Day 77: Lisa Stansfield - The Real Thing

Image courtesy of the Singers Room site.

Never mind the stars in the sky/Never mind the when and the why/Got a feeling higher than high/This is the real thing ~ "The Real Thing" from Lisa Stansfield (1997)

Soul comes in all colors.  You don't have to sing R&B, Jazz, or the Blues to have soul.  And you don't have to be a person of color either.  Soul transcends culture, race, gender, and genre.  Lisa Stansfield is an example of that.  Inspired by the sounds of Motown and her musical idol Barry White, Stansfield has a sound that's steeped in the old school R&B/Soul music of the 60s and 70s, but has a feel good, contemporary flair.  After 20+ years and over 20 million in album sales, Stansfield has amassed a loyal legion of fans with her sexy, rich, velvety, passionate voice.

Stansfield's breakthrough single "All Around The World" from her debut album Affection (1990) was an otherworldly, massive hit that became an instant classic.  The song is an infectious, pleading confession and listeners, some of which I'm sure could relate, fell instantly in love with it and with Stansfield.  From her debut solo album to 2004's The Moment, Stansfield's music has remained a consistent vehicle for her voice.  While she experimented with elements of Pop, Hip-Hop, Dance/House, 2-Step/Garage over the years, her music never strayed too far from the soulful, jazzy lush style she's most loved for.  

Regardless of the style or genre, there's a heartfelt sincerity in her music.  Her songwriting showcases a knack for storytelling and an innate ability to get inside the lyrics and emote experiences that are endearing and relatable to the audience.  Songs indicative of this are "Suzanne," "Change," "Easier," "Didn't I," "Real Love," and her classic anthem "All Woman."  With her commendable remakes of Phyllis Hyman's "You Know How To Love Me" and Barry White's "Never Never Gonna Give You Up," Stansfield respectfully paid homage to two of her obvious musical influences while still putting her own stylistic stamp on them. 

Aside from being a singer and songwriter, Stansfield is also an actress.  She's appeared in 5 films, Swing (1999), Goldplated (2006), Marple: Ordeal By Innocence (2007), Röllin Sydän (2007), and The Edge of Love (2008).  Rumor has it she's ready to begin work on a new studio album.  It's been 8 years since the release of her last album (The Moment).  According to an article on the Singers Room site, she turned downed a number of offers to star in reality TV shows to instead focus energies on her return to the music scene.  Whenever that day comes, it will be a welcomed return from this stylish, striking beauty with the captivating voice.    

Lisa Stansfield releases:  Affection (1990), Real Love (1991), So Natural (1993), Lisa Stansfield (1997), The #1 Remixes EP (1998), Swing (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [1999], Face Up (2001), Biography: The Greatest Hits (2003), The Complete Collection (2003), and The Moment (2004). 
 

Day 76: Chanté Moore Live - Love's Taken Over (Again)

Image courtesy of last.fm.

In late July, my partner and I had the pleasure of seeing Chanté Moore live at The Howard Theatre (in DC).  She’s an artist we’ve both loved since the very beginning.  I remember seeing and hearing her for the first time in El DeBarge’s video for “You Know What I Like” (1991).  I wondered, “Who is this beautiful chanteuse and when will a full-length album be available for purchase?”  The following year, we were blessed with the release of her classic debut album Precious.  I think I can speak for all her fans by saying we haven’t been the same since! 

Moore’s live show, like her albums, showcased her versatility and flexibility as a singer, songwriter, and entertainer.  Moore’s music has always been an aurally satisfying mix of R&B/Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Latin, Hip-Hop, Dance, and Pop.  If you weren’t blown away by her ease in this regard on record, then you certainly would be after this live performance.  Moore’s show was a nice mix of her hits, fan favorites, and remakes.  It effectively showcased her soulful, sultry, multi-octave vocal range (which has remained in superb shape over the last 20+ years).  She began the show with a rousing rendition of Beyoncé’s “End of Time” from 4 (2011).  Her performance made a statement of not only her love for all types of music (past or present), but her dynamism as a performer and her willingness to takes risks.  (Her selection of this song also shows that even she knew how hit-worthy “End of Time” was…Too bad Beyoncé’s label did not release it as a single.)  From “End of Time,” Moore went right into the hits and fan favorites starting with “This Time,” “Love’s Taken Over,” and “I Wanna Love (Like That Again).” 

