Belated Birthday Wishes

Philly’s finest, Patti La Belle celebrated her 70^th birthday on May 24. Her outstanding voice- smooth and pitch perfect- is a thing of wonder. Miss Patti can still out sing anyone on the planet.

Patti La Belle- Over the Rainbow, Live at The White House 2014

 

 

From Patti La Belle and The Bluebelles to her work as a solo artist, Ms. Patti’s a vocal style cannot be duplicated. Her proto glam disco sartorial choices as part of LaBelle and her Mohawk coiffure of the 1980’s are indelible elements of the pop music universe.

 

Patti La Belle- Never Walk Alone with special guests Little Richard, Mavis Staples and Al Green

 

 

 

Patti La Belle and Michael McDonald- On My Own

 

 



LaBelle- Four Women

 

 

 

All Hail Grace Jones!

The incomparable chanteuse and provocateur is the ambassador of ‘Cool’ to a world that has not yet caught up to her genius. There can be only one and she is it. Happy Birthday, Miss Jones.

 

Grace Jones- I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)

 

 

 

 

Grace Jones- William's Blood

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Jones- Vie en Rose

 

 

 

 





Playlist

Feel like dancing. Here’s a Sunday night dance party mix. Big Freedia rocks it so nice, she is on the list twice.

Janelle Monae- Q.U.E.E.N. featuring Erykah Badu

Big Freedia- Excuse

Santigold- Disparate Youth

Ru Paul- Peanut Butter featuring Big Freedia

Fela Kuti and Afrika 70- Zombie

Links for the voracious ...

Have you been searching for the best Mexican food in Los Angeles? Jonathan Gold of The LA Times has some ideas.

It is getting hot,  make some ice cream or paletas (Mexican style popsicles). 

Enjoy street photography on Advanced Style and Humans of NewYork.

Alex Espinoza and Naomi Hirahara talk with Carolyn Kellogg at The LA Times Festival of Books about their new books. 

Poetry and Memory

Nelson Mandela recited the poem ‘Invictus’ to himself and his fellow inmates often while he was in prison. Mr. Mandela credited the poem with helping him to remain hopeful. Memorizing poetry is no longer commonplace, but The New Yorker Page-Turner blog  explores the benefits of committing verse to memory.

Invictus by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

Remembering Lady Day

Source: Down Beat magazine, February 1947

Today is the 53^rd anniversary of Billie Holiday’s death. She died in a hospital in NYC at the age of 44, supposedly with $750 strapped to her leg. Ms. Holiday lived a tragic life of degradation and abuse. She could sing the blues because she lived them. No other popular singer in the English language has been able to express the depths and harrowing pitch of sadness like Lady Day. Her ability to embody and share the pain of living in song came from experiences so horrifying they almost seem unreal. She was forced into prostitution by her mother as a child, dropped out of school at the age of 11 and served at least three stints in juvenile detention facilities. We celebrate her talent and lament that it was destroyed by addiction. We don’t recognize that her ability to get up every day and live with the terror of memory was a feat of courage.

Her music touched people so deeply because she was not alone in experiencing melancholy so damaging it would make you want to get high, or at least forget entire parts of your existence.  

Lady Day will not be forgotten. May her soul be at rest.

"Good Morning Heartache"

"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm"

"A Fine Romance"

Nina Simone Sunday

It is that time again. Enjoy.

"Four Women"

If you can't get enough of Aunt Sarah, Safronia, Sweet Thang and Peaches, The Black Girl Project is selling  "Four Women" t-shirts. The Black Girl Project shop also has t-shirts for sale of your favorite real and fictional black heroines.

"I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl"

"Cotton Eyed Joe"

Nina Simone Sunday

Nina Simone had a singular voice; lush and deep with a bit of a warble.  She was an incredibly talented songwriter and musician. Ms. Simone also had an unparalleled ability to transform beloved songs from Standards to Classic Rock.

In celebration of this gifted artist, enjoy these three songs she made her own.

“Suzanne”

“I Loves You, Porgy”

“Don’t Let Me Be Understood”