Okay, I came up with this blog last Fall and then seriously neglected it. Life was coming at me in all directions, so this was put to the wayside. However, I have been feeling the need for major self-expression lately, and lo and behold, I remembered this blog.
Music has always been an outlet for me- even though I don't sing(I REALLY CAN'T) or play music. I did grow up dancing tap, jazz and ballet and then hip hop in the late 80's into the 90's. I remember choreographing dances to my LP's in the middle of my living room, table pushed to the side. My favorite was a lyrical to Whitney's version of "The Greatest Love of All" that I performed at my elementary school talent show. LOL
I grew up around music. My dad began working at Motown as a young man, when it was just Hitsville U.S.A. He was there even through all the changes up until the early 90's, after Universal/MCA bought them out entirely. He was in charge of the music library back then. My godfather was one of the most prolific songwriters for 60's R&B music. He was like the LA Reid of his time. So you can imagine my view of soul and R&B music is pretty vast, and comes with a lot of personal anecdotes.
I guess because I was privy to the inside of that world, I can't live without music. I feel like I would die if I couldn't hear it anymore. I'm really not being dramatic at all. It's in my blood, especially when I see people dancing to it. Shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" get me so hyped! I love cheesy movies like "You Got Served" because of the sick choreography. Anything showcasing hip hop music and crazy, awesome dancing is what I love to see.
Music moves my soul. I can be in church and hear a beautiful, soulful, passionate voice and start crying buckets. My favorite female vocalists are Mary, Mariah, Whitney, Lauren, Jill and Christina A, and I think they ALL should sing gospel. Do you know how many people they could show God's love to just through their voices? JMHO I will always equate my most beautiful, romantic memories to a particular song. All my friends know why I love Stevie...LOL
So that brings me to answering my original question- What is this blog about? It's about MUSIC and how it makes me feel, how it influenced my life, how it influences the world, how it helps us love, cry, have fun, get freaky with our boo, dance, get angry and CHANGE THINGS.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
What Album Would Epitomize Your Life Thus Far?
What one entire album would you classify as the soundtrack of your life? I know, I know. To pick only one is extremely challenging. But if you could choose to play one album at your funeral to characterize yourself and your entire life's story, does one come to mind?
My pick-hand's down- is "MY LIFE" (I'm serious, for real, no pun intended!) by Mary J. Blige. That one came out in 1994, and I have not found one to replace it as of yet as the soundtrack of my life. I've already put my sister and my kids on alert that they better play this at my memorial service when I die! The album is flawless from beginning to end (well, on "You Gotta Believe," Ki-Ci's whining annoys me a little bit so that song can be deleted from my playlist). Puff was starving to be noticed back then, so he was definitely at the top of his production game that year. The moment I heard it, I felt it was an instant classic. I tend to veer toward a retro-60's and 70's soul vibe with my hip-hop, with a little bit of 80's R&B and pop thrown in, due to my Motown background. And "My Life" has it all!
I seriously cannot pick one favorite song on there, but I do love, love, LOVE "You Bring Me Joy." The Barry White sample is what gives it a boost, however Mary reinvents it to the fullest. That song will have me dancing all night. I also love how the album flows from one song to the next(exception noted above) and you can almost see her soul through her voice.
Another standout that gets much repeat play is "I'm The Only Woman." I often feel that same way when I'm in love, especially when she sings on the hook, "I'm the only one you need, the only one you need, take me. Don't be a fool like your daddy! If you wanna be happy." Love it!!! And ending the album with "Be Happy" is perfect. I always felt so bad for Mary with that song, or for all of us tortured women, because she just wants happiness and it continues to elude her. However, she, even at her young age and before dealing with the worst of her demons, knows true happiness is in herself and God- not in a man. Mary's songwriting skills were raw and showed her insecurities- which is why it's so genius.
I love this album so much I played it during the birth of my first child! I know the lyrics to the songs. Don't let me hear them play one on the radio because I will drop everything to sing my ass off! Which can be painful for anyone nearby, due to the fact my voice is awful. But I put my heart and soul into it, just like Mary did. This will always be Mary's ultimate best no matter what else she does.
So, what's the soundtrack album of YOUR LIFE?
My pick-hand's down- is "MY LIFE" (I'm serious, for real, no pun intended!) by Mary J. Blige. That one came out in 1994, and I have not found one to replace it as of yet as the soundtrack of my life. I've already put my sister and my kids on alert that they better play this at my memorial service when I die! The album is flawless from beginning to end (well, on "You Gotta Believe," Ki-Ci's whining annoys me a little bit so that song can be deleted from my playlist). Puff was starving to be noticed back then, so he was definitely at the top of his production game that year. The moment I heard it, I felt it was an instant classic. I tend to veer toward a retro-60's and 70's soul vibe with my hip-hop, with a little bit of 80's R&B and pop thrown in, due to my Motown background. And "My Life" has it all!
