The Voice 2014 Blind Audition - Toia Jones: "One and Only"

Congratulations to Toia Jones and her successful blind audition on The Voice!!!  She was awesome and represents the city of Montgomery and southern soul!! She picked Pharrell as her coach - so cool. I saw her perform with Bigg Robb at Carnes Park in April and thought she was amazing.  See my post: http://southernsoulparadise.blogspot.com/2014/05/carnes-park-mothers-day-blues-concert.html.


So proud of her - stay tuned and watch her perform in the upcoming shows!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Toia Jones - The Voice

Southern soul artist Toia Jones will be performing tonight (or this week) on one of the blind auditions on The Voice.  We are watching and know she will be fantastic!!!

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

William Bell - "I Need Your Love So Bad"

Oh yes, this is true southern soul and I've fallen in love with this beautiful love song.  William Bell lost his girl and says that he's hoping and praying that she'll come back and make everything alright. He never meant to hurt her and he's sorry that he let her go - he needs her love so bad.  Beautiful! "I Need Your Love So Bad" can be found on his "On A Roll" CD.

William Bell has a phenomenal background and you should read his bio:  http://www.williambell.com/index.html.  The man even has his own label!

XXOOXX
Enjoy!
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Dr. Nick

What are you doing from 6 - 8pm EST on Friday nights?  If you're anywhere near your phone/computer/iPad/tablet, check out The Juke Joint with radio personality Dr. Nick on Spice Internet Radio (www.wsir-db.com) or via TuneIn.  He plays the best in southern soul and blues. His Friday nights are perfect for your cookout, house party, or old school get together. Then, turn around on Saturday afternoons and enjoy listening to him from 2 - 4pm on Washington, D.C.'s WPFW (www.wpfw.org). The man definitely knows what he's doing!!

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Johnnie Taylor - "Drown In My Own Tears"

I posted this Johnnie Taylor song back in 2011 and had to repost it again.  It is absolutely amazing. Johnnie tells his girl that she ought to come on home so he won't be all alone.  The legendary Ray Charles made this record many years ago and JT's remake turned a really good song into a great one! Here are some of the words:

It brings a tear to my eyes
When I begin to realize
I’ve cried so much oh since you‘ve been gone
I’ve almost drowned in my own tears
I sit and cry, oh just like a child
My pouring tears they’re running wild
If you don’t think 
Oh that you’ll be home soon
I said I believe I’m going to drown right now baby in my own tears

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Lebrado - "Try Me"

A beautiful ballad by an extremely talented artist.  It's a sad story about a woman who finds that her man is cheating.  She wonders why he treats her this way when she does everything for him that a woman can do.

Why don't you try me; I can love you...

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Tyrone Davis - "It's a Miracle"

I thought I knew most Tyrone Davis records but I don't remember this from 1988. WBFZ (of Selma) and WKXN (of Montgomery) have been playing this for awhile and I just love it.  It's a sweet song about finding a lost love - how romantic!!

I was walking down the street one day

She was just a glimpse, so far away

But the closer I got to her

Well, more and more she looked so familiar

That same sexy sway of her hips

That same loving smile on her lips

We were almost close enough to touch

But I dare not though I wanted to so much

Chorus

Thought I would never see you again

Never another night with you I’d spend

But I kept the faith baby

And I prayed every night that you’d come back in my life

It’s a miracle

That’s what it is, that’s what it is

Say it’s a miracle

That’s what it is, that’s what it is

My blood is racing through my vein

A feeling starting that I can’t explain

My pulse quickens, heart’s beating fast

Thank God I finally found her at last

I said Sally and she just looked at me

I said Sally, baby, don’t you recognize me

Though I was wrong

I want to make it right

Let me make it up to you

Cause I finally see the light

Chorus

And I prayed every night that you'd come back to my life!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Mel Waiters - "Hole In The Wall"

Let's go baby to the hole in the wall.  I think this is one of Mel Waiters' most popular songs - it still hits the clubs pretty strongly and is sure to bring people to the dance floor.  "Hole In The Wall" has been redone by several artists but this original is a classic.

