Funkdefy Brings You ... Eli Paperboy Reed & The True Loves

The sensational soul group returns again! From Boston comes Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves! They will be struttin in to show Columbus what east coast soul is all about. If that is not enough, local newcomers Mojoflo will be throwin down some funk classics to get you warmed up. Jeffro Jam will is their special guest layin down some kickin licks on the Moog. Funkdefy will be behind the scenes, kickin those rare funk-n-soul 45s so your feet don’t stop tappin. This soul shakin event will go down Thursday, October 2nd at Ravari Room for a mere 8 bucks. Get your best pimp outfit on and strut on down!!!

Funkdefy brings you ...
ELI "PAPERBOY" REED & THE TRUE LOVES with MOJOFLO featuring JEFFRO JAM
Thursday, October 2nd
@ Ravari Room
2661 North High Street
next to Hound Dog's Pizza
10pm to 2am
8 bucks

We will see you on the dance floor ... RIGHTEOUS!

UPCOMING FUNKDEFY EVENTS:
10/24 - Funkdefy presents NIGHTMARE STRUT Halloween Party!
11/7 - Funkdefy brings you WILEY & THE CHECKMATES
12/5 - Funkdefy brings you THE DYNAMITES featuring CHARLES WALKER
12/12 - The Godfather of Soul ... A Tribute to JAMES BROWN

Those Were The Days!!!!

Hermon Hitson Live at the Hideout

Hermon Hitson at the Libra Ballroom Decatur, GA

Eli Reed let me know the following:

Hey Guys,

In the course of my digging I just found the CD Ralph "Soul" Jackson recorded of Hermon Hitson's set at the Hideout last summer. This is the first time we ever played with Hermon and it was a blast. I've uploaded the whole set (6 tunes) to sendspace so you can check it out.

Here's the link:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/xw6xrh

I hope we will get the chance to work with Hermon again soon, It's one of my dreams to get in to the studio with him and I'll do my best to make it happen!-Eli

Lattimore Brown

Belatedly apologies for posting Re Kelly's message:

Sir Lattimore needs your help:

http://redkelly.blogspot.com/2008/09/trouble-hes-seen.html

Thanks so much.-red kelly

Please help Lattimore!!!

Leon Ware Interview

Check out an interview with Leon Ware on Soul Music

Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band New 45 on Daptone

Daptone have let me know about a new 45:


Is that the telephone ringing?... Hello?... Oh snap it's Charles Bradley! Oooh, and he's doing his LOVE THING. If Soul is your Goal, you better pick up, because Charles is on your main line, and he definitely can't hold. He's in a way on this record, and it's B-A-D! Phonin', and Moanin, and Groanin' his way back into your heart over one of the nastiest deep soul backing tracks ever cut to wax, courtesy of Dunham's own house sound, Menahan Street Band.

The flipside, Tired Of Fighting, a bold instrumental version gives us another glimpse into the upcoming 'Make The Road By Walking' LP which will be rearing it's head next month from Daptone's youngest and most ornery imprint, Dunham Records. Get it NOW! ...He might not call back!

More details at Daptone

Sam Baker I Believe In You

Paul Mooney mailed me a few weeks ago to tell me about the new Sam Baker release on Soulscape:

Hello,

Just a note to say the SAM BAKER album 'I Believe In You' (Soulscape SSCD 7013) will be out on Monday, September 15th.

It features all of Sam's Sound Stage 7 tracks and has liner notes by John Ridley.

You can read the latest news about Sam Baker on Red Kelly's amazing weblog:

http://redkelly.blogspot.com:80/2008/09/sam-baker-comin-to-bring-you-some-soul.html

And John Ridley's Deep Soul Heaven website has a great feature about Sam:

http://www.sirshambling.com/artists/S/sam_baker.htm

You can order the album now from www.garryjcape.com

Sorry for the delay Paul

Go out and support a fab release!!!

