The Devonns’ Self-Titled Debut Will Take Listeners Back To The Golden Age of Soul, Funk, R&B

Courtesy: Record Kicks

Neo-soul/funk outfit The Devonns will release its self-titled debut album Friday.  The 10-song record has already spawned three singles – ‘Tell Me,’ ‘Blood Red Blues (How Long?)’ and ‘Green Light’ – ahead of its forthcoming release.  All three songs are engaging and enjoyable in their own right, especially ‘Blood Red Blues (How Long?),’ the latest of the record’s singles.  It will be discussed shortly.  For all that it and the other singles do for the record’s presentation, they are only a portion of what makes the record stand out.  ‘So In Love With You’ does its own part to make this record memorable.  It will certainly become a fan favorite, and will be discussed a little later.  ‘More,’ which comes just past the record’s midpoint, is another notable addition to the record.  When it is considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole of the album’s content makes it a record with a far-reaching appeal

The Devonns’ self-titled debut album is a strong first impression from the neo-soul/funk quartet.  That is proven from beginning to end in its musical and lyrical content.  The group’s latest single, ‘Blood Red Blues (How Long?)’ is just one of the songs featured in the album that supports the noted statements.  The song’s musical arrangement, with its subtle guitar line, steady time keeping and vocals from front man Mathew Ajjarapu, immediately lends itself to comparisons to Marvin Gaye’s timeless song ‘What’s Going On.’  That is no coincidence, as Ajjarapu noted in a statement on the group’s official Facebook page, that he had been listening to that song as well as renditions of ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ from Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin when the song was crafted.  Hints of both songs are evident, and welcome.  Such connections leave little doubt as to why this song was chosen as one of the album’s singles.  The song’s lyrical content, which was written prior to the recent events in Minnesota, but plays right into what has happened and is happening.

Ajjarapu noted in his statement about the song that he wrote it “about my frustration with the lack of progress America has made on issues, such as the Trayvon Martin case or the Sandy Hook massacre.  It’s like everyone here is mad about those things, but no one actually has any power to change them…I remember trying to imagine if Sam Cooke or Marvin Gaye could somehow come back and see how things had changed in 30 or 40 years, how might they feel?”  Again, while the song might not have been connected to what has recently happened in Minnesota, such comments make it just as easily connected to the ongoing events.  Ajjarapu sings in the song’s lead verse, “Blood dried on the parking lot/Cop said another boy’s been shot/mama worked for everything she’s got/Then the bank came along/Got everything she got/What’s going wrong/What’s going wrong?”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Blood dried on the parking lot/TV says another school’s been shot/Now we all know what we got to say/But everybody’s scare of the NRA/Oh, what’s going on/Hey, what’s going wrong/How long, how long, how long, how long/Must we wait for the time of justice to be done.”  As the song progresses, he also asks, “How long must we wait for the time for us to live as one?”  The rest of the song’s lyrical content follows in much the same fashion.  He even goes so far as to sing in the song’s closing verse, “Doesn’t matter how hard we fought/None of this is ever gonna stop…killin’ us from the inside out/What’s going wrong?”  Once more, this is one of those songs that will connect with listeners in any era.  Its lyrical content was constructed at a certain period in time, but could just as easily have been written in response to so much social dischord that has plagued this nation.  Keeping that in mind, the song, both musically and lyrically, proves itself a strong addition to The Devonns and just one key example of what makes this record such an influential start for the group.  ‘So In Love With You’ is another notable addition to the record.

‘So In Love With You’ leaves zero doubt as to its subject matter.  It, like so much of the material featured in this record, is a work that centers on the topic of romantic love.  It stands out in part because of its musical arrangement.  This song’s arrangement is a smooth, old school work that throws back to the days when acts, such as The O’Jays, The Temptations and The Isley Brothers were at their peak popularity.  It is one of those works that will do well at any formal (or informal) event involving dance.  It will give couples every bit of motivation to embrace and get lost in the moment (and each other).

