Friday's Menu: Fillet of Soul

As the weekend and winter approaches my mind turns to Christmas. A time when you hole-up indoors with projects and interests that only summer could successfully compete with. 

I love and collect soul music. Not just what the industry calls R&B today. I’m referring to that era of the art where stirring vocals, horns, strings, and rhythms bended and blended the raw with the real. Effortlessly your hand rises and waves in the air as if you are about to touch the face of a God who absolutely and completely understands. In a word, Church!  

Now I’m not going to start naming names here. Not only would that would be cheating but there would be too many artists left out. Some who didn’t enjoy lengthy music careers. But for purposes of clarity and stimulating conversation I’ll identify a time period, say 1960 through 1975. Those classic soul 45 rpm recordings which are hard to find today – even on the web.

And should you know where I can find them by the hundreds please let me know.

Some folk are jazz junkies, some are lovers of classical (anglo-philes?), some addicted to the blues. My soul hungers for… what else? So I am on an eternal quest to get my mitts on all the good old soul music I can. I have a lot already. And yet I want more. Clearly an obsession. 

Yes I will purchase a usb turntable to transfer any vinyl I find.  

If you’ve ever looked on the web for CD reviews on soul music (even R&B or jazz music) you know the results are very limited, comical and amateur at best.  

So here is a list of books that should improve my searches a little: 

Guinness Who’s Who of Soul Music by Colin Larkin 

Virgin Encyclopaedia of R&B and Soul by Colin Larkin 

Sweet Soul Music by Peter Guralnick 

Nowhere to Run: The Story of Soul Music by Gerri Hershi 

It’s my understanding you’ll find within these encyclopedias of soul Ahmet Ertegün [photo, far left] and Atlantic Records, Chess Records, Stax Records, Motown Records along with labels and artists as obscure as they are divine. 

So you might be thinking Christmas is not so far away. I’m thinking “massive vinyl find”, new turntable and software to learn, new iPod (for creating the perfect playlists), as well as a serious inducement for Old Saint Nicholas. 

Enjoy the weekend. 

Disappointed With Cosby, But Happy Despite It All

Well I braced myself for the Bill Cosby on Oprah interview. One could almost predict the carnage. And may I say it was as jarring as I thought it would be. It was nice to see Cosby’s partner and co-author Alvin Poussaint as he sat next to and supported “America’s Dad.” But for me their duet was more fire and brimstone than informative or inspirational. Very preachy to say the least. Watching Cosby talk down to the people as if his “I know what’s best for you” message would have any lasting relevance gave me the willies. Though Oprah seemed a bit ill-at-ease as she offered her ample platform to them, her courtesy was clearly well-intentioned. What I detested most was Cosby’s authoritarianism. I was disheartened that Dr. Poussaint didn’t do the therapist job of eliciting through inquiry rather than letting Cosby go on an unbridled telling spree which bordered on finger-wagging. And regarding the medical condition he was experiencing, who listens to a man hiding behind sun glasses? Come On People. After all these years have you ever seen a news anchor wear shades because of a medical issue? Cosby could have, probably should have, rescheduled. I guess the ultimate question is: Will he sell books? Why not? Ann Coulter does. Perhaps they should tour together.

Alright. I was very disappointed to see Lieutenant Commander Tuvok reduced in rank to a New York City doorman on Samantha Who? Perhaps Tim Russ over invested in his floundering music and filmmaking career. He was so darn good on Star Trek: Voyager. 

Now for something happy. Congratulations to Ashlee for winning I Wanna Be A Soapstar.  Jemina would have been a terrific choice as well.  

I’m finding Shonda Rhimes’ Private Practice to be far more entertaining than Grey’s Anatomy. The characters, though swimmingly neurotic, seem much more mature. Or maybe it’s just a guy thing for me. 

The on-again-off-again romance between the talented and unhappy Kobe Bryant and the Lakers is rustling the autumn leaves. As if the break-up with Shaq wasn’t enough. Hang in there Los Angeles and standby Chicago, Dallas, etc. Check out his website to see what General Colin Powell means to Number 24. 

So I didn’t know who fashion designer Kevan Hall is. Did you? Word is his African Experience is blowing things up at LA Fasion Week Spring 2008. 

Speaking of fashion, Tyler Perry is making black filmmaking a hot commodity in Hollywood.  

How ‘bout that TV ad with Thierry Henry [photo], Tiger Woods, and Roger Federer for Gillette?  But I feel the Usher and Martha Stewart ad for Macy is the sweeter of the two. Although Henry just broke a little well-known record in soccer you’ll be drinking Tiger while he pockets $100 million very soon. Brothers are gettin’ paid and lookin’ good doin’ the damn thing. 

