I love Michael Jackson. I don’t remember when I started to love him, whether it was back when he was an adorable child outshining his brothers, or when he branched out on his own and became the King of Pop. All I know is that there is not a day that goes by since his death that I don’t feel a ping to my heart when I listen to one of his songs. And that really does happen daily; Michael Jackson and his music are a part of the ever growing soundtrack of my life.
So when I had to choose one CD of his to put on this list, I hesitated. Because I love them all. Even the ones that others say are not as good as Thriller. I disagree with that. Because I think that every artist gets at least one album that defines them…Michael has two.
My choice is Off the Wall. From the moment that Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough bounces in my ears with its bass and Michael’s voice exerting the Power, it begins a journey into bigness. Off the Wall is big and flashy and overpowering at times…just what Michael was. It set him apart from all others back in 1983, and whenever I need a reminder of what true talent sounds like, I put on Off the Wall.
This CD also includes one of my top 3 favorite ballads. The Lady In My Life is romantic and endearing and is one of those songs that just makes me melt. I dare you to listen and not hear love…I dare you!
That’s my new word…magnificent. It is just big enough to encompass all the feelings, but just mysterious enough to leave some things to the imagination.I will be choosey in how I use this magnificent, though. It is not to be thrown about reckless and wanton. No I shall reserve the use of magnificent for those things that truly deserve the…well, the magnificence.
Jill Scott’s The Light of the Sun is magnificent.
Now, I must preface my review of this CD with a disclaimer. Jill can do no wrong in my eyes. She sings the soundtrack of my life. It is a cosmic thing, really. She and I are the same person in my head. When I feel as though I can’t breathe, Jill comes through with some words that help me to reach a moment of clarity. I say to anyone and everyone listening that she is me and I am her. I adore her.
Jilly’s latest offering is chock full of music that not only makes you want to move, but makes you think. She is the queen of becoming yourself, and taking everyone along for the ride. If you can listen to a Jill Scott song and not grow, not feel a sense of empowerment…well, then I feel sorry for you. Because this music is not just music; this music is a lesson. It is love and life and freedom and motivation. It is magnificence on wax.
I’ve long held on to the belief that music should offer you a look at the artists; what they think and feel and happen to be going through at the time. Music should aslo offer you a peek into yourself and give you a push in the back toward your destination. Jill does that. With her powerful words and stunning voice, she has the tendency to show you that displaying tenderness should not be considered a weakness.
I’ve listened to this CD at least 5 times today (yes, I said today) and it gets more and more real to me with every listen. Maybe it’s because she gives me confirmation that it’s okay to be who I am; maybe it’s because all of the things she sings and speaks, I know. Maybe it’s because she sings the soundtrack to my life, and this latest chapter is spot on.
This has been a rough week. I am grateful for the weekend and ready to get at these cocktails ASAP. But first, here are my 5Things for this week:
5 – Which God Do They Serve?
Because the God that I serve does not promote the use of his name towards such hatred. On Saturday, as her friends and family gather to lay Elizabeth Edwards to rest, this church group will stage a protest. There is a vile, hate-filled flyer that the church released that attempts to explain their reasoning behind such a hurtful and abhorrent display; I will not display it here (Google it). It makes me angry that this group of people deem themselves to be judge and jury over the lives of people that they have decided are not worthy of respect. Of course, this is not the first time the church has staged this kind of protest; sadly, it also will not be the last. You can read the article here.
4 – Drink of the Week
I’m a fiend for martinis. I don’t like the basic martinis; I like my martinis fruity…that fruit holds off the vodka. I once put down more than 5 martinis in one night. I don’t remember much, but I do remember that they were absolutely delicious. Good times.
My drink of the week is the Strawberry Martini. My favorite variation comes from The Cheesecake Factory. When I try to recreate it at home, it’s alright, but doesn’t come close. Here’s my recipe:
1 oz. cranberry juice
1 oz. vodka (vanilla flavored if you’ve got it)
1/2 oz. grenadine
fresh strawberry
Shake w/ ice and pour into martini glass and garnish with strawberry…voila!
3 – Bill Is Still a Boss
When President Bill Clinton took over the podium during President Obama’s press conference last week, I felt a twinge of nostalgia. I am still in support of President Obama (although he is stretching my support wa-aa-ay out of shape), but Bill Clinton was the reason I started voting in the first place. He was served from 1993 – 2001; I was 22 when he went into office. All of this politics stuff was new to me, although I took the customary car drive with my mother when she voted. But voting for Bill Clinton became personal to me…it was almost like I couldn’t wait to say that I voted for him. And I did…proudly, the same way that I did for President Obama.
2 – Oprah
I can’t say enough about how much I love Oprah. She is the ultimate, and she has always been, since her introduction to my television 25 years ago. I’ve been to her show, I’ve purchased all the books (even those book club books that I wanted to throw back at the television and scream, “What are you thinking?!), I have the DVDs, etc. etc. etc.
I had an epiphany while watching Oprah and Barbara. All that material shit means nothing if I haven’t changed my life for the better. I think I have, but there is so much more I could do.
1 – Lost In The World
I’ve been playing this Kanye CD non-stop. NON. STOP. I’ve finally identified a favorite (at least for today) and it is Lost in the World. I put on my headphones and let the music take me there. I hear something new every time I listen to it. This YouTube version does nothing for it…I dare you to sit in a quiet place and listen. It will steal your heart.
video credit: originally uploaded to YouTube on November 14, 2010 by KanyeDarkFantasy
Sometimes when I’m alone
I Cry,
Cause I am on my own.
The tears I cry are bitter and warm.
They flow with life but take no form
I Cry because my heart is torn.
I find it difficult to carry on.
If I had an ear to confide in,
I would cry among my treasured friend,
but who do you know that stops that long,
to help another carry on.
The world moves fast and it would rather pass by.
Then to stop and see what makes one cry,
so painful and sad.
And sometimes…
I Cry
and no one cares about why.
Happy Friday! Wow, I’ve missed this space, this freedom, this platform.
I find it only fitting that I come back here and begin again with a little bit of Old School Friday. I watched the TVOne Unsung about Miki Howard and I was truly impressed. I don’t think I knew that she and Gerald Levert were once a couple, or that she was the victim of an abusive relationship. What I’ve always known, however, is that she has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard.
Today, we give Miki some love. Here are a couple of tunes of hers that always get me to swinging and swaying.
Talk to you soon! Enjoy your weekend and don’t forget to “Fall Back!”
My choice is Off the Wall. From the moment that Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough bounces in my ears with its bass and Michael’s voice exerting the Power, it begins a journey into bigness. Off the Wall is big and flashy and overpowering at times…just what Michael was. It set him apart from all others back in 1983, and whenever I need a reminder of what true talent sounds like, I put on Off the Wall.
