Author Archives: Vivrant Thang

The Way I See It: Raphael Saadiq Concert Review

19 Friday Sep 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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by vivrant thang on raphael saadiq concert review

I’ve already given you a sneak peek of the show Raphael Saadiq put on in the DC area a couple of weeks ago in support of his third solo album, The Way I See It. I had to come back and drop an actual review and more videos. As I said before, this will easily go down as one of the top five concerts I’ve attended this year. I don’t have to remind you that I’ve been to 27 and counting.

Raphael took the stage in front of a packed house who were eagerly awaiting his arrival. I was just in from Barbados and had to go to work the next day but I was beyond hyped to finally see the sound I’ve been in love with for years live and in stereo. I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing Raphael, Tony Toni Tone, or Lucy Pearl in concert.

I’ll admit, my love affair with Raphael Saadiq didn’t start until the release of the second Tony Toni Tone album, The Revival in 1990 and . By then, I had acquired my little pink boom box and would let my tape rock til my tape popped. It’s virtually impossible to pick a favorite off that one. So many classics.  “Just Me and You” will probably always hold a special place in my heart because of my undying love for “Boyz in the Hood.”

Check out the live performance of “Just Me and You,” and “Ask of You” (his first solo song in 1995 for the Higher Learning soundtrack – damn I’m old). You finally learn what the correct words for the chorus really are. You know you been mumbling some mess for the past eighteen years!

Our relationship was cemented with the next two releases, Sons of Soul and House of Music. Talk about albums full of songs that were often playing on the soundtrack to my life.  I bet you remember just what was going on in your life when “Anniversary” and “It Never Rains In Southern California” were coming though your speakers in 1993. I was a senior in high school and was sure wishing some boy would “pay for the rest of my day!” Victoria sure wouldn’t be no secret! Yup, I was fast back then.

Other hits from the Tonys he performed:

I’m ashamed to admit that I was late to the party when Raphael embarked on a solo career. When he released Instant Vintage in 2002, I was fresh out of graduate school and pretty much brain dead.  When I finally got my hands on it, it was another one in constant rotation. Even today, from the time I press play, I can just let her rip. Not one single song on there I don’t like. Instant vintage indeed.

From his solo albums, he performed:

Check out what I consider one of the highlights of the evening, Skyy, Can You Feel Me.Talk about being “wide open.”

Now four years after the release of Ray Ray, which I only got my hands on in the last year or so, I was excited when I read over at SoulBounce that he was coming back with an ode to the classic soul sounds of the 60s, which I like to call the music our parents grinded to under the red lights at those basement parties. I am a huge fan of the Motown sound…done correctly.

From the first listen of “Love That Girl,” I was caught up in the rapture. I think you’ll feel the same after watching the live performance. I found his look and the choreography to be beautifully authentic. I think the Temps would vote yes.

I think the Chi-Lites might not even mind him borrowing their song title. Check out his live performance “Oh Girl.”

To my delight, he gave us a preview of a few songs from the new album I hadn’t heard before:

As you can see, we got a “top notch” performance from Raphael as well as his super talented background singers and band. He blended in old and new music perfectly. If you watch the videos, you’re surely see (and hear!) that there was never a lull in the crowd’s energy. We were mesmerized from the moment he took the stage.

I just got my hand on The Way I See It last night and am anxiously trying to make room in my schedule to really sit down and spend some time with it in anticipation of trying to bang out one of my first album reviews. I’ve heard mixed results from my Twitter fam. Feel free to speak your mind on the album and his live performance if you’ve been so lucky.

We’re fortunate to have him back in the DC area later this month to celebrate MN8’s 7th Anniversary. I’m sitting this one out unfortunately. I blame him. I’ll be thinking of him while I’m getting tipsy out at the Virginia Wine Festival.

According to his myspace calendar, he will grace Philly, New York, Atlanta, Charlotte and Nashville with his presence over the next few weeks.

You should be there.

Make Me Wanna Holler: My First Experience With The “N” Word

18 Thursday Sep 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on obama phone banking experience and michigan fuckery

 

I had been complaining to my Twitter  fam (where you should be following a sista if you want more updates than you get here!) about how much I was dreading the forced strongly suggested phone banking for Obama that I had to do at my 9-5.

In short, I’d rather stick two needles in each eye.

You know I’m down for the cause.  I’d just strongly prefer to do anything else other than cold calling. It just takes me back to my college days and the one week I survived hawking lawn care services.

*shudders at the memory*

Besides, I know how I am when I am tricked into picking up the phone and a telemarker is on the other end.   Nothing nice.

