Posting will be very light the remainder of this week as I head out tomorrow to Louisville, KY for Derby. A friend of mine lives there and I told her the only way she was going to get me to visit was for some big event. So here we are. Promises to be a great weekend of parties, barbecues, possible celeb sightings, mint julip after mint julip after martini after whatever he’s buying.
I’m really looking forward to getting the hell out of dodge. I get very restless and I have to take time to get away – more often than most people. I’ve also had a lot on my mind lately – things that I’m wrestling with – so this little bit of debauchary good, clean fun is right on time.
Posting will be light, but not nonexistent. I will be participating in Old School Fridays. Great theme this week so be sure to check me out on Friday.
If you’re new, don’t be a stranger. Take some time to dig around in my crates.
You can also wander on over to my You Tube channel and catch up on some of my musical adventures. You’ll find live performances from The Hip Hop Honors Tour (featuring The Roots, MC Lyte, and Big Daddy Kane), Chrisette Michelle, Bilal (see you Sunday baby!), Little Brother, Eric Roberson, Teedra Moses, Van Hunt, and Jill Scott…to name a few.
When I return, I’ll share some of my recent adventures:
How either my booty or my beauty (still not sure which) scored me a floor level seat to a recent Wizards playoff game. Unfortunately, I had to breathe the same air as Soulja Fool though.
How my stomach is slowly becoming this married man’s “other woman.” Pray for me because if this thing is wrong, I don’t wanna be right!
As National Poetry Month comes to a close, I wanted to celebrate one of my favorite poets, Philly native Ursula Rucker. I was up in Philly a couple of weeks ago and just happened upon the Germantown Poetry Festival. I read about it before I got to town but didn’t think I would be able to make it over there during my short visit. While we were riding aimlessly down the never-ending Germantown Avenue, we ran right into Vernon Park. I thought I would have missed her, but I was right on time.
I don’t remember when I was first discovered Ursula and there’s still so many of her pieces that I’m unfamiliar with. She’s often compared to Nikki Giovanni and Sonya Sanchez, which is probably why I took notice. Not to mention the fact that she’s a cusser just like moi.
She first performed publicly at the Philly institution, Zanzibar Blue (RIP). She’s appeared on three Roots albums, Do You Want More?!?!, Illadelph Halflife, and the classic, Things Fall Apart. She’s also worked with one of my favorite UK soul artists, 4Hero. I love the blending of poetry with hip-hop and soul music. It’s just natural. Can it get any better?
Since I’m more of a prose-loving chick, a poet gots to bring the fire to hold my attention. From the time Ursula opens her mouth, everything about her delivery grabs your attention. She’s talking about real shit, which is the kind of poetry I feel. I wholeheartedly respect literary poets. I just think I od’d in grad school. Wasn’t until I moved to the DC area and started checking out open mikes that I really got into spoken word and gained a deeper appreciation for the art form.
If you’ve never heard Ursula spit, please check out these videos. The raw emotion this woman brings to her pieces is captivating. If you like what you hear, be sure to check out any of her three albums, Supa Sista, Silver or Lead, and Ma’ at Mama.
I have videos from the poetry festival, but some technical difficulties prevent me from posting them. Difficulties that caused me to burst into tears. Sometimes I hate being a woman. Seriously. I considered scrapping this post but I still wanted to celebrate these ill poetic lyricists before the month ended. I will find occasion to post them soon.
What A Woman Must Do, Def Poetry Jam Season 5
Love/Lift Ev’ry Voice And Sing f/ Orrin Evans Trio and Jaguar Wright (for Dr. Martin Luther King)
In addition to Maya Angelou, Nikki, Sonya, and Ntozake Shange, here are some other black female poets I love. Share yours in the comments.
Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today
(second post for today; OSF is below)
I’m sure you’ve all heard by now about the verdict in the Sean Bell case. None of the three officers fill face any prison time for firing fifty rounds,killing murdering Bell just hours before his wedding.
I am beyond disgusted. I’m numb. It’s hard to hold on and believe that a black man will actually be President when we have this kind of shit still happening. Wesley Snipes is going to jail for three years and these mofos get nada.