I had my best times at the hole in the wall.
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Hardway Connection

I attended the Bluebird Blues Festival, a great, free, musical event held each year at the Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland.  It was a sunny, beautiful day and the blues bands were really good.  One of these bands was the Hardway Connection, a popular group from the Washington, D.C. metro area.  I've seen them perform several times and they are always great and are definitely a crowd pleaser.  A few of the songs they performed included "Let's Go Dancing," "Can I Back It Up," "All Night Blues," "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart," and much more.   Their style is a mix of southern soul and r&b, something you don't hear that often when you leave the south.

These festivals are also a great way to meet other blues and southern soul lovers.  A special hello to Marlene who kept me company!

Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Grady Champion - "On The Southside"

I love this record by Grady Champion, a young blues singer and harmonica player.  Here's a live version of "On The Southside" and I'll keep looking for the CD version which is from his "Bootleg Whiskey" CD.  This is pretty popular in central and south Alabama.

XXOOXX
Enjoy!
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Roy C in Concert

If you're in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, check out Roy C on Sunday, October 26, 2014, at the Hampton Conference Center located at 207 West Hampton Place, Capitol Heights, Maryland. Roy C., Hardway Connection, Sir Jonathan Burton and more will be in concert. .Dress is semi-formal, the doors open at 5 p. m., and dinner will be served. Call 202-460-3540 or 202-361-6571 for more info.

A lot of southern soul artists don't often come to the DMV so if you're in the area, you've got to save this date.  You haven't been to a show if you haven't attended a southern soul show!!

Many thanks and xxooxx to Daddy B. Nice for his fantastic concert information (see http://www.southernsoulrnb.com/calendar_mailbag2008.cfm).

Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Willie Clayton - "Girl I Want Your Body"

Hmmm, this sounds like it could be a Ronald Isley song...

A beautiful ballad though...
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Denise LaSalle - "Pay Before You Pump"

My time and my lovin sure ain't free!  You've got to give me something baby if you want to be with me.  Well guys, some women actually feel like that - just make sure you keep that in mind before you seek those thrills!

I don't care how fine you are but looks don't pay my bills.
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

WBFZ - Selma, Alabama

Listening online is the thing to do if you're not close to a radio station that plays southern soul. You've got to check out Dr. Feelgood on Selma's WBFZ 105.3.  He's on the air from 6 - 8 a.m. EST on Monday and Tuesday mornings.  Great music!!

Here's the link: http://www.wbfzfmradio.net/.

Enjoy!!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

Southern Soul Blues Report

Have you seen the new southern soul website - Southern Soul Blues Report?? I'm excited about this up and coming site. They will be your bridge from the blues past to the present and I'm looking forward to all of the news and info that will be coming.  I'm happy to see they will resume Funky Larry Jones' countdown - awesome!! Check them out at: http://southernsoulbluesreport.com/.  They also stream 24/7 and here's the link: http://www.streamlicensing.com/stations/wsir/SSBR-Listen.html.

There is nothing like being able to listen to southern soul and the blues all day every day!!!

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Ms. Jody & O.B Buchana - "One-Way Love"

You can't go wrong when you blend Ms. Jody and O.B.Buchana together!  "One-Way Love' is a story about a couple who stays together, no matter how much people talk about them.  They have a never-ending love for each other.  She said that his daddy gave her a nasty look and he said that even his mama told him that she didn’t know how to cook.  Yeah, your family can sometimes mess with you.

What they don’t understand is that when they’re through talking, 

we’ll still be holding hands!

XXOOXX

Southern Soul Paradise

southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com

@ssoulparadides

TK Soul - "She Told On Herself"

Born Terence Kimble in the southern town of Winnfield, Louisiana, TK Soul began his love for music and musical instruments at the early age of 7.  He is living proof that you are born with certain talents!

TK Soul overheard his wife talking on the phone to her girlfriend - she just kept on talking and told it all. He didn't want to believe she was lying and cheating but he heard it himself.  Alright ladies, remember this lesson!

