OH, OH, WE GOT ANOTHER GREAT FILM TO LOOK FORWARD TO . . . "EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART: THE JOHNNY OTIS STORY" - This should be a winner ! !

QUOTING FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:
THIS FILM IS A PERSONAL and MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY OF JOHNNY OTIS, THE MUSICIAN, BANDLEADER, PRODUCER AND SONGWRITER WHO IS OFTEN CALLED "The Godfather of Rhythm 'n' Blues'.
BUT IT IS MORE THAN THE BIOGRAPHY OF ONE MAN, JUST AS THE STORY OF R&B IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN MUSIC. JOHNNY'S ODYSSEY THROUGH THE WORLD OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC IN THE 20th CENTURY IS A WINDOW INTO THE ARENAS OF RACE AND CULTURE THAT HAVE DEFINED AND TRANSFORMED CONTEMPORARY AMERICA - AND, IN TURN, HAVE TOUCHED THE WHOLE WORLD.
THE PASSION AND THE JOURNEY ON WHICH IT HAS TAKEN JOHNNY OTIS (real name - John Veliotis) ARE AT THE CENTRE OF 'EVERY BEAT OF MY HEART' - FROM THE SWING ERA, TO R'N'B AND THE RISE OF ROCK 'N' ROLL - MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY OF MUSIC REFLECTED THROUGH THE PRISM OF A SINGULAR LIFE.

Maybe we'll have to travel down to Seattle, WA to see this one.

WAGRadio Management

AUTUMN FYAH-PLACE & CURL UP WIT'A GOOD BOOK - JUST FINISHING 'CHITLIN' CIRCUIT' and startin' FARLEY'S 'SOUL O'THE MAN' *clik here* BOBBY "BLUE" BLAND

Excerpt from Preston Lauterbach's 'Chittlin' Circuit':

"(Rhythm 'n' Blues band leader Lucky Millinder) stood up for his people. Back in 1940 Down Beat magazine predicted that Negro orchestras were on their way out, which provoked a passionate response from Lucky in an Amsterdam News (black-American newspaper) editorial. "Can Down Beat tell us what hit swing song past or hit swing arrangement the white bands have featured that colored bandsmen or arrangers haven't had something to do with?" he wrote. "I get sick and tired of hearing would-be white critics on colored music telling us how bad colored music is, and yet praising white bands to the skies for playing the Negro's creations."

And here's something I just read when I randomly flipped open Charles Farley's University Press of Mississippi tome

'Soul Of The Man: Bobby "Blue" Bland:

"Meanwhile, (Duke Records president) Don Robey was beginning to recognize the value of integration in the record industry. In February 1957 Billboard discontinued its 'Rhythm-Blues Notes' column and replaced it with a column called 'On the Beat.' Writer Gary Kramer offered this rationale: "No abstract categories prevent the teenager today from buying records by Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, Carl Perkins or Little Richard at one and the same time. The trade, therefore, must revise, and perhaps abandon, some of the old boundary lines."

AS WE SAY, SOME GREAT AUTUMN READING WHILST CURLED UP BY THE STOVE, FIREPLACE or A LARGE DOG.

WAGRadio Management

FORMER MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR VANCITY JAZZ RADIO's CJAZ-FM * Mr. AL SHIMOKURA * TELLS WAGRadio THAT WE GOTTA SEE "THE GIRLS IN THE BAND" at V.I.Film Fest

GOOD PAL AND LOYAL LISTENER

AL "The Prince" SHIMOKURA

(former CJAZ-FM Music Director and Oil Can Harry booking agent)

tells us . . .

"ALL WAGRadio Listeners CANNOT MISS THE FILM "THE GIRLS IN THE BAND" at the VANC. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.." He adds, "To do so, WOULD BE A SORRY THING INDEED".

* click * on * MR. AL SHIMOKURA *

in post's title for VIFF "Girls In The Band" page.

HERE's the SCREENING SCHEDULE.

