Category Archives: Feeding The Music Jones

You Should Be Here: Stevie Wonder Is Taking Songs In The Key of Life Show on Tour!

11 Thursday Sep 2014

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*taps mic*

Is this thing on?

My last drive-by post was about Stevie Wonder. So why not keep the party going. After all, this is a blog named for one of the most classic albums ever created!

Last December, I flew to LA for Stevie’s annual House of Toys concert, where he performed Songs in the Key of Life in its entirety for the first time ever. Nothing but death would keep me from it.

I intended to blog about it and all that good stuff. But I did the next best thing. I Instagramed the hell out of it.

I donned my finest, most-treasured jewels

and headed over to Nokia Live Theatre for one of the most special musical experiences of my entire life. It was an honor to be there and not one moment went by the entire show that I didn’t feel blessed beyond measure. 

I won’t review the show almost a year later. You can read about it here.

From the beginning, I knew Stevie would take this show on the road. So today’s announcement came as no surprise. Music lovers in 11 cities across the country will get to experience what we all did that December night—three hours of complete musical bliss. Yours truly intends to be in the house again. This will make three times that i’ve seen Stevie live. It still doesn’t seem like it’s enough.

Check out the lineup. This one is worth traveling for if it’s not coming to your local music arena. I’m considering going in DC and Philly.

November 6 – New York, NY at Madison Square Garden (On Sale: September 22, 10am EST)
November 9 – Washington, DC at Verizon Center (On Sale: September 29, 10am EST)
November 11 – Boston, MA at TD Garden (On Sale September 22, 10am EST)
November 14 – Chicago, IL at United Center (On Sale September 22, 10am EST)
November 16 – Philadelphia, PA at Wells Fargo Center (On Sale September 22, 10am EST)
November 20 – Auburn Hills, MI at The Palace of Auburn Hills (On Sale September 22, 10am EST)
November 22 – Atlanta, GA at Philips Arena (On Sale September 22, 10am EST)
November 25 – Toronto, ON at Air Canada Centre (On Sale September 22, 10am EST)
November 29 – Las Vegas, NV at MGM Grand Garden Arena (On Sale September 29, 10am PDT)
December 3 – Seattle, WA at Key Arena (On Sale September 22, 10am PDT)
December 5 – Oakland, CA at Oracle Arena (On Sale September 29, 10am PDT)

Purchase tickets to the shows here.

There are pre-sales for those that must be front and center. Tickets go on sale for Citicard holders on September 16th through Citi Private Pass. There’s also a Facebook Fan pre-sale sponsored by LiveNation. The code is KEY.

Do YOU plan to be front and center at this show?

Here’s a sneak peak of what I hope goes down in your city: 

Check out India Arie, who joined Stevie on a couple songs, getting down with the get down!

We came to partay!

 

 

A Song For Trayvon

14 Sunday Jul 2013

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As I sit here 24 hours after the verdict was read, I remain in a state of depression, disappointment, disillusionment, disgust and every other “d” word you can think of — except for denial. It’s quite clear, yet again, that the lives of our black boys (hell, black people period) continue to be worth nothing. How does it feel to be a problem?

I’m going to stop here because I am absolutely not a cultural critic or an academic and I prefer to stay in my lane. I know a little bit about music. I know that it can help heal. Although right now, it seriously feels like nothing, not even putting it in God’s hands is enough. That’s coming from someone who is deeply spiritual. It’s becoming quite clear that this was not a case the prosecution cared to win since it appears they are quite capable of winning the cases they WANT to win.

We’ve got to act and I’m proud to see so many people coming together across the country peaceably to help each other process this and figure out how to continue supporting Trayvon Martin’s family as the fight continues and also the families of those being murdered in Chicago and all across the country.

This playlist, “A Song for Trayvon, is dedicated to Lester Chambers, a black musician who was assaulted on stage while trying to sing a song for Trayvon. The jury was still deliberating when the animal attacked. And WE are the problem. Mercy, mercy me.

Flava In My Ear: Best Soul Albums Of 2013 (So Far!)

29 Saturday Jun 2013

Posted by in Best Of Lists, Feeding The Music Jones

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top_albums_2013We’re halfway through a year that has gone by quicker than the speed of light. 2013 has been the worst with regards to my personal life and also as a citizen of these here good ole United States.

