I think for the next few days after reading what Clint Eastwood I’m going to have to wear the hat in the photo above around town. For those who may have missed Clint’s thoughts on one Beyoncé Knowles you can checkout the article from Shadow and Act right here. Also, special shout out to writer extraordinaire L. Michael Gipson for posting this article with accompanying epitaph on his FB wall ayer. (more…)
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Luther brought his heart felt respect for this time-honored song and his ultimate influence Ms. Dionne Warwick, who originally recorded A House Is Not A Home for her 1964 album, Make Way for Dionne Warwick. As the fate of any great composition, this single has been rotated through the voices of Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and many other icons. However on the flip side, this song has also been “punked” by Twista featuring Kanye West & Jamie Foxx so it hasn’t gone unscathed. But despite it’s musical travel, this song holds an emotional agony that I absolutely love to hear through the riffs, runs and “on the edge of your seat” anticipation of Luther. While I respect the original version from Dionne, the song seems to find “a home” in the expression of the late Luther Vandross.
Here is Luther giving a well deserved tribute to his idol with that wonderful song. Oh and by the way, you new artists and BET, let this be a teachable moment. This is what a real tribute looks like. Those Trey Songz and Tamar Braxton performances you’re passing off as tributes ain’t cutting it. Please take note and properly execute.
GFM fam I wanted to take a little time out to post this fantastic track by James Day & Mikelyn Roderick. This is “Bridging the Gap” personified. Unlike many “artists” these days James & Mikelyn’s acknowledge that only way that we arrived here was from there. As a student of history and lover of music there’s a very special place for music like this with me. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful tribute as much as I am and if you do tell a friend or two.
Composed & produced by James Day & Dow Brain featuring Mikelyn Roderick on vocals. From the album: JAMES DAY ‘NATURAL THINGS – US Digital Edition’ Now on CDBaby, Coming Soon to iTunes!
Bridging The Gap- “To make a connection where there is a great difference.”
All you have to do is stop, look and listen to realize that there is a great difference in the music that is produced today. I’m not arguing for a return to the production values of yesteryear(although embracing some of them wouldn’t hurt) I’m really discussing the great difference in the basics of music that will never change: melody, pitch, tone, sense of rhythm, phrasing etc., etc., these will never change. (more…)
A special shout out to the wonderful and beautiful ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. on their founder’s day.* Established January 15, 1908 at Howard University, Alpha Kappa Alpha is the oldest Greek letter organization established by African American college trained women.
Notable members include: Dr. Maya Angelou, author Bebe Moore Campbell, Olympic Bobsledder Vonetta Flowers, tennis pioneer Althea Gipson, Radio One CEO Catherine Hughes, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Phylicia Rashad, Jada Pinkett Smith and author/poet Sonia Sanchez.
Musical sorors include Ella Fitzgerald, Alicia Keys, Marian Anderson and the incomparable Gladys Knight. Enjoy the selections & more after the jump.
*Full Disclosure: My wife happens to be one of those wonderful, beautiful, fine women!
I’m sure that many others can relate to what I’m about to say. Very often, especially around this time of year[with many friends and family invited over to the house] I would often be admonished by my parents to be quiet because “Grown folks are talking” that was the only warning needed.
I didn’t necessarily like being told to be quiet at the time and it took me a while to get why I was being instructed to do so.
I’d like to create a similar space for music today. Shh!!! Grown Folks Are Listening to Ella Fitzgerald! If you sing (or play for that matter) and don’t know Ella’s music intimately…
