5 black piano keys, a rich history and sound

A friends sent me a link that I found really remarkable, and I want to share it with you.

The thing about the video you will see (which I first viewed at http://pjcockrell.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/amazing-grace-just-the-black-notes) is that I doubt most are aware of spiritual songs created by African Americans during and after Slavery in the U.S. Sure many have heard of these songs, especially those in the South or the highly religious (and occassionally a movie or 2), but I doubt that most can name the songs let alone their composers. Or that White spiritual songs were based on the same style as the 'negro' spirituals.

Even sadder is the thought that I am sure that not one classroom outside of the few college courses on the subject ever discuss any aspect of the 5 black notes, pentatonic scale or 'slave scale'. Never once in a history class, not once in a history book, is there mention of the musical abilities of slaves - nor more importantly any other achievement of African Americans until well into the 20th Century. Yet reality differs from history in that there are many things that slaves created besides the foundations, buildings, roads, and agricultural trade that gave birth to and nurtured America. So many in fact that without them the America of today could not exist.

Still it is amazing to hear, to learn, of how much was made of something so simple by people denied so much.

OK GO does it again

You may not know the name of the band OK GO, you may not recall their songs, but you do know their videos.



The music is middle of the road at best. But the innovation of the band, the manner in which they have made simple but eyecatching music videos makes them stand out. Their no cut, constant action timed to their song flow is a standout amongst the industry and really a treat.

Their latest music video, to the song And This To Shall Pass, is again an example of what entertainment is about. If you haven't seen it, or even if you have, check out the video now.



OK Go should take a bow. That is impressive.

Pre-Valentine's Day song

Considering all the commercializm of the day, I am often reminded of a song that truly captures the spirit of it all. Not on an individual basis, but the whole superficial nature that it is these days (and it was pretty bad years ago). Maybe tomorrow I'll get more into the romantic aspect of it, then again maybe not.

A songs for Black History month

Just for Black History Month I want to present the following music videos. Take it as you will.



And yes, 41 shots is repeated 41 times in the song.

Here is one of Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts Songs of the Century



It's not much better across the pond



How about a cover of Sly Stone



How about the power that used to be in rap (before the minstrel show)



How about the superficial



If my readers down under are feeling left out



And finally a song everyone has heard, and few have ever paid attention to the words

Schuyler Fisk - iTunes exclusive

Here is a bit of news that music fans, and those that like iTunes, will enjoy. I have been notified that Schuyler Fisk will be releasing a new song, "Love Somebody", exclusively on iTunes on Friday January 8th.

The song "Love Somebody" has been heard in some regions in association with commercials for SPCA. But now fans nationwide will have the chance to download the song. The big bonus though is that the proceeds of the song will go to benefit Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA. That's 100% of the proceeds.

For those readers less familiar with Schuyler Fisk, I found the following video. It's not a music video, but a portion of the film I'm Reed Fish, where Fisk is singing the song herself.



For those that are fans of Fisk, you can look forward to seeing her in a movie shortly. She will be in an upcoming Gus Van Sant movie that has already finished filming.

Cobalt - patriotic heavy metal

Over the years since the 9/11 attack I have made mention about the lack of patriotism of the majority of entertainers. That includes actors, musicians, athletes, ect. There have been a handful of exceptions though.

Now before any uber-liberals flip out about whatever they might think of America and politics I will simply say the facts. Over 90% of entertainers in America have not joined the military and/or USO. Which is a stark and troubling contrast to every other major war and conflict in the 20th century that I am aware of, including Viet Nam (except possibly Desert Storm - not sure how to classify that).

Moving on, I did just hear about 1 musical group that not only is part of defending the nation, and the freedoms we all enjoy, they are successful in their music at the same time. I will also admit that I am behind the curve in noticing the band.

Cobalt is the name of the heavy metal band, that's been around for years. While they aren't on the top 40 playlists of most radio stations, I can't think of a metal band that is. Even so they had a very well reviewed album in 2009 called Gin. One of the tracks from that album - Arsonry - was featured on Red Eye that I happened to notice.



