Powerhouse Radio Blog

0 Michael Jackson Movie Set for October 2009 Debut

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
08/18/2009

Sony Pictures Entertainment & Sony Music Entertainment will release Michael Jackson's This Is It in theaters around the world on Friday, October 30th, 2009. You'll see the king of pop's final rehearsals along with special behind-the-scenes footage. This Is It is being produced with the full support of the estate of Michael Jackson. M-J had been preparing for a new concert series at the O2 Arena in London prior to his untimely death. The film will provide a unique career retrospective and feature interviews with some of Jackson's friends, associates, and creative collaborators. Proceeds from This Is It will benefit the Michael Jackson Family Trust, the entity that Jackson specified in his will to receive all of his assets. The majority of the film's footage was shot in June, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, and at the Forum in Inglewood, California. More information about This Is It will be available at michaeljackson.com as the release date approaches. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Woodstock Is Still Wonderful at 40

Flashback
by Kingsley H. Smith
08/13/2009

Woodstock, the 1969 arts and music festival, is an important iconic cultural event because of the changing artistic and social norms the concert both magnified and challenged. August 15 - 18, 40 years ago this weekend, the harmonic happening happened. The historic gathering of close to 500,000 people in Woodstock, New York was not the first flower-power super show. Woodstock occurred 2 years after 1967's Monterey Pop, a legendary California gathering of contemporary music elite. We remember Woodstock Music and Art Fair for creating the formula for Live Earth, Live Aid, Farm Aid, and the subsequent gigantic song filled mega affairs yet to come. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong in the planning, execution, and organization of Woodstock. Just out of high school during the summer of 69', I wrote the organizers for ticket information and received disappointing news from them in a letter laced with typographical mistakes. In retrospect, with no tickets and no way to get there, it was a smart move for me not to attempt to go (from New York City) despite being just 80 miles away from the town of Woodstock. Hundreds of thousands attended, including the gleeful gate crashers who soaked in the spirit of free admission, free music, and frequent rain during the weekend. Woodstock, Monterey Pop, and many of the other Wal-Mart sized festivals have always been criticized for sparse representation of R&B and soul performers. Monterey Pop had Booker T & The MG's, Otis Redding, and Hugh Masekela. Woodstock had Sly & The Family Stone, Richie Havens, and Santana. Both featured Jimi Hendrix. Missing from these grand spectacles, real blues legends like B.B. King. Despite the booking lapses, it was still much easier to create a somewhat diverse concert bill in 1969 than what might be expected today. Woodstock had among others? Folk: Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Melanie, Tim Hardin Rock: Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Ten Years After Soft Rock: Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young Blues Rock: Canned Heat, Butterfield Blues Band Pop: Sha-Na-Na, John Sebastian Woodstock is given a pass for the technical quality of the concert recording. Admittedly, this was a tough job. According to the official documentation on the original vinyl 3 album set, 64 reels of 8 track tape were used to capture three and 1/2 days of music. Each day consisted of 18 continuous hours of performances. The final mixes are rough by today's standards. What stands out is the energy and passion of the performers as they were motivated to jam thanks to the responsive, enthusiastic crowd. In 1994 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Woodstock, a 4 CD collection was finally released with cleaner mixes. Melanie, Tim Hardin, and a few other performers who appeared in 1969 (but were not on the original record) got added to the updated release. Still, we remember this 60's defining event not so much for the music, but for it's social significance. Listen for our 40th anniversary Woodstock tribute on Powerhouse Radio on Friday, August 14, 2009, during the 11 am eastern hour. Previous Post | Next Post

3 Tru Is True To New Classic Soul

Review
by Kingsley H. Smith
08/11/2009

The headline on the flip side of their new 2009 With Tru Love CD says, "Keeping The Music Alive." After a quick listen to this 10 track collection, it's clear that Tru, a vocal ensemble in the best tradition of the Stylistics, Ray, Goodman, & Brown, and Blue Magic, keep the harmonic essence of classic soul alive today. The ballad "If I Told You" stands out as one of the strongest original songs. Tru tackles just a couple of covers: the Impressions "Keep On Pushin'," and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now." Other original gems include "You're All I Want You To Be," "With This Ring," and "Can I." According to their official biography, Tru has opened concerts for Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and others. They also have made quite a name for themselves on the Atlantic City casino circuit. Tru is: 1) James "Jimi" Williams, 2) Primo Wansley, and 3) LaVon "Donnie" Tatem. These guys have all been singing since they were very young. Tru's album was recorded at Polygon Studios in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. With True Love appears on Sounds of Philly Records, Brigantine, NJ. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 39 seconds of "If I Told You" by Tru. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Mariah Carey - Queen Latifah - Music Notes

News
by Kingsley H. Smith
08/06/2009

Some new music is in the pipeline from a couple of familiar faces: Queen Latifah and Mariah Carey. Latifah returns to her hip hop roots after several adventurous album projects that were designed to capitalize on her expanding television and movie fan base. Queen Latifah's Persona record is scheduled for a Tuesday, August 25, 2009 release. Mariah Carey hopes to cash in on Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel, a new collection coming your way on Tuesday, September 15. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Eddie Floyd Knocks on Wood 60 Times

