So me and Banana had nothing to do this Thursday evening so we decided to see a movie like back in the old days, i.e. like two months ago before me moved into the house. So down to a late show of Dreamgirls which worked out in our favor because the weather resembled the North Pole. That coupled with the fact that everyone else has seen this movie meant that we had the whole theater for ourselves. I can't say how much that accentuates the experience. Being able to talk and laugh as loud as we wanted like we were home but having the same movie experience was amazing. I don't think I can say I had ever been in a movie theater alone like that before. Truly phenomenal.
Oh yeah the movie. Well it starts with a cowbell. From this point on, I think that there should be an initiative to increase the use of cowbells in general life, especially entertainment. When do cowbells not bring about a sense of optimism and excitement? It's pretty great. So Dreamgirls tracks the rise and fall of a Motown-like girls group from about the 60s. Originally it was a Broadway musical and in the wake of Chicago, maybe Hollywood has decided to mine that landscape for bonafide hits in the theaters. Well with Dreamgirls they succeeded.
The movie stars Jamie Foxx as the Berry Gordy like record lael impresario, Beyonce Knowles as the Diana Ross lead-usurping diva, Eddie Murphy as the sensational soul crooner also addled with a drug addiction, and the amazing Jennifer Hudson (American Idol cast-off) as the true talent who is sidestepped due to her appearance and attitude. The strength of the movie actually lies in the supporting cast, specifically Hudson and Murphy.
Now Hudson plays Effie, the diva with the talent and a couple of extra pounds. When told that she won't be lead, her face contorts to the point that you think that death might be imminent. And I cannot speak enough about her voice. Her voice could change the course of rivers if she put her mind to it. When she sings the Tony Award winning "And I'm Telling You" I was ready to leave. But there was still half a movie to go.
Murphy is also pretty surprising. His character is an amalgam of James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and David Ruffin. The Brown gives the character his early flashy performance style, Gaye gives him that conflict when he wants to do "message" songs, and Ruffin gives the character his problems with drug use and the Motown connection since Ruffin was lead singer for the Temptations. Wait Gaye was on Motown too so scratch that. Anyway, his singing lacks a little but he brings a weight to the character that is hard to express. When Foxx's character lets him know that he won't be releasing a song, the disappointment is palpable even in your seat.
Foxx and Knowles technically are the leads but in this movie I think they were asked to not mess anything up. Foxx comes off a bit dry throughout the movie. He sems detached. THe intensity he is capable of just isn't there. It feels shallow. Beyonce has decided that she wants to be white. The glued on weave and wigs are getting to be too much, she losing her melanin inspired curves and most of the time she was in makeup that looked like she was trying to be Michael Jackson's long lost baby sister. She's tolerable enough since she's never been a great actress anyway.
But I recommend everyone see it. I'm not sure what the big hubbub is over the denial of a Best Picture nomination for the Oscars is about. It's pretty great and all but nothing I would have imagined as a Best Picture contender. Still if Hudson is robbed of that statue, it would be criminal. And it would be nice for Dr. Doolittle to get one too.
A 4 Beanie picture if there ever was one.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Notes: J Dilla #2
I decided to block out the Spanish music on my sojourn up to Massachusetts tonight so since I had so much success with Dilla yesterday, I returned to him again.
Once again I was blown away with the breadth of his production. It's obvious he was much more regarded in Europe than he was here. In addition to the usual hip-hop, he touched so many different genres, like experimental soul and even poetry. It's amazing when you listen to it. If I had to live the life of a musician, I probably would choose Dilla as my archetype. He was incredibly gifted and had an extensive repository for ideas. And here he was gallivanting the globe doing the music he wanted to do. He didn't need to get the flash or name recognition. He just made dope dope beats. All from the comfort of his home, even his hospital bed, where some of his last albums were finished. Absolutely amazing.
Tracks to Check: Phat Kat - Big Booties (Yes that is the correct title, but the beat is just too good, Plus the hook is slightly comical because of its singular focus.), The Pharcyde - Drop, Frank N Dank - Push, Brand New Heavies - Saturday Nite (Ummah Remix ft. Mos Def) (Nice Marvin Gaye sample here), Bizarre - Butterfly (Maybe the surprise of the night), Copywrite - It's A Wrap, Busta Rhymes - No specific song but Busta just has a whole different vibe on the works he does with Dilla. Its more intense and focused.
Tracks not to Check: Once again 5 Elementz. Oh man atrocious. How much were they paying him? Maybe I don't like them so much because it seems like they're serious. Frank N Dank spi equally retarded things but I feel more fun coming out of them.
Once again I was blown away with the breadth of his production. It's obvious he was much more regarded in Europe than he was here. In addition to the usual hip-hop, he touched so many different genres, like experimental soul and even poetry. It's amazing when you listen to it. If I had to live the life of a musician, I probably would choose Dilla as my archetype. He was incredibly gifted and had an extensive repository for ideas. And here he was gallivanting the globe doing the music he wanted to do. He didn't need to get the flash or name recognition. He just made dope dope beats. All from the comfort of his home, even his hospital bed, where some of his last albums were finished. Absolutely amazing.
Tracks to Check: Phat Kat - Big Booties (Yes that is the correct title, but the beat is just too good, Plus the hook is slightly comical because of its singular focus.), The Pharcyde - Drop, Frank N Dank - Push, Brand New Heavies - Saturday Nite (Ummah Remix ft. Mos Def) (Nice Marvin Gaye sample here), Bizarre - Butterfly (Maybe the surprise of the night), Copywrite - It's A Wrap, Busta Rhymes - No specific song but Busta just has a whole different vibe on the works he does with Dilla. Its more intense and focused.
Tracks not to Check: Once again 5 Elementz. Oh man atrocious. How much were they paying him? Maybe I don't like them so much because it seems like they're serious. Frank N Dank spi equally retarded things but I feel more fun coming out of them.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Notes: J Dilla
So on an expedition with the Bahene (Coffee Bean & Lady Godiva), I found myself a tad bored in an Ann Taylor. To make matters worse, the music that was supposedly there to provide a more comfortable shopping experience was in fact mildly grating on my psyche. What is a troubled boy to do? If you replied, "Dig in his pocket and fish out his 80 gig iPod," then you would be correct.
The next step was deciding what to play. It would have been easy to go to one of my already preset shuffled playlists with songs that would more or less satiate me. But at that moment I decided to not waste the potential of the device and actually listen to some of the buried treasures I had loaded on to the darn thing in the hopes that I could jumpstart myself into discovering and rediscovering the bounty that is on my computer. I didn't want anything too unfamiliar though since I still had the sisters asking me for my opinion from time to time. That's when I scrolled down to J Dilla.
J Dilla has to be my favorite producer of all time. That's one of those few statements I can make that I can unequivocally stand behind. He is the linchpin behind all the music that I hold the most dearly. He started with A Tribe Called Quest and his discography is extensive. He is one of the few fan T-shirts that I have bought voluntarily. Sadly he passed away around this time last year due to some rare blood disease. But amazingly he has dropped about two albums posthumously with another on the way this year.
But my playlist is pretty large (314) since he did so much music. So this is another one of those playlists that will have multiple entries. So all I did was hit shuffle and then....
In the middle of a midtown Ann Taylor, I was riding the train on my way to high school. Dilla's production was that of a jazz bassist who fell in love with hip-hop. If Dilla was born earlier, I can easily see him working with Miles Davis. Once again bass is a huge element of his production, but the snares are crisp too. And later on in his production he definitely experimented with a more spacey, galactical sound. But overall, 9 out of 10 Dilla songs, on instrumentals alone, make your sould move.
The one thing you can say about his productions is that often the level of performer is not up to the par of the beat. Dilla hailed from Detroit and seemingly had many friends taht also shared his love of rap, but sadly did not possess the adequate skills. Dill astill put them on, maybe because his emceeing skills weren't that significant either. Most of the productions are are wth artists who never had a shot at a record deal. Often they sound like raps that people came up with bullshitting in an apartment late at night, often with the help of THC. They're misogynistic and empty more often than not. But Dilla's production is so strong that you listen to the song anyway.
