I didn’t make any personal New Years Resolutions this year. I’ve written year one of the five year plan I mentioned in a previous post. Per the goal setting group rules, there are stiff penalties for noncompliance. So I have my have my hands full on the personal tip!
TGrundy’s comment on a previous post asking whether I intended to take this blog somewhere or whether it was going to take me somewhere really got me thinking. Where am I going to take this thing? Also this post got me thinking I should actually set some goals for this blog for 2008.
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I just simply remember my favorite things
and then I don’t feel so bad.
I’ve been inspired by the good folks over at Soul Bounce, Nova, Butta, and Ill Mami, to put together my own top ten list of songs from 2007. Be sure to check out their lists as well because they know good music.
As I’ve mentioned before, it’s HARD for me to do lists like this. There were so many songs that moved me this past year. However, after some help from the above lists and the Best Albums Roundtable podcast to refresh my memory, I’ve managed to narrow it down.
10. Stop Breaking My Heart – Rahsaan Patterson
I was anxiously awaiting this album and while I didn’t fall in love like I did with his previous three releases, I found myself coming back and grooving to this particular track again and again. Like many of the songs I chose, it was a definite theme song for me in 2007.
He Knew that the president wasn’t addressin’ him
Though dead presidents was addressin’ him Two kids from hot sex no protection and
People don’t see how aids is affectin’ him
Then to mix in Nina Simone and Bilal…can’t get hotter than that.
Listen to Common in a studio session breaking down “Misunderstood”
8. Sex God – Brand New Heavies
I am very ashamed to say that although I had certainly heard of the Heavies before and kept up with their concerts through one of their stans, I just became a convert this past summer. At the Capital Jazzfest, they had hundreds of black folks partying in the cold, pouring rain like they were in Miami on a 80 degree day. I already told you that was one of my top concerts of 2007.
It was hard to choose just one song from their latest release, Get Used to It. There was stiff competition from “Let’s Do It Again.” I first heard a mix of “Sex God” on MN8’s Myspace page with a rap intro and didn’t know it was the Heavies. I couldn’t stop playing it. And you know how I do, the title and lyrics didn’t hurt either!
7. Buju Banton – Driver A
Everytime I hear this song, I’ll remember Jamaica. And oh, what fond memories they are. The Reggae Sumfest crowd who had been at the show since 7pm, went wild when he performed this at about 4am. If you are a reggae lover, it’s hard to sit still on this one. I wish I had been capturing video because this man’s live energy is unbelievable.
6. Mary J. Blige – Til The Morning I have yet to fall in love with Growing Pains, but this particular song, along with one or two others are definitely stand-out tracks. From the first listen, this was the only song I added to my Top Rated on the ‘pod. It’s a straight party track and frankly reminds me of the 90s MJB who put out albums where I just knew I was going to love each and every song.
5. Ledisi – Alright
This song got a sista through some tough times this year.Some mornings on my commute to a job that I’m so over, I throw this on and know it’s going to be alright.I’ve been a Ledisi fan since I saw her perform several years ago on the Capital Jazzfest cruise. Her latest release, Lost and Found, further cements my adoration for her amazing talent.
4. Raheem Devaughn – Woman
I remember seeing Rah perform a year or two before the release of his first album. I hadn’t heard of him and gave him the serious side-eye as he took off his kicks and rolled all over the stage like his last name was Labelle. Today, color me convinced. “Woman” is such a feel good track. On the rare occasion that I turn on the radio and hear some rapper accosting my bleeding ears with the order to “shut up, swallow,” I so need artists like Rah to extol the virtues of “woman” [read; not bitch or hoe, thankuverymuch!]
3. Chrisette Michele – If I Have My Way
I Am was definitely one of my top five favorite albums of 2007. Not to mention what this girl can do live. Again, it was hard to pick just one song. “My Way” faced stiff competition from “Golden,” “Mr. Radio,” and “Let’s Rock,” just to name a few. However, this was another track with lyrics that mirrored a situation that went on in my life in 2007. I actually played this song when I just couldn’t find the words. Now that is good music.
