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Review

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Wynton Marsalis Christmas Jazz Jam a Gem

Mix some soulful swing with a generous portion of good old New Orleans gusto, and you have Wynton Marsalis at his multicultural best on the contemporary Christmas Jazz Jam, new for 2009.

Watch the video below for a taste of Wyton’s virtuosity.

I had the pleasure of attending a Wynton Marsalis concert in St. Paul, Minnesota several years ago.  Without question, Mr. Marsalis commands technical dominion over his horn with the skill of a world class surgeon conducting a scalpel.

Improvisation for an instrumental player is key to pumping excitement into traditional repertoire, and Christmas Jazz Jam doesn’t disappoint.

This is the first Wynton Marsalis holiday album in 20 years.  He’s joined by his septet to present the following traditional songs:

  1. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
  2. “Mary Had a Baby”
  3. “Jingle Bells”
  4. “Blue Christmas”
  5. “Go Tell It On the Mountain”
  6. “O Christmas Tree”
  7. “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
  8. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
  9. “The Christmas Song”
  10. “Good King Wenceslas”
  11. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
  12. “Greensleeves”

Wynton Marsalis is a Pulitzer Prize/Grammy Award winner, with more than 70 albums in his portfolio.  Christmas Jazz Jam is available on iTunes, and exclusively at Target.

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Posted by King on 11/05 at 12:00 AM
Christmas • News • Review • Video • (0) Comments • Permalink

Monday, November 02, 2009

Michael Jackson This Is It Movie Review Video

This Is It, a film exposing Michael Jackson’s intimate passion for music, style, excellence, and perfection easily exceeded my expectations.

The rehearsal scenes in Los Angeles for the planned London concert tour make up the heart of This Is It, with revealing moments confirming the dominant personality of the king of pop as he takes charge and controls the creative process down to the smallest detail.

At 1 hour, 52 minutes, This Is It includes a satisfying assortment of Michael Jackson hits. Video features to support the music are elaborately staged as they pop up between music segments.

Even the casual Michael Jackson fan will enjoy this intimate look at what goes on behind the scenes when a unique professional performer exposes his soul through the lens of mastering his craft.

Watch my 2 minute video review of This Is It.

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Posted by King on 11/02 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tru Is True To New Classic Soul

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.

Listen to 39 seconds of “If I Told You” by Tru.

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Posted by King on 08/11 at 12:00 AM
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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Teena Marie Steps Into Congo Square

Teena Marie checked in on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, with Congo Square, her latest release.

The tracks are slow to mid-tempo, and include some interesting collaborations with several guest performers.

After scanning through several reviews of this album it’s clear that die-hard Teena Marie fans really like what they are hearing.

A more honest analysis reveals the lack of a really outstanding track to attract her more casual fans back into the fold.

Read the following excerpted official Teena Marie biography, then listen to 20 seconds of the title track featuring George Duke.

Here’s the Official Teena Marie Story:

"For nearly three decades, pint - sized, soul stirring songstress Teena Marie has undeniably been a force to be reckoned with in the nearly thirty years of her professional performing career.

The accomplished singer, songwriter, producer and arranger has managed to consistently capture the hearts and spirits of millions of fans with her music.

Nominated for a Grammy Award four times, Mary Christine Brockert had a strong African American influence from her godmother. Blessed with the gift of music at a young age, the Santa Monica, California native was raised on Motown music.

Singing Harry Belafonte by age two, Ms. Marie’s self-professed “Gift from God” would become fine-tuned as the years progressed.

Signed to her dream label at age 19, Teena Marie’s magic would be further developed under the tutelage of the legendary, Rick James.

Her 1979 debut Wild And Peaceful, produced by James, garnered a #8 R&B single with “I’m A Sucker For Your Love."

In 1980, her second and third albums, Lady T and Irons in the Fire were released, producing the hit classics “Behind The Groove” and “I Need Your Loving.”

In this period, Teena Marie took creative control of producing, writing and arranging her material. In 1981 Ms. Marie released the platinum selling It Must Be Magic, featuring the up-tempo “Square Biz” and slow jam “Portuguese Love."

In 1982, Motown sued Teena Marie for breach of contract after she informed the label that she no longer wanted to perform.

Subsequently, Ms. Marie filed a countersuit against Motown and won. The countersuit resulted in the landmark artists’ rights initiative known as “The Brockert Initiative,” - Ms. Marie’s last name - placing strict limitations on the length of artist/company contracts.

