Coming together with R&B vocalist Keith Sweat and Johnny Gill, Gerald Levert set a new course in his career to form the group, LSG.  In 1997, they released their debut album, Levert. Sweat. Gill., which consisted of this sexy mid  tempo tease called Door #1.

There are a number of classic shows that highly influenced my early perception of music but none laid a foundation like Soul Train. Carrying a mellow baritone voice with the parting benediction of “love, peace and soul”, Don Cornelius was the father figure of the “hippest trip in America”. In hearing the sudden death of this soul pioneer, I was shocked and deeply saddened as many of you. Through comprehending a portion of Don’s impact, the picture of loss becomes much more clear. For 40 plus years, Soul Train was the “hello, my name is….” for so many African American artists. When I try to ponder upon this ripple effect, I have to ask the question, what railways would be uncharted if it wasn’t for Don Cornelius?

In a land of American Bandstand serving a limited diet of pop, the landscape of musical exposure for African American artists was minimum. When you think of artists like Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, the opportunity of a wider audience mainly came through radio, tour dates and the occasional appearance on shows like the Ed Sullivan or Jerry Lewis show. To be considered for these platforms, much of their music had to follow a format of popular music to attract a target audience catering to a mainstream group.  Don Cornelius set to pioneer a platform that took a different route and served a full plate of soul.  With the talents of Gladys Knight & The Pips, The O’Jays and so many others, the genre of soul and R&B was given a place to call home through Soul Train. In its weekly broadcast we not only saw the latest fashions or the newest dances, we were inspired by music that spoke our language and told our stories.

The departure of Don Cornelius is truly a sad occasion but his legacy is a lasting effect. Without his innovation and insight to promote an unexposose genre of music, we may not have the building blocks and music archives we enjoy today. So to Mr. Cornelius, we thank you greatly for a foundation and platform that not only made us dance but through music moved and grooved the soul. You will be missed.

Rhonda Thomas & Avery Sunshine

I had the great pleasure of seeing Rhonda Thomas and Avery Sunshine show out at The Quad  back in February 2011 when I first heard them sing this song, “Just Us”.  If the tune sounds a bit familiar, it’s originally the disco cut from the men lovin’ duo, The Weather Girls. Soooooo, sit back, relax, enjoy this video and purchase this cut at www.rhondasings.com for your “housecleaning” playlist. LOL!

In a world filled with smoke and mirrors, it always inspires me to see and experience artists who exude a powerful sense of truth. Their truth is not built with the intent of gimmick-like controversy  but a “need” to be true to themselves no matter the cost. That is the stern virtue that I highly respect in the artistry and legend of Ms. Etta James. With that said, it greatly disappoints me that  in light of her authenticity, this truth has failed to be depicted on the screens of Hollywood. Of course we all saw Beyonce’s “role” in the movie Cadillac Records but unfortunately that role was not the factual life of Etta James.

For those of you who’ve never read the the autobiography of Etta James, Rage To Survive, I strongly encourage you to check out this book. Once you indulge yourself in her life, you quickly comprehend the fierce spirit, complexities and facts never fully realized in the Beyonce produced film, Cadillac Records. For instance, while the film plays heavily on a romantic relationship with Chess Records head, Leonard Chess, this information was never once mentioned in Etta’s autobiography. Now for a woman to confess her trials of domestic abuse, her mindset of being an addict and other uncensored tidbits, having an affair with the boss would have easily been a drop in the bucket – unless it never happened. According to Marshall Chess, son of Leonard Chess, he had these words to say concerning the issue of this affair:

“Now, my father was no angel, but (he) was never caught in an affair,” Chess said. “It never happened.” He even asked James, a longtime friend, and she told him, “He kissed me on the cheek once.”

During Etta’s early days at Chess, she was very open in having a relationship with Harvey Fuqua, member of the Moonglows and  later played a pivotal role in the formation of Motown Records. With Fuqua, Etta went on to sing songs like “I Just Want to Make Love to You”, “If I Can’t Have You” and later became the duo “Betty & Dupree” on Kent Records while also recording on Chess due to the lack of money they were paid on Chess. Unfortunately, his role and importance wasn’t highlighted in the script of Cadillac Records.

In another instance,  Cadillac insinuates Etta’s drug abuse stemming from her father issues. While Etta wondered much about the true identity of her father,  most of her issues of rejection and insecurity stemmed from her mother, Dorothy,  a single teenage mother who traveled in and out of Etta’s life like a bad storm. Though Etta had a mother figure in an older woman affectionately named Mama Lu, Etta’s life spiraled after her death. Between this internal tug of war and growing up in a business that didn’t cater much to a growing teenager, Etta’s life journey was surrounded by upheaval and survival. This self discovery wasn’t revealed until Etta checked into a program in the Tarzana Psychiatric Hospital.

“We talked about what it felt like being abandoned by a mother. He said I’d gotten all my moral values from Mama Lu, but I never knew a normal life….And then when Mama Lu died and Dorothy snatched me away, everything went haywire.”

