0 Bobby Womack, Little Anthony, and Run-D.M.C. are New Kings of Rock

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/12/2009

Bobby Womack, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and Run-D.M.C. join other new honorees on Saturday, April 4th, 2009 as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame freshmen. Here are some excerpts from the biographies of these new inductees, courtesy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. An Artist becomes eligible for induction in the Hall 25 years after the release of their first record. Bobby Womack has thrilled through his music as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. The son of a steelworker, he was born in Cleveland, where he and his siblings formed a gospel group. While touring with the Soul Stirrers, the Womack Brothers met that group's lead singer, Sam Cooke. Under Cooke's tutelage, they crossed the bridge from sacred to secular music, recording for his Sar label as the Valentinos. The Womack brothers cut two R&B classics as the Valentinos: "Looking for a Love" (later covered by the J. Geils Band), and "It's All Over Now" (a song that became the Rolling Stones? first U.S. hit). Womack also played guitar in Cooke's band. Womack has written songs recorded by Wilson Pickett "I'm a Midnight Mover," George Benson's "Breezin," Janis Joplin's "Trust Me," and many others. Wilson Pickett recorded 17 of Bobby Womack's songs. Womack made his greatest mark in the 70's and 80's racking up 33 charting singles, including the Top 10 classic R&B hits "That's the Way I Feel About Cha," "Woman's Gotta Have It," "Check It Out," and "If You Think You're Lonely Now." His first gold single was "Harry Hippie," a meditation on wasted lifestyles written specifically about his brother and more generally about the counterculture. Womack topped the R&B chart in 1974 with his remake of "Lookin' for a Love" and reached #2 in 1973 with his interpretation of the blues standard "Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out." Little Anthony and the Imperials are Anthony Gourdine, Clarence Collins, Tracy Lord, Glouster "Nat" Rogers, Sammy Strain, and Ernest Wright Jr. Little Anthony and the Imperials were one of the best vocal groups to emerge from New York City. They outlasted their peers by virtue of "Little Anthony" Gourdine's powerful, soaring vocals and the consummate professionalism of the Imperials, who mastered a broad range of material and knew how to work a stage. Legendary dj Alan Freed, an influential New York disc jockey and concert promoter, christened Gourdine "Little Anthony," for the youthful quality in his voice. Freed and fellow dj/promoter Murray Kaufman ("Murray the K") enjoyed the sound of Little Anthony and the Imperials and helped launch their career with airplay and concert bookings. "Tears on My Pillow," their first single for Gone Records, was one of the biggest hits of 1958, reaching #2 on the R&B chart and #4 on the pop chart. In 1960, the group scored again with the danceable "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop." Little Anthony and the Imperials had the Top 10 classic soul hits: "Goin" Out of My Head," and "Hurt So Bad." The Letterman covered "Goin' Out of My Head" and made it a Top 10 hit again in 1968. Linda Ronstadt did the same with her cover of "Hurt So Bad" in 1980. Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell (died October 30, 2002) are Run-D.M.C. They changed the sound of rap, hip hop, street fashion and popular culture in general. Run-D.M.C.'s first release was the 12-inch single "It's Like That"/"Sucker M.C.'s." Run-D.M.C. gave rap its first gold album Run-D.M.C. in 1983, and its first platinum album King of Rock in 1985. They were the first rap act nominated for a Grammy Award (Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group), for 1986?s Raising Hell. A 'born again' Christian, "Run" now known as "Rev. Run" stars in his own family-based television reality series, Run's House. Previous Post | Next Post

0 London Calling Michael Jackson to the Stage

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/06/2009

Michael Jackson has just announced 10 concert dates at the O2 Arena in London. A press release today (Thursday, March 5th), on his official website reminds us that M.J. has not played a series of concerts since he last toured 12 years ago. "I am coming to London to play the songs my fans want to hear" says the king of pop. The 10 nights at the O2 Arena begin on July 8th, 2009, with tickets going for £75 ($105)/ £65 ($91) and / £50 ($70). Previous Post | Next Post

0 Funky Funkadelic

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 03/05/2009

March 5, 1978 - "Flash Light" by Parliament is the number one R&B song. Here is Funkadelic, (their alter ego), with George Clinton holding court in the corner. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth, Wind & Fire Reactivates The Promise

