Playlist

Check out this story that signals the apparent, maybe inevitable demise of 508 Park Avenue, the building where blues man Robert Johnson recorded 13 songs in 1937.

Photo: Robert Johnson circa 1935 (Courtesy of Wikipedia).

Isaac Hayes left this world way too soon. So in his memory, and in his honor, the resuscitated Stax Records will reissue his 1971 epic classic Black Moses Feb. 24. The album will be completely remastered and restored, even with the fold-out package forming a cross-shaped image of the artist. Also coming out that same day on Stax is Juicy Fruit (Disco Freak), Hayes' 1976 disco opus that has never been on CD before. Cool stuff, folks. Yesterday's R&B should still be remembered and revered today.

Photo: The mighty Black Moses (courtesy of Wikipedia).

Today has been declared Motown Day, in honor of Motown Records' 50th anniversary. The visionary Berry Gordy Jr. founded the legendary imprint this very Monday back in 1959. Little did he know that those $800 he borrowed to form the label would eventually become a lucrative and influential musical empire. Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Four Tops, Rick James, Teena Marie, among many others, would break racial barriers to integrate rhythm and blues into the mainstream. No other label has such modern-day historical significance.

There's not a one classic Motown artist that I don't like, but I'm particularly partial to Stevie Wonder and Teena Marie. Both of them accomplished the improbable and certainly the unexpected.

Who's your favorite Motown artist?

Photo: The still explosive Teena Marie (Randee St. Nicholas).

Thank you HBO. With all those names, I'd hate to miss this concert.

The Associated Press:
NEW YORK -- Judging by the lineup, Sunday's inaugural celebration for Barack Obama at the Lincoln Memorial is a coveted gig for music's top names.

Beyonce, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform Sunday afternoon. The president-elect and his family are expected to attend.

HBO will televise the show at 7 p.m. EST on Sunday on an open feed, meaning the pay cable network will offer the telecast for free to cable and satellite customers.

Other performers include Stevie Wonder, Renee Fleming, Garth Brooks, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend and Jennifer Nettles. Historical passages will be read by Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.