A Little Extra

Even though i am running the He Sang, She Sang series (today's song is below this post), I will interrupt it now and again with other songs that might be in my head, that i am feeling at the moment or that i simply want to share.....

He Sang, She Sang - 5

I Will Always Love You

Dolly Parton first recorded this in 1974. A lot of people think of Dolly and think of her cartoon like body and really high voice....But she is actually a better than decent song writer. She wrote this song and she says she was inspired by a relationship ending - but a business one. That version changes depending on what interview you read or watch but its about the end of a relationship. This song was released on her very successful Jolene album and reached number 1 on the country charts. Dolly re-recorded this song in 1982 and was included on the soundtrack for the movie The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Whitney Houston went on to cover this song in 1992 for the soundtrack to the movie The Bodyguard. This song was a major part of the movie since it was also included in the story line. Interestingly, a Jimmy Ruffin song (of The Temptations) was to be covered by Whitney but it had been used before so Kevin Costner was asked to find another song and he picked this one. Can we say massive here? Her version sold 10 million copies and has surpassed the success of the original. It was selected as the number 1 love song on VH1's countdown....The video - simple and elegant and i cannot get the image of Whitney;s vocal chords as she gets to the breakdown of this song - when she belts out :And Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, will always love you....:....And the ad-libbing? The song spent 14 weeks on Billboard charts and became her longest running number 1.

So what version do you prefer?

....................

I am so lost right now....really just sad..........

He Sang, She Sang - 4

Bobby Caldwell - Open your eyes

An amazing amazing song.

Bobby Caldwell is an amzing song writer and multi instrumentalist whose work will be featured more than once in this series. This song was on his 2nd album and achieved moderate success because other singles on that album became monster hits (one of them will be featured on this series). As a side note, because Mr Caldwell's voice and overall sound was blues & R&B like, his record label went to great lengths to hide the fact that he was white. His album covers had him in silhouette, promo ads and stuff had other images. It wasnt till his first live performance that the secret was revealed to all.

Most people are familiar with this song because Common samples it in his song The Light. This song was the second single off his Like Water for Chocolate album in 2000. Common uses this song as a love letter to someone - widely speculated to be his then girlfriend Erykah Badu.

The Platinum Pied Pipers whose stuff i stumbled on by mistake last year are a Detroit based R&B / Hip Hop Group. Waajeed & Saadiq (not their birth names) essentially lay down hot hot tracks and beats and their work typically features guest artists on vocals. In 2003, this talented duo had Dwele on a track called Ridin' High b/w Open your eyes (which is the first thing i heard from them) which samples Bobby Caldwell's Open your eyes.

I have featured on the soundbyte these 3 tracks.....

So who works it best?

Enjoy!

A Meme......

I have missed MeMe's so here's one from Geisha's blog.....

Two Names you go by: Uzi, Princess

Two things you are wearing right now: White long sleeved shirt and Black pants

Two things you want(or have) in a relationship: Romance & Friendship

Two of your favorite things to do: Listen to music. Read

Two things you want very badly: Fendi Spy Bag. Mercedes C240

Two pets you had/have:· Tamagotchi· Emmm - the family pet Rambo

Two people you think will fill this out: hmm..i really dont care...i am just so happy to be doing a meme

Two things you did last night: Drove home, slept

Two things you ate last night: Honey chicken sandwich. Pineapple

Two people you talked to: O & O

Two things you are doing tomorrow: Working, Working

Two longest car rides: Going to Akodo beach resort. Going to Ijebu Ode

Two favorite holidays: Christmas & Valentine's Day

Two Favorite beverages: Water & Herbal Teas (Decaf)

He Sang, She Sang - 3

Diwali Riddim

This dancehall beat came to prominence in 2002 and is credited to Jamaican producer Steve Marsden. Diwali is an Indian festival and the name of this track is called Diwlai Riddim because it is influenced by bollywood dance.

