Review: Darien, "If These Walls Could Talk"

Darien starts his debut album "If These Walls Could Talk" with the encouragement to "Smile!". And that's exactly what I've done throughout the entire length of the album. Darien is a newcomer, not just in The Netherlands or in Europe, but also in his home country America. But I can tell he is a stayer as well.

Darien, "If These Walls Could Talk". Year: 2009

I already noted Darien a few months ago. I wrote about the song "Holiday" and mentioned his - then - upcoming album "If These Walls Could Talk" in an article on this blog at the end of last year. I actually wrote that I hoped to add the album to my collection. Well, I'm happy to say that finally I have.

Let me start off with introducing the young man: Darien is an independent singer, songwriter and producer from Mount Vernon, New York.
The press kit tells of Darien's tales that are so rich and soulful you can envision every verse. I found this exceptionally true with the album's title track "If These Walls Could Talk", in which he paints the story of his mostly happy childhood: his mother, his college years, his first kiss and so on.
I was surprised to read of Darien's broad musical influences, mentioning greats like A Tribe Called Quest, Hall and Oates and Donny Hathaway. But I indeed found evidence to that in his music.
And it continues to mention his seductive and soothing melodies and some of the work Darien has done to date.

However, the press kit mentions Darien's voice only briefly. And this is curious, since his voice actually is his greatest asset. Its tone is warm and full of emotion, and its range is - indeed - phenomenal. At times, he reminds me of the young Stevie Wonder. And what is nice is that he does not show it off, but rather uses its abilities like an exceptional instrumentalist uses all possibilities of his instrument.

"If These Walls Could Talk" contains some great, polished, grown-up music. That doesn't mean it is overproduced though. It just sounds great. It is obvious that great care and attention was given to the album's sound and production. From its first tones on it's clear that this album is a product of Darien's love of music and language.

I lost my dad as a little boy
Momma, she had to 2 pairs of shoes to fill
Saved up her money, got her spirit right
Bought us a house up on a hill - New friends new
school, new way of life - Everything we once knew
had changed - But they say whateva don't break ya
Was sent to you to make ya - Stronger in the end
And we were never the same

- from the song "If These Walls Could Talk", music and lyrics by Darien

The song "Composure" kept singing around in my brain, much like a good wine sticks to a glass. It would be my favourite if this album wouldn't hold so many of those. Those background vocals are so smooth they can get you in a soulful mood all by themselves.
I love the horns in "Sail Thru" that give the song its almost eerie intermezzo. I've been missing the horns too much in contemporary music! This is one of those songs that make this album as soulful as it is.
"Love Revolution" also starts off with some great horns. They reminded me of the Dutch/Belgian jazz band Gare du Nord. In this song I guess the influence of the likes of Hall and Oates can be heard very clearly, with its sexy and subtle organ, driving rhythm, great chorus and strong bass line. Again: love the horns! This is a nicely crafted song!
"The Road" is one of the best showcases of Darien's exceptionally strong voice on the album. Wow!
"All Kinds Of Things" has a George-Benson-kinda-sound to it due to the guitar and the simple use of the organ. Its sound is nice and 'full'.
The song "If These Walls Could Talk" starts off with a simple acoustic guitar. It tells the story of Darien's life. This musical autobiography is one of the best songs on the album and certainly deserves to give it its name. You gotta love this song!

At this point though, the best has yet to come. Now, I do love a good blues song, but for someone as young as Darien to perform blues as good as he does takes some real talent. And this song, as far as I am concerned, is all the showcase I need to proof that he has just that. The 21st track on the record, with a total of 16 songs (see the track list below) is a blues song of great quality and soul. I was literally moved listening to "Whole Lotta Love", not just because of its musicality, but also because of the realization that great music is still made by great young musicians. Such a fine song! I almost can't stop hitting the repeat button.

Click here to see the album's track list  

This is the track list on Darien's album "If These Walls Could Talk":

1. Just Can't Wait
   
2. Gone
   
3. Composure
   
4. Where It's At
   
5. Showya
   
6. My Door
   
7. Sail Thru
   
8. Love Revolution
   
9. The Road
   
10. Nowhere
    
11. WSRD 33.3 FM
    
12. Saturday
    
13. All Kinds Of Things
    
14. If These Walls Could Talk
    
15. Seasons
    
16. Track 16 (4 sec)
    
17. Track 17 (5 sec)
    
18. Track 18 (5 sec)
    
19. Track 19 (5 sec)
    
20. Track 20 (4 sec)
    
21. Whole Lotta Love

"If These Walls Could Talk" is not easy to label, but in the end I guess labeling it as 'r&b', 'soul' or 'nu-soul' would be right. What makes it dificult though is the fact that it's jazzy and bluesy as well and on top of that it has some obvious hip hop influences too.

Wouldn't it be great to see Darien at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands one of the coming years. I can definitely picture him there!

All in all, there are no lows on this album and quite a few highs. And that certainly is a big compliment to this young musician, whose love for music and talent for crafting imaginative lyrics offers a great addition to any music collection.

Oh, by the way Darien: I'm sure your father is proud. I would be!

Info:
Audio: listen to samples of all the songs on cdbaby.com
Web: "If These Walls Could Talk" is published by the independent label Righteous Music Records
Audio: I found this audio interview with Darien (50 MB) at Soulinterviews.com
Webshop: buy the album at amazon.com

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Cry For Help

Ok, I don't normally do this, but I need some help from a CSS / HTML / JS / Blogger guru. Since about 2 days my blog has started to load really slowly. The only thing I added was the CSS for the new Index widget in the right hand column. However, even if I remove this, the page keeps loading excrutiatingly slowly.

