Posts tagged "Quincy Jones"

Duet or Don’t, Volume 1: The Wonder of Michael

Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder were Motown prodigies who went on to become Grammy-winning behemoths. Mike Duquette takes a look at their collaborations in the first volume of “Duet or Don’t”!

Why the Hell Should I Like… post-’Thriller’ Michael Jackson? (The Rebuttal)

“Why the hell should I like… ?” is an experiment of sorts between Popblerd and The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit . What we’re going to attempt to do is to pick 10 songs from our favorite artists — one for which the other has professed dislike or disinterest — and show them why they’re wrong. I can’t say exactly why I have never sat down and listened to much of Michael Jackson’s post-Thriller music. It’s not as if he released a ton of records in […]

Hump Day Flashback: “Sanford & Son”

I’ve never been anywhere near a junkyard in my life, never lived in (or even been near) Watts, never known anyone named Lamont, and never tasted ripple. Matter of fact, I don’t know what ripple (or it’s distant cousin, champipple) even is. However, “Sanford & Son”, the show that introduced me to all these concepts, remains a favorite of mine three decades after I first started watching it (via rerun). Black characters in main roles on TV was still a […]

Spin Cycle: Quincy Jones “Soul Bossa Nostra”

The fact that “Soul Bossa Nostra” even exists is a bit confusing to me. Like, did this album need to be made? After all-it basically amounts to a huge slap on the back for Quincy Jones. Not to say he doesn’t deserve props-the man was at the top of his game for the better part of forty years and is an integral part of music history, let alone black music history. But I question the wisdom of letting a who’s […]

New Release Report 11/9/10: Cee-Lo, Kid Cudi, SuBo and More!

A couple of titles that have had their release dates shuffled around more than a deck of cards finally see the light today, led by Cee-Lo Green’s “The Lady Killa”. The long-awaited third solo effort from the Goodie Mob/Gnarls Barkley member has received some pretty solid reviews so far. If it’s anything like first single “Fuck You” or his cover of Band of Horses’ “No One’s Gonna Love You”, then I’m all over this one. Cee-Lo hasn’t disappointed me yet. […]

Award Show Sundays: A Hot Summer Night?

Today, let’s go back in the wayback machine to 1983. Your presenters? The long-winded Quincy Jones (who thankfully, decided not to editorialize while making his presentation) and the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer? The category? Best Pop Vocal Performance by a female. The nominees? My girl Bolivia Neutron-Bomb, Linda Ronstadt (singing a toothpaste commercial), Laura Branigan, Melissa Manchester, and Juice Newton. Random questions: Is Donna that tall or is Q that short? I knew Donna was from New England, but […]

Award Show Sundays: An MJ Birthday Treat

In commemoration of what would have been Michael Jackson’s 52nd birthday, it’s only right that I dedicate this week’s installment of Award Show Sundays to him. Here are a handful of clips from YouTube that are just several of many, many award show acceptance speeches Michael made over the years. Dick Clark was always one of Michael’s biggest advocates, and the American Music Awards (which Clark created) was way ahead of the curve when it came to honoring the future […]

WTFF: Quincy Jones & Akon Destroy "Strawberry Letter 23"

(thanks Living Colour for providing the name of the column) Quincy Jones, God bless him, is 77 years old. He has been the driving force behind some of the greatest music made in the past 50 years. From “It’s My Party” to his work with Aretha, Chaka and Michael, there’s no denying that he is a genius. He also makes very pretty offspring. But is it possible that, at his advanced age, the man has lost his mind? The fact […]

"We Are the World 25": What Were They Thinking?

25 years ago, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones created “We Are the World”. This song was written and performed to provide relief to famine-stricken Ethiopians. They assembled a group of 45 artists-most of whom were undeniable legends (Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Paul Simon, Tina Turner…even Steve Perry, Kenny Loggins and Hall & Oates), and people worldwide opened their hearts and wallets to donate to the cause. “We Are the World” became a #1 smash […]