A Guest and a Playlist: Reviewing the October 10 Venus Sings Radio Show

by Reza Corinne Clifton

KINGSTON, RI - On Saturday, October 10, 2009, I had the pleasure of hosting poet, artist, and scholar Indigo Bethea on my biweekly radio show, Venus Sings Radio. Venus Sings Radio is part of Voices of Women - a weekly program produced by four rotating hosts that airs from 9:00 to 11:00 am (EST) on WRIU, 90.3 FM in and around RI and online at www.wriu.org.

While the purpose of Voices of Women is to air music by and about women, the aim of Venus Sings Radio is to dig deeper, with interviews, podcasts, events and coverage from local and international shows, artists and organizations. October 10 was a great example.

Bethea, whose poetry was recently featured here, on VenusSings.com, and on RezaRitesRi.com, divides her work between art and research. By day, Bethea is a cultural anthropologist and college professor, but by night - weekend, and when she likes - she writes poetry, paints, dances and creates. With a book of poetry AND a children's book coming out soon, and a style and voice that builds from and often refers to music and the African Diaspora, the invitaiton was lain, the opportunity seized, and the feedback immense for great on-air conversations and a guest-infused playlist. Check out the tunes we selected below or visit wriu.org to download and listen to an archive of the show (and the last few 15 minutes of the show before).

(Artist, Song, Album)

1. Ayo - Only You - Joyful
2. Gabriella Cilmi - Sweet About Me - Lessons to Be Learned
3. Adele / Crazy for You / 19
4. Etta James / All I Could Do Was Cry / Etta James Rocks the House
5. Corinne Bailey Rae / Since I've Been Loving You / Corinne Bailey Rae, disc 2
6. Leela James / It's a Man's World / Let's Do it
7. Lauryn Hill / So Much Things to Say / Lauryn Hill Unplugged 2.0
8. Melissa Laveaux / "Venus Sings in Spain" Exlusive Interview w. Reza Rites
   
9. Melissa Laveaux / I Want to Be Evil / Camphor and Copper
10. Clara Moreno ft. Carlos Fonseca and Joyce / Sabe Quem / Meu Samba Torto
11. Angelique Kidjo / Sedjedo / Putumayo Presents Acoustic Africa
12. Iyeoka ft. Sweetback / She Doesn't Know Her Beauty, the Remix / DJ Reza Wreckage Mix
13. Indigo on-air (including reading poetry)
    
14. Melissa Laveaux / Scissors / Camphor and Copper
15. Ghislaine ft. Holger Hiller / Hair Piece, the Remix / DJ Reza Wreckage Mix
16. Indigo on-air (including reading poetry)
17. Angelique Kidjo / Djin Djin / Djin Djin
18. Zap Mama / Hello to Mama / Recreation
19. Zuco 103 / Peregrino / Republicafrobeat (vol. 1)
20. Afro Soul Toasting All Stars / Music is the Weapon / Republicafrobeat Vol. 3
21. Indigo on-air (including reading poetry)
    
22. Les Nubian / Embrasse Moi (Deep Mix) / Les Nubians Presents Echoes: Chapter One, Nubian Voyager

Catch you next time.

- Reza Rites