Moore changed the mood of the show by doing a sexy medley of slow jams including “Do For You” (from her 2008 album Love The Woman), “Precious,” and “Finding My Way Back To You.”  During this segment of the show, Moore sang to and danced seductively around and with a lucky gentleman whom she selected from the audience to sit on stage.  Moore also took requests from the audience and sang them acapella, further proof of her talent and artistry.  Some of these songs included “Listen To My Song,” “I’m What You Need,” and “Candlelight & You.”  Moore paid homage to R&B/Soul legends Cheryl Lynn, Anita Baker, and the Gap Band with a stellar medley of “Got To Be Real,” “Sweet Love,” and “Yearning For Your Love.”       

Other highlights of the show included a spine-tingling reading of “As If We Never Met,” “Bitter,” and her opus “It’s Alright,” which brought the house to its feet.  Moore took us to higher ground during the latter half of “It’s Alright,” by singing in her angelic, stratospheric, Riperton-esque upper (whistle) register.  The rhythm and phrasing of her singing became chant-like.  She dug deeper and deeper into her soul—taking us along on a spiritual journey.  It seemed with a single performance she had transcended time and space with her voice.  There were very few dry eyes in the house (even Moore had to take a moment, as she was so enraptured by emotion from catching the spirit).  She closed the show with a moving gospel tune and her anthem (and biggest hit to date) “Chante’s Got A Man.”  She received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end of the show.  Moore performed a one-song encore as an appreciation to her fans with a spirited version of Tina Turner’s “Simply The Best.”

Moore had excellent rapport with the audience.  She took the time to talk to the audience (and I mean really talk to the audience).  She spoke about the inspiration for her music, love and relationships, lessons she’s learned, and the reception of her music in later years.  She was in great spirits and it was clear that she was having a good time (and wasn’t taking herself too seriously).  Much to our delight, Moore announced that she was working on a new album and that it would be released very soon.  It’s been four years since the release of her last album.  While it was one of her most consistent efforts, it received little fanfare.  Hopefully that won’t be the case with the next album.  With performances like the one she gave at The Howard Theatre, she should be adorned with an onslaught of much-deserved, long overdue acclaim. 

Day 75: Flash in the Pan

"Flash in the Pan" is a poem featured within the "Love" section of Prevail.  It's an abbreviated retelling of an experience I had with a former love interest.  As the saying goes—if I knew right then what I know now...  I'm happy love led me to where I am now.

Flash in the Pan

You came in—

A nice guy,

Cute and intelligent,

Constantly sweet-talkin’.

But it turned out to be doublespeak.

You had my attention instantly;

Thought I was fallin’ for you.

You turned me on in all the right places,

But then everything flipped.

The potential was lost,

Gave way to bullshit and childish games,

And I lost interest just as instantly.

Too bad.

But I guess the signs were there

It wouldn’t last.

You came in and just as quickly went out—

Like a flash!

© 2012 BuddahDesmond

I'll Be Appearing at OutWrite 2012 in DC 8/3/12 & 8/4/12

 Logo courtesy of the OutWrite LGBT Book Festival site.

It's with great pleasure to announce my participation in the OutWrite 2012 LGBT Book Festival.  OutWrite is a two-day book fair which will feature book readings and discussions, poetry readings, book vendors, and lots more.  Throughout the fair, LGBT-themed books and magazines will be for sale, both old and new.  OutWrite will take place August 3rd and 4th in Washington, DC at The DC Center.  Check out the piece Lambda Literary recently posted on OutWrite.

