11/27/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Eurythmics

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Eurythmics are a British music duo consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart. They are associated with the MTV-driven Second British Invasion of the US. The duo released their first album, In the Garden, in 1981 to little fanfare, but went on to achieve global success with their second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), released in 1983. The duo went on to release a string of hit singles and albums before they split up in 1990.  Continue reading

11/13/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Outkast

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Outkast (stylized as OutKast) is an American hip hop duo formed in 1992, in East Point, Atlanta, Georgia, composed of Atlanta-based rappers André André 3000 Benjamin (formerly known as Dré) and Antwan Big Boi Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group’s name to OutKast. The group’s original musical style was a mixture of Dirty South and G-funk. Subsequently  funk, soul, rock, electronic music, spoken word poetry, jazz and blues elements have been added to the group’s musical palette. Continue reading

10/10/14 O&A Review: Ain’t Misbehavin- Fats Waller’s Harlem

 By Walter Rutledge

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Harlem original Fats Waller returned uptown to the community he loved via the Broadway musical Ain’t Misbehavin presented at Faison Firehouse Theater. This version of the high-spirited, and high-energy musical revue is directed by A. Curtis Farrow; and presented in collaboration with Irving Street Rep. and FaisOne Productions. The first thing that becomes apparent is how well the intimate setting complements Waller’s songbook; which has become a compass articulating the Harlem Jazz era of the 1930’s and 40’s. Continue reading

10/8/14 O&A Its Saturday Anything Goes: Our Weekend Picks

It is Saturday

Its Saturday and as the autumn leaves continue to fall the arts are getting that exciting seasonal lift. There is music uptown, musicals celebrating Harlem and Brooklyn, and dancers dancing downtown. Here are our weekend picks in the city that never sleeps guaranteed to keep you Out and About.   Continue reading

10/6/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Dusty Springfield

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Dusty Springfield was born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien on  April 16 1939. She was an English pop singer and record producer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s. Springfield was renowned for her distinctive sensual sound, and was dubbed “the blue-eyed soul singer“.
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10/23/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: En Vogue

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Assembled in Oakland, California in July 1989, En Vogue launched with original members Cindy Herron, Maxine Jones, Dawn Robinson and Terry Ellis. The inspiration for the group came when production duo of Foster and Mc Elroy envisioned a modern-day girl group in the tradition of the 1950s/1960s female trios. The blueprint was based on the plan of recruiting singers who possessed strong voices, noticeably good looks, and intelligence. Continue reading

10/16/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Diana Ross- Standing Room Only Live At Ceasar’s Palace (1980)

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The HBO special, first aired in early 1980 as part of the network’s Standing Room Only series. It was taped in 1979 at Caesar’s Palace as Ross promoted her then-current album, The Boss. The album, featuring writers/producers Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, featured songs that showed off a range and power that many had forgotten Diana Ross possessed. This was a peak time in the diva’s career; Ross dazzled audience around the world with her demanding, Tony Award-winning An Evening With Diana Ross stage show, and starred with protege Michael Jackson in the 1978 film The Wiz.  Continue reading

10/9/14 O&A THROWBACK THURSDAY: JODY WATLEY (Repost)

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Jody Vanessa Watley  is a singer, songwriter, record producer, music maverick and one of music’s defining artists. Her music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul. In 1987, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.  Watley ranks as one of MTV Video Music Awards most nominated female artists ever, with six nominations for her Real Love video. Continue reading

10/9/14 O&A Throwback Thursday: Jody Watley

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Jody Vanessa Watley  is a singer, songwriter, record producer, music maverick and one of music’s defining artists. Her music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul. In 1987, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.  Watley ranks as one of MTV Video Music Awards most nominated female artists ever, with six nominations for her Real Love video. Continue reading