Sorry for the downturn yesterday…and it is a new day and we move on and forward, right?

So let me start this Music Tuesday off with Jazmine Sullivan. I don’t know why, but the radio songs always grate on my nerves…probably because they play them so damn much that they become annoying. I don’t listen to the radio much, but it seems like when I do, the same damn song is on!

But the other night, I sat down and listened to Jazmine Sullivan’s whole CD and this girl has got an awesome voice! The CD turned out to be nothing like the radio single (why am I surprised at that?) and it truly displays this young lady’s talent. I was blown away by the emotion and raw passion in her voice…and I am especially intrigued with what appears to be her next single, “Bust Your Windows”…the lyrics are fierce and Jazmine is bringing it. It is not enough nowadays just to be able to sing…you have got to have songs that bring that across, and Jazmine definitely does. It may be easy for her to get lost among the Bey’s (not hating, I love Bey) and Ciara’s and Rhianna’s (this may be hate…I don’t like either of these heffas) of the music industry…but if you close your eyes and open your ears and judge on voice alone, Jazmine wins hands down.

I have already picked a favorite from this CD. That would be ”In Love With Another Man.” This song speaks to me, for me, about me…it’s a story I’ll tell you later; for now, just listen:

Next up is my boy John Legend. I am one of those John Legend lovers…I quite frankly have been riding this dude since his name was still John Stephens. You know how you find someone before they make it big and watch them blow up and it thrills you to pieces? That’s how I feel about John. I have a bit of a soft spot for a man that sings and plays piano, so you know dude is right up my alley, right? But beyond that, he has one of those voices that stroke your musical soul. From “Ordinary People” to “Show Me” and “Again” (I seem to be one of the few that happened to love JL’s second CD…maybe because it holds some significance for me too…there’s a story there, too…later) to his newest. When I heard “Green Light” I stood back a bit, and ruminated on exactly what was going on here. That is until Andre 3000 let me in on a secret during his guest spot on the tune: “Sometimes you have to step from behind the piano…even Stevie Wonder got down sometime.” I now understand. So I plugged into my Rhapsody in anticipation of what this CD would bring, and JL does not disappoint.

I am in love with JL all over again with this CD…

Enjoy!

What’s up?! I have to tell y’all this story before I get to the music…

I was at an off-site meeting today and I must admit that I was looking pretty damn fly. I had on my light brown business suit, with my pretty brown oxfords and matching Coach bag and my hair was acting right…I even had in my brown contacts (see Mike’s spot to know what I’m talking about). They served us lunch and as I’m carrying my plate back to my seat, one of the dudes that works at the hotel where we were offers to carry my plate for me. I tell him that I am okay and thank him and continue on to my seat. I wasn’t aware but he follows me anyway and pulls out my chair for me, and then proceeds to ask how the meeting is going. I tell him that we are just eating lunch now, and the meeting hasn’t started yet. He says, “Oh really?” like he’s surprised, and then says, “Well, you have a nice afternoon, with your pretty self,” and finally leaves me alone. I say thank you and turn to my baked potato (because I haven’t eaten all day) (and because what I look like?)…

That’s not it. Later in the afternoon I’m going to the bathroom and this other dude comes up behind me to ask me if I’m sleepy yet. I look at him like he’s lost his damn mind and ask him, “What?” He says “You know, meetings usually are boring.” Oh, I say and tell him that no I’m not sleepy. He asks how much longer we are going to be there tonight. OK, let me just say that I’m trying to go to the bathroom because my bladder is screaming at me and I ain’t got time for nobody to be trying to holler. I tell him, as I keep walking, that we are leaving as soon as I come out of the bathroom. So I go, take care of my business. For whatever reason, the damn door to the bathroom is open, so when I come out of the stall and finish washing my hands, he is standing outside the bathroom watching me as I’m checking myself in the mirror. I stand there for a minute, like, “WTF?” and then walk outside. So he throws his line on me.

“Are you from here?”

“Yes.”

“Do you need someone to show you around the city tonight?” Didn’t I just say I was from here?

“No, I’m going home.”

“So are you married?”

“No.”

“Are you single?”

“No.”

“Well, do you have any room for any new friends?” What kinda shit is this?

“No, I don’t think he would like that very much, but thank you anyway.”

I don’t know whether to be flattered or heartbroken. Did I mention that the second dude only had one arm?

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OK, to the music…there really wasn’t any new music out today that I was checking for. But I have to say this: I’ve been listening to that Jennifer Hudson CD and I don’t really like it. It is almost too much singing. Don’t get me wrong; I think JHud is very talented and can sang her ass off…maybe it is just the material on this CD that is not hitting me the right way. There are a couple of songs that I make it through until the end, but other than that, eh…I dig her and Fantasia’s duet, but again we move into “too much singing” territory. It did take me a while to warm up to “Spotlight,” but I dig it now…I had to listen to the words. I’m not hating, but I was expecting more, I guess.

