“The high note is not the only thing.” ~ Placido Domingo

“My music will go on forever. Maybe it’s a fool say that, but when me know facts me can say facts. My music will go on forever.  ~ Bob Marley

“I think that my past stands me in good stead in that it does have a certain strength for musicians.” ~ John Sebastian

The #9  Billboard Top 100 hit “Do You Believe in Magic,” composed by Sebastian and performed live by The Lovin’ Spoonful  in 1965 followed by “You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice.”

And now over 40 years later “DYBIM”  is still going strong as performed by Disney artists and sisters and tween idols Aly & AJ.   Now that’s what I call longevity!

Great oldies will never fade away --  they just take an occasional vacation (LOL)

Musically Yours,

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Laura Izibor was signed to her first recording contract (with Jive Records) at age 17! This talented R&B singer is partial to the great music by the Soul singers of the Sixties and Seventies (as am I) and has learned those lessons very, very well. After adding her own youthful, modern twist you’ve got an awesome freshmen CD entitled “Let The Truth Be Told.”

Released here June 16, 2009 on Atlantic Records here in the states I snapped it up when I saw it on display during a trip to Borders Bookstore. After listening to and loving the 2008 single “From My Heart To Yours” all summer long I knew I had to check it out!

This set did not disappoint. What amazes me is Laura’s throaty and soulful voice belies her young years. I had the same feeling when I found out how youg Josh Stone was AFTER hearing her first singles. Must be something in the European water the young ladies are drinking -- eh? (SMILE)

Laura dedicated this set to the late great founder of Atlantic Records Ahmet Ertegun (1923-2006) who I am sure is loving the results.

Miss Izibor has appeared previously on some soundtrack CDs and I am going to have to make it a point to search them out for download in case they are not on this set.

Track List:

1. Shine

2. Don’t Stay

3. If Tonight Is My Last

4. What Would You Do

5. From My Heart To Yours

6. Perfect World

7. The Worst Is Over

8. Yes (I’ll Be Your Baby)

9. I Don’t Want You Back

10 MMM…

Musically Yours,

Happy Thanksgiving Day Canada.

Happy Columbus Day America.
I’ll be Back Thursday with a new musical post.
Enjoy your Holiday.

“Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid” ~ Frank Zappa

9/30/2009

Isaac Hayes Deluxe Shaft Reissue was a top story for this week. Here it is again: (conqueroo) In 1971, the song was everywhere. “Who is the man who would risk his neck for his brother man?” Shaft? Damn right. Isaac Hayes’ Shaft soundtrack album became a #1 album on both the pop and R&B charts — and remained on the charts for a jaw-dropping 60 weeks. The first soul soundtrack to a major motion picture would earn Hayes a Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe and set him on his way to stardom. The soundtrack continues to influence popular music — hip-hop in particular.

On November 3, 2009, Stax Records, a unit of Concord Music Group, will release Shaft (Deluxe Edition), a digitally remastered reissue of the soundtrack including a bonus track: “Theme From Shaft [2009 Mix].” Ashley Kahn, author of several music books, contributor to NPR’s “Morning Edition” and adjunct professor at New York University, wrote the liner notes for the deluxe edition.

Read the rest at ANTIMUSIC.COM.

By DOUGLAS MARTIN
Published: October 2, 2009

Mr. Magic, whose panache and persistence in bringing once-reviled rap to mainstream radio in the 1980s helped pave the way for the breakout of hip-hop culture, died on Friday in Brooklyn. He was 53.

The cause was a heart attack, said Tyrone Williams, his manager and producer.

The Obituary continues at THE NEW YORK TIMES.

This is an A+, must have set of music from veteran musician George Benson.

The covers are great. The new songs have a seventies/eighties flavor (especially the instrumentals) and yet they still sound fresh and new.

The tunes with vocals are tight as are the instrumental selections featuring Benson’s awesome smooth jazz stylings.

I am partial to the instrumental tracks --especially #8 (new) and #12 (old) — but there is not a bad song in the bunch.

I hope that this is not the last we hear from Mr. Benson. It has been far too long since the classic 1976 “Breezin’.”  I don’t want to wait that long again.

If you like classic smooth jazz music then I guarantee this purchase is for you.

The track list:

1.  Don’t Let me Be Lonely Tonight -- The oft covered James Taylor song.
2.  Family Reunion -- first single release to radio
3.  Show Me The Love
4.  A Telephone Call Away
5.  Someday We’ll All Be Free. Yes, the Donny Hathaway Classic.
6.  Nuthin’ But A Party
7.  Come In From The Cold
8.  Exotica. Smooth Jazz instrumental at it’s finest! A new classic.
9.  Rainy Night in Georgia
10.  One Like You
11.  Living in High Definition
12.  Sailing -- listen how awesome George plays this classic.

Musically yours,

“If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing.” ~ Zimbabwe Proverb