TAKE TWO: BARRY WHITE

With that smooth, bass voice and songs of sensual romance, Barry White was one of the top creators of sexy, baby-making, soul music that became very popular throughout the 1970's.

White's early childhood in South Central L.A. was filled with crime and gang activity but after a stint in jail, where he heard the Elvis Presley song, "It's Now or Never", he decided to change his life's course. White moved in to music and performed with several vocal groups before being hired to do A&R for Del-Fi Records in the early 1960's.

White's first major break came when he discovered a female singing group, Love Unlimited which included his future wife, Glodean James. He wrote and produced their debut, "From a Girl's Point of View We Give to You... Love Unlimited" in 1972. The single, "Walking In The Rain With The One I Love" was inspired by conversations White had with James and went on to sell over half a million copies.

While preparing demos for another artist, the record label heard the songs and insisted that White release them using his vocals. White was very reluctant to put himself out there as a solo performer and the label had to work hard to convince him. In 1973, White's first album, "I've Got So Much To Give" was released and, like his record label predicted, went on to become a major smash. The first single, "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby" went to number one on the r&b chart and number three on the U.S. pop chart. Other top-ten hits (with equally lengthy titles) followed including "Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up","What Am I Gonna Do with You", "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" and "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe". White also found success with his 40-piece orchestral backing band, The Love Unlimited Orchestra who had a number one instrumental song, "Love's Theme" in 1974 and is credited in helping usher in the disco era.

By the 1980's, White was still making music but record sales and radio play had diminished. The beginning of a comeback occurred in 1990 with White contributing vocals for a Quincy Jones track, "The Secret Garden (Sweet Seduction Suite)" which reached number one on the r&b chart. A few years later, White made a triumphant return to the top of the r&b chart with "Practice What You Preach" from the equally successful album, "The Icon Is Love".

After years of suffering from several health issues due to his weight, White died from complications from a stroke in 2003. The love songs of Barry White continues to stir passion within listeners and gets them moving either on the dance floor or in the bedroom (wink, wink). Here are two of my favorites cuts from the Man:

A "DUSTY" SUNDAY - THE FINAL

For this last Sunday post featuring the music of Dusty Springfield, I'm looking back on the later part of the British vocalist's career. She had experienced a decline in popularity and record sales throughout the 1970's but with "What Have I Done To Deserve This?", Springfield's world-wide smash duet with The Pet Shop Boys in 1987, the public became fascinated with the singer once again. With production assistance from The Pet Shop Boys and Dan Hartman ("Instant Replay", "I Can Dream About You"), Springfield released her first album in eight years, "Reputation" in 1990. The album reached the top twenty in her native Britain and three singles also hit the top twenty on the UK pop chart.

Although "Reputation" didn't find nearly the same reception here in the U.S. but a single, "In Private", which is today's tune, made it to number fourteen on the dance chart. I hope you enjoy another classic moment from Dusty Springfield:



"In Private" - Dusty Springfield (1990)

As a bonus, here is the video for Dusty Springfield's comeback, "What Have I Done To Deserve This?":

ANOTHER "DUSTY" SUNDAY

Today's tune is "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face". This song was originally performed by "Baby" Washington in 1964 and tells the tale about a woman who wonders what the look will be on her no-good man's face after she dumps him. Dusty's take of the song appeared on her third British album, "Where Am I Going?" in 1967. While Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick would later record their own memorable versions but what Ms Springfield does with this material is truly mesmerizing:



"I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face" - Dusty Springfield (1967)

A "DUSTY" SUNDAY - THE SEQUEL

This Sunday's Dusty Springfield tune is entitled "Goodbye".

As what is common in the music biz, many songs are recorded for an album and some are ultimately never used for a variety of different reasons. This unreleased track finally made the light of day on the 1999 Deluxe Edition reissue of "Dusty In Memphis" which was around the time when "Goodbye" was originally recorded. I'm really shocked this beautiful but sad song, written by Roland Chambers and Leonard Pakula, never made it on any official record.

If you have never heard this, you are in for a treat as Ms Springfield delivers some of her most impassioned vocals:

"Goodbye" - Dusty Springfield

JESSIE WARE IS DELIVERING SOME "TOUGH LOVE"

One of my favorite albums from 2012 was "Devotion" by British singer, Jessie Ware and she is finally back with some new music. "Tough Love" is the latest single and I'm loving this. It delivers a very tasty '80's Prince mellow vibe with Ware making it sound fresh and all her own. No clear word on when a new album will actually be released but in the meantime, soak up this tune:

"Tough Love" - Jessie Ware (2014)

A "DUSTY" SUNDAY

I can't think of a better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than by listening to some Dusty Springfield. Today's tune is "Just a Little Lovin'" from the now classic 1969 record, "Dusty In Memphis".

Working with her idol, Aretha Franklin's producers, Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin and Tom Dowd, Springfield decided she wanted to make a entire album of American soul music. The initial recording was done in Tennessee using the legendary backing band, The Memphis Cats and the background singing group, The Sweet Inspirations but the session was difficult due to the British singer's insecurities. Dusty's final vocals were later completed in New York. This song, written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, was surprisingly never released as a single but still was a highlight on a near perfect collection.

"Just A Little Lovin'" - Dusty Springfield (1969)

ROBYN & ROYKSOPP: IN CONCERT

My first visit to the Hollywood Bowl this year was to see Röyksopp and Robyn on June 29th. The evening's weather was perfect and the crowd at the sold-out event were ready to party. Röyksopp came on stage first and the Norwegian electronic band, led by Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland, went through some of their biggest dance tracks. The songs, such as "What Else Is There" and "Poor Leno" were moody and funky which are not usually associated with electronic music but were quite effective.

After Röyksopp finish their set, Robyn suddenly appeared with little fanfare. This was who I had been waiting for and the Swedish pop artist didn't disappoint. Don't even get me started on trying to understand why she's not a bigger star here in America especially with such great songs such as "Call Your Girlfriend" and "Dancing On My Own" which she performed. Although now in her mid-thirties, Robyn came across decades younger as she was in constant motion throughout the night. She also introduced a couple of new songs which were quite intriguing and made me anxious to hear more.

The final act had these two Scandinavian artists join forces to perform songs from their new EP together, "Do It Again". Berge and Brundtland returned to the stage sporting masks, although far less elaborate than anything fellow EDM musicians, Daft Punk would wear, while Robyn changed in to an over-sized sequined jacket. With the help of an amazing light show and trippy video screen displays, this team burned through some of the record's tracks that put the euphoric audience on their feet to dance the night away. Have a listen to the title track:

"Do It Again" - Robyn & Röyksopp (2014)