By maredda (130.49.149.24 - 130.49.149.24) on Thursday, November 29, 2001 - 09:57 pm:

Hi guys, this week (Mon. and Tues), I went to the taping of R&B 40 and the post-show receptions, a concert that will be shown on American Public Television stations.

There were some great acts there, from the famous, to the not so famous: Ben E. King finally reunited with Charlie Thomas' Drifters, Billy Griffin reunited with the Miracles including Claudette Robinson (Smokey declined invite), Eddie Floyd, Freddie Scott, Sam Moore, Maxine Brown, Dionne Warwick, Kim Weston, Frankie Gaye, the Temptations, the Isley Brothers, the Impressions reunited with Jerry Butler, Little Anthony and the Original Imperials were all there.

I finally got the chance to meet my favorite Motown lady, a wonderful singer if ever there was one, Ms. Claudette Robinson. What a lovely person she is. I met quite a few of them, which was a great honor.

Hopefully, the U.S. will catch up with our UK pals and start really honoring these legends. These R&B shows that T.J. Lubinsky and Henry DeLuca put together seem to be a great start.

NISH

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.100.227 - 213.122.100.227) on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 09:09 am:

hi nish

i particularly like the isley brothers motown output.

the 'soul on the rocks' album is first class.

not to mention 'this old heart of mine'......

is claudette still as good looking? as i said before, anyone not hearing her singing 'mr misery' has missed out on something special.

a beautiful record.

By maredda (130.49.149.23 - 130.49.149.23) on Friday, November 30, 2001 - 09:52 pm:

Hi David, Claudette is beautiful. And she's so nice! So so nice!

I love the Isley Brothers on Motown, but apparently Mr. Biggs doesn't, because Ronald Isley did not want to perform "This Old Heart Of Mine," although the song fit the show's format moreso than "Who's That Lady" or "Contagious" (two songs they did perform).

Mr. Misery is certainly a beautiful record.

By John Lester (213.1.129.46 - 213.1.129.46) on Saturday, December 01, 2001 - 10:11 am:

I really don't understand why Ronald Isley was quite happy to sing it as a duet with Rod Stewart some years ago. It might even have been a video performance where I saw it. I remember thinking at the time, why couldn't he sing it all!

To be perfectly honest, I think the audience deserves a bit more consideration from Ronald, although I accept it is down to him to decide what he wants or doesn't want to sing. "This Old Heart Of Mine" is not one of my personal favourites but the song is a legend and I do feel that it SHOULD be included.

Can you imagine a concert of the Isleys featuring This Old Heart Of Mine, Behind a Painted Smile, Take In Your Arms, Guess I'll Always love you, Rumour Baby, Got To Have You Back, All Because I Love You, Put Yourself In My Place, I Hear A symphony, My Love Is Your Love Forever.......the crowd's applause would blow the roof off!

By maredda (130.49.149.38 - 130.49.149.38) on Monday, December 03, 2001 - 04:29 am:

I know! I was PINING to hear Ronald sing that song. It happens to be one of the finest outings by the superlative Funk Brothers, and Ronald's lilting tenor is soulful icing on the cake. If only he knew how we love that song, he'd know that it's a crime not to sing it. But I love the cat, and I'm also sad that he didn't sing "Voyage to Atlantis!"