Tv Ones's Unsung returns on 6/6 with Deniece Williams

**soulballad** · 06-03-2011, 04:51 PM

http://www.hlisted.com/tv-ones-unsun...iece-williams/

**tsull1** · 06-03-2011, 06:16 PM

Can I get the Denice Williams and later Spinners episode online? I saw the tremendous O'Jays episode online. Do I have to wait a few weeks to see them, which is fine by me.

Very excited about these episodes.

**skooldem1** · 06-03-2011, 06:20 PM

Looking forward to this. I have always liked Denise Williams. One of my favorite female vocalist.

**soulballad** · 06-03-2011, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by tsull1

Can I get the Denice Williams and later Spinners episode online? I saw the tremendous O'Jays episode online. Do I have to wait a few weeks to see them, which is fine by me.

Very excited about these episodes.

In the past the shows have been available on the tvone site after they air

**Roberta75** · 06-03-2011, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by soulballad

http://www.hlisted.com/tv-ones-unsun...iece-williams/

Is tvone a national channel soulballad. i love miss Williams and really want to see this.

Many thanks.

Roberta

**midnightman** · 06-04-2011, 12:18 AM

Can't wait to see Niecy's this coming Monday!

**chidrummer** · 06-06-2011, 01:54 PM

TVOne ran an Unsung marathon last night. The OJay's episode was part of that run.

**brother_love** · 06-06-2011, 01:57 PM

What I don't understand about this show is how The OJay's or Denise Williams for that matter are unsung?

**stephanie** · 06-06-2011, 03:46 PM

Brother Love I guess it depends on who they vote for,,,Denise Williams I can understand but the Spinners I dont know how they were picked as being UNSUNG although I cant wait to see their story.

**soulballad** · 06-06-2011, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Roberta75

Is tvone a national channel soulballad. i love miss Williams and really want to see this.

Many thanks.

Roberta

It's a specialty cable station similar to BET.

**mellow_q** · 06-06-2011, 04:59 PM

Stephanie & Brother Love: I read an article on Angela Winbush around the time her Unsung episode was airing in which she stated that a lot of artists approached by TV One to be profiled for Unsung decline the request because they do not want to be associated with the term "unsung."

Perhaps popular artists like the Spinners, O'Jays, Parliament/Funkadelic are profiled because TV One has to fill a quota every season and the REAL unsung artists don't want to be bothered.

If this is the case, I can identify with TV One simply because of personal experiences. You'd be surprised how many truly "unsung" artists won't give me a 30-40 minute interview for "A Touch of Classic Soul."

Marc Taylor

**midnightman** · 06-06-2011, 05:16 PM

I loved Miki's "Unsung". LOL She seems so animated, I don't think she's crazy either, just animated. She went through a lot. I'm now looking forward to Niecy's after seeing that accident footage from 2007. :-o

smark21 · 06-06-2011, 07:50 PM

Not to mention, even if they are a niche cable channel, they have to profile artists who have a certain level of name recognition, or a name that would jog the memory if out of the spotlight. The truly obscure will never be profiled for such a show. I just got TV1 and watched the Shalamar episode yesterday. That was a good one, and I plan to watch the Deniece Williams one. Who else is going to be profiled this season?

**nysister** · 06-06-2011, 11:32 PM

Just finished watching Denise Williams Unsung. I thought it was very well done, and what a nice surprise to see and hear Tom Bell, Ray Parker, Jr. and Johnny Mathis talk about Niecy. After O'Jays, this episode is one of my favorites. I can't wait to see the episode on the Spinners.

**stephanie** · 06-06-2011, 11:50 PM

What was amazing about this UNSUNG was the number of stars they had. Stevie Wonder, Thom Bell, George Duke, Susaye Green, Verdine White and Johnny Mathis! You can tell this woman has a lot of respect amongst her peers! No sensationalism just truth and it was good to see her boys and how much they loved her and the fathers. She is a strong individual I didnt know she had so many problems with relationships but if you notice she was polite about it and not blaming anyone, no matter where the shortcomings came from. It made me nervous to see her fall off of the stage though I must admit. I had to sit back and think about what a great interpreter of song she is. Her version of Its Gonna Take a Miracle is just as good if not better than the Royalettes.

**tsull1** · 06-07-2011, 12:00 AM

I'm super pumped for the Spinners episode! While I don't think the Spinners, O'Jays, and many others are "unsung," many people do not know their story. I e-mailed the O'Jays episode to some friends and they were fascinated. They didn't know the back story. That's what I find is really interesting. Even though I knew The O'Jays story, I still learned a lot from the interviews with Eddie, Walter, and Eric. I found the episode simply fantastic. I can't wait to hear Henry and Bobbie tell the Spinners tale!

