0 Stax Records Story Salutes Memphis Soulsville

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/04/2007

The two hour television special Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story is excellent. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, the story captures the saga of Stax in Memphis in the late 1960's through early 1970's. Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, and Mavis Staples highlight the video story about the rise and fall of the legendary Memphis music making machine. Updates about the story run through late 2006, so the very latest elements of Stax history are included. This is "don't miss" classic soul entertainment. The focus is on the biographical chain of events that lead to phenomenal success for the record label. Some amazing rare video is included of Sam & Dave, The Bar-Kays, Otis Redding, Mel & Tim, The Staple Singers, and others. Congratulations to PBS for putting this on public television. Watch for replays. Here are 6 number one R&B songs from the Stax family of artists... "Green Onions" Booker T. & the M.G.'s - 1962 "Knock On Wood" Eddie Floyd - 1966 "Hold On I'm Comin'" Sam & Dave - 1966 "Soul Man" Sam & Dave - 1967 "Who's Making Love" Johnnie Taylor - 1968 "I'll Take You There" Staple Singers - 1972 Final word (trivia tidbit)...M.G.'s stands for "Memphis Group." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Diana Ross Challenges Gen X'ers on the 2007 BET Awards

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/28/2007

Not only did Diana Ross throw out a peace offering olive branch to former Supreme Mary Wilson, but the "boss" used her microphone during the Tuesday, June 26, 2007 BET Awards to suggest to younger artists that long careers are possible without relying on gimmicky vulgar language. Ms. Ross also suggested to the hip hop crowd that it is possible to be classy, contemporary, and cool without diving into the salacious behavior used in many videos/live performances. The lifetime achievement award presented to Diana Ross was one of the 4 big highlights of the BET Awards. In the Ms. Ross tribute, Stevie Wonder performed "Upside Down," Chaka Khan sang "I'm Comin' Out," and Erykah Badu styled and profiled on "Love Hangover." Gerald Levert and James Brown received posthumous tributes. Public Enemy and Bootsy Collins performed a medley of James Brown hits. Jennifer Holliday & Jennifer Hudson opened the show with a blockbuster semi-duet performance of "And I am Telling You" from Dreamgirls. In 3 hours plus, America heard a year's worth of howling from "charm school" headmaster Mo'Nique, the evening's host. Enough said. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stax 50 delivers Classic Soul Grand Slam Hits

