July 1999

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July 1999

Morris Day and The Time live in July

Morris Day and The Time per4med live at the House of Blues in Hollywood on Friday, July 2nd, 1999 at 9 PM.

Bass-man reports on July 25th that they also per4med 3 shows in Las Vegas on July 3rd and 4th. He was in attendance and reports:

I saw the two shows on july 3rd (front row). I also saw the soundcheck; they played 'jungle love' for soundcheck. During the soundcheck i was sitting next to jimmy jam but he was talking to some other guys about business-related things.

After the soundcheck i talked to jerome benton (sitting on a slot machine). He said they had just finished the last track for a new album which should be released in August or September.

The two concerts where different in the tracklist. During the 8pm show they introduced the families and kids of members of The Time, who came on stage jerome introduced me as 'the German guy who came especially for The Time to Vegas'. He grabbed my arm and i was on stage. Cool thing.

During both shows jerome brought people from the audience on stage to dance with the time. I was also twice in that "dance contest".

During the show at 10pm jerome also picked ladies from the audience and let them dance sexy. It was fun.

Terry lewis played bass on both shows together with an unknown bassplayer (for me).

BlondRose3 reports on May 21st:

The Time is the opening act on this show:

MorrisDay and the Time
Kool and the Gang
Isley Brothers

Play Concord Pavillion on Saturday - July 24th @7pm

Tix go on Sale June 13th:

$37.50
$29.50
$22.50 (GA)

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Robia La Morte ('Pearl') currently on TV in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

Nick Palmer reports on July 20th:

Not sure if many of you know, or wanted to know, but Robia La Morte, formerly Pearl - the dancer who appeared with Diamond on the Diamonds and Pearls album is currently appearing in Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the computer teacher - cum technopagan, Jenny Calendar??

Just read it in the UK magazine DreamWatch and thought I'd pass it on...

Eric Benchimol adds, however:

Just a correction on your news regarding Pearl on the Buffy TV show. Her character was killed off the season before last and she is no longer on the show. She appeared once last season (as a ghost) but that's as far as it goes, unfortunately.

In all likelihood, UK TV is still playing episodes from previous US seasons, which would xplain y she's featured in a recent magazine.

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Carlos Santana mentions The Artist in Rolling Stone article

Andre McGarrity reports on July 14th:

I'm a bit late with this, but the latest issue of Rolling Stone (with Nicole Kidman on the cover) has a short article on Santana's new album Supernatural (a really cool album by the way). In the article Carlos mention that the song "The Calling" (on the new album) has an Artist-type structure, but with a John Lee Hooker wamp to it (I'm paraphrasing here).

after reading this article i went back and played the song and it does sound like an Artist blues jam.

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Lenny Kravitz mentions The Artist in interview with Touch (UK)

Touch magazine (UK) has an interview in its July issue with Lenny Kravitz in which he mentions The Artist several times:

T: What about collaborations with someone like O}+>?

LK: He and I have collaborated but it's private and no one's heard it.

T: Oh really?

LK: We jam quite a bit at live clubs or in concert. But we've actually recorded and I'm actually on one of his records that was out.

T: And let me guess, you're not going to tell me? (Laughs)

LK: No I can't (Laughing). We always promised that it was kinda like a thing we do for our own memory. But at some point I'm sure we will do something. But I just did some great recordings with Bootsy (Collins).

T: That O}+> thing brings to mind another of quote of yours, 'Bring any musician in here and I'll outplay them. On any stage'.

LK: Well no, the point was that people put O}+> down now and a lot of people give me a lot of flak. The reason that we respect each other so much is that we can play. We can truly play and on whatever instument. People talk so much s**t about us but come and f**k with us and sit in a jam session and you won't last.

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Morris Hayes working with gospel hip-hop artist DuNoiss

RICHNIG reports on July 3rd that, according 2 a Gospel Flava article, gospel hip-hop artist DuNoiss has recently been spotted at Paisley Park Studios with Morris Hayes, who is reported 2 b producing him.

