OCTOBER 9,2007:
"THE GREENWOOD BLUES FESTIVAL 2007"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.My 2007 Blues and southern soul ride kept me in my own backyard as I recently attended "The 2007 Greenwood Blues Festival".At most of the shows that I attend I've probably seen the artists perform already,some of them probably several times but its always good to see a new artist perform for the very first time.The Leflore County Civic Center played host to this blues and southern soul party.This building has a lot of good memories for me.I think everytime that I attend a show here I always reflect back to the time that I met and saw our beloved Jackie Neal perform.I know you all have heard me talk about that night a thousand times but I would be lying to myself if I say I don't get sentimental everytime I walk through the civic center doors and not think about her.It was her final performance as she would be taken away only five(5) days later.I guess anytime there is a show held at this venue and if I am in attendance,my review will be dedicated to her.
The lineup for this blues and southern soul party included Betty Padgett,Leon McMullen,Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas,Nathaniel Kimble and Mel Waiters.When I arrived,to my suprise it wasn't a large crowd on hand.I know one of the local SWAC colleges was having homecoming and that usually attracts a large crowd but I had no idea it would effect the attendance of this show.I did run into a couple of familar faces, my man Cyerio Hughes(WGNL Radio personality),Bluz Queen from "The Kitty Kitty Club" and my Godfather,friend and mentor,Jerry"Boogie"Mason along with his beautiful daughter Kim were in the house.It was plenty of people down front by the stage area with their reserved tables and we had a table down front as well so we were in a good spot for tonight's show.It was a BYOB affair so the people were ready to get their blues on tonight.So with my man Cyerio kicking it with "The Godfather" and "Da Big Dawg" and plenty of cold Bud Light on hand sit back good people and let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The soulful diva,Betty Padgett along with her niece and backup singer Dottie a.k.a. Lady D were the first to hit the stage.I'm a big fan of hers and its always good to see her perform.She is a diva that has kept the old school sassy,sultry and sexy vibe alive.She now has put her name up there with the likes of Betty Wright,Peggy Scott Adams,Shirley Brown and Denise Lasalle.Tonight she also had her brand new band with her and I must admit these boys are bad.She opened her performance with Jackie Moore"s "Precious,Precious" and good people it sounded so good.I hadn't heard that song in years but my girl did her thing on it.Her next song was a rendition of Denise Lasalle's "Trapped By A Thing Called Love" which is also one of my all time favorite songs and she now had me in a good old JUKE JOINT MOOD.Her next song was ""Steal Away" and ya'll this lady blew me away with her version.If somebody tell me this lady can't sing I'll stomp a good old Mississippi mud hole in them.I stood on my feet as this lady sang her heart out on this song.Even Boogie and Cyerio nodded with approval.She had the ladies down by the stage testifying by now.Her next song was "Slow Roll It" and she displayed something in her show that Big K9 hadn't seen from her before.Betty Padgett was getting freaky on stage and it went over very well with everyone in attendance."Lets Do It Again","Rock Your Boat" and "Midnight Hour" kept her and Lady D shaking their tailfeathers.She closed her performance with the very popular "Never Coming Home" and she had the downstage area rocking.This was one of the best Betty Padgett performances that I've ever seen and its truly a shame that there wasn't a lot of people on hand to see her perform.I hope that she will continue to do this same performance because fans you will never get tired of seeing it.Her band was simply amazing,their chemistry tonight would have you thinking that they had been together for a very long time.And this freaky side that she showed tonight will only keep her a very popular diva on the southern soul scene.What a hell of a way to start a show.Damn good performance.
The next performer was Leon McMullen and myself and I think probably everyone else in attendance had never even heard of him before but I assure you by the end of his performance everyone knew Leon McMullen.He won the crowd over the minute his band begin to play Johnnie Taylor's "Who's Making Love?".To perform a Johnnie Taylor song or songs you know you better bring your "A" game because the fans won't allow you to disrespect a legend.Leon McMullen had his game face on tonight as he continued his Johnnie Taylor theme with "Cheaper To Keep Her".He gave a very heartfelt renditon of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and you already know how people respond to a Sam Cooke song.His next selection was J.T.'s "Running Out Of Lies" and like so many blues and southern soul artist he ad-lib with the crowd.The ladies down stage were showing him a lot of love.He closed his performance with a bang."Soul Heaven" got him his biggest ovation of the night as he included several recently departed artist in his version,Leon saw Gerald Levert,Luther Vandross and James Brown and it was through James Brown that the highlight of his performance came.He masterfully did a James Brown dance routine so well that it appeared the spirit of The Godfather Of Soul was in him.I mean everything from the sleek of feet,gliding on one leg,the microphone lean and the legendary split he aced it all.Even James Brown had to be looking down and smiling on Leon McMullen.The people in attendance gave him a nice stamp of approval.He is a wonderful entertainer.He has a nice voice,excellent dance moves and much charisma.Tonight we were able to see three legends Johnnie Taylor,Sam Cooke and James Brown live again through Leon Mc Mullen.I don't know if he has his own music but I'm content with his Johnnie Taylor revue.Leon my man welcome to DA DAWG POUND.
