The Old Man and The Sea

This is the first episode in a new Soul Story Hour segment, Soul Story Animation. Animation will be highlighted because like radio or internet, animation is a great way to communicate a story.

Today's Animation entitled, The Old Man and The Sea, animated by famous Russian animator, Alexandr Petrov, tells Ernest Hemingway's timeless classic using a very special paint-on-glass technique. The beauty of this film is indescribable. It is a shame that the quality of the film is so poor, but hey, these are the tools we are working with. If you want a real copy, hit up your public library. For now though, I suggest you grab some popcorn and enjoy the show!

A Soul Story Hour for the Phanatics

New Soul Story Hour! This is the second episode of the Soul Story Hour, aired October 29, 2008. It has a second installment of THE OLYMPIANS and highlights Philadelphia soul artists in honor of the Philadelphia Phillies who are this years' World Series Champions. Here's the show in two parts: one & two.

Also, check out a friend of the show, DJ JonK, conduct a great interview with the legendary Count Bass D on his blog, droppinggems.com

Barack Obama: A Change is Gonna Come

Last night, we elected a new President of The United States of America. And what an amazing story it was...









...Congratulations America! Here's a little soul classic for you: Yes We Can and two for you, President Elect Barack Hussein Obama: Yes We Did and Yes We Will

Isaac Hayes: The Stax Years

R.I.P. Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (1942-2008)

Most people recognize the voice of Isaac Hayes as Chef or the guy who sings Shaft's theme. Little know he was a major force behind the success of Stax Records both as a composer (alongside Dave Porter) and as an incredible solo artist.

Black Moses and Hot Buttery Soul are arguably two of the most influential soul albums of all time. Most people point to these early 70's releases as Hip-Hop and Disco's roots. Just ask the Wu-tang Clan. They simply used Isaac's version of 'Walk on By' (originally composed by Burt Bacharach?) and rapped over it. That's love. Isaac's also got his own raps.

The world is really going to miss Isaac Hayes. I expect his legend to grow in the years to come. Sam & Dave's 'Hold on, I'm Coming' is an excellent example of the mysticism that surrounds this man. Supposedly the song was written during a late night recording session in which Isaac hollered at Sam (of Sam & Dave) to come out of the bathroom and back to the studio. Sam, possible a little tired from the early morning session, snapped back with, 'hold on man, I'm coming' and so legend was born.

There is a lot to Isaac Hayes beyond his Hollywood celebrity or his affiliation to Scientology. His music is amazingly soulful and strong. It is as sexy as is nice. His genius really shines in the middle of Hot Buttery Soul when Ike drops one amazing soul story.

The Story of Satchel Paige

Leroy Robert 'Satchel' Paige was an extraordinary ballplayer. He invented a gang of pitches that he would notoriously name: The Midnight Runner, The Long Tom, The Short Tom, The Four-Day Creeper, and a pitch now outlawed, The Hesitation. He was a legend amongst hitters. One time walking three hitters just to face his rival, Josh Gibson. He struck him out in three pitches.

His talent led him all around the Deep South and Caribbean, playing ball for such clubs as The Birmingham Black Barons and The San Juan Senadores. Of course back then, black ballplayers were not allowed into Major League Baseball. That was until 1947 when Jack Roosevelt 'Jackie' Robinson took the field for The Brooklyn Dodgers. A lot of people thought it should of been Satchel.

Satchel Paige wrote in his autobiography Maybe I'll Pitch Forever, "...signing Jackie like they did still hurt me deep down. I'd been the guy who'd started all that big talk about letting us in the big time. I'd been the one who'd opened up the major league parks to the colored teams. I'd been the one who the white boys wanted to barnstorm against. I'd been the one that everybody'd said should be in the majors. But Jackie'd been the first signed by the white boys and he'd probably be the first one in the majors."