**Kamasu_Jr** · 06-07-2011, 04:04 AM

Originally Posted by stephanie

What was amazing about this UNSUNG was the number of stars they had. Stevie Wonder, Thom Bell, George Duke, Susaye Green, Verdine White and Johnny Mathis! You can tell this woman has a lot of respect amongst her peers! No sensationalism just truth and it was good to see her boys and how much they loved her and the fathers. She is a strong individual I didnt know she had so many problems with relationships but if you notice she was polite about it and not blaming anyone, no matter where the shortcomings came from. It made me nervous to see her fall off of the stage though I must admit. I had to sit back and think about what a great interpreter of song she is. Her version of Its Gonna Take a Miracle is just as good if not better than the Royalettes.

For once, I agree. This was one Unsung episode that didn't follow the usual format of drugs, madness or financial ruin. It was mainly upbeat and mainly positive. And it was impressive to see all of the musicians who obviously hold Ms. Williams in high regard.

**theboyfromxtown** · 06-07-2011, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by tsull1

I'm super pumped for the Spinners episode! While I don't think the Spinners, O'Jays, and many others are "unsung," many people do not know their story. I e-mailed the O'Jays episode to some friends and they were fascinated. They didn't know the back story. That's what I find is really interesting. Even though I knew The O'Jays story, I still learned a lot from the interviews with Eddie, Walter, and Eric. I found the episode simply fantastic. I can't wait to hear Henry and Bobbie tell the Spinners tale!

Me too. I noticed it too.

smark21 · 06-07-2011, 07:37 AM

I watched it. I didn't know much about Deniece Williams and learned a lot.

**reese** · 06-07-2011, 11:01 AM

It was a very well done episode, as most of them have been. I've always been a casual fan, so it was nice to find out more about her life. And as someone posted above, it was obvious that she is well respected by both her family and her peers. The only complaint I have is that they twice mistakenly showed a photo of singer Bill Medley when referring to Deniece's last husband, Brad Westerling. I can't believe no one on the production staff caught that one.

**arrr&bee** · 06-07-2011, 11:23 AM

Saw it and was impressed,still a great singer and lady.

**soulballad** · 06-07-2011, 01:27 PM

This was a great show. I know time was limited but I wished thay could have spent just a few more minutes on her stint with Lock Records as she did some great recordings during that time. Also they didn't mention anything about her brief time with the Lovelites but still overall a very good show.

**midnightman** · 06-07-2011, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by nysister

Just finished watching Denise Williams Unsung. I thought it was very well done, and what a nice surprise to see and hear Tom Bell, Ray Parker, Jr. and Johnny Mathis talk about Niecy. After O'Jays, this episode is one of my favorites. I can't wait to see the episode on the Spinners.

I enjoyed it too.

I didn't know much about her early life...

**midnightman** · 06-07-2011, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by reese

It was a very well done episode, as most of them have been. I've always been a casual fan, so it was nice to find out more about her life. And as someone posted above, it was obvious that she is well respected by both her family and her peers. The only complaint I have is that they twice mistakenly showed a photo of singer Bill Medley when referring to Deniece's last husband, Brad Westerling. I can't believe no one on the production staff caught that one.

They always have made missteps. That has always bothered me lol

mjeternallove · 06-07-2011, 09:23 PM

When can I see this again? I love Deniece Williams, she is another one of the Lord's angels sent down from above to lift our hearts to God through song and music.

**heikki** · 06-09-2011, 02:29 AM

Hi Soulballad!

You're correct that Deniece was for a minute a member of the Lovelites, but only for a couple of shows. She never recorded with them, as stated elsewhere.
Her own comments about that period at
http://www.soulexpress.net/deniecewilliams.htm
[[at the end of the first part)

Best regards
Heikki

**marv2** · 06-09-2011, 10:29 AM

Does anyone know if the full episode is online anywhere for viewing?

**pc_1** · 06-09-2011, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

Does anyone know if the full episode is online anywhere for viewing?

All of the past "Unsung" episodes are available on tvoneonline.com ...including Deniece Williams

Enjoy!

**marv2** · 06-09-2011, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by pc_1

All of the past "Unsung" episodes are available on tvoneonline.com ...including Deniece Williams

Enjoy!

Thank you very much pc_1

**marv2** · 06-09-2011, 05:51 PM

I just watched the program and I now have an even greater of appreciation for Deniece Williams as a person and a great artist. You never know someone until you know their story!

**midnightman** · 06-09-2011, 06:49 PM

I still wonder who was the man behind "Silly". That's a deeply emotional song. Someone hurt her THAT badly that she wrote a song taking the p**s out of you lmao guess she didn't wanna embarrass him... I mean it's been 30 years since the fact. *shrug*

**nosey** · 06-10-2011, 08:34 AM

Very good episode. Like Marv, I have a greater appreciation for her work. I must admit back in the day, when my husband was alive and we argued, he would signify he was leaving by always playing "Free". For years I couldn't stand the woman! LOL!