Tuesday, Oct. 11 - 6:30
Empire Granville 7 - Thea. 4
Wednesday, Oct. 12 - 4:20
Empire Granville 7 - Thea. 2
Friday, Oct. 14 - 9:15
Vancity Theatre


WAGRadio Management

NEW* MUST-HAVE COMPANION PIECES TO THE 'RnB INDIES' SET OF BOOKS - OH YEAH ! THE DISCOGRAPHY FOR NEW WORLD AFRICAN RECORD COLLECTORS

Whenever I want to check a date, record label or release number of a Rhythm 'n' Blues record the first place I look is Eyeball Productions four part series 'The R'n'B Indies'.

It has been indispensible in my obsession of tabulating favourite records from certain years, decades or time periods.

Publisher, Bob McGrath, who I worked with in the advertising business in Vancouver, B.C., has also published two more invaluable discographies.

'The Blues Discography' and 'The Gospel Discography'.

Both became tools of my chart-plotting hobby.

Now, oh joy! Along comes Bob's latest and closest to my own heart - a three volume set (vol. 1 is ready now with the other two volues to follow) entitled

'The Soul Discography'.

Visit the Eyeball Productions website - www.eyeballproductions.com

DJZigZag

WAGRadio MUCHACHOS ! ! THIS FILM IS GONNA BE A REAL GEM TO VIEW ! ! IT BRINGS TOGETHER CUBANS AND MALIANS performing A NU 'WORLD' AFRICAN MUSIC ! !

YOU WILL HAVE TO SEE THIS FILM - IT IS A SHIVER-GUARANTEEER ! !

NEW WORLD AFRICAN CUBAN MUSIC JOINED BACK WITH THE CONTEMPORARY MALIAN AFRICAN MUSIC IN A WHOLE NEW WAY ! !

MUSICAL HISTORY BEING MADE AND CAPTURED ON FILM ! !

Note: This is the first time the phrase Nu World African Music has been used by WAGRadio.

We coined it to denote a brand new music born from African sources.

WAGRadio MANAGEMENT

HEY ! WAGRadio FANS ! ! Y'ALL CAN FIND THIS HD DVD FOR $5.00 @ SUPER STORE OUTLETS IN VANCITY ! ! - OR RENT IT FOR THE SAME PRICE - - IT'S A GOODUN!

DON CHEADLE, CHIWETEL EJIOFOR, MARTIN SHEEN, CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, MIKE EPPS, TARAJI P. HENSON all star in this wonderful film about radio station WOL-AM in Washington D.C.

DJZigZag couldn't believe his good luck when he came across sealed copies of the High Def version of this wonderfully humourous flick.

WAGRadio Management

NEW (2009) LITTLE RICHARD BIO MAKES US WANT TO READ THE ONE WE MISSED IN 1984 . . .

Just finished reading the LITTLE RICHARD bio on the left and while it was an interesting read . . .

what it did was - - - IT MADE ME WANT TO READ THE BOOK ON THE RIGHT - "THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LITTLE RICHARD: THE QUASAR OF ROCK".

As a matter of fact, we have to give DAVID KIRBY the author of; "Little Richard: The Birth of Rock 'n' Roll" credit, cuz he does say that "(Charles White's) book doesn't figure on every page of mine or even in every chapter, but if I'm driving this thing and you're going along for the ride, suffice to say that 'The Life and Times of Little Richard' is there between you and me and the road".

While I liked the Kirby 209 page tome. I think I'm gonna really dig the much grittier 269 page Richard Penniman dissertation.

DJZigZag

DJZigZag'z Got a NEW FAVOURITE TV SHOW - 'MISFITS' - ON SHOWCASE IN CANADA ** CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS - - Here are some of NATHAN'S FUNNIEST MOMENTS ! !

NO, NO, NO,

This WAGRadio blog isn't going to turn into a blog about WHAT DJZIGZAG LIKES ! ! BUT . . . HE is so adamant about his luv for this TV series - "MISFITS" - which just started (and the first show of which can be seen this Friday the 2nd of April at 11:00 pm on Showcase in the Great White North) that WE JUST HAD TO LET YOU KNOW.

AND, Y'KNOW, we here at WAGRadio . . . THINK ITS PRETTY EFFIN GREAT TOO ! ! !