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Push 2 record in Minneapolis and cover "1999"

The Minneapolis pop-rock group Push will b recording their first release 4 Minneapolis-based Angel Beach Records within the next few months. According 2 a member of the group, "one of things we as a band are looking most forward to is working with a group of fine co-producers. Within this group will be Bobby Z. producing, along with Michael Bland and Sonny Thompson lending their help consulting with our drummer and bassist, respectively."

The release will include a cover of "1999".

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Michael B. 2 tour with Maxwell

Diva-J reports on July 6th that former NPG drummer Michael Bland will b touring with R&B artist Maxwell during his 'Maxwell Live 99' tour. Maxwell mentioned it during a chat on MSBET on June 25th, 1999.

Nicole Altamirano adds on July 8th:

Michael Bland will be on tour with Maxwell starting July 11th. For all interested, he will be performing in Minneapolis with Maxwell, Sunday, August 22nd. Even if you are not a big Maxwell fan, it will be a great show as it is always good to see Michael live.

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"Nasty Girl" covered by Belgian artist

Kurt Van Hoeck reports on June 30th:

a famous Belgian magazine called P came up with the idea to make a CD full of covers sung by 'Belgian known female faces'. One of the covers on this very succesful CD is Nasty Girl and is performed by Phaedra Hoste.

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July 29th, 1999

Chuck D. mentions The Artist and the YIL Awards in latest "Terrordome" column

In his latest Terrordome column on the Public Enemy web site, Chuck D. discusses the recent Yahoo! Internet Life awards and mentions The Artist several times.

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July 27th, 1999

Chaka duet with Barry White

According 2 a post on the discussion 4um on Chaka Khan's web site, a recent Billboard article mentioned that Barry White's next project will b released on July 27th and that Chaka will b doing a duet with the Barry White with a song called "The Longer We Make Love".

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July 26th, 1999

Jazzman Joshua Redman xpresses wish 2 collaborate with The Artist

NuPwrSoul reports that, in an story dated July 26th, jazz artist Joshua Redman xpresses his wish 2 collaborate with other artists, especially Stevie Wonder and The Artist.

Redman's latest album entitled Timeless Tales For Changing Times includes a cover of "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore".

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July 23rd-25th, 1999

George Clinton part of Woodstock '99 in Rome, NY

George Clinton was one of the many artists participating in the Woodstock '99 event in Rome, NY.

Click here 2 access a list of other upcoming George Clinton shows.

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The Artist courted by Woodstock '99 organizers 2 per4m Hendrix tribute

Michael (Allen) Holtz/Q102 reported on April 23rd that the organizers of Woodstock '99 are apparently trying 2 get The Artist 2 play. They want him 2 do a tribute 2 Jimi Hendrix. A USA Today article also mentioned this, as did a Vibe article.

However, the tribute did happen, but without The Artist.

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July 23rd, 1999

Chaka Khan at Cincinnati Music Fest

Further 2 the dates already announced on Chaka Khan's web site recently (see related story), Chaka will also b part of the line-up of the Coors Light Music Festival in Cincinnati, OH on July 23rd, along with the Ohio Players, Maze and others.

Tickets r available thru Ticketmaster.

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July 22nd, 1999

?uestlove (The Roots) meets The Artist in NYC studio

The OkayPlayer web site features a report by Roots member ?uestlove on his recent chance encounter with The Artist in a NYC studio.

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"I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" video by Jordan Knight premieres on MTV

SneekeeQT reports on July 22nd that "on MTV this morning, they premiered Jordan Knight's video for 'I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man'", which is a cover of The Artist's 1987 song.

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July 20th, 1999

George Clinton live in Paris

GEORGE CLINTON & THE P FUNK ALL STARS will per4m live at the 1,000 capacity Bataclan in Paris on July 20th, 1999. Tickets r already on sale at FNAC stores.

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The Artist featured in program on French channel MCM on July 20

The Artist will b featured in a program called "Blah-Blah Groove" on French cable channel MCM on July 20th at 18:30 local time.

