THE ISLEY BROTHER'S 3+3 Part 5

Between 1980 and 1982 The Isley Brothers released 4 Albums, all Self Produced, all on their T-Neck Label Through Epic Record's and all Recorded at The Bearsville Studio's in New York City.

In April 1980 the First of these Album's and the Highest Chart Entry was the LP "Go All The Way" it reached number 8 in US Pop Chart and their last album for sometime to Reach Number 1 in the US R&B Chart's.

The Biggest Hit Single off this Platinum Selling Album was the Track "Dont Say Goodnight (its time for love)" it got to Number 1 in the US R&B Charts and stayed there for 3 weeks!

Critics at the time said this was The Isley's answer to Teddy Pendergrass' hit "Turn Off The Lights"

In 1981 there was 2 Album releases, the first being "Grand Slam" was attained Gold Status while getting to Number 28 in US Pop Chart and Number 3 in R&B Chart.

The 2 best Track's on Album were "I Once Had Your Love" and "Hurry Up & Wait"

The Second Album was entitled " Inside You" it reached Number 45 in US POP & Number 8 in R&B Chart's.

The Biggest Hit on the Album was "Inside You, part 1 & 2"

It was said around this time that the Older Isley's were constantly Arguing with the Younger Brothers & Cousin, about the Direction of the Group, this Finally came to a Head in 1984, when the 3 Younger Members split to form "

1982 saw the Release of "The Real Deal" Album, this marked a Change of Musical Direction for the Group.

After Hearing the Album's of 2 different Artists "The Gap Band" and "Rick James" the Isley's decided to change their Sound!

Although this did'nt help too much, musical wise, as the Chart Position's were Number 87 in US Pop & Number 9 in US R&B Chart's, this has it turned out was The Isley's Lowest Pop Chart Position in 13 Year's!

The Album had a Great Single Release called "Stone Cold Lover" this is one of my Favorite Isley Track's of All Time! 

Download the Albums





Go All The Way
Grand Slam
Inside You
The Real Deal

Here's a few Track's from the 4 Album's

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

43rd MIX FOR F.S.V.B

Here's the 43rd Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by Davion, there's some classic Soul & Funk Tracks on here, Its called "Barry White Vs Slave"

Its features All the Classic Tracks by these 2 Great Acts!

Go to Davion's Soundcloud Page

SMALLER SHOP & THE BLACKBYRDS

When Natalie was Born on 10/03/80, I was still working in the Original Branch of Dewhust's the Butcher's, because I can Remember walking backward's & forward's to Work, as we only Lived about 10 Minutes away!

So when I exactly moved form one Branch/Shop to another on a permanent basis I cannot really remember, I think what happened was I did some Days here & there at the New Shop!

As this was a smaller Shop, there was only 2 Full Time Staff & me working there now & again

Anyway the Shop Manager at the new place was an old Butcher by the Name of "Wally", what you might call an Old-Fashioned type of Manager, he must have been at least 65, but looked about 105!

He was alright as a Manager though, and the other worker was another Old Boy by the name of "Percy" he was from London Originally,  he as I can remember had a right Cockney Accent, he was alright as well!

Working in the new Shop was a lot slower than the other Main Branch, which I worked, the other Shop, seemed only interested in how much Meat they Sold, where as the smaller Shop seemed more worried about talking to all the Customer's and calling them by their first Names!

I think I preferred working at the Smaller Shop!

I think it was around the time Natalie was Born that me & Susan made one of our Biggest Mistakes during our Marriage, as we were both Young around 22 years of Age with 2 Little Babies, we used to let my Mother look after Nathan now & again, too give Susan a break, over the time this is where my Mother tried to take over & tell us how we should bring our Kids up, more of this later!

Around this time in 1980 one Album I brought which was Great was The Blackbyrds "Better Days" this as it turned out was their Last Studio Album they ever Realesed, obviously back then it was on Vinyl, but I now have it on CD.

It was Produced by George Duke, The Best Track on Album, in my opinion was "Love Dont Strike Twice"

Have a listen below, its the first track on the player!

Download the Album here "The Blackbyrds, Better Days"

A Selection of "The Blackbyrds" music see below

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

The 42nd Mix For FSVB

 Here's the 42nd Mix for F.S.V.B, Its been Mixed by The Soul of Sydney, there's some classic Soul Funk & Jazz Tracks on here, Its called "Change Makes You Want To Hustle"


Its features Artistes including some George Clinton, Issac Hayes, Stevie Wonder, Herb Alpert & Lonnie Liston Smith!


Go to Podcast page for Track Listings and to Download!

   'Change Makes You Want To Hustle' : A Funk, Soul & Disco Tribute to Barack Obama by Soul Of Sydney

BANDS & SINGERS I HAVE SEEN IN CONCERT!!!!! part 5

 AL GREEN, What can I say, he was BRILLIANT, he is an Awesome Singer, a Fantastic Showman, and not a bad Dancer for an Oldie!

It was a Great night all round, and one thing's for Sure, If he ever comes back to UK for a Tour, me & Susan, will be there again. I hope next time he Performs on his own, then we will get to see and hear more of his Song's, but perhaps the reason for a 2 Artist Tour is Age, I dont know!

See my previous Posts about Singer's and Band's I have seen in Concert, but one thing's for Sure, none them Reached the Standard of Al Green!

His Band were Great, I especially liked the Horn Section, from the Intro, when AG walked on the Stage untll the start of  L.O.V.E, what a Great Entrance, The Horn Section played the start of L.O.V.E Twice, that  was BRILLIANT!

I believe I counted a 14 piece Band including 4 Backing Singer's, 3 of which were Al Greens Daughter's, Alva, Ruby & Kora. There was what we thought a Refreshing change from the Norm, 2 Dancers, that were Male! (rather than scantily dressed women)


I have tried to remember the Songs he sung, cant remember in what order they were sung, apart from the Opener and the Last Song!

L.o.v.e
Amazing Grace
Nearer my God, to Thee (Sam Cooke)
Lets Stay Together
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
Simply Beautiful
Here I Am
Tired of Being Alone

Everythings Gonna be Alright 
Lay It Down
Stay With Me (by the sea)
A tribute to Motown (4 tops & Temps) & Otis Redding
Love and Happiness (Final Song)


I think thats it, if I remember any more or somebody knows differently (Please let me know) and I will amend Post.

I have found plenty of Concert Reports on the Net, here is a Selection of them...........

The Arts Desk
The New York Times
Perth Now
The Independent
The Sydney Festival

The Sydney Morning Herald
The Australian
Wales Online

Here's a couple of  Videos from the O2, I found on Youtube.


Photo's of Al Green from the Sydney Festival last January.
 
I took a few Photo's & Video during Concert, which are on here, but I realised what a Cr@ppy Camera I have, when I saw all the blurry Photo's. The Video is only 30 Seconds long, I thought the Camera had stopped working, but it hadn't! anyway its better than nothing!



So with all the travelling to get to O2, Hotel costs and expense etc, was it worth it! of course it was, we would go again tomorrow if given the chance! 

If I was a moaner, you could say the Show should have been a bit longer (it was about 75 mins), why did he sing other peoples song's! (when he has plenty of his own!) and why no Encore!

But as I'm not moaning, so disreguard what you just read!


One Word to describe the Whole Trip, From Susan seeing her Brother, who lives about 10 minutes from the O2 in the East End, he took us to Canary Wharf etc, to the Concert itself........
                           
                     FANTASTIC
        & roll on the next time!

Download some Al Green Classic Music! 18 Albums in Total.