It's so sad that he didn't get the recognition that he deserved while alive. Upon his death, you would have thought that he had oodles of Grammys in his collection. I mean he even had an obituary in the New York Times. But his production for the few big name artists he worked with never really were popular hits. His most recognizable hits have been Q-Tip's "Vivrant Thing" and Common's "The Light", both artists who have perpetually made residence at the periphery of the mainstream. Sad though. My life was changed by him. How many more he could have touched we will never know.
Tracks to Check: Copywrite - Clap, Four Tet - As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix), Royce Tha 5'9" - Life Goes On, ASD - Wenn Ihr Fuhit (Yes German rap. This cat got around)
Please don't check: Anything by 5 Elementz....uggggh.
The next step was deciding what to play. It would have been easy to go to one of my already preset shuffled playlists with songs that would more or less satiate me. But at that moment I decided to not waste the potential of the device and actually listen to some of the buried treasures I had loaded on to the darn thing in the hopes that I could jumpstart myself into discovering and rediscovering the bounty that is on my computer. I didn't want anything too unfamiliar though since I still had the sisters asking me for my opinion from time to time. That's when I scrolled down to J Dilla.
J Dilla has to be my favorite producer of all time. That's one of those few statements I can make that I can unequivocally stand behind. He is the linchpin behind all the music that I hold the most dearly. He started with A Tribe Called Quest and his discography is extensive. He is one of the few fan T-shirts that I have bought voluntarily. Sadly he passed away around this time last year due to some rare blood disease. But amazingly he has dropped about two albums posthumously with another on the way this year.
But my playlist is pretty large (314) since he did so much music. So this is another one of those playlists that will have multiple entries. So all I did was hit shuffle and then....
In the middle of a midtown Ann Taylor, I was riding the train on my way to high school. Dilla's production was that of a jazz bassist who fell in love with hip-hop. If Dilla was born earlier, I can easily see him working with Miles Davis. Once again bass is a huge element of his production, but the snares are crisp too. And later on in his production he definitely experimented with a more spacey, galactical sound. But overall, 9 out of 10 Dilla songs, on instrumentals alone, make your sould move.
The one thing you can say about his productions is that often the level of performer is not up to the par of the beat. Dilla hailed from Detroit and seemingly had many friends taht also shared his love of rap, but sadly did not possess the adequate skills. Dill astill put them on, maybe because his emceeing skills weren't that significant either. Most of the productions are are wth artists who never had a shot at a record deal. Often they sound like raps that people came up with bullshitting in an apartment late at night, often with the help of THC. They're misogynistic and empty more often than not. But Dilla's production is so strong that you listen to the song anyway.
It's so sad that he didn't get the recognition that he deserved while alive. Upon his death, you would have thought that he had oodles of Grammys in his collection. I mean he even had an obituary in the New York Times. But his production for the few big name artists he worked with never really were popular hits. His most recognizable hits have been Q-Tip's "Vivrant Thing" and Common's "The Light", both artists who have perpetually made residence at the periphery of the mainstream. Sad though. My life was changed by him. How many more he could have touched we will never know.
Tracks to Check: Copywrite - Clap, Four Tet - As Serious As Your Life (Jay Dee Remix), Royce Tha 5'9" - Life Goes On, ASD - Wenn Ihr Fuhit (Yes German rap. This cat got around)
Please don't check: Anything by 5 Elementz....uggggh.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Notes: Soulquarians & Tongues #1
Bilal - 1st Born Second
De La Soul - AOI: Bionix
De La Soul - AOI: Mosaic Thump
Raphael Saadiq - As Ray Ray
9th Wonder - Back In Black
Common - BE
A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes & Life
So in my extended procrastination of so many productive things I could be doing with my time, I decided to put on some more obscure playlists. But then I thought maybe I should actually attempt to do some of those productive things. Obscure music I find doesn't always help me focus with that. So what to play? What to play? Ah yes. Soulquarians & Tongues.
Now some history about this Soulquarians & Tongues. Now the Native Tongues were a clique of artists that offered progressive hip-hop in the early to mid-90s. The main proponents were A Tribe Called Quest & De La Soul and through them a loose collective existed. When those groups fell back in prominence, another generation was born called the Soulquarians. This new generation included loads who were the apprentices of the Native Tongues. So this is basically my favorite type of music. On my old computer, they were in separate folders because of rap and R & B limitations. But on my new incarnation, I separated them from the rap & Running & Beats and gave their own directory. And subsequently their own playlist.
Needless to say it is quite extensive. It is over 2500 songs on its own and takes up about 12 gigs on the hard drive. So there is no way I could get through the list in one sitting without the aid of cocaine or some other substance to assist. So here was number 1.
So the first choice I made was to sort them by albums and not artists which was smart. So much more variety that way. The first stop was that eccentric and peculiar character Bilal and his debut (and so far only official) album, 1st Born Second. As I was listening to it, a recurring theme was set up for all the ensuing albums: "Damn, I forgot this was that good." And there were pleasant surprises all day. If anything can be said about Bilal's album, he might have been too ambitious. I think a lot of people wanted to see him blow up, and everybody and they mama produced on this album. The first track is his, then Dr. Dre, then J Dilla, then him again. The Soulquarian production team makes an appearance as well. Funny enough, the most cohesive and seamless is the stuff he did with his friend. That comes close to the end of the album as well. Good thing everybody else keeps you gamely interested until he shows his true, unconventional style. Though he was trained in opera, it seems he uses the breathing techniques to help him manipulate random cries that he does throughout. Truly a futuristic crooner. If Andre 3000 had his voice, he would be unstoppable.
Tracks to Check: All That I Am, Sometimes, Love Poems, When Will You Call
Now the next one I planned to play was De La Soul's Art Official Intelligence - Mosaic Thump, their first installment of what was supposed to be three, but ended up being two. But I actually hit the instrumental version. So instead of actually finding the real one I just played the second one, AOI-Bionix. Now the interesting about this one is that there are more quality songs, but it's a shorter listen. MT was made after De La had been out the game for a while. There's a different producer on every track including Rockwilder, who was the producer of that moment in time. So actually the songs are all good and very listenable. As pop of an album as you can get from the Native Tongues clique. But what MT has in slick prodction, Bionix has in quality songs and lyrics. On the first installment, they really don't delve into anything too deep, only admonishing younger rappers' ignorance. Bionix however had some real songs on it where both Posdnous and Dave question their stations in life. Plus Bionix has a song that sampled Paul McCartney's famous Christmas song. So that was pretty fun.
Tracks to Check: Held Down (B), Trying People (B), Simply (B), Watch Out (B), Oooh (MT), Foolin (MT)
Next on the docket was Raphael Saadiq. Now his official membership in Native Tongues is questionable. I know I was delivered to his existence by a Q-Tip shout out on "The Remedy", a track from the Get On The Bus Soundtrack. And then I found out that he was part of the collective production group The Ummah, which had Q-Tip and Jay Dee (aka J Dilla) as well. Now As Ray Ray was an interesting CD. Sadly I didn't get to listen to it, like I worshipped his first one. I think it was mostly a timing thing. No time to really listen to it. But from the intro, it is obvious that the inspiration was Blaxploitation films of the 70's. And the album is full of crazy bass that I was unaware of on my earlier listens. This album is a jammer! Now I know why I bought it (though it was mostly because of Saadiq's extensively quality track record). This album also features two songs with Teedra Moses, who is phenomenal (her own review is forthcoming). There is something about her voice. It doesn't blow you away but it possesses a very powerful quality. I guess one could call it truth. You feel the soul behind the vocals. Sadly an overlooked album
Tracks to Check: Chic, I Want You Back, Live Without You, Rifle Love (I mean there is a gunshot in the hook. Why wouldn't you listen?)
