Old records from the Vinyl Vault.....The best of the rarest.
Johnny Williams "Slow Motion" (1971)
This song was also featured in the 2007 movie "Pride" starring Terrence Howard and the late Bernie Mac.
"Let Em' In" Billy Paul (1976)
Phily Soul's cover version of the Paul McCartney & Wings song.
"Cooling Out" by Jerry Butler (1978)
"Don't Let Love Get You Down" by Archie Bell and the Drells (1977)
"Day of Peace" by Love Committee
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Disco Saturday: In Memoriam
Get ready for a lot of music for one blog entry!
This is the "Disco Saturday" Memorial Day weekend edition where we remember the dearly departed performers who's sounds graced the dance floors and whos music will live on forever. Some of the performers we lost recently. So lets remember them and enjoy the music and the memories. No notes, just enjoy the music and remember.
There is a lot here but throughout the weekend I may add more, so stay tuned.
LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY (November 5, 1946 – March 21, 2011)
"Dreamin" (1976)
"Love Sensation"
"Runaway" by The Salsoul Orchestra featuring Loleatta Holloway
"Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch featured Loleatta's vocals. The hit song in the early 1990's helped revive her career for a while.
DAN HARTMAN (December 8, 1950—March 22, 1994)
"Vertigo/Relight My Fire" featuring the vocals of the late Loleatta Holloway
"Instant Replay"
"Just For Fun"
ALTON McCLAIN AND DESTINY "It Must Be Love" (1979)
The group was short lived, only together from 1978 to 1981. Delores Warren of the group died in 1985 at the age of 32. Alton McClain-Scarborough continues as a gospel singer today
CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR
"Dreaming A Dream" (1975)
Bert Reid of the group died in 2004 at the age of 48
EDWIN STARR
(January 21, 1942 – April 2, 2003)
"Contact" (1978)
"H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" (1979)
ESTHER PHILLIPS
(December 23, 1935 – August 7, 1984)
"What A Difference A Day Makes" (1975)
TEENA MARIE(March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010)
"I Need Your Lovin" (1980)
"Square Biz" (1981)
"Lovergirl" (1984)
"Behind The Groove" (1980)
"It Must Be Magic" (1981)
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS
"Baby Don't Change Your Mind" (1976)
IN memory of Edward "Eddie" Roy Patten, one of THE PIPS and Gladys' cousin.
(August 27, 1939 – February 25, 2005)
THE FOUR TOPS
Levi Stubbles (June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008)
Renaldo "Obie" Benson (June 14, 1936 – July 1, 2005)
Lawrence Payton (March 2, 1938 – June 20, 1997)
"Catfish" (1976)
SYLVESTER
Sylvester James (September 6, 1947 – December 16, 1988)
"You Make Me Feel Mighty Real"
"Dance (Disco Heat)"
"Someone Like You"
"Don't Stop"
"I Need You"
Sylvester is missed greatly, but with him in Disco heaven is Izora Rhodes Armstead (July 6, 1942 – September 16, 2004) One of Sylvester's backup singers as "Two Tons O Fun" and later "The Weather Girls"
"I Got The Feeling" by Two Tons O Fun
"Make Someone Feel Happy Today" by Two Tons O' Fun
"It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls
"Don't Let Love Slip Away" by Izora Rhodes Armstead
VICKI SUE ROBINSON (May 31, 1954 – April 27, 2000)
"Turn The Beat Around"
"Daylight"
MCFADDEN & WHITEHEAD
Gene McFadden and John Whitehead, songwriters and producers from Gamble & Huff's famed Philadelphia International. They had one major hit song of their own and produced many for the disco turntables.
"Ain't No Stopping Us Now"
Songs written by McFadden & Whitehead that were popular in the disco era. Some were not huge hits but they fit nicely in between the heaviest of the dance tunes from the era.
"Bad Luck" by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes featuring vocals from the late Teddy Pendergrass. (1975)
"Lets Groove" by Archie Bell and the Drells
"Let's Go Disco" by Archie Bell and the Drells
"The More I Get The MOre I Want" by Teddy Pendergrass
"Let Life Flow" by The O'Jays
We lost http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Redd at the age of 46 in 1992. She had better success as a backup singer than with her own solo work but she did leave us with a couple dance club classics.
