#9 Cry - Chris Ballin - by profyousion
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009PROFYOUSION’S VIDEO REVIEW Cry
do it right
Chris Ballin’s vocals are often compared to Luther Vandross, although I don’t think so. Although Luther could sing, I never particularly cared for him. I think if a big cat can sing, they automatically say “Luther”, because it’s easy.
I like Chris. Think of a lower pitched Frankie Beverly, a smoother Bobby Womack, or more…a Christopher Williams. He’s got a slightly raspy quality to his voice lending that “special something” that makes anything he sings enjoyable.
Born in Nottingham, England,he began playing drums at the age of 8, joined his first band at 10, and has been a session musician singing background for a number of high profile acts over the years, including Incognito,ZZ TOP, Belinda Carlisle and Chaka Khan, Pink Floyd, Mark Morrison, M-People, Brand New Heavies, Desiree, Mica Paris and Tina Turner.
Combining the above chops with his ability to not only write, but phrase lyrics in unexpected ways, you can expect to be inwardly moved.
#3 Will You Love Me?-Funk This - by profyousion
Sunday, January 4th, 2009profyousion’s video review will-you-love-me-chaka-khan
Funk This
Chaka is probably the most versatile female vocalist of our time, in terms of natural feel for music and pure dynamic range. Anything she sings, she sings well musically.
One of the many reasons I say this is because most of her songs have some of the most wicked background dubs…by her, and even when singing in her highest registers, she’s never annoying like some artists of similar ability.
Unfortunately, like Jackie Wilson, a lot of the best songwriters don’t write well for her.
Her latest release”Funk This” although not great, is a good album. I’d give it a C+. Since they went back and got Tony Maiden to play, not to mention Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on production, they should’ve got Stevie to write again as well.
That said, the tune “Will You Love Me” ranks as high as any of the best of her previous work. It’s a shame todays’ musical climate(radio) doesn’t lend itself to airplay of this sort.
Enjoy!
profyousion’s video review will-you-love-me-chaka-khan
I used to think that I was happy
But I was just lying to myself
Made me believe no one would have me
So I put my poor heart on the shelf
Like a heatwave
Like a sud-den wind
Like a slap to the essence of my being
Boy you came in, like a sud-den wind
You know you blew me away
Away…
(Chorus)
Will you love me
Will you be-the-one
Who is coming, coming to my rescue
Will you care for me
Will you com-fort me
Will you be the one
The one who’s gonna rescue me
I feel like I was born just for you
I am so glad you came in time
Now that your here
I just adore you baby
To lose this love would be a crime
Like a heatwave
Like a sud-den wind
Like a slap to the essence of my being
Boy you came in, like a sud-den wind
You know you blew me away
Away…
(Chorus)
Will you love me
Will you be the one
Who is coming, coming to my rescue
Will you care for me
Will you com-fort me
Will you be the one
The one who’s gonna rescue me
Music Interlude
(Chorus)
Will you love me
Will you be the one
Who is coming, coming to my rescue
Will you care for me
Will you com-fort me
Will you be the one
The one who’s gonna rescue me
Will you love me
Will you love me
Will you love me
Will you love me
Will you love me
Will you love me
Will you love me
Will you love me
(Chorus)
Will you love me
Will you be the one
Who is coming, coming to my rescue
Will you care for me
Will you com-fort me
Will you be the one
The one who’s gonna rescue me
05.WILL YOU LOVE ME?
WRITTEN BY
Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan Music (ASCAP)/Spirit Two Music (ASCAP)
Doug Rasheed, Madcastle Muzic (BMI)
James Harris III, EMI April Music/Flyte Tyme Tunes Inc. (ASCAP)
Terry Lewis, EMI April Music/Flyte Tyme Tunes Inc. (ASCAP)
Bobby Ross Avila, Sublime Basement Tunez (BMI)
Issiah J. Avila, Defenders of Music/EMI Blackwood Music/Flyte Tyme Publyshyng (BMI)
PRODUCED BY Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis for Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc.
