CAT BEAR

Story by: Gail Nobles
Podcast intro: Gail Nobles
Photo: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Wikipedia 

Today's topic: Aaliyah:Turn The Page. The song Turn The Page by Aaliyah is track three on Music of the Heart (The Album) produced by  Guy Roche. It was released in 1999. The song brings old memories to my mind.

Aaliyah sung these words in the lyrics: What would I do if some strange morning I opened up my eyes to find you gone? I can't imagine how I would survive it. I'll find another reason to go on…. When I look back, you're everywhere. Turn the page, you were there.

 When Aaliyah asked the question ‘what would I do to find you gone’,  those are words I always found myself asking about someone. I couldn't imagine how I would survive it, and I guess I found a reason to go on. Aaliyah has done a great job singing the song Turn the Page, and it's a great song a song with meaning and feeling.

 There were many nights and many mornings I had to turn the page to another chapter without that special someone but still intact in my heart. God answered every prayer. He showed me what was still there. 

Turn the page comes from the soundtrack of the film Music of the Heart. You can hear the song on YouTube. Turn the Page by Aaliyah.  I'm Gail Nobles.

Hip-Hop Legend Kool Herc
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Coming up next: DJ Herca Jamaican American DJ who is credited with being one of the founders of hip-hop music in the Bronx, New York City in 1973. Nicknamed the father of hip-hop DJ Kool Herc began playing hard funk records of the sort typified by James Brown.


HipHop legend Kool Herc joins Bob Lee to share more about the mark he has left on the hip-hop industry coming up next.

Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo: GuillemMedina - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

According to headlines, Melissa Barrera and Susan Sarandon and others in Hollywood lose jobs because of Israel-Hamas war.

Susan was dropped by a talent agency after comments about the war. Well, if she has comments and opinions about it, she has a right to speak. Everyone has a right to their own opinion to say what they believe, and we all have a right to stand up for what we believe is right with God on our side if it’s right. And when we stand up we, should be able to do it without fear.

Susan Sarandon is an actress. She has received a Daytime Emmy Award, six Primetime Emmy Awards, and nine Golden Globe Awards. In 2002, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her acting career began in the drama film Joe (1970), the soap opera A World Apart (1970–1971), Thelma & Louise (1991), Blue Beetle (2023) just to name a few.

Melissa Barrera is a Mexican actress. You may know her from her role as Sam Carpenter in the slasher films Scream (2022), and Scream VI (2023). I’m Gail Nobles.

Photo: Mikamote - Own work
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Hello! I'm Gail Nobles. Do you ever go back to stop and listen to how Aaliyah sang The National Anthem at age 16? I listened to her sing it and heard a much bigger voice. She sang The National Anthem with no music. She sang the song so well without music that I could sense it with her voice. She was really singing out strong to the crowd.

When Aaliyah was singing the songs she sang on all of her albums, I knew she had a voice. I knew that there was more but because of the style of the songs and music, she didn't use her voice like she could have. Hearing her sing The National Anthem told me that. Aaliyah could sing. I always believe she could do a lot more with her voice.

If you have heard Aaliyah when she was a little girl on Star Search, you know I'm telling the truth. She was an awesome singer then at a very very young age, and she never stop singing.

I'm Gail Nobles, and you're listening to a podcast about the Princess of R&B, Aaliyah.

Photo1: Diana Ross
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Photo 2: Lionel Richie
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Acapella: Gail Nobles

Intro music: SampleFocus.com
https://samplefocus.com/samples/soul-violin-sample-vintage-chop
Usage: Standard License

Last year I mentioned the National R&B Music Day which is observed on the first Saturday of March each year. It is a national day of recognition and celebration for R&B music declared by the US National Day Archives organization. To find out more, go to nationalarchives.com.

So who do you think of when you think of R&B music? I think of the famous duet between Lionel Richie and Diana Ross singing Endless Love.

Endless Love was written by Lionel Richie. In the ballad, the singers declare their endless love for one another. Billboard has named the original version as the greatest song duet of all time. There were other singers that covered the song, but I like the original the best.

Lionel Richie and Diana Ross recorded the song for Motown, and it was used as the theme for Franco Zeffirelli’s film adaptation of Scott Spencer's novel Endless Love.

While the film Endless Love was a modest box-office success, the song became the second-biggest selling single of the year in the United States and reached number one on the Hot 100, where it stayed for nine weeks from August 15 to October 10, 1981. It also topped the Billboard R&B chart and the Adult Contemporary chart, and reached number seven in the United Kingdom.

I'm Gail Nobles. Tune in next time for more.

Hello, I'm Gail Nobles. I've got some sad news today. According to the headlines, Rudolph Isley of the Isley Brothers has passed away at age 84. He was one of the founding members of the Isley Brothers. According to the news, Rudolph died from a heart attack at his home. He wrote and recorded and released the significant recording"Shout" with his brothers landing a deal with RCA records in 1959. "Shout" was inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.

Rudolph & his brothers also had other hits like That Lady and It's Your Thing.Following Shout,Rudolph and his brothers recorded for other labels with modest success with exceptions including the top 40 hit, Twist and Shoutand the Motown hit This Old Heart Of Mine ( Is Weak For You)

I'm Gail Nobles. You're listening to the CB News Break.

Photo: slgckgc https://www.flickr.com/photos/slgc/37320928332/
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It was quite a scare. At first, when I saw the name Bruno Mars, and the headlines with the city name Tel Aviv, (a city on Israel's Mediterranean coast). According to the headlines, Bruno Mars canceled the sold out Tel Aviv concert and flees Israel following the Hamas attacks. The country is at war. I'm glad that Bruno Mars has fled. I'm glad that he's all right.


I don't think traveling too far away is a good idea right no, but a war can start anywhere. There may be some things going on that we are not aware of traveling from place to place.


According to headlines, at least 700 Israelis were killed. We should keep Israel in prayer. I've been seeing video clips of explosions, and it's just terrible. It gives me a scary feeling.

I'm Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to the Cat Bear news break.

Music Intro by: Gail Nobles
Photo image: Wikipedia
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Ciara is moving on to “Better Thangs”. She’s moving on to a better way of life. Ciara has a single out titled Better Thangs (Remix) ft. Sumner Walker & GoRilla. It’s available everywhere now.

Ciara is not only a singer & dancer. She is also an actress, having appeared in All You've Got (2006), Mama, I Want to Sing! (2012), That’s My Boy (2012), and The Game (2013). In March 2022, it was announced that Ciara had joined the cast of the 2023 remake of The Color Purple as Nettie.

Ciara has received multiple accolades, including a Grammy Award, two BET Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, seven Soul Train Awards, thirteen Ascap Music Awards. As of 2019, Ciara's worldwide sales total over 45 million.

Ciara has released seven studio albums, one extended play, one DVD, one promotional single, 49 singles (which includes twelve as a featured artist) and 28 music videos, including seven as a featured artist according to her discography. Ciara has been busy and successful. She’s a hard working girl. I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic is Ciara - Better Thangs.

Music intro by: Gail Nobles

Music created using Groovepad. Available on the App Store, https://apps.apple.com/app/id1454398991

Photo: Collision Conf - SM5_7950
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Hello, I'm Gail Nobles. Welcome to the Cat Bear. Today’s topic: Timbaland, Nelly, and Justin.Timbaland has a new single titled Keep Going Upwhich features Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. They also have a music video for the song.

It's pretty special to hear Timberland with two singers. He has what I call a signature voice. He doesn't have to sing and doesn't have to say much, and you know he's in the mix.

The trio is also have a music video for the song Keep Going Up.Both Timberland, Nelly, and Justin have new singles out. It seems they keep going up.

So check out the new single by Timbaland featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake, Keep Going Up.

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/JMyZjJ
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.5

Music Intro by:Gail Nobles
Beginning Piano: Gail Nobles
Other music created using Groovepad. Available on the App Store, https://apps.apple.com/app/id1454398991
Vocals:Gail Nobles

Drake is today's topic. A Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter.


Hello! I’m Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to the Cat Bear. Today I'm going to talk about Drake. An influential figure and contemporary popular music, Drake has been credited for popularizing singing and R&B sensibilities in hip-hop.

Drake's first three albums, Thank Me Later (2010), Take Care (2011) and Nothing Was the Same (2013), were all critical successes and propelled him to the forefront of hip hop. His fourth album, Views (2016), saw exploration of dancehall and stood atop the Billboard 200 for 13 non-consecutive weeks, making it the first album by a male artist to do so in over a decade, and featured the international hit singles "Hotline Bling" and "One Dance", which has been credited with popularizing Afrobeats worldwide. In 2018, Drake released the double album Scorpion, which contained the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles "God's Plan", "Nice for What", and "In My Feelings". Drake's widely anticipated sixth album, Certified Lover Boy (2021), achieved nine top 10 hits on the Hot 100.

Does Drake have a new album for 2023? It has been said according to the news that Drake’s next album has a release date. Drake took to Instagram late Wednesday, September 6 to reveal that For All The Dogswill arrive on September 22. So look out for Drake's new album titled For All The Dogs.

Horns by: Gail Nobles

Other music created using Groovepad. Available on the App Store, https://apps.apple.com/app/id1454398991

Today's topic D’Angelo on the Care Bear; a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He first garnered attention after co-producing the single“You Will Know”for the R&B supergroup Black Men United.

Hello I'm Gail Nobles. Welcome to the Cat Bear. Let’s talk with D'Angelo's debut studio album Brown Sugar(1995), was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and received widespread aclaim from music critics who have credited the album for ushering in the neo-soul movement. It’s third single Lady reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

It was in the good old R&B days when I heard D’Angelo’s single Lady.He was singing nothing but something good about his lady. If you weren't raised in the 90s, you might not understand and appreciate the music. D'Angelo was singing nothing but love and respect for his lady.

His next album, Voodoo (2000), debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 and continued to receive critical acclaim. The album's lead single Untitled (How Does It Feel),earned him the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance; likewise, Voodoo won Best R&B Album.

D'Angelo released his third studio album, Black Messiah,in 2014. The album was met with critical acclaim and peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200.

