Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Visiting Detroit Part 7 By Rob Moss


Drop over to Soul Source and read the latest edition of my old mate Rob Moss's "Visiting Detroit" billed as:

A recent visit with tales of catalogs, airports, sax gods,vinyl and usa soul clubs. Part 7 of this long running series

Business Casual 28/6/08

This Saturday at Kelly's Pub:
Get on the good foot with BUSINESS CASUAL and very special guest Sonny Peters!

You know the deal: we're bringing you the TRUE deep funk & soul, no BULLSHIT. Plenty of Afro-beat, tropicalia, psych, jazz funk and golden age hip-hop rolled into the same package as well.

Saturday, June 28th - 9pm til infinity - Kelly's Pub

SEE YOU ON THE FLOOR!!

Soulbangers @ Marvin Washington

HOT DAMN, ITS ICE COLD SOUL . . .

NORTHERN SOUL
CLASSIC REGGAE
RAW FUNK
MOTOWN BANGERS

ALL ON ORIGINAL 45!

Upstairs at Marvin, Tuesday June 24th -- and every other Tuesday thereafter!

14th and U Street, Washington DC

8 p.m.

until close - no cover!

Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves Midwest Tour

Eli has been back in touch:

Hey everybody,

First let me apologize for not tending to this mailing list in so long. Things have been so busy which is fantastic but it doesn't leave me alot of time to update everyone on what's going on.

The album is selling fast and our tour dates around the country and around the world are lining up so things are definitely moving in the right direction! First things first, though, for all of you in the Midwest who have been missing us, we'll be coming your way this week! Here are the upcoming dates:

6/25: Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland OH
6/26: The Crofoot, Pontiac MI
6/27: Bear's Place, Bloomington IN
6/28: Milwaukee Summerfest, Milwaukee WI
6/29: Belmont Music Festival, Chicago, IL
7/1: DC9, Washington DC

Please come check us out if you're in the are at any of those shows and you can find out more information by going to myspace. com/elipaperboyreed where you can also find new videos and all sorts of other stuff.

The other big news is our upcoming European tour! From July 14-28 we will be traversing the UK and continental Europe hitting England, Scotland, France, Belgium and Holland this time around. Please see the myspace page for more info on all those dates.

That's all I've got for now, Hope to see all you soon!

-Eli & The True Loves

Monday, June 23, 2008

Dramatics Discography On Soul Express

My friend Heikki Suasolo has posted a Dramatics Discography on Soul Express. Don't forget to pick up copies of the Soul Express magazines which feature Heikki's extensive interviews with the group.

I thought I'd post my favourite early track by the group plus long time group member L.J. Reynolds's early 45 on Tri-Spin.
The Dramatics If You Haven't Got Love Sport




Larry (Chubby) Reynolds Please Don't Leave Me Tri-Spin

Wax Poetics 29

With bright colors for summer heat, Wax Poetics 29 blasts into the funky avant-garde with Herbie Hancock and his Mwandishi band, written by producer Kirk Degiorgio. Mark Skillz returns with another old-school hip-hop cover feature: Spoonie Gee lit up the streets with his tales of gritty realism.

Spike Lee not getting financial help for James Brown biopic

It has been reported by various agencies that Spike Lee might get the monies for his James Brown biopic.

Aretha Franklin: Speaking On Black Music ...

Black Voices have been running a Black Music Month which has some interesting features including an essay from Aretha Franklin on the state of the current music scene.

Interchange in Macon named for the late Phil Walden

Alan Walden speaks about his brother, Phil, at Gateway Park in Macon on Thursday during a ceremony to dedicate a stretch of Interstate 16 in Phil Walden's memory.

