Conversations with Marva

monday music…my favorite cd #4

I happed upon my Confessions CD this week and I’ve been listening to it non-stop. It is one of those rare musical feats that artists sometimes only wish for: every single song is perfect. Every single song could be a hit. Every single song delivers.

I’ve been a fan of Usher since he hit the scene as a baby-faced teenager. You can see a star rising; there is something in their spirit and attitude that show you that they are not the run-of-the-mill artist. Usher was that then, and he certainly is that now. I’ve been impressed with him since that first CD and remain so today.

But the Confessions CD, though? All I can say is that it is goodness from start to finish. I love a CD that tells a story…music is supposed to do that, I believe. Confessions is a movie on wax; it is a novel sang over tight beats and harmony. I have the tendency to embrace the gooey love songs before the dance cuts…but this CD put that tendency to shame. Yeah always makes me want to dance, and Caught Up is reminiscent of the King of Pop and his ability to hold your attention for the length of a song and put the music in your bones. Don’t get it twisted, though…Usher can certainly deliver those weak in the knees bedroom melodies that make your insides melt (see That’s What It’s Made For and Can You Handle It?).

We don’t get much R & B these days that make the genre proud. Confessions does that completely.

And…Usher could get it any day of the week that ends in ‘Y’. Lawd…

I’ll be your groupie, baby…’cause you are my Superstar,

~ M

monday music…my favorite cd #2

When I think of a person with strength, I think of Mary J. Blige. Mary is the essence of going through a storm and rising like the phoenix, renewed and restored. I love Mary now, fabulous and free…but I also loved her back then, hard and hurt.

My favorite Mary J. Blige CD isn’t the one you would think. Although I loved My Life, and consider it a for sure classic, I hear nothing but pain when I listen to it. That’s understandable, given the situation and environment Mary was in back then. I knew that pain would eventually be broken, and a new Mary would emerge. I found healing and moving on listening to Mary J.’s self-titled CD, Mary.

This is my favorite CD because I could hear Mary shedding all of that misery and emerging as someone who believed in herself. That is beautiful to me. Recognizing your own power is a freeing experience, and you can hear Mary beginning to step into the spot reserved for her so long ago on this CD. Her voice is stronger and more mature, the lyrics are purposeful, and each is a strong step forward. Plus, any CD with a song titled Beautiful Ones tends to show up on my favorites list (hint, hint).

I put this CD on when I want to think beyond whatever is troubling me. When I need a reminder that the sun is on its way over that mountain in front of me, I listen to Mary.

All That I Can Say,

~ M