The Night Shift

What would those basement parties have been without Earth, Wind & Fire?  Every garage band wanted to play like them (when they weren’t playing Kool & the Gang); everyone who thought they could sing wanted to hit Philip Bailey’s high notes.  Oh, and the slow jams!

“That’s The Way Of The World” was my first EWF album. I’m not even sure when I bought it. I had “Shining Star” as a single (remember vinyl 45s?); but getting the album didn’t seem a priority until I heard “Reasons”. I remember that I arrived at college intent on showing how hip I was by letting EWF blast through my dorm door (the way kids were doing when I visited my brother at his school); only to hear EWF blasting through every third door I passed on the way to my room. Oh well, I could still fall back on J5 and the Tempts. I was sure that nobody there would have collections that rivaled mine.

“Gratitude” was a Christmas present from my godmother. She loved “Singasong”, and to this day, I think of her whenever I hear it. And, of course, who could forget that live version of “Reasons”? Studio “Reasons” was good for listening and lip-syncing in the dorm room; but, live “Reasons” was a true, blue-light-in-the-basement, up-against-the-wall, New Year’s Eve party slow jam.

Class of ‘75 – Earth, Wind & Fire by JBethune

Hello, all!

Ah, the Ohio Players.

The funk; the album covers…!  Where did guys store their albums after they taped the album covers to their walls?

Shortly after Cupid’s Hunt, I promised some Class of ‘75 mixes to celebrate those friends and classmates, lost and found.  I hadn’t forgotten; I guess I needed a trigger.

Earlier today, I heard “Fire” on the radio, and remembered those evenings in Woody’s car with Woody, Joel and Patty, riding to Buxton’s after picking me up from work; and the parties, dj’d by Todd, where people just weren’t sure when to stop dancing to “Running From the Devil”.  Then, I started thinking about all the other good music we danced, studied, slept and parked to that year.  I loved those artists; I loved that music.  It’s still background noise when I work; it’s still my lullabyes.

Hello, Linden; hello Roselle; hello, Rahway.  I know Gold Bell Bakery is long gone; but, is Buxton’s still around?

I wasn’t going to let April 2 pass without paying tribute to Marvin Gaye.  Had he lived, he would be 71 today.  There’s not much to say beyond that.  In light of the circumstances of April 1, 1984, I found “Piece of Clay” to be particularly beautiful and haunting.

This is dedicated to my mom, Ethel Mae McKenzie White, who celebrates her own birthday in two days and always had plenty of Motown playing around the house; to Curt Jones (I can’t hear “Too Busy Thinking  About My Baby” without remembering him singing that song on our bus to summer camp); and to my cousin, Patricia (I can’t listen to “Got To Give It Up” without remembering her wedding reception).

Is that the Temptations singing background on “Try It Baby” and “Your Precious Love”?

Marvin Gaye

Song – Artist (other than Marvin Gaye) – Album {time}

1. Nightshift Intro – The Commodores – The Commodores Anthology
2. Come Get To This – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {2:41}
3. Try It Baby – Anthology (Disc 1) {2:59}
4. Pride and Joy – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {2:07}
5. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye {3:16}
6. Too Busy Thinking About My Baby – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {2:57}
7. Stubborn Kind of Fellow – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 1) {2:44}
8. Your Precious Love (feat. Tammi Terrell)– Very Best of Marvin Gaye {3:04}
9. I’ll Be Doggone – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {2:48}
10. Trouble Man – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {3:58}
11. I Want You – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {3:57}
12. Got to Give It Up, Part 1 – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye {4;15}
13. After The Dance – The Best of Marvin Gaye {3:31}
14. Let’s Get It On – Very Best of Marvin Gaye {4:53}
15. Distant Lover [Live] –  Very Best of Marvin Gaye {6:18}
16. Sexual Healing – Slow Jams – {4:10}
17. What’s Going On – Anthology {3:58}
18. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) – Every Great Motown Hit of Marvin Gaye {3:16}
19. Inner City Blues  - Very Best of Marvin Gaye {5:28}
20. The World Is Rated X – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {3:50}
21. God Is Love – The Best of Marvin Gaye (Disc 2) {2:52}
22. Piece of Clay – Phenomenon: Music From The Motion Picture {5:11}

