breath of life (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
We start with prison work songs from Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas; then we dive down to Jamrock to catch up to reggae songstress Cherine Anderson; and we end with an exploration of "Work Song" by lyricist Oscar Brown Jr., composer Nat Adderley, Joe Williams, Michael Wolff, Terry Callier, Cannonball Adderley, Nina Simone and Afro-German vocalist [...]
LP Cover Lover (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
The Sweet Inspirations Atlantic Records (1967) Includes “Why (Am I Treated So Bad),” a song previously recorded by The Staple Singers and a soulful version of “Let It Be Me”, a French song which had been a pop and R&B hit for Betty Everett & Jerry Butler. The Sweet Inspirations was founded by Cissy Houston, mother [...]
Baltimore Sun (Free subscription) | 11/15/2009
Ricky Dobbs ran for five touchdowns, moving within one of tying the single-season NCAA record for a quarterback, and Navy defeated Delaware 35-18 on Saturday.
Phillyist (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
Photo courtesy of Donnell Clarke, Clarke & Associates There are innumerable ways to open this concert preview. We could do straight down the middle, noting the sheer amount of R&B power taking the stage at Temple University this weekend. Or perhaps a witty (sexual yet tasteful) reference to starting a love train? But seriously, just look at the photo. Who wouldn't want to spend a Saturday...
Arizona Republic (Free subscription) | 11/13/2009
A massive tree-planting project is taking root in Fountain Hills, part of a long-term plan to entice visitors and investors to the bedroom community.
Seattle Times (Free subscription) | 11/07/2009
Jerry Butler scored on a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and Delaware made a defensive stop in the final minute to defeat Hofstra 28-24 on Saturday.
Word Magazine blogs (Free subscription) | 11/02/2009
Given mail chaos - maybe this is the answer. The sublime Mr Jerry Butler and "Hey Western Union Man"
Snarkmarket (Free subscription) | 10/29/2009
Last week, Ta-Nehisi Coates posted a video of R&B singer Jerry Butler, who was also called “The Iceman.” “He is, bar none, my favorite singer ever,” TNC wrote. And: “My Moms loved Jerry Butler. Hearing him softly murder this classic [“Your Precious Love”] reminds me of sitting in the passenger seat of her silver Volkswagen [...]
The Vinyl Word (Free subscription) | 10/27/2009
For lovers of lists, here's one I found on the internet. Not a bad selection I have to admit. The Best R&B Male Singers according to DigitalDreamDoor.com http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/ 1. Jackie Wilson 2. Sam Cooke 3. Clyde McPhatter 4. Marvin Gaye 5. Tony Williams (Platters) 6. Curtis Mayfield 7. Smokey Robinson 8. Al Green 9. Roy Hamilton 10. Little Willie John 11. Solomon Burke 12. Ben...
Opinion L.A. (Free subscription) | 10/23/2009
I don't usually consider Facebook posts to be worthy of transplanting to a (cough cough) professional blog like this one, but I'm making an exception for an FB thread about a Washington Post story. The article focused on Georgetown University sophomore who has advertised for a personal assistant who would handle tasks "such as organizing his closet, dropping him off and picking him up from work,...
Glorious Noise (Free subscription) | 10/20/2009
Remember earlier this year, when Daptone Records was robbed, how they threw out the teaser that the Dap-Kings were scheduled to lay down some music for Rod Stewart? We wondered if this could be a good sign of a return...
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Free subscription) | 10/18/2009
TOWSON, Md. -- Leon Jackson ran for three touchdowns and Pat Devlin threw two scoring passes to lead Delaware to a 49-21 victory over Towson on Saturday.
The Vinyl Word (Free subscription) | 10/14/2009
In this, my 400th post would you believe, I'm tackling the sixties and listing the 75 great soul men of the decade. There are many to choose from but these, in my humble opinion, are the creme de la creme. So here goes, starting with my top ten, and then moving on to others of note: 1. Sam Cooke (who else at number one?), 2. Otis Redding, 3. James Carr, 4. Wilson Pickett, 5. O V Wright, 6. Al Green,...
The Vinyl Word (Free subscription) | 10/08/2009
My reader (maybe the only one!) Private Beech suggested that I add a Great Duos to the recent blogs listing Great Female Singers and Great Girl Groups. Sounds like a good idea to me, so here is a list of the great duos of the 1950s and 1960s. I've included some duet pairings by established singers, but only where they made a real impact via one or two albums, not just one offs. To kick off, here are...
Buffalo Bills (Free subscription) | 10/05/2009
The Monday Quarterback Club (MQC), the business group that backs the Buffalo Bills, has announced that the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Distinguished Service Award luncheon will be held on Monday, October ...
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