WHITNEY HOUSTON: TRAGIC LOSS OF A LEGEND

I am shocked and saddened, as are many others around the world, by the death of  beloved superstar Whitney Houston.


She was a true diva, despite her troubles in the past few years.  We have lost  Whitney, along with Etta James and Jimmy Castor, among others.


Although the real cause of death has not being released yet,  most likely drugs and alcohol have some place in it.  God Himself only knows what trials and tribulations she had to endure. 


Many of us wish for fame and fortune and there is nothing wrong in that.


The danger is that if one doesn,t have God first these things are likely to take the place of things we really treasure, the things money can,t buy.


Family, love, trust, caring, kindness, freedom; they can,t be bought at any price.


Please don,t misunderstand; I am not trying to judge Whitney. I have not walked in her footsteps or lived her life.


Although her voice was damaged by drugs and she couldn,t perform at the level she used to, she was still loved and adored by the masses, many who were rooting for her to make a comeback.




Remember Whitney Houston as a true superstar, who broke many records and for her great acting in the films, "WAITING TO EXHALE",  "THE BODYGUARD", and "THE PREACHER,S WIFE".
 She was human and subject to mistakes like any other human being.  I was overjoyed when it was announced there would be a "WAITING TO EXHALE PT.2"!
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I knew that she still had her acting ability and she could go on to make some great films, like in the past.


Sadly now, that won,t be the case.

Whitney Houston is gone, but she won,t be forgotten.

NEW DEFINITIVE OTIS REDDING DVD

Great news, old Soul Music Video Lovers!

The first full-length DVD of Otis Redding, undisputedly one of the greatest soul singers of all time has been released on dvd.

Zelma Redding, Otis' widow, has faithfully maintained her husband's legacy for the last 40 years. The 90 minute dvd features 16 complete performances filmed throughout America and Europe showcasing why Otis is considered one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

This DVD includes songs such as "I,VE BEEN LOVING YOU TOO LONG", "TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS", and "RESPECT".

Interviews  include not only Zelma Redding, Steve Cropper (who not only played guitar on Otis,s recordings but co-wrote many of his songs, but a few brief but rare interviews featuring Otis himself!

Below is a list of complete performances on this dvd;

Complete Performances:

1. Pain In My Heart (1965)
2. Mr. Pitiful (1965)
3. Just One More Day (1965)
4. I Can't Turn You Loose (1966)
5. I've Been Loving You Too Long (1967)
6. Satisfaction (1967)
7. My Girl (1967)
8. Don't Mess With Cupid (1966)
9. Any Ole Way (1966)
10. My Lover's Prayer (1966)
11. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song) (1967)
12. Tramp (1967)
13. Shake (1967)
14. Glory Of Of Love (1967)
15. Try A Little Tenderness (1967)
16. Respect (1967)
 This review is from: Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis Redding (DVD);
 

 

 "This is a DVD documentary on a truly great artist done ABSOLUTELY RIGHT and as Otis would say in "Hard to Handle"-yessiram!
Unlike most documentaries of musicians, these guys understand that this is the DVD age where they are not limited by time for commercials. 

They put the films of Otis' songs IN THEIR ENTIRETY balancing this with enough interview footage from those who really know him (no second-guessing talking head academics here). These combine to make this DVD a TEN-star winner.
Surprisingly, no footage from Otis' classic 1966 appearance on the British TV show Ready Steady Go (which occasionally appeared on American Cable TV in the late 80s.

  It was available on VHS for a brief spell)  but  it's hardly missed here since what we have is so excellent and The Big-O's likeable charisma shines through on even the lip-synchs.
The songs from "The!!!Beat" (1966) in color, especially a rarely heard tune called "Don't Mess With Cupid" is loads of fun with our man dancing with some really sumptious soul sisters (hard to believe these women are probably now in their sixties!).
The promotional clip of "Tramp" (minus Carla Thomas on film) is quite a hoot!

Otis makes fun of his country image by bumbling around his farm in Macon with overalls and riding bareback on a donkey (that actually moves in time to the song). 

Then we see our hero transformed with a green suit to match the dollar bills that fall from his pockets (eerily, he also poses with the very plane that he lost his life in)!

I recall one book saying that there is a lost TV clip of Otis and Carla doing a "Black honeymooners" routine to this song. That would be interesting to see.

The last two clips of our humble hero performing "Try a Little tenderness" and "Respect" in Cleveland n the day before his death with the original Bar Kays (who also died on that plane crash).

These guys really did perform as if it's their last day on earth and Otis' interjection of Aretha Franklin's version of his famous tune will knock you out of your seat!


The Redding Family, musicians Steve Cropper and Wayne Jackson, as well as Stax head honcho Jim Stewart make clear their affection for our man and what made him so special.

After you see this wonderful DVD, you too will understand. Support DVD's like this to get more domestic bootleg-free classic R&B on DVD."

ROY C : LIVE CD AND (HOPEFULLY)SOON TO BE RELEASED CONCERT DVD

                                     


The legendary  ROY C has released a live album  entitled ROY C-LIVE!

If you listened to and saw him back in the late 60s and 70s you remember his soulful sounds (just right for lovemaking!).

