The Night Shift

Once again, our Day of Love comes on the heels of heartbreak.  On Saturday, February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston left us to sing on the Night Shift.  She was 48.

As we inch toward the harrowing days until she is laid to rest; until the cause of her untimely death is made known; and, until the press is finished picking her life apart bit by bit, I would like us to remember the contribution she made to the soundtracks of our lives.  She was, truly, one of the great voices of our time.

Last August, as I was trying to add the finishing touches to a birthday mix for Whitney, the news of Nick Ashford’s passing blared on the tv behind me.  Whitney’s mix went to the ‘back burner’ while I worked on a tribute mix for Nick, and stayed there until Saturday.  (Some of my students might – and I mean might - have gotten better grades on their homework this weekend, thanks to Miss Whitney’s mix.)  So, here I am with another tribute for Cupid’s Hunt: some of the Whitney love songs that have graced many a summer evening on my porch.  Included is my favorite of hers, one of her duets with Jermaine Jackson (of course).  I one sang it to a patient who told me I had “pretty brown eyes”.  Those who have heard me sing might get a chuckle from that.

{raising a glass}

To you, Miss Whitney.

Godspeed and God bless.

TNS – Cupid’s Hunt – Whitney

1. TGrundy
2. You Give Good Love
3. Saving All My Love For You
4. All At Once
5. Didn’t We Almost Have It All
6. One Moment In Time
7. TGrundy
8. I Wanna Dance With Somebody
9. Queen Of The Night
10. Heartbreak Hotel (featuring Faith Evans & Kelly Price)
11. My Love Is Your Love
12. Angel Turner
13. Could I Have This Dance Forever (featuring Enrique Iglesias)
14. I Learned From The Best
15. A Song For You
16. All The Man That I Need
17. If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful (featuring Jermaine Jackson)
18. DarrenKeith
19. Exhale
20. I Believe In You And Me
21. Greatest Love Of All
22. When You Believe (featuring Mariah Carey)
23. I Will Always Love You

I’d also like to dedicate this piece to Ms. April Rogers.  This has been a rough few days for us; we lost a friend this time last year.  Ms. April told me Whitney was her idol; so, I hope hearing Whitney’s voice will be spirit-lifting.

Writer and singer of love songs; smooth, falsetto voice; record producer; Motown executive; easy on the eyes; easier on the ears; lullabies on sleepless nights– these all come to mind when I think of Smokey Robinson.  My earliest memory of Smokey Robinson is hearing “Shop Around” on a Motown tour album my parents stacked on the ‘hi-fi’ among albums by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sam Cook and The Platters.  When I was nine, a family vacation in Atlantic City turned out into a concert fest that included Ray and his revue; Freda Payne (my brother could barely contain himself); and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.  But, the most memorable afternoon of that trip was one spent seeing Smokey Robinson & the Miracles rocking the Steel Pier.

In the years that have passed since then, Smokey, with and without the Miracles, has continued to be a fixture on the soundtrack of my life.  His love songs along with those by The Whispers, The Manhattans, The Temptations, Barry White and other Mellow Men, grace my quiet nights when I want to enjoy the stars in the sky or the romance in the air.  And, they are my lullabies, still.

So, today, more than ever, where there’s Smoke, there’s love.

(This is for all my friends at Todd Grundy’s Question Of The Day;  especially Scottie, who, like me, thinks excluding Smokey from any ‘best of’ song list is simply criminal.  No cuffs will be needed today.)