So: is there someone, anyone, out there, who can give me a hand or offer some advice on what is wrong with the page? I have no intention of moving to a different blogging platform, nor do I want to change my layout. I just would like my page to be optimized in speed.

I cannot offer you any financial compensation. What I can do - and will do if you are the one to help me out - is give you my eternal gratitude and mention your name on my blog

Nederlands

Goed, normaal zou ik dit niet doen, maar ik heb hulp nodig van een CSS / HTML / JS / Blogger goeroe. Sinds circa 2 dagen laadt mijn blog erg langzaam. Het enige dat ik toegevoegd heb is de CSS code voor de Index widget in de rechter kolom. Echter, zelfs als ik deze weer verwijder, dan nog laadt de pagina tergend traag.

Dus: is er iemand die me kan helpen of advies geven kan over wat er mis is met de pagina? Ik wil niet overstappen naar een ander blog platform, en ook wil ik de layout niet wijzigen. Ik wil alleen graag dat de pagina wordt geoptimaliseerd voor snelheid.

Ik kan je geen financiële vergoeding bieden. Wat ik wel kan doen - en wat ik zal doen als jij degene bent die me kan helpen - is je overladen met mijn eeuwigdurende dank en je naam noemen op de blog.

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De Wereld Draait Door Muziek

Miss Montreal, De Staat, Sabrina Starke, Rigby, Alain Clark, Milow, Benjamin Herman, Giovanca, Mala Vita, Selah Sue, DeWolff, Lady Linn & her Magnificent Seven, Novastar, Elle Bandita, Bertolf en Kyteman’s Hiphop Orkest feat. GMB en feat. Omar Soulay.

Allemaal traden ze op in De Wereld Draait Door en gezamenlijk staan ze nu op de cd/dvd "De Wereld Draait".
"De Wereld Draait" bevat een selectie muzikale hoogtepunten uit het tv-seizoen 2008-2009 van het Vara tv-programma "De Wereld Draait Door". De cd bevat alle originele nummers. Op de dvd zijn zowel de gesprekken als de optredens van de artiesten opgenomen. Extra op de dvd is het item "De Wereld Draait Warm". Dit bestaat uit beelden van optredens van de artiesten vóór aanvang van het programma die nog nooit zijn uitgezonden.

Een prachtig optreden van de Belgische zangeres Selah Sue met "Black Part Love"

Klik hier voor de complete inhoud van de box  

De complete inhoud van "De Wereld Draait" bestaat uit:
DVD
Interview en optreden in DWDD

1. Just a Flirt - Miss Montreal
   
2. The Fantastic Journey of the Underground Man - De Staat
   
3. Do for Love - Sabrina Starke
   
4. Parade - Rigby
   
5. This Ain't Gonna Work - Robine Koerts & Alain Clark
   
6. Ayo Technology - Milow
   
7. Brozziman - Benjamin Herman
   
8. Joyride - Giovanca
   
9. Addio - Mala Vita
   
10. Black Part Love - Selah Sue
    
11. Gold and Seaweed - DeWolff
    
12. A Love Affair - Lady Linn & her Magnificent Seven
    
13. Because - Novastar
    
14. Poison she- Elle Bandita
    
15. Another Day - Bertolf
    
16. She Blew like Trumpets - Kyteman's Hiphop Orkest feat. GMB
    
17. No More Singing the Blues - Kyteman's Hiphop Orkest feat. Omar Soulay

DVD BONUS: DE WERELD DRAAIT WARM

1. Optredens voor de uitzending
   
2. You'll be the leader - De Staat
   
3. The Fantastic Journey of the Underground Man - De Staat
   
4. Do For Love - Sabrina Starke
   
5. Parade - Rigby
   
6. This Ain't Gonna Work - Robine Koerts & Alain Clark
   
7. house by the greek - Milow
   
8. Hypochristmastreefuzz - Benjamin Herman
   
9. Joyride - Giovanca
   
10. give it up - Mala Vita
    
11. ragamuffin - Selah Sue
    
12. Black Part Love - Selah Sue
    
13. Gold and Seaweed - DeWolff
    
14. That's Alright - Lady Linn & her Magnificent Seven
    
15. Mars Needs Woman - Novastar
    
16. barbies & zombies - Elle Bandita
    
17. u-town university - Kyteman's Hiphop Orkest feat. Double G, Paradox, ReaZun, King Jule & Master Surre

CD

1. Just a Flirt - Miss Montreal
   
2. The Fantastic Journey of the Underground Man - De Staat
   
3. Do for Love - Sabrina Starke
   
4. Parade - Rigby
   
5. This Ain't Gonna Work - Robine Koerts & Alain Clark
   
6. Ayo Technology - Milow
   
7. Brozziman - Benjamin Herman
   
8. Joyride - Giovanca
   
9. Addio - Mala Vita
   
10. Black Part Love - Selah Sue
    
11. Gold and Seaweed - DeWolff
    
12. A Love Affair - Lady Linn & her Magnificent Seven
    
13. Because - Novastar
    
14. Poison she - Elle Bandita
    
15. Another Day - Bertolf
    
16. She Blew like Trumpets - Kyteman feat. GMB

<

De dvd + cd set is vanaf 19 mei te koop in de winkel en via de VARA webshop. "De wereld draait" kost € 23,95.

Info:
Web: De Wereld Draait

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A Time Machine to The Sixties, built by Robert Altman

This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock (august 15, 16 and 17, 1969). This legendary musical festival at the crossroads of the sixties and seventies has been captured both in writing and in recording many many times. You could seriously fill quite a few bookshelves with books on the spectacle that was held on the threshold, or rather 'dawning' of the 'Age of AquariusAge of Aquarius: In popular culture the expression 'Age of Aquarius' usually refers to the heyday of the hippie and New Age movements of the 1960s and 1970s. It is seen by many as the harbinger of a changeover of values associated with the arrival of the Age of Aquarius. The 1967 musical Hair, with its opening song "Aquarius" and the line "This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius," brought the Aquarian Age concept to the attention of audiences worldwide.
Source: Wikipedia'.