I like the song. It reminds me of Tool, a band that I like a lot. I can't say that I've heard the entire album yet, but so far I like what I have heard.

The thing that made me even bother to check out the song is the fact that one of the principles of the band is in the military. SSGT Phillip McSorley is a military lifer. Currently stationed stateside, the entire Gin album was written while he was stationed in South Korea.

It seems that the band gets together whenever SSGT McSorley is on U.S. soil and can meet with bandmate in New York City. When that happens they record, and in this case it sounds good.

Personally I like classical, rock music, and alternative. Metal is a style that I'm not a rabid fan of, but I like a good song. Arsonry is a good song. So I recommend you check it and the album out.

Seperately, I want to thank SSGT McSorley for his service to all of us. I wish there were far more entertainers with enough balls to stand up and serve the nation that provides them with a lifestyle that no other nation can do. Even if all they do is entertain the troops they seem more than unwilling to be a part of.

Nina Simone's Sinnerman on television commercials and movies

I was thinking about commercials again last night. There are several (recently cell phone commercials) that are using a song that probably everyone knows from the climax of the Thomas Crown Affair remake with Pierce Brosnan. But the question is what is the song that really makes that scene move?

It's a catchy song and I had to figure out who made it. Turns out that the song, Sinnerman, is old. Real old. It goes back to roughly 1900, but the version that we know today was the Jazz Gospel version done by Nina Simone in 1965. The full song goes as follows:



This song is great. But what you may not have noticed is that it's having a surge of interest lately. Since 1999 the song in some version (usually this one) has appeared in 12 movies. It's been on 11 television shows, including Top Gear in the U.K. and the anime series Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex 2nd GIG. That does not include the multiple television commercials and video games it can be found on as well.

Nina Simone, who died in 2003 at the age of 70, was an pianist, singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist. Her musical style encompassed classical, jazz, blues, gospel, pop and R&B. Her music is still often samples by hip hop artists and she was an influence for Mos Def among others.

There are even plans for a movie based on the life of Simone. It's expected to be released in 2012. May J. Blige is planned to play the role of Simone. I only hope that Blige can do justice to this artist both musically and in her acting.

If you are interested in hearing more of Nina Simone's work you won't have trouble finding her work. She has albulms spanning 1959 up to 2009, though the albums from 1997 on are compliations and remixes of her work. Her last album was in 1975 making her career span 16 years, which is better than many artists today.

So the next time you hear Sinnerman on a television cmmercial or in a movie, you won't have to wonder who did that song any more.

Left for Dead 2 television commercial: What is that song?

So have you seen the Let for Dead 2 video game commercial? I'm sure most have by now. It's all over television.

The commercial itself is pretty common considering the genre. Blast the zombies and stay alive. Nothing all that new for an FPS (first person shooter), though it has gotten high marks from the reviews I've seen.

Honestly I wouldn't even think about the game as I generally don't bother with FPS video games (Resident Evil excepted). But it's the commercial. The damn thing just sticks in my mind. Actually the background song of the television commercial - Bang Bang Bang Bang, Vamanos! Vamanos!



It just lingers. I have to say that it is the best part of the whole game commercial. It almost makes me want to go out and buy the game. Almost, but it is highly likely that the musioc won't be in the game itself.

So if you are like me, here is who made the song. The band is called Clutch, and they've been around since 1990. They play funk and heavy metal. Also they do hardcore punk and blues rock. The last is very much what is in this song.

The song is called Electric Worry. It sounds like it has it's inspiration in Muddy Waters. If you don't know Waters, definitely check him out. Here is the video (which really needs work).



And if you wanted to see a bit more of Left for Dead and the sequel, to this same song, I also found a nice fanvideo.

Warning - This is a bit graphic in violence and gore.

Pimp Ken and Slut Barbie

I'm not sure how many people have heard what next year's new toy du jour will be. It's likely not what you think, and even less savory once you know.

The toy is the Ken Doll from the Barbie collection. In honor of the 50th year of Barbie dolls, Ken has a new line that is called officially Sugar's Daddy Ken Doll. You might have heard of it more commonly as the Sugar Daddy Ken doll. Or even perhaps as the Pimp Ken doll.



