Forever, For Always, For Lalah

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by vivrant thang on lalah hathaway

I really need to be cloned.

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.”

Remembering Luther

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by vivrant thang on luther vandross

Today would have been Luther’s 57th birthday. I really miss that man. I grew up on his music. As the child of a baby boomer, I had no choice!

I vividly remember that day in July when he passed. I was on my way to the mall and heard the news on the radio. For some reason I didn’t have my cell so I pulled off the road to call my mother. She was practically in tears. We attended the Essence Music Festival a few days later, which he always closed out. They had quickly pulled together a moving tribute, in which Gerald Levert took part.

TOO. SOON.

I was in Philly this weekend for the Steve Harvey/Mo’Nique comedy show and had a chance to hear Danny Clay perform – a man who many swear is Luther reincarnated. Normally that would get the major side-eye from me. [thanks SB!]

However, this man here could be the truth. Danny is a former inmate that called into Steve’s morning show and just started singing. Steve told him to hold on and the rest is history. He’s taken Danny under his wing and now he’s opening for him on his “Still Trippin” tour. Luther’s mother also heard him sing before she passed and gave him her stamp of approval.

In my opinion, there will neva eva eva – in this lifetime or the next – be another Luther. His voice just can’t be duplicated. I will say that Danny definitely comes the closest I’ve ever heard. I would book him to sing Here and Now at my wedding. 🙂 I look forward to his original songs because his voice is indeed – so amazing.

Let’s celebrate Luther today. Here are me and The First Lady’s favorites. What are yours?

*update: Head on over to DJ Diva’s spot and cop her hot Luther mixes: Slow Jams and Fast Mix.

Superstar/Until You Come Back To Me (Superstar -originally Delaney/Bonnie and Until – Stevie Wonder classic)
(STILL trying to recover from the massacre at Little Ursher)

A House Is Not A Home (gives me chills- if you only watch one, this is it!)
note: originally sung by Dionne Warwick, who is in the audience and is understandably moved to tears)

Love Won’t Let Me Wait
(remake of Major Harris classic)

Anyone Who Had A Heart (remake of 1963 Dionne Warwick classic)
(highlight of the So Amazing All Star Tribute album is the duet with Luther and Elton John)

Wait For Love
(this song has got me through some rough times!)

Old School Friday: Perfect Combination

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by vivrant thang on old school friday

It’s another Old School Friday and they left a sista to her own devices this week. We were told to “do whatcha like!” I decided to go with a theme of “perfect combinations” – a few of the ultimate artist collaborations.

This is by NO means a complete list.  It’s just a few songs that are inspired in part by my Top Songs list and by what’s been playing on the ‘pod this week. I took a few liberties with the rules as a couple of the songs are a couple years past 1993. I’d still argue that they are classics.

Let me know what you think of my choices in the comments.

What are some of your favorite old school perfect combinations?

Perfect Combination, Stacy Lattisaw & Johnny Gill, 1984
(Ahh…remember the time before Johnny was telling ‘Donkey’ to put on his red dresssss)

Secret Garden, Quincy Jones f/Barry White, James Ingram, Al B. Sure, El Debarge, 1989(Sho you’re right!)

Nothing Ever Felt Like This, Rachelle Farrell & Will Downing, 1994

You’re All I Need, Meth and Mary, 1995
(Shawwwttyyy I’m there for you anytime you need me…sigh, whatever happened to black love?) 🙂

Nothing Even Matters, Lauryn Hill & D’Angelo, 1998
(Ya’ll still matter to us…get your minds right and give us more music!)

Honorable Mention:To get ya’ll ready for my Jill Scott concert review post (with video!) on Monday, I had to drop this one on you. This is when folks were still asking, “Who Is Jill Scott?”

You Got Me, The Roots f/Jilly from Philly, 1999

Here are a links to the other participants in Old School Fridays. Be sure to check them out. Great trips down memory lane:

Brick House

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by vivrant thang on daily news

She’s a brick house
Mighty mighty, just lettin’ it all hang out
She’s a brick house
The lady’s stacked and that’s a fact,
ain’t holding nothing back.

She’s a brick house
She’s the one, the only one,
who’s built like a amazon

By now I’m sure you’ve seen the latest bikini picture of packing and stacking Serena Williams taken on a Miami beach.  TMZ was so kind to post it with the usual snarky commentary they’ve become famous for.

There isn’t a tennis court big enough to contain Serena Williams’, er, talent! Paging Sir Mix-a-Lot! Serena took her booty out for a stroll in Miami on Thursday — and no injuries were reported.

Nice? You ain’t seen nothing yet. Check out the comments.

She sees herself as a model and fashion designer and thinks she looks fantastic. Another 15 years of trips to KFC should see her truly “blossom” into a frequent flyer that has to pay for 3 seats. 

