Oldie of the Day: Thank You

Alright, more songs about thanks that both qualify as oldies.

First of all, who doesn't like Sam & Dave....I wish I had their moves!  "I Thank You" is basically an old gospel song they revamped (like so many R&B/soul artists did in those days).

And I couldn't resist putting ZZ Top's cover of the same song. Isn't it amazing - two completely different genres, backgrounds, arrangements....and both entertaining in their own right.  Like I heard someone say, one group's clapping on beats 2 and 4, the other group's clapping on 1 and 3 -- it just means we've got all the beats covered.  Love it. 

Let me know what you think.

A Month of Thanks

I’m sure by now you’ve seen the fb status floating around - "30 days of thanks: Day x: I'm thankful for ____".  Well here it is music nerd style. I wanted to participate, but am not foolish enough to think I will remember to post something everyday this month. Cuz then I would have this crazy status: "Days 7 – 16: I’m thankful for insert hurriedly concocted list that makes no sense here".

So I decided instead to feature songs this month about thanks, or gratitude, or even Thanksgiving (are there any?).

Today's thanks - God and family, so here are songs for them, in that order. 

"Happier Than the Morning Sun" I didn't know was yet another wonderful Stevie Wonder song.  I only knew the Jon Gibson version for years. I'd encourage you to check that one out too.  Either way, it completely and eloquently captures my heart's condition since Jesus, in spite of the crazy things life has thrown me.

This clip reminds me of my family every time I watch it.  It brings back memories of us laughing til we cried at Mr. Cosby and his family...and my dad's music-nerd like observations as he explained that was a Ray Charles song that came out in 19xx, etc., etc....and my mom doing an ever-so slight rolling of the eyes. LOL. And how that would sometimes lead to both parents telling me & sis stories about their childhoods, and whatever crazy stuff they did in high school. I still remember them chanting "SOUTHEASTERN!   SOUTHEASTERN! Rah-Rah-Rah! V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!"  Good stuff.

*Do you have a favorite Cosby show scene or memory? What is it?

Friday - End of Reggae Week (For Now)

Ahhh perfect Friday...not too stressful, not too cool and good music.  To wrap up this Reggae-fest, I debated for a while about which track to use. But this one is just plain out fun.  And I get absolutely tickled watching Bobby Brown (Bobby!....BOBBYYYY!) complete spaz out on this.  Note the sneaky sampled riff from Shanice's 90s hit, "I Love your Smile" and the tune lifted from Des'ree's "Feel So High".

So groove out on this gateway to the weekend. And of course, don't forget to let me know what you think.

Oldie of the Day: Third World

Ok I had to do it....before Heavy D and da Boyz was Third World groovin' out this song. Of course, the O'Jays originally recorded this, but it's reggae week so I'll have to post that version later.  One of the endearing qualities of reggae is the ability of artists to take a rock/pop/R&B song and reggae-fy it. Some drums, guitar and dancing are all that's needed.

Here's "Now That We found love", a nice live concert version....Enjoy!

Reggae Week - Part 2

I liked some of the comments received last week, so I'm gonna continue the reggae theme this week. 

I went on a quest for videos by female reggae or dancehall artists that aren't just totally "nekked".....wow....after some time I finally found this song by Alaine, No Ordinary Love. Of course I thought of Sade's song, and that this was probably a cover. Not so, this is a different song - although it's not so new (maybe 4 or 5 years old). Check it out and let me know what you think.

Oldie of the Day: Roots Rock Reggae

Alright, here's part 2 of Reggae week, and as I preminitioned, I had to include Bob Marley. Easily the most recognized reggae artist, I think he easily fits into the Oldie Wednesday format today.  A few years ago a compilation cd was done of some of Marley's hits and featured various artists, including Rakim (where are you man?!), Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill.  I started to post Hill's track - Turn Your Lights Down Low - but probably most of have heard this or some snippet therof.

Instead let's go with a song featuring, of ALL people, Steven Tyler: Roots, Rock, Reggae. No video today folks, apparently because this is so old.  Note the energy Tyler brought to this; the more I look at this guy's body of work, the more I am impressed by him.

Click Here to listen and let me know what you think.

Reggae Week -

I just realized I haven't featured any reggae yet - how horrible! I think this week will be all reggae, so stretch yourselves and try something different.  Bob Marley will be posted at some point, but I didn't want to start with the obvious. How mundane, right? 

So how about some Christafari? Here's Boomshots. I wish I'd listened to this earlier this morning, I really needed a pick-me-up to get going.  I hope I don't start singing out loud "NOOO-OOO, no compro-mise!"  I remember back in the day people looked at me and my bff (shout out Hope!) like we had an extra butt or something for listening to reggae, and to Christafari. Glad to say times have changed some.

*What song do you love that causes people to look at you like you're crazy?

Friday with Mary J

I just looked at some of my playlists and also some of my previous blog entries.  Evidently to me, the perfect Friday soundtrack includes music from the 90s. So let's continue with this old one that got seriously worn out at my house...in my car....in the shower....anywhere with the right acoustics to make me sound absolutely stellar.  Love No Limit, a serious Mary J. Blige oldie, is one of my favorites because you hear a little more jazz/Anita Baker influence than in some of her other hits.  Plus, who doesn't want to be in a club singing to some gorgeous creature that just happened to stop by?  But I also wonder if this couldn't also be an ode to music? Kinda like that song "What I Did For Love" from Gypsy. It's not just about the opposite sex, but about the dedication to the craft of good, effective music-making. Just a thought...one deep thought on a Friday is allowed.

Here goes - enjoy! Happy Weekend!