HILL-BILL(Y) AND OBAMA
Current mood: frustrated

Something strikes me as odd when Hillary Clinton's pathetically desperate campaign succeeds only at convincing some Americans that Barack Obama's modest upbringing and Harvard education somehow combine to make him an "elitist" incapable of relating to the plight of the common man.

But let's not just hate the player. There is something terribly awry in a populace that penalizes a presidential candidate for intelligence, worldliness and analytical skills; that deems a candidate unpatriotic because he eschews showy lapel pins and dares point out our shortcomings in an effort to address and mend them; that ignores hard facts about a candidate's personal faith in favor of baseless suspicions about a faith the candidate does not subscribe to (and most Americans don't understand in the first place); that factors faith into politics at all.

It's disturbing that the Clinton camp's Rove-like efforts to paint Obama as insensitive to mainstream America have carried any weight at all. But in pandering to voters that subscribe to superficial judgments and stereotypes, the ultimate irony is that the Clinton's Washington insiders believe that the only way to defeat this black candidate is to brand HIM the elitist. On at least one level, I guess we have come a long way.

9:47 PM - 6 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

JAMES BROWN SINGLES VOL. 5 (At Last)
Current mood: relieved

..> ..>

James Brown
The Singles V.5: 1967-1969
Disc 1 1. I CANT STAND MYSELF (WHEN YOU TOUCH ME) 2. THERE WAS A TIME 3. THE SOUL OF J.B. 4. FUNKY SOUL 1 5. YOUVE GOT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND 6. BRINGING UP THE GUITAR 7. GITTIN A LITTLE HIPPER 7. GITTIN A LITTLE HIPPER 8. I GOT THE FEELIN 9. IF I RULED THE WORLD 10. YOUVE GOT THE POWER 11. Shhhhhhhh (FOR A LITTLE WHILE) 12. HERE I GO 13. AMERICA IS MY HOME PT. 1 14. AMERICA IS MY HOME PT. 2 15. LICKING STICK LICKING STICK (PART 1) 16. LICKING STICK LICKING STICK (PART 2) 17. LICKING STICK LICKING STICK (PART 1) Stereo 18. LICKING STICK LICKING STICK (PART 2) Stereo 19. THERE WAS A TIME 20. I GUESS ILL HAVE TO CRY, CRY, CRY 21. JUST PLAIN FUNK 22. I GUESS ILL HAVE TO CRY, CRY, CRY (Alternate Take)   Disc 2 1. SAY IT LOUD IM BLACK AND IM PROUD (Part 1) 2. SAY IT LOUD IM BLACK AND IM PROUD (Part 2) 3. MAYBE GOOD, MAYBE BAD (PART 1) 4. MAYBE GOOD, MAYBE BAD (PART 2) 5. GOODBYE MY LOVE 6. SHADES OF BROWN 7. SHADES OF BROWN (PT. 2) 8. SANTA CLAUS GOES STRAIGHT TO THE GHETTO 9. YOU KNOW IT 10. TIT FOR TAT (AINT NO TAKING BACK) 11. BELIEVERS SHALL ENJOY (NON BELIEVERS SHALL SUFFER) 12. LETS UNITE THE WHOLE WORLD AT CHRISTMAS 13. IN THE MIDDLE (Part 1) 14. IN THE MIDDLE (Part 2) 15. LITTLE GREEN APPLES 16. COME ON IN THE HOUSE 17. GIVE IT UP OR TURNIT A LOOSE 18. ILL LOSE MY MIND 19. SOUL PRIDE (PART 1) 20. SOUL PRIDE (PART 2) 21. YOU GOT TO HAVE A JOB (IF YOU DONT WORK-YOU CANT EAT)		..> ..> .. web3 -->Price: $29.98 Buy Me Pre-Sale Item!   RELEASE DATE: February 29th 2008 CD Edition limited to 5000 non-numbered limited edition copies.  Haight turned to hate in 1968 with very public, grotesque assassinations, a surge of violence in – and dissent toward – the Viet Nam War, and battles in America's cities.  Out of the turbulence, James Brown emerged as the voice of – and to – the people.  Polydor Records and www.hip-oselect.com proudly present James Brown The Singles, Vol. 5: 1967-1969, 43 tracks on 2CDs from the eye of the storm.  The set opens with "I Can't Stand Myself (When You Touch Me)," featuring James backed by The Dapps, a white soul band from Cincinnati.  (One can only speculate if Neal Sugarman and Gabriel Roth took their inspiration from "I Can't Stand Myself"'s backing band when they launched Daptone Records and Sharon Jones' backing band, The Dap-Kings.)  The set continues with "I Got The Feelin'" and it's b-side "If I Ruled The World," which James opened his August 26, 1968Dallas concert with, as Chicago spiraled into chaos.  (The Dallas show can be found on the Polydor release Say It Live and Loud: Live in Dallas 08.26.68.)  Also featured are "America Is My Home - Pts. 1&2," "Licking Stick – Licking Stick - Pts. 1&2" (in mono and stereo), "There Was A Time," "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud - Pts. 1&2," "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose," "Soul Pride - Pts. 1&2" and Marva Whitney's "You Got To Have A Job (If You Don't Work-You Can't Eat)," plus radio i.d.'s and the Christmas singles "Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto" and "Let's Unite The Whole World At Christmas."  28 page booklet with rare photos and ephemera, detailed sessionography and in-depth track histories accompanies.     ..> ..> .. web3 -->Price: $29.98 Buy Me Pre-Sale Item!

