Jim Bennett - "The Body Roll"

Jim Bennett is a legend in the DC area and he'll be celebrating his birthday on Saturday, August 2, at the Lamont's Entertainment Complex in Pomonkey, Maryland,  He's one cool guy.

Southern Soul Paradise
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Stacy Brooks

Stacy Brooks is a beautiful and classy lady! I had a chance to speak to her this weekend and was impressed with her wonderful personality. Stacy and the Stacy Brooks Band have won numerous awards including the DC Blues Battle of the Bands in 2013.  Not only is she a fabulous singer, she's also an accomplished actress.

Check out her website at http://www.stacysmusic.org/Stacy_s_Music_Page.php and see my post: http://southernsoulparadise.blogspot.com/2014/06/stacy-brooks-blues-band.html.

Enjoy!!
Southern Soul Paradise
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Nellie "Tiger" Travis - Interview

I had the honor of interviewing Nellie “Tiger” where she was the headliner at the Lamont’s Entertainment Complex in Pomonkey, Maryland, and put on a fantastic show.   The crowd loved her and she is a performer that you've got to see when she comes to your city!  I found her to be a very down-to-earth sister who always remembers where she comes from.  Born and raised in Mound Bayou, Mississippi (which is also the home of one of my classmates and also O.B. Buchana), she was brought up in a religious background and believes in doing the right thing.  

In talking to successful people, I’m often interested in how they grew up and wonder what they were like as kids.  When I asked her how it was growing up in the small town of Mound Bayou, she said it was wonderful and that she wouldn’t trade it for the world.  I asked how she was as a little girl and she laughed and said that she sang all of the time – both in church and in school.  I wondered if she participated in talent shows and she smiled and remembered that she was always on the stage, always on a talent show.  Her main competition was a girl named Gail Glover - isn't it interesting what you remember from your youth!

I asked Nellie if anyone else in her family was musically inclined.  She said that a lot of them were.  She had plenty of relatives, including uncles and cousins, who also sang.  Her grandmother, who was a minister, raised her and sang, too.

I think everyone has an “ah ha moment” when you sort of have an epiphany about what you are meant to do in life and, in Nellie’s case, I asked her when she realized that she was meant to sing professionally.   She said that she has been singing all the time.  She lived in LA for a while but realized that it wasn’t the place for her.  Her experiences there just made her want to perform even more.  When she moved to Chicago in 1992, she felt so right there and felt that it was the place for her.  If you look on her site (http://nellietigertravis.com/), you’ll see that Chicago is her home base and she performs regularly there.

“Mr. Sexy Man” is one of the hottest records on the air and stayed number one on the southern soul charts for months.  It is still performed on radio stations all over.  I asked her how it felt and she said that it was awesome!!  She said that it felt great and she enjoys making people happy with her music.

She talked about Tyler Perry who gave her a fabulous shoutout as Madea on the Steve Harvey radio show.  Tyler said that he’s been working with Nellie “Tiger” Travis and that she had a song called “Mr. Sexy Man.”  He then started singing some of the lyrics…hey, Mr. Sexy Man, what ‘cho name is??  He said that he loves that song.  Listen to Tyler Perry, especially around the 14:00 mark: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=103743849667899&story_fbid=610130395695906.

We talked about the thing that inspires her and she said that it is performing.  Nellie has a great respect for people and that they make her happy when she gets up on the stage.

Towards the end of our talk, I asked Nellie what she wants her fans to know about her.  She said that she wants us to know that she loves them and that they are the ones who keep her going.  She wants us to know that she was raised the right way and that she loves everyone, even her enemies.  We talked about how adversity sometimes makes you stronger and she said that her love for making people outweighs everything.

Here is the lineup of songs that Nellie “Tiger” Travis performed in the park.  I have to tell you, she paused for a moment and sang Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”  a cappella and her voice is amazing!  In my opinion, the true test of finding out whether or not an artist can sing is how he sounds without the music, synthesizers, and everything else.  If you don’t believe me, go to a show and listen to your favorite artist sing without the music…. This girl can SING!  This is what she sang that afternoon:

Who’s Fooling Me

Slap Yo’ Weave Off

I Ain’t No Super Woman

If I Back It Up

I Will Always Love You

You Gonna Make Me Cheat

Mr. Sexy Man

I want to thank Stacy Brooks, a very classy lady and performer, and a very special thank you to the wonderful Dr. Nick (of WPFW and Spice Internet Radio) who made this possible!!