Gerald Albright Sax For Stax

Gerald Albright has been serving up "sweet pain" on his soulful saxophone for an ever-growing audience that spans across R&B, "Quiet Storm," traditional jazz and smooth jazz lines. On his latest release Albright once again demonstrates his unique soulful sound while paying homage to one of the greatest eras of American music history. Amazon

Billy Price & Fred Chapellier In Studio

French guitarist Fred Chapellier (center) and the Billy Price band take a break from recording at Mojo Boneyard studio in McKeesport. With Chapellier are (from left) Billy Price, Jimmy Britton, Dave Dodd, Paul Thompson and Steve Delach. Jasmine Gehris/Tribune-Review

Living Blues 196 Special Double Issue


June-August 2008
JUNE – AUGUST 2008

SPECIAL DOUBLE-ISSUE

Issue #196 Contents

Letters of Introduction by Senator Barack Obama and Mayor Richard Daley

Voices From Chicago
By Scott Barretta
Photos by Bill Steber

Living Blues sent writer Scott Barretta and photographer Bill Steber on a mission to find what Chicago has to offer blues fans on a random week in the middle of the winter. Rather than “the death of the blues,” they found a vibrant and active blues scene seven nights a week.

Voices From Chicago—The Profiles
By Scott Barretta
Photos by Bill Steber

Chicago musicians recognize the importance of blues education and conveying the language of the blues to the next generation. We profile eight artists and educators who have made it their mission to pass the torch.

Chicago Through The Years—Albums And Singles
By Jim DeKoster

Veteran LB reviewer Jim DeKoster put together lists of some of the best Chicago blues releases by year. Other lists can be found throughout the issue and on page 103.

The Chicago Blues Festival—Through The Years
By Jim O’Neal

LB founding editor Jim O’Neal traces the history of the Chicago Blues Festival, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

Northern Southern Soul—The Chicago Scene
By David Whiteis

Soul music has been a significant part of Chicago’s music scene since the 1960s. Author David Whiteis provides an overview of Chicago soul today.

Shadows of Maxwell Street
By Justin O’Brien

Maxwell Street, long the funkiest market in Chicago and the home to countless street musicians, is no longer what it used to be. Post-gentrification, we asked, what is left of the old Maxwell Street?

Billy Boy Arnold—Remembering Chicago
By Scott Barretta

Veteran blues musician Billy Boy Arnold gives Scott Barretta and Bill Steber a tour of Chicago blues sites from back in the day.

Chicago Blues History—A Timeline
By Justin O’Brien

Author Justin O’Brien traces Chicago blues back to its roots, citing major events along the way.

Restvale Cemetery—Where The Blues Goes To Die
By Steve Sharp

Restvale Cemetery is home to the graves of more bluesmen than any other Chicago cemetery.

Record Reviews

New releases by Elmore James Jr., Billy Boy Arnold, and Walter Wolfman Washington.

Reissues from Andrew Brown and Music Maker.

New DVDs by Rory Block, Paul Geremia, and Carlos Santana.


Editorial
Letters
Blues News
Awards Ballot
Chicago Blues Album Essentials
A tourist’s guide to Chicago
Obituaries
Radio Charts

Hans Theessink & Terry Evans Visions




Going Back Home
Talk To Your Daughter
Demons
Mother Earth
Got To Keep Moving
Let The Four Winds Blow
Vicksburg Is My Home
Glory Of Love
Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You
At The Dark End Of The Street
You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover
Trouble In Mind
Come To The River

Read more

Kylie Auldist Just Say

The stunning debut of Kylie Auldist -- working here with some great help from The Bamboos! Kylie's sung with the group in the past, and the album's produced by Bamboos mainmain Lance Ferguson -- who also plays on the record too -- but the style is much more complicated than that combo's deep funk, and more in a classic 60s female soul mode -- with echoes of both UK and US styles in the genre! The production is wonderful -- clear, clean, and captivating -- with a rich array of instrumentation that moves the set past regular retro-funk cliches to embrace a much wider range of classic soul sounds. Titles include "Make Me Want More", "Still Into You", "Just Say", "Community Service Announcement", "No Use", "Pretty Things", "Gotsta Get Me Some", and "That's Why". Dusty Groove

Candi Staton New Album?

Picked up the blurb below off MySpace:

In other Candi Staton news, Staton is rumored to be returning to the studio in May 2008 to record a new Americana/Southern Soul CD as a follow-up to the widely acclaimed 2006 EMI/Honest Jons effort, “His Hands.” Mark Nevers is returning as producer and indie folk artist, Will Oldham, who wrote “His Hands”, is said to have written a new song for the project.