The lyrics that accompany the song’s musical arrangement are just as smooth as said content.  Ajjarapu sings in the song’s lead verse, “I don’t know what you have got/Now baby/Just what keeps you on my mind/I just know that you can do the things you do to me/Each and every single time/And I’m so in love with you, baby/Said I’m so in love with you/You just save me my love, girl/And I’ll be right there by your side/You don’t have to be so particular with me, honey/I’m the one who’s begging this time/And I’m so in love with you, baby/I’m so in love with you.”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “Tell me/Can you understand me, girl/I don’t think you do sometimes/I can tell that you’re the who’s gonna be with me through endless time/And I’m so in love with you, baby/Said I’m so in love with you.”  The song continues with Ajjarapu repeatedly singing, “I’m so in love with you” as strings play in the background alongside the drums and keyboards, eventually fading out.  Once again, the lyrics leave zero questions as to the song’s theme, which adds to its ability to connect with listeners.  That connection will ensure listeners’ engagement and entertainment, all while making this neo-R&B work a song that could help break the group into the mainstream.  It’s just one more example of what makes The Devonns a standout work.  ‘More’ does its own share to show why The Devonns’ self-titled debut is worth hearing, too.

‘More’ presents an arrangement whose guitar, drums and strings boats a distinct old school disco-infused sound that audiences will enjoy just as much as any of the album’s other works.  The addition of the horns to the whole enriches the song even more.  The song’s upbeat tempo adds to the engagement in the song because that and the arrangement in whole is such a stark contrast to the song’s lyrical content, which is apparently about a breakup.

The note of the breakup is inferred as Ajjarapu sings in the song’s lead verse, “You smile at me/Like you don’t love me anymore/It’s not like your smile before/Is loving me such a chore/I don’t want/I don’t wanna be draggin’ you down/So you should let me know right now/If you need to be getting out/If I told you once/I told you a thousand times/I don’t need your love/If you can’t be kind/If you think this love/Is something worth fighting for/Then you’ve got to give me more/There was a time I loved you/Has our love died, too/We have to try to save this/Before we take our last…”  He continues in the song’s second verse, “You go out/At all hours, it seems/Hwo could you ever do this to me/Don’t you think that I’ve got needs/I don’t think you recall/Just how this really is/So let me spell it out like this/Pretty soon I’ll be done with this s***.”  From here, Ajjarapu returns to the song’s chorus twice more asking about what happened to the couple’s relationship.  Again, this is interesting, considering that most R&B songs that center on breakups tend to be rather melancholy.  So to have this juxtaposition of familiar lyrical content to such upbeat musical content makes for its own share of engagement and entertainment.  It is certain to generate discussion among listeners for this very reason.  That’s a good thing for The Devonns, too.  It shows the group obviously paid attention to such a minute, yet important detail.  Considered along with the overall content of the other noted songs and the rest of the album’s songs, the whole of The Devonns proves itself a work that will appeal to a wide range of listeners.

The Devonns’ self-titled debut album, set for release Friday through Record Kicks, is an impressive first offering from the group.  That is due to the album’s musical and lyrical content.  While much of the content focuses (and quite well at that) on personal relationships, there is at least one social commentary featured in the album.  The album’s musical arrangements will take listeners back in time as if it is another time capsule unearthed and filled with old school funk, soul and R&B records.  It is a work that many listeners will find appealing.  That wide appeal, thanks to the engaging and entertaining content makes the record one of the year’s best new independent albums and overall albums.  More information on The Devonns is available along with all of The Devonns’ latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://thedevonns.bandcamp.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thedevonns

 

 

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‘The Blurred Odyssey’ Is A “Clear” Success For The Sh-Booms

Courtesy: Limited Fanfare Records

Independent neo-soul/funk outfit The Sh-Booms is gearing up for a new short North American tour run.  The two-week tour, which features a performance in Carrboro, N.C. on May 31, is in support of the band’s debut album The Blurred Odyssey.  The 10-song record was released March 22 through independent record label Limited Fanfare.  It came a little more than three years after the band released its debut EP Usage Fee.  Whether counted as a follow-up to that record or by itself as the band’s first full-length studio recording, the 38-minute record proves to be an impressive new offering from the Orlando, Fla-based band.  The record’s soulful midway point that is ‘Late Night Lover’ is just one of the songs that serves to support that statement.  It will be addressed shortly.  ‘Dry Eyes,’ which immediately follows ‘Late Night Lover’ in the album’s sequence, is another of the record’s most notable entries.  It will be addressed a little bit later.  ‘Drop ‘Em Dead,’ which comes even later in the album’s run, is yet another of the record’s most notable additions.  It will also be addressed later.  When it is considered alongside ‘Dry Eyes,’ ‘Late Night Lover’ and the rest of the album’s songs, the whole of the LP becomes a work that is easily one more of this year’s top new independent albums.