TNS – Cupid’s Hunt – Where There’s Smoke…

1. Quiet Storm – Smokey Robinson – A Quiet Storm
2. You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – Motown Love
3. TGrundy
4. (You Can) Depend On Me – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – The Ultimate Collection
5. Ooo Baby Baby – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – Motown Love
6. Fave
7. The One Who Really Loves You – Mary Wells – Motown Love
8. I’ll Try Something New – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – The Ultimate Collection
9. Tracks of My Tears – Aretha Franklin - Respect and Other Hits
10. DarrenKeith
11. My Girl – The Temptations – The Temptations Sing Smokey
12. The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – The Ultimate Collection
13. Since I Lost My Baby – Luther Vandross – The Essential Luther Vandross
14. We’ve Come Too Far To End It Now – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – The Ultimate Collection
15. Who’s Loving You – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles – The Ultimate Collection
16. Who’s Loving You – The Jackson 5 – Love Songs
17. Angel Turner
18. Sweet Harmony – Smokey Robinson – Sweet Harmony
19. Baby Come Close – Smokey Robinson – Sweet Harmony
20. Everything You Touch – Smokey Robinson – The Solo Anthology
21. One Heartbeat – Smokey Robinson – Motown Love
22. Cruisin’ – Smokey Robinson – The Ultimate Collection
23. Blame It On Love – Smokey Robinson, Deniece Williams – The Solo Anthology
24. Ebony Eyes – Smokey Robinson, Rick James – Motown Love
25. Wedding Song – Smokey Robinson – A Quiet Storm

I am mixing and writing through tears today.

During my first few months of podcasting, my playlists (and the creation of The Night Shift) were inspired by requests from friends at work.  Not a night went by without a “hey, do you have any ___?”  One such mix was last year’s “April Birthday Tribute: Marvin Gay (of course)”.  It was created under the expressed direction of Mrs. Donna Bates, LVN, a coworker who, like me, lived life with a soundtrack.

Beautiful, smart and funny; always impeccably made up, coifed and dressed to the nines (even when she changed into our drab hospital-provided scrubs); Donna made sure that not a night with her went by that we didn’t work hard to keep up with her, and laugh hard enough to make 12 hours feel like six.  On nights when she worked in triage, she showed up with her boom box and played the local R&B station.  She looked like Sunday morning, worked like Monday through Friday; and made time spent around her feel like Saturday night.

Last year, shortly before the anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s death and during a conversation about the songs that kept us employed (we’re labor & delivery nurses), I rattled off the date of the upcoming anniversary from the trash bin of trivia stuck in my head.  Donna’s favorite artist just happened to be Marvin Gaye.  When I told her about what I was doing on The Night Shift, she told me, “Girl, you ought to mix some Marvin!  And don’t forget “Come Get To This!”  I did so; and burned a disc for her.

Well, Donna left us last night.  When she was brought to the Emergency Room of our own hospital, she had already gotten her front row seat to the ’sweet sounds comin’ down on the night shift’.  I hope she’s met Marvin by now; and that he’s singing “Come Get To This” just for her.

So, with your indulgence, I’d like to remix and re-release that Marvin tribute, and dedicate it to my friend.

Donna… Happy Valentine’s Day.  I miss you already.  Please sat “hi” to my dad; and give my baby granddaughter a kiss.  But, most of all, enjoy that concert.

TNS – Cupid’s Hunt – For Donna: Marvin Gaye

Song – Album

1. TGrundy
2. Come Get To This (Live From Oakland) – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)

Nightshift Intro (The Commodores) – Old School Suite

1. Try It Baby – Antholoy [1995] Disc 1
2. Pride and Joy – Very Best of Marvin Gaye
3. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye
4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye
5. Stubborn Kind of Fellow – The Best of Marvin Gaye
6. Your Precious Love – Very Best of Marvin Gaye

DarrenKeith Intro - Let’s Get It On Suite

1. You Sure Love To Ball (Alternate Mix With Alternate Vocal) – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)
2. Let’s Get It On – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)
3. Please Stay (Once You Go Away) (Album Version) – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)
4. If I Should Die Tonight – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)
5. Keep Getting’ It On – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)
6. Distant Lover (Live) – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)

Angel Turner Intro - Wrapping It Up

1. I Want You – The Very Best of Marvin Gaye
2. After The Dance – The Best of Marvin Gaye
3. Sexual Healing – Slow Jams
4. Piece of Clay - Phenomenon: Music From The Motion Picture

And so, it has begun.

Cupid’s Hunt 2011!

Podcasters have already begun posting their music mixes for what is the fourth annual Cupid’s Hunt Podcast Collaboration in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  Throughout this weekend, the mixes posted will provide hours of love music for the soundtrack of that most romantic day.