I know I was pretty harsh in my criticism of Michael Vick and I stand by it. Michael Vick put himself in that situation and all Sean Bell and Amadou Diallo were doing was being black men in America. However, how in the hell can he get a year for fighting animals and these pigs get nothing? Because the value of a black human life means less than an animal. Just because Obama is within a stone’s throw of the nod, don’t get it twisted!
What the hell is going on?
Please send one up for Nicole Bell and her family, especially her babies. The fight is not over.
There’s not much more I can really say about this so I’ll let Marvin do it for me.
Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler…the way they do my life)
Mercy Mercy Me
What’s Going On (INDEED)
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
Ya, what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
by vivrant thang on jill scott: o how i love thee…let me count the ways
We’re only a quarter of the way through the year but I think it’s safe to say that The Real Thing tour featuring Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild and Raheem Devaughn will easily top my list of the best shows I attended in 2008. It’s been almost two months since the show and I still haven’t come down from the Jill Scott experience.
When her tour dates were announced, there was no question that I would be hitting Philly for the show. Whenever possible, I prefer to see an artist perform at home. When I heard Musiq was added to the lineup, it was a done deal.
Raheem opened the show to a bunch of empty seats. They don’t play that CPT at the Licouras Center. No matter. The way Rah worked that stage, you would have thought he was playing at home in a packed DC venue. He was all dressed up in his Easter suit, looking suave and debonair, showing Philly what he was all about. He performed a couple of songs from the first album, The Love Experience (which remains my favorite) and a few from his latest release, Love Behind the Melody. He closed with the sistas anthem, “Woman.” Of course we were all on our feet because we all just know he wrote that song about “you and you and you.”
Mama is so proud of that boy! Up there opening for Jill Scott. What I love about Rah is that I believe no matter how big he gets, he will always stay humble. He wasn’t an overnight success. He paid his dues, unlike many of these fools in the game today. So he is actually grateful for our support. And I’m sure he’s even more thankful to be doing what he loves and making some cheddar! So Rah if you’re listening, all is forgiven for this blasphemy. You go boy!
Musiq was up next. This was my second time seeing him perform live. Not the most exciting performer in the world. I wouldn’t go so far as calling him the musical equivalent of a sedative. I’ll just say that Musiq’s strength will always be in the fact that just listening to his songs makes you feel good. You don’t need him to do much more than stand there and sing. You’re not even really watching him – just reminiscing about dedicating “Just Friends” or “Love” to that special someone.
I did manage to capture a few videos, despite the sign on the doors that said “No recording.” I’ve always been a rebel. So they are a bit janky since this was a covert operation. You might hear some cussin’ in the background too. Deal.
halfcrazy
don’tchange (take a lesson, fellas!)
By the time Jill took the stage in all her mohawked glory, the crowd was on fire. They would have still been on fire had they not been warmed up. This is their girl from the streets of North Philly. Look at her now. Sold out crowds around the globe. Three time Grammy award winner. Movie star. Published poet. Don’t get it twisted. Same old Jill. She’s going to throw on her hat and check out Eric Roberson with her people. No big deal. I do believe she will always be able to make us feel like she was just spitting at the Five Spot the previous night. Before we were asking “Who Is Jill Scott?”
I just couldn’t be bothered with a track list. I was going through too many emotions. Too busy laughing. Too busy crying. Too busy singing. Too busy grooving. Too busy experiencing the REAL thing in stereo.
I ’m more than a toy for your satisfaction
I’m a pay-per-view on the TV screen
Your main attraction
Believe me, Jill. We know.
The Real Thing (snippet)
Gimme
Cross My Mind
As we know, I use “stan” pretty liberally on this blog. What does it truly mean to stan for an artist though? Me and an associate were discussing the shows I’ve been to and the conversation turned to Jill and the current album. She asked if I had heard it. I said of course! I had it the second Best Buy opened on 9/25/07. She asked how I liked it. Like? I LOVED it. She scrunched up her face and said “You liked that mess?” I literally had to restrain myself from slapping her upside her head a la Homey D. Clown. Vivrant don’t play that. No, you cannot have your own opinion about anything when it comes to Jill…around me. That’s just how it is. (Remember that in the comments!)