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/20/2007

Here is Rufus Thomas, catching a nap, after "Walking the Dog" during a show stopping performance. The Thomas classic, and 49 others songs from the Stax stable, are featured on the new Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration. This is a magnificent two disc set, profiling the best of the Memphis sound. Congratulations to the Concord Music Group for bringing the Stax label back into the public spotlight. Each track deserves to be a part of this collection. Some of the artists are not household names, however classic soul fans will remember these troubadours for their contributions to the Stax legacy. My title, "Stax 50 delivers Classic Soul Grand Slam Hits," may be taking artistic license, as some of the songs were more commercially successfully than others. As an example, "So I Can Love You," the 1969 seminal hit by the Emotions, (pictured here), though not a monster smash, adds depth to this compilation. Sheila, Wanda, and Jeanette Hutchinson, (the Emotions), would later obtain their biggest success with Columbia Records under the tutelage of Earth Wind & Fire's Maurice White. Carla Thomas, Otis Redding, and Johnnie Taylor get several tracks, as do Isaac Hayes and Sam & Dave. Sam Moore, on the right in this photo, with his partner Dave Prater, are represented with "Soul Man," "You Don't Know Like I Know," and "Hold on I'm Comin'." We are also treated to some gems by Shirley Brown, the Soul Children, Mel & Tim, Jean Knight, William Bell, Eddie Floyd, the Mad Lads, the Astors, and the Temprees. The 51 page CD booklet has a wonderful history of Stax, along with some great photos, including the three you see here. Stax 50th Anniversary Celebration is an outstanding double CD capturing the essence of the best of Memphis soul: "Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)" - Carla Thomas "Last Night" - The Mar-Keys "You Don't Miss Your Water" - William Bell "Green Onions" - Booker T. & The MGs "Walking the Dog" - Rufus Thomas "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)" - Otis Redding "Candy" - The Astors "Respect" - Otis Redding "You Don't Know Like I Know" - Sam & Dave "I Want Someone" - The Mad Lads " Hold On I'm Comin'" - Sam & Dave "Let Me Be Good To You" - Carla Thomas "Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" - Mable John "Knock on Wood" - Eddie Floyd "B-A-B-Y" - Carla Thomas "Tramp" - Otis Redding & Carla Thomas "Soul Finder" - The Bar-Kays "Born Under a Bad Sign" - Albert King "Soul Man" - Sam & Dave "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay" - Otis Redding "I Got a Sure Thing" - Ollie & The Nightingales "Soul Limbo" - Booker T. & The MGs "I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)" - Eddie Floyd "What A Man" - Linda Lyndell "Private Number" - William Bell & Judy Clay "Who's Making Love" - Johnnie Taylor "I Forgot to Be Your Lover" - William Bell "I Like What You're Doing (To Me)" - Carla Thomas "Time is Tight" - Booker T. & The MGs "So I Can Love You" - The Emotions "Walk on By" - Isaac Hayes "Do the Funky Chicken" - Rufus Thomas "Jody's Got Your Girl and Gone" - Johnnie Taylor "Mr. Big Stuff" - Jean Knight "Never Can Say Goodbye" - Isaac Hayes "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" - The Dramatics "Respect Yourself" - The Staple Singers "Theme From Shaft" - Isaac Hayes "Son of Shaft" - The Bar-Kays "That's What Love Will Make You Do" - Little Milton "I've Been Lonely For So Long" - Frederick Knight "Hearsay" - Soul Children "In The Rain" - Dramatics "I'll Take You There" - The Staple Singers "Starting All Over Again" - Mel & Tim "Dedicated to The One I Love" - The Temprees "If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)" - The Staple Singers "Cheaper to Keep Her" - Johnnie Taylor "I'll Be The Other Woman" - Soul Children "Woman to Woman" - Shirley Brown Previous Post | Next Post

0 New Diana Ross Covers Old Hit Parade

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/23/2007

Diana Ross steps back on stage this March to kick off a new world tour. Until then, she'll have a great promotional opportunity as a mentor on Fox TV's American Idol. We've been playing 5 tracks on Powerhouse Radio from her new release, I Love You, (since the CD was released on January 16). Listeners have the ability to vote on the tracks, and based on your rating numbers, you generally like Diana's take on these 5 songs from among the dozen old classics she tackles. Here's the scorecard up until today (based on a scale of poor to excellent): "Lovely Day" - good "More Today Than Yesterday" - good "The Look of Love" - good "Only You" - good "I Want You" - so so Here's a list of all of the Diana Ross I Love You tracks. More on I Love You in the January 24, 2007 Powerhouse Radio Newsletter. Previous Post | Next Post

0 5 Classic R&B CD Gift Picks for 2006

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/30/2006

Here are my 5 new classic R&B CD gift picks for the holiday season. These albums were all released within the past 12 to 14 months. I've ranked them in order. Even though the music is mostly new, the classic soul lover on your gift list will enjoy these... Luther Vandross - The Ultimate Luther Vandross Natalie Cole - Leavin' Jeffrey Osborne -From The Soul Earth, Wind & Fire - Illumination Lionel Richie - Comin' Home I've previously reviewed the Vandross, Cole, and Richie releases. Click on the links to read the reviews. All of the tracks are familiar songs on Jeffrey Osborne's From The Soul. He's had his share of solo hits in addition to memorable chart toppers with L.T.D. On From The Soul, he makes the most of his powerful mellow voice by interpreting ten classic hits made famous by other artists. Jeffrey does a great job too! Close The Door Until You Come Back To Me Yes I'm Ready For What It's Worth People Get Ready First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Knocks Me Off My Feet Every Little Bit Hurts All At Once Hey Girl Finally, Earth, Wind & Fire's Illumination is a very good combination of new and old styles fused together. Brian McKnight, Floetry, Kenny G, Kelly Rowland, and others join the party along with Maurice White, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire. Illumination is well balanced between the vintage sound you expect from the group, and a fresh contemporary edge that the younger participants add. This is the best Earth, Wind & Fire album in years, so treat yourself, or that special classic soul lover on your gift list, to a top notch mix from the provocative "elements of the universe." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Christmas Favorites with an African Beat

