0 10 Classic Soul Picks for Father's Day

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/15/2007

Color Him Father - the Winstons Daddy - Beyonce' Daddy Could Swear - Gladys Knight & the Pips Daddy's Home - Jermaine Jackson Dance with my Father - Luther Vandross Father Figure - George Michael Papa was a Rolling Stone - Temptations Papa's got a Brand New Bag - James Brown Song for my Father - Horace Silver Quintet Sugar Daddy - Jackson 5 Put these on your Dad's iPod, or burn them to a CD. When it comes to classic soul, (and a little jazz flava from Horace Silver), Dad never sounded better! Previous Post | Next Post

2 Beyonce' and Mary J. Blige Summer Tour Tickets Top the Charts

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/14/2007

It's a high roller payday for Beyonce' and Mary J. Blige as their Summer tours get ready to cash in on fans who can't get enough of these charming ladies. My eyes almost popped out of my head when I peeped the prices for Beyonce's Saturday, August 11th, 2007 performance at the Trump Taj Mahal Arena in Atlantic City, NJ: $195.75, $165.75, and $95.75 at the low end. Mary J. Blige, at the Borgata on Saturday, July 28th, also in A.C., isn't much better: $135.00, $115.00, and $95.00. These prices are out of control! What happened to reasonably priced live entertainment from these headline performers? Not that long ago, I went to see Patti Labelle at the Trump Taj Mahal Arena in Atlantic City, and the cost of the top ticket was about 1/5th of today's prices. What has happened to drive prices up almost 500%? There are a lot of legitimate reasons, but greed plays a large part in the process as our pockets continue to be picked. Last Summer, (2006), when Madonna tickets were going for around $300 each, people did a double take. Let's face it, at the time, Madonna wasn't burning up the charts to command such a premium. It's time to get real. Beyonce', Mary J. Blige, and other acts are pricing their non-affluent fans out of the market to attend live concerts. The cost factor difference between a music download for .99 cents, a CD for $20, and a $200 concert ticket is mind boggling. Concert ticket prices reflect a growing cultural divide between the bling crowd who can afford the luxury, and working class people who deserve a better break at seeing these acts perform live (who they helped make famous). If you've got the cash, tickets for Beyonce's August 11th show in Atlantic City go on sale this Saturday, June 16th, at 12 noon. Another option is to pray that you score free tickets from a radio station promotion. Now that will be just like hitting the lottery! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Chuck D and Randy Jackson to co-host 50 Years of Stax Records Classic Soul Concert

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/12/2007

Chuck D and Randy Jackson will host 50 Years of Stax: a Concert to Benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on Friday, June 22, 2007, at Memphis, Tennessee's historic Orpheum Theater (at the foot of Beale Street). Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs, Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Mavis Staples, Mable John, the Soul Children, and Angie Stone (among others) are all confirmed to appear. Chuck D, of Public Enemy fame, commenting on his role as a co-host for the benefit says: "The logo of Stax says it all. That finger snap graphic brings a funky sound effect by just looking at it. With it comes a catalog of soul heroes and heroines whose heart, souls and passions still echo across this planet today." Co-host producer, songwriter, and American Idol host Randy Jackson adds: "I am honored to be a part of this amazing music legacy. Stax records is the foundation that R&B was built on. The legendary artists that Stax built are such a huge part of my music roots." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Barry White Salute coming to NYC off Broadway

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/07/2007

Barry White: Guided By Destiny, a new off Broadway musical/concert, is scheduled for a two week showcase production June 14th - June 24th, 2007 at the Times Square Arts Center in New York City. The producers have created original music to go along with original Barry White and Love Unlimited songs. Artist Lanar will play the late classic soul icon Barry White (who passed away on July 3, 2003). Venus Adore is slotted as Glodean White, with Jessica Opong and Gezele Portwood rounding out The Love Not Limited Singers, (a trio performing as Love Unlimited in the production). Barry White: Guided By Destiny will explore the R&B legend's relationships with Muhammad Ali and Elvis Presley (credited with changing his life). Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth Wind & Fire 2007 Summer Tour

• Concerts
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/05/2007

Here are June and July 2007 tour dates for Earth Wind & Fire. June: Tuesday, June 5, Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap Thursday, June 7, Portsmouth, VA - Harbor Center Tuesday, June 12, Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill Amphitheater Wednesday, June 13, Kettering, OH - Fraze Pavilion Friday, June 15, Chattanooga, TN - Riverbend Festival Saturday, June 16, Birmingham, AL - City Stages Sunday, June 17, Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage Casino Tuesday, June 19, Fayetteville, AR - Arkansas Music Pavilion Friday, June 22, Aspen, CO - Jazz Festival Saturday, June 23, Rio Rancho , NM - Santa Ana Star Center Sunday, June 24, Prescott, AZ - Toyota Center Tuesday, June 26, Del Mar, CA - County Fair Wednesday, June 27, Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theater Thursday, June 28, Tucson, AZ July: Tuesday, July 3, San Jauncito, CA - Soboba Casino Friday, July 6, Kelsieville, CA - Konocti Field Amphitheater Saturday, July 7, Bakersfield, CA - Brighthouse Amphitheater Sunday, July 8, Murphy's , CA - Iron Stone Winery Tuesday, July 10, Fresno, CA - Sarroyan Theater Friday, July 13, Lake Tahoe, CA - Harvey's Arena Saturday, July 14, Oakland, CA - Paramount Theater Sunday, July, 15, Costa Mesa, CA - OC Fair Wednesday, July 18, Sacramento, CA - Community Center Theater Friday, July, 20, Grand Ronde , OR - Spirit Mountain Casino Saturday, July 21, Grand Ronde , OR - Spirit Mountain Casino Sunday, July 22, Seattle, WA - Chateau Winery Previous Post | Next Post