At this point in the day, things were just playing in alphabetical order I guess. There were phone calls. There was laundry. All my ears cared about at that point was whatever was auditorially palatable and everything playing was working out just fine. Next up was a double violation of the Native Tongues-Soulquarian membership club. 9th Wonder is an amazing producer and a part of the group Little Brother, who I've talked about before. It is so apparent that Little Brother received so much inspiration from the Native Tongues and they just seem so different that I had to put them in that folder. Now this album is really 9th Wonder's remix of Jay-Z's The Black Album. So Back in Black it is. Now 9th had production on the original in the form of Threats. But this time he takes on every track. And does some amazing work. He even uses a Flora Purim (jazz singer in the 70s) sample that changes the whole scope of Dirt Off Your Shoulder. And check the crazy juxtaposition of using D'Angelo's Devil's Pie as the backdrop for a reimagined Lucifer. Genius.
Tracks to Check: Lucifer, Encore, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, Public Service Announcement; Man just listen to the whole thing.
Oh next up was BE by Chicago's finest, Common. Now this one came with a lot of fanfare because Kanye West became prominently involved in the Man formerly known as Sense's career. Only two tracks aren't produced by Mr. West (the others helmed by J Dilla. Anybody else noting a trend with Dilla. Yeah my favorite producer ever.) And I don't know. It's a pretty good album. Maybe I just didn't listen as hard because I was fatigued with all the Common I was inundated with because of the Kanye connection. And I am still a huge Common fan. Thought he was the best performer at the Roots epic shows last year at Radio City. And the concert I saw him rock in Central Park was absolutely amazing. I wish he would do a live CD cause that's when I've found him most fun. But this album is still pretty great. It's got that flow to it. But like De La with MT, it feels like he was going safe to entertain, which is his right. But I missed the depth that is available on his earlier albums. Fun for laundry though.
Tracks to Check: Love Is, Go, They Say, Food
Last but not least, it was Beats, Rhymes & Life, the first Tribe album I bought. Funny enough, I bought it because it was the #1 album of the week I walked into the store. The name was familiar because I memorized some lyrics as a youngster that temporarily endeared me to would-be bullies when I skipped a grade. So purchase made. Life changed. This is really the album that got me to the place where my hard drive threatens failure because of all the music that is on it. And with subsequent purchases, it was proved tht this wasn't even the best album they did (That would be Midnight Marauders, with Low End Theory close behind). But this one was shot down a little more than necessary. Q-Tip's cousin, Consequence, is featured a little too much. And the beats are different than earlier more jazz-happy records. But I loved it and had to buy another CD when my original was too scratched to listen to.
Tracks to Check: The Pressure, Word Play, Mind Power
So that was my wonderful trip in history and procrastination. Joy for all.
De La Soul - AOI: Bionix
De La Soul - AOI: Mosaic Thump
Raphael Saadiq - As Ray Ray
9th Wonder - Back In Black
Common - BE
A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes & Life
So in my extended procrastination of so many productive things I could be doing with my time, I decided to put on some more obscure playlists. But then I thought maybe I should actually attempt to do some of those productive things. Obscure music I find doesn't always help me focus with that. So what to play? What to play? Ah yes. Soulquarians & Tongues.
Now some history about this Soulquarians & Tongues. Now the Native Tongues were a clique of artists that offered progressive hip-hop in the early to mid-90s. The main proponents were A Tribe Called Quest & De La Soul and through them a loose collective existed. When those groups fell back in prominence, another generation was born called the Soulquarians. This new generation included loads who were the apprentices of the Native Tongues. So this is basically my favorite type of music. On my old computer, they were in separate folders because of rap and R & B limitations. But on my new incarnation, I separated them from the rap & Running & Beats and gave their own directory. And subsequently their own playlist.
Needless to say it is quite extensive. It is over 2500 songs on its own and takes up about 12 gigs on the hard drive. So there is no way I could get through the list in one sitting without the aid of cocaine or some other substance to assist. So here was number 1.
So the first choice I made was to sort them by albums and not artists which was smart. So much more variety that way. The first stop was that eccentric and peculiar character Bilal and his debut (and so far only official) album, 1st Born Second. As I was listening to it, a recurring theme was set up for all the ensuing albums: "Damn, I forgot this was that good." And there were pleasant surprises all day. If anything can be said about Bilal's album, he might have been too ambitious. I think a lot of people wanted to see him blow up, and everybody and they mama produced on this album. The first track is his, then Dr. Dre, then J Dilla, then him again. The Soulquarian production team makes an appearance as well. Funny enough, the most cohesive and seamless is the stuff he did with his friend. That comes close to the end of the album as well. Good thing everybody else keeps you gamely interested until he shows his true, unconventional style. Though he was trained in opera, it seems he uses the breathing techniques to help him manipulate random cries that he does throughout. Truly a futuristic crooner. If Andre 3000 had his voice, he would be unstoppable.
Tracks to Check: All That I Am, Sometimes, Love Poems, When Will You Call
Now the next one I planned to play was De La Soul's Art Official Intelligence - Mosaic Thump, their first installment of what was supposed to be three, but ended up being two. But I actually hit the instrumental version. So instead of actually finding the real one I just played the second one, AOI-Bionix. Now the interesting about this one is that there are more quality songs, but it's a shorter listen. MT was made after De La had been out the game for a while. There's a different producer on every track including Rockwilder, who was the producer of that moment in time. So actually the songs are all good and very listenable. As pop of an album as you can get from the Native Tongues clique. But what MT has in slick prodction, Bionix has in quality songs and lyrics. On the first installment, they really don't delve into anything too deep, only admonishing younger rappers' ignorance. Bionix however had some real songs on it where both Posdnous and Dave question their stations in life. Plus Bionix has a song that sampled Paul McCartney's famous Christmas song. So that was pretty fun.
Tracks to Check: Held Down (B), Trying People (B), Simply (B), Watch Out (B), Oooh (MT), Foolin (MT)
Next on the docket was Raphael Saadiq. Now his official membership in Native Tongues is questionable. I know I was delivered to his existence by a Q-Tip shout out on "The Remedy", a track from the Get On The Bus Soundtrack. And then I found out that he was part of the collective production group The Ummah, which had Q-Tip and Jay Dee (aka J Dilla) as well. Now As Ray Ray was an interesting CD. Sadly I didn't get to listen to it, like I worshipped his first one. I think it was mostly a timing thing. No time to really listen to it. But from the intro, it is obvious that the inspiration was Blaxploitation films of the 70's. And the album is full of crazy bass that I was unaware of on my earlier listens. This album is a jammer! Now I know why I bought it (though it was mostly because of Saadiq's extensively quality track record). This album also features two songs with Teedra Moses, who is phenomenal (her own review is forthcoming). There is something about her voice. It doesn't blow you away but it possesses a very powerful quality. I guess one could call it truth. You feel the soul behind the vocals. Sadly an overlooked album
Tracks to Check: Chic, I Want You Back, Live Without You, Rifle Love (I mean there is a gunshot in the hook. Why wouldn't you listen?)
At this point in the day, things were just playing in alphabetical order I guess. There were phone calls. There was laundry. All my ears cared about at that point was whatever was auditorially palatable and everything playing was working out just fine. Next up was a double violation of the Native Tongues-Soulquarian membership club. 9th Wonder is an amazing producer and a part of the group Little Brother, who I've talked about before. It is so apparent that Little Brother received so much inspiration from the Native Tongues and they just seem so different that I had to put them in that folder. Now this album is really 9th Wonder's remix of Jay-Z's The Black Album. So Back in Black it is. Now 9th had production on the original in the form of Threats. But this time he takes on every track. And does some amazing work. He even uses a Flora Purim (jazz singer in the 70s) sample that changes the whole scope of Dirt Off Your Shoulder. And check the crazy juxtaposition of using D'Angelo's Devil's Pie as the backdrop for a reimagined Lucifer. Genius.
Tracks to Check: Lucifer, Encore, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, Public Service Announcement; Man just listen to the whole thing.