Things are getting hard for some podcasters. Especially for podcasters that are creating musically. They know how to make a podcast more than talk. Podcasting is supposed to be a variety of things. When it comes to music, things can be challenging.

I knew from the beginning that I couldnot play copyrighted music. So I chose to play the keyboard and make my own music. I choose the category music commentary.This podcast the Cat Bear is not really a music show like Casey Kasem's America's top 40. It is not radio. It is talk about musical artists and songs. It is not the record album. It is not the song that you hear on the radio playing, and I didn't think I would get as far as I have gotten because my podcast is not radio.

Outside from the Internet I have a few fans. They said they didn't want to hear talk. They wanted to hear music. One of my fans said: Girl, you better pull out that keyboard.

So I started making my own music for intros to start my podcast. I have tried to make my own jingles. I'll just say it's really been an experiment. First, I didn't want to spend time making music. I wanted to go ahead and just do the podcast because playing music and editing can be a lot of work. Then you have to write the things you say and all that. Those things take time, and you want to give the podcast company the best that you can give, and you want to give your audience your best.

So I have used royalty free music to speed things up sometimes. Using what’s already out there is good too. You’ll be helping others to be heard.

Talking about your favorite song and using your own music is good but each platform has its own rules and guidlines. Everybody’s worried about copyright. Then again, people are not worried about it. I read somewhere that Spotify lets you include music as part of the podcast as long as you are exclusively on Spotify. Things keep changing constantly. One day the answer may be yes, and another day the answer may be no.

If you have permission to play your favorite artist in your podcast, make sure you write in your notes ‘by permission.’Some artist are under Creative Commons License.You might can play those artists, but I wouldn't monetize because like I said, things are always changing.

I'm Gail nobles and you listening to the Cat Bear.

Music by: Pixabay.com
Vocal: Gail Nobles
Photo: Nisakorn Keanmepol - https://www.flickr.com/photos/kejuliso/6860317611/
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0


Hello I'm Gail Nobles and you listening to the Whitney soul podcast. Soul! Now that Whitney Houston had. Today we're going to talk about the gospel music Whitney. There is a gospel album out on Whitney titled I Go to the Rock. The album features 14 tracks, including six never-before-released songs, three of which culled from a 1981 recording session when Houston was just seventeen.

The compilation album celebrates Houston's deep roots in gospel music and showcases her talent, faith and passion for the genre. Included are renditions of classics "Jesus Loves Me", "I Love the Lord" and "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." I Go to the Rock features six new unreleased gospel tracks "He Can Use Me," "I Found a Wonderful Way" and "Testimony";and Houston's live performances of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with singer CeCe Winans, "This Day" and "He/I Believe".

Released on March 24, 2023, I Go To The Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston debuted at number 2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart dated April 8, 2023.
My favorite single on the album is I Go to the Rock written by legend Dottie Rambo. I loved and enjoyed seeing Whitney Houston perform it live in her living years.

Good evening everyone! This is Cat Bear news. I just want to say that there are a lot of entertainers that may have been around for a long time that I've never heard of. I’m more into the old-school. The ones I think that are the very best.

I want to talk about a rapper and singer best known for his December 2015 debut single Panda which top the Billboard hot 100. His name is Desiigner. I think I've heard the song before, but I didn't know who I was listening to and what was being said. So I had to read the lyrics. Desiigner can rap so fast. He raps faster than any other rappers that I know. But after his single Panda gained viral status online, he was briefly signed to DEF Jam Recordings and Kanye West’s GOOD Musicuntil becoming an independent artist in 2019.

In July 2016, he released the follow up single Timmy Turnerwhich peaked at number 34 on the Billboard hot 100. Desiigner is frequently described as a one hit wonder. But he might not be. According to the news, Desiigner is back with a fresh new single. The single is titled Young and Ballin. I think it's a better single. It all depends on your taste in music and what you like. So give it a listen. Young and Ballin by Desiigner. I'm Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: Desiigner.

Song Intro: By Gail Nobles

This Podcast features music created using Drum Pad Machine. Available on the App Store,https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965.

Photo: Cornstalker - Own work
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Wikipedia


Tonight’s topic on the Cat Bear: KC and the Sunshine Band. KC really could make you dance. He loved to Boogie. KC & the Sunshine definitely brought the world sunshine. Right now today, they still keep it coming. They make you get out of your seat with the beat. They are from Miami. They brought us the hits. “Boogie Man.” They brought us music the way I like it, the way you like it, the way we like it; the way they like it.

KC and the Sunshine Band is a disco and funk band that was founded in 1973 in Hialeah, Florida. The best-known songs include the hits, “That’s the Way (I Like It). Their best-known songs include the hits "That's the Way (I Like It)", "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty", "I'm Your Boogie Man", "Keep It Comin' Love", "Get Down Tonight", "Boogie Shoes", "Please Don't Go" and "Give It Up". The band took its name from lead vocalist Harry Wayne Casey's last name ('KC') and the 'Sunshine Band' from KC's home state of Florida, the Sunshine State. The group has had six top 10 singles, five number one singles and a number two single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

So what’s KC and the Sunshine Band doing today? If you go to heykcsb.com, you’ll see all of their tour dates & latest news.

You’re listening to the Cat Bear. I’m your host GN.

Song: I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
Song by: Gail Nobles
Picture: Wikipedia/ Public Domain

Hello! This is Gail Nobles on the Cat Bear. According to the news, Elton John will be going back to the stage to perform a catalogue of his greatest hits, Tiny Dancer to Rocket Man. You can find out more about it at skiddle.com. They have written Friday 13th Oct. 2023 at the Old Fire Station in Carlisle 7:30 PM til 10:00 PM. Minimum Age: 16. More details can be found on the Old Fire Station website, while tickets can be purchased on Skiddle. If you like seeing Elton John perform, you don’t want to miss it.

Elton John has had lasting impact on the music industry. His music and showmanship have had a significant impact on popular music. His songwriting partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin is one of the most successful in history.

Elton John made a number of songs that I love. But I think my favorite is: I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues.

(Singing)

A song by Elton John, with music by John and Davey Johnstone and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It became one of John’s biggest hits of the 1980s. So be sure to keep an eye open for the Elton John Show which has been confirmed to be playing in Carlisle later this year.

https://www.eltonjohn.com

Music Intro By Gail Nobles
Vocals by Gail Nobles
Story by Gail Nobles
Photo credit: Jason Persse from Brooklyn, USA - Doug E Fresh
Usage: CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikipedia

Hello! I’m Gail Nobles on the Cat Bear. Today I’m going to talk to you about Doug E. Fresh known as the beatbox trainer and known as the entertainer. D-O-U-G-I-E Fresh. He’s explosively awesome with sound effects just using his mouth, lips, tongue, and microphone.

You remember his hits, “The Show, All the Way To Heaven, Keep Rising to the Top, and La Di Da Di”just to name a few.

In the early 1980’s, he formed the Get Fresh Crew with DJs Chill Will and Barry B and later added Slick Rick.Two of their songs The Show and La Di Da Di are considered early hip hop classics. La Di Da Di, in particular is one of the most sampled songs in music history. These release of these two songs launched Doug E. Fresh (and Slick Rick) into stardom. Both songs are considered among the greatest early hip- hop classics.

So let’s talk about what Doug E. Fresh is doing today. Have you checked out his tribute to the Godfather of Go-Go Chuck Brown?You can follow him on YouTube to see the outstanding music video. Subscribe to his YouTube page. Look for TheRealDougEFresh.

You can also get Doug E. Fresh Tickets to the Doug E. Fresh Concerts. The 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Mix Tape Live listed for June, July, Aug, & September. Go to Ticketmaster.com.

I’m going to leave you now with the intro for today’s podcast. Doug E. Fresh.

Story by: Gail Nobles
Art by: Gail Nobles

Hello, I’m Gail Nobles bringing you another Princess R&B news episode, Aaliyah. Aaliyah’s final act was“Rock the Boat”. She had a great choreographer and stylist. Dereck Lee was her stylist and Fatima Robinson was her choreographer.

The video takes you to another place. It takes you to an island. If you love the beach, it’s probably where you want to be. The video takes you there. But I can see things beyond the work of the video if only Aaliyah had lived.

In my opinion, Aaliyah would have made Disney a great and awesome mermaid character. Aa had already been doing some things for Disney. She sang Journey To the Pastfor the cartoon Anastasia and music video. She was one of the musical voices for the soundtrack. Aaliyah has done a wonderful job hosting Anastasia the Magical Journey.

If Aaliyah would have lived, she would have been the perfect actress for a movie role for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. Disney has made that movie in theaters now starring Halle Bailey as Ariel.

But you know there are other mermaid stories out there. There’s one written by Author Sonica Ellistitled “The River Mumma”. Legends says that The River Mumma, a beautiful and enchanting mermaid inhabits the Rivers of Jamaica.You can see the book on Amazon.

Well Aaliyah is gone. But in my vision, she was still like a beautiful mermaid in her music video, “Rock the Boat”. That’s my news and story of the Princes R&B for today.

Song: Thunderdome
Song by: Tina Turner
Story by: Gail Nobles


Keyboardists: Gail Nobles
Vocals: Gail Nobles

Photo: mad max beyond the thunderdome
https://flic.kr/p/eTZwTz
Usage: CC BY 2.0

Hello! I'm Gail Nobles, and you're listening to the Cat Bear.

On Wed. May 24, 2023, legendary singer Tina Turner died after a “long illness”. She was the age of 83. She is known as the “ Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

I think of her singing, “We Dont Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)".It became one of Turner’s biggest hit singles. It peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It appeared in the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdomewhich starred Mel Gibson and Tina Turner.

The song reminds me of the time that we are living in now. We see a lot of debate, war, and disasters. The song can mean a lot of things to different people.

Tina Turner will always be remembered. She had a great impact on music, fans, and listeners. I had hoped to see her more in movies, but she gave us plenty of great memories in songs. “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, “Private Dancer”, and more.And songs she has sung with Ike like “Proud Mary”.Tina Turner! The Queen of Rock And Roll.

