Archive for the R.I.P. Category
Heaven must be a beautiful place today. We here on Earth have lost the legendary folk and blues singer Odetta, a woman whose music made her a central figure of and one of the most cherished of voices for folk music and, more importantly, the civil rights movement in America of the 1950’s and 1960’s.
More than merely the voice of a generation, her music was part of the wheels that spun which brought about change. She embodied the traditions of folk music even as she found success in the folk movement of the 1950’s & 1960’s, a woman who would make appearances on the coffee house circuit and, at the same time, could fill the house at Carnegie Hall. Her voice rang out the strains of slavery and oppression, performing “O’ Freedom” to the crowd at the famous March on Washington in 1963. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, she brought a passion to folk music which never wavered or faltered. I believe personally that when people first used the term “soul music”, they were referring to Odetta.
There is no way to explain her music to someone who has never heard her than simply, “it touches a part of your soul that you never knew was there, making you at once angry and unafraid, ready and wanting to stand up and take action”.
From time to time, I face losses like this from the perspective of more than simply a writer or a historian or a reviewer. In this instance, I take Odetta’s passing very personally; at twelve years of age, I was blessed to (thanks to an introduction from Joyce Cobb) meet and share a stage with Odetta at the Memphis Music Heritage Festival where we sang “He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” together. The time that we spent together before, during, and after that night has left a lasting impression on me and an impact that I can’t fully describe. It has meant more to me as I have grown older, for as a child I only knew that Odetta was a sweet and gentle lady who took an interest in who and what I was about. It subconsciously explains to me many of my own life experiences, my choices as a writer, as a performer and as a person. Her loss hasn’t fully tagged me yet. I am still processing, but I am very saddened.
I have neither the inclination nor the patience to regurgitate the minutiae of her career; I leave that to the capable hands of the International Herald Tribune. Instead, I leave you with some of her music and encourage you to find more.
There are few whose passion and determination are matched in the power of their voice. There are only a handful in all the world who understood and bore the traditions of folk music with such sincerity. There was only one Odetta, and partially because of her gift to the world, it seems that the world has finally turned.
Perhaps, and with good reason mind you, she felt it was time to go ahead and go; that perhaps, at last, her work here was done. But the hard work truly has begun; until we have freedom, justice and equality for all people living in this country, the struggles of which Odetta sang must continue on.
Odetta - Freedom Trilogy (Oh Freedom, Come & Go With Me, I’m On My Way) from the album At Town Hall
I swore I would not write any more epitaphs this year, but this one comes as a complete shock. Not a lot of information is known about the situation yet except that Def Jam executive Vice-president Shakir Stewart reportedly committed suicide in Atlanta today.
Shakir’s career successes included signing Beyonce at Hitco and, as executive VP of Def Jam, several of Def Jam’s top-selling artists over the last few years, including Rick Ross and Young Jeezy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Shakir’s friends and family & to his extended family at Def Jam.
First of all, I’m a big huge jerk. I got a CD in the mail from The Gay Blades months and months ago (maybe even a year ago). It had a post-it note on it that said, “TGB + EJ 4 Fun Times” inside a big heart-shape. It contained a delightful collection of what they call “trash pop”. I was moved. Then, I forgot about the CD and The Gay Blades and their heart-shaped post-it note.
It was at this point when it should have occured to me: I had unintentionally trampled on their heart as if it were merely, say…a gall bladder or a pancreas.
To make matters worse, I have carted their sticker around on my hard drive for at least that long. I have listened to said CD a number of times. I have failed them inasmuch as they’ve provided me with good music to listen to that I like. I want to be the first to apologize to them for being a big huge jerk by gladly posting this tribute that one (or both) members recorded in tribute to the late Paul Newman.
The note which came attached will explain everything I think:
Hi…
I’m a huge fan of Paul Newman and I’m going to miss knowing he’s out there, so I recorded this today. Its way sadder when he sings it in Cool Hand Luke though…dig it.
Clark Westfield
The Gay Blades
http://thegayblades.rcrdlbl.com
Now, if you please, enjoy this quick ditty with my thanks to Clark and The Gay Blades for the … enjoyment they have brought me these many months. You can get some more good stuff from them by visiting them at RCRDLBL.
And the hits just keep on coming…..
Among the ranks of America’s greatest soul songwriters and composers, few stand taller than Norman Whitfield, who died at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles after a lengthy illness. His contributions to American soul music count among the most prized and revered. His studio experimentations with sound shaped a blueprint for the significant, powerful changes in the Motown sound and the sound of northern soul that took place in the 1970’s.
Whitfield shared both the producer helm and co-songwriting duties on a number of Motown staples with Barrett Strong, producing a string of classics for The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Edwin Starr, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Rare Earth and The Undisputed Truth. As a composer, he is most well known for the soundtrack to the 1970’s film Car Wash, a soundtrack whose relevance to R&B, soul music, funk and disco surpassed the impact of the film itself. The soundtrack would win a Grammy in 1977 for Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special.
Whitfield had been suffering from diabetes. No funeral arrangements have been made at this time.
Reviewing reviewers isn’t really the norm around these parts; I’m not a music news blogger or someone who tends to reblog things. However, one of the people I’m following over at my Tumblr blog (now my personal blog) pointed me in the direction of this compelling look at the importance of Isaac Hayes to the history of soul music. Written by Andy Gill, it’s an incredibly relevant and insightful look at why the successes of Isaac Hayes’s inventions paved the way for the careers of many others whom we consider to be the greatest performers in soul music and hip-hop. Take a minute to go read this article. (Independent.Co.Uk; HT The Rich Girls are Weeping)
It is with a very heavy heart that I write about the passing of one of Memphis music’s living legends, the incomparable soul impresario and composer Isaac Hayes. The shocking news of his untimely death has sent shockwaves through the music community here in Memphis, many (like me) struggling for some way to place the impact of his life’s work into personal perspective.
