Review

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
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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

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

CD 2

“Rescue Me” - Fontella Bass
“I’m Not Ashamed” - Bobby McClure
“Stay By My Side” - Jo Ann Garrett
“Have Pity On Me” - Billy Young
“Wade In The Water” - Ramsey Lewis
“I Fooled You This Time” - Gene Chandler
“Don’t Pass Me By” - Big Maybelle
“Lonely Girl” - Andrea Davis
“To Be A Lover” - Gene Chandler
“Don’t Knock Love” - Barbara Carr
“I Believe She Will” - Eddie & Ernie
“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” - Marlena Shaw
“A Love Reputation” - Denise LaSalle
“Dirty Man” - Laura Lee
“I Can’t Make It Without You” - Fred Hughes
“Hold On” - The Radiants
“Good To Me” - Irma Thomas
“You Left The Water Running” - Maurice & Mac
“Oh What A Day” - The Dells
“Baby, I Love You” - Little Milton
“Losers Weepers” - Etta James
“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:

“Sweet Water (Rezo)”
“Imported”
“Crush”
“If I Knew”
“I Want You”
“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

“I’ll Go”
“Children Go Where I Send Thee”
“Give Love On Christmas Day”
“Be There For Christmas”
“This Christmas (Could Be The One)”
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?”
“It’s Christmas”
“What A Wonderful World”
“Please Come Home For Christmas”
“Silent Night”
“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).

“Intro”
“This Little Light of Mine” (with the Holmes Brothers)
“Rise Up Shepherd”
“Mary Had A Baby”
“What Month Was Jesus Born In?”
“Shout For Joy”
“Virgin Mary Had One Son”
“Down By The Riverside” (with the Holmes Brothers)
“Poor Little Jesus”
“Freedom Trilogy”
“Somebody Talking ‘Bout Jesus”
“Keep On Movin’ It On”
“O Jerusalem”
“If Anybody Asks You”
“Midnight Special”
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.

“Happy Time of Year”
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
“All I Want Is You For Christmas”
“Christmas Blue”
“Frosty The Snowman”
“Do You Hear What I Hear?”
“Joy To The World”
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
“Let It Snow!”
“O Holy Night”
“Little Town of Bethlehem”
“Winter Wonderland”
“The Christmas Song”
“Joy Came To The World”
“Christmas Prayer”
“Winter Mix (Radio)” bonus track
“Winter Mix (Dance)” bonus track

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Posted by King on 12/03 at 12:00 AM
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Monday, December 01, 2008

Dionne Warwick Tracks The Cat to Philly

The recent 4 CD 2008 release, Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, captured just about everyone who has recorded in the City of Brotherly Love.

On these ambitious projects, you can’t include everybody.

Dionne Warwick’s 1975 album Track of The Cat, produced, arranged, and conducted by Thom Bell with Philadelphia International Record’s house band MFSB, is just one example of another artist who could have been better represented in the anthology with her own solo work.

A moderate commercial success, Track of The Cat, released by Warner Brothers, included “Once You Hit The Road,” a single from the album that got some radio airplay.

Delfonics and Stylistics Producer Thom Bell’s classical training was a big influence in the production of the masterpiece title cut for Dionne.

Linda Creed and Thom Bell wrote the song lyrics to accompany the mesmerizing “cat” melody.

"Track of The Cat” allows the strength of Dionne Warwick’s vocal subtleties to shine while strings, French horns, and an immaculate arrangement keep the medium tempo vamp flowing forward with a memorable bass line.

This is a song to love.

The entire album was recorded in Philly with MFSB. It would have been nice to include Dionne Warwick’s “Track of The Cat” on Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia.

Dionne is represented on the collection by her duet with the Spinners: “Then Came You,” yet another Thom Bell gem.

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Posted by King on 12/01 at 12:00 AM
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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Brian McKnight Comes Home for Christmas

Brian McKnight fans, Rejoice! B.M. has just released his 2008 holiday chestnut, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, his 11th album.

Brian cheerfully reports at BrianMcKnight.com that “Christmas has always held a very special place in my life and my heart."

"When it arrives, it brings with it memories of the past and the promise of a future of memories with friends and family all over the world."

5 of the 12 tracks on I’ll Be Home For Christmas feature duets with Vince Gill, Josh Groban, Nikolas McKnight, Noel Schajris, and Take 6.

"The Christmas Song” kicks of the collection. McKnight gives the spunky arrangement his best - keeping the vocal range in his trademark higher register.

When it comes to inflecting passion into his actual singing sound, McKnight has always been a vocalist who shines in the understatement. You won’t mistake his articulated sonic discipline to the flashy nature of a Luther Vandross or Marvin Gaye.

McKnight has built a solid following over the years. He now slots himself into mature R&B territory that young guns Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Akon, and Usher can’t quite occupy yet.

As for the other tracks on this new release, cut 2 “Silver Bells” chimes to McKnight’s clear, measured resonance.

In a departure, “Christmas You and Me” teams Brian with Vince Gill. This track, grounded in R&B, has contemporary country music overtones, and succeeds nicely in the way Lionel Richie’s 1986 “Deep River Woman” duet with Alabama did.

"Let It Snow,” also featuring Nikolas McKnight, is bright, frothy, and bubbly with an ample supply of strings to delight the light hearted.

"It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” packs a powerful jazzy punch. It’s the best uptempo track of the collection.