As part of OutWrite, I'll also be featured along with Rashid Darden, Monica A. Hand, and Red Summer in head / heart / soul, which will celebrate the works of Black LGBT poets.  head / heart / soul will take place August 4th at 6:30pm.  RSVP for the poetry reading by visiting the event's Facebook page.  I can't wait!

Aside from the poetry reading, I'll have a table set up in the exhibition area on both days.  So stop on by! 

If you live in or will be visiting the DC Metro Area in early August, please come out and support OutWrite.  It's gearing up to be an unforgettable event!

~ BuddahDesmond  
 

Day 74: For Amy (My Tribute to Amy Winehouse)

Image courtesy of The Vigilant Citizen site.

Divided soul,
An artist that many didn't know or understand completely well.
Timeless voice,
A style and sound that was every bit throwback as it was contemporary.
Her music spoke with a raw, brutal honesty seldom seen in mainstream (as of late).
The draw, the connection was instant.
The impact indelible —

Soul and emotion lacking pretense,
And an aura that was intriguing and intense.
Didn't think they made singers like this anymore —
      But they still do.

But you're gone now.
Another talented soul gone before the world knew or appreciated just how talented you      

     were.
Family, friends, and fans watched the meteoric rise,
And the seemingly meteoric descent.
We watched as the media reported
And blasted your issues every chance they got —
Dragging you down further and further into the muck.
Yours was an experience many did not and may never comprehend.
You were taken for granted,
      disrespected.
While the coverage may come with the territory because of the industry,
      The lack of compassion was inexcusable.
We took you for granted,

And in your untimely demise the coverage has changed.
You're being celebrated for your artistry,
For ushering in the retro-soul era,
For using music as a canvas you painted openly and frankly with your life.
You didn't allow your art to be subjected to the machine or the man.
You did it authentically.

It's sad that you've gone on.
It's a shame the world won't get the opportunity to see just how truly gifted you were —
To lay to rest the rhetoric that the magic was gone.
      It never left.
And you knew that.
Your true supporters knew that.
And we were holding our breath —
Just to see how you'd blow our minds the next time.
But the Creator had different plans.

In your passing, there's a void that will never be filled.
But your light will always shine —
In the hearts, minds, and souls of those who loved, appreciated, respected, and were 

     inspired by you.
We are thankful we had you for the time we did.

Let us rejoice in the extraordinary iconoclast that was/is Amy Winehouse!

~ BuddahDesmond

Day 73: Happy Belated Birthday Millie Jackson

Image courtesy of the Millie Jackson's Weird Wreckuds site

Soul sensation Millie Jackson recently celebrated her 68^th birthday on July 15^th.  Over the last 12 years, she’s become one of my favorite singers.  I knew about Millie Jackson at an early age.  I remember a lot of female rappers (and singers) who’d always given Jackson credit for changing the game musically and showing that women could be talented, intelligent, and sexually liberated.  When looking through people's record collections as a child, I also remember that they’d keep their Millie Jackson records towards the back of their record collection.  I always wondered why.  After hearing an interview she did with NPR in 2006, while I was away at college, I began to understand.  The interview led to me rediscovering her music.  I fell in love with her soulful delivery, the production of her music, and the down-to-earth, brash, realness of her lyrics.  I said, “Hmph, I now know why she created such a firestorm and why some may have been a little uncomfortable with the subject matter of her music.”   

For those that couldn’t get into Jackson’s music or were too prudish to get down, I thought it was their loss.  There was no one in the industry at that time that talked about love, relationships, sexuality, and everyday real shit like Millie Jackson.  That immediately set her apart from her peers.  With just a few listens of her music, it’s also easy to see why she’s also referred to as the Queen of Hip-Hop.   