Cover of "The Sixties" by Robert Altman

Robert Altman's "The Sixties" is a beautiful addition to any bookshelf in its own right. It captures the spirit of the era just like the 5th Dimension-song does. Anyone who has a link with these times, be it directly or indirectly, passed down by parentage or siblings, by their love of the era's music or even from a historic point of view, will be captivated by the strong imagery in this book.

All photos in the book are from between 1969 and 1974. So why is the book called "The Sixties", rather than "The Seventies"? Robert Altman offers the answer to that in the Author's Note: "For many of us 'The Sixties' isn't about the early 1960s of JFK, the British Invasion, go-go boots, or beach blanket romps. For me, 'The Sixties' is the time of Sgt. Pepper, Woodstock, the Summer of Love, be-insbe-in: The Human Be-In was a happening in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, the afternoon and evening of January 14, 1967. It focused the key ideas of the 1960s counterculture: personal empowerment, cultural and political decentralization, communal living, ecological awareness, higher consciousness, and liberal political consciousness.
Source: Wikipedia, anti-war protests, and everything else in between, including AltamontAltamont: refers to the Altamont Free Concert in December 1969. During a performance by The Rolling Stones, several people were injured and another stabbed to death. Many people see this as the end of the Hippie era.)."
I could not have said it any better. It is indeed how most people remember The Sixties. The Sixties started in 1969. It's as simple as that!

"Age of Aquarius" from the movie 'Hair'. Year: 1979. The originating musical is from the year 1969.

The book offers some rare and beautiful photographs that capture the innocence and naiveté of the times, but also the promise of something better to come, the belief of a whole generation that better times were about to unfold. Tina Turner, Jane Fonda, Stephen Stills, Taj Mahal, Timothy LearyTimothy Francis Leary: October 22, 1920 – May 31, 1996. An American writer, psychologist, futurist, and advocate of psychedelic drug research.
Source: Wikipedia, Dennis Hopper, Janis Joplin, Chuck Berry, Grace Slick and many many others were all part of that generation. These and many more have found their way into this magical book. And so have group hugs, naked dancing, a hippie bus, anti-war demonstrations ("Fuck the War!") and a Black PantherBlack Panther Party: African-American organization established to promote Black Power and self-defense. Active in the United States from the mid-1960s into the 1970s, they were deeply involved in local comunities. The Party was an auxiliary of the greater movement. This so-called Black Power Movement was one of the most significant social, political and cultural movements in U.S. history. They were mostly noted for their provocative rhetoric and militant posture.
Source: Wikipedia rally.

Some names and faces may not be as well-known and familiar in other parts of the world and the book's point of view is distinctly American. That however does not make it any less enjoyable to audiences in other parts of the world.

The imagery in "The Sixties" is really strong and takes you right back. This book is a Time Machine, a happy Time Machine, built by a great engineer by the name of Robert Altman.

Info:

• ISBN-10 1595800247
  
• ISBN-13 9781595800244
  
• Amazon: The Sixties: Photographs by Robert Altman (Hardcover)
  
• Web: Homepage of Robert Altman
  
• Wikipedia: read more about Robert Altman

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Exclusive Interview with Clay Drayton of Soul Excitement

40 Years ago, the sixties were nearing their end. It later proved to be the end of an era that had produced great music and the first of what came to be known as 'pop' music. One of these popular genres - now defined as 'funk' - brought us the names of James Brown, The Meters, Sly & The Family Stone and many others.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Clay Drayton

The end of this era was the beginning of a new one. One in which black music became the true driving force. And like the sixties, the seventies brought a lot of new musical genres that conquered, and indeed ruled!, the world. These genres - like soul, disco and R&B - were predominantly 'black'. Their 'common denominator' was - still - funk with its roots in the previous decade. Funk became the calling card of illustrious bands and artists such as Parliament, Funkadelic, Mother's Finest, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Johny Guitar Watson, Cameo and The Bar-Kays.

Of course, these well-known acts were not the only ones that made great funk music. There may have been hundreds of other bands out there that rode the waves of the popular new music genre. Some were more succesful than others. And while some have not been able to escape from the abyss of time, others have survived - albeit just barely - and some of those were even re-released by such labels as Kay-Dee Records, Motown and Stax.

Soul Excitement

Label of the 45RPM re-release of 'Stay Together' by Soul Excitement

Those that were less succesful were not always less in terms of quality. Like today, back then there were many ways for new young bands to shine brightly one week and implode the next, like red dwarfs dying in the galaxy. One of these bright new bands was called Soul Excitement. Its front man was Clay Drayton. I stumbled upon the band's name one night reading about the song "Stay Together" that was re-released by Kay-Dee Records and ordered this 'new' 45RPM vinyl re-release single.

Hearing it for the first time I became instantly interested. My interest was triggered not because "Stay Together" still sounds hot, new and funky though, which it does!, but actually because of the 'wild' intro the song starts-off with. It has the rythm of a Viennese Waltz and sounds exactly like a traditional Dutch children's song, that is sung on December 5th, celebrating the birthday of Saint Nicolas, who is believed to be a great children's friend. This waltz was originally written by a a seventeenth century bagpipe player from plague-ridden Vienna; see the article "Popmuziek is schatplichtig aan zeventiende eeuwse doedelzakspeler" (DutchEnglish: Pop music pays tribute to seventeenth century bagpipe player).

