Categories
-
0 Miriam Makeba's Global Crusade for Justice
- Commentary
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 11/11/2008
South Africa's musical giant, Miriam Makeba, passed away Monday, November 10, 2008, at the age of 76. This vinyl album, Makeba!, Reprise 6310, is a USA import released in 1967 and was issued in either South Africa, or Venezuela. Miriam was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her anti-apartheid activism will share equal billing with her musical legacy. The singer appeared at the United Nations in 1963 to condemn apartheid and it's evil of racial separation. She spent 30 years in exile after her passport was revoked by the South African government. Her biggest hit was 1967's "Pata Pata." Miriam is one of the artists credited with creating the genre called 'world music.' She's one of the biggest names to emerge out of South Africa. I've included this second shot from the back cover of Makeba! The 11 tracks are listed, along with some very comprehensive liner notes written by A.B. Spellman (included on the back cover). Here are A.B. Spellman's complete comments... "Unlike most of our African brothers, South Africans living in the United States usually merge immediately with the Afro-American community. It is because we are the same men, have been similarly uprooted and dominated by European technological society, our ancestors reburied and our gods raped. and now we fight the same war. It is no accident, then, that we love each other's music. The brilliant South African poet Keorapetse Kgositsi le wrote: John Coltrane, John Coltrane, tell the ancestors We listened, we heard your message Tell them you gave us tracks to move, Trane, and now we know The choice is ours... I am told a new Miles Davis record that reaches Johannesburg or Capetown is treated like a rarer-than-diamonds jewel. I also know that there is a great body of South African music that never reaches us here in the States. But we have a small but growing colony of South African musicians who do very well among us. The leading flame of that colony is, of course, Miriam Makeba, easily one of the world's premier singers. But we should never forget, even when digging a record as exquisitely truthful as this one, that the tradition runs from Makeba and Letta Mbulu to the Dark City Sisters and from Hugh Masekela to Dollar Brand; that there have been innumerable geniuses in the genre who never escaped Johannesburg. Certainly, sister Makeba has this aura of beauty around her entire persona, and that is not a learned thing. It is not merely that she has a beautiful voice, looks good and has a sweet personality - there are innumerable soft brown birds who get that together- but that Makeba has an added quality to her presentation, a touch that gets inside us and makes us stronger. It may be several things. It may be that she was the first to make the South African-Afro-American synthesis and therefore has a greater element of originality in her work; it may be only that she is especially gifted (at the time the film which launched her, Come Back Africa, was made, she was already the brightest young star in South Africa). But it seems to me that there is another element to Miriam's singing style and feminine persona that makes us react more deeply to her singing than we would to most. It is that the sister is what she sings, and what she sings is never trite. She is the soft, resilient fiber of nature as woman. She carries the image of African womanhood, the gentle assegai that lets us know we are warriors. When she sings of the white-blown evil windspirit (Umoya) that cuts into the inner landscape of her people, she is the counterbreath of liberation that, quiet as it's kept, is blowing in South Africa today. The song is a spirit rhythm that rises in your chest and carries you out to action. My brother Steve Mncube tells me that the song floats on several levels of double entendre. This is a defense mechanism that has been creeping into the Bantu languages since the defeat of Cetshwayo in the Zulu War of 1879. Steve explained to me the word iliwizwe, integral in the proverb from which this song was made. It is more than land, more than soil, more than the earth that no man can possess. It existed even before the earliest ancestors; and children, as the ongoing fruits of nature, own it more than the man who farms it. Then this fixed ownership concept is itself an evil Moya (Spirit-wind) of European origin, and must be destroyed. Miriam Makeba prods her menfolk gently in Magwala Ndini and Singa Madoda, both traditional men's songs, and strengthens the warrior in us. Steve says the kind of man the word Madoda describes practically sleeps with his weapons, that he would fight bullets with an assegai. Yes, says the sister's versions of Magwala and Madoda, you are the men and must carry the man's weight, but if you don't carry it correctly, and bravely, there'll be a lot of answering to do when you get home in the evenings. The range of material, ideas, and vocal treatment in this record is incredible, yet it is