Are you watching David Oyelowo in Five Days? If not, then don’t complain about there not being enough dramas with people of color on the tube. 

I have nothing more to say.

Re-think and Refresh

Hello Everyone. (I am not Michael Beach, but keep reading.) We’ve been bloggin together for a few months and though it’s been a pleasure, we’re still not afraid to be better.  Yes we’ve been away for a couple of days to re-think and refresh. And just between you and me, moving Freshplays from Blogger to WordPress was an act that did not go unpunished! So where are we? Just between you and me I will soundly proclaim that there’s going to be some changes around here.  What changes? It’s easier to show you than to tell you. 

Adios Floyd Mayweather from Dancing With The Stars. He is worldwide proof that all brothas can’t dance. Guess there’s not a strong connection between pugilism and dance. Although I wouldn’t say this to his face as he may hit me in mines.  

And how did Melanie Brown end up in the bottom two? Haterz! 

I just discovered MarvalusOne whose Opinionated Black Woman blog gives you the lowdown on her ten favorite actors. She’s got a good list which includes my faves Jeffrey Wright and Don Cheadle but I must insist on the inclusion of Michael Beach [photo]. No wait. He would be on my list. Seeing him opposite Don Cheadle would be heaven. Sheer heaven. 

My digital video recorder hasn’t been recording Dexter which stars Erik King. I dig what he brings to that character although the promo that featured him with Michael C. Hall never mentioned his name in word or print. The next time you feel overlooked at work be thankful the slight is not telecasted worldwide. I’m working on the technical difficulty. 

Duane Francis has a website with a gift for you. I write this here so you and I can go back later to check it out. 70 Of the most Motivational Quotes You Will Ever Findis a downloadable e-book, and according to Duane, it’s free and most enjoyable. 

Invisible Woman blogs at Black Cinema at Large and she does a much better job at reporting on black Hollywood than Freshplays did. Go on, girl. I ain’t mad atcha. 

Wesley Morris is a film critic at the Boston Globe with a style of writing that is as refreshing as it is pointed. See what he has to say about the films you enjoy or, at least, suppose to enjoy. 

Sound Slam reports that T.I. was denied bail for the weapons charges that could land him ten years in prison. So talented. So young. Attorneys are champing at the bit. 

I don’t know about you but somehow I feel very uncomfortable reading stories where Isaiah Washington says NBC is interested in spinning-off his Bionic Woman character into his own series. I wish nothing but the best for him and would love to see this happen. Still there is something to be said about counting your chickens before they hatch.

About that photo up top. Every post will feature a photo that refers to the written word.

That’s all for this moment.  

Q&A with Queen Latifah

NEW YORK – Even though Queen Latifah is now on her second jazz album, there still some who expect her to be spitting out raps instead of singing riffs.

But the 37-year-old entertainer has never allowed herself to be defined by one talent, let alone one genre. Though Latifah got her start years ago as feminist, Afrocentric rapper, she’s long since proved she’s a performer that defies categorization. She’s an Oscar-nominated actress with box-office success, a film producer, cosmetics model, and as her latest record, “Trav’lin’ Light” shows, a formidable jazz singer.

“Trav’lin’ Light” is the follow-up to her the Grammy-nominated jazz debut “The Dana Owens Album,” which takes its title from her real name. On her new disc, Latifah sings songs popularized by Peggy Lee, Etta James and Nina Simone, among others. She’s currently on a nationwide tour to support the disc.

Still, as successful as she’s been singing jazz, she’s also not ready to give up on hip-hop. In an interview with The Associated Press, Latifah talked about returning to rap, her film career and what women in hip-hop need to succeed. Yahoo News

Expanded 'Clayton' takes 'Night' to court for top spot

Even the Amazing Kreskin would be loath to predict the outcome of a weekend like this one.

Three films are opening in wide release and another in moderate release, but it’s an expanding release that is poised to take the top spot at the domestic boxoffice this weekend.

The George Clooney starrer “Michael Clayton” appears to be the favorite to land at the top of the domestic heap. Still, it will be a true coup if Warner Bros. can overcome such a crush of competition and claim the boxoffice flag with its platforming legal thriller.

“Clayton” grossed $855,340 from 15 theaters during last weekend’s four-day holiday session, which included Monday’s Columbus Day in the U.S. and Thanksgiving in Canada. Amounting to a mind-bending $57,022 per-screen average, the performance bodes well for the film’s expansion into 2,400 locations Friday.

Older males are a key demo for “Clayton,” which co-stars Tom Wilkinson and began buzz-building limited runs two weeks ago.  Hollywood Reporter