Today I had to post another great mix that comes to us by way of DJ Polished Solid. An incredible tribute to the work of a fantastic musician/composer and arranger that I was introduced to like so many other through his work with Prince. As one of my favorite professors in music school would say “This is muuuu-sic!” and we are very appreciative that DJ Polished Solid put this together and that we can share it with you. (more…)

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.

“The Sound Of Philadelphia” by MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother) featuring vocals by the group The Three Degrees was written by Philly Soul legends Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as the theme song for the television show Soul Train.  The song reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart in 1974.  Although the song was re-recorded in different versions over the different eras of black music (’80s R&B, New Jack Swing, Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul) since 1974, “The Sound Of Philadelphia” remained the show’s theme song until the final episode in 2006.

Writing this piece about Etta James was a challenge. Not because there
aren’t things to be said about her. Etta James is a music legend. She won six Grammy
awards and 17 Blues Music Awards. She was inducted into Rock & Roll, Blues and
Grammy Hall of Fame among other accolades.

But I didn’t know Etta James.

Not the way I feel I knew Michael Jackson or the way I feel I know New Edition or Prince because those artists and their music are a part of the fabric of my life. They shaped my childhood and early adulthood. I regarded Ms. James as an artist before my time. (Although as a native Detroiter, the Motown artists–contemporaries of Etta James–are very much a part of my life experience.) I didn’t know Ms. James or her body of work; except for the song “At Last”. To be completely honest, when the movie Cadillac Records came about, I was (pleasantly) surprised to learn that she was still alive and performing.

However, over the last 30 days (since Grown Folks Music decided to make her the Artist of the Month–a decision I’m so proud of–a chance to give Ms. James honor while she yet lived) I’ve come to learn about and appreciate Etta James. She had ups. She had downs. She struggled and she triumphed. She was extraordinary: meaning anything but ordinary. The way she sang and the way she lived was seemingly raw and honest and not for or like anyone else. Her delivery of her music seemed sincere. The listener believed she had lived or was living what she was singing about. Without knowing what she went through; you can hear she went through something.

Etta James, thank you for being yourself and for translating your authenticity through your music. As a result, your music will forever be relevant and timeless.

–DJKKC

Etta in recent years

To be successful in one form or another in music is rare, but to be recognized as a singer par excellence in the arenas of Gospel, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Rock and Soul is incredibly special, to do it over the course of a nearly sixty year career is defined as Etta James.

Here at GFM we hoped that at the end of January our month long tribute to Ms. James in a much different way, but we realize that we have no control over the plan, we can only hope for the best for the family and friends at the most difficult time and wish all of them peace and comfort.

Many will mark this sad occasion with their favorite songs from Etta’s career: we’ve dedicated the month of January to Etta as our Artist of the Month for that very reason and we will also have some very special musical tributes coming up this week.

Today, I wanted to reflect on something that I just realized in trying to put all that Etta James represents into perspective and that is what a true American Icon Etta James is. You know many have tried over the years to market this experiment known as America as: Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and yeah you know the rest… but the real America? The real America is the Blues, Soul, Gospel, Jazz, Rock, the struggle, being an underdog and overcoming adversity, it’s not always pretty but you learn to sing and play through the pain to make something lasting, a legacy.

Etta James was no ordinary “singer”, Etta James was/is a force of nature. My wish and I can say with confidence that I know the rest of the GFM Team will join me in this, is that we can place the legacy of Etta James squarely where it needs to be: In the upper echelon of American Musical Treasures. More than a song Etta James was/is a movement. Her story is similar to and should serve as an inspiration for many of us, it takes a lot of hard work to be successful and even harder work to remain successful.

I know there is a microphone and a follow spotlight waiting for you on the other side, with a band like no other to back you up. Rest In Peace…

“Happy Birthday” was written by Stevie Wonder to popularize the campaign (in which he was significantly involved) to make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
s birthday a national holiday. In November 1983 President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into existence. The first official Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was January 20, 1986 and a commemorative concert featuring Stevie Wonder was held. Stevie Wonder also performed the song in October 2011 at the dedication ceremony for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. “Happy Birthday” also appears on the album Hotter Than July.

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…..

Ledisi will perform in the MLK Day concert at the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame. The museum opens its doors and offers free admission to the public on January 16. Cleveland residents and visitors will have a chance to witness in person a special acoustic show and experience her soulful, yet commanding voice and her non-stop, incredible show. Ledisi along with pop singer Kelly Clarkson will pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. with a special performance on their Main Stage for museum-goers. For more information please visit: http://rockhall.com/event/mlk-day-2012/

Source: Press Release

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