The Sh-Booms’ debut full-length studio recording The Blurred Odyssey is a work that very much paints a clear picture of the band’s future.  It is a record that, with the right support, can potentially make the band just as popular as similar acts, such as Alabama Shakes, Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings.  One of the songs featured in the 38-minute record that serves to support that statement comes halfway through the album in the form of ‘Late Night Lover.’  The song’s musical arrangement is a rich, soulful composition whose horns, guitars and drums couple with vocalist Brenda Radney’s vocals to create a work that lends itself to comparisons to works from Diana Ross and Aretha Franklin.  It is a work that will certainly be a favorite for couples everywhere.  That is especially the case considering the song’s lyrical content.

The lyrical content of ‘Late Night Lover’ is clear to say the least.  Radney sings in the song’s lead verse, “Late night lover, what you doing to me/As I hold you close/I feel your heart skip a beat/Late night lover/How we doin’ on time/You’re under cover, catchin’ hearts on your line/All the time/It’s 10 til 2, and I’m watching the tube/I hear a knock at the door/And it’s gotta be you/You remove your vest from your chest/That’s my cue to undress and now it’s time to caress.”  She goes on to sing about feeling heat and feeling certain other physical sensations at this point.  She adds in the song’s second verse, “Now the smoke’s all clear/And you’re still here/And I think to myself/Am I a dwindling tear/But before you go/You must know/There’s something about your love/Makes my desires grow.”  Again, there is little to no doubt as to what the song’s subject is saying here.  This is one of those old-school works that is a romance song that focuses…well…on being with that someone late at night in the most intimate way.  The work of Radney’s band mates on their respective parts does an expert job of helping to illustrate the very strong emotions felt during those late night moments, too.  Credit where due, their work, coupled with Radney’s own powerhouse vocal delivery and her equally obvious story to create a song in this case that is one of the album’s highest points.  It is just one of the works that exemplifies the overall strength of The Blurred Odyssey.  ‘Dry Eyes,’ which immediately follows ‘Late Night Lover’ in the album’s sequence, is another of the record’s most notable works.

‘Dry Eyes,’ like ‘Late Night Lover,’ stands out in part because of its upbeat musical arrangement.  The arrangement — complete with horns and drums — throws back to the Motown sounds of days long ago.  There are hints in this arrangement, of The Temptations, The Four Tops and other similar acts that are certain to appeal to a wide range of listeners.  The firm foundation formed by the song’s old school arrangement is just part of what makes the song stand out.  Its equally accessible lyrical content, which once again focuses on the familiar topic of love found, is just as certain as the song’s arrangement to find wide appeal.

Radney sings in the song’s lead verse, “Oh boy, this happy Sunday/Left at home/to dry my eyes/I fell…on Friday/When his eyes/They met mine/Why’s a girl like me/With a boy like you/Mama always said/A fool can’t be true/Why’s a girl like me/With a boy like you/Mama always said/A fool can’t be true/Well as I met mine/And we danced all night/He left me home/To dry my eyes.”  She adds in the song’s second verse, “I woke up to tequila sunrise/Next his hands were up my thighs/I woke up feeling a bottle/But he was gone to my surprise/Why’s a girl like me/With a boy like you/Mama always said a fool can’t be true/Why’s a girl like me/With a boy like you/Mama always said/A fool can’t be true/As his eyes met mine/And we danced all night/He gave me hope /To dry my eyes.  This is a celebratory statement.  It is someone who has found that special other person after having been down for such a long time, and is simply exploding (metaphorically speaking) with happiness.  That is illustrated so well by the song’s equally celebratory arrangement, which boasts so much fire and energy.  When the two elements are coupled, they create a whole in this case that is without argument another example of what makes The Blurred Odyssey a clear success for The Sh-Booms.  It is just one more of the many songs that can be cited to support that statement, too.  ‘Drop ‘Em Dead’ is one more example of what makes the album in whole stand out.

Where ‘Late Night Lover’ and ‘Dry Eyes’ boast a clearly old-school R&B influence, ‘Drop ‘Em Dead’ lends itself to comparisons to works from famed guitarist Dick Dale, who is listed on the group’s official Facebook page as one of its influences, along with Aretha Franklin and other famed acts.  What’s really interesting here is that the band took that Dick Dale influence and coupled it with its R&B influences to make a whole that stands out (and quite well at that) on its own merits.  The whole in itself, is more than enough evidence of what makes the song stand out among the album’s 10 total entries.  Of course one would be remiss to ignore the song’s lyrical content in examining the song along with the song’s musical content.

