Coming to A Theatre (Hopefully!) Near You: Stevie Wonder Live At Last!

18 Wednesday Feb 2009

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by vivrant thang on stevie live on dvd in theatres

steviedvd

Many thanks to my reader Becky for the heads up on this hot news!

We are less than two weeks out from the release of the Stevie Wonder: Live at Last DVD.  Now comes word that on March 4th ONLY, the week before the DVD is released, the performance will be shown in select theatres across the country!

One day only. Stevie on the big screen.

Click here to see if indeed it’s coming to a theatre near you. You can already purchase advance tickets there as well. I imagine as the word spreads, this will sell out.

You can also view a longer version of the trailer there as well

Stevie Wonder Live at Last: With nearly 200 #1 songs worldwide, no other record label has influenced music and culture more than Motown. To kick-off Motown’s 50th anniversary celebration, Stevie Wonder put on a show at the O2 Arena in London in October 2008 during the ‘A Wonder Summers’ Night’ tour – His first European tour in over a decade. This is the first EVER official live DVD release from one of the most cherished singer’s of all time, Motown legend, Stevie Wonder. Stevie at his very finest, backed by an incredible 14 piece band (including daughter Aisha on backing vocals), captured in pristine high definition and presented in digital 5.1 surround sound.

Contest Giveway: India.Arie Love & Politics T-Shirt and Signed Guitar

17 Tuesday Feb 2009

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freetshirt_300x250

Excellent promotion for this album.  Here’s the latest contest giveaway.

TESTIMONY: VOL. 2 CONTEST

Purchase a copy of India.Arie’s Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics between Thursday, February 12 through Sunday, February 15 @ 6PM and get a FREE India.Arie LOVE & POLITICS T-SHIRT.

To redeem your gift, scan your store receipt with date and store name clearly visible and email to indiaariecontest@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at midnight.

No handwritten receipts accepted. Only receipts purchased during indicated dates qualify. 

BONUS: all entries will qualify for one chance to win a signed and hand-painted GODIN guitar.

New Van Hunt Tracks: But Will We Get an Album Soon?

13 Friday Feb 2009

Posted by in Music News, Underrated Artist Spotlights

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SECOND POST OF THE DAY

by vivrant thang on new van hunt music

vanhunt

So it’s been a year since the shelving of the Popular album . Well, it was shelved for some. Ya’ll pirates are probably grooving it right now! I was fortunate to experience his live performance of many tracks from the long lost album.  Truly a Bilal-esque Love for Sale experience where you will forever bemoan the fact that the album didn’t see the light of day.

According to his Myspace blog, Van Hunt is currently awaiting word on the fate of his next album, which I’m highly anticipating. I wish the man would truly find a way to go independent and be done with all this label bullshit. Seems like things may be moving that way. He certainly has the fan base, almost a cult-like following. The EVANgelists ride hard. And I mean that in a good way. Make no mistake about it. If there was a Bilal cult, I’d be the HNIC.

So while we wait, he decided to share some tracks for our listening pleasure. They won’t appear on said album though. So consider them bonus tracks.

He says,

While i await the fate of my new record, i decided to let ya’ll hear some things that will not appear on the new record. i like the ideas presented here, but, they will probably not see the light of day for a long time; and i wanted to share them with somebody. it is likely that only musicians will like the sounds. maybe not. either way, they will not be up for long. so, pirates, on your mark, get set, download!

He didn’t have to tell me twice! As long as I got his permission and all.

There are a few beautiful instrumental tracks, my favorite being “I Only Want To Conquer You.”  Did I mention that Van comes up with the best song titles? It’s got a funky, seventies soul feel to it. I can dig it.

I simply love the tone and purity of Van’s voice. He’s one of the artists I think could pull off an entirely acoustic album.

Listen to I Love You, Madly.

Two other standout tracks which stay true to his style, yet still feel fresh and experimental are

Unaffected

The Look of Sincere Pleasure

I don’t know about you all but these tracks have definitely heightened my excitement about the album. If this meets the same fate as Popular, I’m joining the EVANgelists and calling for an independent revolution!

Let me know what you think of these tracks in the comments.

Lalah, Rashaan and Bilal: Happy Valentine’s Day to Me!

13 Friday Feb 2009

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on valentine’s day

pressplay2No suggested Valentine’s Day playlist this year unfortunately.  But that one still works – trust me!