A lot of artists have used this track and the list too exhaustive to go into so i will concentrate on the tracks playing on the blog:

Brick & Lace - Love is wicked: Akon signed this girl group up and they burst onto the scene with this song becoming a club favorite. Apparently the girls had recorded this in 2004. Then the song went on to be featured on the soundtrack for the movie: Bratz Motion Picture

Lumidee - Never Leave You (ooh, ooh): her use of this song became a massive hit in 2003 and has been her only hit to date

Sean Paul - Get Busy: this was released in 2003 on his album Dutty Rock and was produced by Steve Marsden (see above). The song topped the Billboard 100 for 3 weeks and is still a crowd pleaser....

Wayne Wonder - No Letting Go: this was the song that introduced mainstream audiences to Wayne Wonder.

Other artists including Miss Elliott, Buju Banton and Elephant Man have also used this track...

So who do you think used this track the best?

A break in transmission.....

Because i have been incredibly busy at work and trying to make a number of changes....

Will be back sooon.................

Phenomenal Woman - 4

We (women) take a lot for granted these days. Sure things are not 100% perfect but history shows that we have come a long way.



I think that it is fitting that my first Women's Issue post for the year pays tribute to a woman who a lot of people have never heard about but who did a lot for women's rights - Sojourner Truth.



She was born Isabella Baumfree into slavery in 1797. She was sold into slavery in 1806 to a very brutal owner. She was sold and resold until she fell in love with a slave from a neigboring farm. The relationship was forbidden by her owners since she owner wouldnt own any children born into that union and the lovers were separated. She was eventually married off to a much older slave and she had 5 children.

She was promised freedom by her owner who changed his mind at the last minute. Isabella then escaped to freedom with only her infant daughter as her other children were not emancipated.

Her journey into the history books started when she had a life changing experience with a family she stayed with and became a devout christian. On June 1, 1843, she changed her name to Sojourner Truth telling her friends "The Spirit calls me and i must go".

She set about travelling and preaching about abolition. She then joined the Northampton Association of Education & Industry which supported women's rights, religious tolerance and pacifism. As a result of belonging to this association, she met a number of renowned figures including Frederick Douglass.

She started to to dictate her memoirs and had it published in 1850 privately. That same year she bought a home which was virtually unheard of in those days. Negroes did not buy homes let alone Negro women. In 1851 she attended the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Ohio where she delivered her famous speech which i have included at the end of this post.

Sojourner Truth spoke to hundreds of audiences over the next decade and even spoke at the suffragist convention in New York where she met Harriet Beecher Stowe (the woman that fought the good fight allowing women to vote - she was played by Hilary Swank in an HBO tv movie). In 1858, she was giving a speech when a member of the audience accused her of being a man - she opened her blouse and revealed her breasts.

Here is her famous speech titled Ain't I a Woman?

"Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it. The men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say"

During the civil war, she helped recruit black troops for the Union Army. In 1870, she tried to secure land rights for freed slaves and continued to speak about abolition, women's rights, prison reform and against capital punishment.

She died in 1883 and her last words were " Be a follower of the Lord Jesus"

I find her life story inspiring and motivating.

So to this amazing woman that came before us, i say Well Done & Thank You

He Sang, She Sang - 2

La Bamba

This song is a traditional mexican flamenco style number that was created over 300 years ago. The original version is not exactly what we are familiar with today.

The man responsible for taking the original traditional number and re-working it is Ritchie Valens. He took the song and turned it into a rock and roll number which was released in 1958. His version made it onto Billboard's list of Greatest Songs of All Time - number 345. This song was Ritchie's biggest hit even though his professional career lasted only 8 months. But in that time, he did big things. On the Day that Music Died, Febuary 3, 1959, he died in a plane crash aged 18. The plane crash also took the lives of Buddy Holly and JP Richardson.

A movie on Ritchie's short life was made in 1987 with Lou Diamond Phillips playing Valens. The soundtrack of that movie featured La Bamba performed by Los Lobos. This is the most popular version of the song.

A lot of other artists have also covered this song: Selena (1988), Marco Da Silva (2000), Dustry Springfield (1968), Wyclef (2004) etc.

A search for all the versions was futile. I have only heard the original, the Los Lobos, Wycleg and Dusty versions.

Playing on my blog are Ritchie Valens' version and the Los Lobos version....

Which do you prefer?

Enjoy!

He Sang, She Sang - 1

Turn The Beat Around

I am so excited about this series and to kick it off, i have chosen this hot disco track that a lot of people credit to Gloria Estefan.