Now Mattel has made it clear that they do not agree with the renaming of the toy, geared to adult collectors.

"While the name of the doll does refer back to the dog, I think people are going to interpret it as they want to interpret it." - Mattel spokeswoman Michelle Chidoni

Really now? Mattel spends untold millions on market research for every toy they make. Every detail of the toys , from the colors used to the packaging, to the names are market researched and designed to click with their target market. There is no interpetation of a Barbie or Ken doll that Mattel has not envisioned and tested long before anyone in the world sees it.

Mattel knew this would be the reaction. In fact I believe they planned on it. Not only because they get free publicity, but because they want to stay relevant to how they see society.

It's the same reason that there was a pregnant Barbie, which lined up with the spike in unwed mothers and pregnant teens in the nation. It's the same reason they made a Tattoo Barbie, to match the ass stamp (or tramp stamp as some call it) that is now overwhelmingly popular among young women. In fact it is the same reason that Lawyer Barbie and Professional Barbie are things of the long ago E.R.A. past.

"We are a good brand and we inspire girls around the world to do amazing things, and we are very proud of who we are and what we are." - Richard Dickson General Manager of Mattel

Oh yes I can see how this is inspiring young girls. Matching Tattoo Barbie with her ass stamp and inhuman figure with Sugar Daddy Ken (or in this match up I like to say Pimp Ken) young girls are inspired to find a man to take care of their needs. To use a man via sexuality to gain material goods. To effectively become a cheap prostitute.

It's an image straight out of almost any rap music video. It's an image found commonly in movies of the last decade or so. It's a theme found on various CW television shows. And in case any young girl has yet to be infected from those sources - because they are too young - Mattel is there to usher them in.

Maybe I am making too much of this. Maybe most girls have too much self-esteem to fall into this trap. But most is not all.

In the same way some women are eased into anorexia because of media influences, and the way that getting a tattoo on the ass of a 16 year old is the current common way to express individualism, this doll and combination reinforce the worst of society. It's no different than the aforementioned music videos and pregnant Barbie. In fact, adding this to those elements and movies, television shows, and magazines I am unsure how any young girl might be at least subliminally unaffected by the image of dependency and prostitution that is being sold to them from all sides.

Is Mattel free to make the toy? Yes and they should be in a free capitalist society. That is not my point. Simple morality and decency should have prevented them from creating these doll lines in the first place. There are some things unworthy of selling for profit. This, to me, is a clear example of such.

Music Video: Beyonce and Lady Gaga - do I need to say more?

By now I'm sure many have seen the new music video by Beyonce that features the popular Lady GaGa. Of course I'm sure there are just as many that might not have seen it yet considering how few music videos get played on MTV these days. But this video is special and I think even reviewers have missed the joke in the video. Read on and tell me if you get it too.

The song is called Video Phone. It's a very Lady Gaga song in that it is simplistic in the vocals and catchy at the same time. I'd also say that the major influence in the video comes from Lady Gaga and her people. It is a new direction for Beyonce, from what I saw. But like the song, the video works.

Of course, movie buffs (and others) like myself may find the video interesting for far more reasons than just the look and the eye catching colors. Then again there are more than a few that have issues with the video (though they missed the big thing - or were too embarrassed to mention it if they did get it).

"I will admit the video is pretty to look at, and Lady GaGa holds her own next to a major captial D Diva, but the womanizing undertones and dance for your dinner chair routine have my tummy feeling icky." - Ryan Brockington, NY Post

and

The Bad: Why exactly was Lady Gaga in this video? Her voice adds nothing to what was actually a pretty mediocre song. And the dance sequence with Beyonce and Lady Gaga? Hey, Gaga can’t keep up with Beyonce’s poppin’ and shakin.’ (But, then, who can?!) On top of that, Gaga looks a little emaciated next to the more athletic B. Regarding other aspects of the video, what’s up with all the guns? Not sure what that has to do with a video phone." - Creative Loafing

I see their points, (though Beyonce is just a normal Black woman that doesn't conform to the Hollywood fetish with anorexics) but I saw a whole lot of other things. First though, here is the video. [Sorry for the ad at the bottom of the video, but this is the video with the least obtrusive ad I could find]



Ok, so now you have seen it. Did you catch all the apparent homages in the video? Did you figure it out?

