Niecy.....
About a week ago I was at an event where I met a Howard student. She was a singer and had been trained in all styles of music, including opera. She counted Stevie Wonder as one of her chief influences. Everyone was trying get her to sing something, throwing out songs...sing this, sing that, sing some Anita, sing some Whitney. So I of course said, sing "Free" by Deniece Williams, and her response was "Who? Who is that?"
:(
(P.S.......If you know about Stevie Wonder, you should know about Deniece Williams....do the research on that....)
Unfortunately, this response is all too common, for one of the great female artists. Due to the fact that she doesnt tour, and left the spotlight behind, her legacy is not one of say...Teena Marie, who tours constantly. But this woman from Gary, Indiana has a catalog that trumps most of her counterparts. She has a soft but extremely powerful voice, and can hit a high note like a punching bag. Despite her success in R&B and Pop music, Niecy returned to her gospel roots in the mid-1980's and had an incredible career there, including 4 Grammy Award for her gospel work.
With hits like "Lets Hear It For The Boy", "Free", "Silly", "Its Gonna Take A Miracle", "Black Butterfly", "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late", Niecy was a force to be reckoned with. Next to Sade she is my favorite female singer ever. I am on a mission to collect her entire discography, both secular and gospel. I currently have 8 or 9 albums of hers....And I'm not even close to owning them all. The quest lives on.....So here are 3 of my favorite songs of hers.
Deniece Williams- "Free"
Deniece Williams- "God Is Amazing"
Deniece Williams- "If You Don't Believe"
......And for you trivia buffs....Deniece Williams is the mother of Hip-Hop producer and label owner Jazze Pha (the fat dude who is always wit Ciarra)
(Edit 12-13-05)
So it seems we have been tricked. Jazze Pha, who's father is James Alexander of the Bar Kays, is NOT the son of Deniece Williams......Deniece Williams the singer. Apparently his mother's name indeed is Deniece Williams and in interviews he would say "My dad is Jamer Alexander of the Bar Kays and my mama is Deniece Williams". But not Niecy...the singer, even tho that is what was being printed in the magazines. Quite deceptive on his part. Well, it was found out and now all seems to be straight. I know his father is James Alexander of the Bar Kays, cuz I saw them on television together. Why would you decieve us Mr. Jazze? I feel so hurt....
Philly's Lady of Soul
When I decided in late 2002 that I would move to Philadelphia (what was I thinking?) one of the first things one of my friends said is, "When you get here, we have to go see Lady Alma!!". I was thinking who the heck is Lady Alma. I would soon find out.
The only working explanation that I got was that she was an older Jill Scott. Which works for someone who has never heard her music. But once you hear her, and SEE her, she is so much more.
The first time I saw her was at this Big Outdoor Cultural Music Celebration in Philly in front of the steps of the Art Museum (think Slyvester Stalone in Rocky). Late in the evening after all the DJs and everything performed she came on and just walked up to everyone and starting singing and dancing with everyone. Before long, a huge circle had formed around her with everyone dancing inside the circle and she would pull people off from the sides to dance with her in the circle. Including me and my friends. Its impossible to be around her and not have fun. Her personality is so warm. She's like your fun loving auntie...
Having worked with talents such as King Britt, 4Hero and DJ Spinna, Lady Alma is one of the most underrated voices in all of music. True to her art and herself, she refuses to be under the control of a major label and their image of what a woman artist should be and look like. So unless you go to one of her shows, her material may be hard for you to find, But check her out....
Lady Alma- Chances/Lift Him Up
Lady Alma- Lies
www.ladyalma.com
Incredible
This journal entry will be dedicated to my favorite singing group. Some people at work have acused me of being obsessed with them, cuz I have their picture on my cabinet, and the desktop wallpaper for my computer, and as my instant messenger icon. What can I say?
And how can you blame me....
Sisters Tina and Erica make up the group Mary Mary. Their new self titled album comes after a three year hiatas in which time both Tina and Erica became mothers. This is their most ambious project to date, as they experiment with several different styles of music. Fresh off his appearance playing on Kanye West's Late Registration album, group producer (and husband of Erica) Warryn Campbell produces the Kanye-esque first single "Heaven". While "Biggest Greatest Thing" is like a 1940's Big Band Jazz Tune.
My favorite songs are "The Real Party(Trevon's Birthday) which reminds me of a New Orleans 2nd Line with its horn arangement and call and response. And "What Is This", which is one of the stronger ballads they've ever done.
"The Real Party(Trevon's Birthday)"
"What Is This"
While not their best album of (That would be 2002's
Incredible). It is most definately their most polished, and most memorable, as each track takes you on a different journey (much like
Outkast's Stankonia album). At 11 tracks, the album is much shorter than I would like, however there are no skippable tracks. Gospel music is largely ignored due to the fact that has the stigma of all sounding the same. This album sounds different than any other gospel CD i've heard.
