Park Place - Bed Ballads: The Songs of Paul Tillman Smith (2014)

Paul Tillman Smith the co-founder & artistic director of the Berkeley Juneteenth Festival for twenty two years is a musician who has written & published over 150 songs world wide and is currently the leader of the Park Place Band which has just released a new CD entitled Park Place Presents 'Bed Ballads'. The new CD features songs from Paul's forty years in the music business with vocal performances by Martin Luther, Phyllis Hyman, Lenny Williams, the venerable Freddie Hughes, Donnie Williams from the 4th season of American Idol and his sister Tootie Williams. Also vocals by TMarvin Williams who sings with the Persuaders, Avis Nixon from the Norman Connors camp and local up and comers Michael Cheadle and Chris Fields. In addition the CD has a large variety of special guests many whom are history making musicians who have performed on a magnitude of soulful R&B, Jazz & Pop classics, including horn men Pharoah Sanders, Vincent Lars, from the Toney's, Scott Mayo, from Earth Wind & Fire, the Brecker Brothers and Jon Faddis. Other notables include James Gadson, Mtume, Bobby Lyles, Kev Choice, Wah Wah Watson, David T. Walker & local legends Jeanie Tracy & Bonnie Boyer. Paul, a drummer by profession, who also plays a little piano at nineteen he caught the eye of Jimi Hendrix via his Guru, bassist & percussionist Juma Sultan. Jimi bought Paul a ticket to come to New York but he never caught the plane. The first band he played in out of high school called the Second Coming included legendary Blues and Rock Musician Steve Miller. Paul's music career reads like a who's who of modern Jazz & r&b. His music has won the highest honor in African American Theater, the "Audelco Awards" & album of the year in 2001 in the U.K., blues and soul magazines. His music has been performed by the Boston Pops & at the Black Film Makers Hall of Fame awards. For your listening pleasure the "Bed Ballads" CD is masterfully mixed with a wide range of smooth bedroom songs designed to provide a unique loving environment. The Park Place "Bed Ballads" CD is co-produced by internationally renowned music icon Norman Connor's who needs no introduction, Nelson Braxton of the Braxton Brothers currently on tour with Michael Bolton and also Park Place's new musical director Levi Seacer Jr. who spent 10 years as Prince's bass & guitar player and right hand man helping to run Prince's Paisley Park studio. The 15 songs on the CD are structured to give the listener the maximum soulful experience in being in a loving and sensual place. The Park Place Band includes long-standing bay area musicians individually known and highly skilled. Please go to Chump Change.com to see some of the other Park Place records available for purchase.