I seriously cannot pick one favorite song on there, but I do love, love, LOVE "You Bring Me Joy." The Barry White sample is what gives it a boost, however Mary reinvents it to the fullest. That song will have me dancing all night. I also love how the album flows from one song to the next(exception noted above) and you can almost see her soul through her voice.
Another standout that gets much repeat play is "I'm The Only Woman." I often feel that same way when I'm in love, especially when she sings on the hook, "I'm the only one you need, the only one you need, take me. Don't be a fool like your daddy! If you wanna be happy." Love it!!! And ending the album with "Be Happy" is perfect. I always felt so bad for Mary with that song, or for all of us tortured women, because she just wants happiness and it continues to elude her. However, she, even at her young age and before dealing with the worst of her demons, knows true happiness is in herself and God- not in a man. Mary's songwriting skills were raw and showed her insecurities- which is why it's so genius.
I love this album so much I played it during the birth of my first child! I know the lyrics to the songs. Don't let me hear them play one on the radio because I will drop everything to sing my ass off! Which can be painful for anyone nearby, due to the fact my voice is awful. But I put my heart and soul into it, just like Mary did. This will always be Mary's ultimate best no matter what else she does.
So, what's the soundtrack album of YOUR LIFE?
What's Your Favorite Album(so far) of 2008?
I'm not really feeling any album more than Mariah's latest, E=MC2. I admit I'm a huge Mimi fan, but I don't always die over her albums. I wasn't really on The Emancipation of Mimi like it seemed everyone else was. I honestly can't stand "We Belong Together." I know it won a Grammy, but I just think it's generic and not a very good song. It's beneath her, as far as I'm concerned. Other songs on that one really grew on me after a while of listening to it over and over. It just wasn't an instant classic in my book.
However, E=MC2, is all classic Mariah Carey with a modern spin. The title definitely describes the music- she is a more mature Mimi than on the last one. It's a step beyond what she did before but has that same vibe. There are ballads, sexy R&B, joints with a hip-hop feel and even one with a Reggae twist. The whole compilation flows from start to finish.
I love them all, but the standouts are the first track "Migrate" featuring T-Pain, "Cruise Control" featuring Damian Marley, "Love Story," "Thanx for Nothin'" and "I Wish You Well."
"Migrate" is a crazy, sexy, cool joint about hitting up the clubs with her girls. T-Pain adds his signature style but in a classier-than-usual way. I can't stand him but actually appreciate his addition to the song. I will definitely turn this up when I'm on my way into the city for some summer fun! The next one with a sick beat is "Cruise Control." Mimi does her thing for real with the reggae vibe. I was pleasantly surprised at how well she pulls it off. This will probably have a cute video attached to it.
The next track I like is "Thanx for Nothin." Definitely reminiscent of "Shake it Off" but a tad slower. We all know Mariah likes to sing about no-good dudes that have broken her heart. This is no different but rings so true for so many women. Her lyrics are on point with this one.
The ballads are all about her showcasing her God-given talent. She teams up with JD again on the beautiful "Love Story." It is so pretty and has such a catchy refrain. "I Wish You Well" touched me deeply when I first heard it. She has such insight into letting those who have hurt you go but wanting only the best for them anyway. It's cuts like this one that make me yearn for her to put out a gospel album one day very soon. This is Mimi in her best form.
However, E=MC2, is all classic Mariah Carey with a modern spin. The title definitely describes the music- she is a more mature Mimi than on the last one. It's a step beyond what she did before but has that same vibe. There are ballads, sexy R&B, joints with a hip-hop feel and even one with a Reggae twist. The whole compilation flows from start to finish.
I love them all, but the standouts are the first track "Migrate" featuring T-Pain, "Cruise Control" featuring Damian Marley, "Love Story," "Thanx for Nothin'" and "I Wish You Well."
"Migrate" is a crazy, sexy, cool joint about hitting up the clubs with her girls. T-Pain adds his signature style but in a classier-than-usual way. I can't stand him but actually appreciate his addition to the song. I will definitely turn this up when I'm on my way into the city for some summer fun! The next one with a sick beat is "Cruise Control." Mimi does her thing for real with the reggae vibe. I was pleasantly surprised at how well she pulls it off. This will probably have a cute video attached to it.
The next track I like is "Thanx for Nothin." Definitely reminiscent of "Shake it Off" but a tad slower. We all know Mariah likes to sing about no-good dudes that have broken her heart. This is no different but rings so true for so many women. Her lyrics are on point with this one.
The ballads are all about her showcasing her God-given talent. She teams up with JD again on the beautiful "Love Story." It is so pretty and has such a catchy refrain. "I Wish You Well" touched me deeply when I first heard it. She has such insight into letting those who have hurt you go but wanting only the best for them anyway. It's cuts like this one that make me yearn for her to put out a gospel album one day very soon. This is Mimi in her best form.
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