Author Archives: Vivrant Thang

My Favorite Things: Underrated Female Soul Singers

25 Tuesday Mar 2008

Posted by in Underrated Artist Spotlights

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Once again, this is not the post I planned for today.  However, this is probably a good way to round out Women’s History Month. Normally, I would give ya’ll some rudimentary collage of pictures and some videos. I just don’t have it in me today.

I am coming down with a case of the nasties and I can tell it’s going to be a bad one if I don’t nip it in the bud. I don’t even know if getting that ‘Tussin down in it is going to work. Ya’ll pray that it does. A sista is on the move. I got a date with Sy Smith tomorrow night and will be up in NYC this weekend enjoying Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. The show has got to go on.

I came up with the idea for this post while riding home today, berating myself for the fleeting thought I had last week that it would be “nice” if I got sick again like I did a couple of years ago when I lost 12lbs in three days.  I couldn’t hold anythingon my stomach, not even water. Folks, be very careful what you let enter your mind.  Lizz Fields’ excellent album, By Day, By Nightwas caressing my ears and I got to thinking about how I wish I could hear more of the soul sistas (and brothers) with true talent on the radio instead of the bs they play fifty eleven times a day.

I don’t have the energy for that rant.

Anyhow, here’s a list of female soul singers that I enjoy. Not an exhaustive list BY ANY MEANS. It’s just what I captured from the ‘pod and my Myspace friends list. I didn’t even go through my cd’s. We would have been here all night!

If you haven’t already, get into these artists. Purchase their albums. Support real music.

Again, this is not the list. It’s my list and it’s not exhaustive, by any means. Please feel free to add your favorite underrated female soul singers in the comments. I am always looking for new inspiration. Look out for more posts using songs from artists like these.

If you want to gain a deeper appreciation for these and other non-mainstream artists, check are some of the sites on my blogroll. They help me stay “woke.”

Music Makes Me Highhh!

23 Sunday Mar 2008

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

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by vivrant thang on let’s rock

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Just a quick post to talk about my musically delicious weekend. Will be very brief because I’m recovering from the strip aerobics class I took on Saturday that had me using muscles I forgot I had. I literally feel like I’ve been thrown down a flight of stairs. Ahhh, feels good.

Friday night, I went to a party held at the Meat Market Gallery. I know. Got the side-eye from me too. More important than the promise of free food and open bar (sponsored by Hennessey), 9th Wonder was going to be on the wheels of steel. You should already know I was in there. He’s not local so when he’s in the area, I try not to miss him!

As usual, he didn’t disappoint. I was pop locking, doing the snake and whopping it out like I didn’t have a care in the world. It was the perfect way to end the week. However, as is typical in DC, I felt like I was one of the museum displays because the fake-bourgeois folk must have forgotten this was the music they grew up on. The most they could manage was the cool head nod. Yes, it was one of “those” parties.

Whateva.

I couldn’t stay still and I was glad I brought along a girlfriend who also knew what time it was. She says she hadn’t danced like that in a minute. I proudly handed her a membership card for the 9th Wonder Stan Association.

I spent a good part of the evening just looking up at him do his thing. He was up in this space above the party so I had a good view. The artistry of DJ’ing has always fascinated me…when he or she is in the zone and really feeling it. Totally different type of head nod.

Don’t know what I’m talking ’bout? Check out DJ YZO of Industry Soul’s ode to the ones who keep your body rocking…and make you forget that you’ve been waiting over an hour for the next act to take the stage (looking at you, Bilal)

I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out some of my favorite female DJs.

I’m crazy for you, Mr DJ. Keep Playin.

Saturday night was the Amp Fiddler, Fertile Ground and Tortured Soul show. I was anticipating this show because while I grew up on house music, being from North Jersey and all, I tend to get all caught up in soul music and forget my roots.

I’ll have a full review and videos coming up in the coming days weeks. This wasn’t a concert. It was an all-out party. I felt like I was back home. I still haven’t come down from the high.  While I thoroughly enjoyed Amp’s set,  Tortured Soul has a sista clearing space on her stan list…as if it isn’t jam packed already. I must see them whenever possible.

Here’s a preview. I couldn’t even get this posted without getting up for a dance break…sore and all.

Play that funky music white boys!

This kind of flava will have Vivrant Thang considering putting a little creme in her coffee.

JKriv, call me! Something about those bass players.

 *photo credit: forever12

My Favorite Things: Female Bloggers

19 Wednesday Mar 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on my favorite things

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This wasn’t my intended post for today. However, my extreme exhaustion dictates that I keep it short. A sista is severely changing her eating habits and working out twice a day to get 20 lbs or so off before summer. It’s. Not. A. Game.

My planned post was about the dude that is trying to take “a long walk” with your girl Vivrant Thang.  I’ve been writing it in my head and it’s longer than I have the energy for tonight. Stay tuned.