"Can You Handle It" (1980)
"Love Is Gonna Get Ya"
"I'll Never Give You Up" (1982)
By the time disco was declared "dead" in the early 1980's, the beat continued. Disco never really died. It evolved and thrived.
There is so much more I could post but its time to close this out So last but never least, the forever and always Diva in this blogger's heart, PHYLLIS HYMAN. Who could get you do to the dance floor and back to an intimate candlelight setting with the greatest of class.
"You Know How To Love Me"
"How Long (Has this been going on)"
"Loving You, Losing You" (1977)
And that is enough Disco for "Disco Saturday" to carry you through the weekend. I told you this blog post would include a lot of music. With loving memory to the performers posted today and many that were not posted. They may be gone but will never be forgotten. Their music and original pure talent will always live on with Pride and Soul.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend here in the United States. And especially sending love and respect to the members of our United States Armed Forces, those who are dearly departed and who are currently serving. For this Memorial Day holiday was created in your honor.
Lest we forget.
"Heroes" by The Commodores, a tribute to our US Military.
This is the "Disco Saturday" Memorial Day weekend edition where we remember the dearly departed performers who's sounds graced the dance floors and whos music will live on forever. Some of the performers we lost recently. So lets remember them and enjoy the music and the memories. No notes, just enjoy the music and remember.
There is a lot here but throughout the weekend I may add more, so stay tuned.
LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY (November 5, 1946 – March 21, 2011)
"Dreamin" (1976)
"Love Sensation"
"Runaway" by The Salsoul Orchestra featuring Loleatta Holloway
"Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch featured Loleatta's vocals. The hit song in the early 1990's helped revive her career for a while.
DAN HARTMAN (December 8, 1950—March 22, 1994)
"Vertigo/Relight My Fire" featuring the vocals of the late Loleatta Holloway
"Instant Replay"
"Just For Fun"
ALTON McCLAIN AND DESTINY "It Must Be Love" (1979)
The group was short lived, only together from 1978 to 1981. Delores Warren of the group died in 1985 at the age of 32. Alton McClain-Scarborough continues as a gospel singer today
CROWN HEIGHTS AFFAIR
"Dreaming A Dream" (1975)
Bert Reid of the group died in 2004 at the age of 48
EDWIN STARR
(January 21, 1942 – April 2, 2003)
"Contact" (1978)
"H.A.P.P.Y. Radio" (1979)
ESTHER PHILLIPS
(December 23, 1935 – August 7, 1984)
"What A Difference A Day Makes" (1975)
TEENA MARIE(March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010)
"I Need Your Lovin" (1980)
"Square Biz" (1981)
"Lovergirl" (1984)
"Behind The Groove" (1980)
"It Must Be Magic" (1981)
GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS
"Baby Don't Change Your Mind" (1976)
IN memory of Edward "Eddie" Roy Patten, one of THE PIPS and Gladys' cousin.
(August 27, 1939 – February 25, 2005)
THE FOUR TOPS
Levi Stubbles (June 6, 1936 – October 17, 2008)
Renaldo "Obie" Benson (June 14, 1936 – July 1, 2005)
Lawrence Payton (March 2, 1938 – June 20, 1997)
"Catfish" (1976)
SYLVESTER
Sylvester James (September 6, 1947 – December 16, 1988)
"You Make Me Feel Mighty Real"
"Dance (Disco Heat)"
"Someone Like You"
"Don't Stop"
"I Need You"
Sylvester is missed greatly, but with him in Disco heaven is Izora Rhodes Armstead (July 6, 1942 – September 16, 2004) One of Sylvester's backup singers as "Two Tons O Fun" and later "The Weather Girls"
"I Got The Feeling" by Two Tons O Fun
"Make Someone Feel Happy Today" by Two Tons O' Fun
"It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls
"Don't Let Love Slip Away" by Izora Rhodes Armstead
VICKI SUE ROBINSON (May 31, 1954 – April 27, 2000)
"Turn The Beat Around"
"Daylight"
MCFADDEN & WHITEHEAD
Gene McFadden and John Whitehead, songwriters and producers from Gamble & Huff's famed Philadelphia International. They had one major hit song of their own and produced many for the disco turntables.