Overall, the mood is mellow on the I’ll Be Home For Christmas album. The CD has a ‘quiet storm’ tone, with enough energy in the uptempo songs to provide good balance.

Piano builds the foundation of the classy instrumentation. These songs are well arranged.

Even if you are not a Brian McKnight fan, you probably will be pleased with this charming Christmas CD.

Spread the news: “Brian McKnight Comes Home for Christmas!"

I’ll Be Home For Christmas:

“The Christmas Song”
“Silver Bells”
“Let It Snow” (featuring Nikolas McKnight & Brian McKnight Jr.)
“Christmas You And Me” (featuring Vince Gill)
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
“Silent Night"(featuring Noel Schajris)
“It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”
“Adeste Fideles”
“Who Would Have Thought”
“Angels We Have Heard On High” (featuring Josh Groban)
“Christmas Medley”
“Bless This House” (featuring Take 6)

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Posted by King on 11/20 at 06:30 PM
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Miriam Makeba's Global Crusade for Justice

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."

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Posted by King on 11/11 at 12:00 AM
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Thursday, November 06, 2008

Al Jarreau's Christmas 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

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Posted by King on 11/06 at 07:00 AM
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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Tina Turner Time

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)

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Posted by King on 10/16 at 12:00 AM
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Tuesday, October 07, 2008

George Clinton & his Gangsters of Love

In September, 2008, P-Funk fans received a new taste of “The Mothership Connection” in the guise of George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love.

In full disclosure, I’m a big fan of the original Parliament-Funkadelic recordings. I have a combined mix of at least 9 of their very early individual vinyl albums.

Somehow, the novelty of funkmaster George Clinton, the “One Nation Under A Groove” guy, recording a new CD of love songs seems out of character with his “Dr. Funkenstein” persona.

Fear not. Clinton doesn’t exactly create a Ronald Isley styled collection of standard chestnuts.

Helped by a supporting cast, the tunes stay interesting. Lending their credibility are Carlos Santana, Sly Stone, El DeBarge, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and legendary Philadelphia producer/engineer Bobby Eli.

Still, it’s hard to take some of these covers seriously, but then, the original appeal of P-Funk mania was Clinton’s zeal for fun and unpredictability.

So get ready for several unconventional interpretations of Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Ruby & The Romantics, The Four Tops, and others.

Either George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love CD is genius, or the joke’s on us.

“Ain’t That Peculiar"- (featuring El DeBarge/Sly Stone/The P-Funk All-Stars)
“Never Gonna Give You Up” - (featuring El DeBarge)
“Mathematics Of Love” - (featuring Kim Burrell)
“Let The Good Times Roll” - (featuring Kim Manning/Red Hot Chili Peppers)
“Pledging My Love”
“Gypsy Woman” - (featuring El DeBarge/Carlos Santana)
“It’s All In The Game” - (featuring Belita Woods)
“Heart Trouble” - (featuring Paul Hill)
“Our Day Will Come” - (featuring Kendra Foster)
“Sway” - (featuring Belita Woods)
“A Thousand Miles Away”
Hidden Track 1
Hidden Track 2
Hidden Track 3
Hidden Track 4

Those 4 hidden tracks feature collaborations with some folks who I guess didn’t want their names plastered on the CD jewel case.

Hidden Track 1, borrowing portions of the melody from “I’ll be Good To You” by the Brothers Johnson, features a lively rap from guess who?

The final 3 hidden tracks sound like outtakes to pad the CD.

Listen to 1 minute & 12 seconds of Barry White’s “Never Gonna Give You Up,” featuring George Clinton and El DeBarge.

Technorati tags: George Clinton & his Gangsters of Love

Posted by King on 10/07 at 12:00 AM
Audio • News • Review • (0) Comments • Permalink

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Aretha Returns with This Christmas 2008

Aretha Franklin has recorded several Christmas songs throughout her career, but never a complete holiday album, until now.

On Tuesday, October 14, 2008, This Christmas Aretha is scheduled to be released.

The album is a joy. Aretha’s magic is her unique ability to stamp her vocal personality on this material with trademark nuances of gospel, blues, and straight ahead soul.

Every cut is a pleasure to listen to. It’s hard to choose a favorite. This Christmas Aretha weaves a tone of tradition tying together the varied selections. The songs are a vibrant showcase for a style that only Ms. Franklin can serve up.

Her pipes are still peppy with precision. Though she can’t command some of the silky tonality of her younger years, there’s no doubt that Aretha’s voice still has plenty of pop to dominate these excellent arrangements.

Aretha Franklin fans, old and new, will love This Christmas Aretha:

“Angels We Have Heard On High”
“This Christmas”
“My Grown-Up Christmas List”
“The Lord Will Make A Way”
“Silent Night”
“Ave Maria”
“Christmas Ain’t Christmas (Without The One You Love)”
“Angels”
“One Night with The King”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“T’was The Night Before Christmas”

Here’s Ms. Franklin signing copies of the This Christmas Aretha CD ‘booklet insert’ at Borders in Washington, DC (Monday, October 20, 2008) for hundreds of adoring fans.

Listen to 30 seconds of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” by the Queen of Soul, Aretha.

Technorati tags: Aretha Returns with This Christmas 2008

Posted by King on 10/02 at 12:00 AM
Audio • Christmas • News • Review • (1) Comments • Permalink

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