Today, Billboard magazine is honoring the late Aretha Franklin in their official post-humous tribute issue featuring Billboard’s obituary on the Queen of Soul as the main cover feature - written by Associate Professor of Journalism at Loyola Marymount University, Evelyn McDonnell titled “The Role of Struggle in Aretha Franklin’s Path to Greatness”:
Excerpt: …To say that Franklin was one of the greatest female singers of all time is to miss the point. Aretha -- an original one-named diva -- was one of the greatest artists, period. Her talent and her impact transcended gender, race, genre and geography. This was a woman who could sing disco, gospel, rock, opera and, of course, soul. In addition to possessing astonishing vocal talent, she was a pianist, songwriter, arranger and performer. She was one of the towering figures whose talents expressed the seismic cultural shifts of a decade of momentous change. The only peer of similar import and impact is Bob Dylan, and I would argue that as the voice of the struggle for equal rights for blacks and for women, Franklin embodied her generation more. Her death on Aug. 16 marks a mighty loss….
With a commitment to the accurate reproduction of The Beatles' repertoire, The Fab Faux (featuring Jimmy Vivino from 'Conan' and legendary bassist, Will Lee) treat the seminal music with unwavering respect, and are known for their painstaking recreations of the songs (with emphasis on the later works never performed live by the Beatles).
Far beyond a cover band, they play the music of The Beatles so impeccably that one must experience it to believe it. Imagine hearing complex material like "Strawberry Fields Forever" or "I Am the Walrus" performed in complete part-perfect renditions; or such harmony-driven songs as "Because", "Nowhere Man", and "Paperback Writer", reproduced not only note-for-note, but with extra vocalists to achieve a double-tracked effect.
The Fab Faux – five of the hardest working musicians in NYC tackles The Beatles most demanding material live onstage in a way that has to be experienced to be believed.
NO WIGS, NO COSTUMES, ALL MUSICIANSHIP: FAB FAUX RECREATES THE BEATLES AT KIRBY CENTER
Former Chic Member Alfa Anderson Celebrates the Life of Music Legend Luther Vandross with
New Single to be Released on the Late Icon’s Birthday
When Luther Sings Available Nationwide April 20
New York, NY (April 18, 2017) – Alfa Anderson, former member of the iconic funk soul band Chic (Le Freak, Good Times, Everybody Dance), will release a new single, "When Luther Sings," in honor of her longtime friend Luther Vandross 66th birthday. The rousing, heartfelt tribute is written by Anderson and co-produced by multi-talented Bert Price. Available nationwide on April 20, When Luther Sings is the first single from Anderson’s long-awaited debut solo album, From My Heart (set for release summer 2017).
“When Luther Sings is my homage to good friend and musical mentor Luther Vandross; the song is autobiographical in many ways,” said Anderson. “As our professional relationship grew, he taught me so much about vocal technique and stage presence. As a matter of fact, Luther is one of the co-creators of the Chic vocal sound. I am forever grateful for the doors he opened for me and for the golden friendship we shared.”
For years, Anderson was an integral member of Vandross' touring band and performed at Wembley Stadium, among many other prestigious venues around the world. Her vocals can be heard on popular Vandross albums such as Give Me the Reason and The Night I Fell in Love, which Rolling Stone Magazine voted as one of the 100 Best Albums of the Eighties.
A chance meeting at a rehearsal studio in NYC led to her introduction to Vandross while rehearsing for a Lou Courtney gig with Ednah Holt. After being introduced to Vandross, a musical bond was formed and Anderson became part of a cadre of in-demand New York session singers. It was Vandross who invited Anderson to a vocal session for Chic with Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards, Tony Thompson and Norma Jean Wright.
Throughout the '80s and '90s, Alfa sang on albums by Bryan Adams, Gregory Hines, Mick Jagger, Teddy Pendergrass, Jennifer Holliday, Billy Squier, Sheena Easton, Jody Watley, Bryan Ferry, and Jonathan Butler.
This full-length album is not Anderson’s first foray as a published musician. In the late-'90s, Anderson and her husband Tinkr Barfield formed and produced Voice of Shalom, a group that explored spiritual themes through uplifting original compositions.
They released two full-length albums, Messages (1999) and Daily Bread (2002), as well as a single called "What A Spirit" (2005), which featured guest vocals by Lisa Fischer and Keith Anthony Fluitt. Meanwhile, she continued introducing the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-nominated group Chic’s music to younger audiences through feature films like Shrek 2, Toy Story 3, Up in the Air, 54, Roll Bounce, Spike Lee's Summer of Sam and The New Edition Bio-Pic.
For more on Ms. Anderson and her upcoming musical endeavors, visit www.officialalfaanderson.com. Also keep up with her on Twitter @alfakanderson and FB: https://www.facebook.com/alfa. anderson.7.
The Left Banke & Ian Lloyd's Stories Present:the TRIBUTE Show w/ Special Guest Alan Merrill (of The Arrows), and more!!!
The
Left Banke, featuring founding and original member George Cameron, and I
= Ian Lloyd's Stories will perform songs penned by MB.Come join in celebrating our fallen comrade's life.