With albums like It Hurts So Good, Caught Up, Still Caught Up, Feelin’ Bitchy, Get It Out’cha System, and Live & Uncensored, she showcased her effortless storytelling ability and passionate vocal delivery.  If you listen to her interpretive skills on songs like “If You’re Not Back In Love By Monday,” “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want To Be Right),” and “Letter Full Of Tears,” you can’t help but to say she’s easily one the greatest soul singers ever.  The song that turned me out was her remake of Latimore’s “All The Way Lover.”  If you want to hear a song she flipped on its ear and made it all her own, “All The Way Lover” is the song.  It’s a 10-plus minute gem of Millie Jackson sangin’ her face off and telling-it-like-it-is. 

No one, past or present, can bring the soul and the realness like Millie Jackson.  In terms of style, persona, and presentation, Jackson is a true original.  She’s a spirited, no holds barred, charismatic performer who’s inspired generations of artists.  She doesn’t always get the credit she’s due, but that doesn’t stop Jackson from doing what she does best.  Fortunately, Millie Jackson was recently featured in a commendable episode of TVOne’s "Unsung" series.  Go check it out.  I highly recommend it. 

Millie Jackson, thank you for your many contributions.  Hope you had a beautiful birthday!

Day 72: Prevail (Title Poem)

No matter what happens in this life—we must prevail.  Check out the title poem from my book Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics, featured in the "Life" section.

Prevail

Blocked,

Stuck in an emotional and psychological rut,

Someone or something hit the switch;

Everything faded to black.

My world seems to have lost its colors.

Maybe I need an OUT OF SERVICE sign,

Or maybe CLOSED would be better suited for my situation.

Lately my own world is more like a prison.

The little light that comes is immediately replaced with clouds of worry,

Raining doubts due to several seasons of mistakes

And occasional storms of depression.

Feeling like a swimmer

Stuck in a race he can’t win,

If I don’t think quickly

The only choices are—literally—

To sink or swim.

I don’t want the finish line to be

The ultimate end.

I want it to lead me

To more days in the sun.

Gotta get out of this

Losing streak,

After being down

For so long.

I’m determined

To prevail.

© 2012 BuddahDesmond

Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics is available at iUniverse, Amazon (Paperback | Hardcover | Kindle), Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million (Paperback | Hardcover), and other retailers. 

Day 71: Nothin' But Love for Whitney Houston

Image courtesy of the Vibe Vixen site.

There isn’t a day that goes by when Whitney Houston does not pop into my mind.  Her music plays in my head daily.  The impact of her passing hit me greater than I ever would’ve expected.  But how could it not?  No, we weren’t related.  She wasn’t a close friend or even an acquaintance of mine.  However, there was a familiarity about her spirit and relatability to her music that made me connect with her instantly. I grew up listening to and loving Whitney Houston.  Since the age of 4, I was hooked.  A singer and music lover even then, she influenced me in ways I wouldn’t come to understand, respect, and truly appreciate until much later.  

Houston was a goddess.  Her captivating, larger-than-life voice—pitch perfect, smooth, pure, passionate, and powerful—was the voice of a generation.  I, probably like others, couldn’t get enough.  While studio versions of her songs were pristine, the live versions tended to be paramount.  Practically overnight, she became an awe-inspiring, unstoppable force within the industry.  She broke down barriers and broke records.  She gave hope to so many that they too could achieve their dreams—not only within the entertainment industry but within any industry.  When Houston died, it became all too clear that an era had ended.  While her music and spirit remain with all of us, physically we will never be graced with her presence again.

I’ll never forget the day the news hit.  My spouse and I had just gotten back in the house from hanging out with some friends.  We were planning to go out with another friend later that evening for dinner.  Just before we left the house, we started receiving text messages and phone calls that Whitney Houston has passed.  I didn’t believe it.  I refused to believe it.  So I turned on CNN.  Within moments the news was confirmed.  I broke down.  Almost couldn’t contain myself.  I’m glad my spouse was there to console me.  It truly felt like a portion of my childhood and young adulthood had died with her.  After Etta James' and Don Cornelius' passing just weeks prior, Houston’s death seemed to hit home in a very extreme way. 

