Tavares

It was late in the 1970s when I accepted a position at the CBS-affiliated TV station in New Bedford, MA, WTEV.  I had never heard of New Bedford or knew anything about the Cape Verdean people, many of who settled in the New England region, including New Bedford until I arrived in that quaint New England town. While living there, I learned that one of my favorite singing groups, Tavares, were Cape Verdean and headquartered in New Bedford. But this post ain't about me. It's about Tavares.

The singing group, known as Tavares, is an African American soul group that performed R & B, funk and disco music. They were born in Providence, Rhode Island but later moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts. Their family was originally from the Cape Verde Islands which are located off the coast of Northwest Africa. The group consists of five brothers, Butch (Feliciano Vierra Tavares, Jr.), Chubby (Antone Lee Tavares), Pooch (Arthur Paul Tavares), Ralph (Ralph Edward Vierra Tavares) and Tiny (Perry Lee Tavares). In 2014, the group was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

The five brothers began performing in 1959 and had several major hits including “More Than A Woman”, “It Only Takes A Minute”, “Remember What I Told You to Forget” and my favorite, “Bad Times.” These tracks are from an era when great popular music made you feel good all over and will always be “timeless.”
  

Track Listings

 The Best of Tavares

  1. It Only Takes A Minute

  2. She's Gone

  3. Remember What I Told You To Forget

  4. Never Had A Love Like This Before

  5. Whodunit

  6. Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel

  7. More Than A Woman

  8. Free Ride

  9. Bad Times (Theme From Defiance)

  10. Check It Out

A DUAL AUDIO CASSETTE DECK

Pyle Home PT649D Dual Cassette Deck

I know what you're wondering. You're wondering why I posted a dual-deck audio cassette machine on this blog page. Well, it's like this. I'd bet you have a good number of audio cassettes that were purchased during the 70s and 80s. Right? And, if you're like me, you don't have the money to replace them all with CDs or MP3 files. But, if you've got the time and a working cassette deck, you can do the conversions yourself. Or maybe you're looking for that rare old track that you skated to at the local rink that's impossible to find on a CD. But one day, lucky you found one on eBay that won't bust your bank account. If you have a deck, you're in business. If not, you're still in business 'cause cassette decks are still available at Amazon. So I posted information about one of them. Check it out. In a future post, we're going to explore some of the software options available for converting analog music files to their digital equivalents.

• Normal & high-speed audio cassette dubbing, Dynamic noise reduction
• 3-digit tape counter, Recording level control
• Dual color fluorescent display, Record/play level meter
  
  

  Product Description

  The PT649D is a classic piece of hardware: the dual-cassette tape deck. It's got all the features you've come to expect from a quality tape deck, including one button recording, a 3 digit tape counter, dynamic noise reduction, and normal & high-speed dubbing. The dual color fluorescent display displays relevant information. Rec/play level meters let you know if your sound is too loud, too quiet, or just right. Plays regular and CrO2 tapes. Use it to make mixtapes or simply play back your old favorites and recordings. Stereo RCA outputs. This deck is also rack-mountable and runs on 110 or 220 V.

   

  
  

 

 

Etta James - At Last

Here's the question. What does jazz, soul, gospel, rock and roll, R & B, drug addition, and the Grammy Hall of Fame have in common? Or, maybe it should not be what, but who? Many performing artist would probably come to mind, but there's one in particular, Etta James, that's a perfect match. Etta began her singing career in 1954, and by the time she was done, she had earned almost every award possible including The Blues Music Award, and numerous Grammys, as well as several Hall of Fame inductions. Rolling Stone magazine even ranked her as number 22 on its list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Quite an accomplishment in spite of the many personal problems she faced. Her “At Last” album, listed here, contains many of the performances that led to her status and recognition as being one of the greatest. 1. Anything to Say You're Mine   2. My Dearest Darling   3. Trust in Me   4. Sunday Kind of Love   5. Tough Mary   6. Don't Cry Baby   7. You Know What I Mean   8. I Just Want to Make Love to You   9. At Last   10. All I Could Do Was Cry   11. Stormy Weather   12. Girl of My Dreams (Rendered As Boy of My Dreams)   13. I'll Dry My Tears   14. Seven Day Fool