Here’s the song (the one with Fantasia) if you would like to listen:

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 5, 2008 by brezh072291

The other CD I loaded and have been listening to is Robin Thicke. I happen to like Robin (I think he’s cute; but he’ll never take John Mayer’s place in my heart) and dude is talented. The vibe on this CD is nice, and even with the few cuts that I think should have been left on the table, it is one that I just let play.

I’m a little biased because I prefer to listen to a man sing to me than a female…there I said it. So?

Here’s one of my faves from Robin’s new CD:

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on September 25, 2008 by ibbysgurl

One last thing…

You know Bey has a new CD coming out…she has released a couple of videos and I’ve only seen them once…but you have to see this DUDE (?!?) getting his choreography on to her single, “Single Ladies”…he is fierce! H/T to Oh Hell Nawl for the vid…

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on October 18, 2008 by Dancer554

YOU.BETTA.WORK!!!

Ta-ta for now!

Since tomorrow is OSF, I thought that I would do my tribute to Michael Jackson today. Tomorrow is MJ’s 50th birthday…wow! It just doesn’t seem possible that little Michael Jackson is going to be 50…

Now I don’t want to get all into the bullshit of late that he has been through; all I want to concentrate on is the music. Remember where you were when you first heard “Billie Jean?” Or “Beat It?”

You know you either had one, or really wanted one of those red leather jackets with the zippers (I had one!). And who can forget the mini movie that was “Thriller?” At the time of its release, Michael Jackson was on top of the world and there looked to be no end to his dominance.

The videos, the performances, the music…all contribute to the icon that is Michael Jackson. Happy 50th Birthday Michael!

Today is the 7th anniversary of Aaliyah’s death. I hold this young lady close to my heart…such a beautiful and talented person who seemed to be humble and full of spirit. It is still a little hard for me to watch this video, but I think it shows her at her best…

R.I.P. Baby Girl…

Aaliyah - Rock The Boat
video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on August 20, 2006 by eversleeping06

It seems as if my summer concert series is going to extend until October. I received a call today telling me that someone else that I would be willing to pay money for is coming to town on October 23…now, this man owes us some music, but he could come to my town and sing the damn alphabet and I would PAY to see him do it!

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on February 4, 2007 by newgirlfriend

Ms. V…I immediately thought of you…you too, D…

I went to work yesterday, in an attempt to stave off my high anticipation of going to this concert. I don’t think I need to explain my love for Ms. Jill, but I will anyway. In 2000, when Jill’s album came out, I was going through my divorce…not a very high point in my life. And there was something about this woman’s soothing voice and soul-stirring lyrics that got me through. I burned through 3 copies of that CD, “Who Is Jill Scott?” and I’m not ashamed to say it (back in the day when I actually bought and paid for CDs). Ms. Jill kept me hopeful, I guess…that everything was going to be okay and that I could be who I am and be okay.

I actually had a little family drama that showed up late yesterday afternoon that threatened my attendance at this concert…I called my auntie and told her that I had tickets and she took over. That is why I love my family; their support is unmatched. The show was set to start at 7:30, and I arrived at the venue at 6:00 (yeah, I know I was early…so?). I got a good parking space and walked to the box office and was a little disappointed that the crowd waiting was small. Of course, I met up with the hustlers trying to buy tickets, but there was no way in hell that I was giving up my Orchestra seats. So I waited. I met some fellow fans, and stood and talked to them and laughed and commented on outfits and shoes…small talk until they let us in at 6:30…

The gates opened and I went in to my seat. There were vendors there selling pictures against a Jill Scott background, and t-shirts…I bypassed all that. I just wanted the show. I had an hour, so I went and got me a polish sausage and glass of water (I hadn’t eaten since lunch and knew it would be a long night) and went and sat down. The music blaring over the speakers was good…a little Al Green, a little Ray Charles, a little Arehta Franklin…the crowd slowly began to fill in and I sat a people watched. It is funny to watch people and the way they dress and act at a concert. This was an outdoor event so there was a lot of flesh showing…a LOT.

Then came the opening act: Bilal. He stood on the side of the stage wearing a blue t-shirt and a pair of long black shorts. No one seemed to notice that it was him…he looks different without his locs. But he came to the mic and gave us about 5 songs, most of which are from his mysteriously absent CD, “Love For Sale”…if the other portion of the CD sounds as good as the tracks that he sang on stage, we were ROBBED!!! He did grace us with “Sometimes” and the crowd went nuts…I don’t think many of us (including myself) were familiar with the “Love For Sale” stuff, even though it was fantastic.

It took about 20 minutes after Bilal left for the stage to be prepared for Ms. Jill…by then the sun had set, and a nice breeze had settled over us…the mood was right. Then the musician’s came out and I think my heart started beating faster. The music began playing…and then she strolled out. Don’t think me crazy, but I have wanted to see her in concert for so long, and have loved her for so long, that I teared up. And I knew that I was in for a journey; not just musically, but spiritually.