Hot Fun in the Springtime Birthday Party – Sly Stone, March 15 by JBethune

Happy Birthday to Sly Stone .  We miss him; and, he’s still around.  This is also dedicated to my brother.  It’s the hot summer of ‘69…he and his friends are in the cool basement listening to Sly records…I’m sitting at the top of the stairs (they can’t see me)…

Our prayers to the friends and family of Ron Banks , founder of the Detroit soul group, The Dramatics , who passed away at the age of 59.  They really rocked the 70s for us with “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”, a tongue-in-cheek favorite for Flip Wilson  fans; “In The Rain ”, that kept the walls buffed clean at blue-light basement parties; and their cover of Billy Paul’s  ”Me and Mrs. Jones ”, that knocked me to my knees.

Our prayers to the friends and family of Ron Banks , founder of the Detroit soul group, The Dramatics , who passed away at the age of 59.  They really rocked the 70s for us with “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get”, a tongue-in-cheek favorite for Flip Wilson  fans; “In The Rain ”, that kept the walls buffed clean at blue-light basement parties; and their cover of Billy Paul’s  ”Me and Mrs. Jones ”, that knocked me to my knees.

TNS – The King Remix is a shortened version of  TNS – For the Children of the Dream, released in celebration of the birthday of   Dr. Martin Luther King.

As it turned out, the mix was too long to download, one of my rookie mistakes.  Also, once I showed my sister what I was doing, she urged me to expand my King idea into mixes that included speeches of Malcolm X, Medgar Evers and whoever else’s recordings that were available.  I liked her idea.  However, Black History Month just happens to be the shortest month of the year, and time is getting tight.  So, should I run out of time getting other posts up, I want this one to stand. 

I dedicate this entire section, all the mixes that I intend to include for Black History Month, to my mother, Ethel Mae McKenzie White.  Long before black history was taught in the schools (you remember, textbooks that included only Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver), my mother taught us at home from volumes of The Negro Heritage Library, and with the speeches of Dr. King and Malcolm X on vinyl.  Long before James Brown recorded “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)”, she had us saying it to ourselves so we could repeat it in public (back when being called “black” was considered and insult).  She had a take-no-prisoners ‘pride, don’t hide’ attitude that she passed on to her children, and that I hope I’ve passed on to mine.

TNS – The King Remix includes “I Have A Dream” and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” in their entirety.  I also included Kirk Franklin’s “My Life Is In Your Hands”  from the soundtrack of  “Get On The Bus”, a movie about another march on Washington, D.C., the Million Man March.

TNS – The King Remix

Playlist

1. We Shall Overcome - The Montgomery Gospel Trio, The Nashville Quartet, and Guy Carawan – We Shall Overcome, Songs of the Freedom Ride [5:35]
2. We Shall Overcome – Martin Luther King, Jr.  – We Shall Overcome [2:27]
3. How I Got Over – Mahalia Jackson – Mahalia Jackson’s Greatest Hits [5:23]
4. Take My Hand, Precious Lord – Mahalia Jackson – Gospels, Spiritual, & Hymns [4:15]
5. Living in the Promiseland – Willie Nelson – Essential Willie Nelson [3:22]
6. I Have a Dream (Washington, D.C. 8/28/63) – Martin Luther King, Jr.  – Greatest Speeches of All Time, Vol. 1 [6:11]
7. A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam  Cooke – The Man and His Music [3:14]
8. We’re a Winner – The Impressions – Anthology 1961-1977 [2:24]
9. People Get Ready – The Impressions - Anthology 1961-1977 [2:38]
10. I’ve Been to the Mountaintop – Martin Luther King, Jr. – Martin Luther King, Jr. Tapes [20:41]
11. Wake Up Everybody – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – The Essential Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [7:32]
12. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye – Anthology [3:58]
13. Patience - Anika Noni Rose – Dreamgirls [Original Soundtrack] [3:34]
14. My Life Is In Your Hands – Kirk Franklin, God’s Property – Get On The Bus [5:36]
15. America, the Beautiful – Ray Charles [3:36]

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.