Lou Courtney: I Don't Need Nobody Else

Brutha Faya: No Matter What

Calvin Richardson and Claudette Ortiz: If You Don't Know Me By Now

DJ Faycin the Gospel-Loving Agnostic

I was a devout church-goer in my youth. The only thing I'm devout about at this point is being tolerant. I'm sort of a Buddhist, I suppose, but I don't get to the temple very often. 

In any case, I took piano lessons in my youth, and I always loved playing Gospel. The above recording isn't the best quality, but the Rev. B.J. Fears' soulful voice shines through. It's a shame that it's somewhat difficult to find his recordings. He could rival the best soul singers.

 

Rev. B.J. was a nice man. I'm not sure when he passed away. I think if there is a heaven, he's surely in the choir. In any case, his kind spirit touched the world, and I like to believe that there must be some sort of reward for good behavior! What it is I can't say, I can only offer my own theories. But this isn't the blog for that sort of thing. This is the blog for great music, and Rev. B.J. was a great musician.

~DJ Faycin~

He Say, She Say, But What Does God Say?

Powerful vocals and a humorous script combine in the musical by David E. Talbert. If you like your stories without a lot of nudity and harsh language--or scenes like the one I shared last night--you may enjoy this feel-good, song-filled story.

~DJ Spectra~

A to Z Blogging Challenge: J is for James Brown

A to Z Blogging Challenge:

J is for James Brown

by

Wanda Psycho

James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, was born May 3, 1933 in Barnwell, South Carolina. His parents were Joseph Gardner Brown and Susie Behlings Brown. 

James' early life was troubled. The family lived in extreme poverty. His mother abandoned the family for another man. For a time, young James lived with an aunt who ran a brothel.

James dropped out of school after the seventh grade. He earned money doing odd jobs and singing in talent contests. He formed a vocal group, the Cremonia Trio, when he was just twelve years old. 

James was convicted of armed robbery at the age of sixteen. While in prison, he formed a quartet. R&B legend Bobby Byrd heard James perform. He was impressed by the young man's talent, and worked to secure him an early release from prison. 

Upon release from prison, James became active in boxing and semi-professional baseball. After sustaining a serious leg injury, he turned back to music.

James recorded an album with The Ever Ready Gospel Singers. Bobby Byrd asked James to join his band, the Avons. The Avons later changed their name to The Toccoa Band, and later to The Flames, and finally to The Famous Flames. 

James passed away on December 23, 2006 due to pneumonia and congestive heart failure, which had resulted from the pneumonia going untreated for a fair period of time.

Although he sometimes had trouble in his personal life, James' contributions to music cannot be denied. He had one of the most powerful voices in music. He truly deserved his title, The Godfather of Soul.

~Wanda~

Beauty and the Beat

Funniest thing I've seen in a long time!