Posts filed under: ‘Diana Ross‘
Another Post I never got around to Publishing… SOUL TRAIN MUSIC AWARDS a couple years ago… TEXAS STABBINGS & EXPLOSION at BOSTON MARATHON
Talk about not getting around to POST… when I finally came back to this blog it was I don’t know how long. Now, after that it has been several weeks more …had to add the tags and things. And finally today here it goes…after a bomber or more…struck at the Boston Marathon today just as the runners started crossing the finish line.
I almost wrote… I’m just shaking my head… but it takes more than that if we ever expect to get a handle on this. And it goes beyond insanity to some type of morbid inner nothingness that these people have who go out and do these type of things.
Well, nevertheless…. here is another Post that I just never got around to publishing for one reason or other. After briefly reading through it I thought that I might share it with you…it seems that I felt like sharing some more of myself in it to you… wonder why?
I rarely like telling much about myself… though I must say that you really cannot tell it by reading many of my blogs. But for the record… I cannot remember at all when I wrote this but it was a while back… so today I am feeling great and the day is sunny and beautiful.
Now, here is that blog which I failed to published some time ago…
Not feeling well today… but I am not complaining. Because I have had many more days when I didn’t feel bad at all. And not many people can say that.
I am just a touch under the weather. And because I am not accustom to being sick… it tends to bother me a little more than most people.
The other thing is… I do not take medication. Not at all. Well… almost not at all. There have been times when I had to breakdown and swallow something… or go in and have them give me a shot or something… but not often. And believe me when I say… I have to be in an awful lot of pain and/or discomfort for me to do it.
Otherwise, I just suffer whatever it is that is bothering me… until it goes away. Not many people can do that… or attempt to do that. Since so many people rush to go grab up a bottle of this or that at the slightest on-set of something they think may be bothering them… they never even try to fight off anything.
But this is just a little slight cold. A sliver of dust must have gotten into my system while I was helping my brother move some furniture that he chose to move from my parent’s house into his new apartment. And since I am allergic to house dust… and it didn’t take much before I started itching then a tickle came into my throat. But as soon as the dust gets out of my system I will be up and about again.
But this past weekend I had a chance to catch the Soul Train Music Awards. Needless to say… I did not know most of acts or the awardees. But, of course, I did recognize Anita Baker and Ron Isley as they paid tribute to them.
But I waited around watching because I had never seen Eryka Badu perform before… and boy…oh, boy… What a disheartening show it really was.
For one thing how can anyone who portrayed herself as being so Afro-centric ever have lighten their skin?
Well, that is exactly what Eryka Badu has done… or so it appeared to be the case to me. And she looked terrible. At first I didn’t even notice it… because it was kind of subtle and her face was camouflaged by the hat she was wearing. It cast a shadow over her face.
We have all read about black women in Africa and the West Indies doing it… but to see that Eryka Badu has stooped to bleaching????
It is insane. If anything I have always wanted to be darker… but lighter no. A cousin of mine slipped and started calling me ‘light’ and I totally disliked it. She was trying to anger me. And she did the moment she let that slip out of mouth.
Needless to say, Eryka has always been a bit wired and out there. She likes doing things to grab attention… I guess you could say. I remember when she first came onto the music scene… everybody thought that the very long dredlocks she was sporting then were her own. But low-and-behold… over a period of time we all came to find out that it had been a wig or more than likely dred extensions. After that I think she went to having no hair at all.
But seeing Erykah Badu with lighter skin… was discussing to me. Talking about a mindless woman… who evidently hates herself. I wouldn’t want attention that bad. And whatever song that was… that she song on the Soul Train Music Awards… if it was intended to catapult the re-emergence of her singing career?
I think not. For all it was worth she could have stayed home. But I must say that I did love the hat… and that was about all I liked about this whole supposed Soul Train Music Awards.
For the most part most of the music on the Soul Train Music Awards show really wasn’t even ‘soul music’ any more. But a bunch of that ‘neo-soul’ junk.
So, in watching the Soul Train Music Awards… I began to feel that we are loosing our identity…our musical identity and authenticity. An identity and authenticity which has marked and ruled… in my opinion the whole music world in this country since we came to these shores as slaves brought to America. And my did we bring something with us.