I was really amped up for the next performer.My man Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas were up next and I've heard so many good things about his show and this was my first opportunity to see him perform.It was only appropiate that my godfather Jerry"Boogie" Mason bring him to the stage but Bigg Robb had a suprise for me and everyone else in attendance.Southern Soul recording artist,Special(who is also a Bigg Robb protege')was introduced and my heart melted.I'm familar with her music and I was delighted to have the chance to see her perform.As she walked out on stage all the fellas gave her a nice ovation,she is another diva who is bringing sexy back to the industry.As me and the rest of the fellas cooled off this beautiful young lady performed her hit single "Girlfriend To Girlfriend" which is a remake of Shirley Brown's "Woman To Woman".She gave a very soulful performance.Her amazing voice was so powerful it reminded me of a young Patti Labelle and we all know Patti can sing.I hated to see her end this song but I'm thankful that Bigg Robb allowed her the opportunity to bless us with her presence.She received a nice ovation from the crowd and even the ladies joined the fellas in approval.Now it was time for the Bigg Man.Da Problem Solvas hit the stage followed by Bigg Robb with an entrance that only George Clinton & The P Funk All Stars could rival.Greenwood must be Bigg Robb country because he and Da Problem Solvas received a big ovation and everyone was on their feet.With a wardrobe straight from the closet of Boosty Collins Bigg Robb was in party mode as he opened his performance with "I'm Ready To Party".Fire and brimstone would best describe the energy of Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas as they performed "Keep On Swingin".His next song was a sample of George Clinton's "Atomic Dog" and it was getting very funky in Greenwood,Mississippi."Bigg Man Love" stole the show.I'm BIG AND I"M PROUD got to be the theme behind this song as Bigg Robb took off his shirt and pants and the women went wild.He was joined on stage by several women from the crowd and they were able to bump and grind and go one on one with Bigg Robb.He called for some of the other big men in the crowd to join him on stage and one fan did as he immediately took off his shirt and received a lot of love for doing it.Bigg Robb and the fan were showing the women how a big man handle their business(grown folks style)and it was really going over well with the crowd.He extended an invitation for me to join them on stage but I declined maybe one day in the near future fans will be able to see Big K9 join Bigg Robb on stage and display some real Bigg Man Love.He introduced his young son(Robb III) who is also the drummer for Da Problem Solvas to the crowd and his son along with several women from the crowd begin to do the "2 Step & Slide" which is a song and dance tune performed by his son.The Pink Panther Theme brought Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas back to the stage area as they all strutted on stage with a funky g strut glide.His next song was "I Thought She Was At Home,She Thought I Was At Work" and he left the stage area and was swarmed by the ladies in attendance and he really showed them some bigg man love as he extended a rose to all the women that surrounded him.He returned to the stage area and sampled his song "The Same Thing It Took To Get Her".He closed his performance with "Ride Ya Pony" and once again he had everyone on their feet and dancing.Bigg Robb wasn't ready to end his show and believe me the fans weren't ready for him to end it either.His show is a must see especially if you are fans of the G Funk sound.Roger Troutman,George Clinton and Boosty Collins all rolled up in one would best describe Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas.I was so glad to see what so many already knew,Bigg Robb sho nuff know how to party.