Staton is also in the final stages of finishing her first ever urban praise and worship gospel CD. Aside from new compositions such as “Jesus Makes My Morning Sing” and “I Will Rejoice in the House”; the project features Staton covers of Stephen Hurd’s “Undignified Praise” and Paul Baloche’s “Our God Saves.’ The project is Staton’s first gospel collaboration produced outside of her Beracah Ministries organization. John Brockman, a music minister at Atlanta’s Hope & Life Fellowship Church, is producing the project.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens on NPR

More info from Daptone:

Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens new single "What Have You Done?" was featured as NPR's song of the Day. Read all about it here.
"What Have You Done" b/w "I'll Take the Long Road" is also now available for download. Get it on iTunes or eMusic


Naomi Shelton & the Gospel Queens
Every Friday
@ The Fat Cat, 8:30pm
75 Christoper St. (at 7th ave)
http://www.fatcatmusic.org/music.html


Luther Ingram Discography on Soul Express

My mate Heikki Suosalo has let me know that he has posted a Luther Ingram discography on Soul Express. Don't forget to pick up a copy of the Soul Express magazine with an in depth feature on Luther Ingram based on an interview.
Ace/Kent currently have 2 excellent CDs out featuring Luther Ingram's Ko Ko 45s:


Also check out Luther Ingram's son Eric's website.

Budos Band Summer 2008 Gigs

Daptone have sent through the following dates for the band:

Friday, June 27 Nectars, Seattle, WA
Saturday, June 28 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver, BC
Sunday, June 29 JazzFest International, Victoria, BC
Monday, June 30 Legion Tofino, BC, Canada
Tuesday, July 1 Waverly Hotel, Cumberland, BC, Canada
Friday, July 11 Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Sunday, July 13 XPonential Music Festival, Camden, NJ
Friday, July 18 Midsummer Nights Swing, New York, NY
Saturday, July 19 Getty Center, Los Angeles, CA

Geater Davis I'll Play The Blues For You

Paul Mooney over at Selecta has let me know that the above CD from Geater Davis will be out on Soulscape in early July. Great to see all the House Of Orange cuts gatehred together on one CD.

Here's the tracklisting:-

01. Sweet Woman’s Love (2.39)
02. Don’t Marry A Fool (2.41)
03. My Love Is So Strong For You (3.03)
04. I Can Hold My Own (4.14)
05. For Your Precious Love (Album Version) (8.46) *
06. Wrapped Up In You (2.56) *
07. Cry, Cry, Cry (7.30) *
08. I Love You (2.57) *
09. St. James Infirmary (3.29) *
10. I Know (My Baby Loves Me) (3.46)
11. Best Of Luck To You (3.02)
12. I’ll Play the Blues For You (3.28)
13. Cold Love (Long Version) (5.16)
14. I’ll Play The Blues For You (Second Version) (3.52) *
15. Breath Taking Girl (3.54) *
16. I’ll Get By (2.49)
All tracks MONO except * STEREO

Daptone 7" Singles Collection vol. 2



More news from Daptone:

You’ve been licking ‘round the bottom of the Soul bowl lately, scrounging for every bit and morsel you can find. And now this! Our second volume of Daptone cuts that have never been digitized before. All the 45 only jams that your hipper friends with record players have been so smarmy about for so long. I’m sure you would have bought them on vinyl if your apartment wasn’t so small, right? Or maybe you already did, but want these handy digital ones so you can listen to them on your telephone when you’re not near enough to your dear old turntable.Either way, I’m sure you’ll enjoy Volume two of Daptone’s 7” Singles Collection.

And don’t forget, singles are for couples too!