I love mellow men.  The rich baritones and the sweet falsettos of Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, The O’Jays, El DeBarge, and (of  course) Barry White help me study, chill, finish chores inside and out;  and are my lullabies.  They stop me cold.  Twenty seven years after Marvin’s passing, when I hear “Let’s Get It On”, I’m 15 again, wondering if anyone will ever make me feel that wanted.  Thirty six years after first hearing “Memories”, I still get misty hearing, as a friend once said “some of the best lyrics to begin a soul ballad… ever” and smile at the memory of Warinaco Park.

When I heard Gerald Levert’s version of “Let’s Get It On”, this playlist of Gerald, The O’Jays, Marvin Gaye and Barry White practically wrote itself.  Four more mellow men lend their voices to this mix:  Todd Grundy from Rhythms In Black Satin; Fave from Friday Favecast; DarrenKeith Wyatt from My Love For Music; and Mr. Fresh from Vibes and Scribes; and I’d like to thank them.

I’m dedicating this mix to my husband, Gregory T. Bethune, Sr., who, on this day (Feb. 10), 32 years ago, said, “I will.”  He had his hands full…I’d spent a lifetime (until then) listening to mellow men.

TNS – Cupid’s Hunt – Mellow Men

Song – Artist – Album

1.  Nightshift Intro – TGrundy

2.  Let Me Make Love To You – The O’Jays – The Essential O’Jays

3.  Made To Love Ya – Gerald Levert – Gerald’s World

4.  Cupid’s Hunt – DarrenKeith

5.  I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More – Barry White – Ultimate Collection

6.  Forever Mine – The O’Jays – The Essential O’Jays

7.  Baby Hold On To Me – Gerald Levert – Private Line

8.  Cupid’s Hunt – “Looking for love in all the right places” – Fave

9.  Playing Your Game, Baby – Barry White – Ultimate Collection

10.  You Got Your Hooks In Me – The O’Jays – The Essential O’Jays

11.  Cupid’s Hunt – “On this special day” – DarrenKeith.

12.  You Got Your Hooks In Me – Gerald Levert & Eddie Levert – Father And Son

13.  Mr. Too Damn Good – Gerald Levert – G.

14.  Cupid’s Hunt – “Just for you” – Fave

15.  Just The Way You Are – Barry White – Ultimate Collection

16.  In My Songs – Gerald Levert – In My Songs

17.  Cupid’s Hunt – “This is Cupid’s Hunt” – Mr. Fresh

18.  Stairway to Heaven – The O’Jays – The Essential O’Jays

19.  Cupid’s Hunt – “All the right places” – TGrundy

20.  Let’s Get It On – Gerald Levert – Crank (Soundtrack)

21.  Let’s Get It On – Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)

22.  Keep Gettin’ It On – Marvin Gay – Let’s Get It On (Deluxe Edition)

23.  Practice What You Preach – Barry White – The Icon Is Love

Well, I was almost done.  

But, we won’t celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Sunday again for another seven (?) years.  And Millie just wouldn’t let me rest.  Her song, “If You’re Not Back in Love By Monday” has been in my head all night.  Is there more fitting a song for a Monday morning after a Sunday V-Day?  

So, like a true night shift-er, I’ve been up for awhile keeping myself busy.  I’d made a huge pot of chili for dinner, and the family is out cold with ‘the itis’.  Law and Order is on TNT; Angel doesn’t air until 5am.  It’s just me, with Millie and few others who sing of trying to get back what they once had.  

This goes out to all those Cupid Hunters who are back in love this morning.  No promos or intros (I didn’t have much time); just the music, with Millie’s , “Good night, everybody” at the end. 