When I’ve been at my lowest point, sometimes the only thing left to do is get lost in the music. These are some of the albums that have been in constant rotation and thus earned a place on my Best of 2013 list. I’m curating the albums using my favorite social media tool, Pinterest, where I’ve just created a new home for the blog. If you’re a fan, be sure to follow me as I develop more boards daily.

I’m particularly excited about the discovery of Laura Mvula, yet another songstress from overseas that you should add to your playlists. You’ve already seen what she can do. Her debut album, Sing To The Moon, was released this Spring and I’ve seen nothing but praise for the striking musician’s (trained) vocals and live performance. This album touches my soul. I’m listening to it as I write this post. I’ve seen comparisons to Nina Simone and Lizz Wright and I concur with both. She’s something special. This album will bless you.

You already know how excited I was about another special British artist’s return and boy did he deliver! I took Omar’s album, The Man, on my birthday trip and made the mistake of listening to it at the spa. Not conducive to relaxation at all. When he brings his tour to the DC area, we are going to be working up a black sweat!

Check out these albums and add them to your collection. I wouldn’t steer you wrong! You may see some of your faves missing from the list. Feel free to share them in the comments. I still have a small backlog so you may see some updates to the list.

We have lots of great music to look forward to in the later half of 2013 as well. Are you on pins and needles like I am waiting to hear the new projects from Janelle Monae, Amel Larrieux, and Gregory Porter? Been a LONG time coming for the ladies!

Bucket List: Attend The Cheltenham Jazz Festival

11 Saturday May 2013

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At least ten times a day, I question why I wasn’t born independently wealthy so I can spend my days jet setting around the world attending and covering musical festivals. Until the day I make it to some of the music festivals of my dreams, I will have to enjoy the performances courtesy of Youtube.

I hadn’t heard of the UK’s Cheltenham Jazz Fest before discovering these intimate performances by three of my favorite recent music discoveries: Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas and Gregory Porter. I have yet to see Laura live but will likely see Lianne in a couple of weeks. I was blessed to see Gregory briefly at Capital Jazz Fest here in May. My time with him was brief but I was completely enthralled. Although I was watching him on a screen on a whole other stage, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He is a magical performer with a stage presence that will have you caught up in the rapture of him.

Get into these performances and add this festival to your bucket list as well!

Gregory Porter, “No More Dying”

Lianne La Havas, “Tease Me”

Laura Mvula, “Father, Father”

Connect with these artists via their websites and social media to stay updated on their upcoming projects and shows. Spread the word about good music!

Gregory Porter [ Facebook | Twitter ]

Lianne La Havas [ Facebook | Twitter ]

Laura Mvula [ Facebook | Twitter ]

Music News: Get Ready for Black Radio Part Deux

01 Monday Apr 2013

Posted by in Feeding The Music Jones, Music News, Upcoming Album Releases

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Two months before the release of Robert Glasper’s Grammy award-winning album, Black Radio, I saw the track listing and declared it a winner.

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Before I proceed, if you don’t have this album or have never heard of Robert Glasper (actually put someone on the other day who hadn’t), please get familiar post-haste.  He is one of the premier artists redefining jazz right now. Black Radio is simply a phenomenal album blending jazz, hip-hop and R&B fluidly. On vocals, you have some of the best voices of our time: Lalah Hathaway, Meshell Ndegeocello, Erykah Badu, Ledisi, Bilal, and Stokely (of Mint Condition).

If you didn’t think it could get any better than that, Eric Roberson shared this today on Facebook:

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This is the possible collaboration list for part two of the album, Black Radio II. This go round, in addition to frequent collaborator Bilal, looks like we may hear the likes of Faith, Jill Scott, Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Dwele,  Common, Eric Roberson, and Anthony Hamilton over the smooth sounds of Robert and the band. I was a bit surprised to see “R Kelz” on the list but regardless of how some may still feel about him, it’s sure to be a dope track.

If you’re not hype yet, these tweets might just do it for you:

 

 

 

I am already stoked about this project and have already declared it worthy of another Grammy nod before even hearing the first note. As soon as I get more info on a release date, I’ll likely tweet it first so connect with me there!