My 'quest' into the origins of the intro to Soul Excitement's only single eventually brought me in touch with Clay Drayton. Clay was the singer, bass player and frontman of Soul Excitement. As it turns out, Clay is still working with music. He was friendly enough to answer a few questions for this article.

Clay is the main author of the song "Stay Together", on which he cooperated with the other band members A.C. Drummer Jr. (Guitar), Roland Washington (Saxophone), Paul Cutner (Drums) and Paul Settle (Trumpet).
About the 'wild' intro to the song Clay remembers it was inspired by Sly and the Family Stone's intro to "Sing a Simple Song". He was not aware of the origins of the intro on "Stay Together" as described in the above mentioned article. However, he says, "I wrote it from an American children's song 'The more we get together, the happier we'll be'".

The origins of a psychedelic funk band

Soul Excitement only existed for a short number of years. On how the band was formed, Clay remembers: "I met AC when we were in a band called Cecil Garrett and the FascinationsCecil Garrett and the Fascinations: Cecil Garrett and the Fascinations were part of the sixties' Pittsburg sound. "Bearcat" is one of their better known records., I wanted to start a band of my own and AC came with me. We found the other band members.
AC's mother knew a couple who wanted to start their own record label. They liked us and paid for studio time and record pressing on their label 'Pink Dolphin Records'. We played at night clubs every weekend for four years."

At the "Rare Funk and Soul Forum" Roland Washington, the band's saxophone player, also remembers the exciting times with Soul Excitement:
"Soul Excitement was a psychedelic funk band out of Newark, New Jersey. The band was originally formed by Clarence (Clay) Drayton, who was the leader and bass player, along with AC Drummer, guitarist, and Paul Cutner, drummer in the year 1968. During the summer of that year they took on a young tenor saxophone player, Roland Washington.
The band concentrated primarily on performing songs of the current popular artists of that time with a deep, funky, driving spin on such songs as Stevie Wonder's "I Was Made To Love Her", Parliament Funkadelic's "Good Old Funky Music" and "I Just Want to Testify", the Temptations' "Runaway Child". Their repertoire was an endless chain of funky songs. Clay on bass and Paul on drums would always put the band right in the pocket of the groove. AC Drummer would fill the rest with some of the funkiest guitar strokes accented by fuzz and wah-wah.

Dee Dee Warwick

The band enjoyed performing as regulars at such places as "The Cheetah" and "Trudy Heller's" in Manhattan. They were well loved wherever they performed. Soul Excitement also performed as backup band for Dee Dee Warwick and Linda Jones, two oustanding recording artists of that time. They performed on shows opposite the Delfonics, Unifics, Manhattans, Sam and Dave, Joe Tex and many other well known celebrities of that era.

Ellis Haizlip, host of the Channel 13 show 'Soul!, 13 Dec. 1972'

The band was later joined by Bernard "Captain Hook" Cutner as lead vocalist. His energy and dance moves created an atmosphere that totally captivated audiences. In the fall of 1968, the Soul Excitement appeared live, along with the "Grand Prix Machine" singing group, on Channel 13's "Soul", hosted by Ellis Haizlip. Haizlip later commented that until that time, no other performers had ever stirred the audience so much that they began dancing up and down the studio aisles.
After Captain Hook left the band, Tamy Smith joined as lead vocalist and eventually Paul Settle came aboard on trumpet. Tamy Smith and Clay Drayton are the voices heard singing the lead vocals on "Stay Together". Tamy is also the lead singer on "Smile".

The "Stay Together" and "Smile" 45RPM, unfortunately, was the only recording produced by Soul Excitement. The band dissolved sometime around January or February of 1970."

Soon after the recording of "Stay Together" and its B-side "Smile", AC Drummer and Clay Drayton began playing full-time for Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne Warwick), which meant the end of the band and the end of Clay's brush with funk music.

Hollywood

However, it was just the beginning of an era that turned out to be even more exciting for Clay Drayton than Soul Excitement had already been.

Marvin Gaye

Clay Drayton remembers: "I was playing in Las Vegas with Dee Dee Warwick for six weeks and after three weeks we got a week off and went to Beverly Hills to see Dionne. When I set foot in Hollywood, I knew that I wanted to live there. As soon as the six weeks was over everyone else went back to New Jersey and I moved to Hollywood.
That very day I found an apartment on a side street off of Hollywood Boulevard. As I walked out of the door and started down the street a van drove up and the driver shouted "Clay!".
I looked and it was Mark Davis, the keyboard player we met one year prior at a gig in Chicago.
He asked "Are you living here now?" and I said "Yeah, I just got an apartment".
He asked again "Are you still writing songs?"
"Of course", I answered.
"Well I’m producing Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross, would you like to write for Motown?", he asked."

It's the stuff dreams are made of or, in the words of Clay Drayton, "It was a DIVINE appointment".

Jackson 5

Clay continues: "A short time after that I was on the writing staff at Motown Records, working with some of the best producers in the world. Hal DavisHal Davis: African American songwriter and record producer. One of the key figures in the latter part of The Jackson 5's Motown career. Co-writer and producer of the Jackson 5 hit "I'll Be There", among others would come into the room asking "Anyone got anything for my boys?" (i.e. The Jackson 5). I said "Yeah, I have a few songs", he listened and liked what I had."
As a bass player Mr. Drayton played on many of the Jacksons' sings: "Being a bass player, Joe JacksonJoe Jackson: father and manager of the Jackson 5 and family patriarch asked me to do some things with Jermaine. I also wrote and produced some things on Randy and Janet when they were young. Unfortunately," he says "these things were not released."

Mr. Drayton was also the arranger on "Love Hangover" for Diana Ross. He earned five gold records to his credits on albums from Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, High Inergy and Lenny Williams.