There is the Quentin Tarantino Resevoir Dogs shot, with a bit of the Cray 8's from Kill Bill. Then after a bit it gets all fetishy with the Zentai hoods and male bondage. It gets way more BDSM, in clothing, as I believe both ladies are in Rubber or Latex neon day-glow outfits with matching boots, and the Latex halter that Beyonce wears. Which makes sense if the thought is to show female dominance over the men in the video, and that explains all the guns plus the Tarrantino references.

But there is also a bit reference to Betty Page. Often seen on WWII bombers, it is also a reason for the guns, I suppose. By the way, the weapons are in dayglow colors to be PC and not promote guns - I think. It would make sense that the record label would want to avoid some liberal nutjob from making such an allegation and potentially losing anti-NRA viewers. And it prevents any connection of this video with the violence normally promoted in rap and occasionally hip hop. [Oh, the rifles are not AK-47's, they are AR15's also known as a M-16. Though I've never seen one with a silencer before. Plus a Tommy Gun, also with a silencer which I never saw before. And Lady Gaga has a .45]

Oh, and a possible homage to the classic Memorex television commercial too. Like I said, this video has a lot in it.

But what is the big secret? What does this video mean (at least visually)?

The director was thinking hard on this video. I mean he went all the way out there. The ghettofabulous Betty Page homage, the further reference to WWII with the Rising Sun flag based bikini and the gestapo styled hat - no idea why she is carrying a bow in those scenes though. But I suppose that explains the guy with all the arrows in him. Well that and the fetish of BDSM - inflicting pain but not killing the guy (he does move later in the video).

So here is what I think.

Actually I think the whole thing is just a big fetish video cleverly disguised, with obvious inspiration to Quentin Tarrantino (who seems to have a foot fetish himself), hidden in an innocuous song. Everyone is so busy watching Beyonce pop and somewhat exposed, plus trying to get a glimpse of any extras on Lady Gaga, that the rest of it just flies past everyone.

I like this video ever so much more now. It's the biggest joke, that everyone will be watching this and yet NO ONE will likely figure out what it is that's going on. I'm sure the director will be rolling on the floor with laughter as review after review misses the obvious yet praises the video; not realizing they are praising BDSM publicly. That's just hillarious.

Ok, so if you agree, do me a favor and pass around the word that I figured out the video first. I can't wait to hear the response once we spread this around the net.

Annie Lennox SING's Woman of Peace

For those that may not have been paying attention, AIDS has not been cured. Nor has the number of people getting HIV stopped. It's not popular to talk about such things, but that may be part of why Annie Lennox has been doing just that.

Annie Lennox has been probably best known for her music career. She is a Scottish singer and acclaimed for her many albums and remarkable voice. It is that same voice that gathered 23 female singers to release their own versions of a song called SING. The proceeds of this went to help South Africans via the Treatment Action Campaign. So far SING has raised over $2,000,000.



In honor of her efforts, and her continuing work to fight AIDS and help women and children especially in South African, Annie Lennox has received the Woman of the Peace award for 2009. The award was presented to her at a summit of Nobel Peace laureates in Berlin (President Obama was not present).

I love to discuss and share the contributions made by entertainers and celebrities for people in need across the world. I share the concern of Lennox and others over the fight against AIDS and prevention of HIV. I just wish the rest of the media would do the same.

Tens of millions still contract AIDS and HIV every year. Even in the U.S. HIV and AIDS continues to be a threat. There is no cure. HIV/AIDS afflicts people of every walk of life. Rich and poor, Black, White, Latino, Asian, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, male and female - all alike. Anyone having unprotected sex is potentially capable of contracting HIV and AIDS.

I commend Anne Lennox on her devotion to saving lives and caring for the sick. I congratulate her on her well earned award.