integrated. With one rhythm Miriam pushes the recreant to be more manly, with another she invokes the Xhosa clairvoyant (U-mngoma) or calls the farmers to prepare next year's harvest in the face of this year's famine (Asilimanga). In Iphi Ndilela her voice rises bravely above a lachrimose chorus to say goodbye to her homeland, friends, and family as she goes far, far away across many mountains and rivers, to find another life. Then in Sibongile, dedicated to President Sekou Toure of Guinea, she thanks President Toure for making her an honorary citizen and, implicitly, for giving aid and assistance to South African Freedom Fighters. There is much, much more to this deep and subtle record. I am tempted to call this her best record, but Miriam Makeba is so consistently good that there is no point in trying to decide which is best. I will say that this is by far the most African of her recent releases. Here she is working in a purely African environment, and all the elements of her style are brilliantly focused. "Black is Beautiful" goes a current slogan, and Miriam Makeba is beautifully black." Previous Post | Next Post
-
- Christmas
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 11/06/2008
The term "song stylist" get tossed around a lot. Al Jarreau is one singer who has earned the tag. Jarreau's distinctive voice and phrasing style puts him in unique company among the fraternity of balladeers. Al's Christmas is a charming collection of holiday favorites. "Winter Wonderland" kicks off the yuletide mix bouncing along with a soulful beat to Mr. Jarreau's lilting inflections. "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" gets a respectful contemporary reading embellished with nice classical touches. If you like your Al Jarreau contemplative and melodramatic, "White Christmas" delivers in this style. The 2 tracks featuring the group Take 6 showcase the pure magic of traditional vocal harmony. Jarreau touches various styles from jazz to R&B to pop in this, his first holiday collection. Some of the arrangements remind you of similar approaches other artists have taken sculpting these familiar melodies. However, the power of Jarreau prevails giving these songs a vibrant Mr. J personality. Two thumbs up for Al Jarreau Christmas: "Winter Wonderland" "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" "White Christmas" "Interlude: By My Christmas Tree" "Carol Of The Bells" "O Come All Ye Faithful" "The Christmas Song, (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) - (featuring Take 6) "I'll Be Home For Christmas - (featuring Take 6)" "Gloria In Excelsis" "Christmas Time Is Here" "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" "Some Children See Him" "The Little Christmas Tree "Angels Singing..." untitled bonus Previous Post | Next Post
-
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 11/05/2008
On January, 30, 1964, 11 months before Lyndon Johnson was elected President of the United States, Sam Cooke recorded a spectacular pop anthem at the RCA studios in Hollywood, California. The song would stand the test of time. "A Change Is Gonna Come" tells the story of the struggle for respect, dignity, and validation. This is a great classic soul masterpiece. Thank you Powerhouse Radio listener Dot, for suggesting that we play this song in honor of the election of Barack Obama. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 The Presidents Sing Classic Soul by the Numbers
- Flashback
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 11/04/2008
In the world of one hit wonders, The Presidents stand out for serenading the 1971 music scene with their hook-heavy classic soul favorite: "5-10-15-20 (25 - 30 Years of Love)." "The Hustle" hit man Van McCoy, producer of winning tunes for Faith, Hope, & Charity, The Stylistics, and others, produced "5-10-15-20" for The Presidents. McCoy energized this ballad with his perky production style, adding just enough sparkle to the smooth vocals of these Presidents (who hailed from Washington, DC). I still have the original "5-10-15-20" 45 RPM vinyl single on the Sussex label, digitized a few years ago by yours truly to be featured for online play via Powerhouse Radio and live365. (Online play sunset in 2016). Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 11 Halloween Music Picks to Spook Your Soul
- Songs
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/29/2008
When you seek out entertaining Halloween music, you have to have frightful, suspenseful, wacky, weird, ghostly, chilling, quirky and fun filled scary themes. What else would charm the primal groove of your 'All Saints Eve' soul? These rhythmic wonders fit the bill and deliver the goods. Here are my 11 Halloween Music Picks to Spook Your Soul: "Thriller" - Michael Jackson "Superstition" - Stevie Wonder "Addams Groove" - Hammer "Ghostbusters" - Ray Parker Jr. "Born on Halloween" - Blue Magic "Skeleton In the Closet" - Louis Armstrong with Jimmy Dorsey "I Put A Spell On You" - Screamin' Jay Hawkins "Haunted (By Your Love)" - Blue Magic "Headless Horseman" - Bing Crosby with Vic Schoen "Spooky" - Classics IV with Dennis Yost "Devil with The Blue Dress" - Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels Grab these for your Halloween party, digital music player, or CD burn. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 McFadden and Whitehead's Ain't No Stoppin' The Phillies