0 Ashford & Simpson Send It

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/31/2007

Ashford & Simpson's 1977 classic soul album Send It is extremely rare. This photo is from the back of the vinyl album cover. "Don't Cost You Nothin," and the underground hit "Bourgie Bourgie" lit up the dance floor back in the day. Nick and Val are truly a unique act. As solid as a rock, they managed to served up 35 R&B single releases through 1997. As songwriters, it doesn't get any better than Ashford & Simpson, who have written these time tested hits: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Diana Ross "Let's Go Get Stoned" - Ray Charles "California Soul" - 5th Dimension Catch Ashford & Simpson as the special guests of headliner Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Sunday, July 29, 2007, at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, PA. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bobby Womack the Poet

• Photo
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/29/2007

Bobby Womack's 1981 classic soul album, The Poet, was #1 on the R&B album chart for 5 weeks. The legendary track, "If You Think You're Lonely Now," is one of the album's highlights. If you have a copy of this rare album, hold on to it. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Janet Jackson Wraps up Love Doctor Role

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/24/2007

Janet Jackson recently mentioned on her official website that she's wrapped up filming her role in the new Tyler Perry movie, Why Did I Get Married?" Jackson plays "Diane," an author and psychologist who "writes about love, marriage, and relationships." Jill Scott is also featured in the movie, which is based on Tyler Perry's stage play of the same name. Why Did I Get Married is scheduled for a November 2007 theatrical release. Previous Post | Next Post

0 7 May Days for #1 Classic Soul R&B Hits

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/22/2007

Here's a quick time capsule look at 7 #1 chart topping R&B hits from the golden age of classic soul. Each song was #1 on the indicated day in May this week. 4 are from the 1970's, 2 are from the 1960's, and one goes all the way back to 1954, thanks to Hank Ballard & the Midnighters. May 20, 1972 - "I'll Take You There" - Staple Singers May 21, 1977 - " May 22, 1954 - "Work with me Annie" - Hank Ballard May 23, 1964 - "My Guy" - Mary Wells May 24, 1975 - "Shining Star - "Earth Wind & Fire May 25, 1963 - "If You Wanna Be Happy" - Jimmy Soul May 26, 1973 - "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby" - Barry White How many do you remember? Previous Post | Next Post

0 Beat-Master Bo Diddley

• Biography
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/17/2007

Bo Diddley's publicist says the singer is hospitalized and in "guarded" condition after suffering a stroke. He's in intensive care and his condition is listed as guarded. Diddley is a 78 year old pop music icon of enormous influence, who continues to perform and thrill fans. His last performance was this past Sunday, May 13, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. His songs have been covered and recorded by the Rolling Stones, the Animals, Manfred Mann, the Kinks, the Yardbirds, Quicksilver Messenger Service, the Doors, Tom Rush, and Bob Seger, (among many others). Diddley's custom-made rectangular guitar, and his playing style, complete with distorted amplification, became a trademark by the mid 1950?s. He was born in McComb, Mississippi, on December 30, 1928. Ellas McDaniel, also known as Bo, received his nickname from his early years as a boxer. He played the blues clubs of Chicago, Illinois, in the 1940's and 1950's. Diddley's early legendary recordings were made for the Chess label. His collection of hits include "Who Do You Love," "Hey! Bo Diddley," "Pretty Thing," and "Hush Your Mouth." Bo played on several Chuck Berry classics including "Memphis, Tennessee," and "Sweet Little Rock N' Roller." Diddley's 1959 "Say Man" was a rap styled dialogue 20 years ahead of its time. In 1962, he performed for President John F. Kennedy at a private set at the White House. He toured Great Britain in the 1960's and 1970's, performing on shows with the Everly Brothers, the Rolling Stones, and the Clash. Diddley continued his presence through the 1980's, with a film appearance in Eddie Murphy's Trading Places (1983). Bo's music was featured in films including La Bamba (1987), and Dirty Dancing, (1987). Diddley was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He performed for President George Bush at the Inaugural Gala in 1989. Diddley rocked at 1992's Democratic National Convention celebration for Bill Clinton. In February of 1996, Bo Diddley received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, an acknowledgment, for among other accomplishments, pioneering the famous "Bo Diddley beat." 2021 Update: Bo Diddley passed away on June 2, 2008. Previous Post | Next Post