You're listening to Postgirl’s Recordings, The Meaning of Songs. I'm going to leave you now with your meaning in your mind remembering Turner’s song,“We Dont Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)". Remembering The Queen of Rock N Roll, Tina Turner.

Story by: Gail Nobles
Music by: Gail Nobles
Intro song: Chic Is the Groove (Chic Is You)
Song written by: Gail Nobles

This Podcast features music created using Drum Pad Machine. Available on the App Store,https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965.

Photo: Alex Marshall - Own work
Usage: CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikipedia

Don't you miss that upbeat music? Singing Intro Song:(Chic Is The Groove. Chic Is You.)That music they played for the dance floor? What’s today’s topic?

Chic!
Chic!

Hi, I’m Gail Nobles on the Cat Bear, The Red Panda. Chic is the groove. They were you and the groove of some of your spinning records back in the day. They are currently called Nile Rodgers & Chic. They were known as the Big Apple Band in the 70s. The group was formed in 1972 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards.

They recorded many commercially successful disco songs like “ Dance Dance Dance ( Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah (1977). “Everybody Dance, Le Freak, I Want Your Love, Good Times, and My Feet Keep Dancing.

Chic had the bass guitar, the drums, the keyboards, the horns, and the vocals. I miss music like that. I always think of Chic when I think of the disco sound. The band had that disco superstardom. They made classic hits. Chic has an impact on some of us this very day in music. They were a special kind of band.

If you’re planning to have a family union or a couple of cookouts this summer, don’t forget to bring the music of Chic along with you.

I’m Gail Nobles reminding you of the best music. I’m going to leave you now with the intro for today’s podcast, Chic Is The Groove ( Chic is you) by Gail Nobles.

Music and Song by: Gail Nobles ©️ 2023
Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Computer Art: Gail Nobles

Another episode of SoReal Strips! Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: Michael Jackson - The Glow.

Michael Jackson was the mastermind of videos. In his video, Billie Jean, street sidewalk tiles would glow under his feet. He got off the wall and took us to a magic landscape. Michael showed us a magical dance with a spin. He wasn’t a brick mason man, but he worked like one. Michael chose a brick wall to build his vision on album covers and added a touch of glow & magic to tiles for a music video that aired on television.

After he burned disco out, he became the King of Pop without a doubt. Michael Jackson said, “I like creating magic.” And he would sing a little song. “ Watch me now. I can do anything 🎶.”

And we found that to be very true about Michael. He was a magical man, and that’s what made him the best. Different from all the rest.

Story & Music Intro by: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Choir Singing "Yea": Samplefocus.com
Computer Art by: Gail Nobles

Welcome back to the SoReal Strips.

Singing: I'm gonna sing! I'm gonna shout!
Yea! I'm gonna sing hallelujah now.

Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic is “The Voice Whitney”.

Whitney Houston is another one of my favorite singers. We have heard things about her that may or may not have been true. But it’s true when they call her the voice. That’s one thing we know for sure. We know Whitney Houston the singer.

Whitney Houston had some things going on in her personal life, but she kept on singing and would remind us of church. She knew the world needed some church.

Whitney Houston has never sung a song titled, I’m Gonna Sing and Shout. But that’s exactly what she did when she was alive. She did sing and shout. Whitney has sung as if she were singing out loud to the back row of an audience. Her voice did travel. She had a lot of power in her singing, and that’s how I was inspired to make the illustration for today’s SoReal strip.

The image of Whitney appears to show the power of her voice. We couldn’t see it, but we most certainly heard it. Whitney kept on singing in her career until she couldn’t sing no more. She left a mark in my life singing.

Story by: Gail Nobles
Computer Art by: Gail Nobles

When it comes to our favorite celebrities, sometimes we may not know what’s real. I’ve heard and read a lot of things about some of our favorite stars, and some things don’t sound true. People have told lies bold and have put some people in the grave before they ever got there.

One of my favorite stars is Aaliyah. I’ve heard all sorts of stories about her, but I take some things with a grain of salt. All I was interested in was the part about her being an entertainer. Aaliyah’s personal life didn’t matter to me, although sometimes I wish that it did while she was living.

Today I present to you The SoReal Strip. It’s a commentary graphic and podcast episode of Aaliyah saying, “They’ll try to bury you with lies. But not I.”

I never heard Aaliyah say those words. But I have heard her try to defend herself saying, “No, not true.” That’s why I call the strip SoReal. It’s a strip that didn’t happen but some truth could be in it. The image of Aaliyah appears to be coming out of the page of a comic book leaving any lies behind that might have been attached to her name. She kept on working in her career regardless of any lies told.

Radio Broadcast: CKLN 88.1 FM's Rude Awakening
Usage: Public Domain
From: archive.org

Photo credit: Zoran Veselinovic - Flickr
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

Hello, I’m Gail Nobles. I just want to talk a little bit about MJ & then play a radio broadcast on MJ’s thoughts of Sony.

Whenever MJ made a song or a music video, I knew that sometimes there was a reason behind it. Like when he made the songs Beat It & Billie Jean.Those songs were messages to the world. Beat It was a message to the world to stop the violence, and there was a personal message in the song, Billie Jean. Anyway, I knew there was a reason why Michael chose some of his songs.

Michael Jackson was going through some things in his life. I began to notice a great change about him after the album Thriller. His lyrics & songs & videos were changing to me when I saw They Don’t Care About Us & Man In The Mirror. His music seemed to have more social & political meaning to me.

MJ had a great impact on the world & when somebody is like that, they always look like a threat to somebody else.

I saw MJ mention something on television once about his music. One time I heard him say that he was a victim of a conspiracy and asked fans around the world to pray for him.
Michael was going through things that we didn’t know he was going through being in the spotlight of the world.

MJ had some things to say before he left us. I was very surprised at some of the things that he said about the trouble he was having at Sony. Here is some things that he said. ...

In the headlines, the Doobie Brothers Expand Reunion Tour With Michael McDonald.
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band formed in 1970 in San Jose, California.
Johnston provided the lead vocals for the band from 1970 to 1975, when they featured a mainstream rock sound with elements of folk, country and R&B. Michael McDonald joined the band in 1975 as a keyboard player and second lead vocalist.
The Doobie Brothers will have an expanded 2023 tour with Michael McDonald. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

If you’re wondering why I started doing Music Commentary podcasts, it comes from radio inspiration. I don’t try to compete with radio. I love radio.

My dream was to become a singer, and when I tried to get into the music business, I knew that I probably wouldn’t become a singer. My mom use to tell me that God probably had a better way. A way that I wasn’t thinking about. I was thinking whatever the way was, it had to be something in music.

I tried getting into radio to become a radio disc jockey. Somehow I knew I wouldn’t become that either. I was turned down whenever I tried to apply for a job in radio.

Then podcasting came along. Thank God for the inventors of podcasting. Thank God for the inventors of an iPod. The words iPod and Broadcast I suppose help to make up the name podcasting. I think it’s a good name. The name is previously known as audio blog.

Before the internet came along, I was already recording on cassettes. When my mom first heard about the internet, somehow she knew there was something in it for me to do. And we’ll, she was right . Here I am today with the Cat Bear Podcast.

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Music by: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles

Photo credit: Brian Ziff - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Who’s hot on the chart list today? One of the music artists is Weekend - Die For You.
The Weekend is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor. His music explores escapism, romance, and melancholia, and is often inspired by personal experiences. He’s won Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Juno Awards, American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, and nominations for an Academy Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

The Weekend song, Die For You, is hot on the charts right now. You might remember him singing, “I Feel It Coming” from his third studio album Starboy in 2016. His video and song reminded me of something I’m sure Michael Jackson would have enjoyed. The Weekend’s style of singing with fantasy and romance is like MJ’s. His video for his song on the charts now “Die For You” is another video of fantasy, romance, and escapism.

The Weekend makes his videos interesting. He puts a lot of time & energy into his videos. That is what makes a great video. It’s like watching a short mini movie & it leaves you wanting to know what will happen next.

Die For You is From the Weekend’s third studio album, Starboy in 2016. But in 2022, the song experienced a resurgence in popularity due to the online social media application Tik Tok. Therefore, the song impacted US radio, achieving a new peak within the top ten of the Hot 100. On February 24, 2023, the Weeknd released a remix of "Die for You" which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart i in March 2023.

You’re listening to the Cat Bear. I’m your host Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: The Weekend.

Song: You Are Blue
Song by: Joe Hinton
Photo credit: Luana Azevedo https://unsplash.com/photos/8QMxEBRb4pI

Keyboard & drummer: Gail Nobles
Vocals: Gail Nobles

Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. Check out "Keep Our Music Alive" group page on Facebook by Star Carr. Check out the history of singers. On the page, I saw a singer by the name of Joe Hinton. This is just one of his songs that goes something like this ….

You might not be familiar with the singer. I wasn’t. He began as a gospel singer with the Blair Gospel Singers, the Chosen Gospel Quartet and the Spirit of Memphis Quartet. Producer Don Robey asked the singer to try doing secular tunes, and Hinton began recording for Robey's record label, Peacock Records, in 1958. It was not until 1963, with his fifth single on the label, that he managed to chart with "You Know It Ain't Right"; the next single, "Better to Give Than to Receive", also hit the lower regions of the charts. His biggest hit was 1964's "Funny How Time Slips Away", written by Willie Nelson; the tune (simply credited as "Funny" on the original record label) peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year.[3] Cash Box magazine listed "Funny How Time Slips Away" as #1 for four weeks on their R&B chart. The track sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. “I Want a Little Girl", the next single, also charted, but it was his last hit.

Hinton died of skin cancer in 1968 in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 38, while still in the prime of his recording career.


Don’t forget to check out "Keep Our Music Alive" on Facebook by Star Carr.

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Music by: Samplefocus.com
Photo credit by: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA - Al Jarreau
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

Al Jarreau is today’s topic. Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. The singer and musician that made the 1981 hit song, “We’re In This Love Together”. It was the first of three single releases from his fifth studio album, Breaking’ Away. The song was his first and biggest chart hit.