10:07 AM - 3 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

NO APOLOGIES - CHRIS ROCK ON TOUR
Current mood: optimistic

I've been posting pictures but haven't yet written about the exciting, ground-breaking Chris Rock NO APOLOGIES tour. Ground-breaking in that Rock is selling tickets like never before, beginning with a maxed out New Years Eve to remember (with the lovely Jill Scott) in Madison Square Garden. Then Chris made his concert debut outside the United States with a thrilling 3 weeks in the U.K. last month. Chris sold out an unprecedented 10 nights at the Apollo Hammersmith in London - sold out so wuickly that promoters hastily added a return in May for 2 (now also sold out) ARENA (!) shows at the O2. Rock thus becomes the very first comic of any kind, British, American or whatever, to headline the 14,500 seat venue!! Later in the year Rock will make first time concert visits to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa - all more or less virgin territory for American comedy.

In other ground-breaking news, Rock will appear on the main stage at this years Bonaroo Festival outside Nashville in Manchester, Tennessee (June 13th). Rock and Led Zeppelin? Why the Hell not! With Obama-truth spreading across America, why shouldn't 2008 also be the year Rock rolls at Bonaroo?

Besides touring, I've been completely occupied with setting up promotion for the late April release of THE JAMES BROWN READER, the book I'm proud to have co-edited with friend Nelson George (Plume Books). A special MySpace page will soon be devoted to the book, the link to which I'll make available as soon as the page is up and running. I'm also busily working on two JB related projects for Universal Music, Volume 6 of the JAMES BROWN SINGLES and a previously unissued LIVE AT THE LATIN CASINO, recorded in January, 1967, the very week Alfred PeeWee Ellis replaced Nat Jones at the helm of the mighty James Brown Band. One of the 4 shows recorded was truncated into the long unavailable (and misleadingly titled) LIVE AT THE GARDEN LP on King Records. But we've gone through all the shows and compiled a red hot 2 CD set of powerhouse unedited performances. Still in the early stages of production, the release date is to be determined. Vol. 5 of the "singles" project is about to drop at www.hiposelect.com.

Meanwhile our Chris Rock entourage of five continues traipsing around the States. One of the pleasures of life on the road is always the opportunity to visit friends and re-visit favorite spots in cities I'd otherwise find it difficult to reach. In that spirit, here is the next round of dates:

   Tues-Thurs. Feb. 26-28 - Philadelphia - Academy Of Music

   Fri.-Sat.  Feb. 29-Mar. 1 - Detroit - Fox Theatre

   Thu. Mar. 6 - Lemoore,Ca. (Fresno) - Tachi Casino

   Fri. Mar. 7 - Santa Ynez,Ca. - Chumash Casino

   Sat. Mar. 8 - Indio,Ca. (Palm Springs) - Fantasy Springs Casino

   Sun. Mar. 9 - Denver - Lecture Hall

   Wed. Mar. 12 - Niagra Fallas - Seneca Niagra Casino

   Thu.-Fri.  Mar. 13-14 - Toronto - Massey Hall

   Sat.  Mar. 15 - Uncasville,Ct. - Mohegan Sun Casino

   Fri-Sat.  Mar. 21-22 - Atlanta - Fox Theatre

   Wed. 3/26 - San Antonio - Memorial Auditorium

   Thu. 3/27 - Dallas - Nokia Theatre (Grand Prairie)

   Fri. 3/28 - Biloxi - Beau Rivage Casino

   Sat. 3/29 - Houston - Verizon Theatre

   Sun. 3/30 - St. Louis - Fox Theatre

   Thu.-Sun. Apr. 3-6 - Oakland - Paramount Theatre

Personal agendas aside, everyone who cares about anything important in this world (starting with laughter, of course) should see Rock's new show. As friend Questlove told me after catching an early tour gig in Atlantic City, "Chris is edgier than ever - his best show in years".

You don't have to be an Obama supporter to enjoy Rock's show but I can't front, the show makes me feel the same way a recent Barack rally did - feel like there's actually hope for us (and our country). After the past eight years, that's no small accomplishment! Hope to see you all on the road!

7:16 PM - 5 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

JAMES BROWN TRIBUTE - WEBCAST SUNDAY

With tribute concerts in several cities including Bootsy Collins' J.B.'s reunion in Cincinnati, the airwaves are also full of memorial broadcasts in honor of the one and only JAMES BROWN. I had the pleasure of participating in a two hour program with Soulpower's own DJ Pari for WRIR, Indy radio (FM 97.3) in my old hometown Richmond,Va. Pari also has interviews with the legendary MARVA WHITNEY, long time JB drummer TONY COOK, talented Soul Generals sax whiz JEFF WATKINS and young hitmaker JOSS STONE. The show airs Sunday, December 23, on Mike Murphy's "Mellow Madness" at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Catch it on-line via live stream at WWW.WRIR.ORG.