The song was actually performed and recorded first by Vickie Sue Robinson in 1976. It appeared on her debut album and earned her a grammy nomination for best female vocal. It also hit the charts strong peaking at number 10 on the Billboard pop charts and has become a disco classic.

Gloria Estefan went on to record her version in 1994 on the soundtrack album for The Specialist (starring Sharon Stone and Sylvester Stallone). Her version peaked at number 13 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. She released it on her 4th album and she also perfomed at the the first ever VH1 Divas Live concert. This song also became her first english number one song.

Mya performed this as a tribute to Vicki Sue Robinson who passed on in 2000.

American Idol contestants try their hands on songs from different artists and this song was performed by Carmen Rasmusuen, Haley Scarnato and Diana DeGarmo.

The soundbyte widget has the original song by Vickie Sue Robinson, Gloria Estefan's version, Haley Scarnato's version and Diana DeGarmo's version.

What version works the best for you?

Enjoy!

My New Music Series For The Year.....

So i have been working on this series since June of last year.

Music is hardly new, original or fresh. The amount of covers and samples in music is unreal. So this year will be the year of "The He Sang, She Sang Series". It really is a cover series.

What i plan to do is profile original music works and the covers - could be whole songs, could be samples. I will have a playlist widget under the soundbyte section that will have the versions featured....and readers can listen and let me know what version they prefer and just general thoughts as usual.

Music is my passion and i take for granted that a lot of people know certain things. It amuses me to have people rave about a "new" hit when i know it was originally done say 20 years ago.

I am truly going to enjoy this series and i hope its fun for all.......

Musings!

Since the year began, i find myself being a little more quiet and being more observant. Also paying more attention to the voice inside me.

I feel different this year. I am different. I am more at peace. That is what screams to me the most. My reactions to things happening around me have changed. And i feel good as well.

Something has to be said about being more observant. Noticing more, being aware of so much more.

Thing is - this wasnt a conscious decision. I just am...

Do you know what i have realised? The longer i take to respond, the better and happier i am with my responses? Think about it. Driving in traffic and someone does something erratic. If i react immediately, it will involve me cursing someone out. But i take a deep breath and all that comes out of me - is head nodding. And i dont feel defiled. Because when i let loose those torrent of words and sometimes the hand motions, i feel defiled and unworthy.

Another case in point - i am going through some pretty emotional things at the moment. Now my usual response is to cry and pretty much degenerate into a mess. But this time - its like i am removed from it all. Things are happening but its almost like they are happening to someone else. I guess i have gotten to the point when i realise that certain things are out of my control and driving myself crazy over these things is really futile. So no real tears have been shed this time, no sappy music has played, no overly dramatic entries in my journal. M just taking each new curveball as it comes. Secure in the fact that my life is directed by God. And that God wants the best for me. And knows the workings of my heart. He knows what i need. I also know that if God says yes, noone can say no. So also, if He says no, no-one can say yes.....

Spent some time at the salon on saturday. And since schools are back in session today, the children's section was filled with little girls getting their hair in cornrows of all styles and sizes. Cute little ones running over the place. Then this girl came in. Maybe 6 or so. She came with her mom and dad. And she was already crying. The moment she saw the comb coming towards her head, she started to cry a little louder. This escalated into all out wailing and screaming with her mom alternating between threats and pleas. This little girl was not having it. She was so so upset about being there. I thought to myself, well leave her alone already. But her mom said she had to get her hair done - school rules, plus mom said even combing her hair everyday would be a nightmare. Someone asked why she didnt cut her daughter's hair then. Mom said her father wouldnt like it. We all turned to the father who sat in a corner reading his newspaper, oblivious to all the ruckus. And you could see all our faces - Men! LOL

I spent yesterday at Terra Kulture hanging out. I went specifically to see Laspapi's play - Anatomy of a Woman and i had a good time. Bumped into an old friend - i am talking someone i havent seen in like 15 years. All lovers of art, please find time to drop by and see a play at Terra Kulture any sunday. Its a good way to spend a sunday afternoon.

My worklife is off to a good start. This is also a year for re-evaluation but its always nice to be appreciated right?

So here's to a fabulous year of observation, introspection, self awareness and fulfillment.