To me, Al Jarreau was an actor in his singing. When he sang the line: “Like berries on the vine. It gets sweeter all the time”, he would act that out. He would pretend to taste berries. Al Jarreau gave a lot of facial expressions while singing. Getting lost in his story is like living the song with him. You could tell that he was caught up in his music, and you couldn’t help but get into it with him.

The song, “We’re In This Love Together”, describes the precious and enduring quality of romantic love: Like berries on the vine. It gets sweeter all the time”. Other symbols used include a favorite song, a diamond ring, and candlelight on a rainy night.

In the US, the song spent 24 weeks on the pop charts, reaching number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 13 on the Cash Box Top 100. It was a bigger Adult Contemporary hit, reaching number six in the US and number one in Canada.

Song: Sad Eyes
Song by: Robert John

Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles

Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. I’m going to take you back to a song that was written and recorded by Robert John released in April 1979.

It debuted May 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top of the chart the week of October 6. It was produced by George Tobin in association with Mike Piccirillo. It was released in April 1979, when music fans were only listening to disco. However, in August 1979 there was an anti-disco backlash. Everyone abruptly stopped listening to disco, according to history,opting for pop music instead. "Sad Eyes" is notable as the song that ended the six-week reign of the biggest smash hit of the year, The Knack's "My Sharona".

I remember listening to the song “Sad Eyes” a number of times when it became a hit. I remember the song “My Sharona” and all of the disco songs. I don’t remember anyone that stopped listening to any of the songs back then. In 1979, all I remember is a number of songs that were hits, and a lot of them were disco. And Sad Eyes was a hit song on the radio with them. I never heard anyone say that they stopped listening to disco. I never noticed until the music began to change.

At home, a good song was always a good song. It never got old, and we still reminisce about those good songs today like “Sad Eyes”.

60s Freakout Organ: Samplefocus.com
The Weekend 80's loop: Samplefocus.com
Handclaps by: Gail Nobles
Strings by: Gail Nobles
Jingle: Music is Whitney
Jingle written by: Gail Nobles ©️ 2023
Vocals by: Gail Nobles

Photo credit: Stephen Luff
https://flic.kr/p/2mWWHcF
Usage: CC BY 2.0

I love the opening scene of the Whitney Houston biopic, “ I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Now, I haven’t seen the whole movie yet, but I have seen the opening scene. I like the part when Whitney is singing in church played by Naomi Ackie.

(Singing)

Her mom, Cissy Houston, played by Tamara Tunie is leading the choir. The church crowd was just loving how Whitney was singing. Whitney was tickled thinking she had done a great, but her mom gave her a look as if she was not satisfied.

Then the movie shows Cissy Houston practicing with Whitney telling her to stop. Whitney said: Mom.

Cissy said: Again!

Whitney said: Mom!

Cissy said: Again!

She explained to Whitney that when God gives you a gift, you got to use it right. She explained that she had to learn the melody. Once she learned it then she could play around & do her little flourishes. She told her to pay attention to the words. To complete every word. That every song was a story. If not a story, not a song. Cissy said great singing comes from 3 places. The head, the heart, and the gut. Whitney wanted to quit., but her mom wouldn’t let her.

When I saw that opening scene, it reminded me of me and my mom. Though I haven’t seen all the movie yet, I already know that the opening scene is my favorite part of the movie.

Whitney was blessed that she had a mom to teach her more about how to sing. Some of those things that were taught to Whitney a lot of people didn’t know. They just started singing.

Once Whitney learned all that she was suppose to do in singing, she became the best singer ever. Music & singing became her career. She had a powerful voice and her words were clear & understood. I always thought: Whitney is music & music is Whitney. If you take the music away, you can hear music in her voice. Whitney could sing without music & she had the perfect vibrato.

You’re listening to the Whitney Soul podcast. I’m your host Gail Nobles.

Hip Hop Beat: Samplefocus.com
Wind effect: Soundbible.com
Monster footsteps: Mixkit.co
Slow motion sound by: Gail Nobles
Art by: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Jingle: Aaliyah Nation Dance
Jingle written by: Gail Nobles

Can you imagine Aaliyah in a dance hall getting her feet ready for rhythm and beat; ready to take off and dance forming echo?

Jingle: Watch
Then you join
Aaliyah Nation Dance Ooooh _ step!

Aaliyah was a cool dancer. What really made me notice Aaliyah as a dancer was when she was in the Timbaland & Magog video, “ Luv 2 Luv U”. That girl could move for to be a girl. Not only was she Aaliyah the singer, but she was Aaliyah the dancer dressed in a black hat, black opened leather coat in the wind, & black pants. She was moving in slow motion with black shoes on.

Though there was slow motion, Aaliyah moved so quickly, and when she moved, it was out of your hands. Aaliyah was a mysterious young woman. In spirit, she’s probably mysterious now. That’s why some of you shouldn’t focus on the body & flesh so much. You should learn about the spirit of God. Don’t be surprised if you look up one day and think you see Aaliyah. We’re living in the last days. Learn something about prophecy. You think Aaliyah was cool and smooth before she left us? If she’s with the Lord, she’s better than ever.

A Picturization of Aaliyah. I’m Gail Nobles saying so long until next time. Aaliyah the Dancer.

Music: Samplefocus.com
Song: Proof in the Puddin'
Song written by: Gail Nobles
Story written by: Gail Nobles

Photo credit: MboyoT
Usage: CC BY 2.0
https://flic.kr/p/MuN4Ur

Aaliyah wanted to be remembered not just as an actress or a singer, but as a full on entertainer. Well, she was all that and proof is in the pudding.

(Singing)

Aaliyah could act, dance, sing, model, and was a great show host for TRL. She would say: What’s up y’all! I am Aaliyah, and I am here to give you your top ten’s request on Wednesday’s TRL.”

Aaliyah was a full on entertainer. You can see it all for yourself. It was all in her voice. All on her records. All in her dance. All in the videos. All in the movies. She was blessed in entertainment. What more can I say? I just wish Aaliyah was here today.

Forget all the propaganda, lies, and scandal. Aaliyah told you how she wanted to be remembered. You can’t erase what she did with her talent. It is written. It went down in music history. What’s done is done. We have seen Aaliyah with our own eyes. We have heard her with our own ears. And for all that was done in the dark, I don’t see no proof in that pudding. And don’t care. I’m a forgiving fan if she made mistakes & I love her for who she was.

All y’all that’s out here spreading rumors and lies; adding and taking away, it’s going to come back and bite you in the behind. You need to worry about your own lives. I don’t care what kind of occupation you have. Writers reap what they so too for scandalizing names.
I just want to say to all the Aaliyah fans, keep on loving Aaliyah. Don’t stop! Remember her as that full on entertainer. I’m Gail Nobles saying so long until next time.

TSSM

Disco music: Samplefocus.com
Hand claps in music: Gail Nobles
Photo credit: Mairie d'Olonne sur Mer - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

At thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk, you will be welcomed to Issue 102. The Music Aquarium issue for Feb. & March of 2023. It will feature news reviews and interviews with Leee John celebrating 40 yrs. of Imagination, James ‘D Train’ Williams and more.

Leee John is today’s topic. I’m going to tell you a little bit about him so when you see him and read the interview from the magazine, you’ll know something about him.

Leee John is a British musician, singer, and actor of St Lucian descent. He was born in Hackney, London, and educated in New York City, later studying drama at the Anna Scher Theatre School. He is perhaps best known as the lead singer of the soul band Imagination, which had three UK top 10 hits in the early 1980s. They had hits in 28 countries, earning for platinum discs, nine gold discs, and more than a dozen silver discs around the world between 1981 and 1983.

Singer/keyboardist Leee John was working as a backing vocalist when he met Ashley Ingram, a guitarist/bassist. John and Ingram formed a songwriting partnership. Together with Ingram and Errol Kennedy, they formed Imagination. Their biggest hit, “Just an Illusion”, peaked at number 2 in March 1982. The trio frequently appeared on Top of the Pops and other pop music programmes.

Despite not being an actor, Lee John made a guest appearance on Doctor Who in the story “Enlightenment” in 1983, playing the character Mansell. The groups fortunes waned but they continued to perform, tour, and record until the early 1990s. John went back to acting, but 2003 resurfaced in the reality TV show Reborn in the USA. He released a number of dance singles in the late 1990s and early 200s.
Im Gail Nobles. Today's topic: Leee John.

Tyler Vibes Mixed Soul Loops: Samplefocus.com
Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Theme Song: Falling In Love
Theme Song by: Gail Nobles

Song: I Like It
Song by: DeBarge

Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles

Hi, I’m Gail Nobles. I got a little story to share. I remember when I walked into a department store called Montgomery Ward one day. They were selling TVs & the TV that they had on display was on. They were showing DeBarge singing. There was a girl who stood starring and watching them. And my mom and I saw them too, and we stopped to stare.
My mom asked, “Who are they?”

And the girl that stood with us said, “ DeBarge.”

So many girls had fell in love with DeBarge.

Theme song: You and I Falling In Love

You may have heard the DeBarge sing songs such as, Who’s Holding Donna Now?, Rhythm of the Night, All this Love, Time Will Reveal, Love Me In a Special Way, & I Like It.
(Singing)

The album “All This Love” launched them into R&B stardom with the recording “I Like It” and “All This Love”.

The Rhythm of the Night Album became the band’s best selling work going platinum and featuring further hits such as “Who’s Holding Donna Now”.

The DeBarge family was an awesome group. They were active between 1979 and 1989. In the group was El, Mark, Randy, Bunny, & James. Their songs are still remembered. As a group, they are still remembered. I think today, The DeBarge is still loved.

Soul Romantic Full Melody Drums Guitar Bass Piano: Samplefocus.com
keyboardist: violins, 2nd Bass, 2nd Piano by Gail Nobles
Theme song: Together by Gail Nobles © 2023

Song: Guilty
Song by: Barbra Streisand & Barry Gibb
Photo credit: Badgreeb RECORDS
Usage: CC BY-SA 2.0
https://flic.kr/p/b6o9KX

Hello, I’m Gail Nobles on the Cat Bear. Today’s topic is Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb. I love hearing them sing together.