Some of the best and most authentic music America has ever had really came out of a revised culture whose roots were founded in slavery. Much like the food we developed here called ‘Soul Food.’ Hence, Soul Music… the Blues… Doo-Wop… Gospel Music… Rhythm & Blues etc… etc.. etc…
In watching the Soul Train Music Awards show I felt that soul music had been replaced by a bunch of people who neither wrote lyrics or played real instruments. People who only looked black, but were trying very hard to appear as weird and way-out as they possibly could be. This because it would seem that everything today concerning music is about branding and images… and far less than about true talent… real vocal skills or any skills as far as being a musician or a real song writer. What happened to artists with the talent of a Little Stevie Wonder or a Prince?
Based upon what I had seen those type of talents had faded far far far away.
None of them… this group or now generation singers seemed to want to have any connection to the music that put Motown on the charts, or Philly on the map… or Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, New York, and LA. Or that had made other urban places hubs for the rich urban soul sound and melodic tones that had come to be called ‘soul music’ or ‘rhythm & blues” …or even “gospel.”
While watching the Soul Train Music Awards… there were no Anita Bakers or Ron Isleys awaiting in the crowd to hear their names called for award. In fact, the only soulful talenst on the show was Anita Baker, Ron Isley, Pebo Bryson, Chante Moore, Rochelle Ferrell, Jeffery Osborne and a few others. But clearly the ‘soul‘ that had been in the history of Soul Train is now gone.
Everybody wants to be a cross-over artist… some neutral detergent that appears to be black or African American but actually doing some white thang.
The whole time I sat watching the Soul Train Music Awards… which is something I have not watched in years… or any other music or movie awards show in years. As I had long ago felt that they had been watered down to appeal to more less urban audiences.
But it was frightening for me to see such a lost of what seemed to me to be a vast depreciation of what has always been ours… our real musical genius and talenst… gifted voices and fantastic lyric writing… such as that of Barry White and Issac Hayes… Holland,-Dozier-Holland, Ashford & Simpson, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield… etc…etc… all to be turned into something which sounded a lot more like that puff of glitter disco music and digitized junk. And I must say that I see the exact same thing happening to gospel music.
In gospel music there has developed a vast desire to be played on something ‘called‘ Christian Radio stations… which in my opinion is nothing but a bunch of rock music stations playing rock music and calling it ‘Christian Music.’
It would be a shame to loose the richness of our music… and the history that our music carries with it to the junk I bared witnessed to on the Soul Train Music Awards. Outside of the tributes to some real Soul legends… there was nothing on that show I would have voted to give 1 award to.
One day we will look up and no one will know what ‘soul music’ was or that it had ever been. They will not know that there had been such groups like Blue Magic, the Dramatics, Delfonics, Temptations, Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Manhattans, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Chi-Lites, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, Phyllis Hyman, Najee, Kirk Walham, the Sylvers, Michael Jackson, the Jackson 5, the Sugar Hill Gang and the list goes on and on and on… And those are just those from my era there tons more before them.
Who can forget when James Brown first cried-
“Say it loud I’m black and I’m proud.”
Or, “Baby, please don’t go.”
Or when Curtis Mayfield song these words-
“If I had a choice of colors.”
Or Nina came with-
“To be young gifted and black.”
Maybe there is no need for such lyrics like these today anymore. But that can’t true… particularly after what I just said about Eryka Badu and skin bleaching. But then how about-
“La-la-la means I love you… I love you.”
What about –
“They’re smiling in your face…all the while they want to take your place.”
Will soul music die like jazz has died?
There are no more jazz artists like Max… Coltrane … Gillipsie… or Yusuf LaTiff… or Miles …. any more.
Or how about a Junior Parker… or another B.B. King… or Muddy Waters… or Bo Diddley and their special blend?
Now, I must admit that these days I am strictly into gospel music… but having a history in the radio industry it is hard for me to not realize the importance of preserving this cultural history. It is ours… and our children need to be recipients of at least knowing of that it once was. We cannot just forsake everything.