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/22/2006

Some of South Africa's best talents are featured in a new collection of Christmas songs called, "African Christmas." You'll easily recognize the melodies on this 2006 release. Traditional Christmas carols are sung with melodic African voices in a variety of tempos. Stylistically, "African Christmas" reminds me of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, and other South African artists who have exported their culture to the world. "Christmas Favorites with An African Beat," (the CD's subtitle), kicks into high gear with Bongani Masuku, Mandisa Dlanga, Max Mthambo, Vernon Abdul, and other personnel. Zulu-flavored renditions of the following classics are featured: Oh Come All Ye Faithful Away in a Manger Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Joy to The World Little Drummer Boy When A Child is Born Silent Night We Wish You a Merry Christmas Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer Jingle Bell Rock The Sun Shines Down (on A Christmas Day) White Christmas Jingle Bells African Christmas (Acapella) This is a good CD. We'll definitely be playing a few tracks from it on Powerhouse Radio in the weeks ahead as we get closer to Christmas. Check out the Powerhouse Radio Christmas song playlist, and share it with your friends. Previous Post | Next Post  

0 Before us again: Song Stylist Gladys Knight

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/04/2006

Gladys Knight has been underrated for years. She's one of the great R&B singers. Showing even more range, Gladys has jumped on the "standards" bandwagon with her brand new CD, "Before Me." Yes, you've heard these jazzy classics before: Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me The Man I Love Good Morning Heartache Since I Fell For You God Bless The Child This Bitter Earth I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) Someone To Watch Over Me But Not For Me I'll Be Seeing You Stormy Weather Come Sunday They are the great songs of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald, among others. "Before Me" is the kind of collection you spin to set the perfect mood for a special evening. Gladys is in perfect form. The songs resonate personality with her warm and earthy phrasing. Song stylist for the ages...absolutely. Every Gladys Knight fan should love, "Before Me." The collection reveals another facet of a vocal legend - a strand of jazz that's good for the soul. Previous Post | Next Post

0 A Relaxing Romantic Return for the Whispers

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/21/2006

Fans all over the world are applauding the Whispers, "For Your Ears Only," their first new CD release in nine years. Sample the songs, and you'll hear the velvety smooth Whispers - very reminiscent of their best all-time classic R&B. These guys conduct a master class in "harmony school" by singing up a gentle "quiet storm." After listening to the tracks, I give "For Your Ears Only" two thumbs up. "Love Won't Let Me Wait," the Major Harris hit, gets a fresh uptempo face lift. Diving into the CD, you discover that the beckoning ballads deliver. The medium-tempo tracks are right on target, and the fourteen songs work together to form a very satisfying collection. This new CD is far from just nostalgia. Teena Marie, Ali Ollie Woodson, Robert Brookins, Grady Wilkins, and Nicholas Caldwell (of the Whispers) contribute some great new songs to showcase the emotional intimacy of the group. I've seen the Whispers several different times, and have never been disappointed with their well tuned voices or their lively polished showmanship. Classic soul lovers haven't forgotten the Whispers either. Fan reviews of the new "For Your Ears Only" are unanimously positive. Between 1969 - 1997, The Whispers had 49 R&B chart hits, including "Olivia," "Lady," and "Rock Steady." The Los Angeles, California group continues to tour and perform. Check out the official Solar Records Whispers biography at PowerhouseRadio.com. Take note of the most recent Whispers biography, including some great group photographs, at the official Whispers web site. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jody Watley Banks on Makeover