Ausdom F01 Lightweight Over-ear Wired Stereo Headphones

Ausdom F01 Lightweight Over-ear Wired Stereo Headphones with Built-in Mic for Hands-free calling on PC MP3 MP4 iPod iPhone iPad Tablet (Blue) Price: $25.99 Sale: $9.99 3.5mm jack with inline MIC -- It fitted with a universal 3.5 mm jack which supports a wide range of mobile devices, multimedia devices, Computing and Gaming devices Full range response (100Hz-16KHz)) provide you rich and powerful sound, Dynamic components giving a high clear frequency response Stylish and durable headphone allows you to listen to your music anywhere you are Comfortable wearing long -- Adjustable headband to secure fit for any size; lightweight, soft ear pads & adjustable length Built-in microphone, offers you hands-free experience and never miss a call I just ordered a pair of these headphones and will post a more comprehensive review after using them for a while.

Drums, Drums, Drums and More Drums

Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII 25-Key Ultra-Portable USB MIDI Drum Pad and Keyboard Controller with Joystick Ships from and sold by Amazon.com in easy-to-open packaging. Gift-wrap available. Compact keyboard controller easily fits backpack and studio production desk (12.4" long, 1.6 lbs) Powered by USB connection to computer, with free virtual-instrument download packages Crammed full of all the features you need to play and edit musical ideas 25-synth-action mini-keys, 8 velocity-sensitive rubber drum pads with two banks, and eight assignable control knobs Dedicated buttons for Note Repeat, Full Level, and Octave Up and Down The new MPK Mini MKII is an ultra-compact keyboard controller designed to easily fit in the laptop-toting musician's backpack and still earn its spot on the desktop producer's crowded table space. For maximum portability, the MPK Mini MKII requires no software drivers or external power adapter for operation. It supports plug-and-play connectivity, features USB-MIDI, and powers up with a single USB connection to your computer. With an array of hardware controls, the MPK mini MKII lets you record, compose, and perform with virtual instruments, effect plugins, and Digital Audio Workstations whenever inspiration strikes. It features 25 velocity-sensitive synth-action keys, a 4-way thumb stick for dynamic pitch and modulation manipulation, 8 backlit velocity-sensitive MPC-style pads, and 8 assignable Q-Link knobs. Plus, two banks expand the number of MPC-style pads to 16 for extended creative capabilities. The MPK mini MKII includes all the essentials for quickly laying down and expanding upon your musical ideas. Finally, it comes bundled with professional production software and virtual instruments for immediate music creation.

Full Size Electric Guitar with Amp

This may just be the perfect gift for that young aspiring guitar player in the house. This guitar is proudly made in America and is ideal for someone just getting started. The price is right, it's beautiful and has an excellent sound. Everything that is needed to rock the stage is included in this kit. It comes with a practice amp, guitar cord, a strap and even the picks. The only that is required for the user to supply is plenty of practice. With proper care, this guitar should last for many years.

What You Get

Full-Scale Vintage Sunburst Electric Guitar
10 Watt Guitar Amp with Overdrive/Distortion
Case Strap Pitchpipe Picks Stringwinder Cord
Humbucker Pickup For Rock Sound
Everything You Need To Start Playing

Lem Winchester - Vibe Player

If you love the sound of vibes, you're gonna really love this CD.  Lem Winchester was one of the most promising young vibraphone artists of all time. He would be right up there with the likes of Milt Jackson, Roy Ayers Johnny Lytle and Victor Feldman if he had survived a shooting accident. Mr. Winchester was a cop in Willmington, Deleware who just happened to have as a hobby,  playing the vibes.

After appearing at the Newport Jazz Festival, Lem turned to playing the vibes professionally appearing with performing artists like saxophonist Oliver Nelson, and organist Jack McDuff and Shirley Scott. He also debuted on an album with a young piano player based out of Chicago by the name of Ramsey Lewis on the old Argo label of Chess Records.