I just wish that other, more political rockstars, one day earn the awards and praise they have received for doing absolutely nothing except smiling. And yes, that is a dig at President Obama.

Remembering Michael Jackson

I was speaking with friends yesterday and today about the sudden death of Michael Jackson and we recalled many things. I want to take a moment to share some of those thoughts with you.

I can recall being a very young child and hearing ABC 123 from the Jackson 5. To this day just thinking of the title of that song instantly brings up the memory of that song, hearing MJ’s voice in my mind, and the summer in the 70’s. It’s a good memory.



That’s something that I think most of us can say. Hearing some of our favorite songs by Michael Jackson brings us back to memories of our youth, or even more recent days, that are pleasant and fun. Not every singer can do that, not every song. But he did it many times.

I remember that I bought the Ben album back in the days. It was the second album I ever bought. The first was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I recall that album to this day. It was sweet and melodic. It really just touched a cord.

I also recall being pissed at him during the 80’s. I had a girlfriend that was absolutely in love with him. Even more than me at the time. I’m sure other men had a similar competition. One that MJ never knew of, and one that none of us mere men could ever win.



My friends and I noticed something while watching all the news on Michael Jackson’s death. Videos from across his life were being shown split-screen as commentators spoke. And with no delay, with complete agreement, we were able to place every single song the videos were showing. That’s without any sound. No matter how old the video clip or music video.

Imagine the impact he has made that people of multiple generations can sit and see a visual snippet and know the exact song, and generally the year, without ever hearing a word. Something we didn’t even realize we knew until that moment.

Another friend noted that Michael Jackson is the progression of the great singers. There was Elvis, then the Beatles, and now MJ. Looking forward, there is no one yet that comes close to the talent, showmanship, and longevity Jackson had. And I can’t imagine, in a world of throw-away entertainers and American Idol, if anyone like this will come again.



The entire industry of music videos needs to celebrate Michael Jackson. I expect nothing less than a full run of every video and music clip of Jackson singing since his first televised appearance in the Jackson 5 on MTV. They owe him that.

Were it not for the foresight of Jackson, and his commitment to providing fans a complete entertainment experience, music videos of today would not exist. Jackson made mini-movies. He extended the length of time a video could be, he raised the bar on quality, on the production itself. Thriller was not a music video, it was a story. Billie Jean was a story. Remember The Time was a short film.



Before Jackson was making music videos, they were jumbles of catchy imagery that may have had nothing to do with anything. Once he got involved, we got an art form. And MTV was smart enough to break the color barrier they had for every single video he ever did.

Another friend noticed the incredible impact of Michael Jackson. Thinking back through the years of coverage, did you notice that ANYTHING he did was news. If he wore a new piece of clothing it was news. The sparkled socks (which respectfully Donnie Osmond did first – but Jackson did it bigger), the single glove, his hair, the outfits he wore (on stage or off). Hell, MJ just leaving Neverland was good enough to get 30 seconds of news airtime. No one is that big, just him.

When you think of the career of Jackson you have to think big. He started trends in fashion – basically all the clothes of the 80’s. He broke racial barriers world wide – there was no where he could not appear, and people of every description sold-out stadiums to see him. He broke industry standards – almost always having the biggest contracts, Grammy Awards, limits on music video lengths, 750 million records sold, 13 top 100 hits for a single artist, and on and on. He created dance crazes – though he was inspired by James Brown, he had the world trying to imitate his moves and Moonwalk – even to this day.



His music is so ingrained in the world that he is one of the top sampled artists ever. People of all ages have at least one favorite song from throughout his career. Every entertainer since the 80’s has tried to imitate some if not all of his artistry. Every entertainer that is a person of color has dreamed of matching even part of his success, and use his career as a guide path for their own.

All of this came at a high price though. He never grew up, at least not properly. He was reportedly shy. He was reclusive. He was likely a pedophile. He was beyond eccentric (though parts of his tabloid eccentricity may have been his own manipulation to gain greater press coverage). He hated his own face, and possibly race (the multiple cosmetic surgeries and rumored skin bleaching). He was a man with many demons, possibly addictions, and he couldn’t hide for all his trying. I doubt he lived a day without pressure and stress since he was in his teens.