My intention was to join in Cupid’s Hunt but I decided to leave that to the professional lovecasters. I’m glad I did because the early entries would put my meager efforts to shame. Stay tuned though because as I said last year, it’s all about spreading love the other 364 days a year for me. I have this idea that’s been brewing so there may be a mix in me yet!

I’m especially excited about this Valentine’s Day because I’m going to be spending it with my first love : music.

Earlier that day, I have an appointment for a relaxing hour-long facial, which I promised myself I would get once a quarter. It’s all about self-care for me this year. I was going to have a massage as well but just discovered that I get discounts through my job so will have to schedule that later. I’ll likely have a leisurely lunch down in that area, maybe pick up an outfit, and then return home, all vivrant and ready to roll to my first show of the evening.

Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson and Noel Gourdin are going to be performing for one show here in DC at Constitution Hall.

I don’t talk enough about Rahsaan and Lalah in this space, particularly Rahsaan. Talk about underrated. The things this man does with his voice, particularly in live performances, never ceases to amaze me. I look forward to hearing Lalah perform songs from one of the greats of ’08, Self Portrait.

Both artists have an arsenal of songs that will get lovers in the right mood for a post-show “nightcap.” Here are two songs I’m expecting to hear.

Watch this bonus clip of this song from another performance where Ra-Re Valverde and Trina Broussard were backing him. Talk about making beautiful music together. I would love to see an entire album featuring these three. And I won’t even mention throwing Ledisi in the mix! <<<—-You should click there.

She claims this cover, which is not an easy thing to do!

Although I will highly enjoy that show, you know the highlight of my evening will be spending time with my man Bilal. I have been anxiously awaiting this day for a while now.

me_bilal1

If it hadn’t been so cold out, I would have walked up and down the street with that poster in my hand. It’s that serious.

I know we are going to get a supersexy version of “Soul Sista.” I hope this song is last because I will surely be ready to go and practice making some Lil Vivs after this one!

Damn, it’s going to be a good night. I hope yours is even better.

Happy Lovers Day, my dear readers. You should be loving something!

Underrated Male Soul Singer Spotlight: Leon King

11 Wednesday Feb 2009

Posted by in Underrated Artist Spotlights

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by vivrant thang

leonking1

It’s been all about the females. Time to give the men some love! Here’s an advance of this week’s Urban Thought Collective column.

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One of the great things about being a music blogger – or even a blogger in general –   is that it brings all kinds of people into your circle. One of my favorite readers is from the UK and we have became fast friends and music-swapping buddies almost from the moment he first commented. I’ve discovered that some of the best music comes from overseas and he has truly put me on to some gems.

Recently, he put together his first mixtape and sent it my way. As I was grooving to his eclectic mix of soul, funk, electronica, house, and downtempo, there was one song I kept coming back to from an artist I hadn’t heard before. That automatically activated my detective skills and I set about finding out all I could about UK-based Leon King.

Before I even get to the music, I must mention how when I added Leon as a friend on Myspace, he responded back with a private note thanking me for the add and for appreciating his music. I love it when an artist is still hungry. That response, coupled with my instant affinity for his sound, got him moved to the top of my list of artists to spotlight.

Music is in Leon’s blood. His father is a musician with crates just ripe for digging. From an early age, he was exposed to artists like the incomparable Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Prince, and D’Angelo. At the tender age of 3, he was already aware of music’s effect on the soul and learned to play nursery rhymes on the piano. By the age of 5, he was playing the guitar and started professionally sitting in with other artists at 15.

Today, artists like like Bilal, Eric Roberson, Vikter Duplaix, and J*Davey are in heavy rotation on his playlists. If this is the flavor in his ear, it’s not a surprise that I was digging his style from first listen.

Listen to Digital Church

Listen to Knowingness

Although he is currently unsigned, he is grinding away on the independent scene. He told Straight No Chaser, “If you’ve done a real piece of work that stays true to you as an artist, and your deservedly happy then a major label steps in and signs you then great, you can get that large awareness and exposure, but how often does that happen? The opportunity is there to be heard but you really do have to be pro-active and make that happen, put yourself about!”

His EP will be available this year and he has already started work on two other EPs. Visit his Myspace page to hear more of his music and keep up with news about future releases. Leon King is definitely one to watch.

As always, share your thoughts about his music in the comments.