I just love it when I get the opportunity to be a lazy blogger, particularly after the day that I’ve had. A glass of wine and a couple hours of mindless television are calling my name.
Before I left yesterday evening to stalk Phontigallo see Little Brother in concert, I started another spotlight post about Tamara Wellons, an artist I had the opportunity to see live for the first time at the Can A Sista Rock A Mic festival earlier this month. She has long been yet another artist whose music is on the never-ending list I need to give a listen to.
What I appreciate about Tamara is that while she is a teacher, a wife and mother of three, in all the spare time she has left she is actively doing what she loves. She has tangible products of her passion. Members of Procrastinators Anonymous, time’s a wastin.
Anyhow, back to my laziness.
Lucky for me, Butta over at Soul Bounce, has done all the work for me and posted a sampler of Life Is, Tamara’s new album released today on Ocha Records, along with details of the release party tomorrow night in DC. Head on over and take a listen. Fans of soulful house and jazz, this one’s for you!
Here’s a taste of some of the musical delights you can expect to hear at the release party. If you’re not local, these live performances from the album should clear up any doubts you may have as to whether to add this one to your virtual shopping cart.
“New” feature here on Songs In The Key of Life where I’ll shine the spotlight on artists from my underrated singers lists. Whenever I am fortunate enough to catch any of them live, I’ll be sharing the experience under the new category, “Artist Spotlight.”
Liv has long been on my radar but with such an overwhelming amount of music on deck right now, I hadn’t yet pressed play on her 2006 release, Embrace Me. Can I get a late pass?
From the moment she stepped on the stage that night and grabbed the mic, I knew all we would be able to do was hold on for the ride. Her self-assured stage presence said loud and clear, “I was born to do this.” “Embrace Me”damnit!
Growing up in Illinois in a household that didn’t embrace musical expression, Liv instead filtered her talent into excelling in track and field. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to hide such a voice. After moving to Portland, Liv honed her skills in part by performing karaoke. She began performing with a hip-hop band in 2002. In 2004, The Liv Warfield Project took the Portland music scene by storm. Embrace Me hit the shelves tin 2006. Oh but if she would have stayed on this biannual schedule, we should have been due a new album this year!
Until that day comes, check out the live performance of some songs from Embrace Me. I must admit while I love the studio album, the live version of the songs are what pulls me in. The raw passion and soul she brings to the words on stage reminds me of one of my all-time favorite artists (and one of Liv’s musical idols) Mary J. Blige. Much like when I see Mary, Liv makes you want to get up out your seat, wave your Martin Luthada Kang church fan and get to shouting. She takes you to chuuuuch. Let’s hope this underrated soul singer sees even half the success that Mary has had. It’s truly well-deserved.
Stay tuned for spotlights on some of the other super talented artists I saw at CASRAM who are responsible for the “new” flava in my ear.
Last Wednesday, I was reminded that I never got around to compiling a list of my favorite underrated male soul singers after the female singer post got so much love. The Soul Bounce crew and I had dinner with Anthony David, a highly underrated soul singer whose music I’ve been enjoying since his debut solo album, Three Chords and The Truth was released four years ago. (Thanks to DJ YZO over at Industry Soul for making it happen).
After dinner, we headed up the street to see him perform songs from his latest release, Acey Ducey, which is in stores today. It’s a “best of” CD of sorts, compiling songs that appeared on his first two releases. Now he’s signed to India.Arie’s Soulbird label and I expect he will be getting down to the business of bringing us some new hotness very soon. Meanwhile, Soul Bounce got the exclusive on a new track to tide us over until then.
I have to say I’ve never met a cooler cat. Felt like I was hanging with one of my boys when he teased me about nursing my drink. I mean, I was trying to be on my best behavior and all. Under normal circumstances…
I’ve seen him live four or five times and I have to say he was at the top of his game with this performance. Not sure if he is more comfortable in intimate venues or if being newly signed to a major label has caused him to step his game up! However, I was torn between recording the whole show and wanting to get up there and rock with him and the band. Seriously.
Check him out:
Spittin Game
Krooked Cop
More of his concert video over on my You Tube channel, which is up to over 300 videos now! Ya’ll have no idea of the blood, sweat and tears I’ve put into that thing. Be sure to check it out and subscribe. I’m working on a page on this site that will have all the video listed and categorized. Stay tuned!
So did you enjoy those performances? Well here are some of his other soul brethren I think you should know that don’t be getting no airplay. Again, this list is by nomeans exhaustive. Like you did on the underrated female soul singers post, I need you to hip me to artists I may have overlooked.
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.”
