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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Time Tested Alexander O'Neal Takes a New Journey

Alexander O’Neal teamed up with Cherrelle in 1986 to score with the hit duet “Saturday Love."

O’Neal, a Minneapolis, Minnesota native now hangs his hat in the UK.  Has Great Britain changed Alexander’s musical approach?

The answer lies in 5 Questions the New Journey, O’Neal’s first new album since 2002.

As an original member of the Time, he parted ways with the band before the group achieved their biggest success.

Listen to 30 seconds of “My House,” and see if Alexander O’Neal is keeping time to a new groove.

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Posted by King on 07/27 at 08:00 PM
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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Soul Train Video Classics are back on Track

It’s the 40th anniversary of a biggin’ everyone’s sure nuff diggin’ as Don Cornelius and Time-Life dispatch a new silver streak collection of TV Soul Train video classics.

Read Mickie’s nice overview of “The Best of Soul Train,” a 9-DVD 2010 release in honor of Mr. Cornelius’ long-lasting television enterprise.

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Posted by King on 07/15 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A New Edition for Bell Biv DeVoe

1986.  Bobby Brown leaves New Edition.  1988.  Three other group members Michael Bivins, Ricky Bell, and Ronnie DeVoe (seen here) team up with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

By 1990, the Bell Biv DeVoe album with the title track “Poison” is released, a 3 million seller.

What are the guys doing today?

Slipping in a few live performance dates to be sure.

This Marquee promotes a Thursday, July 15, 2010 show at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia.

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Posted by King on 07/13 at 08:00 PM
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Thursday, July 08, 2010

Michael Jackson Tribute by the Commodores

“Nightshift," the haunting tribute hit by the Commodores memorializing Marvin Gaye, among others, was released in 1984.

The song won a Grammy Award in 1985.

25 years later in 2010, the Commodores have re-recorded “Nightshift” with their original production team (Dennis Lambert & Peter Wolf) as a tribute to Michael Jackson.

They’ve done a nice job updating this classic soul gem.

Listen to 45 seconds of “Nightshift,” a tribute to Michael Jackson.

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Posted by King on 07/08 at 08:30 PM
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Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Bloodstone Stays Cool with Natural High Vibes

"Natural High” was Bloodstone’s only certified-gold single.  “Why do I keep my mind, on you all of the time” lyrically opens the #4 R&B, #10 pop 1973 hit.

Group member Charles McCormick, (2nd from the left), wrote this classic soul ballad for his wife, his senior-class high school sweetheart.

Bloodstone was formed in Kansas City, Missouri, by McCormick, Harry Williams, Charles Love, Willis Draffen Jr., and Roger Durham.

When the temperature gets hot, “Natural High” puts you in a cool state of mind.

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Posted by King on 07/06 at 08:00 PM
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Friday, July 02, 2010

Sly Stone's July 4 Flag Day

July 4th flag day with Sly & the Family Stone from their album There’s A Riot Goin’ On.

Have a safe one!

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Posted by King on 07/02 at 07:00 AM
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

One Million Fans Try a Little Tenderness with Otis Redding

There’s a reason why well over one million fans have enjoyed this 1967 Stax Tour Otis Redding live performance.

Brightened up your day and watch the classic “Try A Little Tenderness."

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Posted by King on 06/29 at 08:00 PM
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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Video - Remembering Michael Jackson One Year Later

Click the link and please watch this 90 second video (posted on facebook) featuring my thoughts about the King of Pop’s year long archival renaissance as we mark the first anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson.

The date was June 25, 2009, one year ago.

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Posted by King on 06/24 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

George Clinton to Hangout in Hampton VA

George Clinton will help Hampton, Virginia celebrate it’s 400th anniversary with a funk party on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 8 pm.

200,000 plus attendees are expected to gather at one of the East coast’s largest family-friendly festivals for the weekend.

On the evening of the show, George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic will take to the City Hall stage.

It’s the 28th annual Hampton Bay Days weekend, an event founded in 1982 to remind the public about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, and Maryland region.

In other recent George news...

George Clinton and El DeBarge perform a great tongue-n-cheek version of Barry White’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” on George’s 2008 CD, George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love.

Here’s a quick 6 second video of George receiving the 2009 BMI Icon Award (seen with Bootsy Collins).

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Posted by King on 06/22 at 07:30 PM
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Thursday, June 17, 2010

7 Songs that Score for the 2010 World Cup

Here are 7 songs that score for the 2010 World Cup football - soccer experience happening now in South Africa.

  1. “Move on Up” - Angelique Kidjo, John Legend, and Bono written by Curtis Mayfield
  2. “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” - Shakira (the official World Cup song)
  3. “Sign of a Victory” - R. Kelly, (the official anthem of the World Cup)
  4. “Satellite” - Uwu Lena, (unofficial German football song)
  5. “Shout for England” - Dizzee Rascal
  6. “Wavin’ Flag” - K’Naan (used by Coca-Cola ads)
  7. “Oh Africa” - Akon and Keri Hilson (used by Pepsi ads)

You can see the live version of “Move On Up” featuring Angelique Kidjo and John Legend (close to the top of our Facebook.com/PowerhouseRadio page) for a limited time.

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Posted by King on 06/17 at 06:15 PM
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Oil Spill Worries Won't Stop The Essence Music Festival in New Orleans

The last time I was in New Orleans, I was treated to a trip on one of those paddle wheel riverboat casinos (right out of the Mark Twain era).

Bayous, the mighty Mississippi, and the Gulf of Mexico keep the aquatic soul of New Orleans hummin’.