**REDHOT** · 06-11-2011, 08:28 AM

I think Denice did record with The Lovelites,on one song,i'm not sure.
Please stay positive

**heikki** · 06-11-2011, 01:11 PM

Hi Redhot,

They mentioned about that in the liner notes of one CD a few years back, and that's why I especially asked Deniece about her recording with the Lovelites. I believe and printed what she told me :-).
http://www.soulexpress.net/deniecewilliams.htm
I also noted that the Unsung crew wasn't aware of the origins of "It's Gonna Take A Miracle."

Best regards
Heikki

**brother_love** · 06-12-2011, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by reese

It was a very well done episode, as most of them have been. I've always been a casual fan, so it was nice to find out more about her life. And as someone posted above, it was obvious that she is well respected by both her family and her peers. The only complaint I have is that they twice mistakenly showed a photo of singer Bill Medley when referring to Deniece's last husband, Brad Westerling. I can't believe no one on the production staff caught that one.

Most of the people working on a lot of these shows do not have a clue about the artists or their musical history; it's just a job to them. I have been around the production of many of these types of shows and they are being produced by people who are just making a buck off the names of these artists. There was no excuse for that photo of Bill being shown instead of one of Brad who is much younger than Bill to begin with. Anyone who really knows their music history would have known that was Bill Medley. I guess to them all white guys look alike. lol

**tsull1** · 06-12-2011, 06:04 PM

While there is some merit to that a few if the makers of these shows don't have deep knowledge of these groups, I think brother love's take is too cynical. MAKING money off these groups? REALLY? Not sure if you've been paying attention lately, but this classic soul groups and singers are fading away in age and popularity. This board is the exception, not the rule. There's not a lot of money to be made off these groups anymore.

If anything, the makers of Unsung should be praised, not ripped. So they missed a photo on the Denice Williams deal, OK, an error.

Here's your other option: NO TV SHOWS, NO DOCUMENTARIES, REDUCTION OF RE-MAKE ALBUMS ... oh, I forgot, that's ALREADY GOING ON.

Newsflash: If Unsung doesn't do episodes like The O'Jays, Spinners, Denice Williams -- it doesn't get done, folks. If it wasn't for some nightclubs and casinos across this country, these groups are barely touring. I tell friends I'm going to a soul concert and they're like, "Who? Oh yeah, them ... are they still playing? Really? I didn't know they were around."

C'mon man, let's not bite the hand that feeds us because they erred on a photo. Sheesh, Denice Williams gets NO PLAY where I live, rarely on the radio, doesn't come to this region, and her CD's don't sell.

Unsung is a gift, not a detriment.

**theboyfromxtown** · 06-12-2011, 06:28 PM

Tsull

I came on this thread thinking you might have seen the Spinners episode....guess it's not been on yet then?

You're in the wrong town my good friend....Friday I saw the Impressions, and coming up I still have Dennis Coffey, Irma Thomas and there's Betty Lavette too. Might be a bit far though - London England. And we've love you for you to be there with us too.

*smile*

**GeeTee(HPK)** · 06-12-2011, 07:46 PM

The Spinners episode of Unsung airs this week.

**theboyfromxtown** · 06-13-2011, 04:37 AM

Thanks Gee Tee

I am hoping you guys will let SDF folk know about it

**tsull1** · 06-13-2011, 02:25 PM

Spinners is tonight! I'm super pumped and anxious to hear Henry's and Bobbie's take on the history of the group. Wish Billy, Pervis, and Phillippe, were around to comment, too. I hope they talk to Thom Bell, John Edwards, and G.C. Cameron, too.

* Yes, I live in the wrong town. Last week I saw a guy wearing a t-shirt that had The Dells, The Whispers, and Tower of Power pictures on it. I asked him where that concert was, he said, "Oakland" and that he's going to another blowout in Cincinnatti soon. I said, "We don't get that around here [[Boise)." He looks at me and says, "You think?" I laughed ... and cried inside.

**theboyfromxtown** · 06-13-2011, 03:04 PM

Tsull1

I'm relying on you for tonight's Spinners show. Hope it's good too

I'm sure your town has its high moments...!

**tsull1** · 06-13-2011, 03:15 PM

Yes, The Spinners show should be great and I'll hopefully find it on the internet as I don't get that station.

My town's high points? Best show I've seen here [[and one of the best I've seen anywhere) was legendary singer Tony Bennett. Of course I'm a huge Tony Bennett fan, so it was a wonderful evening. Mostly bad country music, alternative rock, and heavy metal here. It's pretty torture, to be honest.