'The Lady James Brown'

Checkout Dan DeLuca's article on Sugar Pie DeSanto for the Philly Inquirer

Aretha, Dionne, Bonnie and Jerry Butler wow at Phila. R&B gala

Sugar Pie DeSanto with Bonnie Raitt

Read about the awards in Dan DeLuca's article for the Philly.com

Prestatyn Legends 10-13th October 2008

Wayne Jackson & Andrew Love in Musicians Hall of Fame

I had a message through from the guys to tell me the news:

October 28th, Wayne & Andrew will be inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame! Says Wayne, “Andrew and I met when we were 22 years old, and since then have been best friends and musical partners. We wrote many songs together, performed on 52 #1 pop records and traveled the world. It has been a fruitful relationship indeed, and now we share a spot in the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville. We’re very proud to be recognized by our peers with this honor.”

Sam Moore Always On My Mind 1994

Best Of Jimmy Hughes

I picked up a message from Rodney Hall:

You can check out some streaming tracks off of the upcoming digitallyremastered Jimmy Hughes release at Jimmy's new myspace...

www.myspace.com/jimmyhughesmusic

also on www.myspace.com/famestudios

On the fame site there is music and a piece of the roundtableinterview with Jimmy, Rick Hall, Norbert Putnam, David Briggs and Spooner Oldham...

Here's the full press release from Fame Records:

Press Release

FAME RECORDS, HOME OF THE ORIGINAL MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND, TO RELAUNCH
WITH HISTORIC REISSUES, NEW RELEASES AND NEVER BEFORE HEARD TRACKS
FROM THE VAULT, VIA EMI DISTRIBUTION

FIRST RELEASE `THE BEST OF JIMMY HUGHES' DUE OUT OCTOBER 28, INCLUDES
MANY TRACKS AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Fame Records, the original home of The Muscle Shoals Sound, will release its first catalog collection in over thirty years this fall. The label, sister company to the world famous FAME Recording Studios founded by Rick Hall in 1959, plans to release historic reissues, new
recordings, and never-before-heard tracks from its extensive archives, via a new arrangement with EMI Distribution Co.

The first release from the reinvigorated FAME label `The Best of Jimmy Hughes,' is an eighteen -track collection from the archetypal soul singer, coming out October, 28, 2008. Rodney Hall, vice-president of FAME Records and son of Rick Hall, said "It's been nearly fifty years since my father built FAME Studios, and the music made here is more influential now than ever. Our mission with FAME Records is to keep the legacy of this essential American
music alive, and show the world that Muscle Shoals still thrives as a music mecca today."

`The Best of Jimmy Hughes' is a fitting inaugural release for FAME. Hughes' signature hit, 1964's "Steal Away," was the first song recorded at FAME'S hallowed Avalon Avenue studios location, and the first release on the original FAME label. And though he retired from
recording in the mid- 70's, Hughes still lives near Muscle Shoals and sings in church most Sundays.

`The Best of Jimmy Hughes' features all seven of his charting singles, and sixteen of the eighteen tracks on the collection are being made available for the first time in the digital age. Extras include an essay by renowned record producer Rick Hall, and a roundtable discussion with Hughes and Hall, and several legendary Muscle Shoals musicians - Norbert Putnam, Spooner Oldham, Jerry Carrigan, Peanut Montgomery and David Briggs - which fans can access as a bonus mp3 when they purchase the album. ABOUT FAME: Located at the crossroads of country, rock and soul, FAME was founded in 1959, in Florence, AL (FAME is an acronym for Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) as a publishing company. In 1960, Rick Hall moved the facility across the Tennessee River, to Muscle Shoals, AL. Since then, FAME has earned worldwide renown as the birthplace of The Muscle Shoals Sound hosting such music titans as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Duane Allman, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, Little Richard and many others. The studio remains a destination facility to this day, and last year Bettye Lavette and Heartland released Grammy-nominated albums recorded at FAME. Hall founded FAME Records in 1964 as an outgrowth of the studio and released music by soul legends Candi Staton, Dan Penn, Clarence Carter, Arthur Conley, The FAME Gang and many others before mothballing the label in 1976. FAME Publishing has earned multiple Song of Year awards from The Grammys, ASCAP and others, and published songs recorded by country superstars such as Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride and Alabama. Songs recorded or published by FAME have sold over 300 million copies worldwide. FAME Recording Studios, FAME Records, FAME Publishing, House of Fame and Muscle Shoals Records are members of the Muscle Shoals Music Group.