"Ain't No Stopping Us Now"
Songs written by McFadden & Whitehead that were popular in the disco era. Some were not huge hits but they fit nicely in between the heaviest of the dance tunes from the era.
"Bad Luck" by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes featuring vocals from the late Teddy Pendergrass. (1975)
"Lets Groove" by Archie Bell and the Drells
"Let's Go Disco" by Archie Bell and the Drells
"The More I Get The MOre I Want" by Teddy Pendergrass
"Let Life Flow" by The O'Jays
We lost http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Redd at the age of 46 in 1992. She had better success as a backup singer than with her own solo work but she did leave us with a couple dance club classics.
"Can You Handle It" (1980)
"Love Is Gonna Get Ya"
"I'll Never Give You Up" (1982)
By the time disco was declared "dead" in the early 1980's, the beat continued. Disco never really died. It evolved and thrived.
There is so much more I could post but its time to close this out So last but never least, the forever and always Diva in this blogger's heart, PHYLLIS HYMAN. Who could get you do to the dance floor and back to an intimate candlelight setting with the greatest of class.
"You Know How To Love Me"
"How Long (Has this been going on)"
"Loving You, Losing You" (1977)
And that is enough Disco for "Disco Saturday" to carry you through the weekend. I told you this blog post would include a lot of music. With loving memory to the performers posted today and many that were not posted. They may be gone but will never be forgotten. Their music and original pure talent will always live on with Pride and Soul.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend here in the United States. And especially sending love and respect to the members of our United States Armed Forces, those who are dearly departed and who are currently serving. For this Memorial Day holiday was created in your honor.
Lest we forget.
"Heroes" by The Commodores, a tribute to our US Military.
Happy Birthday Gladys Knight
Happy Birthday to The Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight, born May 28, 1944.
And here are a couple of my favorites that you likely wont hear anywhere else.
"Lovin on Next To Nothing"
"Baby Don't Change Your Mind"
"Friendship Train"
"No One Can Love You More"
"Letter Full of Tears" (1961)
And here are a couple of my favorites that you likely wont hear anywhere else.
"Lovin on Next To Nothing"
"Baby Don't Change Your Mind"
"Friendship Train"
"No One Can Love You More"
"Letter Full of Tears" (1961)
Gil Scott-Heron (1949-2011)
Gil Scott-Heron died on Friday May 27th at the age of 62. (News Article from Georgia Public Broadcasting)
I grew up around a soul music radio station at a time when you pretty much played whatever you want. Unlike todays limited playlist programmed crap that poses for radio in most of the US. And the people I knew who were Disc Jockeys at that station became legends for the region, they were just like the Frankie Crockers of NY and Herb Kents of Chicago.
I say that because at that time growing up I was exposed to recordings from people like Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets and the deepest album cuts from a Curtis Mayfield, James Brown or family friend Isaac Hayes. The kind of stuff that wasn't "mainstream" and many would call radical today. But oh was there some talent and a sense of pride in those records. They didn't promote violence or drug use but they admitted that those were REAL problems in the neighborhood. And the real true talent of REAL musicians.
Even though Scott-Heron had problems in his personal life, he was true to his form of art. And yes he does leave a legacy. A STRONG LEGACY.
Rest IN Peace Gil Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949-May 27, 2011)
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
"The Bottle"
I grew up around a soul music radio station at a time when you pretty much played whatever you want. Unlike todays limited playlist programmed crap that poses for radio in most of the US. And the people I knew who were Disc Jockeys at that station became legends for the region, they were just like the Frankie Crockers of NY and Herb Kents of Chicago.
I say that because at that time growing up I was exposed to recordings from people like Gil Scott-Heron, The Last Poets and the deepest album cuts from a Curtis Mayfield, James Brown or family friend Isaac Hayes. The kind of stuff that wasn't "mainstream" and many would call radical today. But oh was there some talent and a sense of pride in those records. They didn't promote violence or drug use but they admitted that those were REAL problems in the neighborhood. And the real true talent of REAL musicians.