CO-PRODUCED BY Bobby Ross Avila and Issiah “IZ” Avila for Avila Brothers / Flyte Tyme Productions, Inc.
MUSICIANS: Jimmy Jam – Keyboards • Bobby Ross Avila – Keyboards, Bass & Guitar • IZ – Drum Programming • Natural – Guitar
#2 Down By the River-The Best of Buddy Miles - by profyousion
Friday, January 2nd, 2009profyousion’s video review down-by-the-river buddy miles
the best of buddy miles
I never really cared for Buddy Miles that much, other than the fact he was the drummer for the Band of Gyspsies. I got hip to him because of the jam “who knows”, which was kind of an anthem when I was in high school, along with “down by the river”, “funk #48″, “crossed eyed mary”, “foot stompin music”,”south california purples” ,”inside lookin’ out”,”them changes”, “rock and roll stew”etc.
However, Cass Technical High School in Detroit in 1970, was known along with Northwestern High to have two of the baddest music curriculums in the city. Consequently, when the popular “social clubs”at school would have dances at the various locals’ halls, there was live music, which was a step up from junior highs’ house parties and record playing.
At these dances, most of the music played was black bands covering rock bands! I didn’t find that out til later.
Hendrix and the Band of Gypsies, along with Sly and the Family Stone made rock music ok for black people evidently.
There would be live bands comprised of Cass’ music students, and the groups were as small as 3 members a la Grand Funk…to 7 pieces a la Chicago. And even though they were kids, they were bad!
Anyway, when I finally heard “down by the river”by Neil Young, I hated his voice, and was tryin’ to figure out why it was so popular. By then I had heard so many different cats do “them changes”,which I loved, but didn’t know buddy miles wrote it, although I had unknowingly heard him sing it.
I was told he also did “down by the river”.
When I finally heard the studio version of “river”, I was like: “yeah, now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
But, as good as that was, he came out with a live version, shortly after Hendrix’ death that is almost 14 minutes long, and is THE version to have.
I own 2 albums of his. Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles Live, and Buddy Miles Live. His drumming never blew me away as much as his vocals.
In my opinion the collaboration with Santana is the better album, but HIS live album is worth having solely because of “river”.
His band is so tight, and everybody with a solo jams! From the intro harmony which is so sweet, to the trumpet, trombone(in rock music? get out!), sax, and organ riffs, and the vocal finale!
written by: neil young as sang by: buddy miles
Be on my side,
I’ll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It’s so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.
And Oooh, sha la la the weather,
Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
You take my hand,
I’ll take your hand
Together we may get away
This much madness
is too much sorrow
It’s impossible
to make it today.
And Ohhh oh, sha la la the weather,
Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
Be on my side,
I’ll be on your side,
baby
There is no reason
for you to hide
It’s so hard for me
staying here all alone
When you could be
taking me for a ride.
And Oohh, sha la la the weather,
Yeah, she could drag me
over the rainbow,
send me away
Down by the river
I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
Buddy Miles - Buddy Miles “Live”
Label: Mercury
Catalog#: SRM-2-7500
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: Blues, Funk / Soul, Jazz, Rock
Style: Fusion
Credits: Bass - David Huli
Drums - Buddy Miles
Guitar - Charlie Karp
Organ - Bob Hogins , Donnie Beck
Other [Personal Management] - Jack DiGiovanni
Producer - Buddy Miles
Recorded By [Remote Recording] - Wally Heider
Saxophone - Hank Redd , Stamsey Hunter
Trombone - Bob Hogins
Trumpet - Tom Huli
Vocals - Buddy Miles , Charlie Karp , David Huli
Written-By - Buddy Miles (tracks: A2, C1, C2, D1, D3)
Notes: Recorded 1971 in Seattle, Santa Monica & Bakersfield.
Remix: Record Plant, Los Angeles.