Also  a documentary of ROY C  is being prepped for release also! 

I had the  pleasure of seeing him perform twice in the early 70s and word is he is just as good as he was back then. 

                                               Roy C Live: "The Blues Is Alright" Tour



A filmed concert of Roy C performing live has not been released due to differences between Roy and the producer(s).

Anyone wishing to see this DVD of this great rhythm and blues performer be released, please contact the website, www.roycforever@blogspot.com.

MARVA WHITNEY ,S SOON-TO-BE RELEASED AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Soul Diva Marva Whitney has collaberated with Bank House Books to soon released "God, The Devil and James Brown", an autobiography of her life and career.

Here, in an exclusive preview, is the ‘flashback’ that opens Marva’s book:

James Brown is holding a gun against my head. I think I’m about to die. I can feel the cold metal pressing against the side of my skull. I’m terrified. It’s 1969. We’re in James’s suite at the Beverley Comstock Hotel in Beverley Hills, Los Angeles.

A few minutes earlier, downstairs, I’d told him I had decided to leave his show and stay with some friends in LA. James didn’t want that. He turned on his charm and persuaded me not to go. He said he was going to change and I believed him.

So I went with him and Charles Bobbitt, his manager, into the hotel elevator to go up to his room. As I walked into the elevator a sharp, violent kick to my backside pushed me to the floor. I lay there while James kicked me, over and over. Charles Bobbitt stepped over me but did nothing to help.

A few minutes later I’m being bundled into James’s room. ‘So you were goin’ to leave me, Whit?’ he grunts. ‘I tell you what you gonna do. You’re gonna [Censored] and fall back in it. [Censored] and fall back in it!’ He almost spat the words out as he pulled a gun on me.

So now I’m praying. Help me, Lord, I’m saying to myself, help me, Lord, and wondering how I got into this mess in the first place. 

If you enjoyed Fred Wesley,s  "HIT ME FRED" biography, along with  the James brown books, "I FEEL GOOD", "GODFATHER OF SOUL", and  "SAY IT LOUD!", this book will be a welcome  and interesting read.

Read ‘God, The Devil and James Brown’ to find out how Marva ‘got into this mess’, and the whole long inspiring story of how she got out of it. 


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(As of this date Marva,s book still hasn,t been released but hopefully soon!)

MARVIN ISLEY R.I.P.: ISLEY BROS. 1977 CONCERT REVIEW

Marvin Isley, (Aug. 18, 1953-June 6, 2010) one of the funkiest bass players ever to perform on stage and on recordings has passed away at the age of 56.

Along with his brothers Ronald (lead vocals, Rudolph (background vocals), Kelly (background vocals), Ernie( lead guitar, drums etc.), and brother-in-law Chris Jasper (keyboards) the ISLEY BROTHERS carved out a distinctive sound that has carried them to the top of the music world.

The Isley Brothers headlined a show in 1977 that featured opening act GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION with former SLY & THE FAMILY STONE bassist Larry Graham.

One of the funkiest acts in soul/rock music, Larry & co. blew the roof off the auditorium, laying down groove after groove to an enthusiastic audience! Just as they left the stage I thought to myself,  "Anybody following this group is definitely in trouble!"

But...THE ISLEY BROTHERS PROVED ME WRONG! As soon as they hit the stage draped in their glitter and rhinestone jumpsuits the crowd went WILD and they hadn,t hit a NOTE YET!

  The rising flood of  song hits started with FIGHT THE POWER, then THE PRIDE, FOOTSTEPS IN THE DARK, VOYAGE TO ATLANTIS, HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER LOVE, WHO LOVE YOU BETTER and others!

Ronald stood mostly in one place belting out lead vocals while grabbing either a cowbell or maracas during one of Ernie,s many solos (stopped counting after 8) while O,Kelly laid down soulful background vocals.

Rudolph was an imposing figure as he pranced the stage back and forth (at one point proceeded to kick off his shoes and walked around in his stocking feet).

Brother-in law Chis Jasper showed his wizardry on the keyboards as he provided background vocals. Marvin stalked the stage back and forth during the fast paced songs, laying down some of the funkiest bass notes I,ve ever heard.

One of the highlights of the show was Ernie as he proved why he is one of the best (but underrated guitarists ) to hit a stage! The show stopper was their last song LIVIN THE LIFE/GO FOR YOUR GUNS With that the ISLEY BROTHERS left the stage in total TRIUMPH!

I had the great fortune of meeting them after the show and got to ask Ernie about how much he practiced. He told me "I used to practice all day every day, but I never practice NOW."

After listening to a few other fans ask him questions, I said thank you and nodded at Ronald as I left the room, meeting Chris waiting on the elevator

. He was in a robe and obviously very tired,  heading downstairs to get something to eat in the hotel dining room. He signed a few autographs and went about his way.

I caught their show in 1981 which was in no comparison to this one; the songs were rushed; overblown production, and Rudolph howling like a fool until the audience started walking out. We stayed until the end but by that time, over half the place was empty.

Not one of their best shows for sure , but the ISLEY BROTHERS will always be one of the most FUNKIEST groups in soul music history!





              REST IN PEACE O,KELLY AND MARVIN