My homeboy Nathaniel Kimble was on next and he has become one of my favorite performers.I know he get tired of me saying this but his show continues to get better and better all the time.He received a nice ovation from the crowd especially the women down front.He opened his performance with "You Make Me Happy" immediately he allowed the crowd to be a part of his show.A couple of years ago he didn't do too much of this but now its a fixture in his performance and he has become very comfortable doing it.He and one female fan had the crowd laughing as they exchanged some very raw and sexual explicit lingo with one another I won't go into details but I can say the #69 might have come up a time or two(use your imagination on that one).He thrilled the crowd with his rendition of Tyrone Davis "Sure Wasn't Me".He picked up the tempo with "Please Don't Go" and this had everyone up and cutting a rug.He suprised me with his vocal range on Tyrone Davis "So Good To Come Home To You".The promoters were telling him that it was time to wrap up his performance and I have to be honest this didn't sit too well with him he closed his show with his smash hit "Can U Bagg It Up" and you know that this is always a crowd pleaser.The crowd really showed their displeasure with the promoters for cutting his performance short.Nathaniel Kimble shows use to mainly consist of a lot of uptempo dance tunes but he is slowly turning into a crooner,with the addition of several ballads in his performances.I am very pleased with his progression as an artist,I see bigger and brighter things for this talented entertainer.
The last performer on the night was one of my all time favorite artist,Mel Waiters.It was very late but the small crowd in attendance all remained to see Mr. Waiters and they gave him a very huge ovation as he was introduced to the crowd.He opened his performance with "Pop It Baby" and Mel went into a drop and pop dance routine and the women gave him a nice ovation.His next song,"Smaller The Club The Bigger The Party" had the Civic Center rocking.It was late and the people were still enjoying this southern soul party and Mel Waiters was doing his thing.He performed one of his early hits "Hit It And Quit It" and it must still be popular with the folks in Greenwood because they were getting their groove on.He ad lib with the crowd about losing some of his good friends in the industry and then he begin to pay tribute to two of the very best.First he did an excellent rendition of Johnnie Taylor's "Just Because" and I had no idea that Mel's vocal depth could allow him to pull off a J.T. song.You just don't think about Mel Waiters singing Johnnie Taylor and fans he sounded damn good.Next he paid tribute to Tyrone Davis with a nice version of "If I could Turn Back The Hands Of Time".He kept the party going with "Got My Whiskey" and the dance party also continued as well.Mel Waiters gained a lot of respect from me on this night,with the crowd all focused on him he was willing to share the spotlight.My friend and Mel's personal assistant,Chandra Calloway who also sings backup for him was allowed to perform and do her thing.She did Betty Wright justice with her version of "Clean Up Woman",and got very jazzy with Anita Baker's "My Everything".Mel closed his show with the song that shot him to superstardom,"Hole In The Wall".
BIG K9
"THE GREENWOOD BLUES FESTIVAL 2007"
Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.My 2007 Blues and southern soul ride kept me in my own backyard as I recently attended "The 2007 Greenwood Blues Festival".At most of the shows that I attend I've probably seen the artists perform already,some of them probably several times but its always good to see a new artist perform for the very first time.The Leflore County Civic Center played host to this blues and southern soul party.This building has a lot of good memories for me.I think everytime that I attend a show here I always reflect back to the time that I met and saw our beloved Jackie Neal perform.I know you all have heard me talk about that night a thousand times but I would be lying to myself if I say I don't get sentimental everytime I walk through the civic center doors and not think about her.It was her final performance as she would be taken away only five(5) days later.I guess anytime there is a show held at this venue and if I am in attendance,my review will be dedicated to her.
The lineup for this blues and southern soul party included Betty Padgett,Leon McMullen,Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas,Nathaniel Kimble and Mel Waiters.When I arrived,to my suprise it wasn't a large crowd on hand.I know one of the local SWAC colleges was having homecoming and that usually attracts a large crowd but I had no idea it would effect the attendance of this show.I did run into a couple of familar faces, my man Cyerio Hughes(WGNL Radio personality),Bluz Queen from "The Kitty Kitty Club" and my Godfather,friend and mentor,Jerry"Boogie"Mason along with his beautiful daughter Kim were in the house.It was plenty of people down front by the stage area with their reserved tables and we had a table down front as well so we were in a good spot for tonight's show.It was a BYOB affair so the people were ready to get their blues on tonight.So with my man Cyerio kicking it with "The Godfather" and "Da Big Dawg" and plenty of cold Bud Light on hand sit back good people and let me take you on this blues and southern soul ride.