Undoubtably, Satchel was one of the greatest pitchers to take the mound. But breaking the color barrier had more value then stats could ever justify. The name Jackie Robinson prints large in 20th Century history books well Satchel sadly slips through the pages. However, Satchel eventually did make the majors and earned an MVP in the year 1952. He was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1971.

Check out this interview with Satchel conducted by Jackie Robinson for a radio show back in 1960. May his name live on...

Soul Story Hour's New Home

Sorry it has been so long since I updated this blog but now that I am in the swing of things posts should come more often. I have finally secured my showtime, every other Weds. from 9-11 pm, Pacific Time. Check out my premier show, it aired October 15, 2008 and it is in two parts: one & two. Post a comment, let me know what you think.

Your So Heady Mitch Hedberg...

So the other day I had the truly unique experience of attending Seattle's 18th Annual Hempfest. It was dope. No really, it had some pretty amazing aspects to it.

The first thing that stoned me about the event was its numbers. Apparently over 150,000 people came down to Myrtle Edwards Park on Friday alone! The issue of legalizing marijuana and hemp in America appears to be very potent.

The second really amazing thing about Hempfest was the artwork. Glassblowers, visual artists, musicians, and culinary artists all came out with a high level of creativity. I was especially impressed with this guys work. Basically, he stencils pictures on old vinyl records. He gets some really trippy effects. If your a myspace head check him out, he does everything from Willy Dixon to The Dude.

Other then the things I listed above, Hempfest was pretty much what you'd expect it to be. Cannabis culture brings together a truly odd group and sadly, it is much of the reason the movement gets minimalized in mainstream American politics.

Well at Hempfest, a friend put me on to a comedian named Mitch Hedberg. I came home and giggled to his little antidotes about absurdity. The man was completely silly and people loved him dearly for it. Ironically, he moved to Seattle the same year the first Hempfest was created. Tragically, he lost his life to drugs. Hate to be a downer but drugs can ruin peoples lives for real. In order to have a discussion about the legalization of any substance, we must first differentiate what is recreation and what is abuse. Besides, laughter is the best drug of all.

You can check out the Mitch Hedberg official page here. Also stay tuned for a post about Isaac Hayes, another great soul who lost his life sometime last week.

Al Green Smilin'

If you haven't heard yet, Al Green has dropped a new LP. Yes, a 2008 release from the man himself. The albums co-produced by ?uestlove and features Anthony Hamilton and John Legend. This album is truly a ray of hope in troubled times.

A ray of hope? Check out the Legends' Wikipage. That man has had some struggles. He drops an album at the end of this, during the middle of this, and the possibility of beginning this? Maybe God is trying to tell us something.

All political beliefs aside, Al Green is there when you need him. Whether that be when your with your special friend or your at the 2008 BET Awards. Check out R&B Singer T-Pain around the 3:00 mark. Is that the robot to some Al Green?? Al Green always puts me in a good mood.

The Sam Cooke Story

Well, Sam Cooke is most definitely one of my favorite soul artists and I thought it would be fitting to start this blog thing out with his story. Check out this little piece National Public Radio did a while back (aired November 16, 2005).

The man had a mythical life story. I thought it was interesting that Bob Dylan inspired him to write his legendary, 'A Change is Gonna Come'. Try to listen through the whole interview, the last few minutes talk about the mystery surrounding his death.

This guy also has some interesting things to say about it.

A Soul Story Hour First

Hello Everyone!

This is the first post on my blog. Just letting people know whats up. Basically, I have created a blog for my radio show Soul Story Hour which broadcasts on KAOS 89.3fm Olympia, WA (Online kaosradio.org).

I will use this space to tell and link people to interesting stories that I come across or tell on the air. I will also post information, news, event details about artists featured on my radio show.

Look forward to more cool posts! Please email me at soulstoryhour@gmail.com so I can add you as a contact. I am always looking for more news, information, and stories or artist and event details from whatever sources are available so don't be shy to send me suggested posts.