Be Blessed!

A New Year, New Ramblings.....

Happy New Year!

We are only 4 days into the new year but it has been eventful so far.

My new series will debut on Monday and i will get back to writing more non-music related posts....

Have a fabulous and blessed year!

Monumental Soundbyte - 100

The Jackson 5 - I want you back

This song was released in 1969 and is the first song that this talented group released on the Motown label.

Michael Jackson was 11 at the time when he recorded the lead vocals to this song but thats hard to tell because of how mature he sounds on this track.

The song is considered one of the best singles to come out of Motown and is ranked 120 on Rolling Stone's list of Greatest Songs of All Time...

Enjoy!

Monumental Soundbyte - 99

Cat Stevens - Father & Son

This song was released in 1970 and is truly monumental.

The song is essentially a conversation between a father and son. The father does not understand the need - his son's desire to make a new life while the son knows he needs to do something about his life but does not quite know how to communicate it.

Magnificent song.....Enjoy!

Monumental Soundbyte - 98

The Delfonics - Didnt i blow your mind this time

This classic song was released in 1970 and actually won a Grammy for Best R & B Performance. The Delfonics' sound was part of the Philly soul movement and this song was one of the first singles to be considered true philly sound.

This is a soul ballad with stirring vocals and accompanied by strings and horns. This song was featured on the Jackie Brown soundtrack and has been covered by a number of artists including Patti Labelle.

Enjoy!

Monumental Soundbyte - 97

Whitney Houston - Run To You

This song appears on The Bodyguard soundtrack and was released in 1993.

Its not the most successful song from this soundtrack but after I will always love you, its my second favorite.

Whitney Houston can never disappoint so maybe its her vocal delivery on this song, or maybe its the simple video, or maybe its her hair and almost matt style makeup, or is it the fact that when i sing this song, i love the riffs and ups and down of the song...whatever it is, i love this song so much.

Enjoy!

Monumental Soundbyte - 96

Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight

This beautiful song was released in 1977 and it was written for Eric Clapton's then love. Like Sting & The Police song "Every Breath You Take", this song is largely considered a romantic song.

But its actually not. Well it is. Its the reason for writing it that is less than romantic. Apparently, Eric penned this as he waited impatiently for his lady love to get ready for a shindig.

Nonetheless, it is an amazing song with 3 verses. Each of the verses is a different part of the evening and shindig they attend.

Excellent song - Enjoy

A New Year & Real Issues

Most people of Nigerian descent are familiar with sickle cell anaemia.

Most of us young adults are also aware of how important genotype is in relationships that will turn into marriage. So if both parties are AA, its deep breaths of relief for all. If one party is AS and other is AA, no problems there either.

But what happens when both parties are AS? This means that there is a 1 in 4 chance that every child conceived of this union will be a sickler.

Case in Point: 2 people that have known each other for years but never quite got together. Like a lot of fairytales, a friendship blooms and suddenly the affection is mutual. And one party is building castles in the clouds while the other's affection wanes. Well not wanes exactly, for this party clearly cares about the other. But its halted. After a lot of prodding, cajoling and plain brutal questioning, the truth comes out. Party A realizes that Party B is As. Party B does not make the connection immediately and then it clicks. They are both AS. Party A thinks that what they have should be let go of to prevent complications. Party B is sad but aware of the role technology and modern medicine and doesnt see it as the end of things. Both Parties go back and forth but Party A is adamant that it is better to end things as this relationship is serious enough to end up in marriage. Party B is sad that Party A is "giving up" on this special thing.

Is Party A right? Should this relationship go to prevent problems down the line? Is Party B right in wanting things to proceed and then relying on future tests to take care of pregnancy issues down the line?

What do you think?

Monumental Soundbyte - 95

The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There

This family band (made of a father and his 4 kids) were predominantly a gospel group though their sound spread to R&B and Soul.

This song was released in 1972 and was was a number 1 hit in the United States but spent a total of 15 weeks on the charts. This song is also the most recognizable song from this group. I especially like this song because its a feel good, inspirational song guaranteed to make me feel good everytime i hear it.

Salt N Pepa sampled this song on Let's talk about Sex......

Enjoy!