Theme: Together
Barbra Barry Singing Together

I’m thinking of the song “Guilty” a vocal duet between Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb. The song was written by all three Bee Gees. Barry, Robin, & Maurice Gibb. The song was released as a single from Streisand’s 1980 album of the same name.

“And we’ve got nothing To be guilty of, our love We’ll climb any mountain Near or far, we are And we’ll never let it end We are devotion
Pulse is racing, darling How grand we are .."

Guilty" peaked at No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 5 on the adult contemporary chart. In the UK, the song reached No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was certified gold by the RIAA. In addition, "Guilty" won a Grammy Award in the category Best Pop Vocal Performance, Duo or Group.

I’m Gail Nobles Today’s topic is Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb Guilty
Theme Song: Together By Gail Nobles © 2023

Song: Amazing Grace
Song by: Al Green
Photo credit: nizzzat from Graton, CA
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0

Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Vocals: Gail Nobles
Voice acting: Gail NobleS

I’m Gail Nobles on the Cat Bear. California has had some vicious storms. I’m thinking of Al Green when he said: You’ve been my shelter in the time of storm! He’s been my everything! Somebody say hallelujah.

Al Green told the truth. And when I think about the storms, sometimes they last more than a day. Rain, floods, mudslides, fallen trees, and power outages come. When things get bad, just think of a song and pray. Al Green sang Amazing Grace …

Song & Story by: Gail Nobles © 2023
Art by: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Music by: Gail Nobles

Aaliyah worked hard in her career. You may think she made it to the top easy, but Aaliyah had some struggles. And we all know that she could have done more with her music & movies combined.

If Aaliyah was alive, I picture her making mini movies out of her videos. There might would have been a sequel to the video “Try Again”. Aaliyah might would have had a fight scene along with Jet Li. She might would have showed off some fashion designs. And maybe a little different tune to Try Again. Aaliyah could throw down in her dance, and show off her outfits at the same time. She was a beauty queen of a movie scene. (Song)

2x Chorus: Aaliyah had a dream that came true
She had to try try try try Try again Try again

Rap: Her life had just begun
Became number one
Try, try, try, try Try Again
She made the record sales
Her confidence prevailed
Try, try, try, try Try Again.

Yea, I can see Aaliyah kickin’ up dust in some Kung Fu never giving up to win the fight.
I’m Gail Nobles Today’s topic: Aaliyah Had A Dream

Logo theme by: Gail Nobles
Art by: Gail Nobles

Aaliyah played the character Akasha in the 2002 movie Queen of the Damned. She was a killer and the Queen of the Damned. Aaliyah liked vampires. I did too at one time. I watched ‘The Lost Boys” and the day time serial “Dark Shadows” , which aired from 1966 to 1971.

Aaliyah loved the dark side of fantasy. She wanted to play as a vampire. If Aaliyah had lived, there might would have been more movies of the Queen of the Damned, Akasha. The character probably would be full of revenge. She might would be a lonely vampire in the dark & lost. It’s possible that Akasha would want to experience love if she came back. It’s possible that she could find some good in her heart and choose to drink the blood of animals instead of humans. The character Akasha would probably have some problems in a romantic relationship with a human being as a vampire.

Aaliyah said that Queen of the Damned was like a full on dream role. And if you knew Aaliyah, she was a person that loved Egypt. She was obsessed with Egyptian things. Paintings, books, and rugs. She loved the culture, and she loved vampires.

I went to the movies to see Queen of the Damned because I am an Aaliyah fan. I loved watching her, and some of the things she did. It’s okay to love some things that we love & some people if we don’t invite evil in & put people & things above the one above. Through fantasy, we can invite real evil into our lives. It can creep in. Sometimes we can accept things we may not know we are accepting. We have to be careful with fantasy & imagination & things that we love because evil is waiting & evil is watching.

I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: Aaliyah and the dark side of fantasy.

Logo theme by: Gail Nobles
Art by: Gail Nobles

Aaliyah lived to make two movies. They were Queen of the Damned & Romeo Must Die. My favorite movie was Romeo Must Die starring Jet Li and Aaliyah. The movie led me to think Aaliyah would eventually star in martial art movies if she had lived. I can see her in my mind now. She might would have made a Blaxploitation film in the 2000’s in Kung Fu action after Romeo Must Die. Blaxploitation films were made in the early 1970s. Some of the Blaxploitation female Kung Fu action movies that were made are Cleopatra Jones & TNT Jackson. In modern times like we live in, I believe Aaliyah could have been an even better Kung Fu action lady in films. I believe she could have made some big smash hit movies along with her music if she had been alive today.

In Romeo Must Die, I saw some great strength in Aaliyah working on her fight scene with Jet Li. She made me think of Foxy Brown when I saw her shooting a gun near the end of the movie. Aaliyah had her hair covering one eye. That was a good idea. It has been said that it was Aaliyah’s mother’s idea and thought it would be a signature style that would set Aaliyah apart from other artists. And I think it did.

Aaliyah had her own style in clothing. She probably would have had her own Kung Fu outfits if she had made Kung Fu movies. I saw a clip of Aaliyah trying on a robe in Japan back in 1996. If you knew Aaliyah, she believed in adding what she called Flava (flavor).

There’s one more thing I saw in Aaliyah. If she had lived, she might - might would have became a director or producer in film & in music after some years. It has been said that she had a 4.0 G.P.A. in school. It looked as if Aaliyah could have been her own dance choreographer too. After all, she knew how to dance anyway. She was around all of the things she could have became, & I know she was probably learning it all.

It’s sad that Aaliyah’s life was cut short. God didn’t give all that talent & ability to Aaliyah for nothing. I do not believe it was intended for her to go. But I guess we can say she paved the way for others.

I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: My Picturization of Aaliyah.

Photo credit: Neon Tommy - https://www.flickr.com/photos/neontommy/15568286648/
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

Bass Keyboardist: Gail Nobles

Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. Happy New Year 2023. But the grave is never satisfied. Death comes constantly. Every time I turn around someone is reported dead.

How many of you have heard of Gangsta Boo? Her real name is Lola Chantrelle Mitchell. She was the second female member of the Memphis-based hip hop group Three 6 Mafia. She left the group and label sometime in 2002. Gangsta Boo has been referred to as a pioneer of female southern rap music.

In her early life, she was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 7, 1979. She was from a middle class family that later "moved to the hood" after her parents had divorced. She started rapping at around age 14.

Mitchell was found dead at her home in Memphis on January 1, 2023, at the age of 43. A cause of death was not immediately known. It’s funny how a lot of people are being found dead in their homes. I’m pretty sure you’ll hear some gossip about Gangsta Boo’s death. And you know that people make money off of gossip & lies. Some things that you read or hear, you might want to take with a “grain of salt”.

You might remember Gangsta Boo’s rap song - Where Dem Dollas At. It came from her first solo album, Enquiring Minds, which was released in 1998 and reached number fifteen on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and number 46 on the Bill 200. …

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo credit: David Shankbone - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia
CC BY-SA 3.0

Hello, I’m Gail Nobles & today I want to talk about Aaliyah & why she might have chose to date Damon Dash. I have been listening to Damon Dash about how to become your own boss & how to be successful. I have had some of the same thoughts as he does on becoming your own boss. There are things he has said that makes good sense.

At first, I thought: Why does Aaliyah like Damon Dash?” Well, I don’t know either one of them, but I do know they both wanted to be successful in life. It is said that Aaliyah had been dating Damon for a year before she was killed. If you’re wondering who he is, he is an entrepreneur, film producer, and co-founder of Roc-a-fella.

When I look at Damon Dash and listen to him talk, it sounds like it wasn’t always easy for him. It sounds like he doesn’t mind sharing & helping someone else. Maybe that’s what Aaliyah saw in him. That’s a strength that he had that maybe made Aaliyah like him.

When I first saw him from the internet, he looked like the serious type of person, and sometimes the I don’t care type of person. I’ve never met him, and I’ve never been around him. So I can’t say what kind of person he really is. However, in order for Aaliyah to choose him to date, there must have been something she saw good about him. Business wise anyway.

It sounds as if Damon & Aaliyah didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time together. They were both busy people, but when they were together they looked happy together.

There could have been a lot of reasons why Aaliyah liked Damon Dash. He sure was one lucky guy to have her in his life. So many guys have probably wanted to meet Aaliyah and couldn’t, but for Damon Dash, it was made possible.

You’re listening to a podcast about the Princess R&B Aaliyah.

Retro organ: Samplefocus.com
Usage: Standard License
https://samplefocus.com/samples/retro-organ

Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo credit: K.jacykow
https://flic.kr/p/4qhNs6
Usage: CC BY 2.0

We live in a world of delusion, & we talk & speculate on things we know nothing about. As far as we know, Whitney & Aaliyah are no longer here with us. Sometimes stories don’t add up. We are fed part of the truth and part of a lie. Some believe that their favorite entertainers that have died are still living. Some believe that they are dead. They say a person can fake his or her death and so on and so on.

There are a lot of worlds you know, and Whitney Houston was in the entertainment world. A world all to itself, and so was Aaliyah. And in that world, sometimes things seemed dark. Whitney and Aaliyah both had their own problems in that world. Like Whitney, Aaliyah was climbing high because she was going to become Whitney’s Sparkle. And Whitney was the voice. The best selling music artist of all time. Well, Aaliyah didn’t make it to star in Whitney’s movie, Sparkle. But Aaliyah did make it to the music & movie world. And so did Whitney.

There are many worlds that we see and can get involved in. But there’s a world beyond all other worlds. There is a plan above man’s plan. I like to think that Whitney and Aaliyah are in the hands of the Lord. I like to think that they are in his world. HE is their creator. HE made them. I believe that they were meant and made for higher things to begin with. I believe that we all are supposed to be connected somehow in the higher plan of God.

All we see is what man puts before us, and what he does is not always good. In God, we have something far better. And that’s what I believe about Whitney Houston The Voice and Aaliyah who's name means High and Most Exalted One. Where they are, I cannot tell you. We’ll just have to wait and see. The Lord didn’t intend for us to know everything. Keep hoping and thinking positive.