Motown time capsule featuring the song "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross, arranged by Clay Drayton. Year: 1976

20th Century Fox Music

After Motown, Clay Drayton signed with 20th Century Fox Music. He has been president of his own music publishing companies, ClayTam Publishing (with his wife Tami) and Troytiaco Publishing.

Clay is also a member of the Screen Actors GuildScreen Actors Guild (S.A.G.): American labor union representing over 120,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide. According to SAG's Mission Statement, the Guild seeks to: negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for its performers; collect compensation for exploitation of recorded performances by its members, and provide protection against unauthorized use of those performances; and preserve and expand work opportunities for its members. and has appeared in several commercials, movies and television shows. He has produced Opening Night Productions for several World Conferences, which includes special guests such as M.C. Hammer and Martha Reeves (of Martha and the Vandellas).

Phatfoot

Today, Clay Drayton has even ventured into inventing. Clay explains: "As a bass player, many drummers would ask me to stand in front of their bass drum to keep it from sliding. There was no device to stop the drums from sliding. Drummers used all kinds of crazy things to keep the drum in place. Basically drummers have resolved the problem to using heavy carpets or rugs. Then one night I saw this thing floating in a dream. I jumped out of bed and grabbed a piece of paper and started folding it like origami. And there it was."
Clay continues: "I called someone to create a prototype." After the product was fine-tuned and completed it was tried out by Kenny Elliott who at that time was the drummer for Lou Rawls. Clay: "Kenny loved it: "Man this is amazing!" One of the other drummers he had it tried by was Dean Castronovo of Journey. Dean was blown away."
Today, the Phatfoot Drum Harness is made of glass filled Nylon but only weighs less than 2 oz, making it lightweight and durable.

Roland Washington later performed with Larry Young Jr. (jazz organist) and Chris White (bassist). He founded the Bell Telefunk Company band, which after he departed later evolved into The Dazz Band. Roland Washington currently is a producer and co-host at KPOO FM 89.5.

Clay Drayton (right) and his wife Tami

A.C. Drummer Jr. has continued to play the guitar. He mainly plays jazz, soul-jazz and jazz-funk and has recorded with Willis Jackson, Lou Donaldson (Jazz Sax) and other artists. He currently lives in North Carolina with his family.
To this day Clay Drayton still plays the bass and can be heard on recordings and during concerts by Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. (ex-5th Dimension). Like Billy and Marilyn, Clay and Tami Drayton have lived the title of Soul Excitement's one and only recording and still Stay Together.


Thanks go to Clay Drayton and Roland Washington!

Info:

• Forum: The history of Soul Excitement by Roland Washington
  
• Web: Dr. Gayle Wald on Ellis Haizlip and Soul!
  
• Web: Producer Hal Davis on the making of Diana Ross' "Love Hangover"
  
• Web: Home of the Phatfoot Drum Harness
  
• Web: Clay and Tami Drayton teach marriage classes and counsel couples at 'Romance and Royalty'
  
• Web: Home of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.

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Abba legendes lanceren eerste popsongs in 15 jaar

"BAO 3" van het Benny Anderssons Orkester. Jaar: 2007

In 1974 maakten we voor het eerst kennis met Q en Q, de onderhand legendarische jeugdserie rond Aristides Quarles van Ispen en Wilbur Quant. De serie werd uitgezonden door de KRO en trok per uitzending gemiddeld zo'n vier miljoen kijkers.

In datzelfde jaar maakte de hele wereld kennis met ABBA, de legendarische popgroep uit Zweden rond Agnetha, Björn, Benny en Annifrid. Het Eurovisie Songfestival werd uitgezonden door de TROS. Ondanks dat er in 1974 voor de eerste keer kijkcijfers werden bijgehouden, zijn deze voor het Songfestival van dat jaar helaas onbekend.

De B en B van ABBA, Benny Andersson en Björn Ulvaeus, hebben nu voor het eerst in vijftien jaar weer een aantal nieuwe popsongs geschreven, aldus verschillende bronnen. Hoewel de twee jeugdvrienden in de afgelopen jaren altijd samen zijn blijven werken, deden zij dit alleen maar in het musical genre. Denk aan de musicals "Mamma Mia!" en "Chess". Hun huidige samenwerking ontstond nadat Andersson zich realiseerde dat zeker 20 personeelsleden van zijn Hotel Rival in Stockholm in amateurkoortjes zongen. Hij schreef de muziek en Ulvaeus schreef de tekst.
Het nummer, "Second Best To None", staat op de homepage van het hotel op rival.se. Let wel op: de muziek begint meteen te spelen!

Een tweede nummer, "Story Of A Heart", zal zelfs worden opgenomen voor een nieuw album van het Benny Anderssons Orkester. Deze band is een in Zweden enorm populair en succesvol dans orkest dat Andersson in 2001 oprichtte samen met een stel vrienden. Het orkest bestaat uit 16 orkestleden en speelt een mix van Zweedse volksmuziek, pop and dansmuziek.

Op 4 juli treedt het Benny Anderssons Orkester op in Hampstead Heath in Londen. De toegang is gratis. Het nieuwe album zal uitkomen op 6 juli.

Info:
Web: De homepage van het Benny Anderssons Orkester
Web: Mono Music, het muziek label dat Andersson in 1987 oprichtte
BBC: Abba pair unveil new pop tracks

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European Playground: de leukste speeltuin is van Putumayo

"European Playground" uit de serie Playground van Putumayo Kids. Jaar: 2009. Release datum: 19 mei

Het moet wel ontzettend leuk zijn om voor Putumayo te werken. Je komt in aanraking met allerlei muzieksoorten, je doet onderzoek naar artiesten en liedjes, je snuift verschillende culturen op, je stelt prachtige cd's samen, verzorgt het artwork en de gedetailleerde informatie en bovendien maak je ook nog mensen blij met prachtige muziek cd's. Doe mij ook maar zo'n baan!