Friday April 24, 2015 6pm Le Poisson Rouge 158 Bleecker St NYC 10012
“You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.” – Malcolm X
A ceremony was held in New York to honor black civil rights leader Malcolm X at the site where he was assassinated 50 years ago. Activists, politicians and actors were among some 300 people who paid tributes to Malcolm X in Harlem. They heard a call by one of his daughters to reassess her father's importance to civil rights in America. Read More Here
More Malcolm X news...
The Nation of Islam petitioned President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder earlier this year to make available to the public all government files (unredacted) related to the assassination of Malcolm X.
The petition came following the release of the film titled “Betty and Coretta,” in which the film heavily alluded to Min. Louis Farrakhan being the mastermind behind the tragic 1965 assassination of Malcolm X. The film is executive produced by Mary J. Blige — who happens to be a dear friend of Min. Farrakhan — and examines the lives of Malcolm X’s wife, Betty Shabazz and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s wife, Coretta Scott King. Read More Here
Jah9 - Jazz on Dub, Jah9 Coming to Brooklyn Feb 6th - 02/06/2015 - Brooklyn, NY
hen Jah9 sings, hearts and minds awaken. Old school blues with lyrical
prowess, in a rich imaginative blend of vocal clarity and complexity.
She sings with a voice that belies the dimensions of her physical body,
from a soul much older than its current vessel. Her philosophy is
profoundly spiritual, and her style is Jazz on Dub. Play - Download Album
The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina reggae jam rock trio, TreeHouse!
explores new depths of rhythms, themes and other elements in their third
studio album, Lifted, set to release March 10th, 2015. The band is set
to tour most 2015 throughout the East Coast, and Mid-Atlantic,
performing hundreds of shows a year.
Dubbest might still be young and still growing, but there’s a wise,
musical head on those shoulders. And a vision for the future of American
reggae. “We change the set list and jam on stage,” MacKenzie says. “We
touch the roots side of reggae more than many American bands, but we
like to explore, too. It’s high energy. Play - Download Album
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Robert Levon Been Pays Tribute To Late Father's Legendary Band The Call!
Los Angeles, CA – Much to the excitement of music fans worldwide, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Robert Levon Been pays tribute to his late father, Michael Been, with an unforgettable live performance fronting his father's legendary band The Call in the upcoming live DVD / CD 'The Call Live Tribute With Robert Levon Been' (available September 2nd, 2014 via Label Records/Lightyear/Caroline).
"It's difficult to sum up what this show meant to me, but it was also just such a natural primal reaction to wanting to share the music and the joy we felt playing these songs together with more than just the 4 of us. The very first time i played with Scott, Dickie, and Jim in rehearsal together there was such an overwhelming love for the songs and the spirit that it couldn't just end there. We had to take it as far as we could go, to create an echo that would carry us all.' - Robert Levon Been
“What a joy it has been to reconnect with the band and the fans. I don't know how Robert pulled this off, but there were times during the show that I was not sure what year it was” – Jim Goodwin
Check out the premiere of the video for “I Still Believe”:
While The Call (Michael Been, Tom Ferrier, Jim Goodwin and Scott Musick) got their official start in Santa Cruz, CA in 1979, its roots as a band go back to Michael Been's childhood in Oklahoma City, where seeing Elvis Presley perform on television changed the course of his life. That early interest in musical performance inspired his career, from the very beginning performing at the age of seven on local radio and television programs, to his eventual move to Chicago at the age of 16, where he was drawn into the blues scene by Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Junior Parker. Been eventually made his way to California, where he connected with drummer Scott Musick, as well as Tom Ferrier (guitar, vocals) and Jim Goodwin (keyboards, vocals) to form The Call.
Despite having their initial demos rejected by all the major labels, the band found themselves in demand by nearly every major producer in America. The Call's debut album was ultimately produced by Hugh Padgham (David Bowie, The Police) and the band were suddenly opening acts for major artists including Peter Gabriel and Simple Minds.
The Call were signed to Mercury, Elektra and MCA, and released seven critically acclaimed albums over the next eight years, featuring several iconic hit songs including “Let The Day Begin” and “I Still Believe (Great Design).” In 1997, after a seven year break, the band reformed to release the album Heaven & Back, before disbanding once more. Michael Been began serving as sound engineer for his son Robert Levon Been's band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, but passed away from a heart attack while working backstage at the 2010 Pukkelpop festival in Belgium.
Now after twenty years, The Call reunited at legendary Los Angeles venue The Troubador and gave an incredible live performance with Robert Levon Been stepping into his father's role and joining Musick, Ferrier and Goodwin for the one-of-a-kind event. For Robert - who grew up going out on the road with The Call anytime he had a break from school - the performance offered the chance to honor his musical legacy and perform nearly a dozen and a half songs from the band’s esteemed catalog. And for original members Musick, Ferrier and Goodwin, the show allowed them the opportunity to honor their friend and their own musical legacy while revisiting a bond they thought was gone forever.
“The Call was always about a deep spiritual connection and an examination of life from an intense personal perspective. Now, we have the son doing a tribute to his father that has taken it to a new level...a truly joyous noise after a 25 year silence.” - Jim Goodwin
'The Call Live Tribute With Robert Levon Been' will be available as a DVD+CD Deluxe Set on September 2nd 2014 and will also be available on CD, 180 gram double vinyl, and digitally (with 5 extra bonus tracks).