1. The Matador - The Mighty Imperials
2. Now That I'm Gone - Charles Bradley & The Bullets
3. Can't Stop Thinking About You - Charles Bradley
4. Could Have Been - Lee Fields
5. You Don't Know What You Mean (To a Lover Like Me) - Lee Fields and Sugarman & Co.
6. How Long Do I Have To Wait For You (Instr.) - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
7. This Love Ain't Big Enough for the Two of Us - Charles Bradley & The Bullets
8. (She's Got) Twilight Eyes - Charles Bradley & The Bullets
9. I Just Dropped In to See What Condition My Condition Is In - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
10. Stand Up - Lee Fields and Sugarman & Co.
11. Stand Up Pt. II - Lee Fields and Sugarman 3
12. Nervous like me - The Dap-Kings
13. Che Che Cole - Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra

Get it on iTunes or eMusic

Como Now: The Voices of Panola County, MS


Daptone Records have let me know about a very exciting new project due out later this year:

Deep in the heart of Panola County, Mississippi lies Como, a small rural town where children and grown folks alike have been living and breathing gospel for as long as they can remember. In the summer of 2006, Daptone Records placed a small ad in local papers and on the radio inviting singers to come down to Mt. Mariah Church to record their songs. The result is COMO NOW, a stirring collection of traditional and original a cappella gospel from the voices of Panola County’s own families. It may seem like a leap for Daptone Records to be releasing an album of a cappella gospel music. Daptone has earned a reputation for creating and proliferating the purest of today’s soul and funk music. Why gospel? And why without any instrumentation? If you put aside the analytical categories of the music critic for a moment, and just listen to the record, the answer becomes simple and clear: this is soulful music.
“When Michael Reilly came to me with his first recordings of the Como Mamas, I remember hearing it and being blown away. Though I’ve been into soul music for a very long time, it has only been in the past few years that I really got deeper into gospel music…and the line from soul to gospel eventually became much clearer to me. Less of an academic lineage than a visceral feeling that I started to get from listening to old records by the Soul Stirrers and the Highway Q.C.’s. Dorothy Love Coates, the Mighty Pilgrim Travelers, The Blind Boys, The Violinaires. They were the same sounds, the same feeling, as I got listening to James Brown, Tina Turner, Lee Fields when they were really wailing. Otis Redding when he was really pleading. Al Green when he was really moaning. Sounds that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The recordings Michael played me gave me the same feeling.”
- Gabriel Roth
The 16 songs on this record feature performances by every one of the singers that came down to Mt. Mariah Church on July 22nd, 2006. Though their music is steeped in tradition, it should not be filed away as some sort of academic field recording. It was not made for the archives of the Library of Congress, nor for the benefit of musicologists and anthropologists. COMO NOW is a contemporary recording of contemporary people. From the slow stirring duets of Brother Raymond and Sister Joella Walker to the bouncing harmonies of the Jones Sisters, every song on this record is meant for you, their contemporary, to hear how the people of Como, Mississippi sing – right now.
Read more about the artists featured on the CD here.

Eccentric Soul CD Tragar and Note

I had a message through from my e-friend Brian Poust of Georgia Soul fame to tell me about a radio show to promote the new Eccentric Soul CD Tragar and Note:

At 9pm, I'll be a guest on WUGA's 'Just Off the Radar' show.
WUGA-FM does stream on their site, http://wuga. org/ and the show can be heard as an archive for the next couple of weeks at http://www. justofftheradar. com


The Numero Uno Group publicity shot says:

Lost for thirty years among the kudzu and Coke bottles of central Georgia, the Tragar & Note labels are the latest Numero Group unearthings to join our landmark Eccentric Soul series. Spread out over two discs, Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels is a ridiculously thorough survey of Jesse Jones' twin labels that operated out of Atlanta between 1968-1977. Ranging from southern to northern soul, classic R&B to modern, dancers to romancers, the 50 track collection chronicles nearly every sub-genre of popular black music being made at the time.

Researched with leading Georgia soul expert Brian Poust, the accompanying 32 page booklet features a dozen unpublished photos, memorabilia, label scans, and a 7000 word essay that gives a rich overview of not just these two labels, but the Atlanta soul scene as a whole.