She Told On Herself" is taken from TK Soul's "The Evolution of Soul CD."

Enjoy!!
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Vick Allen - "True To Me"

This is one of the latest releases from his "Soul Music" CD.  Vick grew up in Jackson, MS, and began singing and playing the piano when he was only five years old.  Here's a little known fact - he produced and recorded his first CD when he was only 15 years old!!!  What a man, what a man! Check out his website at http://www.vickallen.com/.

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

September Concert Dates

Have you ever wanted to go to a southern soul show but just didn't know how to find one?  I love to go to concerts but have noticed that a lot of artists don't have websites and those who do, seldom keep them updated.

So, here's to you being informed and aware of some of the upcoming shows happening in September. This is a list of concert information that I've either heard on the radio or found on a few websites.  For additional concert dates and all kinds of blues info, see these two fabulous sites:  Daddy B. Nice's http://www.southernsoulrnb.com/calendar_mailbag2008.cfm and The Big K9's http://www.bigk9.net/artistupcomingb/.

I'll add more events as I hear about them.

Friday, September 12

Mel Waiters

Highland Social Club

2929 S WW White Rd.

San Antonio, Texas

Chris Ivy

The Grown and Sexy Sports Bar

15394 Highway 49

Belzoni, MS

Saturday, September 13

Fall Blues Show

Jwonn, Karen Wolfe, T.K. Soul, Sir Charles Jones

Garrett Coliseum, tickets $20, vip seats available

1555 Federal Drive

Montgomery, Alabama

Omar Cunningham, Ms. Genii

The Meeting Place

1301 W. Erwin St.

Tyler, Texas

Friday, September 19 

Jwonn

Club G’s

Montgomery, Alabama

Vick Allen
O'Hara's Spot
Hazelhurst, MS

Theodis Ealey, Kenne’ Wayne

Jones Plaza

10860 FM 1960 Rd.

Houston, Texas

Ms. Jody, Avail Hollywood

2^nd Annual Blues Fest

Hollywood Palace

319 S. Hwy #82

Greenville, MS

Vick Allen Birthday Celebration

O'Hara's Spot

242 Monticello St.

Hazelhurst, MS

Saturday, September 20

Tucka and Lady Di

Yellow Bluff Dragway

Yellow Bluff, Alabama

Vick Allen, Jeff Floyd, Avail Hollywood, Columbus Toy, Willie P., 

Nicky Parrish

The Southern Soul Showdown

Union County Fairgrounds

Eldorado, Arkansas

Sir Charles Jones

The Bryan Union Hall

400 Cow Palace Road

West Point, MS

Bobby Rush, Willie Clayton, Keke Wyatt,

Syleena Johnson, Sweet Angel, et al.

37^th Annual Mississippi Delta

Blues and Heritage Festival

Washington County Convention Center Fairgrounds

1040 Raceray Road, Greenville, MS

Wednesday, September 24

Vick Allen
MAPC Presents Blues on the Beach
Biloxi, MS

Thursday, September 25
Vick Allen
The Ag Building
Jackson, MS

Sunday, September 28

Ms. Jody, L.J. Echols

Craftsman Club Park

South Norwell Road

Clinton, MS

Artists, please let me know about your shows and I'll be glad to post them.
XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Ms. Jody - "He's My Candy Man"

Ms. Jody, one of my favorite performers!  She said that her man is her candy man and he's good to her; he's sweet, sweet, sweet!  He makes her feel great from her head to her feet!!!

BTW, I'm not sure why they used this picture for her album cover, but it doesn't do Ms. Jody justice - she looks fantastic in person!

I can't believe all this sugar belongs to me!!
XXOOXX
Enjoy!
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise

Pokey - "My Sidepiece"

I left home to be with my sidepiece.  What??? The melody is great but come on now...

XXOOXX
Southern Soul Paradise
southernsoulparadise@hotmail.com
@ssoulparadise