Oh next up was BE by Chicago's finest, Common. Now this one came with a lot of fanfare because Kanye West became prominently involved in the Man formerly known as Sense's career. Only two tracks aren't produced by Mr. West (the others helmed by J Dilla. Anybody else noting a trend with Dilla. Yeah my favorite producer ever.) And I don't know. It's a pretty good album. Maybe I just didn't listen as hard because I was fatigued with all the Common I was inundated with because of the Kanye connection. And I am still a huge Common fan. Thought he was the best performer at the Roots epic shows last year at Radio City. And the concert I saw him rock in Central Park was absolutely amazing. I wish he would do a live CD cause that's when I've found him most fun. But this album is still pretty great. It's got that flow to it. But like De La with MT, it feels like he was going safe to entertain, which is his right. But I missed the depth that is available on his earlier albums. Fun for laundry though.
Tracks to Check: Love Is, Go, They Say, Food
Last but not least, it was Beats, Rhymes & Life, the first Tribe album I bought. Funny enough, I bought it because it was the #1 album of the week I walked into the store. The name was familiar because I memorized some lyrics as a youngster that temporarily endeared me to would-be bullies when I skipped a grade. So purchase made. Life changed. This is really the album that got me to the place where my hard drive threatens failure because of all the music that is on it. And with subsequent purchases, it was proved tht this wasn't even the best album they did (That would be Midnight Marauders, with Low End Theory close behind). But this one was shot down a little more than necessary. Q-Tip's cousin, Consequence, is featured a little too much. And the beats are different than earlier more jazz-happy records. But I loved it and had to buy another CD when my original was too scratched to listen to.
Tracks to Check: The Pressure, Word Play, Mind Power
So that was my wonderful trip in history and procrastination. Joy for all.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Notes: Q-Tip - Kamaal The Abstract
This morning I woke up lethargic. And broke. So I felt what better way to cheer myself up than to listen to some music I've never heard before. Okay. That wasn't the thought I had but I guess my ADD was acting up and I didn't want to listen to the same 'ol same 'ol.
So first I was listening to The New Pornographers (Freudian slip?) but I grew tired of it, though it sounds promising. Wasn't in a very rockish mood I guess. Then I moved to Joy Denalene which I have only got through half of. But that was unsatisfying as well. So then I went to some obscure Pharoahe Monch and that was pleasing. But after I heard the two or three tracks I wanted again restlessness took over.
Lo and behold, little Q-Tip hiding among the P's and R's on that long ever-growing list. So I played it. And like....
Wow.
It's a wakeup playlist all in itself. Now Q-Tip has gotten a bad rap. As the leader of the seminal hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, I think he earned a title as one of the leaders of "true" hip-hop, always caling out the Vanilla Ice's and MC Hammer's for their bastardization of his love. But then he got his own Hype Williams video and made a play for stardom and I guess that rubbed everyone the wrong way. So then he drops this Kamaal The Abstract album that is so off base that is label shelves it and drops him.
And truly, I can understand the decision. From a business standpoint, Q-Tip is either the intermediary betweeen the underground and mainstream or that sensible pop rapper. "Abstract" is neither of these. For one, he sings a whole lot more on this album. The jazz elements are there like Tribe but guitars are just as prevalent. But this boy can jam. Q-Tip was never regarded as the most amazing rapper, but he always had something to say and he could move a song along which as I recall is what is required of an emcee. And he does it well. Sometimes he sharps or flats. Sometimes songs meander to places too far down the yellowbrick road. But man, you can tell he was just feeling a vibe. And he's jamming.
This album in the 70's on some obscure jazz label would be on artsy nerds' vinyl to-get lists. Sadly it was released at the turn of the millenium when the music industry has tightly painted lines that one must fit into. Q-Tip would never be a star off this type of material. I think he realized that when he called his old friend Busta Rhymes and got a Neptunes track. But for some reason I feel like this is the real Tip. An eccentric boy who with schizophrenic musical tastes that just wanted to create some stuff he would want to bump in his house. I mean if you look at what's he's done since Tribe ended it's not hard to understand this album. I mean he was nominated for a Grammy for his work with the Chemical Brothers. How many Tribe listeners also bump Chemical Brothers? Backpacks and glowsticks don't really mesh well together.
So Q-Tip kudos. To all the people who want artists to stay to the initial bluepint, please shut up. If we stay doing the same thing, all that results is stagnation and I personally don't like algae all too much.
Tracks to bump: Do U Dig U?; Blue Girl
So first I was listening to The New Pornographers (Freudian slip?) but I grew tired of it, though it sounds promising. Wasn't in a very rockish mood I guess. Then I moved to Joy Denalene which I have only got through half of. But that was unsatisfying as well. So then I went to some obscure Pharoahe Monch and that was pleasing. But after I heard the two or three tracks I wanted again restlessness took over.
Lo and behold, little Q-Tip hiding among the P's and R's on that long ever-growing list. So I played it. And like....
Wow.
It's a wakeup playlist all in itself. Now Q-Tip has gotten a bad rap. As the leader of the seminal hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, I think he earned a title as one of the leaders of "true" hip-hop, always caling out the Vanilla Ice's and MC Hammer's for their bastardization of his love. But then he got his own Hype Williams video and made a play for stardom and I guess that rubbed everyone the wrong way. So then he drops this Kamaal The Abstract album that is so off base that is label shelves it and drops him.
And truly, I can understand the decision. From a business standpoint, Q-Tip is either the intermediary betweeen the underground and mainstream or that sensible pop rapper. "Abstract" is neither of these. For one, he sings a whole lot more on this album. The jazz elements are there like Tribe but guitars are just as prevalent. But this boy can jam. Q-Tip was never regarded as the most amazing rapper, but he always had something to say and he could move a song along which as I recall is what is required of an emcee. And he does it well. Sometimes he sharps or flats. Sometimes songs meander to places too far down the yellowbrick road. But man, you can tell he was just feeling a vibe. And he's jamming.
This album in the 70's on some obscure jazz label would be on artsy nerds' vinyl to-get lists. Sadly it was released at the turn of the millenium when the music industry has tightly painted lines that one must fit into. Q-Tip would never be a star off this type of material. I think he realized that when he called his old friend Busta Rhymes and got a Neptunes track. But for some reason I feel like this is the real Tip. An eccentric boy who with schizophrenic musical tastes that just wanted to create some stuff he would want to bump in his house. I mean if you look at what's he's done since Tribe ended it's not hard to understand this album. I mean he was nominated for a Grammy for his work with the Chemical Brothers. How many Tribe listeners also bump Chemical Brothers? Backpacks and glowsticks don't really mesh well together.
So Q-Tip kudos. To all the people who want artists to stay to the initial bluepint, please shut up. If we stay doing the same thing, all that results is stagnation and I personally don't like algae all too much.
Tracks to bump: Do U Dig U?; Blue Girl
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Performance: Wicked
I do my best to keep my promises and I promised Luna that I would take her to see Wicked once upon a time. So to fulfill my end of the bargain, we went to see it. Simple enough.
This incarnation featured Saturday Night Live alumna Ana Gasteyer in the role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Kate Reinders as Glinda the Good Witch. I must say that Ms. Reinders does a a great kristin Chenowith impression, the wonderful performer who originated the role on Broadway. At points its honestly scary how much she mimics her mannerisms and performance style. I never got tired of it though. Gasteyer was especially strong in the comedic elements of the show. Her wit and acidic sarcasm were on display this eve and she used them to her advantage.
Enjoyable show. Not much more to say I guess.
This incarnation featured Saturday Night Live alumna Ana Gasteyer in the role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Kate Reinders as Glinda the Good Witch. I must say that Ms. Reinders does a a great kristin Chenowith impression, the wonderful performer who originated the role on Broadway. At points its honestly scary how much she mimics her mannerisms and performance style. I never got tired of it though. Gasteyer was especially strong in the comedic elements of the show. Her wit and acidic sarcasm were on display this eve and she used them to her advantage.
Enjoyable show. Not much more to say I guess.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Moving Pictures: The Holiday
Being a good only son, Mom and I have our movie dates from time to time. And the holiday season is so overloaded with movie choices that it is not difficult to find a suitable one that we would both enjoy. Since every black person in Brooklyn was losing their mind over Dreamgirls we avoided it to go see The Holiday.