This historical entertainment mandate states that no recording company can contractually bind an artist while refusing to release his/her product.

After winning the lawsuit, Teena Marie signed to Epic Records (1983), and went on to record five more albums throughout the late eighties and early nineties, including Starchild and the hit single “Lovergirl” and Naked to the World which features the smash hit “Ooo La La La."

Teena independently released Passion Play on her own Sarai Records in 1994, but it wasn’t until ten years later that she would resurface to again share her voice and talent with the world.

As the sole artist signed to Cash Money Classics, the subsidiary of New Orleans rap entity Cash Money Records, Teena released La Doņa in 2004, which yielded the Grammy nominated #1 hit “Still In Love."

Sapphire was her next release.

The sudden passing of Teena Marie’s mentor and friend Rick James in 2005 served as the backdrop to the creation of Sapphire.

Their often tumultuous, always fertile relationship served as inspiration once again, for Ms. Marie’s, as she put pen to paper and recalled the indescribable experience of working with such a creative force of nature as Rick James.

"I really couldn’t deal with my pain and I think that God intervened.  Actually, I felt like Rick was with me writing.  Some nights I would just sit up in the bed like he tapped me on the shoulder ‘Get up and write this song.’ It was a blessing that I had that album to write because I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have that creative outlet."

Teena Marie Congo Square:

  1. “The Pressure” - (featuring MC Lyte)
  2. “Can’t Last a Day” - (featuring Faith Evans)
  3. “Baby I Love You”
  4. “Ear Candy 101”
  5. “Lover’s Lane” - (featuring Howard Hewett)
  6. “Marry Me”
  7. “You Baby”
  8. “Milk N’ Honey” - (featuring Rose Lebeau)
  9. “What U Got 4 Me”
  10. “Rovleta’s Jass”
  11. “Congo Square” - (featuring George Duke)
  12. “Harlem Blues”
  13. “Black Cook”
  14. “Ms. Coretta”
  15. “Soldier” - (featuring Shirley Murdock)
  16. “The Rose N’ Thorn”

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Posted by King on 06/11 at 08:00 AM
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Tuesday, April 07, 2009

A Creative Source Sure Shot

On the flip side of this 45 rpm vinyl dj promotional copy, a famous New York City radio station music director inscribed the phrase “sure shot."

I’m showing you the side without the writing, so you can get a clean look at this Sussex label 1973 original version of “You Can’t Hide Love,” recorded by Creative Source, and written by Skip Scarborough.

This is the same song that became a big hit for Earth, Wind & Fire on their 1/2 live 1/2 studio double album, Gratitude, in 1975.

Although billed as a “sure shot” by our mystery music director, this fate was not to be.  “You Can’t Hide Love” did not become a hit for Creative Source.

Creative Source’s version sounds closer to what you’d expect from the 5th Dimension or Friends of Distinction - a smooth blend of male/female harmony, but not nearly as progressive in production as the adventurous reincarnation by the elements of the universe, Earth, Wind & Fire.

What makes this copy of the Creative Source song personally valuable to me is the calligraphy on the side of the disc I haven’t shown you.

New York City denizens have probably already guessed that the scribe was the famous dj Frankie Crocker, who picked this tune as a WBLS “sure shot” while I was working there.

Yes, this is the actual copy of the 45 that was transferred to an audio tape cartridge and included the opening announcement voiced by Frankie who chimed: “It’s another WBLS sure shot.” Those were the days!

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Posted by King on 04/07 at 06:45 PM
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Thursday, March 26, 2009

13 Blue Magic Lane is Home for 5 Philly Fellas

Richard Pratt, Vernon Sawyer, Keith Beaton, Ted “Wizard” Mills (lead vocals), and Wendell Sawyer are the 1975 version of Blue Magic.

This montage of photos is from the original inner jacket sleeve from their album Thirteen Blue Magic Lane.

Wedged between 1974’s Blue Magic (that included the hit “Side Show"), and their 2nd 1975 record The Magic of the Blue (featuring “Three Ring Circus"), Thirteen Blue Magic Lane wasn’t unlucky with respect to several strong tracks highlighted by:

  • “Chasing Rainbows”
  • “Magic of the Blue”
  • “We’re On The Right Track”
  • “What’s Come Over Me” (with Margie Joseph)

Blue Magic, from the city of brotherly love, textured “the sound of Philadelphia” to their own strengths using many of the city’s top session musicians and producers during the legendary Gamble and Huff era.

