Soul! EP 5
Soul! EP 5
Loretta Long provides opening bumper, announces guests, tells the viewing audience to "stay tuned." Spanse of black followed by funky "Soul!" opening credit montage, audio of Reuben Phillips Orchestra performing big band instrumental. Loretta Long introduces "Soul!" producer Ellis Haizlip. Mr. Haizlip welcomes the audience, warns them that this is their first live broadcast so "Bear with us" ; introduces Barbara Ann Teer & Loretta Long.
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip says this episode deals with "black radical theater"; Mr. Haizlip introduces singer Marion Williams. Marion Williams performs "One God." Gospel spiritual with piano accompaniment. Excellent performance.
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip, Loretta Long, and dramatist Barbara Ann Teer interview Russell Pitchford of The Last Poets. Russell Pitchford (Olumide) discusses the East Wind "cultural center" at 23 E. 125th St in Harlem. Mr. Pitchford says The Last Poets are trying to bring their act to the people by performing wherever they can; mentions that The Last Poets have an upcoming gig at East Wind with Sun Ra Arkestra. Ellis Haizlip introduces The Last Poets. Fade out.
Soul! EP 5
FOR FULL PERFORMANCE WITH AUDIO, PLEASE CONTACT WPA. The Last Poets (David Nelson, Gylan Kain, Abiodun Oyewole, percussionist Nilija) perform "Black Woman."
Soul! EP 5
FI MS several African-American adults seated in studio audience, applauding; pan left to Ellis Haizlip, Loretta Long, dramatist Barbara Ann Teer, and Russell Pitchford of The Last Poets talking about The Last Poets. Barbara Ann Teer says that listening to the Last Poets is a "religious experience" ; "There is a new breed of black man now." Russell Pitchford says black people are all about rhythms; The Last Poets capitalize on this & creatively channel it with progressive social & political movements. "We are going to get this together; we're going to put this out for our people to feed them in their struggle."
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip, dramatist Barbara Ann Teer, Loretta Long, & Russell Pitchford of the Last Poets continue to discuss The Last Poets. Barbara Ann Teer says the work of The Last Poets is tremendously relevant to black culture, especially since traditional theater had become so stagnant. Russell Pitchford says "Every black person has poetry inside them. It's merely a matter of technique & mechanics to get it to a level where they can express to a mass of people." Loretta Long wonders aloud if black society can support groups such as The Last Poets; Mr. Pitchford replies, "It's not b/c our people aren't geared to going places, it's that black people haven't found any places that are relevant to go. You see, they went to a play & the play was about some old Europeans doing something that didn't mean anything to them."
Soul! EP 5
Russell Pitchford of The Last Poets introduces the performing members of The Last Poets: Gylan Kain; Abiodun Oyewole (Charles Davis); David Nelson; Nilija. Russell Pitchford and Ellis Haizlip introduce the next Last Poets piece as "Die Nigger" when they are in fact to perform "Waking Warlands." Oops. "The first goof on live television," Mr. Haizlip says smilingly. The Last Poets perform "Waking Warlands." Performance poetry, black theater.
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip thanks The Last Poets. Ellis Haizlip & Loretta Long talk briefly with dramatist Barbara Ann Teer. Ms. Teer chats about her cooperative workshop with East Wind (The Last Poets) in Harlem. Loretta Long introduces Duke & Leonard. Duke and Leonard perform the R&B hit "Just Do the Best You Can." R&B soul music.
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip and Loretta Long talk with dramatist Barbara Ann Teer. Ms. Teer talks about her experience with black theater workshops in the early 1960s. Ms. Teer says theater is not servicing the needs of the black community. "White people can't stand to be left out of anything." (Loretta Long rolls her eyes & shifts in her seat at the note of this statement.) Barbara Ann Teer believes theater performers should be singers, writers, dancers, & actors (an all-encompassing talent). Ms. Teer quotes Sun Ra. Ms. Teer says, "We cannot work in a white medium. Black techniques are something completely & totally different. The whole method of acting that this country is built on... does not service our needs. So what I'm doing is trying to develop black techniques."
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip introduces Duke & Leonard. Duke and Leonard perform "You Have Lost Your Soul." R&B soul music. At outset, MS several African-American adults seated in audience, applauding-- note the row of awkward-looking white adults sitting behind them; pan left to Ellis Haizlip assuring Duke & Leonard that he had neckbones & collared greens (referring to a line in the refrain) last night, so he still has a little soul left in him.
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip introduces drama critic Clayton Riley. Mr. Haizlip, Barbara Ann Teer, and Loretta Long talk with Clayton Riley. Mr. Riley discusses his review of "For Love of Ivy" (1968 film featuring Sidney Poitier); comments made by Ms. Teer during her interview segment; the relevancy of The Last Poets. Clayton Riley talks briefly about the IS 201 conference. Mr. Riley & Ms. Teer talk disparagingly of the TV show "Julia."
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip introduces The Last Poets. The Last Poets (David Nelson, Gylan Kain, Abiodun Oyewole, Nilija) perform "Die, Nigger." Angry, biting performance poetry, black theater. Excellent, stunning performance. At outset, FO/FI MS studio audience clapping, pan to Ellis Haizlip, Clayton Riley, Barbara Ann Teer, and Loretta Long applauding enthusiastically. Ellis Haizlip thanks The Last Poets, asks the audience to give them one more round of applause.
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip introduces singer Marion Williams. Marion Williams performs the jazz ballad synonymous w/ Lady Day, "God Bless the Child." Piano accompaniment. Ms. Williams had such a glorious voice. Excellent performance.
Soul! EP 5
Ellis Haizlip interviews briefly singer Marion Williams (family, hometown, recording schedule). Ellis Haizlip closes show, thanks guests, introduces Marion Williams. Marion Williams performs "How I Got Over." Uptempo gospel w/ piano accompaniment. Credits roll at outset.