(Above: Although forgotten by both jazz and pop historians today, bandleader Paul Whiteman was a major figure in early 20th century music. A central figure in Elijah Wald’s latest book, “How the Beatles Destroyed Rock and Roll,” here is the trailer for Whiteman’s 1930 film “King of Jazz.”) By Joel Francis The Daily Record Author [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Motown’
Review: Raphael Saadiq
Posted in Concert review, Kansas City Star, tagged Back To Rockville, David Ruffin, Motown, Philly soul, Raphael Saadiq, Temptations, Tony! Toni! Tone! on March 12, 2009 | 1 Comment »
By Joel Francis The Kansas City Star Raphael Saadiq brought nearly 90 minutes of eight-track soul jams into an iPod world Wednesday night at the VooDoo Lounge. Taking the stage in a suit and glasses that echoed Temptation David Ruffin, Saadiq strapped on a white Telecaster as his six-piece band vamped over a groove that [...]
Raphael Saadiq sends a love letter to soul makers and Motown
Posted in band feature, Kansas City Star, Motown, tagged Back To Rockville, Boyz II Men, Funk Brothers, Jay-Z, Marvin Gaye, Motown, neo-soul, Philly soul, Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq, Smokey Robinson, soul music, Stevie Wonder, The Sound Of Philadelphia, Tony! Toni! Tone! on March 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
(Above: Raphael Saadiq runs the “100 Yard Dash.”) By Joel Francis The Kansas City Star Raphael Saadiq’s latest album, “The Way I See It,” is draped heavily in the sounds of Motown and Philly soul, but don’t call it a tribute album. “Boyz II Men did a tribute; I wrote a bunch of songs,” Saadiq [...]
Review: Al Green
Posted in review, tagged Al Green, gospel, Midland Theater, Motown, soul music, Stax on December 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Above: The Rev. Al Green brings “Love and Happiness.” By Joel Francis After barely over an hour onstage, Al Green said goodnight, grabbed a small black duffle bag and exited. The gesture was symbolic of the evening: the bags were packed and he was ready to go. Saturday’s concert at the Midland Theater was the [...]
Shorty Long – “Devil with the Blue Dress”
Posted in Motown, tagged Bruce Springsteen, Hitsville U.S.A., Joel Francis, Motown, music, Shorty Long, soul music on September 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Shorty Long – “Devil with the Blue Dress,” did not chart Mitch Ryder and Bruce Springsteen fans will be taken aback by Shorty Long’s half-speed tempo on his original recording of “Devil with the Blue Dress.” Long’s bluesy shuffle is closer to Chicago blues than Detroit soul. It’s a far cry from the frenetic, late-set [...]
Mary Wells – “My Guy”
Posted in Motown, tagged Berry Gordy, Hitsville U.S.A., Joel Francis, Mary Wells, Motown, Smokey Robinson, soul music on September 4, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Mary Wells – “My Guy,” Pop #1 Before Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves and certainly Diana Ross, Mary Wells was Motown’s first female (super)star. Landing a No. 1 single in the heart of Beatlemania was no small feat. Arguably none of the Motown’s female stars have had bigger or more recognizable hits than “My Guy.” The [...]
Stax vs. Motown (part three)
Posted in Motown, Stax, tagged Hitsville U.S.A., Joel Francis, Motown, music, soul music, Stax on September 3, 2008 | 2 Comments »
The final installment of my conversation with soul music fan Brad S. includes how to build a solid, affordable soul music libarty. Here is part one and part two. Brad S.: Okay, list time: What are your Top 10 Motown albums? You mentioned ”What’s Going On,” “Songs in the Key of Life,” “Talking Book” and “Cloud Nine.” What other [...]
Eddie Holland – “Leaving Here”
Posted in Motown, tagged Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, Joel Francis, Motown, music, soul music on September 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Eddie Holland – “Leaving Here,” Pop #76 A lot changed for Eddie Holland in the two years between “Jamie” and “Leaving Here.” Holland went from reluctant (and struggling) Motown vocalist to key member of soul’s hottest songwriting team, Holland-Dozier-Holland. After “Leaving Here” failed to find major chart success, Holland released just two more singles before [...]
The Miracles – “Mickey’s Monkey”
Posted in Motown, tagged Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, Joel Francis, Motown, music, Smokey Robinson, soul music, The Miracles on September 1, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Miracles – “Mickey’s Monkey,” Pop #8, R&B #3 One of the most infectious and upbeat singles in the Motown catalog is unique in two ways. First, it was not written by main Miracle Smokey Robinson, but by the hot house songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Second, it is one of few Motown songs to appropriate [...]
Stax vs. Motown (part two)
Posted in Motown, Stax, tagged Berry Gordy, Booker T and the MGs, Hitsville U.S.A., Holland-Dozier-Holland, Joel Francis, Motown, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Staples Singers, Stax, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Wattstax on August 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The second of three installments in my conversation about the golden era of Stax and Motown with soul music fan and Stax afficiando Brad. Don’t forget to check out part one. Brad S.: I have to admit, when I think of Motown, I almost only associate it with the ‘64-‘65 period. Although I know, to [...]
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