These musical forms and artists are long gone… Well, more or less off the musical scene… the ones I just mentioned above. And soon along with their names will the memories of Blue Magic, Phyllis Hyman, the Dells, Temptations, Supremes, the Staple Singers and everybody else either before them or who came after them like Chak Khan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Emotions etc. be forgotten too. To be replaced by a bunch of people who have forsaken moving bass beats for neo- tinty sounds that have nothing soul about them. Music you can hop and jump up and down to… like we used to watch those young white kids do on those afternoon after school dance shows like the Dick Clark Show. But they can’t really dance to. And I guess that is really the point… its not meant to be danced to… but just to make some money.
Forget art… What does art have to do with it?
No wonder the Soul Train Musical Awards show didn’t resemble anything like their old award shows… or for that matter… didn’t come close to emitting anything I would have called ‘soul’… outside of having a tribute to a few past ‘soul’ artists. What a real shame…a legacy gone to naught…
I hate to say it… but little wonder Don Cornelius took a gun… When you sell off something your control of it goes too… Truly the history of Soul Train will never be the same…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2013
Add a comment April 15, 2013
Aretha’s diet…losing weight… finding someone
Heard her talk about being on a diet…and when she showed up at Barack Obama’s inaugural in her grey suit with her Sunday morning go to church hat…she looked fabulous.
She was most recently spotted here on her way from the White House…pushing a shopping cart in Walmart. Signed autographs and took pictures…and people crowded around. I said I wanted to see the pictures…but my son saw them. And he said-
“Ma, it was her.”
I thought it interesting when I saw that Obama’s oldest daughter made sure she got a shot of Aretha with her camera during the inaugural ceremony. Those Obama’s are teaching their children well. She knew Aretha and who it was she was looking at…and she wasn’t going to let Aretha get pass her without grabbing a picture. Smart girl.
I didn’t know that Aretha had signed up with Jenny Craig back in 2007. She might have lost some pounds…but evidently had like most…put them back on and then some. But at the inaugural she really looked great. And I was happy to see that she had shed lots of that extra added bagage…those dirty little pounds.
Her plan was this…
I heard her comment on some show that…she eats what she’s suppose to for 4 or 3 days…then on 3 days eats whatever she wants. I think that is a great plan…because it seems to be working for Lady Re.’
Now, I have just found out what it really is. She has a new somebody in her life. It will make you want to do something… and real quick. Get somebody…and see if you don’t want to make sure he only has eyes for you. Oh, yeah…you’ll start losing real quick.
And don’t have him look good. Because if he looks good…you will want to look good with him. No self-respecting woman would think any differently. And Aretha is the real r-e-s-p-e-c-t woman…didn’t you know?
I just hope that this one is the one she has always been hoping for. After 3 or 4 prior marriages…a bout with the bottle (many many years ago)…one of her mansions burning down…and some local legal worries. I think it is about time…for plenty of happiness in her life.
And I certainly wish you well, Lady Re.’
One thing about Aretha Franklin…no matter what…you can always say that she has been a class act. I remember when I had considered her for a concert gig…the price tag, however, was a bit too much for this little ol’ country girl…$65,000.00 with a quarter of it up front…and I think maybe a precentage. Now, that is business.
But that whole diet thing is mind over matter. If your mind is not there…then save yourself from the bother. It won’t work.
But if you can get your mind there…you have won before you start.
I know some people who did the gastric bypass and a few other things. Though I must say…my friend who did the lap band raved about. And she truly did look good. But she told me that before she did it she went to meetings and read lots of information on it first. And she said she spoke in great detail with the doctor who was going to handle her surgery…and she too told me she was on her way to the altar once again.
I must admit to admiring women…and men who don’t want to just lay around with everybody. And then find out that have nothing.
Marriage is good…and if you are going to be with somebody then let them marry you.
But that gastric bypass…I have a sister who did it. She can’t eat anything without getting sick to her stomach. And the worst part is…though…yes, she lost lots of weight and even though she can’t keep much down…she is still over weight. And it is all due to not having gotten her mind to where it needed to be. Sick or not she eats and then throws up some of everything she eats. I would hate to live like that.
