Author Archives: Vivrant Thang

“That Girl” Voted Today!

04 Tuesday Nov 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on election experience 2008

myvote

Well the day is finally here. It’s 1:22pm and I’m now at work watching CNN. Still feeling eerily calm about this evening. Not cocky. Just calm. As if this is somehow destined to be. It’s all under control. No worries!

I voted this morning at approximately 9:10am. I had been in line since 7:02. When I arrived, the lines were already snaked out of the school parking lot onto the main street.

If you’re not on Twitter, here is a recap of my experiences once I got in line, including the music I was listening to. Because of course I had my iPOD with me.

Good MORNING. In line by 7:03. Line was snaked all the way out of school parking lot to the road. We’re moving though! Estimate 450+

NP: Stevie Wonder: Overjoyed

Negro pulled up blasting some ig’nant rap. I resisted the urge to yell “Cut that shit off!” We here on ‘potant bidness!

Mayor of city handing out out sample ballots. Mostly black folks on line although I live in pretty diverse area.

Np: Stevie For Your Love. For the love of Obama ya’ll I am standing out here makeupless with some cuties in line 🙂

Having a one woman party in line to Stevie’s Do I Do. Yup, I’m black!

WTH? Only 12 voting machines!!! I live in an area with several large communities. It’s gonna be bananas tonight.

NP: Stevie’s That Girl. As soon as I vote, I will indeed be “that girl.”

Line still about 90 percent black folx. And again, I live in a very diverse area

Just took pic of white woman with a Obama shirt on with a tree and roots. Haven’t seen one like that. Made me smile.

woman_obamashirt2

Little boy in line has shirt on that says “Life is full of important choices.” Smart momma.

It’s really about to be on. NP: Stevie’s Superstition. Funking at it’s best. How bout dem Steelers!

Been in line for 1.5. Estimate another 1 to 1.5 wait.

NP: Stevie’s Visions. I have a vision alright. Of 1/20/09…the end of an ERROR!

I’ll be recording my vote and hope nobody tries to stop me. It’s MY vote.

Why is this woman in here Deadksins geared DOWN to the feather boa? We need WINNING energy up in this camp.

Struggling to keep my eyes on the prize and not on this fine piece of chocolate man candy to the right. Jesus be a shield.

Almost up to table to show identification. Wait time thus far 1:50.

NP: Stevie’s Living For The City

9:04 I’ll be voting in the 2008 presidential election in about 5 min

I voted and recorded whole thing. Start to finish took a little less than 2.5 hours.

It was all worth it. Incredible experience.

And now we wait.

A Change Is Gonna Come

04 Tuesday Nov 2008

Posted by in Soundtrack of My Life

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There were times when I thought I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

My friends, this is it.

I feel very calm at this moment but I know when I wake up in the morning, I’m going to be quite giddy.

I’m so excited to be a part of history. I’m happy that I truly understand the significance of what I’m about to do tomorrow. Vote the first African American in as President of these United States.

This past weekend as I sat getting my hair done, my stylist was telling me how she asked her cousins whether they were going to be voting on Tuesday. They must have received the same miseducation as Joe because they told her “Naw I ain’t doing no voting. Obama got this. I don’t need to vote.”

Thank God I’m educated and knowledgeable about my history enough to say that nothing but death can keep me from those polls tomorrow. I know all of you that are eligible to vote in this country feel the same way. So no need for me to beg you to rock the vote. I’d be preaching to the choir.

For those of you not eligible to vote in this country, we appreciate your support and well wishes in this historic election. Some of you are more invested than many Americans and that means a lot.

I listened to Dorothy Height on the radio this morning reflecting on the significance of this election. She talked about the days that African Americans had to pay a poll tax to vote and about the courageous men and women who paid for our voting rights with their lives. Today, forty plus years later, it pains me to hear all of that being taken for granted. It doesn’t anger me. I just feel sadness. Pity.