Now when I saw the trailer for the movie, I immediately tagged it a date movie I could tolerate. Why? Well, it had Kate Winslet, who I gain more appreciation of with each movie I see with her. Also Cameron Diaz, who I've liked all the way back to The Mask. But if even they were not in it, the inclusion of Jack Black was the dealmaker. The man is just funny and I haven't seen him ever take away from a movie. Matter of fact, Jack Black is often the only reason to watch a movie (Orange County, Saving Silverman). But of course when the one person I would have gone on a date with to see the movie already saw it, it freed me up.
So two women depressed with their circumstances trade houses for the Christmas holiday. Winslet comes to the L.A. movie executive's house as Diaz moves to the journalist's cozy English cottage. Along the way, they spark up unexpected romances as they try to get over their old ones. Diaz with Law, the journalist's brother and Winslet with Black, a friend of movie exec's ex-boyfriend. Cuteness & flirtation ensues and everyone ends up happy in the end. But then again it's Christmas and New Year's. Who wouldn't be happy?
So that's the gist. Wonderful performances all around, although Ms. Diaz kind of weighs things down a little. Something this movie opened my eyes to a little more was the idea of chemistry. The opening scene for Diaz has her kicking out her boyfriend played by Edward Burns. But there is absolutely no chemistry and Diaz is trying so hard that you really ending up being super annoyed with her. It's something she has to overcome for the rest of the movie. Thankfully her partner for the rest o her. But for a while it wasn't looking good. Jack Black, in his few scenes, manages to be quite the charmer and plays the sensitive, lovable guy quite well.
So if you are a guy and your lady would like to watch the movie, don't roll your eyes too hard. It's tolerable. And just wait for Jack Black.
Now when I saw the trailer for the movie, I immediately tagged it a date movie I could tolerate. Why? Well, it had Kate Winslet, who I gain more appreciation of with each movie I see with her. Also Cameron Diaz, who I've liked all the way back to The Mask. But if even they were not in it, the inclusion of Jack Black was the dealmaker. The man is just funny and I haven't seen him ever take away from a movie. Matter of fact, Jack Black is often the only reason to watch a movie (Orange County, Saving Silverman). But of course when the one person I would have gone on a date with to see the movie already saw it, it freed me up.
So two women depressed with their circumstances trade houses for the Christmas holiday. Winslet comes to the L.A. movie executive's house as Diaz moves to the journalist's cozy English cottage. Along the way, they spark up unexpected romances as they try to get over their old ones. Diaz with Law, the journalist's brother and Winslet with Black, a friend of movie exec's ex-boyfriend. Cuteness & flirtation ensues and everyone ends up happy in the end. But then again it's Christmas and New Year's. Who wouldn't be happy?
So that's the gist. Wonderful performances all around, although Ms. Diaz kind of weighs things down a little. Something this movie opened my eyes to a little more was the idea of chemistry. The opening scene for Diaz has her kicking out her boyfriend played by Edward Burns. But there is absolutely no chemistry and Diaz is trying so hard that you really ending up being super annoyed with her. It's something she has to overcome for the rest of the movie. Thankfully her partner for the rest o her. But for a while it wasn't looking good. Jack Black, in his few scenes, manages to be quite the charmer and plays the sensitive, lovable guy quite well.
So if you are a guy and your lady would like to watch the movie, don't roll your eyes too hard. It's tolerable. And just wait for Jack Black.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Movie: Apocalypto
Man movie times are a interesting beast. And because of it I saw this movie I barely even knew existed. Lots of resistance off the bat.
1) Mel Gibson was prominently involved. For some reason I just feel he feels himself a little too much.
2) The whole thing was done in the ancient dialect of the native Mayans so that meant I had to read. This is not usually a problem but at midnight on Christmas, English would have been appreciated.
3) Plus I didn't know the plot going in. Few want to see a movie not knowing what it's about.
Groupthink wins out over everything though.
So it's a bout 16th century native tribe presumably in Central or South America. The rain forest is being overtaken by another scivilization capturing people to be human sacrifices to end their drought. It follows the journey of Jaguar Paw (that is his real name) on his escape from the captors and back to save his family.
It was fast paced. Funny at points. Actually a decent movie. There is no need for regret if you never see it. It wasn't some amazing achievement in filmmaking either. It just seems like an exercise Gibson did to prove he could and yay for him he did. Now when is the Good Shepherd playing?
1) Mel Gibson was prominently involved. For some reason I just feel he feels himself a little too much.
2) The whole thing was done in the ancient dialect of the native Mayans so that meant I had to read. This is not usually a problem but at midnight on Christmas, English would have been appreciated.
3) Plus I didn't know the plot going in. Few want to see a movie not knowing what it's about.
Groupthink wins out over everything though.
So it's a bout 16th century native tribe presumably in Central or South America. The rain forest is being overtaken by another scivilization capturing people to be human sacrifices to end their drought. It follows the journey of Jaguar Paw (that is his real name) on his escape from the captors and back to save his family.
It was fast paced. Funny at points. Actually a decent movie. There is no need for regret if you never see it. It wasn't some amazing achievement in filmmaking either. It just seems like an exercise Gibson did to prove he could and yay for him he did. Now when is the Good Shepherd playing?
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Notes: Handel's Messiah - A Soulful Celebration
My mom used to manage a pianist who did lots of work with Afrocentric twists on classical tunes. So he was commissioned to work on this little project which was an African-American take on one of the most performed classical pieces in the world.
Now I usually break it out around the holidays and even though it must be like 15 years by now it still amazes me that such an endeavor was undertaken. And even more, it was executed so wonderfully. From the start, the African-American musical aesthetic is emphasized. The overture is a minor history lesson that travels trhough the evolution of Black music in America from spirituals to house music. Most of the songs take on the style prevalent in the late 80'sand early 90s which was contemporary R & B, I guess what would be termed today as adult. But there is young Busta Rhymes (now 5 Percenter) rapping on "Glory to God" and a reggae version of "And The Glory of the Lord". Jazz also comes through in the form of the Yellowjackets and Al Jarreau, who won a Grammy for his work on the album.
So this album is great for a multitude of reasons. There's a versatility and diversity displayed on the album but it never seems too scattered or entropic. Furthermore, it just makes you proud at seeing how much Blacks have contributed to the musical landscape. If they ever do it again they need to include some rock though. And blues wouldn't hurt either. Those are ours too.
Now I usually break it out around the holidays and even though it must be like 15 years by now it still amazes me that such an endeavor was undertaken. And even more, it was executed so wonderfully. From the start, the African-American musical aesthetic is emphasized. The overture is a minor history lesson that travels trhough the evolution of Black music in America from spirituals to house music. Most of the songs take on the style prevalent in the late 80'sand early 90s which was contemporary R & B, I guess what would be termed today as adult. But there is young Busta Rhymes (now 5 Percenter) rapping on "Glory to God" and a reggae version of "And The Glory of the Lord". Jazz also comes through in the form of the Yellowjackets and Al Jarreau, who won a Grammy for his work on the album.
So this album is great for a multitude of reasons. There's a versatility and diversity displayed on the album but it never seems too scattered or entropic. Furthermore, it just makes you proud at seeing how much Blacks have contributed to the musical landscape. If they ever do it again they need to include some rock though. And blues wouldn't hurt either. Those are ours too.
Notes: Mozart's Requiem
When I first joined my choir in college, Mozart's Requiem was the first major work that we did. I soaked in all the history our director tried to impart to us about the significance of the work and all the many elements that occurred in the music. Initially I was just worried about learning the incredibly difficult music.
So today as I walked and needed release from a disappointing chain of events, the new iPod was dispatched to the Requiem playlist. It's hard to explain why, but the Requiem just hits a place in my soul. Maybe it's the intricacy that is necessary to sing it correctly as it swoops from gentle dolce suono all the way to sweeping power. Maybe it's the dichotomy of complexity and simplicity that is characteristic of all the separate parts working in concert together. It just moves me.