This CD set which was recorded in 1960, contains two complete Lem Winchester albums along with tracks featuring vocalist Etta Jones. In this set, Lem demonstrates his abilities as both a leader and an accompanist. An out-of-print album titled “With Feeling” recorded at Rudy van Gelder's Englewood Cliffs, NJ studio, provides the first eight tracks. This is what makes this compilation so valuable.  The personnel included Richard Wyands on piano, Roy Haynes on drums and George Duvivier on bass. The remaining tracks on Disk One as well as the first three on Disk Two are a collaboration between Lem Winchester and Oliver Nelson who played both alto and tenor saxophones.  On the other track on the album, Winchester is a sideman on cuts led by vocalist, Etta Jones.

• Audio CD (October 18, 2012)

• Number of Discs: 2

• Label: Fresh Sound Records (FSR 737)

Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar

 Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar

I not only wish to present great music and performing artist, but, I also wish to provide pertinent information about musical instruments, music-related accessories, and music related instructional materials to those who are not content to just to listen to great music, but have the desire to learn about producing great music as well. To this end, we will be presenting relevant information about performers, performances and the additional topics stated above.

Our first entry for this class of posting is Mickey Baker. Those of you who grew up in the 1950s might remember the singing duo known as Mickey & Sylvia. Mickey & Sylvia had a major hit titled “Love Is Strange” that is occasionally heard on the radio. But how many of you are aware that “Mickey” was also the author of one of the best and most widely read books targeted to those interested in learning the techniques of the jazz guitar. It is rumored that he got his inspiration from Les Paul of  Les Paul and Mary Ford fame.  Both Les and Mary were accomplished guitarist in their own right. Les even has a Gibson guitar named in his honor.

Mickey's book is titled  Mickey Baker's Complete Course in Jazz Guitar and almost every pro guitarist, and a lot of amateur ones, know about this book. I got mine when I was learning how to play jazz on the guitar. It is a great book for learning about chord progressions, scales, and especially keys. I can attest to this because one of the requirements dictated by this book was that it was up to the student to transpose all exercises to all keys. As a result, this thin book would provide nearly two years of instruction if instructions are followed. Although it's been almost fifty years since this book was written, it's still relevant today. On Amazon, you'll be able to actual see inside the book. If you have ever wanted to be able to play pretty chord phrases containing chords like an Eflat13th flated5 flated9, you need this book.  Check it out.   

• Series: Ashley Publications
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Ashley Publications Inc./Lewis Music Publishing Co.; 1St Edition edition (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825652804
• ISBN-13: 978-0825652806
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 0.2 x 12 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces

  

All The Best

Tina Turner is a singer, dancer, actress and author, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than half a century. During her illustrious career, she has won worldwide recognition and numerous awards. I was lucky enough to be in Bangkok, Thailand when she traveled there on one of her world tours. It was a heck of a great show.

Ms. Turner was born and raised in the Southeastern United States but now resides in Switzerland where she is a Swiss citizen. Her first recording was in1958 when she performed under the name “Little Ann”. She was a featured singer with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. In 1960, she was introduced to the public as Tina Turner of the Ike & Tina Revue. During that period of time, the duo had a string of hits including “Proud Mary” (1971), “A Fool In Love” and “River Deep--Mountain High” (1966), and she song that she wrote, “Nutbush City Limits” (1973). After her divorce from Ike Turner in 1978, she resumed her career through a series of live performances. She received worldwide acclaim in the early 1980s with a stream of hits like “Let's Stay Together”, Private Dancer” and “What's Love Got To Do With It”.

I'm developing a TV program that will highlight her career to be aired on a cable TV outlet later this year. But for now, here's a few words about her album titled “All The Best – The Hits”.

This two-disk CD is a real treat. It opens with the tune, Open Arms”.   – “Ask me no questions I'll tell you no lies Come to me when you're down I'll give you friendly advice I'll be your avenue, your trusting ear Release your deepest secrets I'll be sincere.” –    It's a mid-tempo song that sounds like it may have been written just for Ms. Turner. But don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. All the hits are there.

