws, along with a film introduction of the recording stars, and it ended almost two hours later with a standing ovation." The Latin Casino is long gone. Subaru of America headquarters now occupies the Cherry Hill, New Jersey space. However, the double album recording of this event, released in 1976, lives on with many outstanding tracks. Major Harris, of "Love Won't Let Me Wait" and the Delfonics fame, sings solo, and in tandem with either Blue Magic or Margie Joseph. The performers sing their own songs, along with covers from Barry White, and versions of Gamble and Huff Philadelphia International hits including "I Love Music" and "Bad Luck." Blue Magic, Major Harris, and Margie Joseph Live is an enjoyable mix of classic soul memories. In 2007, Major Harris released his version of "My Cherie Amour," the Stevie Wonder hit. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 50 seconds of Major singing "My Cherie Amour." Previous Post | Next Post  

0 Anita Baker Sings in Key DC Appearance

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/27/2009

It's always a treat to catch Detroit, Michigan native Anita Baker under the bright spotlight. The Grammy Award winning lady of "Rapture," "Sweet love," "Giving You the Best that I Got," and other memorable hits is scheduled to appear in Washington, DC at Constitution Hall on Friday, September 18, 2009. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth Wind & Fire 2009 Tour Update

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/25/2009

The Earth, Wind & Fire 2009 summer tour is winding down... Tuesday, August 25, 2009 Atlanta, GA, Chastain Park Amphitheater (with Chicago) Wednesday, August 26, Cincinnati, OH, Riverbend Music Center (with Chicago) Friday, August 28, Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center (with Chicago) Saturday, August 29, The Reach Music Festival - Simsbury, CT, The Performing Arts Center At Simsbury Meadows Sunday, August 30, Wantagh, NY, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater (with Chicago) Wednesday, September 2, The Great Allentown Fair - Allentown, PA, Grandstand Stage (with Chicago) Thursday, October 8, Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena You can grab 3 previously unreleased MP3's by joining Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago in their fight against hunger and poverty by making a $3 or more donation to WHY Fight Hunger. 2022 Update: This promotion is still active but may end at any time. I happily made a donation. One of the 3 never released songs you'll be able to download is a nice update of "Wishing You Were Here," a great Earth, Wind & Fire - Chicago collaboration. This Chicago original gets a nice, jazzy update with EWF's Philip Bailey singing lead. It's quite different from the hit version that teamed Chicago together with the Beach Boys. The 2 additional songs you can download feature one from Chicago, and another from Earth, Wind & Fire with Chicago. Previous Post | Next Post