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/26/2009

Earth, Wind & Fire captured a prime spot at The White House on Sunday, February 22, 2009, as they performed for President Barack Obama, the first lady, and an assembly of U.S. governors. The dinner event welcomed the National Governors Association gathering to Washington, DC. Just two days later on Tuesday, February 24th, Earth, Wind & Fire re-released The Promise. This CD, originally offered in 2003, features the lively "All In The Way." Read my 2003 review of Earth, Wind & Fire's The Promise. 2005 brought an even stronger EWF release, Illumination, featuring strong collaborations with Brian McKnight, Will.I.Am, and others. Here's the Earth, Wind & Fire, April, 2009 Tour Calendar: Thursday, April 23, Tunica Resorts, MS - Harrah's Casino Tunica Event Center Sunday, April 26, New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Fair Grounds (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival) Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stevie Wonder Wows with the Gershwin Prize

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/20/2009

The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is named in honor of the legendary George and Ira Gershwin. The prize is given annually to a composer or performer whose lifetime contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with the "Rhapsody in Blue" guys George and Ira Gershwin. Stevie Wonder will receive the award on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. Paul Simon won the first Gershwin Prize in 2007. "Stevie Wonder In Performance at the White House: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize" will feature an evening of celebration with President and Mrs. Obama in honor of Wonder's receipt of the prize. The one hour concert takes place February 25th and will include performances by Wonder, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Martina McBride, Esperanza Spalding, Will.i.am, and Mary Mary. President Obama will present the Gershwin Prize to Stevie Wonder during the event. Motown Stevie has captured all of the big awards including 32 number 1 R&B and pop hits, 25 Grammy Awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. Wonder received an Academy Award for "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from the 1984 film The Woman in Red. In 1989, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Stevie became the youngest honoree of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1999. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002. "Stevie Wonder In Performance at the White House: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize" will be the first "In Performance at the White House" program during President Barack Obama's Administration. Many PBS stations will air the concert on Thursday evening, February 26, 2009. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Philly's First Choice Exposed

• Songs
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/12/2009

Annette Guest, Joyce Jones, and lead vocalist Rochelle Fleming had their share of big hits when they busted out of Philadelphia, PA during the golden era of classic soul. First Choice was backed instrumentally by the MFSB gang. The ladies recorded for Philly Groove Records. You Can't go wrong with these 5 from First Choice: "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" "The Player" "Newsy Neighbors" "Love and Happiness" "Smarty Pants" Previous Post | Next Post

0 Grammy Spectacular Struts Live Stuff Center Stage

• Commentary
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/09/2009

Have the Grammy Awards discovered a new magic formula?...bury the awards and spotlight the music? Their 51st annual extravaganza at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was front loaded with lots of live music, and very little of the less than compelling award show dribble that usually interrupts the pacing of the live performances that highlight this television event. But hey, it's an awards show right? After an energetic opening from U2, Whitney Houston presented Jennifer Hudson with her best R&B Album of the year Grammy Award (Hudson, record executive Clive Davis, and Houston are pictured left to right). You may have thought you were watching a live concert for the first 90 minutes, happily replacing the sometimes boring dialogue accompanying many of the formulaic Grammy presenters and winner acceptance speeches. The show was improved this year by the Hollywood stars who teamed up with the musician presenters to frame the introduction of each specific award. Actors have the skill to sell those adlibs just a little bit better reading the scripted introductions rather than musicians who fumble when eyeballing their television teleprompter lines. Clearly, the inter-genre collaborations keep this program from being totally predictable. Cold Play with Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder with The Jonas Brothers, or Al Green with Justin Timberlake made for some inventive musical television. If you could only take about the first 2 hours of the Grammy marathon, you were rewarded with several interesting sets featuring some very good performances. Previous Post | Next Post