• Audio CD (February 1, 2005)

• Number of Discs: 2

• Label: Capitol

• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars
  
  

  Track Listings

  Disc: 1

    1. Nutbush City Limits
    2. What You See is What You Get
    3. Missing You
    4. Open Arms
    5. The Best
    6. River Deep Mountain High
    7. When The Heartache Is Over
    8. Lets Stay Together
    9. I Don't Wanna Fight
    10. Whatever You Need
    11. I Can't Stand The Rain
    12. Goldeneye
    13. I Don't Want To Lose You
    14. Great Spirits
    15. Proud Mary
    16. Addicted to Love
  
  
  
  

  Disc: 2

    1. In Your Wildest Dreams
    2. Private Dancer
    3. Why Must We Wait
    4. Typical Male
    5. Tonight (with David Bowie)
    6. Complicated Disaster
    7. On Silent Wings
    8. Something Special
    9. We Don't Need Another Hero
    10. Its Only Love (with Bryan Adams)
    11. Cose Della Vita (with Eros Ramazotti)
    12. Steamy Windows
    13. Paradise is Here
    14. Whats Love Got To Do With It
    15. Better Be Good To Me
    16. Two People
    17. Something Beautiful Remains
  
  
  
  

Will DISCO Make a Comeback?

They say DISCO is coming back! Well, it's about time. To tell you the truth, lately, I've been afraid that I was going to fall asleep on the dance floor. Don't get me wrong, I love Steppin' music even if it's a little too laid back. As a cure for that, I offer up this “Pure Disco” CD. It contains twenty-one of the greatest DISCO tracks in the known universe. And, if you remember the time when music made you feel good all over, I'm sure you'll appreciate this compilation. It's the music people danced to in clubs all over the country on Friday and Saturday nights and the sound quality is excellent.

Some of my favorites on this disc include "Y.M.C.A." by The Village People, "Dancing Queen" by Abba and "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. It also contains “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, the Barry White hit "You're The First, The Last, My Everything" and that dance floor groove performed by Ami Stewart, "Knock On Wood".

This CD is the first of three volumes and it along with the other two, will keep you dancing until the wee small hours of the morning. I highly recommend this collection to anyone that loves dancing.

  1. YMCA - Village People

  2. Celebration - Kool & The Gang

  3. Dancing Queen - Abba

  4. Hot Stuff - Donna Summer

  5. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

  6. You're The First, The Last, My Everything - Barry White

  7. I Need Your Lovin' - Teena Marie

  8. Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart

  9. I Love The Nightlife - Alicia Bridges

  10. Flashback - Imagination

  11. That's The Way (I Like It) - K.C. & The Sunshine Band

  12. Best Disco In Town - Ritchie Family

  13. If I Can't Have You - Yvonne Elliman

  14. Oops Upside Your Head (I Don't Belive You Want To Get Up And Dance) - Gap Band

  15. Love Hangover - Diana Ross

  16. Cuba - Gibson Brothers

  17. Funkytown - Lipps, Inc.

  18. Got To Give It Up (Part One) - Marvin Gaye

  19. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston

  20. I Feel Love (Rollo & Sister Monster Mix Radio Edit) - Donna Summer

  21. Bonus Track: The Grease Megamix - John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John

Audio CD (October 8, 1996)

• Original Release Date: October 8, 1996

• Number of Discs: 1

• Label: UTV

Don Carlos - Reggae Singer & Musician

It has been said that Don Carlos, Jamaican reggae singer, and composer, is not only a great musician but also a great prophet. The Jamaican-born artist became a member of the reggae band, Black Uhuru in 1973 where he sang alongside Garth Dennis and Derrick Simpson, the leader of the trio. The CD album reviewed here contains almost an hour of some of the best reggae music ever produced and will surely be a hit at any party. It is a good example of his distinctive style and a must have for any serious reggae collection. Don continues to perform all over the world and is very popular in Africa. Check out this album along with others at Amazon.

 

Audio CD - Deeply Concerned

• Number of Discs: 1

• Label: Ras

• Average Customer Review: 5.0

 

Track Listings

Disc: 1

  1. Deeply Concerned

  2. Cool Johnny Cool

  3. Ruff We Ruff w/Version

  4. Jah People Unite

  5. Black Station White Statjion

  6. Satan Control Them

  7. Money Lover

  8. Night Rider (In Danger)

  9. Crazy Girl

  10. Just A Passing Glance

  11. Jah Jah Hear Me Plea w/Version

  12. Harvest Time

  13. Prophecy w/Version

  14. Frontline