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Gavin Rossdale (Bush) mentions work with Gwen Stefani and The Artist

In an article dated July 20th on the Launch web site, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale reports that he and his girlfriend Gwen Stefani of No Doubt spent some time at Paisley Park Studios after attending The Artist's Paisley Park per4mance on July 9th. Gavin Rossdale mentions a possible future collaboration and more.

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July 19th, 1999

Yahoo! Internet Life Awards: The Artist wins an award and per4ms

The Artist made a special appearance at the Yahoo! Internet Life 1999 Online Music Awards on July 19th 2 receive an award 4 Best Internet-only Single ("The War") and per4m live on stage with the NPG, Larry Graham and original members of Sly and The Family Stone.

As reported earlier, ZDTV airs a "special" on the awards ceremony on July 30th at 3:30 PM PST/6:30 PM EST. ZDTV is a speciality channel only available through providers such as DirectTV. The special will only include highlights from the show.

Jill reports on July 26th that the Yahoo! Internet Life magazine web site now has several new pages about the awards, including a page on the Best Internet Single Award (with a new picture of The Artist) and a transcript of the online chat with The Artist.

BlondRose3 reports that a PRNewswire release about the event was issued on July 21st.

There is a FoxNews article on the event.

Billboard has an article dated July 20th on the event. Harold Pride III reports that MTV also has an article.

An anonymous reader notes that "Flava Flav of Public Enemy said that he would love 2 do something with the Artist and, after destroying his own award trying to get down to the "Prince of the Hood", The Artist gave him his own award to take home:)."

Eric Benchimol followed the entire webcast online and has an xtensive report:

The show opened with "My Computer" with various interviews of artists playing over it.

Seal performed "Human Being" & "Crazy" as a beautiful acoustic set with only himself on lead vox and guitar and another guitar player.

Spike Lee presented the award for best Internet-only single. He mentioned that he had worked with both Public Enemy (on Do The Right Thing and He Got Game) and The Artist (on Girl 6). The Artist came on to accept the award for "The War". He was in his new-look beard and curly long hair with black sunglasses wearing a long-sleeved shirt with NPG written on the front. His speech was as follows:

"Umm... Thank u. Let me first say eye don't believe so much in the word best. Eye appreciate it. Eye appreciate appreciation. Art is perception. It's whatever peanut butters ur jelly. This should read 'The NPG'. The New Power Generation helped me make this record. What was cool about the song is that they didn't know what eye would do. They just started jamming and eye had some lyrics and eye just started speaking and the song just kind of organically turned in2 what it turned in2... 2night's so-called winner. One thing eye wanted 2 say is uh... don't b fooled by the Internet. It's cool 2 get on the computer but don't let the computer get on u. It's cool 2 use the computer but don't let the computer use u. Y'all saw The Matrix. There's a war going on. The battlefield is in the mind and the prize is the soul, so b careful. Thank u!" [there was applause throughout and laughter when he mentioned The Matrix].

Later in the evening, The Artist would lose the award for best web site to the Beastie Boys. They played New World while showing pages from www.love4oneanother.com

The Artist then came back on to introduce Public Enemy. His long introduction included a plug for There's A Poison Goin' On (the new album) and lots of props to PE. Public Enemy performed "What What" and "Do You Wanna Go Our Way?" Unfortunately, PE was clearly not prepared to perform these songs live. They rapped over the actual CD tracks, leading to a weird echo effect. Both Flavor and Chuck D messed up the lines of their songs. Chuck D even joked about that he didn't have the song down yet, but he's not touring yet. In his speech afterwards, he gave props to The Artist for writing 'Slave' on his face. He said that when The Artist did that, although many people thought him crazy, a light bulb went on in Chuck's mind. When he saw that, he said he felt like "a black man from 1866." Chuck also said that he called him "Prince from the Hood". He said that he lets them call him Prince but he doesn't let the 'shysters' called him that (referring to lawyers I think). Flavor also gave props to The Artist in his own ummm... colourful way. The Artist comes on afterward and said, "Listen 2 what they're saying. Excuse the curse words, but listen 2 what they're saying. It's all in there, alright?" Flavor kept hugging The Artist and The Artist didn't look all that uncomfortable. Flava also said he looks forward to recording music with him in the future. They literally had to drag Flavor Flav off the stage because he kept hugging The Artist and talking.