Met de serie Playground cd's van Putumayo Kids beoogt Putumayo vooral kleine mensen blij te maken en in aanraking te brengen met verschillende culturen. Kinderen heb ik niet en de nieuwste uitgave in die serie, "European Playground", is daarom dan ook de eerste 'Playground' die ik in de cd speler stop.

Talen

Vanaf het eerste nummer spettert het plezier je tegemoet. Het duo Sås & Kopp zingt in het Zweeds over de trampoline en hoe je daar met vriendjes in de achtertuin op kunt springen. De 'liner notes' vermelden nog specifiek dat Sås & Kopp in Finland wonen en daar deel uitmaken van een minderheid die afstamt van Zweedse immigranten. Het liedje wordt gezongen in het Zweeds. Er wordt zelfs bij gezet hoe je de naam moet uitspreken: Soos Okk Kahp.
Dat laatste wordt bij elke artiest en elke titel vermeld. En het is natuurlijk een leuke manier om kinderen te laten spelen met andere talen en andere klanken. Jammer daarbij is wel dat deze 'fonetische' spelling gericht is op Engelstalige lezertjes en luisteraars. Zo wordt bij de Engelse namen geen 'fonetische' spelling weergegeven, terwijl bij De Band Krijgt Kinderen met het liedje "Alles Uit De Kast" als uitspraak vermeld staat: artist: Deh Band Kraihht Keyn-deh-ren, song: AH-lus a-out deh-kast. Man stapt platzenzaak binnen en vraagt "CHOOH-ye-MOR-chen, hayft u vohr maihh deh LAAHT-ste sayday vahn deh band kraihht keyn-deh-ren?"
Merkwaardig ook dat zelfs de naam van de Schotse zanger Ian F. Benzie fonetisch staat vermeld als Ee-yun Eff Behn-zee.

Nou begrijp ik wel dat het te veel kost om voor elke taal aparte 'liner notes' bij te voegen. Dus hierbij een tip: maak op de site putumayokids.com de 'liner notes' beschikbaar voor elke Europese taal, zodat kinderen in hun eigen taal de informatie tot zich kunnen nemen en kunnen spelen met uitspraken en klanken <verkapte sollicitatie:// laat mij dat maar doen; waar kan ik mijn cv naar toesturen?/>.

Plezier

Verder is het een en al plezier met deze cd. Kinderen die enigszins van muziek houden, maken op deze manier kennis met de vele culturen van de wereld in een tijd waarin ze grote kans lopen om in hun eigen straat of buurt leeftijdgenootjes uit diezelfde culturen te ontmoeten. De cd bevat kinderliedjes uit Zweden/Finland, België (in het Frans), Engeland, Denemarken, Hongarije, Frankrijk, Griekenland, Portugal, Duitsland, Schotland, Nederland, Spanje, Zwitserland, Italië en Ierland.

Klik hier voor de inhoud van "European Playground"  

De inhoud van "European Playground":

1. Sås & Kopp • Trampolin • (Finland/Zweden)
   
2. Les Déménageurs • Bonjour Tout Va Bien • (België)
   
3. Herbie Treehead • Change Song • (Engeland)
   
4. Mek Pek • Stop Den Lille Kænguru • (Denemarken)
   
5. Alma Zenekar • Tudom Én Már Mit Csinálok • (Hongarije)
   
6. Alain Le Lait • En Voiçi, En Voilá • (Frankrijk)
   
7. Locomondo • Den Kanei Krio (Griekenland)
   
8. Buscapólos • Tito Troca-Tintas (Portugal)
   
9. Alex Schmeisser • Anneliese • (Duitsland)
   
10. Ian F. Benzie • I'Se the B'Y • (Schotland)
    
11. De Band Krijgt Kinderen • Alles Uit De Kast (Nederland)
    
12. Biella Nuei • Tarantainas De La Casa Sin Pared • (Spanje)
    
13. Roland Zoss • Bärengeburi-Bubuland • (Zwitserland)
    
14. Giovanni Caviezel • La Canzone Del Battello A Vapore (Italië)
    
15. Sharon Shannon • Sandy River Belle (Ierland)

Detail

De muziek op "European Playground" wordt op de site 'family-friendly music' genoemd. En dat is het. Ook als volwassene heb ik nog plezier gehad aan deze cd. Dat komt dan ook vast doordat ik niet alle teksten versta. Zo is het nummer "Tudom Én Már, Mit Csinálok" ("Ik weet wat ik wil worden als ik later groot ben") van Alma Zenekar uit Hongarije een leuk vrolijk, bijna Caraïbisch aandoend liedje, waarin een jongetje droomt over wat hij later wil worden, glasblazer, poppenmaker of timmerman. In de 'liner notes' kun je lezen dat de tekst is gebaseerd op een gedicht van de Hongaar Sándor Weöres.

Verder wordt bij elk liedje wat verteld over het land van herkomst, over de uitvoerende artiest en soms ook nog wat over de herkomst van en invloeden op het liedje. Zelfs aan juffen en meesters is gedacht: op putumayokids.com kun je na 19 mei gratis een 'teaching guide' downloaden met een kaart van Europa. Dit garandeert een les die de kinderen niet vlug zullen vergeten!
En het is dit oog voor detail wat ook deze uitgave van Putumayo zo leuk maakt. Dat geldt overigens voor alle uitgaven van het label. Zie het artikel Putumayo presenteert grote schoonheid uit India uit april van dit jaar.

Dus, als je kinderen hebt, luister dan zeker eens naar Putumayo Kids. Niet alleen zullen je kinderen de muziek leuk vinden, zelf word je ook vrolijk van al die verschillende culturen die uit je speakers schallen!

"European Playground" is vanaf 19 mei 2009 te krijgen bij de bekende verkooppunten.

Info:
Web: Putumayokids.com
Web: Putumayo
Web: informatie over European Playground

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Vandaag start de reguliere kaartverkoop voor het North Sea Jazz Festival 2009

Vanaf vandaag kunnen festivalgangers dagkaarten kopen voor North Sea Jazz 2009. Afgelopen woensdag werd het programma van het festival bekend gemaakt.

Tot vandaag waren er al kaarten te koop, maar dit gold slechts voor de driedagen- en all-inkaarten. Hiermee is de Early Bird Ticket Sale teneinde.

Het festival vindt plaats van 10 juli tot en met 12 juli 2009. Het zal, zoals in voorgaande jaren, vooraf worden gegaan door het gratis toegankelijke North Sea Jazz Around Town. Dit evenement duurt twee weken, en wel vanaf zaterdag 27 juni tot en met zondag 12 juli 2009.
Op de site is te lezen dat er in deze periode ruim 150 concerten gegeven worden verdeeld over de stad. Daarnaast vinden er nog diverse andere activiteiten plaats zoals: tentoonstellingen, rondvaarten met live jazz, jazz cruises, masterclasses, film- en videopresentaties.

Info:
Web: North Sea Jazz
Web: North Sea Around Town

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Programma North Sea Jazz 2009: prikkelend, verrassend en erg muzikaal

Het programma van North Sea Jazz 2009 is vandaag bekend gemaakt. De voorspelling die ik enkele dagen geleden gedaan had is daarmee uitgekomen: Sabrina Starke staat op het North Sea Jazz 2009.
Hierbij een kort overzicht van de artiesten die dit jaar op North Sea Jazz zullen optreden.

Adele • BB King • Burt Bacharach • Seal • Duffy • Jamie Cullum • Erykah Badu • George Benson • SMV featuring Clarke, Miller & Wooten • James Taylor • Roy Hargrove • Esperanza Spalding • Amos Lee • Raphael Saadiq • Raul Midón • Wynton Marsalis • Hank Jones • Chris Potter • Wouter Hamel • Robin Thicke • Steve Winwood • Toots Thielemans • McCoy Tyner • Allen Toussaint • Hiromi & Akiko Yano • Cecil Taylor • Randy Crawford & Joe Sample Trio • “Sing the Truth” featuring Diane Reeves, Lizz Wright & Simone • Eric Vloeimans • John Scofield Piety Street Band • George Duke & Rachelle Ferell • Chuco Valdes • Candy Dulfer • Q-Tip • Melody Gardot • David Sanborn • Lee Konitz & Brad Meldau & Charlie Haden & Jorge Rossy • Kyteman’s Hiphop Orkest • Paquito D’Rivera • Eli 'Paperboy' Reed • James Hunter • Bart Lust Quintet • Lee Ritenour • Greetje Kauffeld • Jazzanova • Herbie Hancock • Sabrina Starke

Nu nog een sponsor voor kaartjes en Mooimuziek doet uitgebreid verslag...

Info:
Web: kijk op northseajazz.com voor het complete overzicht

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L.O.V.E. van Karma's Kitchen

De nieuwe single 'L.O.V.E.' van Karma's Kitchen. Jaar: 2009

Gisteren ontving ik een mailtje van de zanger van Karma's Kitchen. 'Unsollicited' zoals ze dat noemen. Geen spam, wel ongevraagd. Of ik het leuk zou vinden iets te schrijven over de eerste single en video van een nieuwe band uit Leiden en Delft. Nu krijg ik dat soort verzoekjes wel vaker en regelmatig moet ik mensen teleurstellen.

Nadat ik een en ander had beluisterd van Karma's Kitchen vroeg ik me echter af waarom ik in hemelsnaam nog nooit iets gehoord had van deze band. Want wat deze jongens doen is echt goed! Ik heb me hier al vaker verwonderd over de enorme hoeveelheid talent in Nederland, en Karma's Kitchen is hiervan het zoveelste bewijs.
Wat echter indrukwekkend is aan deze band, is dat het zonder uitzondering gaat om jonge jongens. Hier dus geen door de wol geverfde muzikanten die al jaren commercieel bezig zijn. Het plezier spettert er vanaf. Op de blog van de band (op http://www.karmaskitchen.nl/) noteert zanger Rémon Beeftink dan ook: "Er zit [...] van onze kant ontzettend veel plezier en liefde in. En al zeg ik het zelf, dat is te zien op beeld. Het ziet er echt te gek uit."

Ondertussen timmert de band al vier jaar aan de weg. De nieuwe single L.O.V.E. is daarvan een prachtig resultaat, al raad ik aan ook de overige nummers van de band te beluisteren. Alleen op die manier ontstaat het beeld van een band die in korte tijd een mate van volwassenheid heeft bereikt waar het vele andere acts aan blijft ontbreken. Dat de bandleden een muzikale achtergrond hebben heeft hier duidelijk aan meegeholpen; zo studeerde zanger Rémon Beeftink songwriting aan de Rockacademy en drummer Jelle Huiberts studeerde aan het conservatorium.

Eigen beheer

In de eerste helft van 2007 bracht de band in eigen beheer de EP "The Euphoric Dream" uit. Met zes liedjes was dit mini album behoorlijk succesvol. Na dit succes besloten ze een album uit te brengen. Dit gebeurde in januari 2008. Dat album heet "Introducing Karma’s Kitchen" en bevat 12 tracks. Het is te koop via de website.