The tracklisting for the 2 CD set:

1. Down in the Country - Tee Fletcher
2. You Got a Spell on Me - Bill Wright
3. Heavenly Father - Cooper, Eula
4. Clown - Chuck Wilder
5. Now That I'm Wise - Nathan Wilkes
6. Nitecap - L. Daniels
7. I'll Be There - Franciene Thomas
8. Sweet Thing - Frankie & Robert
9. Shake Daddy Shake - Cooper, Eula
10. What Can the Matter Be - Tokay Lewis
11. Love Is So Mean - Richard Cook
12. Tumbling Down - Langston & French
13. Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things - Cooper, Eula
14. Too Beautiful to Be Good - Franciene Thomas
15. Tipping Strings - The Knights
16. Someboyd Got'a Help Me - Richard Cook
17. Love (It's Been So Long) - Frankie & Robert
18. Strange Feeling - Nathan Wilkes
19. I Can't Help It If I Love You - Cooper, Eula
20. Why - Chuck Wilder
21. Who Wants Me Now - Tokay Lewis
22. You're the Only Thing I've Got Going for Me - Bill Wright
23. Let Me Be Free - Sonia Ross
24. Would You Do It for Me - Tee Fletcher
25. Try - Cooper, Eula

1. Watch the Dog That Bring the Bone - Sandy Gaye
2. All Because of You - Tee Fletcher
3. Messing Around - Bobby Owens & The Diplomats
4. Loet Our Love Grow Higher - Cooper, Eula
5. Ain't That Sharp - The Young Divines
6. Charade - The Four Tracks
7. Breaking My Heart - Sonia Ross
8. Love Is Gone - Cherry Blend
9. I Need You More - Cooper, Eula
10. I Think It's Time (You Were Mine) - Alice Swoboda
11. Hump - The Knights
12. Beggars Can't Be Choosey - Cooper, Eula
13. Standing by Love - Cooper, Eula
14. Deep in Your Heart - The Young Divines
15. You Mean Everything to Me - The Four Tracks
16. I'll Show You with Love - The Young Divines
17. Every Now and Then - Sonia Ross
18. Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things - Andrea Williams
19. Have Faith in Me - Cooper, Eula
20. Talk Is Cheap - Sandy Gaye
21. I Can't Stand It - J.J. Jones
22. Let's Get Funky - Langston & French
23. That's How Much I Love You - Cooper, Eula
24. Black Midnight - J.J. Jones
25. Potters Field - Alice Swoboda

A double-length collection of work from two obscure Atlanta soul labels -- the Tragar and Note imprints, both run by local producer Jesse Jones! Back in the day, Atlanta wasn't nearly as big of an outlet for soul records as it's become in recent years -- so Jones' labels were key in showcasing under-exposed local talent in the city, a range of soul groups, solo singers, and funk combos -- all produced here with a really fresh sound! Nearly every track here is super-obscure -- and there's few southern soul cliches to get in the way of the music -- no overdone blues, no Hotlanta disco, no Muscle Shoals copies -- just honest-to-goodness indie soul at its best -- full of life, vitality, and personality -- all presented with the usual deep-digging Numero look at the artists in the notes. The package features a whopping 50 tracks in all -- one of the biggest Numero collections so far -- and together, they really tell the tale of this crucially overlooked scene -- a key link between more familiar southern styles and rising Northern modes, all with a personality of its own. Titles include "All Because of You" and "Down In The Country" by Tee Fletcher, "The Hump" and "Tipping Strings" by The Knights, "Somebody Got A Help Me" and "Love is So Mean" by Richard Cook, "I'll Show You With Love" by Young Divines, "Watch The Dog That Bring The Bone" by Sandy Gaye, "Messing Around" by Bobby Owens & The Diplomats, "I Think It's Time" by Alice Swoboda, "Black Midnight" by JJ Jones, "That's How Much I Love You" by Eula Cooper, "Let's Get Funky" by Langston & French, "You Got A Spell On Me" by Bill Wright, "Strange Feeling" by Nathan Wilkes, "Shake Daddy Shake" by Eula Cooper, and "Nitecap" by L Daniels.
Dusty Groove

Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves European Tour July 2008


Eli has let me know the following dates:

Hey everybody,

The Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves European tour is finally confirmed! All the dates are up on the myspace page now and more information will be added as it comes for ticket pricing etc...Also stay tuned for another UK show to be added on the 27th of July.