Tomorrow, I’ll vote first thing in the morning and follow these rules to a tee. I’m bringing my camera to record the experience. I’m planning on wearing my Obama tee but keeping it covered until I leave. It’s not against the law in Maryland to wear paraphernalia. But I don’t feel like fighting. I’m all about peace tomorrow.

I’m fortunate to get two hours leave from my job to go and vote. However, I already told them I’ll get there when I get there. I’m fortunate to work for an organization that is extremely invested in the outcome so I likely won’t be penalized if I’m later than that.

That evening, I plan to attend a watch party – preferably at a place where I can actually listen to the results and have access to free wifi so I can blog and tweet my reactions. I’m not sure where yet. Most of the parties will be more focused on the social aspect so I may end up at home. I feel the urgent need to have a record of my experiences and thoughts throughout the day.

We also must not forget about the other renaissance taking place tomorrow – the official release day for Q-Tip’s album. If you have not already illegally or legally downloaded, this is a must have for your collection. I won’t be reviewing it because I’m not a hip-hop head like that and I’d rather leave that to the “professionals.” I just don’t feel like I can do it justice.  What I will say is simply that it’s everything I thought it would be – every single song is fire to me. It will be on my top albums of the year list. No question.

The second half of this year has been filled with such good music that it truly gives me hope.

A change is gonna come, indeed.

Patti Labelle covering Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” (wanted an outstanding LIVE version)

Old School Friday: Obama’s “Fight” Song

30 Thursday Oct 2008

Posted by in Soundtrack of My Life

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I decided to do a bit of a different take on the theme for this week, which is “Fight Song For Your Candidate.” What is the song he needs to win; his background music; his call to battle?

I can’t believe we are now four days away from a Black man being the leader of the free world. While I’m excited beyond what I can even express to you here, I can’t help but think of what’s ahead for him. The first Black president digging us out of the deepest ditch this country has ever been in after eight years of Lil Bush’s fuck ups.  I can’t wrap my mind around the sleepless nights ahead as he tries to govern in a world where there are animals already wishing him dead.

There is only one person who is going to get him through this. There’s no way he would be where he is without her. And he will not make it through the first one hundred days without her having his back. Her voice and soothing presence will be his background music – and his fight song in the tough days ahead.

Today, I chose three songs that celebrate their love.

Mariah Carey/Pavarotti, “Hero”

Anita Baker, “You Bring Me Joy”

Curtis Mayfield, “The Makings Of You”

 As I prepare to press publish, a McCain attack ad is playing on the television.  Can someone please press the fast forward button?

Please.

This is a great theme this week. Please visit the other Old School Friday participants for more good theme music for this historic campaign.

Electronic Village | Mrs Grapevine | Quick | Cassandra | Danielle | Lisa C | Chocl8t | Kreative Talk | MarvalusOne | Regina | LaShonda | AJ | Sharon | Invisible Woman | Believer 1964 | Dee |SJP | sHaE-sHae | Thembi

Update: Reviews on 2008 Releases I Must NOW Have

29 Wednesday Oct 2008

Posted by in Album Reviews, In Heavy Rotation

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Since I won’t be able to write formal reviews for all of the albums on my most anticipated list, here are some thoughts on the ones I’ve listened to thus far.

 September 9th

Eric Benet’s Love and Life: I may stand alone in this but this album just didn’t do it for me. Admittedly, I have only listened once. The only song that grabbed me is “You’re the Only One.” I feel that song like I felt his first two albums. Eventually, I’ll get around to taking another listen and maybe I’ll feel differently. For now, I have to give it a FAIL.

Kenny Lattimore’s Timeless: I wrote a full review for this one.

 September 16

Raphael Saadiq’s The Way I See It: Love, love, love this album. Although there are one or two tracks that I skip, overall, it was everything I hoped it would be. I’m strongly considering seeing him on tour along with John Legend. Now that I’ve got the album in hand, it makes me want to see his stage show even more.