2 thumbs up...yuh...
Last Day of Summer
Today marks the official end of Summer. I was thinking about doing a summer album recap, but the truth is I can't remembe what all I bought (burned/downloaded/ripped/borrowed) this summer. I guess that's what happens when you spend your summer in front of a computer instead of doing "Summer stuff".
I've listened to that Herbie Hancock/Christina Aguilera song no less than 30 times since yesterday. Its amazing. So I was thinking for the next week I would highlight some of my favorite female singers and at the end of the week have the Grand Finale Sade Extravaganza. All Sade....all the time.
While debating on who to highlight first, I got an e-mail from this particular person, asking me a music question, so I decided I would highlight her first. And her name is Deborah Bond (De-BOR-ah). I heard her CD a while back and I immediately loved it. With the sheer volume of music I come across, if I'm still listening to a CD a week after I've gotten it, that means its pretty good. And if I'm listening to it months later that means I think its excellent. Judge for yourself from these 2 songs.
From the album "DayAfter"Deborah Bond"-See You In My Dreams" Deborah Bond-"A Message"Then when I got the chance to meet her, I found out that she is a wonderful person as well as a wonderful artist. And now I am serving as her hip-hop coach, trying to raise her hip-hop IQ....lol. Do yourself a favor...and BUY IT
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/artist/glance/-/266343/103-9755436-5021420
http://www.deborahbond.com/
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R.I.P.
Willie Hutch 1946-2005
A Song For You.....
So after Mr. Hancock's appearance yesterday, I mangaged to get my hands on a copy of his new album "Possibilities"
Its an project with some unusual and unlikely collaborations, including John Mayer and Sting...
But the most powerful without a doubt has to be Christina Aguilera. She makes crappy songs and looks like she doesnt eat, but the gurl can sing. And she sings this song like her freedom is depending on it.
Herbie Hancock-"A Song For You" Feat Christina Aguilera Truly beautiful. When he talked about the creative process of the album, he talked about not just having the artists come in and sing over jazz tracks, but to actually create collaborations, where he, along with each artist, is bring an equal amount to the table.So far...6 tracks deep into a 10 track album and I don't have any complaints.
A Day To Remeber
Today is a day I will tell my children about (in the event that a woman ever gives me permission to touch her).
And this is why....
An Autographed Herbie Hancock album. Amazing. I sat in on a live recording by one of Jazz music's greatest talents of all-time. And just listened. Listened to the stories about Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, Paul Simon, Sly Stone, etc.... The older folks was hating on me something serious yo. Like SERIOUS. I came up in there wit the vinyl and older kats was like "How old are you?" "You don't know nuthing bout this..." "You prolly went out and bought this yesterday"....and then after I got it SIGNED, they was heated, you could feel it. "You should give it to me cuz you wasnt even born when that came out". Actually, it was just the black folks. The older white kats was just chill, like "Yo thats really cool", The black folks was the ones hating....how sad is that....
Since I don't think I've bought a CD this month will highlight one of Herbie Hancock's most famous recordings.
"Cantaloupe Island"
And a song i spent about an hour listening to today
Curtis Mayfield- "The Makings Of You"
Enjoy.......
The Start
I have decided to start a music blog. The purpose of this blog is to, in the same way my regular blog chronicles my life, chronicle my music purchases, thoughts, events, reviews and other such things. The inspiration for this comes from 3 different areas. First I must give credit to my fellow Ball State Alum, Bill, who has his own mp3 blog. Mine wont be as interesting, indepth or high quality as his, but I can only do me. Next would be other college alum, and DC Metro resident, Jack Neezie. He started a seperate blog for his sports passion, which gave me the idea to do the same. However I cannot be intelligent or rational when I comes to sports so my blog would simply consist of all of angry, hate filled rants after each loss. I've been posting song clips on my Xanga blog for months (I think OutKast is what currently playing), so I've had the idea for a minute, but never to start a completely seperate blog. Well....now here it is.
Today Jazz Icon Herbie Hancock will be here for a live performance, which I shall attend. It should be a day to remember. I only wish my dad could attend with me as well. But I'll tell him all about it.
The first selection for my new music blog will be a song that I absolutely love. From my favortie all time singer. Al Green. The Reverend. I can listen to this song on repeat a dozen times (not joking)
Al Green-"Free At Last (Live) "
My parents bought me Al Green's Anthology for my 17th birthday. (What 17 year old asks for an Al Green Anthology?) A 4-Disc set with interviews, live versions and goes from his early works to his early gospel work. "Free At Last" Stands out to me, the way Al talks to the audience as if they were friends. Really personal and from there rips into the song headfirst.From the original version of this song we get....
Jay-Z's classic song "Blueprint (Mama Loves Me)"