Mozart accomplishes so much in one work. There's a haunting sweetness in the Lacrymosa only moments after he has bowled you over with the rushed energy of Dies Irae. I am too ignorant over the many elements of the work that I am sure countless papers have touched upon. Lisstening to it made me sad that so many are just ignorant to its true beauty just cause they don't understand the words or it doesn't make them dance. Such is life.
So today as I walked and needed release from a disappointing chain of events, the new iPod was dispatched to the Requiem playlist. It's hard to explain why, but the Requiem just hits a place in my soul. Maybe it's the intricacy that is necessary to sing it correctly as it swoops from gentle dolce suono all the way to sweeping power. Maybe it's the dichotomy of complexity and simplicity that is characteristic of all the separate parts working in concert together. It just moves me.
Mozart accomplishes so much in one work. There's a haunting sweetness in the Lacrymosa only moments after he has bowled you over with the rushed energy of Dies Irae. I am too ignorant over the many elements of the work that I am sure countless papers have touched upon. Lisstening to it made me sad that so many are just ignorant to its true beauty just cause they don't understand the words or it doesn't make them dance. Such is life.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Notes: Georgia Anne Muldrow - Olesi: Fragments Of An Earth
I first heard Ms. Muldrow on the Platinum Pied Pipers disc Triple P (which might get it's own review one day; it is one of my smart playlists) and since I have made my journey back into the depths of indie hip-hop, her name kept popping up. So it seems that she is the first woman who is signed to Stones Throw Records, which it seems is at the forefront of the indie hip-hop movement. They already have Madlib and MF Doom doing records for them and in independent hip-hop you only need like 2 to present legitimacy.
So I heard her EP. Interesting. And now the full length.
I must say, even as I listened to it, I wasn't sure how to explain it. Off the bat, I can tell you there are a select few who will enjoy this music. Georgia Anne (I think I just love her name; she seems like good people) sings and raps and makes her own beats. I can consistently say that the beats are always something to look forward too. My head was nodding the whole time. Often her singing is discordant and arrhythmic. And the raps come from nowhere and they are often at odds with the beat as well.
This is not sit down and read to it music. It's not even get up and dance to it music. I still liked it though. It's worth a listen. You either like it or dislike it.
So I heard her EP. Interesting. And now the full length.
I must say, even as I listened to it, I wasn't sure how to explain it. Off the bat, I can tell you there are a select few who will enjoy this music. Georgia Anne (I think I just love her name; she seems like good people) sings and raps and makes her own beats. I can consistently say that the beats are always something to look forward too. My head was nodding the whole time. Often her singing is discordant and arrhythmic. And the raps come from nowhere and they are often at odds with the beat as well.
This is not sit down and read to it music. It's not even get up and dance to it music. I still liked it though. It's worth a listen. You either like it or dislike it.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Perfomance: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
So Nitro and I traversed up to Lincoln Center to see a performance of Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville). This was particularly exciting because it was directed by the Bartlett Sher, who also directed Light in the Piazza which me and Nitro especially enjoyed last year.
And this performance did not disappoint. Rossini's music is some of the most challenging. At this point I wish I had taken theory and had a greater understanding of what I was witnessing. Sadly I must resort to what I have gleaned over all the practices I have sat through. Each of the main parts, which consisted of a bass, a baritone, a soprano, and a tenor, each had their share of challenging runs.
Each of them did their parts especially well. Gladly, each performer was not just singing but they added some real thought into what their characters were doing. Charisma was oozing from the set, especially from the barber played by a Swede and the too short Rossini tenor from Spain.
The production values were very excellent as well. Since I started to attend Broadway musicals and now the opera with more frequency, the sets have always interested me because most times you have to use the same basic structure unless you have enough time during an intermission to make extreme changes. But no detail was spared and it all worked together, even the random donkey.
If you can, you should catch this production. It's a treat
And this performance did not disappoint. Rossini's music is some of the most challenging. At this point I wish I had taken theory and had a greater understanding of what I was witnessing. Sadly I must resort to what I have gleaned over all the practices I have sat through. Each of the main parts, which consisted of a bass, a baritone, a soprano, and a tenor, each had their share of challenging runs.
Each of them did their parts especially well. Gladly, each performer was not just singing but they added some real thought into what their characters were doing. Charisma was oozing from the set, especially from the barber played by a Swede and the too short Rossini tenor from Spain.
The production values were very excellent as well. Since I started to attend Broadway musicals and now the opera with more frequency, the sets have always interested me because most times you have to use the same basic structure unless you have enough time during an intermission to make extreme changes. But no detail was spared and it all worked together, even the random donkey.
If you can, you should catch this production. It's a treat
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Notes: Kidz In The Hall - School Was My Hustle
I know I have been absent for a while but sadly I have been working myself like a dog so when I put on some tracks, I don't have time to waste wondering if I'm going to enjoy it or not. So I've been sticking with the proven favorites as of late.
Amazingly though, I have found ways to enhance my musical experience at work. And so I have procured a copy of the new album School Was My Hustle by Kidz In The Hall. Now there is a plethora of reasons for me to be attracted to this record. First off, they were Okayplayer featured artists, which is the online home of The Roots, Jill Scott, and a bunch of other people I rock. Second it is underground rap. Third, these guys are Ivy Leaguers (Penn) so you have to hear what they really sound like. Fourth is the fact that this is a release from the long dormant Rawkus Records which used to be the standard bearer for progressive hip-hop.
From the first track, I already felt a pull back to the olden days, around the mid-90s. They kind of remind me of a Camp Lo type group. Smart lyrics, soulful beats. I'm really feeling Ritalin, an energetic two-minute romp that comes right after the intro. And it's quite apparent that they are college kids cause they keep referencing songs that were before their time like Wheelz Fall Off ('06 Til) which definitely takes inspiration from Souls of Mischief's '93 Til Infinity. But honestly this is really good stuff. They even have a track that uses the same sample Mr. Carter used for Show Me What You Got which seems pretty peculiar since the albums have dropped so close to each other, but honestly The Kidz Don't Stop sounds like the superior record.
I might actually go out and purchase it.
Amazingly though, I have found ways to enhance my musical experience at work. And so I have procured a copy of the new album School Was My Hustle by Kidz In The Hall. Now there is a plethora of reasons for me to be attracted to this record. First off, they were Okayplayer featured artists, which is the online home of The Roots, Jill Scott, and a bunch of other people I rock. Second it is underground rap. Third, these guys are Ivy Leaguers (Penn) so you have to hear what they really sound like. Fourth is the fact that this is a release from the long dormant Rawkus Records which used to be the standard bearer for progressive hip-hop.
From the first track, I already felt a pull back to the olden days, around the mid-90s. They kind of remind me of a Camp Lo type group. Smart lyrics, soulful beats. I'm really feeling Ritalin, an energetic two-minute romp that comes right after the intro. And it's quite apparent that they are college kids cause they keep referencing songs that were before their time like Wheelz Fall Off ('06 Til) which definitely takes inspiration from Souls of Mischief's '93 Til Infinity. But honestly this is really good stuff. They even have a track that uses the same sample Mr. Carter used for Show Me What You Got which seems pretty peculiar since the albums have dropped so close to each other, but honestly The Kidz Don't Stop sounds like the superior record.
I might actually go out and purchase it.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Live Notes: John Legend (w/ Robin Thicke & Consequence)
You know I really like Robin Thicke. I saved the New York Times article from the time that he (then recording as just Thicke) and Justin Timberlake were both releasing their first albums. The article focused on the return of blue-eyed soul and I privately rooted for him. While Justin had multi-platinum success with Justified, Thicke never cracked the Billboard 100 though he made some ripples on the Heatseekers charts.
Fast forward a couple of years, add his first name, a hook up with Star Trak, and a more stylish wardrobe and haircut, and you have Robin Thicke in his current incarnation. Of course I got a snippet of the new album and was rocking "Got 2 Be Down" featuring Faith Evans till my hall got sick of it. Which is why I decided to see if he was performing any time soon. Lo and behold a date with John Legend. I like John Legend. I'll pay 25 beans for that show.
Funny though that Boston public transit system. Red line down? Shuttle bus? Uhhhhhhhh.
