Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog (Free subscription) | 07/09/2008
Hank Ballard wrote “The Twist” in 1958 after seeing a bunch of Tampa kids doing the dance in one of the clubs on Central Av. Chubby Checker covered the song, and made it a number one hit in 1960 and again in 1962. Jack Harris wrote about the Twist in a recent column: … the origin [...]
Toxic Web Blog (Free subscription) | 06/21/2008
This week in music history - June 19th to June 25th - with who was born and who died.
Dust On The Stylus (Free subscription) | 06/13/2008
Parkway P867 1963 I bought this single not knowing anything about the group, but just from listening to the first minute and being blown away. I love the way it bursts into life, no slow intro or gradual build-up but a flying kick to the head before you've had any warning. It's a rip-roaring early 60s beat freakout, but who were the band' I hadn't consciously thought about it, but I presumed...
The Hype Machine (Free subscription) | 06/05/2008
in post click to read post from Moistworks .
Billboard (Free subscription) | 06/02/2008
An essay from Aretha Franklin, an Earth Wind & Fire tribute from Mint Condition and blog posts from rapper YoYo are among the featured elements of BlackVoices.com's Black Music Month celebration.
the "B" side (Free subscription) | 05/23/2008
You Hurt Me LITTLE WILLIE JOHN 1937-1968 Memorial day will mark the fortieth anniversary of Little Willie John 's death. One of the true progenitors of Soul, I don't think he gets nearly enough recognition. Born in Arkansas, he was raised in Detroit, where he and his brothers and sisters grew up singing spirituals accompanied by their mother Lillie on the guitar. The family formed a group called the...
WFMU's Beware of the Blog (Free subscription) | 05/21/2008
A couple weeks ago we explored the improbably wacky world of country tango and rhumba songs , which functioned as a follow-up to a previous post about hillbilly mambos . We now turn our attention to country twist songs. The Twist officially came to life in January 1959 when King records released the song as a Hank Ballard & The Midnighters B -side. The A-side, Teardrops On Your Letter,...
Billboard (Free subscription) | 05/06/2008
Bootsy Collins is spearheading a star-studded tour dubbed "A Tribute to James Brown" featuring alumni from Brown's own legendary J.B.'s, the bassist has revealed to Billboard.com.
VF Daily (Free subscription) | 04/08/2008
By Duff McDonald People have long wondered what goes on in Bob Dylan’s mind. But if you pay attention to...
A BUCK'S Blogography (Free subscription) | 03/30/2008
His name is Cupid. Some say he's a rapper, but he say no! Don't know if he invented the dance or just inherited it, but you can't hit a club these days without hearing the song, and the floor flooding with what amounts to African-American line dancing. It's called the "Cupid Shuffle" and its infectious. Try as I may, I can't get the little ditty out of my head. "To da right, to da right, to da right,...
The Hype Machine (Free subscription) | 02/18/2008
in post click to read post from Locust St. .
JSOnline (Free subscription) | 01/24/2008
Q.I cannot recall an amazing trivia tidbit about "Robbin' the Cradle," by one-hit-wonder Tony Bellus. This song's success was startling, compared with records by many top '60s recording artists who are much better kno...
Ramblin' with Roger (Free subscription) | 01/06/2008
Dear Near Twin: I was listening to your 2007 in review podcast . Enjoyable as usual. But I was surprised to find that *I* cast the the deciding vote in the the naming of Cast THIS, Pal! Cool. You played a Christmas cut by Johnny Otis, who you said you weren't familiar with. Since you are THE #1 music guru of the inestimable Lefty Brown , I thought I'd share this with you. Johnny Otis is a guy born...
Soul Sides (Free subscription) | 12/17/2007
Eight Is Enough Mix Ben Westbeech: So Good Today From Welcome to the Best Days Of Your Life (Brownswood, 2007) Candi Staton: I'm Just a Prisoner From I'm Just a Prisoner (Fame, 1970). Also on Candi Staton: The Early Years . Timmy NcNealy: I Am So Glad You're Mine (snippet) From 7" (Shawn/Truth and Soul, 1972/2007) Hank Ballard: With Your Sweet, Lovin' Self From 7" (King, 1969) Bronx River Parkway and...
Soho the Dog (Free subscription) | 11/22/2007
Julia Margaret Cameron: Saint Cecilia after the manner of Raphael , c.1865 Albumen print from a collodion-on-glass negative Victoria & Albert Museum , London The Royals: "Shrine of St. Cecilia," 1953 (MP3, 1.6 MB) A cover of a minor Andrews Sisters hit, coming shortly after Hank Ballard joined the group, and shortly before they recorded their breakout hit, "Work With Me Annie," and changed their name...
