“American Idol’s” Ruben Studard, “A Different World’s” Jasmine Guy and Ann Nesby of Sounds Of Blackness have teamed up on a live recording to support the Black Academy of Arts and Letters.
In October 2010, the stars came out to celebrate and help raise operating revenue for the Black Academy of Arts and Letters that was founded by Curtis King 34 years ago. “In a bad economy the first thing that gets cut is arts funding,” says King whose 250,000 square foot complex is adjacent to the Dallas City Hall. “However, it’s the plays, concerts, poetry readings and other inspiring programming we offer that helps people get through rough times like these. So, we’re thrilled that these artists came together to make a CD that will raise money to help keep these programs going.”
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The album is not a typical gospel set. On it, the songs range from a brash critique of parasite preachers on “PTYHOMP (Please Take Your Hands Out My Pocket)” to the bloody waters of the Atlantic Slave Trade on Jasmine Guy’s spoken word recitation of Curtis King’s “My Language” poem. Ann Nesby (former lead singer for The Sounds of Blackness) wraps her big voice around the poignant anthem, “What Would You Have Me Do?” Yarbrough & Peoples, best known for their 1981 #1 R&B smash “Don’t Stop The Music,” deliver the funk on the percolating street jam, “Jump Til’ You Feel Something.” Tommie Young West, who recorded classic R&B sides for Louisiana’s Soul Power label in the early `70s, rocks the house on the pulsating “Won’t Have To Worry” while Brenda Ellis’ full alto pulverizes the paean, “Bask (In The Presence of the Lord).
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The majority of the songs on the13-track, Medicine – Live At The Black Academy of Arts and Letters , were written or co-written by Sam “Shake” Anderson – a veteran bassist who has toured with the likes of Ray Charles, Curtis Mayfield and Bruce Hornsby. It was recorded live before an ecstatic, diverse and capacity-crowd at The Black Academy. Backed by the 80-voice Black Academy Choir, American Idol champion Ruben Studdard performed two of the album’s highlights. “Medicine For Someone Else” has a bluesy feel and shows off a raspier tone for the Velvet Teddy Bear while the ballad “Teach Me To Love” boasts an unplugged groove.
Although, The Black Academy has been a fixture on Dallas’ local arts scene for over three decades, the organization also has a national standing. Its 1987 fundraising CD by Eartha Kitt entitled, My Way: Musical Tribute To Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (Caravan of Dreams) sold over 250,000 copies. The Academy later funded national touring productions of “Black Music and the Civil Rights Movement,” “Symphony with the Divas,” and the musical, “Blues Bar.” Visit www.tbaal.org for more information
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