TNS – If You’re Not Back In Love By Monday 

1. If You’re Not Back In Love By Monday – Millie Jackson – 21 Of The Best 1971-83 (4:52)
2. How Could I Let You Get Away – The Spinners – Very Best Of The Spinners (3:51)
3. I Kinda Miss You – The Manhattans – Greatest Hits(5:15)
4. Since I Lost My Baby [Alternate Version] – Love Songs (2:59)
5. Blame It On Love – Smokey Robinson/Deniece Williams – The Solo Anthology (3:37)
6. Sorry Doesn’t Always Make It Right – Gladys Knight & The Pips – Love Songs (4:12)
7. Oh Girl – The Chi-Lites – Quiet Storm (3:49)
8. Ain’t No Sunshine – Bill Withers – Lean On Me: The Best Of Bill Withers (2:03)
9. Bring It On Home To Me – Sam Cooke(with Lou Rawls) – The Man and His Music (2:41)
10. After The Love Is Gone – Earth, Wind & Fire – All ‘N All  (4:25)
11. Distant Lover [Live] – Marvin Gaye – The Very Best Of Marvin Gaye (6:18)
12. At This Moment – Billy Very & The Beaters – The Best of Billy Very & The Beaters (4:21)
13. Starting All Over Again – Mel & Tim – The Soulful Sound of Stax (3:38)
14. Here We Go Again – Ray Charles/Norah Jones – Genius Loves Company (3:59)
15. Again – Janet Jackson – Number Ones, Disc 2 (3:47)
16. Daddy’s Home – Jermaine Jackson – 20^th Century Masters – The Jacksons (3:08)
17. Crazy – K-Ci and Jojo – X (4:20)
18. Loving Arms – Millie Jackson – 21 Of The Best 1971-83  (3:43)  

Good night, everybody.  I’ve enjoyed hunting with you. 

J

 I just couldn’t leave well enough alone.  I’ve already posted two Cupid’s Hunt mixes and managed to stay out of mischief.  Why not just leave it at that?  Well, because while I’m a hopeless romantic, there is still a bit of a devil in me.

When I was a kid, I loved Millie Jackson.  Second only to those Jackson boys in the amount of vinyl I spun, Millie was played by me more often than any other female artist.  The only hitch was that Millie’s frankness, and cheatin’  and “poor me” songs, really annoyed my mother; especially once I learned the lyrics.  But, even she couldn’t stifle a chuckle during the last line of Millie’s The Rap. 

So, with tongue-in-cheek,  TNS - If Loving You Is Wrong is a collection of songs that got an, “Alright, that’s enough!  Play something else!” from my mother.  I’ve also included some newer songs:  George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” and Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me A River” (because their videos were just so cold); Shirley Murdock’s “As We Lay”; Luther V’s ”She Saw You” and TLC’s “Creep”.

I want to give a shout out to C. Brown, whose Love Lockdown Mix (for the love hater in you) on Flowlink.com has all but given me permission to speak up for the Cupid hunters who bought Valentine’s Day presents for themselves, and said the presents were from someone else.

TNS – If Loving You Is Wrong

1. Night Shift Cupid’s Hunt Welcome – JBethune – Promos [0:13]
2. If Loving You Is Wrong – Luther Ingram – The Soulful Sounds of Stax [3:33]
3. We’re Getting Careless With Our Love – Johnnie Taylor – Chronicle:  The 20 Greatest Hits [4:04]
4. I’ll Be The Other Woman – The Soul Children – The Soulful Sounds of Stax, Volume 2 [3:37]
5. As We Lay – Shirley Murdock – Slow Jams, Volume 2 [5:53]
6. The Agony And The Ecstasy – Smokey Robinson – A Quiet Storm [4:50]
7. She Saw You – Luther Vandross – Dance With My Father [5:44]
8. Creep – TLC – TLC [4:28]
9. Cry Me A River – Justin Timberlake –  Justified [4:47]
10. Doggin’ Around – Jackie Wilson – The Ultimate Jackie Wilson, Disc 1 [2:53]
11. Doggin’ Around – Michael Jackson – Music And Me [2:54]
12. Careless Whisper – George Michael – Ladies and Gentlemen: The Best of George Michael [5:00]
13. Use Me – Bill Withers – Lean On Me: The Best of Bill Withers [3:41]
14. The Same Love That Made Me Laugh – Bill Withers – Lean On Me: The Best of Bill Withers [3:21]
15. It Hurts So Good – Millie Jackson – 21 Of The Best 1971-83 [3:29]
16. When He Touches Me (Nothing Else Matters) – Peaches & Herb – Love Is Strange: The Best of Peaches & Herb – [3:08]
17. (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right – Millie Jackson – 21 Of The Best 1971-83 [3:30]
18. The Rap – Millie Jackson – Caught Up [5:52]

When I first read about Cupid’s Hunt, I jumped in with the blind enthusiasm of a novice and wrote eight playlists of songs about longing love, lost love, abusive love, and even cheating love.  My favorite playlists were I Want You – my very first mix – and First Dance.

