The only reason I knew it was the 40th Anniversary of Soul Train last night at the Soul Train awards was the old footage they were showing on the stage, and a few celebrities saying, "I can't believe it has been 40 years.."
Well I cannot either. I can't believe that for a show that has been such a staple in not just African-American homes but a staple for all cultures in America, that was the best the executives at BET and Centric had to offer. Now to say I am overly critical is an understatement. Last night's award show was an insult to legacy of Soul Train and to the honorees that they chose to honor. Since there were so many misses last night. It might be easier for me to talk about the few hits that did occur before I get into the misses.
Soul Train Award High Points/Hits:
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The Robin Thicke performance: Robin is following the legacy of Teena Marie and Lisa Stansfield. The only way you would not know this guy was a brotha was to see him live and you would see. Other than that, he is a soul crooner. He possessed a confidence that reminded me of Teena Marie that said, "You can't pigeonhole me into pop or country..I'm a SOUL singer." Having him sing on the award show gave the floundering ceremony a much needed boost!"
Jill Scott - Best Female Award: Soul Train got it right with this one. She is one of the best out there and she is truly an UnSung talent. She should have been asked to sing on the Gladys Knight tribute (more to come on that later)...
Anthony Hamilton - Not really sure what was up with the KFC Bucket on his head but he gave a soulful performance.
The Time or The Original 7. - Having all these guys back together on stage reminded us of what we miss in Funk, Soul and R&B. Concepts, entertainment, and fun. A fun performance. They still got it and LOVE, LOVE how they are able to conform to the time while staying true to their old school roots by developing a song called "#tredning" an omage to TWEEPS everywhere. Love it!
The Heavy D Tribute - Pay attention young people, this is what REAL Hip-Hop sounds like. Without, the legends you saw on that stage last night such as Whoodini, Kurtis Blow, Big Daddy Kane, and the late Heavy D, there would be no hip-hop today. This was when hip hop was fun! I don't know what its about today. I am still confused.
Valerie Simpson - What a pillar of strength! To accept that award on behalf of her late husband, Nick Ashford with such grace. It is about time these two got their just props. They have basically written every popular song in popular culture. Their legacy is truly underappreciated. Now, every year they will have their legacy remembered with The Ashford & Simpson songwriting award. NICE! Now for the honoree they chose this year....more to come in low points!
Cederic The Entertainer: Loved his hosting, he kept it clean but kept it funny.
LOW POINTS/WTH MOMENTS/& EPIC FAILS!:
Was Cee-Lo green paying tribute to Elton John, Elvis, or Frankie Avalon, the guardian angel in Greese? I was confused. And the taco meat on his chest....
The Gladys Knight tribute was awkward and insulting. The Pips concept was cute and original to have three R&B male singers give props to them, but then they ruined it by having TAMAR (not Toni) Braxton sing "Love Overboard". Does she even have an album? What hits does she have? I am confused by that. Why not have Jill Scott do a tribute. Where was Alicia Keys? Natalie Cole redeemed the tribute at the end but everything before it was an insult. And Gladys herself was trying to be a little too Mya Angelou and not Gladys last night. When she commented on the recent Harry Belafonte blunder of him going to sleep on the air and saying, "Do you ever think he is just tired from all the years of struggle..?" Come on Gladys, you know that is a complete stretch. Where were singers like Whitney, Chaka, Alicia, Mariah, and Jill Scott who was in the audience. You can have legends pay tribute to legends it is OK.
Lloyd and Miguel: Based off the audience reaction, they were just as confused as I was. Especially Miguel. What was that about? The tight pants? Maybe that is why he sings so high pitch. I hope he does not wear too many of those tight pants, he is gonna get jock itch and that is NEVER fun. Maybe that is why he looked so dazed last night. Lloyd's suit look like he got into a fight with a dust monster before he got on stage. Come on brotha. Take a cue from Eric Benet's fashion book.
Marsha Ambrosius: At the risk of sounding rude, and please forgive me, but come on. First off having her sing the tribute to Gladys after she botched the Patti tribute at the BET awards? I am so confused. And all of the long flowing gowns. I think they come from the Loretta Lynn or Dolly Parton collection. To say that it was doing too much was saying the least. And to give her the songwriting award named after Ashford & Simpson? Just a a suggestion Soul Train, I would in the future recommend that this be another tribute to a songwriter who has followed in the footsteps of the legendary couple such as Alicia Keys, Babyface, Jill Scott. Marsha Ambrosius has only been out a few years.
Mindless Behavior: Enough said!
The First Half of EWF Tribute: Miguel and whoever that girl was who was supposed to look like an EWF Angel? It was just creepy. EWF members did not look like they where to thrilled either. Lalah Hathaway, Eric Benet, Joe, and Robin Thicke saved that tribute.
Cutting of EWF: Just giving EWF two seconds to sing while the credits where coming on was a direct insult. After we were subjected to so much mind numbing and "Mindless Behavior" that was awful.
The Presenters: Now this award show is not the first in its history to have bad writing for the presenters. It was just awkward and uncomfortable. If I felt awkward and uncomfortable here, there is no telling what the presenters themselves and the audience members were feeling.
Reality Sucks! - All of the "Real Housewives". Why do we have to keep getting exposed to all of these fake celebrities? Who cares? Why do we keep giving them air time? I have had enough. Really lets stop giving them press. Let us focus on the ones who have talent and became famous for their hard work.
Lack of Celebrities: For it to be a 40th Anniversary Tribute where was all the stars who owe their careers to Soul Train? Where was Whitney, Janet, Mary J., Aretha, Stevie, and countless others? Were they not invited, just too busy? They could of least sent a video tribute with footage of a performance of theirs on soul train. Maybe a two hour show that focuses on this, would be a better idea. NO new singers who have NO IDEA of the history but just performers who owe their careers to Don Cornelius. More to come on this idea later.
All in all, on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this show a 2. Their were a few performers and the host that saved this show from completely sinking like the Titanic but not by much. Last year's phenomenal show I guess proved to be a tough act to follow with those wonderful tributes to Anita Baker and The Isley Brothers and fabulous performances by Erykah Badu, R. Kelly, and Jazmine Sullivan. I hope they get it right next year. Soul Music and Soul Train like the UNCF is a terrible thing to waste. Get it right...please for the legacy of our musical history!!
CG
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