September 23

September 30

Jazmine Sullivan’s Fearless: Again, I may stand alone here but this album just didn’t live up to my expectations. I compare all the hype surrounding the release of Fearless to Chrisette Michele’s I Am last year. Chrissy delivered ten times over. Every track on her album was bananas. Jazmine…not so much. Her voice sounds phenomenal but I’m not thrilled with the material.Unlike everybody and their Momma’s Momma, I am not that enamored with “Bust Your Windows.” I expect more from her next time around. Her voice is too great to waste on bad music.

Too lazy to change the graphic. We know that Common’s Universal Mind Control will be released the day after never.

Joe, your tomfoolery does affect my purchase of your album. Hell, I couldn’t even be bothered to bootleg it. Harsh? My tolerance for grown ass men acting ignorant is at negative zero right now. Check with me later.

Ledisi’s It’s Christmas: I have the album but am waiting on the holiday season to give it a first spin. I have a closed door office at work so it will be on repeat loudly throughout December. I’m sure it will work as Scrooge-repellent.

Jennifer Hudson: I put her album on the back burner after hearing so many bad reviews. At this point, I can’t even listen because I couldn’t be objective. I don’t think I could say anything bad about it. I know, doesn’t make sense. Hey, no one ever said I was a real journalist or anything.

Robin Thicke’s Something Else: I loved this album. He didn’t depart much from his signature style but it worked for me. No skips at all.

October 18

Foreign Exchange’s Leave It All Behind: This album is a sure thing to make my list of top albums of 2008. Another album where every single track just blew me away. Often I put it on when I’m leaving work and want to literally leave it all behind. I already have my ticket in hand to see them when they come to DC in a few weeks. I’ll do a longer review then with videos, once I come down from my high that is.

October 21

 

Kindred’s The Arrival: It really hurts my heart to say this but after one listen, I wasn’t feeling the love. I attended a listening party where they appeared to promote the album a few weeks ago and you just gotta love them as a couple. I know that has nothing to do with the music. However, it’s not always easy for me to separate the two (post coming on that later).  I’m hoping that a live performance will make the album grow on me.

 

October 28

 

I did a full review for this one too.

November 4

Q-Tip’s The Renaissance: Let’s just say there are many, many reasons November 4th can’t come fast enough!

The floor is open for comments.

Underrated Female Soul Singer Spotlight: Tamara Wellons

28 Tuesday Oct 2008

Posted by in Underrated Artist Spotlights

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I just love it when I get the opportunity to be a lazy blogger, particularly after the day that I’ve had. A glass of wine and a couple hours of mindless television are calling my name.

Before I left yesterday evening to stalk Phontigallo see Little Brother in concert, I started another spotlight post about Tamara Wellons, an artist I had the opportunity to see live for the first time at the Can A Sista Rock A Mic festival earlier this month. She has long been yet another artist whose music is on the never-ending list I need to give a listen to.

What I appreciate about Tamara is that while she is a teacher, a wife and mother of three, in all the spare time she has left she is actively doing what she loves. She has tangible products of her passion. Members of Procrastinators Anonymous, time’s a wastin.

Anyhow, back to my laziness.

Lucky for me, Butta over at Soul Bounce, has done all the work for me and posted a sampler of Life Is, Tamara’s new album released today on Ocha Records, along with details of the release party tomorrow night in DC. Head on over and take a listen. Fans of soulful house and jazz, this one’s for you!

Here’s a taste of some of the musical delights you can expect to hear at the release party. If you’re not local, these live performances from the album should clear up any doubts you may have as to whether to add this one to your virtual shopping cart.

Let It Go (Track 6)

Corcovado (Track 7)

Oh Well (Track 8 )

Get into this.

Tamara Wellons Official | Tamara Wellons Myspace

Continue supporting underrated artists.

*note: You can see the official album cover over at Soul Bounce. Artsy fartsty me just had to go with the inside album art.