SOUL! {ASHFORD AND SIMPSON} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of programs focusing on African-American culture. Ellis Haizlip is producer and host of the series. This program features a musical performance in a nightclub-style setting by married singing duo Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. Ashford, a vision in an orange body suit and the type of wide gold belt normally reserved for boxing champions, and Simpson, wearing a multi-colored dress and sporting a full Afro, perform musical numbers both solo and as a tandem. The program begins with the duets "Keep It Coming" and "Ooh Child." Ashford then performs a sultry solo set, including the treacly Bread hit "If," and his own "Remember Me," which is accompanied by a story about the girlfriend and the pet sparrow who inspired the song. He then introduces vivacious wife Simpson, who performs "Silly, Wasn't I?" and "Drink the Wine." The duo then favor the audience with the gospel tunes "Is There a God?" and "Steal Away" (accompanied by backup singers Mildred Lewis and Shirley Reid). The duo conclude the show with an inspired performance of "Reach Out," exhorting the audience to follow the song's lyrics and clasp hands.
(This program is a repeat telecast of a show which originally aired on October 11, 1972. Repeat air date unknown.)
Details
- NETWORK: PBS WNET New York, NY
- DATE: October 11, 1972
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:57
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:11133
- GENRE: Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Rock music; African-American Collection - News/Talk
- SERIES RUN: WNET (New York, NY) - TV series, 1968-1973
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ellis B. Haizlip … Producer
- Anna Horsford … Associate Producer
- Alonzo Brown … Associate Producer, Writer
- Ivan Kury … Director
- Merrily Mossman … Direction (Misc. Credits), Associate Director
- William Eaton … Conductor
- Soul Orchestra … Music Group
- Nick Ashford … Singer
- Valerie Simpson … Singer
- Mildred Lewis … Singer
- Shirley Reid … Singer
- Raymond Simpson … Singer
- G. Keith Alexander … Announcer