Anyhow, since Women’s History Month is rapidly coming to a close (where in the world did March go?), it’s probably better that I do this now before I look up and it’s May and I’m one year older. *cringe*

I’ve mentioned before that I subscribe to well over 200 blogs on various subjects. I thought I’d take the time to highlight some of the female bloggers I read that are not on my blogroll.* I’ve made an attempt at categorizing them so you can get an idea of some of my interests outside of music.

Personal Blogs

The Writerly Life and Passion for Books

News

Personal and Career Development

Gossip

Personal Finance

A Day In The Life of a Young Nonprofit Professional

Politics (and stuff)

Music

  • DJ Diva (she really should be on the blogroll since I loves me a female DJ)

Multiple Writer Blogs with Sistas Making Their Voices Heard

I also must shout out my favorite blogger who in many ways inspired me to get this thing started – and to become a VERY amateur videographer. Her writing talent is unmatched and she shares my immense passion for music. Clutch Magazine knows she’s one to watch. Check out the Queen Bee of Soul Bounce stanning for Eric Roberson…again…and on occasion writing at her own site, It’s Like Butta Baby.

Here’s to all the female bloggers that are holding it down in the blogosphere and keeping us informed and edutained. Hope you find someone here you can get into.

Who are some of your favorite female bloggers? Shout them out in the comments!

 *In case you’re reading this in a feed and can’t see my blogroll, here’s some more of my favorite female bloggers:

Sing If You Want It: Review of Omar, Fertile Ground & Yazarah Show

17 Monday Mar 2008

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

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by vivrant thang on feeding the music jones

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This review is LONG overdue. I attended this show over SuperBowl weekend but some technical difficulties kept me from uploading the video…namely that I have lost 95% of the 150 or so videos I have posted on my You Tube channel. I think I’m still in shock.  Please pray for me.

Seriously.

Moving on.

It’s nothing but a thing for me to hop in the car and hit the road for a good show. My motto is “have good music, will travel.” So when I heard British soul singer Omar was going to be in the States, within driving distance, I was there!

I first experienced Omar in Philly back in 2006. What an introduction to his music! He turned World Cafe Live out with quite a high energy performance. I pledged to collect his music and catch him live whenever I could. Having Fertile Ground on the ticket was icing on the cake. I’ve never seen them perform outside of the DC Metro area.

Another reason I like attending shows outside of DC is because our music venues leave a lot to be desired. Almost every city I’ve traveled to for a show has put the 930 Club and Black Cat to shame. The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh was no exception. It was very spacious with levels of staggered standing/sitting room. There was plenty of floor space in front of the large stage for those that wanted to get up close and personal. DC, you’ve got to do better.

On to the show. This will be briefer than my normal review because I’m cutting the carbs this week and am already meaner than Mister in Color Purple.

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Yazarah (as Purple St James) opened the show. I was a little ambivalent about her performance because the last time I saw her a couple of years ago or so, I was not impressed. Her performance was all over the place. However when she took the stage in Raleigh, looking as classy as she want to be, I knew Miss Yazarah had made some changes. She looked great and sounded even better – particularly on her slower songs.

Blackstar

She gets a little operatic on Same Page

I really like the changes Yazarah has made in her show. She’s grown as an artist since I last saw her and the crowd was very appreciative. She definitely has a new fan here.

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Fertile Ground was up next and they truly turned Raleigh out. I’m not sure how many people had heard of them down there. A couple of years ago, my BFF from Charlotte was in town and attended a show with me. She hadn’t heard of them and became an instant fan. It’s hard not to be mesmerized by the lovely Navasha Daya and the way she performs, bringing the songs to life.

Live in the Light
(Sorry for the sea sickness. I must upgrade my camera to one where I can shake my moneymaker while filming)

On Homage (Yesterday),they took it back to 1997 when it was just Navasha, her husband, James, and the drummer. I’ve never seen James, feel it like this. I don’t think this video truly captured it.

 

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By this time, the crowd was warmed up and more than ready for Omar to take the stage. For those that are late to the party, he’s been in the game for more than 15 years. He counts Stevie Wonder as one of his fans, even getting the 8th Wonder of the World to join him on “Feeling You,” from his 2006 release, Sing If You Want It.

This performance was definitely more low-key than the one in Philly, but he still sounded great.

Here are some of my favorite songs:

Ghana Emotion 

Nothing Like This

It’s So
(my favorite song from Sing If You Want It – as you’ll be able to tell)

Cover of William Devaughn’s
“Be Thankful For What You Got”

Overall,  definitely worth the trip, particularly since Omar’s tour schedule doesn’t bring him back in the States anytime soon.

