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

NEW OLD SOUL MUSIC CONCERT DVDS

     VISIT MY AMAZON STORE FOR SOUL MUSIC DVDS

Still Looking for that elusive hard-to-find concert by your soul artists? Here,s a few concert DVDs that I have recently come across of some great underrated crooners, movers and shakers of SOUL;

SOLOMON BURKE - THE KING LIVE AT AVO SESSION

Mostly known for his hits, "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love",  "Proud Mary", and  "Cry to Me", Solomon Burke demonstrates how he truly deserves the name of "King of Soul" with this unforgettable performance at AVO Session Basel on November 8, 2003. Here Burke delights the audience with an astonishing performance of eighteen of his most cherished songs.

By combining gospel, pop, country, and studio sweetness, he paved the way as an important early soul pioneer and became one of popular music's larger-than-life figures. For his life-long achievements, he was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. This DVD is a fine example of his immense talent.

DANCING IN THE STREET- VARIOUS ARTISTS

This extraordinary, never-before-aired, 'lost' concert was part of a roadshow that toured through 21 cities in the summer of 1987. This live footage was shot at the second concert, at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles.

It was the last concert captured of Martha Reeves and the late great Mary Wells (d.1990), David Ruffin (d.1991) and Eddie Kendricks (d.1992). These four artists combined had over 100 hit songs. A must-have Collector,s items


  VISIT MY AMAZON STORE FOR SOUL MUSIC DVDS

PERCY SLEDGE: LIVE IN CONCERT
 

This DVD/CD package includes soulful classics from the R&B pioneer; "Out Of Left Field", "Take Time To Know Her", "When A Man Loves A Woman", and more.

Full length concert performance, professionally filmed, with fantastic bonus footage, including Sledge interview, biography, discography, and slide show. A must-have for any old-school soul fan!

SOUL COMES HOME: TRIBUTE TO STAX RECORDS AND MEMPHIS SOUL

This DVD captures the once-in-a-lifetime concert held on April 30, 2003 to commemorate the opening of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, TN. This unique gathering of soul music's biggest stars performing their greatest hits first aired as a successful PBS special beginning in August of 2003.

Performers include Eddie Floyd, Jean Knight, William Bell, Percy Sledge, isaac Hayes, Rance Allen, Michael McDonald & Carla Thomas, The Bar-Kays with Chuck D, Little Milton and Jimmie Vaughan, Al Green, Booker T & the MGs, Solomon Burke and Mavis Staples.

25 MILES FROM HOME: EDWIN STARR LIVE

The first ever DVD to feature one of the true stars from the golden age of soul, the late, great Edwin Starr.

From early hits such as Agent Double 00 Soul and S.O.S. (Stop Her On Sight), through to the worldwide smash W.A.R. and other Motown classics including 25 Miles, Edwin Starr held a rightful place among the most popular and celebrated soul artists of his era.

"Twenty-Five Miles From Home" features two full-length performances showcasing Edwin's massive catalogue of hit songs including his last ever, live performance.

Edwin and his band The Team delight his legions of fans, performing all the hits along with some fantastic cover versions of all-time soul classics.

SHIRLEY BROWN/DENISE LASALLE-DIVAS IN THE DELTA: LIVE IN GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI

Two of the  hottest soul/blues singers ever, joined together for a once-in-a-lifetime performance in Greenwood, Mississippi that will long be remembered by everyone in attendance.

"Trapped by A Thing Called Love", "Woman To Woman" and many other songs by Shirley and Denise will take you back to the good old days when soul music was really SOUL MUSIC!

I will post more dvds and news as I come across them. Enjoy!

UPDATE:

JAMES BROWN LIVE IN THE 60s!  3 DVD SET FINALLY AVAILABLE!!!

"I GOT THE FEELIN": JAMES BROWN LIVE IN THE SIXTIES!

This is the DEFINITIVE look at JB's on-stage prowess, including an acclaimed documentary, two previously unreleased concerts, and more. With full-length versions of many classics, including"I Feel Good," "Out Of Sight," "Cold Sweat," "Try Me," "I Got The Feelin'," "It's A Man's Man's Man's World," "Bewildered," and "Please, Please, Please," I Got the Feelin': James Brown in the '60s is an essential part of any music lover's collection.

DISC 1:  THE NIGHT JAMES BROWN SAVED BOSTON

Features the director's cut of the acclaimed VH1 film The Night James Brown Saved Boston, which tells the story of a 1968 concert that not only averted riots in Boston in the aftermath of MLK's assassination, but also set James Brown on a revolutionary new path. Includes additional interviews with members of James Brown's band, friends and colleagues, plus a panel discussion from the film's premiere in Boston.

DISC 2:   LIVE AT THE BOSTON GARDEN
Features the historic 1968 Boston Garden concert as originally broadcast by WGBH. Contains additional audio from the radio simulcast of the concert.

DISC 3:   LIVE AT THE APOLLO '68
"Man to Man: James Brown Live at The Apollo Theater 1968", a TV special taped the week before the Boston show and unseen for 40 years! Plus bonus performances from 1967 and 1968 shows at L'Olympia in Paris, AND the legendary version of "Out of Sight" from The T.A.M.I. Show (1964).

Rejoice all ye JB fans! The James Brown Show is finally available on dvd with the fantastic JB Orchestra, featuring Maceo Parker as emcee/comedian/musician!  I,ve had the 1968 Boston Concert every since 1989 and the Apollo 1968 concert around 1990 on bootleg tape. It,s about time Mister Dynamite (as he was called in the 60,s) got his due! I,m hoping and praying that it will pave the way for more legendary performances by JB to be released on dvd soon.

P.S.

Word is out that there was a documentary filmed sometime ago that featured clips from JB,s "REVOLUTION OF THE MIND" concert at the Apollo Theatre in 1972.   The same show on which the double LP was recorded!

  Please Please please let there be a WHOLE concert of THAT show somewhere on video! I had the fortune of seeing the show when it came to my home state and it was EXACTLY like the live album withe the exception of the finale which was "I,M A GREEDY MAN" instead of "HOT PANTS".

To sum it all up there is a ton of unreleased JB footage out there that is just begging to see the light of day! So keep your fingers crossed, but enjoy JAMES BROWN: LIVE IN THE 60S while you,re waiting!