While there was a number of other omissions such as the exclusion of Leonard Chess’s brother, co-founder and partner Phil Chess, the question still stands, why were these truths never told? Well, that’s a good question especially when Ms. James’s book was published in 1995, 13 years “before” the release of the movie, Cadillac Records. What is also in question is why writer/director, Darnell Martin would write the role of Etta James with Beyonce in mind as stated in the New York Times. Now if you’re looking for a name to sell movie tickets, I can definitely see the “follow the money” rationale. However when you fully inhale the intricacies of Ms. James’s defiant nature and understand the surrounding issues that followed her life and compare them to Beyonce’s persona and acting range, it just doesn’t scream a perfect match.  Not saying I wasn’t pleased to see Beyonce’s commitment to the role written however that role was poorly written and watered down.  As Etta so candidly stated to the New York Post’s Page Six in 2007, “she is going to have a hill to climb, because Etta James ain’t been no angel!”

So in conclusion, when I think of an artist who’s invested 58  years in writing and singing songs that come from the real chapters of her life, it seems only fitting that she have the honor of a real depiction. The life of Ms. Etta James is as fascinating as her voice, complicated as her vocal interpretations and raw as her passion.  While Hollywood may try their best, her story is more brilliant and compelling than any writer could create. It is simply my hope to witness someone who will have the guts to really tell that story in the spirit Etta gave and deserves……..the truth!

In our month long celebration of Ms. Etta James, it has been my joy and honor to learn and understand the gift and talent of this fascinating woman. I could say a lot of words to express my gratitude but I think this video sums it up best for me. So on that note, I hope you enjoy our tribute video as GFM remembers Ms. Etta James

Written by the pen of lead vocalist Axl Rose and lead guitarist, Slash, Welcome to the Jungle paints the uninhibited and brazen picture of the Hollywood streets.  With a rock and metal aggression, Guns N’ Roses was the group who placed this song on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. While it’s greatly associated with the rebellious spirit of Axl’s sway, many may wonder, “why did Etta decide to do a song like this?” Well, surprisingly these two may have more in common than you think. From the standpoint of musical approach, Etta interjects the “down home” grit of the blues to this particular cover which is nothing more than the father figure of rock and roll. In  diving deeper into the lyrical storyline, Ms. James is no stranger to life on the Hollywood streets. From the streetwalker on Central, the pimp in the back alley or the junkie looking for their next hit, Etta’s life has been a dance with the devil in the trenches of the jungle. So it’s only fitting that she gives pleasantries not as a guest but a certified survivor.

Here is Welcome to the Jungle from her last recorded project, The Dreamer.

Stop the Wedding can easily be considered a song of drama. It tells of a woman determined not to hold her peace by convincing her lover of his grave mistake before a wedding alter.  While you’re teased by the plot of the storyline itself, you can’t help but hear Etta’s gospel roots in this spectacular cut. In so many ways I definitely hear how Janis Joplin was influenced by her “grab you by the throat” vocals. Furthermore, I can’t help but here James Brown’s classic cut, Please, Please, Please in this song.  It’s something about the measure breaks in the music with nothing but the soulful pleas to fill the space. I absolutely love it!

Originally posted April 5, 2008

I had the wonderful experience of checking out the museum exhibit of the “King Papers” last year when they were here in Atlanta. I can truly say it was a profound moment. One I will never forget. In remembrance of Dr. King’s life and the 40th anniversary of his assassination, I want to share a letter written by him that spoke not only then but in our present day as well. It was written shortly after two teenagers died within the riots.

An Open Letter to Negro Youth

I do not ask you to cool it, on the contrary, I urge you to become active in the freedom movement and to make it an irresistible power. I urge you to be prepared to use your great energy in nonviolent mass action protest in your community.

You can march in the streets and make this nation aware of your just grievances. You can help mobilize your elders to go to the polls and to put their voting power to work for you. You can organize at the grass roots level and demand police protection and respect. You can call for justice and freedom now.

The future of the Negro people may well rest in your hands. It’s up to you.

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King was a great civil rights leader but more than that, he was a prophetic and prolific voice that still stands today. Incredibly, he was probably one of the most profound thinkers of our time. And with a unique blend, he was a combination of Christian servant hood, intellectualism, and relevance in a chaotic time in America. Sometimes we ask the question, “what would Martin say about this issue or that in our present world?” With all our searching, we may never think that maybe Dr. King already answered those questions. It is said in an ancient scripture, “there is nothing new under the sun.” Whether it’s the “Vietnam War” or the “war in Iraq”, issues may come in different forms but it’s still the same issues. Maybe if we read the road map of his words, his speeches, and some of his sermons, we might find he’s already given answer to the issues we see today.

Rest in peace, Dr. King…..

Don’t Lose Your Good Thing, a single from the 1968 album Tell Mama is a mixture of soul and blues that showcase Etta’s emotional range . In one instance, she displays her sharp sauciness  warning her lover “not to mess it up” but smoothly transitions into sweet pleas “for love to stay” all in the same breath. It’s beautiful how she can intertwine the threads of  strength and vulnerability without missing a stitch. Take a listen for yourself.