Ondanks hun relatieve onbekendheid gaat het de band de laatste tijd zeer voor de wind. Zo viel Karma’s Kitchen herhaaldelijk in de prijzen. Ze werden verkozen tot winnaar van de Bokaal van Vlaanderen, tot Bandtalent 2006 op de Talentenbeurs, tot winnaar van de Aanstormend Talent Award 2006 en tot winnaar van Frispop 2007. Bovendien waren ze finalist bij de Grote Prijs van Zuid-Holland.

De laatste tijd mag Karma's Kitchen zich in steeds meer mediabelangstelling verheugen; ook commerciële radiozenders als 3FM en Radio538 hebben de band ontdekt. En dat is terecht. Ze moeten in Hilversum maar eens wakker worden. Het is geweldig dat Cuby & The Blizards een nieuw album ("Cats Lost") uitbrengt, maar promoot dan ook de frisse funk-jazz-rock van Karma's Kitchen!

De band bestaat uit de volgende leden:

• Rémon Beeftink - zang
  
• Paul Akkermans - gitaar
  
• Guyon Beck - gitaar
  
• Karel Stelder - toetsen
  
• Jos van der Heiden - bas
  
• Jelle Huiberts - drum

De nieuw single L.O.V.E. wordt gratis uitgedeeld en toegestuurd na invulling van een formuliertje op de website www.karmaskitchen.nl.

Info:
Web: homepage van de band
Video's: Karma's Kitchen op Youtube
Web: Karma's Kitchen op Hyves

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Sabrina Starke op Bevrijdingsfestival Zuid-Holland 2009

Overzicht van het festivalterrein voor het Bevrijdingsfestival Zuid-Holland 2009 in Rotterdam. Bron: Google Maps

Op de een of andere manier blijkt het moeilijk te zijn een eenvoudig programma te maken voor de optredens tijdens bevrijdingsdag in Rotterdam. Het kostte mij althans toch meer dan gemiddeld moeite uit te vinden waar en op welk tijdstip Sabrina Starke op zal treden.

Dat ik er inmiddels uit ben heeft niets te maken met de duidelijkheid van de sites waar een en ander op te vinden is, maar meer met mijn kennis van Google zoektermen. Enfin, Sabrina treedt op aan de voet van de Erasmusbrug op het 'FunX presents Lijn5mei-podium' (wie verzint dit soort idiote namen?). Zorg dat je er om acht uur 's avonds staat om deze prachtige en fantastische Rotterdamse zangeres te aanschouwen en beluisteren. Zij doet dat als afsluiter op dit podium. De rest van de programmering is te vinden op de site bevrijdingsfestivalzh.nl.

Alle podia bevinden zich aan de voet van de Erasmusbrug (dat is de noordzijde van de Erasmus brug aan de kant van de Boompjes en het Vasteland). Deze lokatie is goed bereikbaar met de metro (halte Leuvehaven) en tramlijn 7 vanaf CS richting Willemsplein (eindpunt). De metro is in Rotterdam alleen toegankelijk met een ov-kaart.
Het zal druk zijn in Rotterdam, dus het openbaar vervoer is aan te raden. Als je dan toch met de auto komt, besef dan dat je in de stad overal voor je parkeerplek moet betalen en alleen kunt betalen met je chipknip! Uitzondering hierop vormen de garages.


De programmering in een vogelvlucht:

Podium: Erasmuspodium

13:00 uur Opening door burgemeester Aboutaleb
13:05 uur Babylon Circus
14:15 uur De Staat (rock)
15:25 uur 100% Isis en Ellen ten Damme (dance)
16:20 uur Triggerfinger (rock)
17:30 uur Vive La Fête (electro-rock-pop-disco-glam-kitsch)
18:45 uur Kraak & Smaak (dj- en producerstrio, eclectische mix van o.a. funk en electronica)
19:30 uur Dirtcaps (dance)
20:45 uur DJ Quinten de Rosario (dance)
21:45 uur DJ Joris Voorn (dance, techno)
19:30 uur MC Haits (hiphop)

Podium: FunX presents Lijn5mei

16:00 uur Music Matters. Line-up: Kevin Ferreira da Silva, klassiek pianist; Lana de Kievit, rockzangeres; Tibisai Mercera, soulzangeres en saxofoniste; G-no, rapper/beatboxer
16:55 uur DJ MP (tot 21.00 uur)
16:55 uur GMB (soul, hiphop)
17:55 uur Winne (hiphop)
18:45 uur Maikal X (reggae, dancehall, hiphop)
20.00 uur Sabrina Starke (soul, nu-soul, jazz, r&b)

Podium: Vrijheidspodium

13:00 uur DJ Rubenski
14:00 uur Yogaworkshop: Vrijheid van geest
14:30 uur 1e debat: 'Freedom of Debate'
15:00 uur Relaas van een oorlogsfotograaf
15:15 uur 2e debat: 'Freedom of Debate'
16:00 uur Jessica Hoogenboom (pop)
16:30 uur 3e debat: 'Freedom of Debate'
17:15 uur Winnaar GPZH: Singer/Songwriter
18:00 uur Stand-up comedian Rachid Larouz
18:20 uur Kon Kelei: Relaas van een ex-kindsoldaat uit Soedan
18:50 uur Demonstratie van Capoeira Rotterdam
19:30 uur Winnaar GPZH: Bands

Podium: Plein van de Vrijheid

Gehele dag:
Amnesty International
Cordaid Mensen in Nood
Vluchtelingenwerk Nederland
War Child

Info:
Web: de programmering van het bevrijdingsfestival Zuid Holland

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