For more information please contact Matt Hanks (mhanks@shorefire.com)
or Nick Loss-Eaton (nlosseaton@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media –
718.522.7171

Jimmy Guilford New Cuts

I had a message through from Jon Dembroski:

First of two cuts to be released (on vynil 45!!) "Antibiotic L O V E" can be previewed on my myspace page. The second cut is call "Ava" and is a little more modern sounding than the A side and I'll have it up in a day or two. When the artwork for the jacket etc is done I will let everyone know how to order the 45rpms. They should ship in a couple of weeks. Of course, we will have it up digitally on CDBaby and all rest of the usual outlets.

www.myspace.com/specktron

John Lee Hooker Jr. Takes Off for Europe

Pictured from left to right: rocker Lenny Kravitz and bluesman, John Lee Hooker, Jr. seen recently at the Pistoria Blues festival in Italy.On the heels of the successful release of his third CD, " All Odds Against Me," Grammy nominated blues artist and son of blues legend, John Lee Hooker, John Lee Hooker, Jr. heads to Europe, Turkey and Russia to wow audiences overseas with his special brand of blues flavor.

A blues superhero, as portrayed in his animated video release "Blues Ain't Nothin' But A Pimp" Hooker Jr. has successfully captured the attention of audiences internationally. The video animation, from Frenchman Laurent Mercier at the Callicore Animation Studios in Paris, has served to bridge the generational gap between the blues and hip hop audiences.

The video is the first of three to be released in 2008 and is included free on his enhanced CD. It can also be viewed on the web at www.JohnLeeHookerJr.com .

O2 Celebrating New Orleans Music and Culture in London 24 & 25 October 2008

Checkout one the forthcoming UK highlights of the fall here:

http://www.theo2.co.uk/inside/festival-new-orleans.html

The unmistakable sounds, sights, tastes and styles of New Orleans are set to descend on London later this year when, for two days in October, The O2 will become home to Festival New Orleans. Coinciding with the New Orleans Saints' official NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Wembley, London is preparing for one of the largest ever celebrations of New Orleans music and culture outside of Louisiana and the USA.

As well as performances from over 20 bands and musicians direct from New Orleans free undercover two day event will feature Louisiana food demonstrations, the Mardis Gras Indians and a host of authentic New Orleans attractions, including a recreation of the French Quarter's famous Bourbon Street.

The O2 will present music, performance arts, dancing, traditional New Orleans style cuisine and more besides across three stages and one performance area.

Artist line up: Dr John, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco, BeauSoliel avec Michael Doucet, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins and The Barbecue Swingers, Marcia Ball, John Mooney and Bluesiana, The Annointed Jackson Sisters, New Birth Brass Band, Big Chief Monk Bordreaux, Apache Hunters and Hardhead Hunters Mardi Gras Indian Tribes, Young Men Olympia Untouchables Social Aid and Pleasure Club, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Rhythm Section.

Eli Reed & True Loves US Tour

I am a bit late with this because Eli and the guys have already kicked off their latest US/Canadian tour but here goes!!

If you haven't seen all the dates up on the myspace page, I thought I'd post to let you all know that Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves have begun our massive 5 week North American tour! It's going well so far with a great show last night at the Rock 'n Roll Hotel in Washington DC. For now we're headed south but we will hit pretty much every area of the country between now and the end of October. The last half of the tour will be supporting Duffy on her first American tour!

Check out the list of dates below and hopefully we'll see you in your
town soon!

9.30.08 Off Broadway, St. Louis MO
10.01.08 Birdy's, Indianapolis IN
10.02.08 Ravari Room, Columbus OH
10.03.08 Phoenix Hill Tavern, Louisville KY
10.04.08 Blues City Cafe, Memphis TN
10.06.08 The Launchpad, Albuquerque NM
10.08.08 Beauty Bar, Las Vegas NV
10.09.08 Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay w/Duffy, San Diego CA
10.10.08 The Orpheum w/Duffy (Night 1), Los Angeles CA
10.11.08 The Orpheum w/Duffy (Night 2), Los Angeles CA
10.12.08 The Continental Room, Fullerton CA
10.16.08 The Orpheum Theater w/Duffy, Vancouver, CN
10.17.08 Showbox SoDo w/Duffy, Seattle WA
10.20.08 The Riviera w/Duffy, Chicago IL
10.22.08 Webster Hall w/Duffy, New York NY
10.24.08 The Metropolis w/Duffy, Montreal QC

Sam & Dave I Take What I Want 1969

I can never get enough of the guys!!!!

