Video Soul

"if tomorrow is a judgment day
and I'm standing on the front line
and the Lord ask me what I did with my life
I will say I spent it with you..."

Soul Fixin'

Album Cover Hoax
Here's some good news. The alleged cover of Whitney's upcoming album was a hoax. I, like many others, fell for the okey doke. Who would do such a thing? Could Bobby Brown be the culprit? A rep for Whitney's label cleared the air, "The allegedly 'new' Whitney Houston album cover circulating throughout the Internet is not a legitimate album cover for Ms. Houston's forthcoming Arista disc. Ms. Houston is still recording and we look forward to unveiling new music along with the official album cover in due time." Whitney's comeback album, her first since 2002's Just Whitney, was due to hit stores early fall. No word on an official release date.

Soul Fixin'

Is This A Joke?
Please tell me Bobby Brown is responsible for this cruel joke. Then again, Whitney' has recently collaborated with Akon, so this isn't too hard to fathom. I came across the cover of Whitney Houston's comeback album at Crunk + Disorderly. Has Whitney lost her mind? I can't imagine Clive Davis giving his seal of approval for this foolishness. Why is Whitney dressed up like a super hero with a horrible weave? Hopefully, the historic election of Barack Obama as President will inspire Whitney to make a CHANGE. 

Soul Tracks

The photo above was taken back in 1999 at the Rhythm & Blues Foundations 10th Annual Pioneer Awards. Dionne Warwick presented her younger sister Dee Dee with the foundation's Pioneer Award. Dionne thanked the foundation for paying homage to the "real singer in our family." High praise indeed, considering that Whitney Houston and Cissy Houston are members of the family. On that cold winter night Dionne was right by her younger sister's side, and three days ago Dionne was at her sister's side as she made her transition. The two sisters have never been far apart, sharing a bond that all sisters should share. The two talented sisters started singing gospel together and would go on to be the most in demand session singers of the early 60's. Dionne would go on to enjoy a successful solo career. Dee Dee possessed a more soulful sound and made a name for herself during the era of soul music. A 1968 recording session resulted in 'Foolish Fool,' today's Soul Track selection. In a 2001 interview, Dee Dee reflected on the song "...I didn't like it. I kept thinking, what is he talking about with this song? I just got very creative and once I got into, I could relate. Because at that time, people were giving me their opinions about my personal life and I was, to hell with it, I'm with who I'm with and that's my business." 'Foolish Fool' ranks as one of soul music's most impassioned performances, Dee Dee let it be known that no foolish fool was gonna steal her man. The Grammy's took notice and 'Foolish Fool' was nominated for a Grammy. Since the mid-'70s, she has done backup vocals for Dionne Warwick, and recorded sporadically on her own. Upon receiving the Pioneer Award, Dee Dee proclaimed, "I promise I'll see better days." Dee Dee's better days have come, she is now beyond the reach of pain and suffering, relaxing in paradise.

Soul Heaven

Dee Dee Warwick (1945-2008)
Dee Dee Warwick has joined fellow soul singer Levi Stubbs on the highway to heaven. Delia Mae Warrick passed away Saturday at a nursing home in her native New Jersey. She was 63. Known to the world as Dee Dee Warwick, Delia Mae began her singing career began in 1950's New Jersey, singing gospel with her sister Dionne and aunt Cissy. She was a member of The Gospelaires, The Drinkard Singers (a gospel outfit that featured some of Warwicks' aunts and uncles and was managed by their mother), and The Sweet Inspirations before embarking on a solo career. Along with Dionne, Cissy, Doris Troy, and The Sweet Inspirations, she was one of New York's most in-demand session vocalists, contributing to numerous records by the likes of the Drifters, Aretha Franklin, Chuck Jackson, Garnet Mimms, Nina Simone, and Wilson Pickett. Unfortunately, Dee Dee would remain in the shadows of her famous sister, recording for various labels and garnering sporadic hits and very little support from her labels. However, Dee Dee was able to reach the top of the charts with a few hit songs such as "I Want to Be With You," "Foolish Fool," "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," and "She Didn't Know (She Kept On Talking)." Since the mid-'70s, she has done backup vocals for Dionne Warwick, and recorded sporadically on her own. More recently, she recorded "Family First" with sister Dionne, cousin Whitney, and aunt Cissy, for the soundtrack to the Tyler Perry movie Daddy's Little Girl. Earlier this year, Dee Dee joined her sister in Europe, providing background vocals for Dionne's one-woman autobiographical show, "My Music & Me," which played to sold-out crowds.