So since Boston wants to be all timely with it's shows, I actually missed a chunk of his set. And I missed Consequence who must have got on even before the advertised showtime. But as a walked in I was treated to that awesome falsetto. And he is quite the showman. I'd like to see him in a more intimate club setting with people who are crazy for the music. He did rock it last night with the short time I did see him.
So next up was Mr. Legend. The last time I saw him live he was still John Stephens and I had only gone to that show because he did a decent Stevie cover at an open mic and his was one of the names I remembered. Wow from little underground hole to Best New Artist Grammy and multiplatinum sales. I don't know why I feel a kinship with Legend. Well actually I do. Both black. Both attended Ivy institutions, though he graduated. And for some reason I can tell he loves the old school, but actually does throw on some Dipset sometime, and I kinda feel the same way.
Anyway, he came in and funked up the place for his first two songs. From that point on he never lost his energy. By the end of the night the dude looked like he visibly lost weight. He did a pretty good representation of what pleases the people, an underrated task even though he only has two albums of material. The second one almost doesn't count cause it just came out two weeks ago so the populace wasn't as familiar. But he did such a great job of seamlessly weaving in and out of the new songs that you wanted to go buy the new joint right then and there.
He says he got the name Legend because his contemporaries said his voice sounded like something from the old school. I really cannot deny this. Something in that voice is warm. There's a subtle warble that brings soul to every note. I wonder if it is smoke tinged. It sounds aged though so I totally understand the Legendary connection. And from the way he rocked out and had church and moved hearts, it would be a shame if people weren't be likened to him in 20 years.
Fast forward a couple of years, add his first name, a hook up with Star Trak, and a more stylish wardrobe and haircut, and you have Robin Thicke in his current incarnation. Of course I got a snippet of the new album and was rocking "Got 2 Be Down" featuring Faith Evans till my hall got sick of it. Which is why I decided to see if he was performing any time soon. Lo and behold a date with John Legend. I like John Legend. I'll pay 25 beans for that show.
Funny though that Boston public transit system. Red line down? Shuttle bus? Uhhhhhhhh.
So since Boston wants to be all timely with it's shows, I actually missed a chunk of his set. And I missed Consequence who must have got on even before the advertised showtime. But as a walked in I was treated to that awesome falsetto. And he is quite the showman. I'd like to see him in a more intimate club setting with people who are crazy for the music. He did rock it last night with the short time I did see him.
So next up was Mr. Legend. The last time I saw him live he was still John Stephens and I had only gone to that show because he did a decent Stevie cover at an open mic and his was one of the names I remembered. Wow from little underground hole to Best New Artist Grammy and multiplatinum sales. I don't know why I feel a kinship with Legend. Well actually I do. Both black. Both attended Ivy institutions, though he graduated. And for some reason I can tell he loves the old school, but actually does throw on some Dipset sometime, and I kinda feel the same way.
Anyway, he came in and funked up the place for his first two songs. From that point on he never lost his energy. By the end of the night the dude looked like he visibly lost weight. He did a pretty good representation of what pleases the people, an underrated task even though he only has two albums of material. The second one almost doesn't count cause it just came out two weeks ago so the populace wasn't as familiar. But he did such a great job of seamlessly weaving in and out of the new songs that you wanted to go buy the new joint right then and there.
He says he got the name Legend because his contemporaries said his voice sounded like something from the old school. I really cannot deny this. Something in that voice is warm. There's a subtle warble that brings soul to every note. I wonder if it is smoke tinged. It sounds aged though so I totally understand the Legendary connection. And from the way he rocked out and had church and moved hearts, it would be a shame if people weren't be likened to him in 20 years.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Notes: Where Did The Good Music Go?
So Banana pops in some obscure CD today as we're coming home and man that joint was good. One of those corny ones (I believe it was called The Down Low) that they sell on BET late night. Anyway, it was just a mix of all that 90's R & B with like SWV and Deborah Cox. And me and Banana both keep saying "How come s%@$ don't sound this good any more?"
I mean back then it seemed like the hits kept coming. Now I am subjected to dances about jewelry length and lunch choices. And even the more conventional love songs all sound like they have been pre-fabricated at a factory and that anyone can just go buy their own and assemble like so many Ikea furniture kits. Oy.
I should have been born in 1966 and then I would have grown up in the midst of hot music on a regular basis.
I mean back then it seemed like the hits kept coming. Now I am subjected to dances about jewelry length and lunch choices. And even the more conventional love songs all sound like they have been pre-fabricated at a factory and that anyone can just go buy their own and assemble like so many Ikea furniture kits. Oy.
I should have been born in 1966 and then I would have grown up in the midst of hot music on a regular basis.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Words: Passing
It was a long day at work. I was sent to the Crisis Unit to watch a child that decided to walk along the edge of a wall and threaten to kill himself. I was babysitting until the people came from the hospital to screen him for admittance. So while he slept and I needed to occupy myselfI finished Nella Larsen's Passing, a Harlem Renaissance novel. Taking place in a late 20s summer in Chicago and New York, it tracks the rekindling of friendship between three women, now with families of their own. The twist is that they are all African-American but possess a pigmentation that allows them to behave as though they were white, hence the title. While two are proud of their blackness, one is straight up trying to live life like she was white. Her husband doesn't even realize that she is black.
Deftly written and consistently engaging, the main draw of this book is its ability to provoke thought. In a time when access to certain privileges of life are determined by the arbitrary, how far would you go to deny your identity? What would you stand for? What wouldn't you? I still don't have any answers but I've been thinking about it ever since I started reading. Then there's the other side. How far would you go to exploit your identity for gain (cough - affirmative action - cough)?
Anyway, it's a quick read and like I said worth the brain activity.
Happy Birthday to my Mom who made sure I made regular trips to the library, sang me loads of songs as a baby, and let me watch Christian video tapes. She baptized me in so much culture. And she helped make me the man I am today. Love you.
Deftly written and consistently engaging, the main draw of this book is its ability to provoke thought. In a time when access to certain privileges of life are determined by the arbitrary, how far would you go to deny your identity? What would you stand for? What wouldn't you? I still don't have any answers but I've been thinking about it ever since I started reading. Then there's the other side. How far would you go to exploit your identity for gain (cough - affirmative action - cough)?
Anyway, it's a quick read and like I said worth the brain activity.
Happy Birthday to my Mom who made sure I made regular trips to the library, sang me loads of songs as a baby, and let me watch Christian video tapes. She baptized me in so much culture. And she helped make me the man I am today. Love you.
Moving Pictures: The Departed
Banana and I were looking to see The Prestige but alas our timing was off again. But The Departed came highly recommended.
Now on paper this was potentially a really great movie. First off, Martin Scorsese is still desperate for Oscar and every year he delivers an ambitious project to help him taste its glory, so you know just because he's directing that there is a good shot that it is good. Second, the cast was just chock full of credible acting. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon. Plus Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin in supporting roles. This was either going to be really good or really disappointing.
Luckily the former won out. We didn't even realize how long the movie was (about 2.5 hours) until it was over cause we were so caught up in the story. Basically it follows a Boston mob figure (Nicholson), the cop he has in his pocket (Damon), and the cop who is spying on him (DiCaprio). DiCaprio is particularly good cause he plays the tormented soul angle all too well. It makes you wonder what's happening in his personal life cause he's so good at it. He gets all the layers down perfectly. Nicholson is a little over the top sometimes but I don't know if that's his issue or maybe the script's. Damon also does well. The ensemble movie is gaining more steam and rightly so because it's a whole lot easier and plausible to make a quality movie when multiple quality people are involved. Makes the story a lot realer too.
Anyway,highly recommended. Will join my DVD fold eventually
Now on paper this was potentially a really great movie. First off, Martin Scorsese is still desperate for Oscar and every year he delivers an ambitious project to help him taste its glory, so you know just because he's directing that there is a good shot that it is good. Second, the cast was just chock full of credible acting. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon. Plus Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin in supporting roles. This was either going to be really good or really disappointing.