WAGRadio Management

"THE DOWNSIDE OF HIGH" - PREMIERES TONIGHT - JAN. 28th, 2010 - CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION - followed by "CANNABIZ"

Tonight on C.B.C. - 2 programs about Weed, Dope, Marijuana, Smoke, Grass, Stink Weed, Trees, Shit, Ganja, Marihooni, Buddha, Herb, Colli, Pottery, Mary Jane, Marie, Cannabis, Herbal Refreshment, Bud, Cheeba, Holy Herb and the East End Original Posse's favourite - Cheese.

These two 2010 docs really should be worth watching.

We know that older smokers have been worried lately about the strength of the THC in today's reefer.

C.B.C. - "The Downside of High" 8:00 p.m. on "The Nature of Things"

"Cannabiz" 9:00 p.m. on "Doc Zone"

WAGRadio Management

TONIGHT (Monday, Jan. 11, 2010) ON THE AMERICAN PBS CHANNEL IN YOUR AREA - "AMERICAN MASTERS - SAM COOKE"

This is a program that comes just after DJZigZag has finished reading "Boogaloo: The Quintessence Of American Popular Music" which hung all of its chapters around the life of one of New World African Music's finest voices Sam Cooke.

You may be a little confused watching tonight as to when the doc "Crossing Over" was actually made because so many of the healthy looking interviewees have now long-left this mortal coil. The film's makers had difficulties with Sam Cooke's old manager Mr. Klein and it took twelve years for the film to find its way to release.

One thing is for sure. Whatever your television habits are on a Monday night - this is a program not to be missed.

VanCity PBS viewers - KCTS Seattle at 9:00pm (Ch27 cable)

WAGRadio Management

2003 BOOK - READ by DJZZ OVER THE HOLIDAYS - ANOTHER MUST READ FOR BACK-IN-THE-DAY NEW WORLD AFRICAN MUSIC AFFICIONADOS ! ! - "BOOGALOO" -

"BOOGALOO: THE

QUINTESSENCE OF

AMERICAN POPULAR

MUSIC" was about twenty

pages read by DJZigZag

before the Christmas

holiday. It is now twenty

pages short of being finished.

The non-fiction account of

basically three stories from

the history of New World

African Music is insightful

and extremely

well written by this Harvard man.

Author Arthur Kempton, an American of European descent, writes mainly about; Sam Cooke and his time which overlaps Berry Gordy Jr. and his era which leads into George "Funkadelic" Clinton and Hip Hop.

Here is an example of the more flamboyant side of the writing in which Mr. Kempton describes the California service that was held for Sam Cooke after his death. Renowned Gospel singer Bessie Griffin was much too filled with remorse to perform - the F.W. Alexander mentioned at the end of the vignette was a dear friend of Sam Cooke and leader of the gospel group the Pilgrim Travellers.

"The service in Los Angeles was convoked by Billy Preston playing "Yield Not To Temptation" on organ, and featured hymn-singing by Lou Rawls and Bobby Bland. The slain star was to have been sung to his eternal rest in the three-octave range of the great Bessie Griffin, who even her competitors said "could moan and move a mountain." But Griffin was unable that day to move anyone; she was so overcome by the spirit of the occasion, she couldn't perform.

Her incapacitation proved Ray Charles's opportunity to steal Sam Cooke's last show. He would find irresistible his chance at any room this charged and teeming, or any audience so exquisitely ripe for his taking. He stepped from the back of the church and was led down its center aisle, as the overflow congregation's murmurings at their unexpected first sightings of him became exhortations once his intentions were clear.

He teased them as he would a nightclub crowd, by asking if they wanted him to sing. Then, after a "Sam, baby, this is for you," as though addressing a colleague in the house who'd happened by some Thursday night to watch him work, Charles proceeded to sit at the piano and hold church so deep that even J.W. Alexander, holding the microphone for him and long inured to such theatrics as these, broke down and wept unabashedly."

BUY THE BOOK . . .