9:22 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

CHUCK D’s "ON THE REAL" Midnight tonight (EST)

A last minute heads up, I'll have the humble honor of guesting with the legendary CHUCK D on his national radio show "On The Real, Off The Record" tonight at Midnight, eastern time. "One The Real, Off The Record" is heard weekly on a variety of broadcast stations including most Air America stations, also on XM SATELLITE 167 and also as a webcast on airamerica.com.

Hope we kindle up an interesting enough convo to keep you awake on a winter Sunday night (I know it's fall but if you're anywhere near our snow-laden, 9 degree Minneapolis weather, you'd never know it).

3:54 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY GETS FUNKY
Current mood: ecstatic

Just a quick note to express appreciation to Ms. Daphne Brooks and the Princeton University Center for African American Studies for hosting "Ain't That A Groove", the recent two day symposium celebrating the genius of James Brown. Participating was an honor and a delight, I think it's safe to say we all had a ball. With all due respect, some academics seem to demonstrate an "obligation" to over dissect some things that are meant to be FELT before thought about. But, by and large, the speakers and topics were thought provoking without tipping over into revisionist history. (Although it might have been a stretch for "It's A Man's Man's Man's World" to be held as evidence of JB's sexism when the song was actually written for him by an old girl friend). I didn't have the heart, despite Questlove's urging, to say anything and throw a damper on the centerpiece of an entire panel discussion.

Questo, Universal Music's Harry Weinger, legendary JB music directors Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis and I designated ourselves the "keep it real" brigade. The closing q&a segment was huge fun. At dinner Fred asked me what we were going to talk about in that session and I said, "I haven't got a clue. Let's just have laughs". He seemed relieved. I knew exactly what I wanted them to talk about but I also knew that if we could reveal Fred's warm sense of humor and Ahmir's rabid enthusiasm for JB's music, the session would take off.

Dr. Cornel West, as genial and genuine as everyone told me he was, predictably raised the roof. The Dr. did his homework! Why isn;t he ever interviewed for documentaries on the music - he knows his stuff! Everyone involved was well worth having aboard but particular mention is due musicologist Robert Fink, writer Bob Christgau, author Rickey Vincent, everything man Greg Tate and the delightful Mendi Obadike for their provocative and passionate presentations.

Kudus to Princeton. A symposium like this belongs at any venue with students of music and black culture. It's more than a little ironic that an Ivy League institution like Princeton would step up and actually pull it off.

Let's take it on the road, gang!

11:11 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

JAMES BROWN SYMPOSIUM @ PRINCETON UNIV.
Current mood: grateful

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, NOV. 29 & 30 - A 2 day symposium at Princeton University called "Ain't That A Groove - The Genius Of James Brown". 4 panels discussing the multi faceted cultural impact of the late Godfather Of Soul! I'm proud to be included among panelists that include music writers Robert Christgau, Ricky Vincent, Ernest Hardy and Kandia Crazyhorse, Universal Records' re-issue A&R guru Harry Weinger, ?uestlove of the Roots and luminaries of the academic world such as Mark Anthony Neal, Fred Moten, Farah Griffin, Imani Perry and the one and only Cornel West. 2 days of talking heads all about the King of Soul. It's not official, but with ?uesto in the house and special guests possibly including Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Ellis, don't be surprised if we also hear a little music! Registration required to attend:

www.princeton.edu/africanamericanstudies/news/events

For further information:

http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S19/51/65E59/index.xml?section=announcements

Currently listening : Say It Live And Loud: Live In Dallas 08.26.68 By James Brown Release date: 11 August, 1998

9:54 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

ADVICE, SUGGESTION, COMMAND
Current mood: ZHANE-ISH

RENEE NEUFVILLE IS ON FIRE!!!!!!!!!  COME SEE WHAT THE BUZZ IS ALL ABOUT!

 
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO LIVE FOR LIVE MUSIC (AND THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T BUT NEED TO
 
RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 
SEATING LIMITED 
 
WED NOV.14----------> JOES PUB 
SATURDAY NOV.17------------->BLUE NOTE NYC 
 

YOU DONT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE 
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS!

11:34 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

ANOTHER INTERVIEW

Hit the link and scan down. Someone else had nothing better to do than talk to me, LOL.

http://www.dailymole.com/wordpress/

9:34 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

HACKED!
Current mood: PISSED

Sorry gang, I got hacked again!!!!!!!!!  Thanks to Fang and Jill for the heads up.

PLEASE IGNORE any so-called gift card solicitations. And please know for the future that I will NEVER solicit any such offers or sales through MySpace.

Have a great week!

ALAN

2:19 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment