Intro by: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
First beat: Remixlive Pack
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Today topic: Toni Braxton. I’m Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to Eagle Harp.

Toni Michele Braxton, this ain't just your average singer, see? We're talkin' about a woman who's climbed the ladder, rung every bell, and snagged more awards than you can shake a stick at! Seven Grammys? NINE Billboard Music Awards?

Started out with her sisters, The Braxtons, a sweet little R&B act... but LA Reid and Babyface, those cats knew what was up! Saw the star power in Toni and snatched her up for LaFace Records! BAM! 1993, the self-titled debut hits like a ton of bricks! Number ONE on the Billboard 200! "Another Sad Love Song," "Breathe Again"... tunes that just *ooze* heartbreak and raw emotion! You couldn't escape 'em, and frankly, you didn't WANT to!

But hold on tight, 'cause the Toni Braxton rollercoaster ain't stoppin' there! She followed it up with *Secrets*... And then "You're Makin' Me High," and "Un-Break My Heart" exploded. Woo! Those records went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100!

She ain't just a singer, folks, she's an ACTRESS! She's a TELEVISION PERSONALITY! She's been through the wringer, seen it all, from chart-toppers to contractual woes, and health scares.

But through it all, Toni Braxton, she comes out swinging!

From singing with Babyface to her own hit reality show, Toni's a survivor and a true performer!
So next time you're feeling a little blue, put on some Toni Braxton and let her soulful voice heal your heartache. And remember, folks, that's just the way it is!

Thank you for listening to Eagle Harp.  I’m Gail Nobles.

Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo: Gage Skidmore
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Hello, I’m Gail Nobles and you’re listening to Eagle Harp. Today’s topic is Sugarhill gang the lover in you.

Alright, Let's talk about that classic jam from the Sugarhill Gang called "The Lover in You." This tune comes from their album "Rappin Down Town," which dropped in 1983. Now, this song has a smooth vibe that’s all about love and romance.

The catchy hook goes, “This is for the lover in you, the lover in you, I know she's in there somewhere.” It's a sweet reminder that everyone has that special romantic side waiting to shine. The SugarhillGang kicks things off with some fun rapping, bringing their classic flair to the track, and then it flows into those smooth, melodic parts where they sing.

They mix it all up beautifully, rapping between the catchy chorus, creating an awesome blend of hip-hop and soul. So if you're in the mood for love, this song definitely brings out that romantic feeling! It's all about celebrating that "lover" that's deep inside us all. So, turn it up and let the Sugarhill Gang take you on a love journey!

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Piano: Gail Nobles
Background music: Pixabay.com
Photo: Raph_PH - GenesisO2260322 (32 of 42)
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0

Today we're turning up the volume on a band that's all about the magic of the moment. I'm talking about none other than the legendary Genesis. You might know them best by their hit That's All. It is a group composition and appears as the second track on the 1983 album Genesis. It was the album’s second single after Mama.

 The sngle reach number six in early 1984 making it their first billboard hot 100 top 10 hit. As the bands first break into the billboard hot 100 top 10, the song is included in rock song index: The 7500 most important songs for the rock 'n' roll era.

 Now Genesis ain't just your average rock band. There're a musical journey through time starting way back in the late 60s. These guys were blasting out progressive rock vibes taking listeners on a wild lyrical ride. We're talking symphonic masterpieces and storytelling that will make your heart sing and your mind dance.

 With members like Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, they have crafted a sound that's both intricate and assessable. Whether you're grooving to Invisible Touch or just chilling with Land of Confusion, each track is a celebration of creativity and passion.

 So crank up the volume and dive into the world of Genesis. The band music inspires listeners and remind listeners that when it comes to heartbreak and hope, sometimes all you need to say is that's all.

I'm Gail Nobles, and you're listening to Eagle Harp.

Music intro by: Gail Nobles
Photo: John Mathew Smith 
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

T.S. Monk. (Thelonious Sphere Monk the third) is a jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader. He is the sun of Jazz pianist Thelonias Monk.

By the dawning of the 1980s, he had formed his eponymous band, which featured him on drums and occasional lead vocals. The group's début album, 1980's House of Music, featured several hits that placed on the Billboard R&B chart, including "Bon Bon Vie (Gimme the Good Life)", which featured Monk on lead vocals, and "Candidate for Love". The tracks peaked at No. 63 and No. 58 respectively, in the UK Singles Chart. The band went on to release two more albums throughout the early 1980s, though singles released from these albums did not fare as well as those on the début. The band broke up shortly thereafter.

By the 1990s, Monk was ready to begin his solo career, in which he has taken a decidedly more jazz-oriented direction.

 You're listening to Eagle Harp.  I’m your host Gail Nobles. Today's topic T. S. Monk

Intro music and vocals: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo: (C) John Mathew Smith
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0

Some people say Phyllis Hyman died not knowing how much she was loved. It is said she fought hard to overcome her demons. I don't think Phyllis Hyman was just fighting her demons if she had any demons at all. I think she was fighting demons coming from elsewhere. When the music business is hard, sometimes you can't be yourself. You can't show the world the self you want the world to see.

 I think it's time that we start recognizing Phyllis Hyman more. She was trying to tell us things that were very important. If you have heard and seen Phyllis Hyman speak, you know that she had very good knowledge about things.

Hyman is best known for her music during the late 1970s through the early 1990s. Some of her most notable songs were "You Know How to Love Me" (1979), "Living All Alone" (1986) and "Don't Wanna Change the World" (1991).

 Phyllis Harmon was a very talented singer. She suffered from bipolar disorder and depression for years. She died by suicide. So many talented people in the music business died like that. It's always something with the mental health or they get killed.

 Phyllis Hyman is a singer we want to remember; we need to remember. She had great music like her fourth album “You Know How to Love Me” and her single with the same name. Phyllis was a great soul singer and her fourth album was released in 1979. It was her most successful album, but she made other albums too.

 You're listening to Eagle Harp.  I am your host Gail Nobles.

Story by: Gail Nobles
Intro by: Gail Nobles

The hardest working man James Brown. His songs made hits and now they are beyond hits. His songs are still being played. There is music in his name as I speak it. I can still sense the sound of him. It’s hard to say that his songs are oldies because everybody keeps on listening. They keep on listening to that sound of James Brown. I can still hear the cheering crowd. There are still people that imitate the man behind the microphone stand. There is still great love coming from his fans wanting more of his voice and loving his band. The band and the backup singers. James Brown, Godfather of Soul. Some call him Mr. dynamite. I call him gold. He could dance, slide, glide, and move. His music was funk. It had bass and horn in the groove. He's a legacy, and there is nothing left to prove. James Brown, his music still survives. DJ’s still spin his records like he's alive.

You're listening to the sound of Eagle Harp. In the window of his wings, the instrumental sound remembering James Brown. I'm Gail Nobles.

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Story by: Gail Nobles

James Ingram - I heard James Ingram say that he came up in the word of God and in gospel music. He said he was a musician and started playing around 12 years old. James and Michael McDonald wrote the song Yah Mo B There. I heard James say that a lot of people to this day didn't know that they were talking about God. Rod Temperton and producer Quincy Jones also were involved in writing the song. The song originally appeared on Ingram’s 1983 album It's Your Night. The song peaked in 1984 at number 19 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart. The performance earned the duo in 1985 Grammy or Grammy award for Best R&B Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals.

When I heard the song Yah Mo B There, I figured it was about God from the way the song was written. It is a contemporary R&B song, but I heard the message as a gospel. It's good that the song was written.

I'm Gail Nobles and you're listening to Eagle Harp.

Music intro: By Gail Nobles
This Podcast features music created using Drum Pad Machine. Available on the App Store, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drum-pad-machine-beat-maker/id1057968965.

Today's topic is the Isley Brothers. I'm Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to Eagle Harp. Celebrity and music news. I'm going to talk to you today about a family musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio that began as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O'Kelly Isley Junior, Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley.


Do you remember the Isley Brothers popular song Shout? For a long time I didn't know they were the same group that I heard in 1985 singing Caravan of Love. Shout was a popular song written and originally recorded by American vocal group the Isley Brothers. In 1959, the Isley Brothers had a different sound and style back then. Shout was the fourth single which became the first single to chart on the Billboard hot 100 and sold over 1 million copies.
In the 1960s, the group recorded songs for a variety of labels including the top 20 single Twist and Shout and Motown single This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) before recording and releasing the Grammy Award winning hit Its Your Thing on their own label T Neck Records.

Today those records are still spinning. Radio Stations are still playing those songs.
And what about the Isley Brothers in the 1970s? Do you remember the Top 10 hit single "That Lady" and a UK Top 10 cover of "Summer Breeze?” What about hits like “Fight the Power” and “For the Love of You?”

Before music videos in the 80s, I only remembered hearing all those songs from radio, and I never knew what the Isley Brothers really looked like. When the 80s came along, I became interested in watching music videos and began to see more of the faces of music. But before seeing the Isley Brothers on video I first heard Caravan of Love from radio in 1985. It was a 1985 R&B hit originally recorded by Isley-Jasper-Isley. After breaking away from the family group, the group (notably Chris Jasper) wrote and produced this single intended to reach audiences by presenting Christian believes in his music. The song became the trios biggest hit going to number one on the billboard R&B singles chart and number 51 on the Billboard pop chart in 1985.

The Isley brothers has a long career in music. In 1985, the original Iskeys trio of O’Kelly, Rudy, and Ronnie signed with Warner Bros. Recirds and recorded and released the album masterpiece. Shortly a year after its release Kelly Isley died from a heart attack while battling cancer in March 1986. The remaining duo of Ron and Rudy release the Angela Winbush-produce albums Smooth Sailing in 1987 and Spend the Night in 1989.

And do you remember Ron Isley in the 1990s he recorded solo material he gained popularity as video villain Frank Biggs (or Mr. Biggs) in the music video for R. Kelly's hit "Down Low”.

There was a lot of past members of the Isley Brothers. Rudolph, O’Kelly, Vernon, Marvin, and Chris Jasper. The members now are Ronald and Ernie Isley.

Well I hope you have enjoyed today's topic. To find out more about the group and what they are doing today go to officialisleybrothers.com.

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Photo: Wikipedia Public Domain

Voice Actor: Gail Nobles

Hello! I’m Gail Nobles. I’m going to take you into Retro News. Today’s topic: Redd Foxx. A stand up comedian & actor who left us at age 68.

Voice actor: I’m 65!

You remember Comedian Red Foxx who played a crabby junk man on the 1970’s television series “Sanford and Son”. He died after suffering a heart attack on the set of his show. Let’s go back to when he was alive.

On stage, Redd Foxx was kind of X-Rated. But I knew him mostly from the television series “ Sanford and Son” playing as the junk man.

Voice actor: I’m Fred!

Redd Foxx was born John Elroy Sanford. On Sanford and Son, he portrayed Fred G. Sanford and starred in The Red Fox Show & The Royal Family. His film projects included All the Fine Cannibals (1960), Cotton comes to Harlem (1970), Norman .. Is That You 1976), and Harlem Nights (1989).

It is said that Redd Foxx was shy, sensitive, a writer, and poet. Della Reese, his friend who also left us and co- starred on The Royal Family said that not everyone knew he was a poet. He wrote beautiful music and was a loving man. I’m sure his friends & family knew him best.

It was sad news to find out that Redd Foxx had passed away. I knew the television Red Foxx when he was clowning and joking. Watching him taught me a little bit about comedy, & he gave me the medicine of laughter.

I found out that Redd Foxx had financial and tax problems. Even at the time of his death he owed taxes. But now he doesn’t have to worry about that world anymore. That means no more heart breaks for Redd Foxx.

You’re listening to Eagle Harp. I’m your host Gail Nobles.

Hello! I’m Gail Nobles & I want to talk to you today about how this podcast, “Eagle Harp”, got its name. The podcast name has the name Eagle Harp because it’s a podcast about music. But there’s a bird called the Harpy Eagle. It is a very large eagle. A bird that is as tall as a person. When I first saw the Harpy Eagle in pictures, I had to look very closely to see if the bird was really real. Well, the bird is real and also beautiful. I’ve never seen a bird like it in all my life. The claw and beak is bigger than a normal size bird. It’s a bird I don’t think I want to see in my backyard. To tell you the truth, the bird almost looks like a person in a costume because it’s head is large and the height of the bird is just amazing. So seeing the Harpy Eagle is what inspired me to name my podcast Eagle Harp.

If you visit Pinterest, you’ll see all kinds of pictures of the Harpy Eagle, and also in Google images. If you just type in “Harpy Eagle”, in the Google search engine, you’ll find info about the bird ….