Luckily the former won out. We didn't even realize how long the movie was (about 2.5 hours) until it was over cause we were so caught up in the story. Basically it follows a Boston mob figure (Nicholson), the cop he has in his pocket (Damon), and the cop who is spying on him (DiCaprio). DiCaprio is particularly good cause he plays the tormented soul angle all too well. It makes you wonder what's happening in his personal life cause he's so good at it. He gets all the layers down perfectly. Nicholson is a little over the top sometimes but I don't know if that's his issue or maybe the script's. Damon also does well. The ensemble movie is gaining more steam and rightly so because it's a whole lot easier and plausible to make a quality movie when multiple quality people are involved. Makes the story a lot realer too.
Anyway,highly recommended. Will join my DVD fold eventually
Monday, October 16, 2006
Moving Pictures: Little Children
As my last meal before my death trip back to the gripping cold of Massachusetts, I decided to treat myself to a movie. Now there were two choices: The Last King of Scotland or Little Children. Now I wanted to see "Scotland" cause Forest Whitaker looked frightening in the trailers, but that is an intense political story and I really wasn't in the mood to think. I picked "Children" because it was basically a story being told and thinking would have been incidental.
And it was fantastic. Basically it revolves around a bunch of loosely interconnecting stories centered in a suburban Massachusetts town over the summer. There is the return of a sex offender. There are desperate housewives. A crazy policeman. And even a desperate house-husband. They all connect with no more than two degrees of separation but a lot of their stories are kept separate all the same.
I don't like to give things away so here's a couple of things I got from the movie:
* Kate Winslet is a great actress. The whole Titanic craze threw me off. I'm very suspicious of overhype. But Eternal Sunshine, Finding Neverland, and now this show me how great she is. She is a master of the action, the insignificant little things that separate actors from thespians. For some, there is just the repeating of lines but with Ms. Winslet I feel an embodiment of them. She can look like the impatient child or the fantasizing housewife or just about anything. Just the range she displays between movies and within them is awe inspiring
* I like movies that are stories. And this came from a novel. Go figure.
* I would love to be a house-husband as long as my wife was not condescending.
* There are some real crazy people in this world and how they get there is beyond me.
So Little Children please go see whether in the theater or on DVD
And it was fantastic. Basically it revolves around a bunch of loosely interconnecting stories centered in a suburban Massachusetts town over the summer. There is the return of a sex offender. There are desperate housewives. A crazy policeman. And even a desperate house-husband. They all connect with no more than two degrees of separation but a lot of their stories are kept separate all the same.
I don't like to give things away so here's a couple of things I got from the movie:
* Kate Winslet is a great actress. The whole Titanic craze threw me off. I'm very suspicious of overhype. But Eternal Sunshine, Finding Neverland, and now this show me how great she is. She is a master of the action, the insignificant little things that separate actors from thespians. For some, there is just the repeating of lines but with Ms. Winslet I feel an embodiment of them. She can look like the impatient child or the fantasizing housewife or just about anything. Just the range she displays between movies and within them is awe inspiring
* I like movies that are stories. And this came from a novel. Go figure.
* I would love to be a house-husband as long as my wife was not condescending.
* There are some real crazy people in this world and how they get there is beyond me.
So Little Children please go see whether in the theater or on DVD
Words: The Namesake
I thought I read this book. Maybe I started it but didn't finish. But I began to read it again when Luna said she was and I always like to talk about books and I figured it would be good airplane material.
I was right. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake follows the life of Gogol, the Massachusetts born son of Bengali immigrants. We see him navigate life trying to balance his duty to his family with the all too familiar trappings of the "American" life.
Lahiri does a great job. I know I am not Indian but Coffee Bean and Lady Godiva are and I've seen how they feel the pressure from two sides to be Indian but a desire to fit in to American lifestyle as well. Furthermore just the coming of age as a young man resonates because it doesn't seem that he always knows what he wants. It's like he's following a script that someone gave to everyone. It's only when the script goes seriously awry that he slows down and figures things out.
It's a great read. Very insightful into the human condition. Stars abound
I was right. Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake follows the life of Gogol, the Massachusetts born son of Bengali immigrants. We see him navigate life trying to balance his duty to his family with the all too familiar trappings of the "American" life.
Lahiri does a great job. I know I am not Indian but Coffee Bean and Lady Godiva are and I've seen how they feel the pressure from two sides to be Indian but a desire to fit in to American lifestyle as well. Furthermore just the coming of age as a young man resonates because it doesn't seem that he always knows what he wants. It's like he's following a script that someone gave to everyone. It's only when the script goes seriously awry that he slows down and figures things out.
It's a great read. Very insightful into the human condition. Stars abound
Concert: Regina Spektor (Park West, Chicago, IL)
Do I know this artist well? Not at all
Do I know this artist a little? Ummm not really
Really the only way I went to this concert is because of the beautiful invitation from Luna who is particularly enamored with her. I didn't want to impede her enjoyment during my visit just because I didn't know an artist. Plus that would go against my whole open-minded to music thing that I like to foster and express.
So here we are at the Park West which is actually a pretty cool venue. There's enough of a space for people to stand and swoon at the artist but also lots of chairs and it all feels cozy and close. Really nice. We need more of these in New York. I always feel to spaced out or too cramped there. Park West was comfortable.
Well this guy with a Jewfro opened named Only Son (yeah you read that right). He wasn't so bad. His band (i-Pod) was great. His guitar work was great. Even his lyrics were kind of on. His voice was kind of braying however. Like the whine of someone coming off a flu and took too many Dayquils. Eh worth a MySpace visit or something.
Anyway, Regina Spektor is a Russian immigrant naturalized in the suburbs of New York City. She is one of the purveyors of a genre of music some have labeled as anti-folk, I guess because it embodies elements of folk music like acoustic instruments and the singer-songwriter dictum but the subject matter is off base as well as some of the other musical influences that make it into the eventual brew. Despite that seriously atrocious run-on sentence, I forge on.
And she was really good. The music was rocking. Whether she was banging away on her piano, using a stick on a wooden chair as improvised percussion, or even with her band, it was all very groovable. She did employ some interesting lyrics like "Non-believers become the dirt and the believers spit on their graves" and "They're fucking to my song in the next room" and also "I'm so cool, I'm so cool, I'm so cool".
It was all so joyful and vibrant. I did leave there feeling a bit effervescent. And a little more open to Regina Spektor. Actually she's just in now.
Do I know this artist a little? Ummm not really
Really the only way I went to this concert is because of the beautiful invitation from Luna who is particularly enamored with her. I didn't want to impede her enjoyment during my visit just because I didn't know an artist. Plus that would go against my whole open-minded to music thing that I like to foster and express.
So here we are at the Park West which is actually a pretty cool venue. There's enough of a space for people to stand and swoon at the artist but also lots of chairs and it all feels cozy and close. Really nice. We need more of these in New York. I always feel to spaced out or too cramped there. Park West was comfortable.
Well this guy with a Jewfro opened named Only Son (yeah you read that right). He wasn't so bad. His band (i-Pod) was great. His guitar work was great. Even his lyrics were kind of on. His voice was kind of braying however. Like the whine of someone coming off a flu and took too many Dayquils. Eh worth a MySpace visit or something.
Anyway, Regina Spektor is a Russian immigrant naturalized in the suburbs of New York City. She is one of the purveyors of a genre of music some have labeled as anti-folk, I guess because it embodies elements of folk music like acoustic instruments and the singer-songwriter dictum but the subject matter is off base as well as some of the other musical influences that make it into the eventual brew. Despite that seriously atrocious run-on sentence, I forge on.
And she was really good. The music was rocking. Whether she was banging away on her piano, using a stick on a wooden chair as improvised percussion, or even with her band, it was all very groovable. She did employ some interesting lyrics like "Non-believers become the dirt and the believers spit on their graves" and "They're fucking to my song in the next room" and also "I'm so cool, I'm so cool, I'm so cool".
It was all so joyful and vibrant. I did leave there feeling a bit effervescent. And a little more open to Regina Spektor. Actually she's just in now.
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