Power of Peace

Posted by Stephen Centanni | Aug 9, 2017 | Music Briefs | 0 |

Band: The Isley Brothers
Date: Friday, Aug. 11, 8 p.m.
Venue: Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, 875 Beach Blvd. (Biloxi), www.beaurivage.com
Tickets: $39.95-$69.95, available through Ticketmaster

The Isley Brothers are bringing more than 50 years of funk, soul and rhythm and blues to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This group’s legacy began in 1959 with the immortal party hit “Shout.” As the decades passed, The Isley Brothers successfully evolved with the times. Before the conclusion of the ‘60s, the group’s catalog boasted seven albums along with unforgettable singles such as “Work to Do” and the funk anthem “It’s Your Thing.”

With an album released each year, the ‘70s proved the band’s most prolific decade. Singles such as “Fight the Power” showcased the band’s ability to master the musical trends of the time. By the end of the ‘80s, The Isley Brothers’ studio album momentum slowed greatly. After the millennium passed, band found a new generation of fans through modern soul hits like “Busted.”

The Isley Brothers are touring in support of their latest effort, “Power of Peace,” a collaboration with Carlos Santana. Many might consider “Power of Peace” one of the group’s greatest albums — each song shines with its mix of the Isleys’ old-school funk and soul and Santana’s expert fretboard work.

About The Author

Stephen Centanni

With the exception of two years spent at Auburn University, Steve Centanni has spent his life in Mobile County while focusing on his two passions: music and the written word. As soon as he was issued his driver’s license, Centanni began to explore the local music scene in the early ‘90s. He filled his weekend with visits classic local venues such as the Four Strong Winds Coffee House, Vincent Van Go-Go’s and Culture Shock, all of which welcomed those who had yet to reach 18. After high school, Centanni traded Mobile for Auburn to complete his B.A. in English with an emphasis on general writing. While at Auburn, he had the honor of studying under the Pulitzer-winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who served as the nation’s Poet Laureate in 2012 and 2014. After receiving his diploma, Centanni quickly moved back to Mobile and completed the University of South Alabama’s graduate program with a M.Ed. Eventually, he was tapped by the nationally distributed Volume Entertainment Magazine to serve as the magazine’s managing editor/senior writer. His time with Volume allowed him to exercise his love for both music and writing. As Volume began to fade, Lagniappe recruited Centanni as their Music Writer and later their Music Editor, where he has remained for a little over a decade. As far as his involvement in the local music scene, Centanni organized Cess Fest at the Langan Park, which was a mini-festival focused on original local music in a time when original local music was veritably taboo in Downtown Mobile. For a short time, he brought original music to Downtown Mobile as the in-house promoter for the now deceased venue Cell Block. He managed local underground powerhouse Fry Cook, until the members parted ways. Centanni has lent his bass to bands such as Keychain Pistol and The F’n A-Holes, and he toured nationally as a member of Abstract Artimus & the Torture Children. Currently, he provides vocals for the garage blues rock outfit Johnny No. Ultimately, Centanni’s experience in the local music scene as both a participant and an observer has allowed him to witness the ever-changing persona of Mobile’s enigmatic music scene, which continues to leave him with more questions than answers.