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From David Nathan, The British Ambassador Of Soul
Sending soulful greetings to one and all!
As the author of “The Soulful Divas,” I am thrilled to share that, for the first time, the original 1999 now out-of-print book is being made available in its entirety as a digital download!
Through the years, I’ve received many kind comments about the book, in particular from the ardent music lovers of the work of artists such as Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker and Janet Jackson among the 17 women who are among the pioneers of R&B and soul music.
With a foreword by the late Luther Vandross, “The Soulful Divas” is a must-buy, written in honour of and with deep appreciation for the women who have made such a major contribution to the world of music globally.
The initial offering is at a discounted price and for a limited time we’ve included a very special gift, my audio version of the chapter on the late Phyllis Hyman.
With respect, appreciation and gratitude,
Soulfully,
David Nathan
SOME REVIEWS FROM AMAZON…
David Nathan's life changed as an English teenager in the '60s. The agent of that shift? Records by black American singers such as Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, and Nina Simone. Soon he was the head of Simone's British fan club, and in short order, became a journalist with growing access to his heroines. Over the ensuing years, Amazon.com and Billboard contributor Nathan has had Franklin bake him a peach cobbler, stood under the thrown shade of everyone from Esther Phillips to Anita Baker, and even had Miss Ross ask him to call her "Diana." The Soulful Divas captures Nathan's obsession with his favorites, providing two-layered narratives that meld career rundowns with interviews and other personal meetings with his subjects. Most of the 14 single-artist chapters are successful portraits, with the exception of Nathan's profile of Natalie Cole, whose drug problems and career resurrection in the shade of her late father are little more than the stuff of a legend-in-her-own-mind. A dearth of material weakens a closing chapter on young divas Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, and Toni Braxton. But Nathan also provides many invaluable, eye-opening moments, such as the story of a baseball-bat-wielding Phillips threatening to smash up the offices of a record company slow to pay royalties. Finally, he fills out the received wisdom on "X-rated" Millie Jackson, who says, "When I'm home, it's crossword puzzles, television, and the kids." Kids who no doubt, like Nathan, picked up their share of tips on life and love from Jackson and her sisters. --Rickey Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review
I love this book and the Divas that are featured in it. Its a must have for the cover alone! I love displaying it on my coffee table, as a conversational piece. The cover is a work of art in a Diva's World...lol. Diva G.
5.0 out of 5 stars - They these true talented divas RULE the world
This is a great book. It was written by a true fan of r&b divas and he's an insider. He's written in r&b magazines & liner notes for top singers during that era. He has everyone from Esther Phillip, Chaka Kahn, Gladys Knight, Whitney Houston & Dionne Warwick & Diana Ross.
5.0 out of 5 stars DIVAS GALORE!!
This was long overdue. Kudus to David Nathan for a job well done. I am especially grateful to have read the sections on the deceased, Phyllis Hyman and the legendary siren, Dionne Warwick (my all time favorite vocalists).
5.0 out of 5 stars 'Could be subtitled "The Lord of the sing(-ers)"
David Nathan KNOWS his R & B. For close to four decades, the book's author has been a contributor, in some way or another, to the production of over 500 albums of soul music. He has done countless interviews, provided liner notes for recordings, served as producer on several, and even done a little background singing. It is obvious that if anyone knows what a "diva" truly is, David Nathan is that man.
"The Soulful Divas" covers the recording careers of the ladies profiled with little snippets of their non-professional beginnings, as well as individual highs and lows. However, it's these little "peeks" into the artists' characters that make the book such a fascinating read.
Not meaning to reveal much of the text, there are many little known facts reported in each profile. Each of the women has experienced her share of failed romantic relationships, legal battles with recording companies, perceived public opinions, peaks and valleys in album sales, and personal tragedies.
Most tragic of all showcased within the pages of the expose is the late Phyllis Hyman, a diva in every sense of the word. Like Nathan, I am a fan of hers, also, and her untimely demise still brings a lump in my throat.
But, the chapter on Millie Jackson is a welcome find. Jackson is the only diva profiled that is not represented in my musical library, save for a duet album with Isaac Hayes. However, after reading about the singer's body of work, as well as her down-to-earth and honest demeanor, I think that this is about to change.
I am curious about a certain "expletive deleted" symphony that she composed.
Note for the author: The next time around, include Patti Austin in volume two.
For a limited time only, a free bonus gift of the audio version of the Phyllis Hyman chapter "Old Friend" by David Nathan.
First edition published February 15, 1999 by Billboard Books.
Digital edition (c) David Nathan / Blue Butterfly Entertainment Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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