DJZigZag

THE DEATH OF A LOTTA MUSIC - "CRIPS AND BLOODS - MADE IN AMERICA"

I KNOW it sounds a little 'out there' but this film about two rival CALI 'gangs' by director Stacy Peralta can be deftly quoted during conversations about the seemingly impending death of Jazz [and to a lesser degree black Pop and Soul].

Maybe it provided that insight to WAGRadio because our first concern is Black music. The stark understanding that New World African classical music [Jazz] no longer has the once-prolific venues [ghetto clubs, bars, show lounges] to promote itself to working-class Black Americans was, possibly, an unintended bit of enlightenment delivered by "Crips & Bloods: Made In America". An old story. Last to get a job. First to lose it. No work. No spending cash. No income for musicians, record labels, promoters etc.

Please try and see this documentary. I can't stress how evocative its message is. Initially it seems to be a heart-wrenching dissertation on gang violence in L.A., and it is, but then the film's other truer messages begin to appear - told through the clear eyes and voices of the young to middle-aged Crips and Bloods who share their profound knowledge through the camera lens.

DJZigZag and WAGRadio Management

MORE FILM FESTIVAL FARE - "WHO DO YOU LOVE"

Another biopic about the legendary CHESS RECORDS of Chicago, Illinois. This time focusing on the founder Leonard Chess.

Hot on the heels of "Cadillac Records" comes "Who Do You Love" starring Chi McBride as Willie Dixon, Brit actor David Oyelowo as McKinley Morganfield, Keb' Mo' as bluesman Jimmy Rogers, Mike DeFoor plays Little Walter with Robert Randolph as Elias McDaniel and Alessandro Nivola as L. Chess.

Hope this one comes back for more than the two festival showings in VanCity but if I'm reading the blogs correctly, this film won't be released in the States (therefore Canada) until 2010. So we will just have to wait and see.

It plays the Vancouver International Film Festival on Oct. 10 @ 10:00 pm and Oct. 12 @ 2:10 pm -- djzz will be attending the 2:10 Monday, Oct. 12 showing at the Granville 7

For more V.I.F.F. info - go to - viff.org

WAGRadio Management

AT A FILM FEST NEAR YOU - "SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION"

Hopefully this film will make an appearance at a theatre in or near the town or city where you live.

With archival film from the American Civil Rights movement of the 1960's wed to contemporary musical performances by Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, The Roots, Mary Mary, The Blind Boys of Alabama, John Legend and more, this film is nothing less than a tour-de-force.

It plays the Vancouver International Film Festival on Oct. 2 @ 6:30 pm and Oct. 3 @ 1:50 pm.

for more about this and other Vancouver I. F. Festival films - go to - viff.org

WAGRadio Management

IT'S NOUVEAU-BLAXPLOITATION - - 2009 Film IN THEATRES NOW : "BLACK" avec MC JEAN GAB'1

GREAT 70's FUNGK AND ROLL A' LA ISAAC HAYES IS WHAT THE MUSIC IS ALL ABOUT IN THIS WAY DOWN SOUTH (AFRICA NOT ALABAMA THIS TIME) GEM-HEIST CINEMA ROCKER.

THE 2009 FILM WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE A LIMITED LIFE IN ENGLISH THEATRES IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH SO SEE IT SOON.

WAGRadio Management

"SOUL POWER" - - New Film starring JAMES BROWN, BILL WITHERS B.B. KING, THE CRUSADERS, THE SPINNERS, FANIA ALL STARS, MANU DIBANGO & MORE !

THIS FILM IS PRODUCED FROM HOURS OF ORIGINAL CONCERT FOOTAGE not utilized in 'When We Were Kings' (the 1996 documentary film centring on the ALI - FOREMAN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE).

Film maker Jeffrey Levy-Hinte finally put together, for all fans of late 1960's and early '70's SOUL 'N' FUNK, a faithful celluloid re-creation of that wonderful 1974 show-of-shows. Currently this full-length feature of that concert in The D.R. of the Congo (then Zaire) is playing across America and Europe and will be showing in major cities (3) of THE GREAT WHITE NORTH this coming weekend (Aug. 7th).

To read DJZigZag'z review of 'Soul Power' go to www.CinemaClock.com & log onto the movie.