2. Eric Roberson – Pen Just Cries Away
Again, you should already know how I feel about Erro. As a matter of fact, I’ll be seeing him perform twice this week. So many standouts on what I consider his best album yet, Left. I swear he wrote “Pretty Girl” about me. However, this was another song that holds an emotional significance for me. I’ll never be able to listen to it without remembering a certain someone, me and him straight vibing to it at W Ellington Felton’s Tuesday night set. Little did I know months later, I would hear that same song as the relationship came to an end. I still love it just the same though.
1. Jill Scott – Crown Royal
What can I say about this song that hasn’t already been said? What can I write about The Real Thing that hasn’t already been written? I’ll just say that I’ve been fortunate to really feel Jill on this particular track many times over in 2007 and I hope that trend continues in 2008.
Nuff said.
Honorable Mention: Neyo, “You Make Me Better”
I’d love to hear your favorite tracks of 2007.
*hat tip for the BNH graphic to Lauren via Tayari’s Blog
When the dog bites, when the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I just simply remember my favorite things
and then I don’t feel so bad.
2007 has been a fantastic year for me musically. One of my New Years Resolutions was to attend one concert a month – and that’s actually one that I kept!
Don’t have time to peruse those lists? As hard as it was, I chose the top five.
5. Xplosion Dancehall night at Reggae Sumfest – Montego Bay, Jamaica
It was my first trip to Jamaica and I still don’t think I’ve recovered from all the second-hand ganga smoke I ingested or from staying up until 6am with those wild and crazy locals. I loved every minute of it. This particular night featured artists like Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Movado, Lady Saw and Vegas. If you ever make it there, I warn you, it’s not for the faint of heart. They call it “jump-up” night for a reason!
4. Bailey’s Get Together with Jill Scott – Ram’s Head Tavern – Baltimore, MD
Jill is currently on tour promoting The Real Thing and I’ll be attending the show in Philly. However, I was fortunate enough to get a sneak preview at a private show – for FREE! This was a show I would have gladly payed full ticket price for. She preformed practically every song from Real Thing and gave us some of the old as well, including “Lyzel in E Flat.” I swear she sang that song better than she ever has. Gave me chills. I hope you catch Jill when she comes to a venue near you.
Here’s some video of her encore that Lady Butta captured. They actually posted it on Jill’s official website!
3. Bilal – World Cafe Live, Philadelphia
You should already know that I stalk this man up and down the East Coast. I’ve seen him four times this year alone. The Philly show was by far the best of the four. He was home. Of course he was going to show out.
2. Hip Hop Honors Tour featuring Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, and The Roots f/Skillz – Rams Head Live, Baltimore
It’s not often that I do a hip-hop show because well, there are very few rappers these days that I would dig into the bosom account and pay money to see. But THIS show was for those of us who remember letting our tapes rock til our tapes popped. Those of us who know what an MC is. I still knew all the lyrics to every song that MC Lyte and Big Daddy Kane performed. I fell back in love with the “Smooth Operator” that night! Not to mention, it was great to witness the respect that Black Thought and Skillz have for the artistry of hip-hop and those that kicked open the doors for them.
Much more video from this HOT show, including performances from my all time favorite female MC – MC Lyte – on my Youtube channel, starting on page 8
1. Prince performing at Club 3121 in Vegas
I literally almost passed out as soon as he came out on that stage. Now I understand why people used to fall out at those Micheal Jackson shows. The club is simply gorgeous and the atmosphere was electric. Being in that intimate setting in that close proximity to His Purple Royalness….nuff said. There is no experience that could eva surpass this one.
Honorable Mentions:
Capital Jazzfest – Brand New Heavies
Chrisette Michele – Black Cat, Washington DC
Eric Roberson – Eden’s Lounge, Baltimore
So there you have it. As you can see from my concert calendar, it’s on in 2008 as well.
by vivrant thang on all about me and living the single life
You’re my latest
tell you you’re my greatest
my latest, my greatest inspiration
you inspire me
don’t you know it
my latest, my greatest inspiration
you just keep on lifting me up now
At a holiday gathering of fabulous women a couple of weeks ago, the topic turned to men and relationships (huge surprise). The question arose whether it was possible to inspire a man to want to change his ways and do better in all aspects of his life? By being more than a “regular woman,” can you make your man want to be a better man?
Every time I listen to Latest, Greatest Inspiration, tears well up in my eyes. Ya’ll already know it’s one of my top fifty all time favorites. It’s a beautiful song that I want to dance to at my wedding someday.
Not familiar? Like to hear it, here it go.