Despite the problems from the recent Gulf oil spill, the reliable Essence Music Festival makes it’s annual appearance July 2nd through July 4th, 2010 in the Big Easy.

Pig-out on regional shrimp gumbo at your own risk, although we don’t want to be accused of questioning the safety of the area’s seafood.

You’ll experience some of the best food, and some of the best music found in any USA city right in New Orleans.

The Essence Music Festival main stage headliners keep the tradition alive during the July 4th holiday weekend.

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Posted by King on 06/15 at 07:30 PM
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Thursday, June 10, 2010

Tower of Funk Power

After all these years, Oakland, California’s Tower of Power just doesn’t seem to want to slow down.  This is a band at their best when they’re jammin’ live.

Take a look at the Tower of Power 2010 tour schedule.  New Jersey, Milan, Italy, Switzerland, Las Vegas: the guys are pumped to deliver the funk.

I’ve checked them out a couple of times live and they rock.

Enjoy this video from 2006 featuring their classic, “Soul Vaccination,” all across the nation!

Connect to Tower of Power on facebook.

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Posted by King on 06/10 at 07:00 PM
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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Roberta Flack Keeps Her Song Soft and Mellow

Always the master of timeless R&B, Roberta Flack continues to serenade audiences with her elegant mixture of toned down pop, soul, and jazz.

Roberta’s official biography tells the story...

"Classically trained on the piano from an early age, Ms. Flack received a music scholarship at age 15 to attend Howard University."

"She was “discovered while singing at the Washington, DC nightclub Mr. Henry’s by musician Les McCann, and promptly signed to Atlantic Records resulting in the release of a string of big Roberta Flack hits."

An interpretive album of Beatles’ classics is occupying lots of Roberta’s time, even as she sings to audiences during her 2010 tour.

Her Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, New York, provides inspiring music education to underprivileged students free of charge.

That’s Roberta giving back to the community.

Roberta Flack live features the following dates:

  • Saturday, June 12, 2010, DC Jazz Festival, Washington, DC
  • Saturday, June 19, McDonald’s Gospelfest, Prudential Center Arena, Newark, NJ
  • Friday, July 9, Vancouver Island Music Fest, British Columbia, Canada
  • Saturday, July 17, BFLO Jazz Festival, Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY
  • Sunday, July 25, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary, Canada
  • Saturday, September 4, Tokyo Jazz Festival, Tokyo, Japan
  • Saturday, September 18, Mayo Civic Center Theater, Rochester, MN

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Posted by King on 06/08 at 07:30 PM
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Thursday, June 03, 2010

Bettye LaVette Sings the Real Deal

Bettye LaVette is the legendary female classic soul lady who’s career is repeatedly described as invisible anonymity.

She’s not a household name.  How can this be?

In 1962, she had a top 10 R&B hit with her very first recording, “My Man-He’s A Lovin’ Man."

Through the years, Bettye has teased the R&B charts, never quite breaking through to big time fame.

Despite this stigma, she’s earned an iconic reputation as one of the most gifted song interpreters you’ll ever hear.

Enter Bettye LaVette’s May, 2010 release Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook.

Classic soul invades the classic rock play book to sprout 13 re-groomed tunes.

The album concept reverses the 1960’s trend of British bands covering the songs of American blues artists.

LaVette recasts the formula weaving rock hits into fresh, mellow, torch songs fueled by soul-to-the-bone emotion.

These chestnuts are not the usual overexposed suspects.

Even If you’ve never heard of the original songs, and don’t know who recorded them, this collection could easily stand on it’s own as a quality introduction to Bettye LaVette.

I have been following the hype about this album for months, and I’m happy to say it delivers.

One personal criticism is LaVette’s choice to sing some of what were original uptempo classics as ballads this time around, however she creates inspired renderings with clear, understood lyrics.

Who says you can’t have a renaissance in the music business after kickin’ it for over 40 years!

Check out Bettye LaVette Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook

  1. “The Word” (Lennon & McCartney)
  2. “No Time To Live” (Capaldi & Winwood)
  3. “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” (Benny Benjamin)
  4. “All My Love” (John Paul Jones & Robert Plant)
  5. “Isn’t It A Pity” (George Harrison)
  6. “Wish You Were Here” (Roger Waters)
  7. “It Don’t Come Easy” (Richard Starkey)
  8. “Maybe I’m Amazed” (Paul McCartney)
  9. “Salt of the Earth” (Mick Jagger & Keith Richards)
  10. “Nights In White Satin” (Justin Hayward)
  11. “Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad” (Eric Clapton)
  12. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” (Elton John)
  13. “Love Reign O’er Me” (Pete Townshend)

Track 13 is a bonus track recorded live at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, December, 2008.

Listen to 30 seconds of “Isn’t It A Pity” sung by Bettye LaVette.

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Posted by King on 06/03 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

4 More Concerts for Soulful Summer Sounds

Here are 4 more (international) concert picks for classic soul fans to enjoy.

Smokey Robinson
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Fallsview Casino Resort
Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
9:00 pm

Lionel Richie
Friday, June 25
Salle Wilfrid- Pelletier / Place Des Arts
Montreal, QC, Canada
7:00 pm

Angelique Kidjo
Thursday, July 1
Toronto Star Stage at Nathan Phillips Square
Toronto, ON, Canada
8:00 pm

Erykah Badu
Tuesday, July 13
Heineken Music Hall
Amsterdam, Netherlands
8:00 pm

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Posted by King on 06/01 at 12:00 AM
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