Thank you Nellie for a wonderful interview!!!  She was so comfortable to talk to and I felt as if I was sitting down talking to someone I’ve known for years. 

XXOOXX
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Tucka - "Slow & Easy"

I am so in love!  Here's a beautiful ballad by the King of Swing. And when he tells me in his chorus, "baby, dance with me, slow and easy."  Oh yeah!

If our song comes on and I want to get it on, don't take too long...
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Simone De - "Since I Lost You Baby"

All I want to do is to look at Simone De as he sings to me.  What??

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Artie "Blues Boy" White - "I'm Gonna Marry My Mother-In-Law"

Hmmm...I'm gonna marry my mother-in-law because she's got the kind of love that his heart has been lonely for. Artie "Blues Boy" White knows it's wrong but he has to do it.  Now, no matter how you twist it, that just sounds so wrong. Here are some of the reasons he gives:
1. When he comes home from work, his wife is always in the street. Her mother is there and cooks him what he likes to eat.
2. When his back is aching, she knows just where to rub.
3. She puts slippers on his feet.
4. She runs hot water in the tub for him.

Artie says that his mother-in-law is like two good women wrapped in one.  She treats him like a baby like only a mother can but when they're alone together, she let's him know he's a man.  Ewww!!

It's still a great blues song!!!!!

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Mel Waiters - "What I Had In You"

Oh man, this is a beautiful song from Mel Waiters' "Let Me Show You How To Love" CD. He's one of my favorite entertainers and I always love seeing him in concert. In this song, Mel runs into his old girlfriend and thinks about all the things they went through.  But, like he says, sorry just won't do.  He finally realizes what he had in her and knows that no one could love him like she did.  Isn't that the case?  Don't we often appreciate someone when it's too late?

I want to slow dance on this song one of these nights......

There are some mistakes that you just can't undo.
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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The Soul Children, Lady Mary, and Sheba Potts-Wright - "I'll Be the Other Woman"

Here are three versions of "I'll Be The Other Woman" that I'd like you to hear.  The first one below is the original 1973 recording by The Soul Children.  The other remakes are pretty good but The Soul Children with Shelbra Bennett singing vocals is out of this world. They also recorded a ton of fantastic music including "I'll Understand," "Hearsay," "Don't Take My Kindness for Weakness," "It Ain't Always What You Do," and the oh-so-classic, "The Sweeter He Is."  If you recall, J. Blackfoot was a member of this group and also sang lead on many of their songs.  They were a powerful group!


Here is Lady Mary who is hugely popular in Maryland.


And here's one by southern soul artist Sheba Potts-Wright.

All three versions are good.
Enjoy!!!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Jackie Moore - "Precious, Precious"

This is a CLASSIC!!!  It was released back in 1970 and was one of my Dad's favorite records.  We had the 45 and I can still see him turning up the stereo and hear his voice singing it!!  Awesome memories. People didn't know they were loving southern soul even back then!

Precious baby you're mine!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Johnnie Taylor - " When She Stops Asking"

When she stops asking you about where you're going or where you've been, it's time to take a good look at your relationship. You better watch out because it might be a sign that she doesn't care anymore.  JT says that you better quit what you're doing and bring it on in.  Great advice for both men and women to follow before it's too late, great advice.

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Tyrone Davis - "Freak"

I just love Tyrone so this song is up there on my list.  WBFZ in Selma has been playing this almost every morning lately and I like it!!  I do anything to please my woman as long as she says it's ok - well alright now!

I'll be a freak for you!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Lynn White featuring Willie Clayton - "Slow & Easy"

I know that I give positive reviews on the majority of songs I post - it's probably because I usually post things that I like or hit me just right.  Slow & Easy is one of the songs at the top of my all-time favorite list.  This is one of my traveling songs; it lasts more than seven minutes so it is great on the road and even when I'm in the air. In my opinion, it's Lynn's best song.  Her voice and Willie Clayton's blend so well.  And if you listen, it's like two songs into one.  Perfect!