The soulful diva,Betty Padgett along with her niece and backup singer Dottie a.k.a. Lady D were the first to hit the stage.I'm a big fan of hers and its always good to see her perform.She is a diva that has kept the old school sassy,sultry and sexy vibe alive.She now has put her name up there with the likes of Betty Wright,Peggy Scott Adams,Shirley Brown and Denise Lasalle.Tonight she also had her brand new band with her and I must admit these boys are bad.She opened her performance with Jackie Moore"s "Precious,Precious" and good people it sounded so good.I hadn't heard that song in years but my girl did her thing on it.Her next song was a rendition of Denise Lasalle's "Trapped By A Thing Called Love" which is also one of my all time favorite songs and she now had me in a good old JUKE JOINT MOOD.Her next song was ""Steal Away" and ya'll this lady blew me away with her version.If somebody tell me this lady can't sing I'll stomp a good old Mississippi mud hole in them.I stood on my feet as this lady sang her heart out on this song.Even Boogie and Cyerio nodded with approval.She had the ladies down by the stage testifying by now.Her next song was "Slow Roll It" and she displayed something in her show that Big K9 hadn't seen from her before.Betty Padgett was getting freaky on stage and it went over very well with everyone in attendance."Lets Do It Again","Rock Your Boat" and "Midnight Hour" kept her and Lady D shaking their tailfeathers.She closed her performance with the very popular "Never Coming Home" and she had the downstage area rocking.This was one of the best Betty Padgett performances that I've ever seen and its truly a shame that there wasn't a lot of people on hand to see her perform.I hope that she will continue to do this same performance because fans you will never get tired of seeing it.Her band was simply amazing,their chemistry tonight would have you thinking that they had been together for a very long time.And this freaky side that she showed tonight will only keep her a very popular diva on the southern soul scene.What a hell of a way to start a show.Damn good performance.
The next performer was Leon McMullen and myself and I think probably everyone else in attendance had never even heard of him before but I assure you by the end of his performance everyone knew Leon McMullen.He won the crowd over the minute his band begin to play Johnnie Taylor's "Who's Making Love?".To perform a Johnnie Taylor song or songs you know you better bring your "A" game because the fans won't allow you to disrespect a legend.Leon McMullen had his game face on tonight as he continued his Johnnie Taylor theme with "Cheaper To Keep Her".He gave a very heartfelt renditon of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and you already know how people respond to a Sam Cooke song.His next selection was J.T.'s "Running Out Of Lies" and like so many blues and southern soul artist he ad-lib with the crowd.The ladies down stage were showing him a lot of love.He closed his performance with a bang."Soul Heaven" got him his biggest ovation of the night as he included several recently departed artist in his version,Leon saw Gerald Levert,Luther Vandross and James Brown and it was through James Brown that the highlight of his performance came.He masterfully did a James Brown dance routine so well that it appeared the spirit of The Godfather Of Soul was in him.I mean everything from the sleek of feet,gliding on one leg,the microphone lean and the legendary split he aced it all.Even James Brown had to be looking down and smiling on Leon McMullen.The people in attendance gave him a nice stamp of approval.He is a wonderful entertainer.He has a nice voice,excellent dance moves and much charisma.Tonight we were able to see three legends Johnnie Taylor,Sam Cooke and James Brown live again through Leon Mc Mullen.I don't know if he has his own music but I'm content with his Johnnie Taylor revue.Leon my man welcome to DA DAWG POUND.
I was really amped up for the next performer.My man Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas were up next and I've heard so many good things about his show and this was my first opportunity to see him perform.It was only appropiate that my godfather Jerry"Boogie" Mason bring him to the stage but Bigg Robb had a suprise for me and everyone else in attendance.Southern Soul recording artist,Special(who is also a Bigg Robb protege')was introduced and my heart melted.I'm familar with her music and I was delighted to have the chance to see her perform.As she walked out on stage all the fellas gave her a nice ovation,she is another diva who is bringing sexy back to the industry.As me and the rest of the fellas cooled off this beautiful young lady performed her hit single "Girlfriend To Girlfriend" which is a remake of Shirley Brown's "Woman To Woman".She gave a very soulful performance.Her amazing voice was so powerful it reminded me of a young Patti Labelle and we all know Patti can sing.I hated to see her end this song but I'm thankful that Bigg Robb allowed her the opportunity to bless us with her presence.She received a nice ovation from the crowd and even the ladies joined the fellas in approval.Now it was time for the Bigg Man.Da Problem Solvas hit the stage followed by Bigg Robb with an entrance that only George Clinton & The P Funk All Stars could rival.Greenwood must be Bigg Robb country because he and Da Problem Solvas received a big ovation and everyone was on their feet.With a wardrobe straight from the closet of Boosty Collins Bigg Robb was in party mode as he opened his performance with "I'm Ready To