I’m Gail Nobles, & you’re listening to The Whitney Soul Podcast. Today’s topic: Whitney Houston and Her Sparkle (Aaliyah).

Passionate Organ-Soulful Chilled: Samplefocus.com
https://samplefocus.com/samples/passionate-organ-soulful-chilled
Usage: Standard License

Keyboard and drum music by: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Song (words)by: Gail Nobles

Photo credit: MikaV - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Chorus: You Really Have To Know Me

Sometimes I go back & I look at video clips of Aaliyah when she said her age was a secret.
I think to myself, “Aaliyah looks like a New York City Girl.”

And I’ll hear a voice that sounds like her voice in my conscience talking to me.

Aaliyah: You knew me when I was young.

Aaliyah had to be special. I’m not the only one that can hear her or dream about her or have a vision. The good book did tell us about dreams and visions. Which is probably why we experience the things we do today.

Chorus: You Really Have To Know Me

I heard Aaliyah’s voice ask me, “Who am I? You’ve got to know me.” And when I saw Aaliyah in her music video, “We Need A Resolution”, I saw her snakes.
I heard her say, “I’m not a pervert.”

I detect from her voice that she really wants me to know who she really is. Hollywood is just Hollywood, but Aaliyah is Aaliyah.

(Chorus)

You Really Have To Know Me. Song by Gail Nobles

Song: Special Lady
Song by: Ray, Goodman, & Brown

Keyboardist & Drummer: Gail Nobles
Podcast Vocals: Gail Nobles

Photo credit: John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

Before we get started, I’d like to say check out “Keep Our Music Alive” Facebook page by Star Carr. You’ll see a post in loving memory of Harry Ray of Ray, Goodman, & Brown. And today’s episode is about the group.

The group originated as The Moments, who formed in the mid-1960s and whose greatest successes came in the 1970s with hits including "Love on a Two-Way Street", "Sexy Mama", and "Look at Me (I'm in Love)". In 1978, they changed their name to Ray, Goodman & Brown and had further hits, including "Special Lady".

Special Lady is a 1980 single. It was a number one R&B hit and reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980. The single marked their first release under the name Ray, Goodman & Brown. The song was written by Harry Ray, Al Goodman, and Lee Walter.

The song had no music at the beginning. You only heard the voices & harmony of Ray, Goodman, & Brown. And as they were singing, they were talking to each other in between. (Billy, you sing the first verse. Naw, Harry I’m singing the second man. Singing: And a very exciting girl. Al, bring that bass out man. Hey man, I’ll bring it out a little bit more). And when they got to the end of the chorus that they were singing, that’s when the music came in. Ray, Goodman & Brown really didn’t need the music. Those guys were grand singers. If you want to learn how to sing, listen to the old school.

I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: Ray, Goodman, & Brown.

Song: Sweet Baby
Song by: George Duke & Stanley Clarke

Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Photo credit: Chris Hakkens - https://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_hakkens/4636428012/in/photostream/
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

….. Check out The Soul Survivors Magazine for this month Dec. 22. You’ll see news reviews & interviews of Reg Hudson of the Hudson People, Blue Lab Beats, Soul Dogs, and Homage to Dez Parkes & Noel McKoy.

There are some great past issues of the Soul Survivors Magazine. There is an interview with George Duke of Issue 33 of Oct - Nov. of 2011. I think you can still purchase the magazine. Go to the soul survivors magazine.co.uk

Today’s topic is George Duke. He was a keyboardist, compose, sings-songwriter and record producer. He worked with numerous artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and as a professor of music.

Duke recorded his first album in 1966. In 1977, Duke fused jazz with pop, funk, and soul music on his album From Me to You. Later, that same year, his album Reach for It entered the pop charts, and his audiences increased. In 1981, he began a collaboration with bassist Stanley Clarke that would last through the 1980s, which combined pop, jazz, funk, and R&B. Their first album contained the single "Sweet Baby",[11][12] which became a Top 20 pop hit.

Reaching a peak position of No. 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the single remained on the chart for a total of twenty weeks. On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, "Sweet Baby" reached No. 6

During the 1980s, Duke's career moved to a second phase as he spent much of his time as a record producer. He produced pop and R&B hits for A Taste of Honey, Jeffrey Osborne, and Deniece Williams. His clients included Anita Baker. Gladys Knight, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, The Pointer Sisters, Smokey Robinson, Take 6, and more.

Duke received two Grammy Awards out of nine nominations. He won best Jazz Vocal Album in 2000 and 2001. He was inducted into The SoulMusic Hall of Fame at SoulMusic.com. George Duke died on August 5, 2013 in Los Angeles, at age of 67.
I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s Topic: George Duke.

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Photo credit: U.S. Department of the Interior - 3407
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

Singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, and record producer Ne-Yo has released nine studio albums.

•In My Own Words (2006)
•Because of You (2007)
•Year of the Gentleman (2008)
•Libra Scale (2010)
•R.E.D. (2012)
•Non-Fiction (2015)
•Good Man (2018)
•Another Kind of Christmas (2019)
•Self Explanatory (2022)

The album, In My Own Words (2006), was critically and commercially successful, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. Certified platinum in the United States.

Because of you, 2007), Ne-Yo's second studio album, was the second number one platinum-selling album debuted on the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, and received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 50th Grammy Awards.

His third studio album, Year of the Gentleman (2008), saw continued success and further Grammy Award nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album as well as Album of the Year.

Libra Scale (2010), Ne-Yo's fourth studio album, reached number one in the UK R&B Singles and Albums Charts and number nine on the US Billboard 200.

His fifth studio album, R.E.D. (2012), saw the international success of its lead single "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)", which certified platinum in the United States, became Ne-Yo's fifth chart-topping song in the United Kingdom, and sold over two million copies.

Ne-Yo's sixth studio album, Non-Fiction, followed in 2015. His seventh studio album, Good Man, was released in 2018.Those are his most successful studio albums so far.
Ne-Yo is doing pretty good in his career. Be sure to check out his album for 2022, Self Explanatory.

I’m Gail Nobles and today’s topic: Ne-Yo.

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Photo credit: Stephen Luff
Usage: CC BY 2.0
https://flic.kr/p/2jej86K

I remember when Michael Jackson went solo. He became a solo star with his 1979 album Off The Wall, and with his 1982 album Thriller. The best selling album of all time. He is the most awarded recording artist in the history of popular music and is recognized as the “most successful Entertainer of All Time” by Guinness World Records selling an estimated 1 billion records around the world.

When Michael released his Off The Wall album, he made videos that I didn’t get to see during that time of 1979 & 1980. I had never seen a music video before. In 1979, MTV was not known. The MTV cable channel was launched on August 1, 1981. Then there was Friday Night Videos that was broadcast on NBC on July 29, 1983. I didn’t find out about MJ’s videos, She’s Out Of My Life, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, And Rock With You until after he made it big and famous with Thriller. Looks like to me, MJ was ahead of the game. People said he was smart.

He made the video Can You Feel It with his brothers in 1980 and Blame It On The Boogie in 1978. I didn’t see any of those videos until after Michael went solo after making Thriller. Michael Jackson was making videos long before MTV was heard of. He could have had his own music video channel.

Michael achieved the peak of his critical success after the release of his 1982 album Thriller, with sales of 70 million copies worldwide. Critics often debate whether Off The Wall or Thriller is Jackson’s best album. Off The Wall has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.

I think Michael Jackson was more magical with the videos during the time of his Thriller Album. And everybody was able to see those videos. See, there were things that helped to make a difference. Michael was more about disco, love, and dancing in his Off the Wall days. The single Off The Wall could have also made an outstanding magical video. But by the time Michael made Thriller, his ideas for songs & videos were more advanced. It was a sight to see him in a video with gang members, Thriller was exciting, & a Billie Jean was in a lot of men’s lives. Women accused men that they were the father of their child just like Billie Jean. Billie Jean was an exciting video and disco - rhythm and blues song.

Michael Jackson was an awesome solo artist. Michael Jackson - He was a star. Song by Gail Nobles © 2022.

Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo credit: Alfred Marroquin
Usage: Wikipedia
CC BY 3.0

Yes, this is another podcast about Aaliyah. But today, not only about Aaliyah, but about another young female artist of today in which they call her the Aaliyah of our time. Is she the Aaliyah of our time? Well, she could be. I’m talking about Chloe Bailey. According to Wikipedia, she’s 24 years old today. I have listened to Chloe’s music and watched her videos. I’ve got to say her music is different than Aaliyah’s. The time that Chloe is living in has changed some more in music since the Princess of R&B’s time.

When Aaliyah came along, she had a mixture of old school & new school in her music. I think that’s why she appealed to a younger and older audience. I believe Aaliyah was smart in doing so. Aaliyah was unique and different. Even in the way she dressed. She started out with the baggy pants, but she knew how to dress classy too. Aaliyah had sex appeal, and she didn’t over do it. She was a little bit old fashioned, and I admired that. In the music industry, they like for you to sell some sex, but that’s not what made Aaliyah reach the top. Aaliyah had a real singing voice. She had talent. Her style is still one in a million.

Now let’s talk about Chloe Bailey. She’s also changing R&B in her own way. She has also gained millions of fans. Chloe like Aaliyah has beauty & sex appeal. She has a music career at a young age. It appears that she has a great team behind her like Aaliyah. Chloe Bailey has her own unique sound in singing. But Chloe is different than Aaliyah in some ways. She is not Aaliyah. Her style and music is different. Her ideas are different. Chloe is doing what she needs to do for today’s music and to gain fans. She is living in her time and not in the days of Aaliyah.

If Aaliyah was alive today, I can’t say what Aaliyah would think of Chloe. But I believe that if Chloe reminded Aaliyah of herself, Aaliyah would probably keep a close watch on Chloe. She might would give her some advice if she thought it was needed. It seemed like Aaliyah had a heart for others. She appeared very humble. If Aaliyah was alive, she probably would be into more acting today. She probably would give Chloe her blessing to continue in music & be the Aaliyah of our time.

I’m Gail Nobles. Goodbye friends.

