TV Recap: American Soul – This Is Your Dream …

American Soul
“Proceed With Caution” (Episode 110)
April 2, 2019

Last week on American Soul, we got a deep dive flashback into some of our main character’s formative past. While in the present, Encore cut a record and was offered a spot opening for Ike and Tina Turner and Brianne came into her own and said “Peace Out” to Barker!  Catch up on all of last week’s action with our deep dive recap and review here.

And now, continue reading for our deep dive recap and review of the season finale of American Soul!  … BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!

Still of India McGee as Flo Davis, Katlyn Nichol as Simone Clarke, and Jelani Winston as Kendall Clarke from BET’s “American Soul” episode 110. (Photo: Boris Martin/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – This Is Your Dream …”

TV Recap: American Soul – There’s A Storm Coming …

American Soul
’68 B.C. (Episode 109)
March 26, 2019

Last week on American Soul, Don went to war against Dick Clark, who, in the face of Don’s refusal to sell him Soul Train, launched his own blatant copycat rival show.  Tessa auditioned for a dance troupe which is led by her former bestie who, once upong a time, boned Tessa’s ex-fiance (who also shows up). JT ran out of options and Brianne (along with Barker) went to San Diego for a last hurrah at her brother’s club and we learned some important backstory for Mama Clarke.  Catch up on last’s week’s full recap here.

Now, continue on for a recap of tonight’s action on an all new American Soul BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!

Still of Jelani Winston as Kendall Clarke, Katlyn Nichol as Simone Clarke, and Christopher Jefferson as Jeffrey “JT” Tucker from BET’s “American Soul” episode 109. (Photo: Jace Downs/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – There’s A Storm Coming …”

TV Recap: American Soul – You Want To Run With The Big Boys?

American Soul
“Nothing Ventured … Nothing Gained” (Episode 108)
March 19, 2019

Last week on American Soul, the Soul Train national tour got underway and the gang experienced racism up close and personal. At home, Delores finds out about Ilsa and Don’s affair and Don walks out leaving it unresolved. If things weren’t bad enough for Don, he’s also under siege from his old business partner who wants his cut of the Soul Train riches. And back in LA, JT is brought in by the police for questioning on his role in the cop killing. Catch up on all of last week’s action with our complete recap here.

Now, continue reading for this week’s action-packed episode of American Soul ... BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!! 

Still of Kelly Rowland as Gladys Knight from BET’s “American Soul” episode 108. (Photo: Jace Downs/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – You Want To Run With The Big Boys?”

TV Recap: American Soul – You Don’t Wanna Be That Person …

American Soul
Nothing To Fear (Episode 107)
March 12, 2019

Last week, on American Soul, Tessa quit! Up and quit. And Little Richard showed up and displayed all his flaws to Don with an appeal for help. Don turns down a very attractive offer for Soul Train and Gerald flexed his gangster muscles to prove himself as a top dog.  Catch up on all of last week’s action with our complete recap here.

And now, continue reading for this week’s soulful journey on another all new episode of American SoulBEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!

Still of Sinqua Walls as Don Cornelius from BET’s “American Soul” episode 107. (Photo: Boris Martin/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – You Don’t Wanna Be That Person …”

TV Recap: American Soul – Sitting On A Goldmine …

American Soul
What Are You Looking At? (Episode 1066)
March 5, 2019

Last week on American Soul, an earthquake which halted production of Soul Train was the backdrop for the episode. Don slipped further into his alter ego of “Don Cornelius, ruthless TV mogul” and he consummated his affair with Ilsa. The dancers went on strike for lack of pay and Don responded by assaulting their representative … twice. Tessa had a change of heart on her future plans and the Clarke family had an unexpected visitor from Sgt. Clarke’s past. You can catch up on all of last week’s action with our deep dive recap and review here.

Now, continue reading to see what’s in store for all the hounds and honeys on this week’s all new American Soul … BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!

Still of Wayne Brady as Little Richard from BET’s “American Soul” episode 106. (Photo: Annette Brown/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – Sitting On A Goldmine …”

TV Recap: American Soul – Blow Your ‘Fro …

American Soul
“Fault Lines” (Episode 105)
February 26, 2019

In last week’s episode of American Soul, JT and his family were evicted; Don tried charming Ilsa to get back on Motown’s good side; and the Soul Train dancers griped about not being paid. There was a backdrop of police brutality in the fallout from the JT jewelry heist cop killing.

Catch up on all the action from last week with our deep dive recap and review here. Now, onto this week’s electrifying installment of American Soul … BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!

Still of K. Michelle as Martha Reeves from BET’s “American Soul” episode 105. (Photo: Jace Downs/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – Blow Your ‘Fro …”

TV Recap: American Soul – What Time Is It?

American Soul 
“Just Us” (Episode 104)
February 19, 2019

Last week on American Soul: Don’s son made a cross country trip to make a play to live with his dad. In addition to family trouble, Don faced some challenges in booking talent, filtering out riff raff, and controlling his dance troupe. JT’s world is closing in when the cops get a name on the cop killing (from the jewelry heist gone wrong), Tessa and Don argue, a lot, and the dancers are unhappy about not getting paid.

Catch up on last week’s deep dive recap here.  Continue reading to find out what happened in tonight’s all new episode of American Soul … BEWARE OF SPOILERS!! 

Still of Iantha Richardson as Tessa Lorraine from BET’s “American Soul” episode 104. (Annette Brown/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – What Time Is It?”

Music Review: The Brussels Philharmonic – New York Debut, Live at Carnegie Hall

The Brussels Philharmonic
New York Debut – Live From Carnegie Hall
March 16,2019

On Saturday, March 16, 2019, I had the great opportunity to spend an evening with the Brussels Philharmonic, making their New York Debut at Carnegie Hall. It was a spectacular evening of high energy music performed flawlessly and with contagious enthusiasm and joy.

The conductor and music director, Stéphane Denève,  introduced the orchestra, explaining that it’s members comprise of 19 nationalities, based in the capital of Europe. This very cosmopolitan makeup reflects them being housed in the global hub that is Brussels (the capital of Belgium).

Founded in 1935, the Brussels Philharmonic “enjoys an excellent reputation for performing premieres of new works and has collaborated with world-renowned composers such as Bart6k, Stravinsky, Messiaen, and Francesconi. The orchestra’s historic home port is the Flagey building, where it rehearses and performs in Studio 4, in acoustic terms one of the top concert 7 halls in the world.” The orchestra has recorded music for popular films, including The Aviator and The Artist.

The Brussels Philharmonic. Photo: Carnegie Hall

Continue reading “Music Review: The Brussels Philharmonic – New York Debut, Live at Carnegie Hall”

TV Recap: American Soul – “Ooh Poo Pah Doo”

American Soul 
“Lost and Found” (Episode 103)
February 12, 2019

In episode 1 and 2 of American Soul, which premiered back to back last week, Don Cornelius is launching his Soul Train to nationwide syndication and the pressure is ratcheting up to produce “Top 10” acts that will ensure advertisers. Through some machinations with a gangster-feeling night club owner, Gerald, Don catches a big break with Gladys Knight. There was a lot going on as we met new characters and learned their stories in those two episodes, so catch up on our double sized recap here.

Continue reading our deep dive recap and review of this week’s brand new episode of American Soul … (BEWARE OF SPOILERS!!!)

Still of Sinqua Walls as Don Cornelius from BET’s “American Soul” episode 103. (Photo: Annette Brown/BET)

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – “Ooh Poo Pah Doo””

TV Recap: American Soul – You Could Sell Water To A Whale …

American Soul
“Man Is First Destiny” and “Continuous Revolution in Progress” (Episodes 101 and 102)
February 52019

American Soul is the true story of Don Cornelius, developer of the Soul Train show, which rose to national acclaim in the 1970s. Read on to see our deep dive recap of the two episode series premiere.

Photo: BET

Continue reading “TV Recap: American Soul – You Could Sell Water To A Whale …”