I would love to think I could inspire a man in the ways that Teddy sangs about. However, I also know from experience that you can’t inspire a man who is not really ready to change or to grow with you.
As you may remember, I was in a relationship that ended about six months ago. One of my fondest memories of our time together was the day we went down to Georgetown waterfront and just strolled along eating ice cream and talking about the future. He laid out an amazingly clear vision for how he saw his life unfolding over the next several years and the role that the woman by his side [read: me] would play in it. I think that’s the day I fell for him. We were committed by the time we left there.
From the time we first met, all he would talk about was wanting to go to grad school. He admired people who had advanced degrees, like myself, and knew that was the next step for him in order to pursue the career that he wanted. He had identified a program and it seemed that all that was left to it was to do it.
His plan was to start in the Fall (it was spring at the time). I went online myself and read all about the program and made note of financial aid deadlines and open houses. I was careful not to nag because hell, that’s not inspirational. But I did remind him that he needed to get his financial aid paperwork filled out and that he might want to go to the upcoming open house to talk with an admissions counselor. He would always agree, but no action. Yet, when he would encounter successful people, he would always muse about how he needed to get into grad school. I reminded him again about the open house and offered to go with him.
Still, no action.
Meantime, I was promoted at my job and my side hustle was picking up. He watched all of this happening.
Still, no action.
In late spring, he told me that he was thinking about starting a t-shirt business on the side. Had the business plan practically written in his head.
Whatchu talkin bout Willis, indeed.
However, I listened as he talked and responded encouragingly. Then I asked how he would have time for that with grad school in the Fall. He said he would work it out. I asked one final time whether he had filled out the application materials. Once again, he gave me the brush-off. Like I said, that was the final time I asked about it.
We’re broken up now over an unrelated incident. At the time it was painful, but now I thank the Lawd for deliverance! I would bet every dollar I have that he hasn’t seen any parts of anybody’s grad school and no amount of inspiration will help. The only thing that will get him there is him getting out of his own way. I feel like I did what I could as a woman whose life is pretty together to encourage him to fulfill the dreams he talked about.
After we broke up, I did briefly wonder whether I could have done more. The answer is a resounding “no.” You can’t change a grown ass person. So from here on in, I’ll save those energies to support a man who is actively on his way to greatness and needs a woman like me to lift him higher.
See you got me you got me doing things I’ve never done before
See you inspire me
Don’t you know I love you girl
You keep on lifting me higher
higher
by vivrant thang on all about me and feeding the music jones
Fireside is blazing bright,
We’re caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me
My apologies for being away so long. I’ve been hanging out at my other spot, blogging about books and literary news. That’s my other passion and I’ve been missing it.
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday but I hadn’t been feeling particularly festive this season. As a matter of fact, I had been feeling quite grinch-like. I didn’t decorate my house this year. I only sent out Christmas cards to those that sent them to me…and even that seemed like a chore. I am just pimping out the Myspace digs. What’s the deal you ask?
It’s been a number of things. However, the main issue is that for the first time that I can remember, I won’t be spending Christmas with my family. So that’s taking some getting used to. Actually, I was feeling decidely sorry for myself until I tried to make an appointment with my hair stylist and she told me that her house burned down to the ground a couple of weeks ago. Everyone made it out safely but her family lost everything…and two weeks before Christmas. I felt horrible for her, but she seems in pretty good spirits. Of course, she is just so glad that everyone made it out safely.
Hearing about that really put things in perspective for me. Here I am on vacation from work until the New Year with plans to attend an NBA game, a play, a concert in Philly and who knows what else. There they are trying to piece their lives back together after losing everything. My shit is really not that bad. I need to focus on the reason for the season and not sweat the small stuff. I may not be with my family, but at least I have a family. I am blessed beyond measure and I better be grateful for it because everything can be taken away in a flash.
So things are looking brighter. You should already know what’s helping. Christmas music! I have a few mixed CDs of all the classic Christmas favorites. I’ve also been feeding the music jones by feasting on some RIBS and stalking my brother in soul, T Grundy. He has been blessing us with the “sounds of the season” all month long. Head on over to his spot and satisfy any mood you’re in.
I want to wish all my readers a joyous holiday season. If you’re feeling grinch-like, remember your blessings and the reason for the season. If that fails, you can always spike your egg nog. Works for me.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 