However, I had to take one for the team and do my part. Bottom line is, Obama will not win this thing without the full support of our folks. Real talk.

So they gassed our heads encouraged us by saying that our target group, Michigan retirees from our organization, had been polite overall,  even when telling us and O Man to kick rocks. 

Okay, good to know.

When I walked in for my shift, first thing I noted was that they had snacks. YES! I grabbed what I needed, sat down and got started. I felt good. Involved. Needed.

I should mention that my schedule was carefully and strategically chosen: 2:30 to 4. I knew it would be hit or miss.

Talked to several answering machines and left bright and sunny messages informing them of our proud support of O Man and telling them they bets to do the same if they want to keep reaping their retirement benefits should join us on Nov 4.

When I did get a live person, if their response was negative, it was in fact done politely. Okay, I can deal with that. There were a few people who told me about how they were personally involved in the campaign. Fantastic! One Detroit man proclaimed, “That’s my man!” Alright now! He’s ours too.

Should have known it was all a dream.

I had a funny feeling before I dialed the number. Gave my short spiel which ended by asking the man if I could count on his support on November 4.

“I wouldn’t vote for that ni99er for nothin!!”

Dial tone.

I’m not naive by any stretch of the imagination so I know people have encountered worse, directly and indirectly. For me personally, I was done. A feeling of overwhelming sadness I just can’t explain immediately washed over me and stayed there until I closed my eyes last night. Call me fortunate, but I guess I’ve been sheltered.

Growing up in the inner city of Jersey City, NJ, spending my formative years in the burbs, attending college in North Carolina, and now residing in the DC Area for the past ten years have fortunately provided me with a “safe haven” from that kind of direct attack. Sure, many a pinch-nosed broad has looked at me cock-eyed, silently asking, “What is this niggra doing in our fine establishment?” I usually just give her the meanest side eye I can muster and keep on stepping. After all, she’s working for me while I’m in that store – if I choose to stay there that is.

Some might say this man was not directly calling me the “n” word but it sure as hell felt like it! And that shit didn’t feel good at all. I wonder how I would have reacted had he stayed on the phone. Of course we’re told not to engage in any hostile conversations. Would I have said eff all that and unleashed the angry black woman on him? Would my occasional passive-aggressive persona taken over? Don’t know.

I guess we may see next week if I decide to give this another try. Apparently, I may run into more of that as we continue trying to reach our members in this important battleground state since I woke up to hear about this on the news this morning.

Not surprising in the least.

How many days of this are left?

Funny thing is, when he wins it will be just the beginning. We have not even begun to see the hell we’re going to catch with a Black man in the White House.

 It will be worth it to look at this all day:

Me, Myself and I

16 Tuesday Sep 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on all about me

This past weekend was one of the best I’ve had in a long time.

Friday evening, I took myself to see Tyler Perry’s new movie, Family That Preys. LOVED. IT. And I’m far from a Tyler Perry fan. This is only the second movie of his that I’ve really enjoyed. (Why Did I Get Married?was the other). So believe me when I say, support this movie. Maybe then we will see less of Madea and her tomfoolery.

Saturday, I went to the Kennedy Center’s Open House, a day of exposure to all the artistic, musical and cultural offerings of this historic institution. It made me smile to see all the families out with their small children who were playing with musical instruments, drawing, and participating in other creative outlets.

 

However, the top item on my agenda was to see Algebra Blessett perform. I’ve been a fan for a while now but I’ve never seen her live. I have her last album, Purpose, and I have to admit I wasn’t feeling it save a couple of songs, “Run and Hide,” and “What Happened.” So I was especially anxious to see her live performance. As I’ve mentioned before, a great stage show can turn me from a fan into a stan.  She did not disappoint. Check out her reggae-flavored version of “Run and Hide,” complete with a side of Bob Marley’s “Waiting In Vain”and Jazmine Sullivan’s “Need U Bad.”

I got my album signed and also took a picture with her. We got that glow like Shonuff and Leroy, huh?!

On the way home, I popped the album back in and sure enough, I gained more appreciation for it. I definitely still have my stand out tracks, mostly on the first half of the album. Algebra will be on my list of artists to support whenever she is in my area.

That same day, I moseyed on over to the Silver Spring Jazz Festival. I was there to finally catch Marcus Johnson Project, one of the premiere jazz acts out of the DC area. I’ve been in the area almost ten years and I have never managed to catch him live. I’ve been sleeping. He had me grooving out there under the stars along with all the other jazz aficionados. Clearly, I’ve been sleeping.

I wasn’t able to get many videos as taping wasn’t “allowed” and I was too mellow to don my undercover operative hat. Here he is covering Floetry’s “Say Yes.” Sax man Marcus Anderson came up from North Carolina to sit in on the set.

Ironically, what made these days so wonderful for me is that the only company I had for the majority of the weekend (other than fellow music fans) was me, myself and I. I was telling my mother that I think I’m beginning to enjoy my own company a bit too much – especially after my solo vacation! I just loved be-bopping down the street at my leisure and doing what I wanted to do in my own time without having to take anyone else into account. 

Although I ended the weekend by joining a fabulous group of women for the first meeting of our new Sunday Brunch/Dinner group, the   still that time spent alone. Although I’m an extrovert, on occasion “me time” is just what the doctor ordered.

*Note: Raphael Saadiq concert review coming up on Wednesday. I know, a date late. coming very soon. I blame football. Meantime, cop The Way I See It, which is in stores TODAY.

I’m Coming Maxie!!!

12 Friday Sep 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Let's Rock: Concert Reviews

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OLD SCHOOL FRIDAY POST BELOW

by vivrant thang on maxwell is coming!

On Saturday, November 15 at the Landmark Theatre in Richmond,  I’ll be fourth row center, gasping and swooning as this man reminds me why I’ve been in love since I pressed play on Urban Hang Suite twelve years ago.  Why I still hold on even after seven whole years…and not a word from you.

If he flicks his sweat into the crowd, ya’ll pray some of it falls on me. Even though I’ll likely flatline and need medical attention.

Can’t forget that Jazmine Sullivan will be opening – which is the cherry on top. I should have spent considerable time with her album by then and will be excited to get a first live look at what she’s working with. You all know that’s how I measure whether I pump it or dump it. Whether I’m a stan or a lightweight fan. It’s all about how I feel when I’m watching this person perform inches away from me.

As always, I’ll do my best to bring my loyal readers and subscribers to the channel anything I can. It will likely truly be a labor of love and a test of my fortitude and slickery. Yes, slickery.

Tickets ain’t no joke so I’m sure many will have to pass on this show. I sacrifice and peanut butter and dine on peanut butter and jelly and Ramen noodles just for ya’ll.

Have a great weekend. I know mine is off to a great start.

*skips away from the computer*

PS I know he no longer looks like this but…I just want to hold on a little longer. Don’t judge me.

Old School Friday: Girl Groups

12 Friday Sep 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on old school friday

Party people! I hope everyone has had a great week. Mine has been mostly sweet with a touch of sour but I roll with the punches.

This week’s OSF theme is Girl Groups. This was a rough one to narrow down! As I anxiously await Tuesday when Raphael Saadiq’s The Way I See Itdrops, I thought about giving ya’ll some Motown sounds. Maybe some Marvalettes, Supremes, or Martha Reeves and The Vandellas.

Then I thought that since I’ve been in a sassy mood this week I should drop some Klymaxx, “The Men All Pause.” and “Meeting In the Ladies Room.” I play “The Men All Pause” is mood music when I’m headed out on a Saturday night.

However, as I’ve mentioned, the 90s is my favorite decade in music in part because of the proliferation of girl groups. So many to choose from: Jade, Changing Faces, 702, En Vogue, XScape, Total, Blaque, and two of the best selling female groups of all time: TLC and SWV.

And then there was Zhane.

Should be no need to introduce you to Zhane.  For the one or two…

When I tell you I let my tape rock til my tape popped, I’m not exaggerating. My freshman year of college as I was getting over an unrequited love, I estimate Pronounced Jah-nay got about 8,873 spins and Mary’s My Life twice that (but that’s another post).

They also won a hard fought spot on my Top Fifity Songs list. It wasn’t easy to choose just one from that album.

Sweet Taste of Love

“Love Me Today,”  “Everything Happens For A Reason,”  “Off My Mind,” and “La La La,” are my other favorites from that album.  I guess I’ve covered the whole thing! These songs still bring back some very deep emotions even fourteen years later. That’s real music.

However, I got to end it with their first hit, “Hey Mr. DJ,” the ultimate party starter. I dedicate this one on the “request line” to DJ YZO of Industry Soul.You’re the greatest mannnnnn!

Where are they now?

Both Jean Baylor and Renee Neufville are both enjoying solo careers.

Jean’s album Testimony: My Life Story is available for download on her website. I think I am going to cop that!

Renee performs with Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor. Check out her You Tube channel for some outstanding live performances. and Check out some of her new music that will presumably be on her album, Sovereign whenever it’s released. I will get my hands on that as well. She sounds great with RH Factor.

Party is not over. Be sure to visit the other OSF participants.

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