- Audio
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/27/2008
Here's the actual 45 RPM vinyl record label (center only without the baseball) of the McFadden & Whitehead collector's item from the PowerhouseRadio.com archive: "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now (The Philadelphia Phillies Version)" from 1980. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to my 90 second edited version of this special classic soul anthem, adapted by Gene McFadden, John Whitehead, and Ron Hunter for the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. Although their 2008 opponents are the Tampa Bay Rays rather than the (1980) Kansas City Royals, this 'Sound of Philadelphia' flashback 'rally cry' still has the pulsating Philly-soul energy to inspire today's team. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 Kindred the Family Soul's House of Love
- Audio
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/23/2008
City of brotherly love Philadelphia husband and wife team Aja Graydon and Fatin Dantzler are Kindred the Family Soul. Don't let their dour looks fool you. Kindred's music will lift your spirits. The Arrival, their 3rd album, was just released (October 21, 2008). Kindred's first CD, Surrender To Love in 2003 produced the hit "Far Away," a mellow retro-sounding mid-tempo ballad highlighting a strong vocal performance (in the best tradition of great classic soul). "House of Love" from The Arrival offers a valuable message about the strength of family. Listen to 45 seconds of "House of Love" from Kindred the Family Soul. Your browser does not support the audio element. Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 The Four Tops Historic U.K. First
- Video
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/21/2008
When it comes to male lead singers from the guy groups of the Motown era, none was better than the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs. His distinctive voice piloted the Motor City ensemble to fame and fortune as one of Motown's most successful "sound of young America" ambassadors. Stubbs passed away on Friday, October 17, 2008 at his home in Detroit, Michigan. The Four Tops were the first Black artists to reach #1 on the British album charts (a 1968 greatest hits collection). Following quickly in their footsteps to #1 on the U.K. album charts would be the Supremes. Here are my thoughts in 90 seconds on the legacy of Levi Stubbs and the Four Tops, who now have one sole surviving member from the original group (Abdul Fakir): Previous Post | Next Post
-
- Review
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/16/2008
As Tina Turner chugs along with her 2008 world tour, she's dropped another greatest hits collection into the music pipeline. Tina! was released on September 30th. Tours sell archives, so having some "fresh" material in the marketplace generates sales. You'll find many of these songs on other "best of Ike & Tina Turner" anthologies. A nice exception is the inclusion of 3 powerful live tracks that brighten the compilation. As for the studio recordings, "Proud Mary" is a newer somewhat sedate 1993 version without the presence of Ike. "Nutbush City Limits," updated in the 1990's with a dance floor groove, uses the classic 1973 Ike Turner guitar hero mix. The magnificent "Private Dancer" appears in a short 4 minute version, rather than the 7 minute original from 1984. Two hit movie themes add some depth: 1985's "We Don't Need Another Hero" from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and Tina's 1995 James Bond theme "Goldeneye." A couple of brand new songs, "It Would Be A Crime" and "I'm Ready" round out the CD as the final two tracks. "It Would Be A Crime" is the stronger of the two. Tina! "Steamy Windows" "River Deep-Mountain High" "Better Be Good To Me" "The Acid Queen" "What You Get is What You See" "What's Love Got To Do With It" "Private Dancer" "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" "I Don't Wanna Fight" "Goldeneye" "Let's Stay Together" (Live In Amsterdam) "I Can't Stand the Rain" (Live In Amsterdam) "Addicted To Love" (Live At Camden Palace) "The Best" "Proud Mary" "Nutbush City Limits" "It Would Be a Crime" (Bonus track previously unreleased) "I'm Ready" (Bonus track previously unreleased) Previous Post | Next Post
-
0 Tower of Power Celebrates a Funky 40 Oakland Stroke
- News
- by Kingsley H. Smith
- 10/14/2008
Tower of Power, Oakland, California's brassy funk ensemble, is celebrating a milestone: 40 years of bump city nitty gritty. They are having a big celebration Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Tower of Power is back in the studio recording a new album. Here's a nice discography of all 31 Tower of Power albums (with tracks) at their official website. Previous Post | Next Post