Welcome to Summer 2021 y’all. Welcome to the oceanic emotionality of Cancer Season. Let’s make it saucy with some special soulful birthday tributes as we try to resist the urge to be productive and bask in the sun for these long, long days in the northern hemisphere. We’ve got Eddie Floyd, Martha Reeves, Lena Horne…
Tag: Florence Ballard
Listening with Larsupreme Episode 17: Sweet Sisters of Spring
You’ve made it! It’s Spring 2021! As we wrap up March, and Women’s History Month, we take the next hour to listen to some dreamy, soft soul to slowly awaken you as the daylight gets longer. These tunes are intended to soothe you with harmonies warm and breathy for those socially distanced Springtime activities. You’ll…
Not Too Late for more 1968: A Riot of Righteous Women
Today, November 17th 2009, is when I started the journey towards being a Vinyl DJ and a more serious music blogger. So in a measure of thanks, I’m speeding up my normal as of the past year trying to post a new mix and accompanying blog as we head into Thanksgiving week so you’ll have…
The Real McCoy: The All Too Real Hustle of Van McCoy
It’s really telling as I searched the wide web of inter that I couldn’t seem to find an image of a Pre-1970’s Van McCoy. Given his parity in age, and his extensive catalog of works he created, it’s a sign that he remained much the constructor behind the scenes, not really becoming of note until…
The Weight for ’68: 50 Tunes from The Tumultuous Year 50 previous
When one takes into account how ridiculous the past year has been, it’s hard to put into reference or frame of mind that the world has always been a bit bent out of shape. One of the preferred ways of coping is turning one’s stress about strife to the songs and singers that keep us…
Mary – Very – Proud: Late Sixties into Seventies Sister Soul
When we look back at late 60’s Soul Music in terms of a transitional period that saw the rise of women’s liberation, we know one name in particular: Aretha. True to life, from 1967 through 1974, she sat on multiple thrones. She had major hit singles on both the R&B and Pop charts, critically acclaimed…
Your Sister Soul Ones For ’61: A Ladies List Of Uncovered Pearls from 55 years ago.
The further we inch away from the Mid Century Modern era in time, the more we try to unravel the gems of that era as well. 1961 was a pretty big breakthrough year in terms of Pop Music for women, and women of color in particular. I’ve presented at The 2nd Queer Astrology Conference and…
Dear Blondie: A Reflection on Florence Ballard and the legacy of The Supremes.
She was terrific. She was also terrified of the world. 40 years ago today, Florence Glenda Chapman, formerly Florence Ballard of The Supremes, died suddenly of Coronary Thrombosis in Detroit. The inspiration for Dreamgirls became a ghostly gothic story that day. An intersection in which race, rape culture, the pressures of fame and feminism developed…
Florence Ballard “Forever Faithful” (ABC 11144-B, 1968)
Florence Ballard “Forever Faithful” (ABC 11144-B, 1968) Had she not been like, “I’m not doing this singing thing on my own,” there’d never be the complex, rich history of The Supremes. Perhaps Diana Ross *might* have become a singer, but it’s the plucky Florence Ballard that got The Supremes off the ground as The Primettes….
The Supremes “Come And Get These Memories” (From The LP The Supremes A-Go-Go, 1966)
The Supremes “Come And Get These Memories” (From The LP The Supremes A-Go-Go, 1966) The keeper of The Supremes flame, Mary Wilson, agelessly celebrates her 71st Birthday this Friday. Over 56 years of Performing and showing no signs of slowing down, she is pretty much a living icon. Given that icon status, it’s a bit…
DJ Larsupreme 