1 The Chambers Brothers Shout

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/05/2009

The weekend of February 12 - 13, 1971, The Chambers Brothers made their 4th appearance at Bill Graham's legendary Fillmore East in New York City. Here's the biography that was included in the official program that weekend (from an original hard copy in the PowerhouseRadio.com archive). "The Chambers Brothers, Willie, George, Lester and Joe were born in Mississippi and made their debut in Lee County's Mount Calvary Baptist Church." "At that time George was seventeen; Willie was eleven; Lester was nine; and Joe seven. Soon afterwards the family moved to Los Angeles and the Brothers continued to sing together in church groups." "Their first professional break came when they met the owner of a club called The Ash Grove, and from there they moved on to gigs in other local clubs." "In 1961 the Brothers turned professional, and for the next two-and-a-half years continued to concentrate on gospel songs and play small clubs and coffee houses." "When their emphasis changed to pop tunes and blues, they found themselves in need of a drummer. They met Brian Keenan one night at Ondine in New York, liked his playing, and asked him to join the group." "Brian was born in Manhattan, but raised in small towns in Ireland and England. When he was eleven, he returned to the United States, living in the Bronx." "One of his main hobbies was observing the street bongo-players and by the time he moved back to England as a teenager, he had his own set of drums. After living in London for several years, Brian once again returned to New York where he met the Brothers." ---------- Before The Chambers Brothers scored with several big hits while recording for Columbia, they recorded a series of tracks around 1965. The picture above is from Vault Records album #120 Shout, released in 1968, three years too late, masquerading as new product to compete with the hot Columbia material. Shout featured an 11 minute live version of a song originally made famous by the Isley Brothers. The other Shout tracks were recorded in the studio. Although the Chambers Brothers were ultimately more popular with the pure pop crowd than the classic soul fraternity, they are significant in the 60's landscape because they attracted an integrated audience with their soft psychedelics and gospel influenced vocals. The Chambers Brothers had the crossover appeal of a Prince, Michael Jackson, and Sly & The Family Stone. Here are my picks for the top 5 Chambers Brothers Songs: "Funky" "People Get Ready" "Love, Peace, and Happiness" "I Can't Turn You Loose" "Time Has Come Today" Previous Post | Next Post

0 A New Peaches and Herb Snack

• News
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/03/2009

"Reunited," "Shake Your Groove Thing," and one of my classic soul favorites, "Two Little Kids." Three memorable hits hammering home the musical mark of Peaches & Herb. Herb Fame, the original male half of this duo, has been honored to host a variety of lady partners who have filled the role of "Peaches." Colors of Love is a brand new Peaches and Herb CD scheduled for an April, 2009 release.   I would expect that we'll hear more of the tight romantic harmonies this duo is famous for. Peaches and Herb will be appearing in Washington, DC, at Blues Alley for two shows on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Brook Benton Crosses the Soul Bridge

• Flashback
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/29/2009

I was about 5 years old when Brook Benton dominated the music charts, but older family members always listened to his records around the house. Benton was swept along by the new wave of late 1950's R&B, slowly morphing his easy listening approach to popular music into what I'd call pre-'Sam Cooke' soul. In 1984, just as the CD coffin was finally closing on vinyl albums, Mercury Records released a vinyl album Brook Benton: It's Just a Matter of Time - His Greatest Hits. Brook has a smooth, rich, deep, mellow voice, well suited for his mannerly disposition with songs. He serenades rather than shouts. Ann Rowena Harris, National Promotion Director of Urban Contemporary Music, Polygram Records, wrote the following liner notes on this 1984 album Brook Benton: It's Just a Matter of Time - His Greatest Hits: "It was just about the year that most teenage girls were swooning to Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, the time of year when you prepared to go that last mile down the aisle for graduation." "You can imagine how we felt in the fall of 1959. For us, we knew it was just a matter of time." "That seemed to be the record everybody started playing because we all knew we were headed for better things that fall." "It was then that the golden voice caught hold, as if it were one big love affair." "That was the voice of Brook Benton, smooth and deep like fine wine. It was Brook's "Endlessly" that kept you motivated through those final exams." "Brook Benton was born, Benjamin Franklin Peay, in Camden, South Carolina, September of 1931." "His first record for Mercury, the luminous "It's Just a Matter of Time," reached No. 3 on the pop charts." "Starting in 1959, and on through the early 60's, the team of Brook Benton and producer/song-writer Clyde Otis remained on top, a place previously and regally occupied by his great predecessor, Billy Eckstine." "In 1970, after Brook and Mercury had parted company he recorded perhaps his greatest single, the gossamer "Rainy Night in Georgia." "Brook still reigned supreme." "Though it's been years since the last hit, the voice still remains. This album is a fitting testimonial. Brook Benton will always have what it takes." Four years after this tribute album was released, Brook Benton passed away in 1988. Previous Post | Next Post