Ok, let’s just say a particular song on the album wasn’t one of your favorites. By the time that woman is done sannnging the hell out of it live, there’s just no way you don’t take another listen to that song when you get home and fall in love. That’s a true artist. No straight album version with Jill. She’s always going to give you more than you bargained for with the live arrangements.
I wasn’t able to capture what she did with “The Fact Is (I Need You)” because security must have thought I was going to bootleg and shut me down…temporarily. No matter – because I’m not sure I could have even captured it. Jill, backed by male soul singer, V, did a medley of “I Need You” and one of my favorite Atlantic Starr songs “Send For Me.” (What ya’ll know about ‘put a message in a bottle’?!) I literally had chills throughout the whole performance. I really liked that song from Beautifully Human but now I am in love with it because I’m always going to remember that live performance.
Crown Royal (ya’ll know I had to get this – was my #1 song of 2007)
Come See Meeeee
Jill closed the show with “Lyzel in E Flat.” You still have to wonder how a love that would inspire a song like that could end. I think I know. Lyzel has got to be the dumbest negro walking this Earth. Jill’s a class act so she won’t say it publicly but I will. Man up playa! You don’t see Kendu acting a fool. He is right there chilling next to Mary in that Chevrolet with dollar signs in his eyes. I don’t care if we don’t know what went on behind closed doors. Because I’m a stan, I could care less. I know it was all his fault. Good riddance.
After leaving the stage on that note, she came back out to share her wonderful news with us – how the television adaptation of No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, in which she stars, has been picked up by HBO for 13 episodes. She encouraged the crowd to follow their passion and live their dreams. Preach!
While I look forward to seeing more of Jill flexing her acting chops, as she is definitely a natural, I admit I’ll always be feenin for that next album…that next live performance. What can I say? Do you blame me?
Vivrant II would have been at this networking event. Vivrant III would have been home writing my Jill Scott concert review (tomorrow, I promise!). Vivrant I overrode both of them and made her way to a live taping of a new show coming to BETJ called Inside The Round. The featured artist was Lalah Hathaway – daughter of Donny Hathaway – for the few who may not be familiar with her music. Since I only own one greatest hits album, I can’t say I’m a true blue Lalah fan. That may soon change.
After stuffing my face with some tasty Jamaican jerk chicken, coco bread, pineapple soda, and some of the freshest fruit I’ve ever had, I made my way over the the intimate, candlelit set along with some other music-loving ladies I had just met. They took seats in the very front. I’m a more behind-the-scenes type of chick (no, really) so I was a bit uncomfortable being in the front. Michael Gipson of SoulTracks (a site you should be checking out) gave me that gentle push I needed.
Accompanied by a pianist, Lalah took the “stage” and sang three songs: “Something,” “Forever, For Always, For Love,” and “Summertime.” She kept encouraging us to give her more energy, wanting us to sing along and dance. She didn’t get it. I think we were all so mesmerized by her presence and the pure, natural beauty of her voice that all we could go was smile, snap our fingers, and groove. Even in it’s brevity, it was far more than a show. It was an experience. When some artists perform, you can almost see their musical influences sitting on their shoulders talking ’bout “you betta sannnnggg girl!”
I must say I was slightly disappointed because I expected a live performance of some of the tracks from her upcoming June release, Self Portrait. After hearing it playing in the background since I arrived, I was hungry to hear the songs instead of just listening. Lalah fans, you are in for a treat with by this one. Every track I listened to, I felt. She says she’s in love with it…and I am too.
Great event and I was blessed to have been a part of it. I’m not an industry type or a professional music writer. I’m just a woman who has a passion for this thing we call soul music. I “scribble” some words about that love a few times a week. Who knew it would start opening doors in unexpected places? Love what you do…and do what you love people.
I do – and Lalah damn sure does!
Here’s one of my favorite Lalah tracks, “Baby Don’t Cry.”
SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE 