The song’s lyrical content The lyrics are slightly difficult to decipher without a lyrics sheet to reference.  However, from what can be deciphered, it can be inferred that this song, lyrically, is a loud, proud statement of self-confidence.  Radney seems to sing something to the effect of “You got the story/I got the truth/I am the rubber/You are the glue…I’m gonna put up a fight” in the song’s lead verse.  There is little else to the song in terms of lyrics.  From that point on, listeners get repeated refrains of “I’m gonna drop ‘em dead” throughout the remainder of the song.  It would seem that from that single verse and the repeated refrains, that this song is lyrically a work that is one of those musical middle fingers to naysayers as a refusal to give in and give up.  It is certain to become one a fan favorite.  When it is considered alongside ‘Dry Eyes’ and ‘Late Night Lover,’ this trio of songs in itself more than shows what makes The Blurred Odyssey a strong new offering from The Sh-Booms.  When they are considered along with the seven remaining songs that make up the rest of the album, the whole of the record becomes an LP that is a clear success for the band.  It is available now.  More information on The Blurred Odyssey is available online along with The Sh-Booms’ tour schedule, news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.theshbooms.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theShBooms

Twitter: http://twitter.com/theshbooms

 

 

 

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FMQB, Philadelphia International Records Heads Pay Tribute To Franklin

“The Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, has died after a long battle with various illnesses, and with the passing of what is one of the entertainment industry’s greatest figures, tributes to Franklin have already started pouring out.

Courtesy: Randex PR

Kal Rudman, publisher of the revered Friday Morning Quarterback magazine, has offered his condolences to Franklin’s family, pointing out that her impact on the music industry has been and is invaluable and that there will likely never be another like her.

“Aretha Franklin personified the unbelievable power of rhythm & blues,” Rudman said.  “The magic story of the power of Aretha Franklin emerged when she entered the glory of recording for Jerry Wexler at the incredible Atlantic Records.  her stature in R&B music surpassed anyone before or since.  The Queen of Soul has been taken from her throne, and it shall always remain empty.  This is a monumental loss to music lovers everywhere.  On behalf of the staff of Friday Morning Quarterback, we send our deepest condolences to her family.”

Corutesy: Randex PR

Philadelphia International Records co-founders — and R&B pioneers — Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff have also offered their condolences, noting not just her talents as a singer but who she was as a person.

“We not only admire Aretha Franklin for her singing ability, but we appreciate what she did to uplift the community,” the pair said.  “We have always been honored and elated — and are still on ‘Cloud Nine’ — for having her cover two of our songs: ‘A Brand New Me’ and ‘Christmas Just Ain’t Christmas Without The One You Love.’  While we never got the opportunity to work directly with Aretha, she was our dear friend.  We send our deepest and sincere condolences out to her family.  She was truly the best!”

These are just some of the tributes being offered to the legendary singer, whose career spanned at least seven decades.  The “first couple of hip-hop,” Beyonce and Jay Z have both paid homage to Franklin along with Mariah Carey, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and Diana Ross among others.

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Time Life To Re-Issue ‘The Wonder Years: The Complete Series’ This Summer

Courtesy: Time Life Entertainment/StarVista

There is good news for fans of ABC’s classic family drama The Wonder Years.

Time Life Entertainment has announced that it will re-issue the series in a complete series box set next month.  It is currently slated to be released Tuesday, August 23^rd and will retail for MSRP of $119.95.  The new re-issue will feature all 115 episodes of the six-season series spread across 22 discs and 12 hours of new bonus material.  Those bonus features include: highlights from the cast’s first reunion in 16 years, a farewell set tour, Exclusive interviews and more.  It also features all of the songs originally used in the series’ 5 year, six season run including: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Joe Cocker, and many others.  The series’ soundtrack in total comes to 300 songs.

Over the course of its six seasons on the air, The Wonder Years was one of television’s most popular series.  It earned a spot on Neilsen’s Top 30 in four of those seasons.  It earned an Emmy® for “Best Comedy Series,” and at age 13 lead actor Fred Savage became the youngest actor ever nominated for “Outstanding Lead Actor For A Comedy Series.”  The series would eventually go on to earn a total of 24 awards and be nominate for 70 more.  Those nominations and wins included: Emmy® Awards, A Golden Globe®, and in 1989 a Peabody® Award for pushing the boundaries of the sitcom format and using what were then new methods of storytelling.  Even after the show ended its run, its impact was still being felt.  In 1997 “My Father’s Office” was ranked #29 on TV Guide’s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.  The series’ pilot episode was ranked #43 on that same list.