Love me till my heart stops!
Enjoy!!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Dr. Feelgood Potts - "Let's Slip Out Tonight"

First, I know what I'm asking you to do is wrong... When a conversation starts like that, you know where it's going!!

Cheating is a risky business!!
Enjoy!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Barbara Mason - "I Am Your Woman"

I am your woman, she is your wife.  We're the two women that's in your life.  You've got two too many women in your life.  Ah well, now...

You know Barbara Mason from her 1965 hit, "Yes, I'm Ready."  She's been performing and producing hits and wonderful music ever since then.  I LOVED her R&B hit "Another Man."
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Bigg Robb with Shirley Murdock - "Mama's Song"

This is a testimony from Bigg Robb, a tribute to his mom.  Amen to that!

A little trivia:  Many southern soul artists give thanks to God and sing at least one gospel song during their performance.
.
Enjoy!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Sir Charles Jones - "Is There Anybody Lonely?"

I was going to say that this is probably one of Sir Charles Jones' best songs, but he has so much great music that it's kind of hard to make a decision. LOL  Here's his bio from soulbluesmusic.com:

Born in Akron, Ohio but raised in Birmingham, Alabama Jones' has become one of the more famous faces on the "Southern Soul" scene. More of a bedroom crooner with a sexy image, slick contemporary R & B songs and smooth voice, Jones scored a Top 30 R & B album his second time out with "Love Machine". He followed this with the less stellar "Southern Soul"  before releasing "Thank You For Holding On" in 2005 on his own label Senator Jones' Hep Me Records put out a "Sir Charles & Friends" collection featuring three Jones tracks. In 2007 he again signed with Mardi Gras for a "Best Of", a DVD and two more full-length albums.  The most recent ("Tribute To The Legends") had Jones doing stylized versions of Soul classics like J. Blackfoot's "Taxi."

BTW, his latest album is "Portrait Of A Balladeer."
Enjoy!!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Willie Clayton featuring Tyrone Davis - "Stop By"

You've got to stop and listen to this ballad.  This is an awesome song. Willie Clayton took Tyrone Davis' song and redid it, mixing Tyrone into it. I was looking for the original record by Tyrone but can't find it on youtube.  His original version is sexy and beautiful, classic Tyrone.  But this song is great and would be perfect as that slow dance at the cabaret....

Enjoy!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Donnie Ray -" Hip Slide"

I heard this song this morning and it made me feel like dancing!  You can find this marvelous record on his "Let's Go Dancing" and "Best of Donnie Ray" CDs.

Love Donnie Ray!
Enjoy!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Bigg Robb - "Getting It In"

I always liked Bigg Robb and have enjoyed his music even more after seeing him in concert. This is a good dance song but like a lot of southern soul, it is adult music.

Enjoy!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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Duchess Jereesa McBride - "Super Mistress"

I love this ballad by Jureesa McBride - not sure if I want to be anyone's mistress, let alone a super one, but I adore this melody.

The Duchess has a radio show called "The Duchess Soul Sessions" that can be heard from 9 - 11pm EST every Tuesday & Wednesday on (www.loudcity.com/stations/dj-mel-…ertainment-radio). I'll have to check her out!

Here's her bio from cdbaby.com:
Jureesa "The Duchess" McBride, born and raised in Port Gibson, Mississippi, Jureesa was always inspired by music. As long as she can remember, music was a huge impact on her life. She grew up listening mainly to blues and soul music. Her biggest passion was writing. She was deep into writing poetry and singing at a young age.; starting at the age of nine. Over the years, her poetry evolved into beautiful songs that people could relate to. She has always believed that music had to have meaning, no matter what the genre was. Now, she considers herself to be a great singer /songwriter just waiting for the world to enjoy her art.
Jureesa now resides in Vicksburg, MS. She write and sings in the genre of Soul, Blues, R&B, Southern Soul, and Pop. She really enjoys the art that she creates because it’s her comfort zone and therapy. She has done performances with several artists on different occasions, including Dave Mack, Sweet Angel, The Love Doctor, Tina Diamond, Stevie J, Mister Zay etc. Jureesa’s biggest inspirations in music are Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Mary J Blige, Kelly Price, and a few others. They inspire her because they create music that has a purpose and a meaning. She’s now at a point in her life where she is very excited about sharing her music with the world.

Enjoy!!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
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