Now what tiny white girl is going to be able to compete with this monster?….Maybe Black women are not equal to white women—they are built stronger and bigger, and if so, this must be accounted for. So much for equal rights. (WTF? —VT)

 She’s a fat pig, simple as that. That body is gross…. And that booty? Fatty, fat, fat, fat. If it were firm and muscular it wouldn’t look like a stuffed sausage in that too small bikini bottom. (I wonder if it just snapped in two under the strain?) …All you people saying we’re jealous and she’s got a great body need to get yourselves to an eye doctor quick, ‘cuz that chick is a straight up whale. She needs to get herself to Lane Bryant and buy a modest one piece that actually FITS. She should get a sarong while she’s at it. People pay a lot of money to vacation at Miami Beach and they shouldn’t have to look at that butt. (And she didn’t? -VT)

This girl is most definetly on steroids AND Human Growth Hormones. There is no way in hell that she isn’t. If she is passing tests, I would suggest testing her everyday for a month. Then the truth would come out. C’mon look at her, it’s insane. 

THAT’S ONE FREAKIN’ FAT GODDAMN ASS. I WONDER HOW MANY TENNIS BALLS ARE ACTULLY LOST IN THERE. THAT ASS IS AT LEAST 2 PARKING SPACES WIDE…………..

 And now a “sista” gets in the mix and breaks it down.

Serena looks gross. I’m black, naturally thin, and my butt is flat and I’m proud of it. It’s all about the face, not the body. Ask any man and they would prefer pretty face, flat butt rather than ugly face large butt.  (You don’t say! – VT)

She knows she got everything
a woman needs to get a man, yeah.
How can she use, the things she use
36-24-36, what a winning hand!

These disgusting comments aren’t anything new nor are they surprising. Of course because of her celebrity, Serena will never be able to take a low key stroll on the beach, minding her own business, without being photographed and put on display for ridicule.

When I saw this story on O Hell Nawland went to TMZ to read the comments, the first thing I thought of was Venus Hottentot and how the public dissection of the black woman’s body will never end. When I checked into Racialicious to see what they were saying about it, I see Letoya had the same thought.

Although people have been saying it for years as Serena and Venus systematically smacked down all those “poor tiny white girls” on the tennis court, I am disgusted by accusations that she is a monster all pumped up on the juice attacking defenseless white women. Surely, she can’t just be damn good at what she does and take care of her body, which is what ALL professional athletes are supposed to do. No, that would be too easy. I can look at her and tell that she has to work hard to stay in form because if she goes over to Beyonce’s one too many times for Popeye’s biscuits, it will show. To say that she must be guilty of something illegal that would bring disgrace to the Williams’ place in sports history (and to the sport itself ) because of the size of her ass is ludicrous.

Personally, if I had Serena’s body, I would walk around in a string bikini 24 hours a day and not give a damn what anyone thought about my “big nasty ass.” I’ve never been a woman who was interested in being ultra thin. Real women have curves has always been my theory.

When I weighed more than Shaquille O’Neal, I didn’t dream of a day when I would fit into single digits and have a waif-like figure. My first priority was to get healthy – to be rid of my high blood pressure and borderline diabetes. Even as I lost the weight, I was concerned about my DD cups deflating to B’s. I didn’t want to look like somebody wearing Timbos kicked me square in my ass. The pictures I picked out for inspiration were of women with bodies like Tocarra (when she was on Top Model) and Queen Latifah (post breast reduction).

I won’t say the thoughts expressed in these comments is WPS (white people shit). I’m sure there are plenty of Black people that think Serena’s body is disgusting although I can safely say not many of them are brothers. (From what I’ve seen they have much love for her and all her ASSets.)

Serena, I think you look great, although I admit to having much hateration and holleration for you (and for 42-year old Stacey Dash for that matter.) *sigh*

Vivrant got love for you on this blog. And so do the Commodores. If thinking she looks damn good is wrong, I don’t wanna be right!

Commodores, Brick Hoooooussse 

Funky Monday

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by vivrant thang on funky monday

It’s a funky Monday
Not quite like Friday
It’s a funky Monday
Wish it was Saturday

A so-so week led to a pretty good weekend. It ended on an especially high note and I feel really good about what’s in store the rest of this year. I got a feeling I’ll be celebrating lots of good times in the months to come.

Damn shame it was so short though. Always is.

Now here we are on a funky Monday, but funky doesn’t have to be a bad thing…especially on this music lover’s blog. Every since I watched this documentary on VH-1 Soul about the evolution of funk, highlighting some of the artists I mention below, I’m been funking non-stop over here.

So if you got the Monday blues, watch some classic video from a few of my favorite funk bands / artists.

*update: I wrote this post last night and knew it was right on time when they played “Knee Deep” on the radio on my way in this morning. I know people driving next to me thought I was a plum fool. Don’t look at me cross-eyed. You know you cut up in the car when your song comes on!

Funkateers, enjoy!

Tell me about some of your favorite funk bands/artists and songs in the comments.

Sly and The Family Stone

Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin), 1969

I Want To Take You Higher, 1969

James Brown

Get Up (I Feel Like Being) Sex Machine (1970)  & Get On The Good Foot (1972)

Stevie Wonder

Superstition, 1973

P-Funk All Stars with Bootsy Collins

Mothership Connection, 1976

George Clinton & The PFunk Allstars, (Not Just) Knee Deep, 1979

Bootsy Collins

I’d Rather Be With You, 1976 (some SERIOUS, orgasmic funk in this one)

Con Funk Shun

Too Tight, 1981

Earth Wind & Fire

Let’s Groove Tonight, 1981