Song: All At Once
Song by: Whitney Houston
Song Written by: Jeffrey Osborne & Michael Masser

Photo credit Joel
https://flic.kr/p/bRmeN
Usage: CC BY-SA 2.0

Podcast intro by: Gail Nobles
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Podcast Vocals: Gail Nobles

Whitney Houston sang All At Once twice at Sanremo music festival in 1986. Her live performance of All At Once got a huge standing ovation and Whitney gave the audience an encore the audience requested.

The song All At Once is written by Jeffrey Osborne & Michael Masser. Michael Masser the music & Jeffrey Osborne the lyrics.

The song is from Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album and was released as a single in several European countries as well as in Japan in 1985–1986. It was not released as a single in North America, but did receive steady radio airplay on Pop and R&B/Soul stations there. It is a ballad about a love who leaves without warning and the heartbreak that is felt afterwards.

Houston performed the song at the 1987 American Music Awards as well as Italy's Sanremo Music Festival. Houston is the first and, so far, only singer to get an encore. Whitney also performed the song in Japan and Europe during her Greatest Love Tour in 1986.

You’re listening to the Whitney Soul Podcast. I’m your host Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: Whitney Houston - Encore.

Photo credit: Mikamote - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0

Detroit is the place. The place where Aaliyah was raised. I know she’ll never be forgotten there. But she was born in Brooklyn, New York. Aaliyah’s been gone for a long time, & nobody seems to want to forget her. How can you? Everyday you constantly see conversations online and pictures & videos being posted. Well, that’s a good thing. Don’t you think so? The sad thing is we can’t bring her back, although sometimes it feels like she never left with everybody remembering her. I’m talking about those that remember her in a good way.

I just want to give a shout out to all of the Aaliyah fans everywhere. Don’t stop thinking of her.

I have heard her voice in my sleep once saying: “Don’t let go of me.” Maybe because I once yearned so bad for her to be alive.

With so much going on in my life, I didn’t know that Aaliyah affected me that way. I was just beginning to be her fan and didn’t know how much I paid attention. When I got the news that she passed away, it hurt so bad.

I’m Gail Nobles, & you’ve just heard another Aaliyah podcast.

Song: Great Big Gap
Song by: Noel McKoy
Photo credit: Iquo E
Usage: CC BY-ND 2.0
https://flic.kr/p/G6ZGN

Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles

Today’s topic is Noel McKoy.

I got an email from Fitz Roy of Soul Survivors Magazine that the Fitzroy’s Soul Survivors Show was giving a 2 hour homage to Noel McKoy who sadly passed away last week.

Noel McKoy was. British Soul Music singer. His music was a collection of soul, gospel, funk, and Northern Soul. The example I gave of one of his songs is entitled Great Big Gap from his album Brighter Day. Sometimes he reminds me of Motown, and sometimes Sam Cooke, and sometimes Curtis Mayfield. McKoy cited his influences as the Beatles, Dennis Brown, Chaka Khan, Marin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela.

His album, Brighter Day, was released in 2009 on soul label Tri-Sound.

His first album, Full Circle – Within A Social Soul was released in 1993, followed four years later by Mind Is the Keeper.

In 1998, he owned his own record label, Right Track Records, and released his third album, Please Take This Personal.

Brighter Day was his fourth Solo album of 2009.

To hear the homage to Noel McKoy from Fitzroy Soul Survivor Show go to Mixcloud.com/fitzroyfacey7/ …..And you can check out Noel McKoy’s Song Great Big Gap on Spotify.

I’m Gail Nobles. Thank you for tuning in.

Song: Aaliyah-Princess of R&B
Song by: Gail Nobles © 2022
Music by: Gail Nobles
Vocals: Gail Nobles


Nobody lied to the press when they said Aaliyah was the best.

Lyrics: Aaliyah knew
She led the way
She couldn’t stay
(The Princess Changed R&B)

She didn’t rap
She knew the rhyme
And right on time
(The Princess Changed R&B)

When Aaliyah was alive,
Class was in session.
She was changing R&B
And giving us lessons.
Add her to the Inducted Hall of Fame list.
If it wasn’t for Aaliyah,
Her style wouldn’t exist.

Aaliyah behind her shades was sister cool.
They call her mysterious
She was teaching school.
Girls were taking notes singing Rock the Boat
Aaliyah changed hip hop
Cause she knew how to rock with a singing voice
Princess R&B
Queen of Urban Pop
Nobody’s like Aali

Aaliyah’s the name
Music is not the same
Since she’s been gone
Her style is still her own.
Aaliyah encouraged the people to Try
TRY AGAIN
before she said goodbye.

To R&B, she brought the teen girl’s voice back.
She had the knack.
Unlike everybody else
Was the leader of the pack.

I’m GN remembering Aaliyah
The Princess R&B
Queen of Urban Pop

Aaliyah- Princess of R&B
Song & Poem by Gail Nobles © 2022

Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
1 Photo credit: Salt N Pepa - David Burke
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0
2 Photo credit: Spinderella - DrivingtheNortheast
https://flic.kr/p/ar2dWW
Usage: (CC BY 2.0)

Today’s topic: Salt n Pepa n Spin
The Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Salt n Pepa n Spinderella we’re honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I’m happy that they received the star. They received it on Friday Nov. 4, 2022.

As years go by, sometimes groups break up & things like that. But when their music has a great impact on you, no matter what goes on between the members of the group, you can’t forget them & you go on loving them. They stay in your memory.

I remember when it was said that Spin was fired from the group. I was happy to see Salt n Pepa & Spin standing together with a star. They gave us great music together & they deserve it.

To me, they were the leading ladies of hip-hop. They were known as the First Ladies of hip hop. Salt n Pepa n Spin are credited as pioneers.

When I try to think of other rap female DJ’s, I can’t remember any in my time. Spinderella was the first one that I saw. I’m not saying that there are none that was before her. I just don’t know of any. I haven’t seen another rap female DJ after Spinderella making records cutting & stretching on records with a rap group.

Salt N Pepa & Spinderella are the best in my opinion which I think is fact.

I’m Gail Nobles, and that’s the news for today.

Song: Made My Blood Run Cold
Song by: Ike Turner
Photo credit: Edge4life42 - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0

Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles

Ike Turner said: She made my blood run cold,
Sent cold chills all through my soul ..

You know Halloween is coming up. I always think of Michael Jackson’s song, Thriller. But there are other songs you can listen to for Halloween like Ike Turner’s Made My Blood Run Cold released in 1957. The style is considered Rhythm & Blues.

I went to see my doctor.
Asked him what was wrong
He gave me an examination
I was chilled to my bones. ..

Ike Turner was a musician, bandleader, songwriter, record producer, and talent scout. An early pioneer of 1950s rock and roll. He is best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with his then - wife Tina Turner.

It’s always good to go back & dig up oldies but goodies. Especially when it’s your first time hearing a song that was before your time. It is then a new song to the ears. And if you haven’t heard Ike Turner’s song “Made My Blood Run Cold”, you’ve got a new Halloween song to listen to.

I’m Gail Nobles on the Cat Bear. Don’t forget this Halloween to listen to Ike Turner’s song Made My Blood Run Cold found on Spotify. …

Music: Horns & Trumpets Brass - 70's Soul Retro Loop
https://samplefocus.com/samples/horns-trumpets-brass-70-s-soul-retro-loop
Usage: Standard license

Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Ending Brass, Horn, & Strings
Song by: Gail Nobles © 2022

Photo credit: Kevin
https://flic.kr/p/6dHQJG
Usage: CC BY 2.0

Aaliyah Quotes
Voice actor: Gail Nobles

Aaliyah Haughton

She said: I stay home a lot. I’m a homebody. Blockbuster nights are cool. I hang with my brother a lot. I go to the movies. We’re very close.

(Chorus) Aaliyah, she had love for home.
She had love for home.

And She said: The best way for me to deal with fame is having that personal life. That’s why it’s very important for me, and it’s sacred to me. You owe it to yourself to have some reality.

Chorus

One more thing Aaliyah said: Music was my first love. But acting is something I’ve always been interested in. That started when I was a little girl.

Headlines said the rising star didn’t forget her Detroit roots. Fans mourned and said her greatness was unfulfilled.

(Chorus) Aaliyah knew the way home. She had love for home.

Aaliyah’s Love for Home
Podcast and song by Gail Nobles © 2022

Music by: SampleFocus.com
https://samplefocus.com/samples/soul-violin-sample-vintage-chop
Usage: Standard License

Today’s Topic: The National R&B Music Day

What is National R&B Music Day? National R&B Music Day is a national day of recognition and celebration for R&B music declared by the U.S. National Day Archives organization.

What is R&B Music?
Rhythm and Blues (or just R&B) is a genre of music that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip hop and electronic music. It was influenced by jazz, gospel, and blues and features a distinctive production style, (drum machine-backed rhythms, pitch corrected vocals, etc.) and a smooth, lush style of vocal arrangements that have become popular with people all around the world.

When is National R&B Music Day Observed?
National R&B Music day is observed on the first Saturday of March each year. It is the culmination of Black History Month and another opportunity to promote peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity.

Who do you think of when you think of R&B music? I think of so many groups & music artists like MJ, the Chi-lites, Earth Wind & Fire, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, Selena, The Pointer Sisters, & Sister Sledge. There are many more of them that I think of.

I’m Gail Nobles. Tune in again next time for more; to hear about the National R& B Music Day. Thank you for listening.

Info from: Star Carr
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/4633793426632062
Old School Male Soul Oohs Sound: Samplefocus.com
https://samplefocus.com/samples/oldschool-male-soul-oohs
Usage: Standard License

Today’s Topic: Keep Our Music Alive.

Hi! I’m Gail Nobles. I mentioned in one of the last episodes about the Facebook page, “ Keep Our Music Alive”. Star Carr has created the online entertainment page, which features the music and history of popular R&B Artists from the 60s to the 80s. Their mission is to keep this genre of music alive and vibrant by eliciting positive memories and experiences associated with this unique art form.

Keep Our Music Alive is a Facebook group page that enables the general public to view daily posting’s of live performances, bios, and the accomplishments of R&B Artists (past and present) from the 60s to the 80s.