While some could say that Houston’s death was inevitable given her history of drug use, I don’t think anyone can say that they expected her to go so soon.  I have no intentions of pontificating on her drug use, as I believe the focus on this, her marriage to Bobby Brown, and the latter years of her life have been used to paint a very negative picture of her.  She was human.  She made mistakes, had issues, and went through trials and tribulations just like all of us.  Unless we lived within her, it will be difficult for us to truly know, understand, or be empathetic to what she went through, what she had to sacrifice, and why she did the things she did.  But it’s clear—she did what divine power set out for her to do, and she did it well.  She believed in herself and her talent.  She gave everything her all (and then some).  She relied on her faith in god and the love of her family and friends throughout her life.   And she never forgot where she came from. 

When remembering Whitney, it’s important that we do not let the negative portrayals of her life cloud the beauty of what she gave to the world.  Her legacy is what should be the focal point.  She inspired an entire generation of singers/entertainers and will inspire several generations more to come.  Had it not been for Houston’s many accomplishments, it’s quite possible that the careers of many of today’s beloved stars would be in a completely different place.  She brought joy and light into so many people’s lives.  Let’s celebrate her for that.  I’ve got nothing but love for Whitney Houston.  And I’m sure many of you do, too.   

Day 70: Happy 7th Blogiversary!!!

Hello All!  Hope this post finds you well.  Looking back at my posts recently, I was happy to realize that my blog is now 7 years old!!!  For those who've been reading along at any point during this time—I truly, truly thank you!  

So much has changed in 7 years.  I've definitely grown as an individual and as a writer.  I hope to continue.  Writing has and always will be one of my passions.  My mission is to continue to challenge myself creatively and take it (along with my other talents and skills) as far as I can go.  One of my crowning achievements is having my first book, Prevail: Poems on Life, Love, and Politics, published.  There's a lot of work still to do, as this journey is just beginning.  I have no choice but to make it possible, positive, and productive. I look forward to sharing it with you.

If you haven't done so yet, check out Prevail, "Like" the Facebook page, and follow me on Twitter.  Also check out some of my favorite posts over the past 7 years:

1. On Marriage…  
2. The Best Thing, My Love
3. Current Loves (Of Music That Is)
4. H-A-P-P-Y
5. Politricking
6. Phyllis Hyman Posts a) The P/H Factor: Phyllis Hyman - Tribute to a Sophisticated Lady  b) Day 66: Happy Birthday Phyllis Hyman
7. Luther Vandross Posts a) Luther Is Love b) Day 67: Remembering Luther Vandross
8. Time Waits (For No One)
9. All 4 Janet.
10. Day 5: Oprah - The End of One Era, The Beginning of a New Era 
11. Day 17: No More
12. Day 39: OUT (Written in Honor of National Coming Out Day)
13. Day 40 - Just Jill: Words & Sounds Live
14. Day 69: Angela Bofill

Peace, Love, & Many Blessings,

BuddahDesmond

Day 69: Angela Bofill

 Image courtesy of the Smooth Jazz New York site.

Supreme.  Heavenly.  Soulful.  Passionate.  Angelic.  Gifted.  Beautiful.  Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of Angela Bofill.  An extremely talented singer, songwriter, and musician, Bofill was one of the best vocalists to enter the music scene in the late 1970s.  Combining Latin rhythms with Jazz, R&B/Soul, Dance, and Pop, she created a hypnotic sound and style that set her apart from her peers and has rarely, if ever, been rivaled.  