Even though Scott-Heron had problems in his personal life, he was true to his form of art. And yes he does leave a legacy. A STRONG LEGACY.
Rest IN Peace Gil Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949-May 27, 2011)
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"
"The Bottle"
Friday, May 27, 2011
Ramsey Emanuel Lewis
Sending out Birthday greetings to jazz great Ramsey Lewis, born May 17, 1935.
Here are some great jazz selections for this start of the Memorial Day weekend 2011. May your weekend be a great one.
"Sun Goddess" by Ramsey Lewis
Title track from the 1974 album
Featuring Earth Wind & Fire
"Maiden Voyage" (1968)
"Les Fleurs" (original)
"The In Crowd" (1965)
"Brazilica" (1975)
"Skippin" (1977)
Here are some great jazz selections for this start of the Memorial Day weekend 2011. May your weekend be a great one.
"Sun Goddess" by Ramsey Lewis
Title track from the 1974 album
Featuring Earth Wind & Fire
"Maiden Voyage" (1968)
"Les Fleurs" (original)
"The In Crowd" (1965)
"Brazilica" (1975)
"Skippin" (1977)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
May 24: Birthday celebration and heartbreaking loss
In the world of music, May 24 holds a lot of birthday legends but in 2001 music history in Georgia took a huge hit.
The Georgia Music Hall Of Fame museum in Macon Georgia announced that it will close permanently on June 12th. The news of this loss is heartbreaking to some in the local community (including me) and a major blow in the preservation of music history in the state of Georgia and beyond. I will have more to say about this loss in future blogs.
Here is video from when the facility opened in 1996
On a brighter note, there were many birthdays in the world of music for May 24th.
Robert Zimmerman, known and loved as "Bob Dylan" was born 70 years ago on May 24th.
"Like A Rolling Stone"
Regardless of your favorite genre in music, Bob Dylan deserves much respect for his music touched many genre's and artists.
Like this original Bob Dylan song "Forever Young"
"Forever Young" is one of the many Bob Dylan songs that were covered by other artists, including PATTI LABELLE, who also shares a birthday with Bob Dylan, born just 3 years later on May 24th in 1944.
More on Patti Labelle's birthday later.
Another of my favorite Bob Dylan classics is "Knocking On Heaven's Door" from 1973
This was also covered by many including Macon Georgia native RANDY CRAWFORD
(Dedicated to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame 1996-2011)
So as mentioned above, May 24th is also the birthday of Patricia Louise Holte, known and love again as PATTI LABELLE, and she turned 67 and is still going strong.
The Pride and Soul Blog will do a "Soul Salute" for Miss Patti at a later date. So much going on this week. But Miss Patti isn't going anyway. Thankfully we will have her around to love for many years to come. Happy Birthday Patti Labelle!
Here is one of her classic slow jams from the 1980's "Love Need And Want You"
One day another Soul Salute will have to include the great group CAMEO and its leader LARRY BLACKMON, who was born 55 years ago on May 24th.
"Back and Forth" by Cameo
And finally, we celebrate the birthday of Roseanne Cash, daughter of Johnny and born May 24, 1955.
Just listening to music can make a day go smoothly or can heal wounds. Today the region where I live was wounded by the loss of our state's Music Hall of Fame. If you have such an entity in your area YOU MUST SUPPORT IT in every way possible. Don't just talk about it but DO IT. If you love music then respect it by supporting and preserving it. Please don't let happen to you what has happened to Georgia's music history today.
The Georgia Music Hall Of Fame museum in Macon Georgia announced that it will close permanently on June 12th. The news of this loss is heartbreaking to some in the local community (including me) and a major blow in the preservation of music history in the state of Georgia and beyond. I will have more to say about this loss in future blogs.
Here is video from when the facility opened in 1996
On a brighter note, there were many birthdays in the world of music for May 24th.
Robert Zimmerman, known and loved as "Bob Dylan" was born 70 years ago on May 24th.
"Like A Rolling Stone"
Regardless of your favorite genre in music, Bob Dylan deserves much respect for his music touched many genre's and artists.