O.V. Wright Night 15/11/08 @ Ground Zero Blues Club Memphis

My friend Red Kelly of Soul Detective blog has let me know of the above special event:

Yes indeed, tickets for our long awaited gala fundraiser, O.V. Wright Night, are now available right here online! The concert will be held at the Ground Zero Blues Club in Memphis at 8pm on Saturday, November 15th. It will feature the music of O.V. performed by the musicians who were there with him on most of his incredible recordings, the legendary Hi Rhythm, along with a host of special guests handling the vocals. More details will follow on the line-up as they become available. We're working on it...

Keep in touch and purchase tickets from here:

http://www.ovwright.org/

Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival 9-11 October 2008

This year's festival includes The Champions of R&B with Earl Gaines, Charles Walker, Johnny Jones, Al Garner et James Nixon, Carl Weathersby. There is also the Severn Records 10th Anniversary Soul & Blues Revue with Lou Pride, Darrell Nulisch and Tad Robinson.

See the full line-up here:

http://www.bluesandheritagefest.net/2008%20lineup.html

Richard "Popcorn " Wylie RIP

Yet another sad loss during this month was the legendary Popcorn Wylie whose name was synonmous with some the classic Detroit sides of the 60's.

I will be back with an audio tribute to the man at a later date.

Popcorn Wylie RIP

Connie Haines RIP

Connie Haines What's Easy For Two Is So Hard For One Motown

Connie Haines is best remembered in soul circles for her one-off recording for Motown. Sadly she died a few weeks ago.

Connie Haines, a peppy, petite, big-voiced singer with a zippy, rhythmic style who most famously teamed up with Frank Sinatra as lead vocalists with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, then went on to a prolific career of her own, died on Monday in Clearwater Beach, Fla. She was 87.

Read the full obituary here:

Connie Haines RIP

Earl Palmer RIP

Sadly, a number of artists have died over the last month including Earl Palmer.

Earl Palmer, who died on Friday aged 84, was a session drummer whose subtle pioneering backbeats featured on many of the R&B classics of his day.
An ever-adaptable, jazz-rooted drummer esteemed by Shelly Manne and Charlie Watts, Palmer made a distinctive contribution to innumerable records, among them Nat Cole's Ramblin' Rose, Little Richard's Tutti Frutti, Elvis Costello's King of America, the Righteous Brothers' You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' and Ike and Tina Turner's River Deep, Mountain High.

Other artists who used him were the Beach Boys, Neil Young, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, and Barbra Streisand. He also contributed to a number of film soundtracks, such as In the Heat of the Night (1967) and Bullitt (1968).

Read the full obituary here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/3042987/Earl-Palmer.html

The End Of Vigon

Just picked up more details from the Dark End Of The Street forum on the Vigon CD on Barclays/Universal due out soon:

Chronique de 50 secondes dans "L'album de la semaine" mardi 30 septembre sur Canal + A 18h10 EN CLAIR !

A voir des maintenant sur :

http://www.canalplus.fr/c-musique/pid1790-c-la-selection-de-stephane.html

En concert au CIDISC les 11&12 octobre ainsi qu'au Petit Journal Montparnasse le 15 octobre."The End of Vigon" (Barclay/Universal)

Boogaloo Assassins @ The Mint LA 3/10/08

Check out more on the Boogaloo Assassins in a previous post

Back After A Month Away

I apologise to all my readers for being away for too long!!!

Over the last year, I have been involved in a collaboration with 2 friends Peter Appleton and Simon Thorne on an art installation in Liverpool called the Hope Street Project. The last month has been extremely hectic as we pulled together all the strands of the installation for the launch last week. Unfortunately, IDR has suffered as a consequence of all this activity!!

You can find out more details of the installation here:


http://www.hopestreetproject.blogspot.com/

Soul Children Feature On Soul Express

Heikki Suosalo has sent me a message this AM:

Hi!

For me the Soul Children was one of the most impressive acts on Stax.
That's why I was delighted, when they visited our country in July,
which also gave me a chance to interview both the original members (J.
Blackfoot and Norman West), and the new members (Ann Hines and
Cassandra Graham).

They are featured and the story of the group is told at

http://www.soulexpress.net/soulchildren.htm


Best regards
Heikki

Get over there because it is a great read!