Even with the expectation of a signature ballad serenade, a Blue Magic show from my personal experience was always well paced, energetic, and lively.

In 2008, a live in concert Blue Magic DVD was finally released.

A classic soul gem to seek out if you can find it is the 1976 live double album featuring Blue Magic, Margie Joseph, and Major Harris, from which we occasionally play tracks on Powerhouse Radio.

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Posted by King on 03/26 at 07:15 PM
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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Earth Wind and Fire Reactivates The Promise

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)

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    Posted by King on 02/26 at 12:00 AM
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    Thursday, January 29, 2009

    Brook Benton Crosses the Soul Bridge

    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.

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    Posted by King on 01/29 at 12:00 AM
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    Monday, January 19, 2009

    Lionel Richie Pitches New Melodies for 2009

    Lionel Richie is gearing up for a new studio album release scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th, 2009.

    From the sample tracks I’ve heard, the new CD Just Go, is a logical extension of the direction Lionel charted with the various “young gun” collaborators on his last album Coming Home, released in September, 2006.

    On Just Go, Ne-Yo, Akon, and a few others co-write and produce along with Mr. Richie to freshen-up lionel’s new millennium croon.

    Listen to 90 seconds of “Just Go,” by Lionel Richie, and cast your vote!

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    Posted by King on 01/19 at 12:00 AM
    Audio • News • Review • (1) Comments • Permalink

    Thursday, January 08, 2009

    Chess Soul Drives Cadillac Records to the Bank

    Chicago is one of the great American cities famous for creating musical history.

    The ‘Windy City’ has nurtured great artists, great music, and great radio.

    Curtis Mayfield, the Chi-Lites, Walter Jackson, the Lost Generation, and Ramsey Lewis are just a few of the 2nd generation Chi-Town classic soul sensations.

    One of the best first generation compilations featuring a treasure trove of Chicago goodies is the double CD Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago’s Finest.

    2008’s Cadillac Records movie featuring Beyonce’ as Etta James is a semi-fictional account of the story of Chicago’s Chess Records, and it’s founder, Leonard Chess.

    After the blues era peaked, Chess, notable for recording the blues masters, turned his attention to the emerging R&B scene.

    Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago’s Finest, showcases recordings made between 1961 - 1971.

    What makes the Chess soul sound so distinctive is the close lineage the music has to the blues.

    Many of the 45 songs featured in this collection were regional rather than national or international hits.  All the more reason to take a closer look at the tone and texture that makes these songs stand out.

    It doesn’t get any better than the vintage classic soul sound of Gene Chandler, Fontella Bass, Etta James, and Billy Stewart.

    Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago’s Finest was first issued in 1997, to mark the 50th anniversary of the record label.

    There’s an authentic raw edge to most of these songs.

    Singing with emotion is the audience pleasing formula used by these artists.

    You won’t find as much of the slick uptown production style that marked the later sophisticated soul of Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and Philadelphia International Records.

    Regardless, Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago’s Finest is an excellent anthology revealing why the Windy City is so important in the history of R&B.

    Take a look through the track list.  These songs will bring back great memories.

    CD 1

    1. “Mama Didn’t Lie” - Jan Bradley
    2. “Strange Feeling” - Billy Stewart
    3. “I’ve Been So Lonely” - Cookie & The Cupcakes
    4. “Soulful Dress” - Sugar Pie DeSanto
    5. “Love Ain’t Nothin’ (But A Monkey On Your Back) - Johnny Nash
    6. “Who’s That Guy?” - The Kolettes
    7. “Ain’t Love Good, Ain’t Love Proud” - Tony Clarke
    8. “I Had A Talk with My Man” - Mitty Collier
    9. “I Can’t Help Myself” - The Gems
    10. “Don’t Mess Up A Good Thing” - Fontella Bass & Bobby McClure
    11. “Voice Your Choice” - The Radiants
    12. “Selfish One” - Jackie Ross
    13. “The Entertainer” - Tony Clarke
    14. “I Do Love You” - Billy Stewart
    15. “Love Is A Five Letter Word” - James Phelps
    16. “The Soul of A Man” - Fontella Bass
    17. “Temptation Bout To Get Me” - The Knight Brothers
    18. “Do I Make Myself Clear?” - Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto
    19. “Take Me For A Little While” - Jackie Ross
    20. “What About Me?” - The Valentinos
    21. “I’m Satisfied” - Mitty Collier
    22. “Searching For My Love” - Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces
    23. “Only Time Will Tell” - Etta James