I joined Starr Carr’s Facebook group page, “ Keep Our Music Alive”. He shared links like The Marvelettes, Al Green, Chuck Berry, and Peaches & Herb just to name a few. To join, click on the link below this podcast, and I’ll be back again next time to talk more about the Facebook group page: Keep Our Music Alive. ..

Disco Music: Samplefocus.com
Song: Selena, She Was The Star
Song by: Gail Nobles © 2022
Photo: hellboy_93
https://flic.kr/p/5Eq8K7
Usage: (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Selena Quintanilla - Queen of Tejano. She was a star. She was known as Selena. She was great in music, dance, and fashion. In 2020, Billboard magazine put her in third place on their list of “Greatest Latino Artist of All Time.” I believe Selena could have been the greatest artist of all time period, but her life and career was cut short. Or should I say the greatest female artist of all time?

Selena had a super voice and a super spin when she danced just like Michael Jackson. Like him, she was a natural born singer & dancer. Selena was learning Michael Jackson’s moves. I’ve seen her on a very short video dancing around. However, at the same time, she was doing her own dance moves.

She sang her own songs in Spanish & some in English, but was starting to sing great English hits like Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” & Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”. FunkyTown by Lipps Inc.

Selena had the look of a fashion model, and was beautiful no matter what she wore or what she did on stage. She had it all, and she still has a big affect on fans this very day. Selena can’t be forgotten. ..

Beginning jingle by: Gail Nobles © 2022
Jingle: Soul Generation
Ending jingle by: Gail Nobles © 2019-2022
Jingle: Got To Bring Back the Music
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles

Song: Million Dollars
Song by: Soul Generation

Hi I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic is Soul Generation, an American R&B vocal group from Jersey City, New Jersey, which had a number of hits in the 1970’s, including Body and Soul ( That the Way It’s Got to Be), “ Million Dollars”, and “ I Wonder What She’s Doin”.

They sing like this

If I had a million dollars
I’d buy you love just to give you
And if I had a million bucks
I’d buy some love just to give to you
If I had a million dollars

The group was originally known as The Citations, The group was originally known as The Citations, and formed in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1970. Members included group founder Cliff Perkins (lead singer, tenor, choreographer), Earl Davenport (second tenor), Thomas Timmons (bass), and Herman Hammonds (baritone). Timmons left the Citations in 1971 and was replaced by Jeffrey Burgess. The group changed their name to Soul Generation.

In the later years there were new members in the group, and in 2004 with Perkins the only original member left in the group, the name was changed to Soul Generations featuring Cliff Perkins. In 2020, Soul Generation featuring Cliff Perkins is still performing and celebrating 50 years in the music industry.

We don’t want to forget groups like The Soul Generation. For those of you that are passionate about R&B music, there is an informative R&B group page on Facebook titled, “ Keep Our Music Alive” where you can see videos of live performances and information about popular R&B artists from the 60s to the 80s … the time when music was really music.

I’m Gail Nobles. Today’s topic: Soul Generation. Tune in again next for more. Thank you for listening.

Photo: Pexels.com

There’s a new issue out in Oct. for the Soul Survivors Magazine. It’s paying homage to the late Lamont Dozier and Ramsey Lewis, and it has a main feature artist TarharQa Aleem. Him & his twin Tunde Ra once had close links with rock & soul guitar icon Jimi Hendrix. They were known as the Ghetto Fighters. They have done three albums with Jimi.

Both TarharQa and Tunde were most notable for being musicians, producers, authors, and entrepreneurs originally based out of Harlem NY. Tunde passed away in 2014. Him & his twin brother are interesting to learn about. So you don’t want to miss this month’s The Soul Survivors Magazine. Subscribe at thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk.

Photo credit: slgckgc - https://www.flickr.com/photos/slgc/37320928332/
Usage: CC BY 4.0

Music intro & Music: by Gail Nobles

WHO’S HOT

Look out for Bruno Mars Dec. 30 & 31. According to the news, he will headline two shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas. Both shows are scheduled to begin 9:PM Visit Ticketmaster.com to learn more and to purchase tickets.

Bruno Mars is a great dancer, musician, singer - songwriter, record producer, and music video director. He is known for his stage performances, retro showmanship, and for performing in a wide range of musical styles, including pop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, disco, and rock. Bruno should make a great headliner.

In 2014, Mars was featured on Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk", which topped various music charts, spending a total of fourteen and seven weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.

Mars has sold over 130 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

You’re listening to Who’s Hot. I’m your host Gail Nobles.

Photo credit: Rustyleigh - Own work/Wikipedia
Usage: CC BY-SA 4.0
Crowd cheering: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/crowd-cheer-ii-6263/

WHO’S HOT

There’s a British girl group called Little Mix that I’ve been seeing in the news lately. There are three girls Leigh - Anne Pinnock, Jade Thirlwall, and Perrie Edwards. It is said they were the first group to win the British version of The X Factor. They have a song called Confetti from 2020 and The Confetti Tour was the seventh concert tour held by Little Mix.

According to the news, Little Mix fans were given a surprise “reunion” when Leigh Anne and Jade Thirlwall went out partying. They danced to their own hit song Confetti in the nightclub. Sounds like the group needs to continue, and they have fans loving them. If there’s a good thing going, why not keep it going?

I’m Gail Nobles and you’re listening to Who’s Hot. Today’s topic: Little Mix.

Song: Back and Forth
Song by: Aaliyah
Song written by: R Kelly

Photo credit: MikaV - Own work
Usage: CC BY-SA 4.0

Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles

Aaliyah sang the song Back & Forth. I heard Aaliyah say: Don’t get in my way.” Aaliyah was in a spiritual move. She said she had a recurring dream that she was flying away from her troubles. You see the reason her dream was dark because the enemy had fear that she would make it.

If Aaliyah’s name is written in the book of life, Aaliyah is not finished. God is not through. That means Aaliyah had a friend in a high place. It ain’t over until the Lord say it’s over. He’s the resurrection. Hopefully and joyfully we’ll be seeing Aaliyah soon.

If you knew her personally, know the good book, and you can know Aaliyah even more. You’ll understand her death, and you’ll know that she’s got more in the Lord’s return. You’ll know that she’ll do higher things.

When she was with us, she was moving back and forth. She didn’t stop moving when she was alive. And we can’t stop moving until we get where she is, and that’s on the other side. We got to live right, and in the good book, we ought to abide.

I’m Gail Nobles, and you’ve heard a podcast about Aaliyah- The Princess of R&B.

Song: Because I Love You
Song by: Brighter Side of Darkness

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Vocals: Gail Nobles

Brighter Side of Darkness was an American R&B/soul group. They were formed in 1971 at Calumet High School in Chicago, Illinois. Their lead singer was 12-year-old Darryl Lamont; the other members were Ralph Eskridge, Randolph Murph and Larry Washington.

They released the single "Love Jones" in December 1972. It was a hit in the US (Hot 100, #16; Hot Soul Singles, #3) and was certified gold by February 9, 1973, by the RIAA. They released an album, Love Jones, in 1973. Their second single, "I Owe You Love", was less successful, and the group disbanded in 1974.

Because I Love You by Brighter Side of Darkness is a single released in 1974. The producer was Clarence Johnson. The record label was Star-Vue records. Darryl Lamont the lead singer had a voice like Michael Jackson and Frankie Lymon.

The group started singing at local school dances and talent shows. They won a local talent contest attracting the attention of promoter Clarence Johnson who signed them to a recording deal.

Im Gail Nobles & you’re listening to the Cat Bear. Tune in for more next time. Today’s topic: The Brighter Side of Darkness. Check out their song on Spotify: Because I Love You.

Song: We Should Be In Love
Song by: The Five Stairsteps
Produced by: Curtis Mayfield

Podcast Intro: Gail Nobles
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Podcast Vocals: Gail Nobles

We Must Be In Love. A song arranged by Donny Hathaway and produced by Curtis Mayfield. It was performed by the Five Stairsteps and Cubie Burke. The Five Stairsteps are known for the 1970 song “O-o-h Child”, listed at number 402 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The Chicago group was dubbed "First Family of Soul" because of their successful five-year chart run; the moniker was later passed on to the Jackson 5. Initially a teenage five-member brothers and sister vocal group made up of the children of Betty and Clarence Burke, the Five Stairsteps, named by Mrs. Burke who thought her children looked like stair steps when lined up according to their age.

The Five Stairsteps single, We Must Be In Love was released in 1969. The record is still being sold. It was released on the label Buddha Records.

You’re listening to the Cat Bear. I’m your host, Gail Nobles. I’m going to leave you now with the intro for today’s topic. You can check out We Must Be In Love by the Five Stairsteps on YouTube and Spotify.

Music: Samplefocus.com
Usage: Standard license
Photo credit: photo by Alan Light
Usage: CC BY 2.0

Hi, Im Gail Nobles. Have you checked out The Soul Survivors Magazine? It’s a Bi-Monthly magazine. Check out the current issue and some of the past issues. The magazine is about 16 years old Today. Issue one was distributed in July/Aug 2006.

Today I’m looking at a past issue. Issue 41 Aug/Sept published in 2012. In the issue, there’s an interview. Caron Wheeler talks to Fitzroy. She is one of the founding members of Soul II Soul.

“Back to Life, back to reality”
“Keep on Moving
Keep on moving, don’t stop no
Keep on moving”

Remember the song, Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) released in 1989? Remember the song, “Keep on Moving” also released in 1989? Then you remember Soul II Soul.

Caron Wheeler was a member of the group. She is on artist who has enjoyed much success in her musical beginnings spanning almost 40 yrs. according to the Soul Survivors Magazine. They include the mid 1970’s reggae/lovers rock, early 80’s pop and late 80’s underground soul and funk movements.

Caron talks with Fitzroy about her struggles, celebrating life, music, family racism, and being proud of her dual British and Jamaican heritage.

So check out the past Issue 41 Aug/Sept. 2012 of Soul Survivors Mag. You’ll read about Caron Wheeler and more. Go to thesoulsurvivorsmagazine.co.uk.