THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605030234
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 45 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
From modern country to classic rhythm and blues balladry, the 14th annual Chesapeake Jubilee will have something for everybody.
Take the main stage headliners for the Saturday and Sunday Jubilee shows.
At 8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 18, the joyful R&B bounce of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes will entertain
The next afternoon at 5 p.m., the slick and modern country sounds of Aaron Tippin are sure to please fans of contemporary country.
When it comes to the smooth sounds of Philly soul, Melvin and his Blue Notes set the standard of what was once known as TSOP, or ``The Sounds of Philadelphia.''
Since the group's inception in 1971, when it signed with Philadelphia International Records, it has always been anchored by the soulful vocals of Melvin.
With him at the helm, the ensemble charted to the big time with such classic tunes as ``Bad Luck,'' ``If You Don't Know Me By Now,'' ``I Miss You,'' ``Where Are All My Friends?'' and ``I Should Be Your Lover.''
While Melvin and group blazed up international pop and R & B charts, he helped launch the solo careers of such all-star former Blue Notes as Teddy Pendergrass, Billy Paul and Bunny Sigler.
When the group takes to the Chesapeake main stage Saturday, Melvin will be helped on lead vocals by new Blue Note Anthony Quarterman. The two will be joined by backup singers tenor Rufus Thorne, bass/baritone Dwight Johnson and baritone Bill Spratley.
Although Melvin will entertain the Chesapeake audience with his classic songs, he still tries to keep up with the latest trends in pop music, which he incorporates into the band's current repertoire.
But make no mistake, when it's show time May 18, Melvin and the Blue Notes will offer the crowd its patented vocal harmonies and entertaining syncopated choreography.
For a change, Sunday afternoon's headline show will feature Nashville recording artist Aaron Tippin, currently riding the country charts with his latest and fifth RCA album, ``Tool Box,'' a collection of blue-collar anthems and country laments.
Tippin's Sunday show should hit on all popular country styles from honky-tonk tunes and blue-collar blues to rock-inspired songs and cryin'-in-your-beer ballads.
The former mill mechanic first started out in Nashville as a songwriter but soon developed into a successful singer. He's noted for such country hits as ``You've Got to Stand For Something,'' ``There Ain't Nothing Wrong With the Radio'' and ``Working Man's Ph.D.''
Touring various fairs and festivals around the country, and working with such noted country acts as Hank Williams Jr., Tippin keeps busy all year. Although he enjoys traditional country, he still manages to include new styles and surprises in his albums and live shows.
The Dallas Morning News said, ``He's a guy who was born to play to a big crowd.'' His live shows are noted for their high energy, charged country tunes and crowd-pleasing antics.
He'll give the Chesapeake crowd no less.
- Eric Feber by CNB