    CD 2

    1. “Rescue Me” - Fontella Bass
    2. “I’m Not Ashamed” - Bobby McClure
    3. “Stay By My Side” - Jo Ann Garrett
    4. “Have Pity On Me” - Billy Young
    5. “Wade In The Water” - Ramsey Lewis
    6. “I Fooled You This Time” - Gene Chandler
    7. “Don’t Pass Me By” - Big Maybelle
    8. “Lonely Girl” - Andrea Davis
    9. “To Be A Lover” - Gene Chandler
    10. “Don’t Knock Love” - Barbara Carr
    11. “I Believe She Will” - Eddie & Ernie
    12. “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” - Marlena Shaw
    13. “A Love Reputation” - Denise LaSalle
    14. “Dirty Man” - Laura Lee
    15. “I Can’t Make It Without You” - Fred Hughes
    16. “Hold On” - The Radiants
    17. “Good To Me” - Irma Thomas
    18. “You Left The Water Running” - Maurice & Mac
    19. “Oh What A Day” - The Dells
    20. “Baby, I Love You” - Little Milton
    21. “Losers Weepers” - Etta James
    22. “Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation” - The Dells

    Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago’s Finest

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    Posted by King on 01/08 at 12:00 AM
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    Tuesday, December 30, 2008

    Femi Courts Success with Sweet Water Soul part 2

    As mentioned last time, singer Femi hails from the Bay Area of San Francisco - Oakland.  She’s worked with Ledisi, Black Eyed Peas, and other artists.

    Her 6 song EP Sweet Water Soul offers a smooth blend of musical influences.  Femi’s delicate voice is supported by capable arrangements touching Afro-Latin/Caribbean, salsa, rock, and R&B.

    This is not a hook laden collection of songs, as the tunes venture into their own style and space.

    Sweet Water Soul avoids the cookie-cutter approach to neo-soul, but attempts instead to discover new territory on it’s maiden voyage.

    Femi succeeds in creating a soulful ‘singer - songwriter’ statement which should be a good starting point from which to build even more inventive melodies.

    In addition to several other players, Femi is featured on Fender Rhodes, piano, acoustic guitar, synth bass, synth organ, synth strings, cajon, percussion, kalimba, bell tree, rainstick, drum programming, and sequencing.

    My favorite tracks are the airy “Pages,” the rhythmic “If I Knew,” and her funky production of “Crush."

    Sweet Water Soul:

    1. “Sweet Water (Rezo)”
    2. “Imported”
    3. “Crush”
    4. “If I Knew”
    5. “I Want You”
    6. “Pages”

    Listen to 30 seconds of the melodic “Pages."

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    Posted by King on 12/30 at 07:00 AM
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    Friday, December 26, 2008

    Femi Courts Success with Sweet Water Soul

    From the Oakland, California music scene comes Femi, who will remind you of Patrice Rushen, Minnie Riperton, and Sade.

    Femi’s new 6 track EP Sweet Water Soul offers a refreshing spin on vintage R&B that many of her more popular contemporaries have all but passed on.

    Next week, we’ll update you on the emerging Femi, a lady who brings much more to the table than just a fresh new face.

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    Posted by King on 12/26 at 12:00 AM
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    Thursday, December 18, 2008

    Ledisi Lifts Christmas Up with Musical Style

    Ledisi is woman who offers a new breath of fresh air in the competitive arena of song styling.

    You’ll pick up just a hint of Anita Baker and Chaka Khan in her magnificent delivery.  Ledisi is more of a torch singer with the pipes to prove it.

    Don’t confuse her with the trendy light-weight pop princess divas of today.

    According to the official Ledisi website, her name, (pronounced led-duh-see, is adopted from the word that means “to bring forth” in the Yoruba language of Nigeria).

    You can read her long biography at length on her website, but our focus here is her holiday album, It’s Christmas.

    Ledisi has put together a top notch feast of Yuletide favorites.

    The opening track, “I’ll Go,” showcases her impressive vocal prowess within a 2 minute 4 second snapshot.

    This album is contemporary and tasteful.  I enjoyed all the tracks.  The strength of It’s Christmas is Ledisi’s fantastic voice.

    She adds just enough vocal improvisation to the traditional tunes to keep them interesting.  Frankly, I’m quite impressed with her sophistication of craft.  This is just her 2nd album for the legendary Verve label.

    Ledisi has been tagged as an R&B/Jazz/Pop singer.  She’s versatile enough to handle a broad range of material.