Like this original Bob Dylan song "Forever Young"
"Forever Young" is one of the many Bob Dylan songs that were covered by other artists, including PATTI LABELLE, who also shares a birthday with Bob Dylan, born just 3 years later on May 24th in 1944.
More on Patti Labelle's birthday later.
Another of my favorite Bob Dylan classics is "Knocking On Heaven's Door" from 1973
This was also covered by many including Macon Georgia native RANDY CRAWFORD
(Dedicated to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame 1996-2011)
So as mentioned above, May 24th is also the birthday of Patricia Louise Holte, known and love again as PATTI LABELLE, and she turned 67 and is still going strong.
The Pride and Soul Blog will do a "Soul Salute" for Miss Patti at a later date. So much going on this week. But Miss Patti isn't going anyway. Thankfully we will have her around to love for many years to come. Happy Birthday Patti Labelle!
Here is one of her classic slow jams from the 1980's "Love Need And Want You"
One day another Soul Salute will have to include the great group CAMEO and its leader LARRY BLACKMON, who was born 55 years ago on May 24th.
"Back and Forth" by Cameo
And finally, we celebrate the birthday of Roseanne Cash, daughter of Johnny and born May 24, 1955.
Just listening to music can make a day go smoothly or can heal wounds. Today the region where I live was wounded by the loss of our state's Music Hall of Fame. If you have such an entity in your area YOU MUST SUPPORT IT in every way possible. Don't just talk about it but DO IT. If you love music then respect it by supporting and preserving it. Please don't let happen to you what has happened to Georgia's music history today.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Soul Salute: What's Going On 40 years!
May 21, 2011 marked the 40th anniversary of the release of a masterpiece. The legendary album "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye. The single was released a few months before the album and oh when the album came out, the world was graced with the genius of Marvin Gaye. Every song perfectly orchestrated and worded for the times and still relevant to today.
I shudder to think about how Motown's leader Berry Gordy was against this album because it wasn't made of the traditonal Motown formula where the artist's own creativity and ideas were shunned. If Berry had his way, we would have never heard this. But thankfully this was also a time when Motown's stars were beginning to fight for their freedom of expression and Berry Gordy's era of the famous "Motown Sound" of the 1960's was coming to an end. With the release of this album, change was definitely good.
Listen to as much as the album as you can and feel the greatness, listen to the words and the orchestration of Motown's fabulous FUNK BROTHERS who after a decade of mega success creating the "Motown Sound" would finally get album credit for their contributions.
"What's Happening Brother"
"Flying High In The Friendly Sky"
"Save The Children"
"God Is Love" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"
"Mercy Mercy Me" closed out Side A of the album which flowed like fine wine in a medley from "What's Happening Brother" to the final notes of the Ecology. Side A was this album's way of telling life's story in a time of social consience, war and dispair. Side A was a perfect package.
Now flip over the album and you'll experience hanging out with your finest folks, getting spiritual and later throwing up your hands, all due to the reality of life.
"Right On"
"Wholly Holy"
And finally, "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
The album had three successful singles, the title track, "Mercy Mercy Me" and "Inner City Blues". All three singles reached the top 10 of the pop music charts in the United States and all three singles reached number one on the Soul/R&B charts. The album also topped the album charts and would become both Marvin Gaye and Motown's biggest selling album until the release of Marvin's "Let's Get it On" in 1973.
"What's Going On" was critically acclaimed by numerous music publications yet this masterpiece was never nominated for or recieved any awards during Marvin Gaye's life. Not until after his death in 1984 was this album recognized by various organizations and publications including Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest albums of all time, where the album has frequently ranked in the top 5. But sadly, Marvin Gaye's only grammy award would be for "Sexual Healing" some 12 years after his album that most deserved at least a nomination was released.
There have been many "collectors" editions and reissues of the album, mostly Motown's way of recycling and capitalizing on a project that their founder Berry Gordy nearly killed. This blogger has the utmost respect for the album and the legendary performers who helped to create it. But has little respect for the company that mistreats its greatest gem.
Whenever anyone has asked me, Edric Floyd what is the all-time favorite album in my collection. And my immediate answer is documented here on THIS blog post. "What's Going On" will always be my number one answer.