If you really want to lose weight…learn how to put the fork down first. And believe me…you won’t need anything else.
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/05/30/aretha_franklin_chooses_celebrity_diet_t
http://www.singersroom.com/news/entertainment-story-841.asp
It’s Black History Month…so enjoy…
Wow…the kids do not have anything compared to this.
I hope all of this downloads properly…and doesn’t take too much time. Guess I got a bit carried away.
Enjoy your day…and this weekend. It’s freezing cold outside…but the funny part is that the house doesn’t seem quite so cold to me any more. Guess I must be getting used to it. My father would smile. All of my life I have been cold…because I am extremely anemic. I, in fact, am suppose to be taking iron tablets everyday…and I do when I can remember. But I have to really work on that.
Since, so many people have so much more to take by way of medication…and if I desire not to join them… Well, you know… I better take what I have to right now. Because based upon what they say having a low number of red blood cells can be very unhealthy. And I do not want anything to sneak up on me.
Between yesterday and today…it has looked like snow. In fact, there were flurries this morning. Might be too cold…it can’t snow when the weather is too cold. But I guess even in that we are doing okay…because Vee, my friend’s daughter in Chicago…had told me that Chi-town was definitely freezing.
THE BISHOP’S WIFE is now on sale…CLICK this LINK to purchase my book. You do not need a paypal account to purchase, and you can purchase using a debit card. Thank you.
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009
11 comments February 21, 2009
Talented…
I had never heard a group that I thought more should have made it than these girls.
The Jones Girls…I really didn’t play much by them when I was on the radio…basically, because I was not the one programming the radio stations that I worked on back then. But if I had…
It is hard to say exactly why their career as a recording group didn’t take off. It certainly was not because they couldn’t sing. Because they could definitely sing. Nor was it because they didn’t want it bad enough…because they did. Nor was it because they were from the wrong place…because they came from the Motor City…Detroit. And everybody comes out of Detroit. Stevie Wonder is from Detroit…the Clark Sisters are from Detroit…Rance Allen…Aretha Franklin…Temptations, Diana Ross, the Supremes…Motown…etc… Almost everybody comes out of Detroit.
In fact, when I first saw or heard of the Jones Girls they were on tour with Diana Ross. They were so good it was hard not to notice the singers backing up Diana in that show. And then Diana showcased them…and I have never forgotten their names since that night. They were more than just talented…far more. And far better than just good.
And even the Boss Ms Ross knew it…who was far from being shabby herself that night. And so didn’t Motown to have packaged the Jones Girls on tour with their diva of all divas at the time…Diana Ross.
So, then what happened?
I don’t know. But whenever I hear ‘Nights over Egypt’….I think of them…those Jones Girls.
It sadden me to read last year sometime while searching the internet for something or other at the time….that one of the Jones Girls had passed some years ago. And more surprising was the fact that she had died supposedly…based on the information I was reading…that she had died from sclerosis of the liver…due to alcoholism.
What a sad end to a story I would have thought would have ended otherwise.
http://www.radiocafe.co.uk/jones-girls
http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Respect2001.html
Valorie Jones died in Detroit on December 2, 2001…she was the middle sister of the Jones Girls. She was 46 years old.
Have another young nephew who will be heading to DC for Obama’s inauguration on Tuesday. And I am so happy.
It is so important for our young children to know that nothing can hold them back…block them…or stop them from achieving success in their lives but them…themselves.
I believe in successful living…and living well. And to do that is very hard to achieve…today…without a good education.
There is something about accomplishments that make you feel good all over. No wonder Barack Obama’s smile is as pretty as it is….he has managed to achieve one accomphishment after another. And he never let anything hold him back…or let anybody tell him that ‘he couldn’t.’
The sky is the limit. Set your goals and start working towards them now…you just may surprise yourself.
But remember to be deligent in everything that you do. And never let anything bearing your name not be done to the best…or to its highest level.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009
For history on Diana Ross CLICK LINK BELOW.http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/people/r/diana_ross/index.html
Add a comment January 19, 2009