Speaking of London, how I wish I could just jet over to Jazz Cafe. Some of their upcoming shows are ridiculous. Unfortunately, my musical adventures don’t take me quite that far…yet.

Get into these artists:

Omar
Myspace | Official site

Fertile Ground
Myspace | Official site

Yazarah
Myspace

Daily News

13 Thursday Mar 2008

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones

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by vivrant thang on daily news

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I’m long overdue for a side eye of the week post. I guess you can look at this as a combination of side eye of the week and “makes me wanna holler” as several stories in the news this week either caused my side eye to twitch or depressed the hell out of me.

Coverage of the murder of the UNC Student Body President

Let me be clear. This was a heinous, senseless act and I am disgusted that two young, black males are accused of this crime. If  When they are found guilty, I don’t even want to think about what’s going to happen to them. If they are guilty, they deserve it.

My issue is not a nothing new. I watch the morning news while getting dressed and all I hear all about this case and similar cases like the coed in Alabama. Why do I have to go into the blogosphere to hear about the Lester Street murders? (I can’t even talk about the animal that committed this crime. Ya’ll already know I’d like to see him tortured, dismembered and then fed to a pack of rabid dogs).

phylicia.jpgThe slaughter of these adults and babies was surely one of the most tragic cases Memphis has seen and I had to go digging for information. Surprise – I couldn’t even find a direct link on CNN. However, they have 1000 stories on every aspect of the Chapel Hill case. I bet if I was to search on the Natalee Holloway case, I’d find 2000 posts. If I want to hear updates about Phylicia Moore’s case, again, I have to rely on the black blogosphere. Never mind the fact that she was in Ghana doing mission work and not pissy drunk and sneaking off to screw strangers.

Thank the Lord for new media.

Spitzer Debacle

Along these same lines, I am beyond tired of hearing about the Spitzer case. I am as disgusted by his hypocrital ass as I am at all the others that have come before him and will come after him. (Kwame, I’m looking at you first though because you won’t get the hell on. I don’t know who has a more disillusioned sense of entitlement, you or Hillary.)

Why must I endure all this coverage about the life of his hooker and how hooking is her mission in life? Oh I get it. Sex sells. Nothing will change that. I just am way over this trash thrown in my face in lieu of news that matters. I guess the problem is who it matters to. 

Kansas Woman Sits on Toilet for Two Years

When I saw this story, I literally had to read it a few times to fully comprehend it. Actually, I still can’t and I’m quite disturbed by the whole thing, including the boyfriend’s complicit behavior.

Some people will surely make a joke out of what is no laughing matter. Can you imagine the trauma this woman must have gone through to reach this level of psychosis? It happened in her childhood and she never got help. At this point, I just hope they can convince her to get treatment.

Dallas Woman Throws Kids and Self Off Bridge

0313busby.jpgI haven’t recovered from the horror of the Banita Jacks case and now this. Luckily, God wasn’t ready for them and their lives were spared, although I can’t imagine how the kids will mentally recover.

Yet again, the system has failed. The kids were taken away numerous times. They tried to help her regain control of her life, to no avail. Her family was well aware that she was beyond unfit, psychotic and suicidal. She was still allowed to maintain custody. And she goes and throws them off a freaking bridge into traffic. Do I entirely blame her? It’s hard not to. But the warning signs were there that she was deranged. No one cared about this black girl and her kids. I’ll try to find comfort in the fact that they didn’t end up rotting for months on end.

Mental illness is not a joke.

Geraldine Ferraro Comments

I’m not going to waste my time on her ludicrous comments. Besides, field negro handled it quite nicely. Just another reason for Black folks to tell Hillary what she can do with her “apology.” I’m wondering why she didn’t throw one in for slavery while she was at it. With the state of the housing market and these high ass gas prices, I sure could use that 40 acres and mule right about now.

One in Four Black Girls Has an STD

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I wanted to do a separate post about this because I’m beyond troubled. Not surprised, but disturbed at how times have changed. My condo community shares property with a high school and so I get to see these girls daily. So yea, it’s no shocker.

I think back to my high school days when it was a big deal that so-and-so was “doing it.” I left high school and even made it through my first year of college with my virtue technically intact. Today, sex is par for the course. These girls are “inspired” to be Good Girls Gone Bad. Virginity is a joke. I get that. I don’t believe in preaching abstinence. We are so far beyond that. The cherry is busted and apparently diseased.

We’re talking about HPV as the most prevalent disease they are infected with. Pretty soon, we’re going to be talking more about those other three letters. 70% of new cases were Black women. If we don’t find a way to reach these teens, we’re going to see that age group making up a larger percentage.

When I think about the Little Miss Vivrant Thangs I’ll have someday, I just want to lock them away from this world until they are grown. Likely they would emerge and become raving whores. What’s a child raised by a no-shit-taking baby boomer to do?