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
08/04/2009

From 1968 - 1974, Eddie Floyd recorded for Stax Records during the golden age of the Memphis label. Steve Cropper, (Booker T. & the MG's guitarist), and Floyd co-wrote the memorable "Knock on Wood," a classic soul favorite that's been recorded by scores of artists. For a unique hobby Eddie has collected over 60 cover versions of "Knock on Wood" as recorded by other artists, including the Otis Redding - Carla Thomas duet, and the Amii Stewart '#1 song' version from 1979. It was nice to see his "I've Never Found Me A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)" appear on the 2008 soundtrack of the Bernie Mac - Samuel L. Jackson musical comedy Soul Men. "I've Never Found Me A Girl...," as well as "Knock On Wood," appear on the Very Best of Eddie Floyd, remastered and re-released in 2007. In 2008, the reincarnated Stax label released the new album Eddie Loves You So, featuring Mr. Floyd (now in his 70's) updating some of his vintage songs. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Whitney Houston Hosts Free Song Download

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
07/30/2009

As the momentum builds towards the release of a brand new Whitney Houston album, her promotional push is in high gear. During July, listening parties were held in Los Angeles and New York City for her fans to preview new tracks. "I Look To You," the title track from the album, is a simply arranged, emotionally sung ballad, reminiscent of the slow jam style that appeared on The Bodyguard soundtrack. Whitney's voice navigates the tune effectively. Her pipes resonate with less sonic command than I was expecting, but this song doesn't need exaggerated drama. You can grab "I Look To You" right now, but you have to move fast. A free mp3 download of the appealing song is available at WhitneyHouston.com through Friday, July 31. The release date for the album has been moved up to Tuesday, August 31, 2009. Previous Post | Next Post

0 David Ruffin - Eddie Kendricks - Family Affair

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
07/28/2009

Thanks to their mid-1980's collaboration with Daryl Hall & John Oates, former Temptations David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks captured another brief post Motown era curtain call in the spotlight. The four performed together at 1985's Live Aid concert in Philadelphia, and recorded a set at the Apollo Theater in New York City, (also in 1985). David and Eddie went on to record an album on RCA in 1987: Ruffin and Kendricks. You won't find any iconic Detroit chestnuts on this release, but notable is their 'new jack swing' version of Sly Stone's, "Family Affair." Within the next 5 years, both Ruffin & Kendricks would pass away (Ruffin in 1991, and Kendricks in 1992). Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to a 2 minute highlight of "Family Affair" by David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Bill Withers Sings 9 for the Sunshine

Songs
by Kingsley H. Smith
07/23/2009

These 9 Bill Withers songs are classics. "Ain't No Sunshine" "Lean On Me" "Lovely Day" "Just The Two of Us" (featuring Grover Washington Jr.) "Use Me" "Grandma's Hands" "Who Is He? (and What Is He To You)" "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" "Harlem" The West Virginia, singer - songwriter achieved most of his success in a relatively short period, 1971 - 1978. Still, Bill eclipsed the trendy, harder edged dance and pop music of his heyday by commanding graceful instrumentation, great lyrics, genuine emotion, and subtle soul in his songs. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Marlena Shaw Sends a Message to Mr. Right

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
07/21/2009

What do music makers Marlena Shaw, Steve Lawrence, and Donny Osmond all have in common? They injected the same sugary Carole King 'lovers lament' song, "Go Away?," with unique spins turning the poetic story into a popular favorite. Although she didn't record the original, when Ms. Shaw turned "Go Away Little Girl" into "Go Away Little Boy," Marlena created a catchy, original update combining a rap introduction with a charming, memorable pop melody sung with spirit. In the liner notes of her 1999 best of CD collection, we learn that "with no nonsense and no niceties, Marlena sings "'Go Away Little Boy' for all the men who don't have the courage to satisfy a real W-O-M-A-N." The first couple of minutes of the song present a 'rap/monologue' sprinkled with humor and passion, equal to the best ramblings from Millie Jackson, Barry White, or Isaac Hayes. "Go Away Little Boy" originally appeared on Marlena Shaw's 1977 Columbia album, Sweet Beginnings. The monologue portion of the song is called "Yu-Ma." Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of New Rochelle, New York, native Marlena Shaw sing the main theme from her sassy hit. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Michael Jackson's A Place with No Name

Audio
by Kingsley H. Smith
07/17/2009

It's probably a step down for Michael Jackson to sample another artist, but lifting a melody with permission is the sign of the times. Your browser does not support the audio element. "A Horse with No Name" by America was always one of my favorites. Listen to 24 seconds of Michael Jackson's new "A Place with No Name." Yes, he did get permission to use the melody. Look for this posthumous Michael Jackson release soon. Previous Post | Next Post