Hint: To get rid of 'ads by Google' (at screen bottom) click on X .

WAGRadio Mangagement

"ROCKSTEADY: The Roots Of Reggae" Trailer

THIS FILM WILL OPEN IN THE GREAT WHITE NORTH [Van-City] THIS FRIDAY 7/24/09 ! ! ! !

Check local listings (in major cities) for opening dates.

DJZIGZAG

ANOTHER GREAT SUMMER BOOK - "RECORD MAKERS and BREAKERS" by JOHN BROVEN

Ooo Wee ! ! What a great esoteric book ! Although, putting that label on it understates how good this 584 page gem is. Jam-crammed and fact-filled, this book is really written for the likes of DJZigZag and Sweet Daddy Fonk Wong and the rest of you nutzoid crazies who are into this kind of minutiae. We are talkin' 'bout those picky facts that bring about a dazed look from your spouse or lover when quoted. I'm talkin' wonderful bits of much-coveted New World African Music history. And to make things worse, (from the perspective of those same aforementioned individuals) this book isn't just about the singers and musicians and their music but about the business and the business-people behind the independent record companies who recorded and distributed our heroes music.

It does quote recollections like this;

"THE BILL DOGGETT COMBO played regularly in Detroit, especially at the Flame Show Bar, which was a snazzy black-and-tan club where aspiring young writer Roquel "Billy" Davis and Berry Gordy would hang out with the sharp-dressed, racially mixed clientele. "I'd take friends down to see Bill's group," said Jim Wilson, and the whole joint would really be rocking with the songs. Bill could play sweet melodic tunes, or things like "Honky Tonk."

John Broven, the writer, then goes on (for two pages) to tell particulars of how "Honky Tonk Pt. 1 & 2" was recorded and became a huge Pop and R&B hit. When DJZigZag read this section of the book, with never before recounted facts, it seemed to glint from the pages like gold in his eyes - probably 'cause this 1956 instrumental was, and still is to this day, DJZZ's favourite record of all time.

We know you will love "Record Makers and Breakers: Voices of The Independent Rock 'n' Roll Pioneers" - [University of Illinois Press / 2009]

WAGRadio Management

BACKBEAT: EARL PALMER'S STORY - A great summer read !

In late 1949 / early 1950, the top Blues and Rhythm record on many charts was FATS DOMINO's 'THE FAT MAN'. The drummer on the recording was EARL PALMER. In 1959, one of DJZigZag's favourite Rock 'n' Roll 45's (of all-time) - 'BAD BOY' by LARRY WILLIAMS - featured Mr. Palmer's drum kit. All of the most well-known LITTLE RICHARD singles and the many recordings by our New Orleans music heroes were the home territory of one E. PALMER.

What is mind-blowingly amazing though, is the sheer volume of singles and albums that EARL PALMER added his joy to beyond the magic circle of New World African Music. The Beach Boys, Duane Eddy, Ricky Nelson, Doris Day, the Everly Brothers, Jan and Dean, Ritchie Valens, the Monkees, Willie Nelson, Jackie DeShannon, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Andy Williams, Bobby Vee, Bobby Darin. Frank Sinatra etc etc etc etc etc etc etc all benefited from the subtle artistry of the king of NEW ORLEANS R'n'B drummers.

Written by Mr. Tony Scherman with a foreward by Wynton Marsalis we would heartily recommend "Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story" as a two day 196 page (including index and discography) summer vacation read - which you can then pass on to spouse, kids or family members and friends - its a great finally-told story for everyone who loves popular American music.

WAGRadio Management

WAGRadio Book Recommendation

Lloyd Bradley's 'Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King' is a must-read for all fans of Jam-Rock music and also for those who want an insightful account of the early days of Ska and Reggae. These were the formative years in Jamaica when Selectors (People's Disc Jockeys) were playing Fats Domino, Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson, Wynonie Harris and many other New World African-American Music artists to their appreciative fans.

DJZigZag is looking for a Viking Press hardcover edition of 'Bass Culture' - so if any dear listener has a lead - email djzz at radio@wagradio.com or leave a comment on this post.