Party".Fire and brimstone would best describe the energy of Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas as they performed "Keep On Swingin".His next song was a sample of George Clinton's "Atomic Dog" and it was getting very funky in Greenwood,Mississippi."Bigg Man Love" stole the show.I'm BIG AND I"M PROUD got to be the theme behind this song as Bigg Robb took off his shirt and pants and the women went wild.He was joined on stage by several women from the crowd and they were able to bump and grind and go one on one with Bigg Robb.He called for some of the other big men in the crowd to join him on stage and one fan did as he immediately took off his shirt and received a lot of love for doing it.Bigg Robb and the fan were showing the women how a big man handle their business(grown folks style)and it was really going over well with the crowd.He extended an invitation for me to join them on stage but I declined maybe one day in the near future fans will be able to see Big K9 join Bigg Robb on stage and display some real Bigg Man Love.He introduced his young son(Robb III) who is also the drummer for Da Problem Solvas to the crowd and his son along with several women from the crowd begin to do the "2 Step & Slide" which is a song and dance tune performed by his son.The Pink Panther Theme brought Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas back to the stage area as they all strutted on stage with a funky g strut glide.His next song was "I Thought She Was At Home,She Thought I Was At Work" and he left the stage area and was swarmed by the ladies in attendance and he really showed them some bigg man love as he extended a rose to all the women that surrounded him.He returned to the stage area and sampled his song "The Same Thing It Took To Get Her".He closed his performance with "Ride Ya Pony" and once again he had everyone on their feet and dancing.Bigg Robb wasn't ready to end his show and believe me the fans weren't ready for him to end it either.His show is a must see especially if you are fans of the G Funk sound.Roger Troutman,George Clinton and Boosty Collins all rolled up in one would best describe Bigg Robb & Da Problem Solvas.I was so glad to see what so many already knew,Bigg Robb sho nuff know how to party.
My homeboy Nathaniel Kimble was on next and he has become one of my favorite performers.I know he get tired of me saying this but his show continues to get better and better all the time.He received a nice ovation from the crowd especially the women down front.He opened his performance with "You Make Me Happy" immediately he allowed the crowd to be a part of his show.A couple of years ago he didn't do too much of this but now its a fixture in his performance and he has become very comfortable doing it.He and one female fan had the crowd laughing as they exchanged some very raw and sexual explicit lingo with one another I won't go into details but I can say the #69 might have come up a time or two(use your imagination on that one).He thrilled the crowd with his rendition of Tyrone Davis "Sure Wasn't Me".He picked up the tempo with "Please Don't Go" and this had everyone up and cutting a rug.He suprised me with his vocal range on Tyrone Davis "So Good To Come Home To You".The promoters were telling him that it was time to wrap up his performance and I have to be honest this didn't sit too well with him he closed his show with his smash hit "Can U Bagg It Up" and you know that this is always a crowd pleaser.The crowd really showed their displeasure with the promoters for cutting his performance short.Nathaniel Kimble shows use to mainly consist of a lot of uptempo dance tunes but he is slowly turning into a crooner,with the addition of several ballads in his performances.I am very pleased with his progression as an artist,I see bigger and brighter things for this talented entertainer.
The last performer on the night was one of my all time favorite artist,Mel Waiters.It was very late but the small crowd in attendance all remained to see Mr. Waiters and they gave him a very huge ovation as he was introduced to the crowd.He opened his performance with "Pop It Baby" and Mel went into a drop and pop dance routine and the women gave him a nice ovation.His next song,"Smaller The Club The Bigger The Party" had the Civic Center rocking.It was late and the people were still enjoying this southern soul party and Mel Waiters was doing his thing.He performed one of his early hits "Hit It And Quit It" and it must still be popular with the folks in Greenwood because they were getting their groove on.He ad lib with the crowd about losing some of his good friends in the industry and then he begin to pay tribute to two of the very best.First he did an excellent rendition of Johnnie Taylor's "Just Because" and I had no idea that Mel's vocal depth could allow him to pull off a J.T. song.You just don't think about Mel Waiters singing Johnnie Taylor and fans he sounded damn good.Next he paid tribute to Tyrone Davis with a nice version of "If I could Turn Back The Hands Of Time".He kept the party going with "Got My Whiskey" and the dance party also continued as well.Mel Waiters gained a lot of respect from me on this night,with the crowd all focused on him he was willing to share the spotlight.My friend and Mel's personal assistant,Chandra Calloway who also sings backup for him was allowed to perform and do her thing.She did Betty Wright justice with her version of "Clean Up Woman",and got very jazzy with Anita Baker's "My Everything".Mel closed his show with the song that shot him to superstardom,"Hole In The Wall".
BIG K9