The Wonder Years: The Complete Series will be released in stores and online on Tuesday, August 23^rd via Time Life Entertainment.  It will retail for MSRP of $119.95.  More information on this and other titles from Time Life Entertainment is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://timelife.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TimeLifeUS

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TimeLifeUS

 

 

 

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StarVista, Time Life Announce Release Date, Specs For The Wonder Years Season 2

Courtesy: StarVista Entertainment/Time Life Entertainment

Kevin, Paul, Winnie and the rest of the characters from ABC’s beloved classic drama The Wonder Years are coming back.

StarVista Entertainment announced Monday that it will release the complete second season of The Wonder Years on DVD on Tuesday, February 3^rd, 2015. The series’ second season consists of seventeen half-hour episodes spread across four discs. Also included in the upcoming second season set are a number of bonuses for fans. There are also more than four dozen classic songs from artists such as: Bob Dylan, Carol King, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Cream, Bing Crosby, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Traffic, Diana Ross and the Supremes, James Taylor, Nat King Cole, The Miracles, Judy Collins, Donovan, and a number of others. The full list of songs and artists featured in season Two is noted below.

“Heart of Darkness”

• You Make Me Feel So Young
• Sunshine of Your Love-Cream

“Our Miss White”

• Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)-The Temptations
• The Times They Are A-Changin’-Bob Dylan

“Christmas”

• Jingle Bell Rock-Instrumental
• White Christmas-Bing Crosby
• River-Joni Mitchell
• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas-Instrumental

“Steady as She Goes”

• Yellow Bird-On-Screen Character Performance
• Somewhere-On-Screen Character Performance
• Ooo Baby Baby-The Miracles
• The Thrill Is Gone-B.B. King
• Will You Love Me Tomorrow-Carole King

“Just between Me and You and Kirk and Paul and Carla and Becky”

• I Am a Rock-Simon & Garfunkel
• Someday We’ll Be Together-Diana Ross and the Supremes
• Some Enchanted Evening-On-Screen Character Performance

“Pottery Will Get You Nowhere”

• It’s Not Unusual
• When I Fall in Love-Nat King Cole

“Hiroshima, Mon Frère”

• Wild Thing-The Troggs
• Brother, Brother-Carole King

“Loosiers”

• You’ve Got a Friend-James Taylor
• Sweet Georgia Brown-Brother Bones

“Walk Out”

• I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man-Muddy Waters
• The Tracks of My Tears-The Miracles
• I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die-Rag-Country Joe and the Fish
• Give Peace A Chance-On-Screen Character Performance

“Nemesis”

• My Girl-The Temptations
• Theme from The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

“Fate”

• Born under a Bad Sign-Cream
• Respect-Aretha Franklin

“Birthday Boy”

• Happy, Happy Birthday Baby-The Tune Weavers
• Bookends-Simon & Garfunkel
• Yummy, Yummy, Yummy-On-Screen Character Performance
• Hava Nagila-Karmon Israeli Singers

“Brightwing”

• Subterranean Homesick Blues-Bob Dylan
• In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida-Iron Butterfly
• You Can All Join In-Traffic
• Catch the Wind-Donovan

“Square Dance”

• Star Flicker-Houston Ramblers
• Turkey In The Straw-Ralph Pierce
• Comin’ round the Mountain-The Sundowners Band

“Whose Woods Are These?”

• Happy Days Are Here Again-The Banjo Barons
• In My Life-Judy Collins

“How I’m Spending My Summer Vacation”

• The Theme from “A Summer Place”-Percy Faith and His Orchestra
• Smoke Gets in Your Eyes-The Platters
• Never on Sunday-The Chordettes
• I Only Have Eyes for You-The Flamingos
• La Vie En Rose-Edith Piaf
• Scarborough Fair/Canticle-Simon & Garfunkel

The second season of The Wonder Years sees Kevin, his friends, and his family all grow together as throughout all of the turmoil of the age. Kevin’s personal growth comes as he starts standing up to his older brother Wayne (Jason Hervey) and as he takes part in a class walkout to protest the Vietnam War. He, Paul (Josh Saviano), and Winnie (Danica McKellar) also fight to stop developers from plowing over Harper Woods, where the trio shared many of their favorite childhood memories.

The bonus materials included on the upcoming Season 2 box set are noted below.

BONUS FEATURES 

• School Days: Roundtable with Danica McKellar, Fred Savage and Josh Saviano
• Featurette: The Times They Are A-Changin’: The Era
• Interviews with: Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold), Alley Mills (Norma Arnold), Daniel Stern (Narrator)

The Wonder Years: Season Two will retail for MSRP of $39.95. More information on the box set’s upcoming release and other titles from Star Vista Entertainment and Time Life Entertainment is available online at:

Website: http://timelife.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TimeLifeUs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TimeLifeUS

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.