Here's a breakdown of how it will look:

July 15th La Maroquinerie, Paris, France

July 16th The Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

July 17th Dour Festival, Dour, Belgium

July 18th Latitude Festival, Suffolk, UK

July 20th Lovebox London Weekender, Alfresco Stage, London, UK

July 21th Mojo Club at The Arts Theater w/James Hunter, London, UK

July 23th Club Fandango @ 229, London, UK

July 24th London Proud Galleries, London, UK

July 25th King Tut’s, Glasgow, Scotland

July 26th July Gateshead Summetyne Festival, Gateshead, Scotland

Remember to check the festival websites for festival set times and that all the times and prices are subject to change.

See you all soon!

--Eli & The True Loves

Here's a new video from Eli:

Cadillac Zack Blues Band Gigs


Zack, Elmore and Tom Landis at the 2007 Chicago Blues Festival

I've had a message through from e-mate Cadillac Zack:

Hey,

We have a record 6 gigs this week, including one TV performance. I would like to personally invite you to two of the local fun ones.

The first one is this MONDAY'S jam session (for musicians and fans) at:

The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon
18389 Ventura Blvd.

(one block east of Reseda)
Tarzana, CA 91356
TIME: 9 pm to 1:00 am

The next one is for serious blues fans on WEDNESDAY at a fun Philly cheesesteak/hamburger slinging dive bar right near LAX. Last week we had a great turn out with tons of great blues singers including Johnny Tucker, Marguaret Love, Curtis Jack Griffin, Mississippi Bo, Lady GG, Oklahoma Ollie, Sir Stan, Zollie Polk and others.

Bar Melody
Hamburger Joint
9132 S.

Sepulveda Blvd
(three blocks north of LAX, right across the street from In & Out Burger)
Westchester, CA 90045
TIME: 9 pm to 1:00 am

Much love,
Cadillac Zack
www. cadillaczack. com
PS: I'm happy to report that the Elmore James, Jr.

CD I produced for JSP Records is featured in this month's prestigious Living Blues Magazine, where it was given a rave review

Northern Soul 2008


Here is the trailer for the launch of Ian Levine's latest project.

For more videos/tracks and info then drop by his MySpace

Climates Rainin' In Memphis

Climates Rainin' In Memphis Snippets

I realised that I had not tipped this CD before while I was reading a recent interview with Carl "Blue" Wise who produced the CD on the Soul Treasures website.

You can buy a copy from Blue Boy Records direct.

Deep Soul Street

Deep Street Soul Snippets

Deep Street Soul are an Australian band. Check out their MySpace - here's their blurb:

Deepstreetsoul are funk DJ & drummer Sol Loco, bass player & soul aficionado Papa ‘J’ Hunter, Cropper lovin’ Matt ‘Guitars’ Green and queen of the keys, the very groovy Ms. Monique.

Formed in early 06’ with then man of the 6 string Trev D, deepstreetsoul were all about recapturing some old skool southern flavors they’d all DJ’ed over the previous decade. Inspired by the breakout of nu funk throughout Europe & the States (not forgetting Osaka Monaurail and Melbourne’s own - The Bamboos) they hit the clubs.

Starting out with an initial batch of Booker T & Meter’s covers, these quickly morphed into their own set of break filled funk & soul.teaming with local funk legend DJ John Idem & DJ Cassandra ArdQ in early 07, they released their first 45’ getdownHQ/deepstreet strut on their JayCee’s label. The 45’ quickly sold out and saw rotation on stations & mixes worldwide. As a result, a new 45’ loose caboose/nasty was recorded for JayCee’s early 08’ and is due for release in May.

Also slated as a special digital release in June are 3 tracks on local man-about-town Blair Stafford's straightup recordings label.

The band will be touring throughout the rest of 08' bringing their love of sweet soul & funk to the people. dig it.