A little while later, Penn and Teller mentioned that they had to avoid a full side of the stage because they were setting it up. When they finally did cross to that side of the stage, everyone was excited to see the familiar symbol drum set. Penn and Teller introduced the 'surprise performer' by saying "He's received an award, he's presented an award but so far The Artist hasn't done what he does best... perform. Be prepared for the roof to be blown off of this place!".

The Artist performed with Larry Graham and "The original members of the Family Stone". He appeared on stage with a leather cap with a yellow stripe across the front on. He was also wearing a large hoop earing in his right ear. He played organ to introduce 'The Jam' and then rhythm guitar on the song. The band consisted of Morris Hayes on organ, Larry Graham on bass, Kirk Johnson on drums, Parker on saxophone, and Tina Graham and Kip on backup vocals. Jerry Martini, Cynthia Robinson, and Rose Stone (of the Family Stone) were also part of the band. Following 'The Jam', the band launched into 'Free' with Larry Graham on lead vocals. During the set, funk saxophonist Maceo Parker guested in the band and did a killer sax solo.

Unfortunately, the webcast was slightly marred by poor sound in which Larry Graham's bass and vocals were too slow compared with The Artist's voice and guitar.

"Everyday People' was then played with slightly more even sound.

Song list:

The Jam
Free
Everyday People

The show closed with Melky Sedeck and Wyclef Jean. Near the end of the show, Wyclef said, "Yo, Prince is such a legend. It's such an honour to play with such a legend." Wyclef's set literally lasted around an hour.

All in all, it was a great awards show and at least the webcast didn't crash once throughout the whole thing. I managed to catch to whole thing using the 128 kb/sec speed. The show is supposedly being archived at broadcast.com, so if you missed it, be sure to check it out when it is set up!

A chat session with The Artist also took place in the afternoon (see related story below).

BlondRose3 also reports on June 25th that a press release regarding the event was issued. npgshy reports that the Billboard web site also has an article on the event. The Blaze web site also has an article.

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The Artist chats with online viewers on ZDNet on July 19

In an event that appeared 2 b organised at the last minute, The Artist agreed 2 chat online with ZDNet readers 4 half an hour early Monday afternoon, July 19th, b4 his appearance at the Yahoo! Internet Life 1999 Online Music Awards (see above).

The chat revealed several new pieces of in4mation, including the fact that Rave Un2 The Joy Fantastic will indeed b released in the fall thru a major label, but a limited edition of 100,000 copies will also b made and sold online and it will contain different mixes and perhaps different songs from the major label release. It also mentions the fact that the album was produced by someone with whom The Artist worked a great deal back in the 1980's. There will b videos 4 the release, and the singles will b picked by the major label. Some tour dates r xpected as early as August.

Click here 2 read the full transcript of the chat.

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Carlos Santana would like The Artist 2 record with Michael Jackson

PiePie1976 provides us with an xcerpt of an interview conducted with Carlos Santana in the issue of Rolling Stone dated August 19, 1999:

RS: Has The Artist ever spoken with you about your influence on him?

CS: Yeah. I just played with him in Minneapolis about two, three weeks ago, and he was very gracious. I wanted to say something to him, but I didn't, so I am going to say it now: I believe that if the Artist would find the time to do an album with Michael Jackson, put the ego aside, put the personalities aside and, as two supreme entertainer-musicians, collaborate on song for song, note for note, dance for dance-this would be amazing, a whole new dimension of creativity. So this is an invitation for him and Michael Jackson, and for Quincy Jones to produce it and create something we are all ready for.

RS: And you'd be willing to add a guitar solo?

CS: I'll be the roadie.

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July 18th, 1999

The Artist and Mayte in Paris 4 Versace show

Raphy reports on July 19th that The Artist and Mayte were in Paris, France over the July 18th week-end 2 attend the latest Versace show, according 2 a report on French cable TV channel Paris Première.

Alin Boswell reports on August 1st: