Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com » Delfonics http://idolator.com Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:30:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Randy Cain, R.I.P. http://idolator.com/5211892/randy-cain-r-i-p http://idolator.com/5211892/randy-cain-r-i-p#comments Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:45:00 +0000 Lucas Jensen 5417d1355440c8f3d21bcbf9f06c35d5 Tonight is Quentin Tarantino Night on American Idol, and we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the passing of Delfonics founder Randy Cain (left), considering the Delfonics figured so heavily into the most charming scenes of QT's Jackie Brown. The Delfonics were one of the first Philadelphia soul bands, and the perfect harmonies and dramatic arrangements—courtesy of super-genius instrumentalist Thom Bell—were indicative of the Philadelphia sound to come, if a little lower budget.

More »]]> Tonight is Quentin Tarantino Night on American Idol, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the passing of Delfonics founder Randy Cain (left), considering the Delfonics figured so heavily into the most charming scenes of QT’s Jackie Brown. The Delfonics were one of the first Philadelphia soul bands, and the perfect harmonies and dramatic arrangements—courtesy of super-genius instrumentalist Thom Bell—were indicative of the Philadelphia sound to come, if a little lower budget.



The Delfonics’ first five records or so (all Bell-produced) are pretty impeccable, and yielded Top Ten hits like “La-La Means I Love You” and “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)”, as well as many other R&B hits. Like a lot of classic soul acts, their legacy lived on through sampling of their work, in addition to the support of Mr. Tarantino.

“La-La Means I Love You”: The importance of this song can’t be understated. It was an early codification and legitimization of the Philly sound, and it would establish Thom Bell as a super-producer and architect of a city’s sound.

“Ready Or Not Here I Come(Cant Hide From Love)”: You might remember this one from Missy Elllot’s “Sock It 2 Me” and The Fugees’ “Ready Or Not.”

“I’m Sorry”: This has a solid, emphatic beat.

Cain left the Delfonics in 1971, moving on to help form Blue Magic (though he didn’t play on their fabulous song “Sideshow”) He returned to the Delfonics in 1999.

He was 63.

Randy Cain, 63, one of Delfonics founders [Philly.com]

]]> 2 “American Idol” Gets Whacked By Quentin Tarantino http://idolator.com/5210322/american-idol-gets-whacked-by-quentin-tarantino http://idolator.com/5210322/american-idol-gets-whacked-by-quentin-tarantino#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 06:30:00 +0000 Maura f513fc025a3f27fd15a6aee74290f7fd This week, American Idol goes to the movies, with director Quentin Tarantino sitting in as mentor as the contestants take on the frustratingly vague theme of "songs from film." (Tarantino has actually served as a guest judge on the show in the past, and he's not exactly a pushover, which should be awesome when he deals with Lil Rounds' outsized ego.) The bloodthirsty Tarantino has always had a deft touch when it comes to putting together soundtracks for his own flicks, and part of me kind of hopes that the seven remaining Idol contestants will be restricted to songs that he paired with his body of work over the years. After the jump, it's time to play Fantasy Idol one more time—and hey, the results sound kind of like the hallways of my college dorm!

More »]]> This week, American Idol goes to the movies, with director Quentin Tarantino sitting in as mentor as the contestants take on the frustratingly vague theme of “songs from film.” (Tarantino has actually served as a guest judge on the show in the past, and he’s not exactly a pushover, which should be awesome when he deals with Lil Rounds’ outsized ego.) The bloodthirsty Tarantino has always had a deft touch when it comes to putting together soundtracks for his own flicks, and part of me kind of hopes that the seven remaining Idol contestants will be restricted to songs that he paired with his body of work over the years. After the jump, it’s time to play Fantasy Idol one more time—and hey, the results sound kind of like the hallways of my college dorm!

Kris Allen: “Lonesome Town” (from Pulp Fiction)

Eight million tweens’ hearts, broken by Zac Efron’s merciless mocking of their spending power on Saturday Night Live, would become whole once again.

Anoop Desai: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” (from Kill Bill, Vol. 1)

NB: Don’t emulate Leroy Gómez’s dancing.

Matt Giraud: “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind)” (from Jackie Brown)

It would probably result in a few unfortunate comparisons to New Kids On The Block, but then again, his hats kind of made those a long time coming.

Danny Gokey: “Stuck In The Middle With You” (from Reservoir Dogs)

He may as well go all-in with the cheesiness.

Allison Iraheta: “If Love Is a Red Dress (Hang Me in Rags)” (from Pulp Fiction)

Simon and Kara would likely take this Maria McKee song to task, since they probably are unfamiliar with it, but I think Allison’s rich voice could handle this track well. (As long as she doesn’t freaking smile again.)

Adam Lambert: “Jeepster” (from Death Proof)

Not sure where he’d be able to go after this, but it’s a no-brainer of sorts.

Lil Rounds: “Son Of A Preacher Man” (from Pulp Fiction)

It’s not the most inspired pairing, but what about Lil has been?

And in memoriam of Megan Joy Corkrey…

“Woo Hoo” (from Kill Bill: Vol. 1)

American Idol [Official site]
Earlier: “Vanishing Point” Revs Up The Soul Mobile

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