We get many ‘first’ dances in our lives.  Whether we’re teens, on the crowded floor of a basement blue-light party; or newlyweds, after the floor has been cleared;  or parents, when only the music and a dance quiets a fussy newborn; a first dance can be a sweet memory. 

When I asked a few friends about their first dances, I heard stories about first dates; parents’ anniversaries; proms, weddings and receptions; and late-night baby dances.  I included the favorite songs from those dances in this mix, along with some of my favorites:   Soul Generation’s “That’s The Way It’s Got To Be (Body and Soul)”, my first dance with a young man in blue at a basement blue-light party; Earth, Wind & Fire’s “I’ll Write A Song” and Sade’s “By Your Side”, first dances with my newborn daughters; and Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable”, a song my son, Robert, and I had to use to learn the box step for a debutante ball. 

The two most important of all my favorite first dance songs are also included, and they are the reason I’ve been working to get this mix out before Wednesday.  On February 10, 1979, as Greg and I were married as my sister-in-law sang Smokey Robinson’s  “Wedding Song”; and we danced our first dance to LTD’s “We Both Deserve Each Other’s Love”.

So, with our 31^st anniversary just days away, I dedicate this mix to Gregory T. Bethune, Sr., who has made every dance since feel like our  first one.

Cupid’s Hunt: TNS – First Dance

Playlist – Title – Artist – Album [Time]

1. With You – Tony Terry – Tony Terry [5:06]
2. Night Shift Cupid’s Hunt Welcome – JBethune – Promos [0:13]
3. At Last – Etta James – Her Best [3:00]
4. Even If My Heard Would Break – Aaron Neville, Kenny G – The Bodyguard [4:58]
5. Walkin’ in the Sun – Rufus – Rags To Rufus [3:01]
6. Cupid’s Hunt All The Right Places – TGrundy – Promos Cupid’s Hunt 2010 [0:07]
7. The Lady In My Life – Michael Jackson – Thriller [5:00]
8. You Put A Move On My Heart – Tamia/Quincy Jones – Ultimate Collection [6:13]
9. A Smile Like Yours – Natalie Cole – A Smile Like Yours [4:23]
10. Unforgettable (Duet with Nat King Cole) – Natalie Cole – Unforgettable: With Love [3:31]
11. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole – The Natalie Cole Collection [2:51]
12. Cupid’s Hunt Best Music – TGrundy – Promos Cupid’s Hunt 2010 [0:08]
13. I’m Yours – El Debarge/Quincy Jones – Ultimate Collection [4:16]
14. I’ll Write A Song For You – Earth, Wind & Fire – All ‘N All [5:24]
15. My Reason To Be Is You – Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. – Wedding Songs [4:41]
16. That’s The Way It’s Got To Be (Body and Soul) – Soul Generation – Beyond Body and Soul [3:08]
17. I’d Still Say Yes – Klymaxx – Wedding Songs [4:41]
18. By Your Side – Sade – Lover’s Rock [4:35]
19. Cupid’s Hunt Romantic Moments – TGrundy – Promo – Cupid’s Hunt 2010 [0:19]
20. Here And Now – Luther Vandross – [5:22]
21. We Both Deserve Each Other’s Love – Jeffrey Osborne – Ultimate Collection [3:07]
22. Wedding Song – Smokey Robinson – A Quiet Storm [3:35]

I’d like to send a shout out to an old and dear friend, Todd Grundy, of  RIBS: Rhythms in Black Satin for the promo drops.  Be sure to check RIBS out, along with other members of the Music Podcast Consortium.  Visit their site on Facebook and become a fan!

If you missed any past posts or mixes, feel free to visit The Archives.  If there are any problems with the links, mixes or pages; if you have found another cool music blog; or if you have a music request, please drop me a comment or an email.