I shudder to think about how Motown's leader Berry Gordy was against this album because it wasn't made of the traditonal Motown formula where the artist's own creativity and ideas were shunned. If Berry had his way, we would have never heard this. But thankfully this was also a time when Motown's stars were beginning to fight for their freedom of expression and Berry Gordy's era of the famous "Motown Sound" of the 1960's was coming to an end. With the release of this album, change was definitely good.
Listen to as much as the album as you can and feel the greatness, listen to the words and the orchestration of Motown's fabulous FUNK BROTHERS who after a decade of mega success creating the "Motown Sound" would finally get album credit for their contributions.
"What's Happening Brother"
"Flying High In The Friendly Sky"
"Save The Children"
"God Is Love" and "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)"
"Mercy Mercy Me" closed out Side A of the album which flowed like fine wine in a medley from "What's Happening Brother" to the final notes of the Ecology. Side A was this album's way of telling life's story in a time of social consience, war and dispair. Side A was a perfect package.
Now flip over the album and you'll experience hanging out with your finest folks, getting spiritual and later throwing up your hands, all due to the reality of life.
"Right On"
"Wholly Holy"
And finally, "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
The album had three successful singles, the title track, "Mercy Mercy Me" and "Inner City Blues". All three singles reached the top 10 of the pop music charts in the United States and all three singles reached number one on the Soul/R&B charts. The album also topped the album charts and would become both Marvin Gaye and Motown's biggest selling album until the release of Marvin's "Let's Get it On" in 1973.
"What's Going On" was critically acclaimed by numerous music publications yet this masterpiece was never nominated for or recieved any awards during Marvin Gaye's life. Not until after his death in 1984 was this album recognized by various organizations and publications including Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest albums of all time, where the album has frequently ranked in the top 5. But sadly, Marvin Gaye's only grammy award would be for "Sexual Healing" some 12 years after his album that most deserved at least a nomination was released.
There have been many "collectors" editions and reissues of the album, mostly Motown's way of recycling and capitalizing on a project that their founder Berry Gordy nearly killed. This blogger has the utmost respect for the album and the legendary performers who helped to create it. But has little respect for the company that mistreats its greatest gem.
Whenever anyone has asked me, Edric Floyd what is the all-time favorite album in my collection. And my immediate answer is documented here on THIS blog post. "What's Going On" will always be my number one answer.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Disco Saturday Rapture 2011
Well there is talk about May 21st being the time of Rapture, the end of the world as we know it. But not before you get your Disco on!
Might as well start with "Rapture"
So if the Rapture happens and people begin floating upward, will some land on the moon?
"Float On" by The Floaters
"How High The Moon" by Gloria Gaynor
Before the rapture is complete lets celebrate the birthday of "Butch" Tavares, born May 18, 1948. He is one of the Tavares brothers who had some of our favorite Disco tunes. And even though the world may end tonight, we don't want you to take away our music.
"Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel"
It's also GRACE JONES birthday this week, born one day after Butch Tavares on May 19, 1948
"Slave to the Rhythm" (1985)
"La Vie En Rose" (1977)
Also celebrating a birthday this week is CHER and here is her disco hit "take Me Home" from 1979
And Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers celebrates his 70th birthday on May 21st.
Now that we got the birthdays and the Rapture issue covered, how about we just GET DOWN to some disco business! Dance you ass off to these party people! If it really is the end of the world you might as well go out with a groove.
Gino Soccio
Hamilton Bohannon "Lets Start The Dance"
And finally, just in case this is the last day, lets walk on some sunshine.
Central Line
And that is the Pride And Soul "Disco Saturday" for Rapture day 2011. Next week (if we have one LOL) we will have a special Memorial Day edition honoring the dearly departed Disco greats. Thanks for visiting!
Might as well start with "Rapture"
So if the Rapture happens and people begin floating upward, will some land on the moon?
"Float On" by The Floaters
"How High The Moon" by Gloria Gaynor
Before the rapture is complete lets celebrate the birthday of "Butch" Tavares, born May 18, 1948. He is one of the Tavares brothers who had some of our favorite Disco tunes. And even though the world may end tonight, we don't want you to take away our music.
"Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel"
It's also GRACE JONES birthday this week, born one day after Butch Tavares on May 19, 1948
"Slave to the Rhythm" (1985)
"La Vie En Rose" (1977)
Also celebrating a birthday this week is CHER and here is her disco hit "take Me Home" from 1979
And Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers celebrates his 70th birthday on May 21st.
Now that we got the birthdays and the Rapture issue covered, how about we just GET DOWN to some disco business! Dance you ass off to these party people! If it really is the end of the world you might as well go out with a groove.
Gino Soccio
Hamilton Bohannon "Lets Start The Dance"
And finally, just in case this is the last day, lets walk on some sunshine.
Central Line
And that is the Pride And Soul "Disco Saturday" for Rapture day 2011. Next week (if we have one LOL) we will have a special Memorial Day edition honoring the dearly departed Disco greats. Thanks for visiting!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Soul Salute: Shorty Long
Today's SOUL SALUTE honors Shorty Long.
Frederick Earl "Shorty Long" was born May 20, 1940 in Birmingham Alabama and like many from Alabama moved to Detroit where he would record for the Motown organization to mild success through the mid 1960's.
One of his first recordings was in 1964 "Devil In a Blue Dress", a slow tempo song that did not chart nationally, a more uptempo recording by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels would find great success in 1966.
Here is Shorty Long's version.
Shorty Long's two biggest hit songs were his own compositions.
"Function At The Junction" from 1966
And his biggest hit, "Here Come the Judge" from 1968. Inspired by a comedy skit on the television show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh In"
What was unusual for Shorty Long is that at that time only he and Smokey Robinson were allowed to write and produce their own material which was something other artists with Motown had to fight for their own careers with the label going into the 1970's. But with Berry Gordy's tight grip on Motown's operation procedures, Shorty Long was also one of the Motown artists that didn't get a fair amount of promotional support from the company compared to Motown's more famous artists.
Tragically we lost Shorty Long when both he and a friend drowned in a boating accident in the Detroit River on June 29, 1969. He was only 29 years old.
Frederick Earl "Shorty Long" was born May 20, 1940 in Birmingham Alabama and like many from Alabama moved to Detroit where he would record for the Motown organization to mild success through the mid 1960's.
One of his first recordings was in 1964 "Devil In a Blue Dress", a slow tempo song that did not chart nationally, a more uptempo recording by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels would find great success in 1966.
Here is Shorty Long's version.
Shorty Long's two biggest hit songs were his own compositions.
"Function At The Junction" from 1966
And his biggest hit, "Here Come the Judge" from 1968. Inspired by a comedy skit on the television show "Rowan & Martin's Laugh In"
What was unusual for Shorty Long is that at that time only he and Smokey Robinson were allowed to write and produce their own material which was something other artists with Motown had to fight for their own careers with the label going into the 1970's. But with Berry Gordy's tight grip on Motown's operation procedures, Shorty Long was also one of the Motown artists that didn't get a fair amount of promotional support from the company compared to Motown's more famous artists.
Tragically we lost Shorty Long when both he and a friend drowned in a boating accident in the Detroit River on June 29, 1969. He was only 29 years old.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
From the Vinyl Vault: Gladys Knight & The Pips "Visions"
From the Vinyl Vault, Gladys Knight & The Pips 1983 album "Visions"
"When You're Far Away" was one of my favorites from the album that was a failure as a single barely reaching the top 50 of the R&B charts in early 1984.
The big hit from the album "Visions" was "Save the Overtime For me" which topped the R&B charts just in time for Gladys Knight's birthday in May 1983 and stayed at number one for a week.
And the album produced what has become a Gladys Knight and The Pips classic slow jam, "You're Number One IN My Book" but it only made it to number 5.
"When You're Far Away" was one of my favorites from the album that was a failure as a single barely reaching the top 50 of the R&B charts in early 1984.
The big hit from the album "Visions" was "Save the Overtime For me" which topped the R&B charts just in time for Gladys Knight's birthday in May 1983 and stayed at number one for a week.
And the album produced what has become a Gladys Knight and The Pips classic slow jam, "You're Number One IN My Book" but it only made it to number 5.
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