BEYONCE AND THE INAUGURATION
Ms. Bey did her thing on Martin Luther King Jr Day and someone within the Armed Forces Marching Band had said she lip-synched, which a representative has since tried to smooth over. The press and media have made this into such a big deal - even Chris “Hardball” Matthews covered this on his MSNBC program the other night. Experts have chimed in on CNN about the pro’s, con’s and what-for’s…
Here’s why this is so NOT a big deal to this music industry journalist/pundit/professional/blah-blah-blah….
1) LIP-SYNCHING HAS BEEN THE NORM FOR DECADES - From Dick Clark to Don Cornelius and every other music TV show in between (Shivaree, the Lloyd Thaxton Show, Shebang w/Casey Kasem), artists have been lip-synching their tunes on the tube for a mighty long time. Ask any radio DJ from back in the day who have hosted teen record hops as well. Reasons have been many - because the goal was to promote the record and not the performance (Dick Clark’s argument), a live performance is expensive to stage (Don Cornelius). And it’s not gonna stop anytime soon. Whitney, Michael Jackson, even Bruce Springsteen & the E. Street Band lip-synched at the Super Bowl half-time shows they headlined and they didn’t catch that much grief.
2) WE’RE NOT TALKING MILLI VANILLI HERE - That was a completely different issue altogether. Fabrice (RIP) and Rob were mouthing to someone else doing the singing. It was only when they tried to pressure their record producer Frank Farian into having them cut the vocals for their proposed second album that he (Farian) spilled the beans and the stuff hit the fan. Bey was lip-synching her own vocals.
3) DAMAGE CONTROL IS TO BE EXPECTED - If Beyonce had sung live and her voice cracked or something along those lines, folks from left and right and in between would have had a field day. She would have been torn to shreds in the press so bad that Christina Aguliera would have sent her a sympathy card. She figured better safe than sorry due to the fact that his was indeed an historic event. Even Aretha Franklin gave Beyonce an indirect pass when she said that singing outdoors when the temperature is cold is not an ideal situation - and the Queen of Soul speaks from experience, having done so at a prior Inauguration.
To my colleagues in the electronic media - there are more important issues to tackle out there. Let’s leave this one alone.
Now, on with the show….
DWELE, ANTHONY DAVID AND COLLETTE - B.B. KING’S CLUB, NYC. MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST.
A great triple bill that was well worth venturing out to Times Square on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! Soul music was in great abundance thanks to these great acts! (Photos courtesy of Colleen Rubio, reproduced with permission).
First up, COLLETTE hit the stage giving props to our POTUS and then launched into a sweet set of acoustic soul and R&B with a tight rhythm trio. Performing tunes from her album, “Juneteenth Revolution”, Collette did not disappoint with her vocal style and good humor. While her performance at Drom last month was fine, she was at times overpowered by the live band. Not so here - Collette was more comfortable in this acoustic atmosphere, which allowed her singing skills to shine even brighter. She should definitely do more “unplugged” type shows in the future. Click the link to check out Collette's guitar and vocal version of her single "Material Star" (taped two summers ago).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMFrUZBz6sI
ANTHONY DAVID came on next with the guitarist and drummer from his band, the Do-Gooders. What an impressive performance! No need for bass or keyboards here. Anthony charmed the crowd with his solid repertoire of songs culled from his four albums, including his latest release, “Love Out Loud”. Accompanying himself on guitar as well, Anthony’s set was solid and polished. The highlight was his tune, “Girlfriend” - spelling out the perils of a committed man going out for a night on the town without his loved one and getting hit on by women at the club (Memo to Mr. David - ladies are indeed more attracted to men who already have a honey….it’s a vibe thing, I guess!). His latest single, “Can’t Look Down’”, sounds so good acoustically, I do hope that his label - Purpose Music - will consider releasing an “unplugged” version in the future (get on it, Mr. Littlejohn and Mr. Johnson!), Click the link to Anthony's Girlfriend", taped a few months ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55AWFesXUEo
Finally, there’s the Motor City’s own DWELE, who came on dressed as if he just taped a segment of the 1960s TV show, “Shindig”! (White tuxedo jacket, black slacks, cinnamon dress shirt and bow tie). He had the ladies swooning from jump with his brand of neo-soul, anchored by a seven piece band with horn section. Echoing the masters of soul such as our dear Mr. Gaye, Dwele did not disappoint the crowd with his smooth vocals (low baritone to falsetto) and was greatly supported by his background vocalist. Dwele's set was indeed intense and passionate to those who were definitely “feeling it” that night. Towards the end of the show, Dwele left the stage and serenaded the audience right where they wined and dined, much to their absolute pleasure! Brotha-man is lucky he didn’t lose his shirt that night - and if he did so, I highly doubt those who enjoyed themselves would have complained! Click the link and check out Dwele's "Obey", from his latest album, "Greater Than One".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFAPDfbEKlI
UPCOMING EVENTS
SOUL FACTORY PRESENTS GREENTEA, ELIJAH BLAND AND FELICIA TEMPLE, DROM NYC, SATURDAY JANUARY 26TH.
Held on the last Saturday of each month, SOUL FACTORY PRESENTS highlights the best from the world of independent soul music and this weekend is no exception. If you want to see great performances and are in the NYC area, go to Drom on Avenue A this weekend and check it out. Click the link for reservations.
http://www.dromnyc.com/events/2228/soul-factory-presents
ASHLEY ALLEN, PIANOS, NYC, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1ST
Singer/songwriter ASHLEY ALLEN will be showcasing her brand of power pop/dance at Pianos here in NYC. Her works are in league with what SHOULD be heard on the radio and seen via video channels. Free admission to this performance. Click the link for info and check out a clip of her music.
http://www.pianosnyc.com/
ON THE NATIONAL FRONT…
VINTAGE TROUBLE
Props to George Littlejohn of Purpose Music for hipping me to this LA-based band. Managed by industry vet Doc McGhee, VINTAGE TROUBLE (Ty Taylor - vocals, Nalle Colt - guitar, Richard Danielson - drums, Rick Darrio Dill - bass) combines the best of powerful rock with the “umph!” of soul. Their 2010 album, “The Bomb Shelter Sessions” has sold thousands of CD’s thanks to the band’s heaving gig schedule and great word of mouth. Their legion of fans, dubbed “Troublemakers”, is growing fast and quick with every show they do. Vintage Trouble has appeared on the UK’s Jools Holland Show and last December, they brought down the Ed Sullivan Theater on the Dave Letterman Show (Mr. Sullivan would have been more than proud!). They recently toured as the opening act for the Who. If they come to your city and town, do yourself a favor and check them out. I know I will! Click the link to their website and check out the music clip posted here. http://www.vintagetrouble.com/bio.html
Well, that does it this time for THE KEVIN GOINS MUSIC JOURNAL. Tune in for the next edition, when I’ll be posting a SOULFUL CONVERSATION with publisher/entrepreneur LILA POLITE, music from soul man JARRARD ANTHONY and many other goodies. Thanks for reading and please feel free to post any feedback you may have! Regards, Kevin