From her first release Angie (1978) to her most recent release, Live From Manila (2006), it's evident that Bofill gives her all with each and every performance.  Though technically gifted vocally, Bofill's emotion always rings true, especially on poignant, heartfelt ballads like "I Try," "I'm On Your Side," "Gotta Make It Up To You," "This Time I'll Be Sweeter," "Tonight I Give In," "Time To Say Goodbye" and "Still In Love" (which was beautifully remade by Vanessa Williams on her 1991 album The Comfort Zone).   Like any versatile performer, Bofill can get down with the best on percussion driven, mid- and up-tempo grooves like "Too Tough," "Something About You," "Angel Of The Night," "Love You Too Much," and "Is This A Dream."

Bofill has faced some challenges in recent years, suffering two massive strokes in 2006 and 2007—which left her unable to speak, sing, or walk—and fighting depression.  After years of speech and physical therapy, Bofill is speaking, walking, and playing music again.  In 2010, Bofill began telling the story of her life and career with The Angela Bofill Experience.  This critically acclaimed tour has featured vocalists Maysa, Phil Perry, Melba Moore, Jeanie Tracy, Grammy winning flautist Dave Valentin, and Bofill's original band.  It's provided an excellent way for Angela Bofill to reconnect with her fans (and make new ones). 

One thing Bofill hasn't done publicly yet is sing.  But we hope and pray that as her health continues to improve that we will be blessed to hear that beautiful voice again.  But if not, we are quite happy with the catalog of music she's recorded.  Given the circumstances, Bofill has remained steadfast, faithful, and strong.  She's a fighter.  And a legend.  

Bofill was recently featured in season 6 of TVOne's "Unsung" series.  

Day 68: The Comeback

They waited for you to fall.
They prayed for your influence and success to end.
They wanted nothing but to laugh in your face and watch you wither away.

While they had their moment to make you the laughing stock of the industry,
     You didn't give in;
     You forged ahead,
     And came back–literally–like nothing ever happened.

Back on top (where you belong);
On everyone's best-of lists.
Several number one singles and millions of album sales later—you did the unthinkable:
     You trumped the critics and the haters;
     Made everyone fall in love with you all over again.
In fact, you gained some new fans—
     And inspired a new generation of up-and-coming stars.

With your convictions and faith you came out of the storm unscathed.
If that's what they call a comeback—
     Then you've rewritten history.

© BuddahDesmond

Day 67 - Remembering Luther Vandross

Image courtesy of The Official Luther Vandross Site

As of this month, it's been 7 years since Luther Vandross' death.  And I think I can speak for many of his beloved fans (myself included) by saying that we still miss him dearly.  His catalog of music is rich, vast, and seemingly more relevant now than ever.  A true balladeer, Vandross sung about love and relationships with such passion, tenderness, and intensity.  His music touched a cord with many, because there was a soulful sensitivity and vulnerability within his voice that made him immediately relatable.  Like Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross was in a class all by himself.  There never will be another like him.  We will forever sing his praises.

 
Below, I've include a poem featured in my book Prevail written in tribute entitled, "Luther is Love."

Luther Is Love

Luther—

Or Loofah, as some of us called you—

Still in denial about your passing on,

Doesn't seem real.

Gone too soon,

But never, ever forgotten.

Luther—

The silky smooth voice,

Flawless,

Full of passion and emotion,

Consummate artistry and professionalism.

A rare commodity,

Especially in the world of contemporary music.

You will remain in a class all your own!

Luther—

Exemplifying class and grace on and off the record.

Media seems to want to "out" you now,

But whatever your sexual orientation, it wasn't and isn't an issue.

Media also seems to want to make a big deal about your weight,

But that was just as insignificant with us as well.

It's the contributions you made that matter;

It's who you were as a person that matters.

Luther—

You sang in a way that made us feel like you were singing only to us,

Expressing all that we were feeling.

It was a musical connection that became deeply personal and spiritual.

You've touched us in so many ways.

For you, we are forever grateful.

Luther—

You spoke of love in all of its splendor.

You are the balladeer of love,

One of the greats.

Your music and spirit will continue to move us eternally.

You will always be loved,

For you are love.

Luther is love!

© 2012 BuddahDesmond