This concert was just magical for me…the songs were mostly from “The Real Thing,” with a couple of songs thrown in from “Who Is Jill Scott?” for good measure. What I liked most was the fact that the crowd was totally into it, singing along and waving their hands and shouting out at Jill…she soaked all of that up. I love that she stood in the middle of that stage, and just sang her ass off. Ms. Jill looked and sounded marvelous, and had the crowd in the palm of her hand. My favorite portion of the concert was “Whenever You’re Around”…most of the ladies in the audience were standing and singing along. She sang a new song about making love (sorry, can’t remember the name) and then went into “Crown Royal” and the crowd went ballistic. She was on that stage for I don’t know how long, and when she said goodnight, we wanted more…and she came back! Then it was a straight party! She went into “It’s Love” and “Golden” and then introduced us to her keyboardist, Justin Time…that boy! Damn! Then she went into “He Loves Me” and brought the house down. She bid us goodnight once again…but there was more!

Once again Ms. Jill returned to the stage with a song she said she had been carrying around with her for a couple of months, one that had woke her up in the middle of the night. It was a song about believing in your purpose…and that message went straight into my heart. This was the spiritual part for me. I went to this concert by myself, because I couldn’t get any of my girlfriends to go with me, and I wasn’t going to miss it. And with all the craziness in my life behind me, the message of this last song felt like it was delivered straight to me. I’m sure there were others who felt that way, but I knew there was a reason for me to be in that place, at that time, listening to what I was hearing…

I don’t go to many concerts, but I love music. I love musician’s who realize their art and talent, and use it for good. Ms. Jill is one of those people…she has risen to “do no wrong” status in my eyes. This was just one of the best nights I have had in a long time. My words have done it no justice…it was something that you have to experience for yourself.

There is such a diverse mix of acts that have been on the Motown label that this was pure joy for me! I spent most of my time just pulling up vids and getting my groove on!

But I have to go with JG…I have loved him since the beginning. There is magic in his voice. A man that can sing…what!? I’m an easy target for one of those…

Johnny Gill - I Got You
video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on July 20, 2008 by orangejuicerecz

Johnny Gill - Maybe
video credit: originally posted to YouTube on October 18, 2007 by narany

Hmm, let me paint a picture:

I’m mad, you mad…but I can’t stop thinking about you, and you can’t stop thinking about me. That fight we had last week was terrible, and we both said some awful things. I keep looking at the phone, wanting to call you, because I miss your voice, miss your hands, miss you…but I refuse to give in.

You, on the other hand, are sitting with your boys, watching the game. Only, the TV is on, but you have no idea what is going on. Because you are wondering what I’m doing, and who I’m doing it with. You can hear your boys giving you hell in the background, but you don’t care…you miss me. But you don’t call; that would mean you are weak. So you try to push me out of your mind by drinking your beer and turning your attention to the game.

But then your cell vibrates…you see my phone number…and when you answer, you hear this song playing:

Boyz II Men - Uhh Ahh (The Remix)
video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on March 4, 2008 by MusicCentralVideos

You show up at my door and the pre-making up ensues.

Afterward, we talk. Why do we fight the truth? We know that we fit and when we fight we are miserable. I have been in love with you since I met you, and I know that you feel the same way. There is no one that is going to be there for you more than me, and for me more than you. Let’s stop fighting each other…stop fighting us…I love you, you love me; let’s get on with being together, OK?

Boyz II Men - On Bended Knee
video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on September 29, 2007 by evilpimping

Bilal

Oh how I miss you…

His songs speak to me…whether I am angry, or feeling “special,” or just feeling sick of the world, he put my feelings to music. It is rare that you find a brotha that is able to put his feelings to words the way that Bilal does. I fell in love instantly, and remained, even when he disappeared. I’ve heard rumors of his incognito absence, but I will wait on his emergence to the scene again. I am holding onto the gems from his debut album, “1st Born 2nd” and soaking up every single appearance that he makes with others on their albums.

Ledisi

If you don’t know, you better ask somebody. This girl can blow your ears off with her voice. The raw emotion is powerful and her voice is just amazing. It makes you think of falling in love and kissing him/her for the first time. You know, the butterflies in your stomach, the wonderful tingles in your body (too much?)…anyway, do yourself a favor and listen. You will not regret one. single. moment.

video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on March 9, 2008 by sociallyconscious

How much fun is this?! I love Hip-Hop…always have, always will (most likely). There is something about lyrically rhyming, dope beats, and the swagger that just gets me pumped. I grew up with it, I have lived through the highs and lows, and I, just like Hip-Hop, have had my share of disappointments. But there are always those moments that we celebrate; when things seem the darkest, something comes along and reminds us why we attached ourselves to this art in the first place. I guess that’s why I will never let it go.

Props to Lyte…

MC Lyte - Paper Thin
video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on May 31, 2007 by RhinoEntertainment

Hell, my moms even liked this song…

EPMD - You Gots To Chill
video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on September 10, 2007 by nadouble75