    After 2 Grammy nominations, there’s definitely a future award waiting for Ledisi.

    Ledisi: It’s Christmas

    1. “I’ll Go”
    2. “Children Go Where I Send Thee”
    3. “Give Love On Christmas Day”
    4. “Be There For Christmas”
    5. “This Christmas (Could Be The One)”
    6. “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
    7. “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
    8. “It’s Christmas”
    9. “What A Wonderful World”
    10. “Please Come Home For Christmas”
    11. “Silent Night”
    12. “Thank You”

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    Posted by King on 12/18 at 12:00 AM
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    Thursday, December 11, 2008

    Odetta Creates A Unique Christmas Concert

    In 2005, Odetta, the singer of folk based African American traditional songs, released an immaculately recorded live album.

    Gonna Let It Shine, A Concert for the Holidays is a stellar collection of spirituals celebrating Christmas.

    If you love gospel, praise, and traditional spirituals, Odetta delivers a definitive 16 song collection of favorites.

    The clarity of the live sound is phenomenal. Gonna Let It Shine, A Concert for the Holidays was recorded in front of a festive audience on the campus of Fordham University in New York City.

    Throughout both the ballads and uptempo tracks, Odetta respectfully transmits an inspirational message propelled by the power of faith and the glory of Christmas.

    Gonna Let It Shine, A Concert for the Holidays, is a completely different Christmas album.

    It comes from the classically trained, civil rights savvy, legendary vocalist from Birmingham, Alabama, the late Odetta (who passed away on December 2, 2008).

    1. “Intro”
    2. “This Little Light of Mine” (with the Holmes Brothers)
    3. “Rise Up Shepherd”
    4. “Mary Had A Baby”
    5. “What Month Was Jesus Born In?”
    6. “Shout For Joy”
    7. “Virgin Mary Had One Son”
    8. “Down By The Riverside” (with the Holmes Brothers)
    9. “Poor Little Jesus”
    10. “Freedom Trilogy”
    11. “Somebody Talking ‘Bout Jesus”
    12. “Keep On Movin’ It On”
    13. “O Jerusalem”
    14. “If Anybody Asks You”
    15. “Midnight Special”
    16. bonus: “This Little Light of Mine” (unedited - with the Holmes Brothers)

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    Posted by King on 12/11 at 12:00 AM
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    Wednesday, December 03, 2008

    Gloria Gaynor Will Survive with New Christmas Cheer

    The pleasant, appealing voice of Gloria Gaynor has been reactivated for Gloria Gaynor’s Christmas Presence.

    You may have missed this holiday treat, originally released in 2007, but still new for 2008.

    Dismiss your Gloria Gaynor preconceptions and join her sleigh ride for this Yuletide out-of-the-box potpourri of holiday hits.

    Christmas songs may shine not always because of the singer, but because of the infinite creative arrangements these songs are given.

    Gloria combines both assets to serve up yet another take on these seasonal favorites.  I was expecting hard core R&B as the dominant vibe.  The actual sound is lighter but still contemporary.

    A touch of jazz here, a touch of pop there, and a dash soul to boot.  Gloria Gaynor’s Christmas Presence has it all.

    She projects a warm voice that soothes and comforts without the panache of shouting.

    All the tracks are enjoyable, but I especially rate highly “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” along with the mellow “Christmas Blue,” the playful “Frosty The Snowman,” and the funky bonus bouncer “Winter Mix."

    Gloria Gaynor has brought her distinct personality to this collection by recording a very mass appeal Christmas record.  You can fire up this CD for the office party or holiday gathering with the confidence that the hip factor is strong enough to please almost everyone.

    Christmas Presence is not perfect, but it offers a different dimension of the “I Will Survive” diva. It’s contemporary, polished, and main stream, without being cheesy.  Gloria deserves the credit for trying something different.

    1. “Happy Time of Year”
    2. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
    3. “All I Want Is You For Christmas”
    4. “Christmas Blue”
    5. “Frosty The Snowman”
    6. “Do You Hear What I Hear?”
    7. “Joy To The World”
    8. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
    9. “Let It Snow!”
    10. “O Holy Night”
    11. “Little Town of Bethlehem”
    12. “Winter Wonderland”
    13. “The Christmas Song”
    14. “Joy Came To The World”
    15. “Christmas Prayer”
    16. “Winter Mix (Radio)” bonus track
    17. “Winter Mix (Dance)” bonus track

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    Posted by King on 12/03 at 12:00 AM
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