“Ike”, as he was known to his friends and colleagues, seems to me may have been ill for some time. It was well known, though not often spoken about, that Ike had long struggled with diabetes. The impact on his health is something I can only guess about, but I remember seeing him at the Recording Academy Honors this past fall and shaking his hand to say hello. His affable, open and pleasant demeanor was something he never shied away from even at the height of his celebrity. I was struck, then, to realize at that time the frailty of his handshake and the distance in his voice as I greeted him. Having known Ike since I was very little, and seeing him there in that situation, I was given pause. Commenting about the situation afterwards to friends, I have to believe that his closest friends and family members were aware that he was not in good health.
As recently as this week, Ike could be seen in advertising locally for a heart clinic running on a treadmill, not unlike the one next to which he was found. I made the comment to a friend, based on seeing the commercial, that I was somewhat surprised to see Isaac looking and sounding so well. I would be willing to venture a guess that this commercial has been pulled, so there’s no point in looking around for it.
I am really terrible at writing eulogies or tributes and, to be simple and direct, I’m kind of a mess right now about this. The music that Isaac Hayes brought to the world, the meaning of his work to American soul music, the long-reaching impact of his immense body of work, is something that I can’t really put into perspective right now. I just feel like I’m struggling to put the whole thing together in my head.
I know, however, that my understanding of the Memphis that is a part of my life will never be the same to me after the loss of Isaac Hayes. My condolences to his many friends and family members.
Rock and roll pioneer Ike Turner, a controversial though incredibly beloved figure in music, passed away today in San Diego at the age of 76. Born in Clarksdale, MS, he was one of the last living legends of the rock and roll era.
Turner, it is agreed by critics and historians, wrote and recorded in 1951 the first official “rock and roll” song, “Rocket ‘88″, at Sam Phillips Recording Company here in Memphis with Jackie Brenston and the Delta Kings (who were actually Turner’s Kings of Rhythm and to whom the song was later credited, reportedly “for financial reasons”). But Ike’s biggest successes as a performer and songwriter finally came with the Ike & Tina Turner Review, a partnership which produced a string of hit songs and, along with it, the virtues and vices of fame and fortune.
It goes without saying that his private life with ex-wife Tina Turner became the stuff of controversy, documented both in Tina’s autobiography and the film What’s Love Got To Do With It?, and Ike’s struggles with both marital and heavy substance abuses led to a number of tumultuous relationships and run-ins with the law which would serve to derail his career.
However, in spite of his reputation both on and off the road, Turner remained a respected artist for his early contributions to rock and roll and toured up until the time of his death. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and was awarded a lifetime achievement by the Recording Academy in 2002 for his many accomplishments as a producer, talent scout, songwriter and musician, a list too great and many to list here.
R.I.P. Ike
Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats (featuring Ike Turner on piano) - Rocket 88
Check out more on Ike Turner at Living In Stereo.
About an hour ago, I received the very sad news that Pimp C, co-founder of seminal rap group The Underground Kings (known to the world as UGK), had been found dead in his hotel room at Le Mondrian in Hollywood. Nobody is releasing any further details, but the timing could not be any worse. Having been recently freed from prison, UGK’s 2007 epic self-titled double-CD has been declared by many in the rap world as the #1 rap album of the year and “International Hustler’s Anthem (I Choose You) (featuring OutKast)” was the rap anthem of the summer on Memphis radio. UGK’s, and in particular Pimp C’s, connections to the Memphis rap family stretch far and wide.
We here at Loudersoft wish to express our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Pimp C.
UPDATE: UGK’s record label, Jive Records, released a statement just moments ago.
It is with great sadness that Jive Records announces the passing of Chad “Pimp C” Butler, a member of the celebrated rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Jive Records’ President and CEO Barry Weiss states: “We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I’ve known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family.”
Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Butler’s father was a trumpet player who played professionally with Solomon Burke. Outside of his father, the 33-year old rapper’s influences varied, ranging from Bobby Bland, Jimmy McGriff, the 1960’s Motown artists to Run DMC. Butler met his inseparable partner Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in high school where they formed UGK. In 1992, the duo signed to Jive Records and went on release a total of eight albums for the label. They earned their highest achievement earlier this year when their most recent album, UGK (Underground Kingz), debuted in the number one position on the album pop chart. According to the New York Times, UGK “helped inspire a generation of Southern hip-hop stars, from OutKast to Lil Wayne.
UGK - International Hustler’s Anthem (I Choose You) (featuring OutKast)
The death of Max Roach, the innovative master percussionist whose transformations and excursions changed jazz music forever, is felt very heavily here at Loudersoft. His accomplishments are nearly unequaled in the world of modern music; his work was instrumental in the construction of the bebop movement which, if you didn’t know, is widely considered the dominant form of modern jazz among purists. The breathtaking rhythms of post-World War II’s uptown New York City jazz revolution are reflected in every measure, and in the howl of his timing you can hear the foundation that Max Roach laid. The house that Max built is something that a lot of music listeners may take for granted; but then again, how many who have come through have altered music to form a new standard?
It’s not just about Max Roach the drummer, either. Perhaps equally as important as his work in music was his reputation as a fearless innovator. The manner in which he approached his work and the obstacles of his life let people know that they were dealing with the best. His mere presence, it was often said, demanded the respect and admiration of those around him because he carried himself with the distinction of who and what he was. He walked the talk and challenged you to do the very same; he did not settle for things to be second best.
Max Roach, thank you for all the wonderful music that you have given us. I have a date with The Quintet’s Jazz At Massey Hall so I can remember you to the rafters.