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/16/2006

Jody Watley, formerly of the group Shalamar, has a creative new release, "The Makeover." The CD title implies a rebirth, and that's exactly what Jody does with songs you'll instantly recognize. Madonna's "Borderline," Diana Ross' "Love Hangover," Chic's "I Want Your Love," and Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain" are some of the songs Watley re-energizes. Both "I Want Your Love" and "Waiting in Vain" offer danceable interpretations that expand the scope of the original Chic and Marley tunes. "Makeover" has twelve tracks, offering lots of variety, including several new songs. Jody tackles a medley of Carpenters hits, "Close to You," "Superstar," and "We've Only Just Begun." Her approach is quite different from Luther Vandross' mellow take on the hit song "Superstar." "The Makeover" is Jody's ninth solo album. She sings on this one with gusto. Her fans new and old will enjoy it. Pick up on her good times with Howard Hewitt and Jeffery Daniels by checking out Shalamar's official biography. Jody Watley is the god-daughter of the late classic soul legend Jackie Wilson. She has a great blog, so read about her latest adventures at Jody Watley dot net. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Raydio Evolution of Ray Parker Jr.

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/10/2006

Ray Parker Jr. learned his craft well. With tons of experience to guide him, he made the successful leap from session musician to Raydio hit maker. During his Raydio era, the air waves percolated with the charm of his group's catchy songs, sincere lyrics, and memorable melodies. Ray has just released a new solo album, "I'm Free," and he still knows how to tell great stories and handle tight harmonies through his songs. One thing that distinguishes Ray's style is the ease at which he effortlessly sings. You can understand all of the words as his voice cuts through (out front in the mix). With 11 songs, I found the first 9 tracks of "I'm Free," the most appealing. The title cut is a bluesy number done Texas style with a guitar lick reminiscent of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Sounds like Mr. Parker has been spending time on the beach too. There's a festive bounce in the air. "Rum Punch" is a lot of fun, as Ray and his party posse sing "pour me another and let's get drunk." You'll also find a few well done instrumentals, featuring Ray Parker's subtle guitar. A surprise song is his interpretation of a pop classic, "The Guitar Man," originally a hit for David Gates (with the group Bread). Overall, "I'm Free" offers you a pleasant sounding Ray Parker Jr., serving up some spicy new soulful songs. Honest and straightforward lyrics keep you interested throughout both the fun, and the despair illuminated in his songs. Here are some Ray Parker Jr. tour dates for the rest of 2006: August 26, Washington DC, Carter Barron Amphitheater (Rock Creek Park) September 9, Huntington Beach, CA September 30, Mesa, AZ, Ikeda Theater October 1, Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara Zoo October 7, Catalina Island, CA, Catalina Jazz Festival October 13, Jacksonville, FL, The Florida Theatre October 14, Sarasota, FL, Van Weizel Performing Arts October 15, Melbourne, FL, King Center Ray's Official Biography begins..."singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Ray Parker Jr. had hits as: Raydio (the million-selling Jack and Jill, You Can't Change That) Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio (Two Places at the Same Time, A Woman Needs Love Just Like You Do) Ray Parker Jr. (the number one R&B and pop gold single "Ghostbusters") Co-writer of hit songs for Rufus and Chaka Khan (the number one "You Got the Love" from Fall 1974) and Barry White's ("You See the Trouble With Me" from Spring 1976)." "Born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Parker started out as a teenage session guitarist playing on dates recorded for Holland-Dozier-Holland's Hot Wax and Invictus Records (whose roster included): Freda Payne Honey Cone Chairman of the Board 100 Proof Aged in Soul Laura Lee 8th Day Ray also played behind the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Spinners, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and other Motown acts when they appeared at the Twenty Grand Club." "In 1972, Wonder called Parker to ask him to play behind him on a tour that he was doing with the Rolling Stones. Parker thought it was a crank call and hung up the phone. Wonder called back and convinced Parker that he was the real deal by singing "Superstition" to him." See what he's up to now at the Ray Parker Jr. official website. Previous Post | Next Post