All these things and more are Michael Jackson. He was by definition an icon, a figure too large to be merely like everyone else. He was as gifted as he was troubled. I think he may have been the loneliest person that everyone in the world knew and wanted to be near.

For all his faults and issues, for all the real and imagined deviations and eccentricity, for all the grandeur and splendor he craved and provided to fans, one thing will always be true.

Michael Jackson walked the Earth for 50 years, his footprint has been left on billions of people, and he made the planet overall better in the ways only he could. Such a legacy, such memories, such an inspiration are all things we can be glad of and hope to attain in a small way. I can think of few things better to say of any human being, past or present.

Christopher Walken clears 100 films

So I was checking out some of the proposed movie deals for what will be coming to a theater in the next year or two. I ran across a bit of information that got me excited. Because one of my all-time favorite actors will be in another motion picture.

And I was a fan of Walken long before the Fat Boy Slim video



and even before Pulp Fiction



Yes, Christopher Walken will be gracing the silver screen once again. The film is called The Irishman, it a conversion from a regular book (which is a change from the current trend) about an Irish-American mobster who took on the Mafia. This is a true story of Danny Greene.

In an overview the films sounds something like the Denzel Washington led film American Gangster. The time frame is the same, 1970’s. It has 3 main characters that are very well known. It involved the Mafia. And to an extent it glorifies these crime syndicates.

But I’m willing to over look these things. Hell the movie also stars Val Kilmer and Ray Stevenson (from the 2008 Punisher movie). It just sounds like a great combination of actors and storyline. A dark subject, brutal violence, actors known for their brooding performances. It sounds like a sure hit.

Too bad the director is Jonathan Hensleigh. If his name is not familiar it may well be because he is responsible for the Punisher (2004) film. Not the best film, nor the best use of decent actors. Still the law of averages says that even bad directors will get it right eventually. Though if Hensleigh was the writer the movie would be an almost assured hit. He wrote Die Hard with a Vengence, Jumanji, The Rock (along with others), Armeggedon, Gone in 60 Seconds and Con Air. His writing is impressive, but not directing.

I believe that this will be the 100th film for Walken. (He has already done 100 plays) So as a centennial film I hope it is deservingly good. I can’t wait for the trailer.

My Flow So Tight - a request that should be fulfilled

Speaking of music videos, have you seen the song by Jump Smokers? You may have some trouble with the name as the song (My Flow So Tight) was originally done with a group by the name of Smoke Jumpers. It's the same group, just that another group had the original name first.

Actually there is a big hubub about the name. The group in Texas with the original name finds the song - that is gaining attention internationally - and/or the mixup in names has caused

"their name has been hurt "in the minds of music listeners everywhere."

Right. Because absolutely everyone has heard of the Texas band. They need to get off the high horse and appreciate the fact that now someone knows who the hell they are.

But beyond all the minor squabbles of names is the song itself. I find it to be a perfect prose on the emotions that acts of brutality against women, and specifically this act against Rihanna, conjure. In fact I would enjoy someone acting on this songs request.



For those wondering about the wording, here are the lyrics:

My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
Chris Brown should get his ass kicked,
Chris Brown should get his ass kicked,
(kicked) x6
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
Chris Brown should get his ass kicked,

Ass kicked 5x

My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
Chris Brown should get his ass kicked,

Boy hits girl,
Boy should be taken down,
No matter whos around,
The more I searched yo the more I found,
That there's a curse to this last name brown,
Dude can dance and yo dude gets loose,
Dude should come clean and tell the truth,
All the money in the world but there's no excuse,
Career suicide yo heres the noose,

Boy hits girl,
Boy should be taken down,
No matter whos around,
The more I searched yo the more I found,
That there's a curse to this last name brown,
Dude can dance and yo dude gets loose,
Dude should come clean and tell the truth,
All the money in the world but there's no excuse,
Career suicide yo heres the noose,

(muffled)My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,(muffled)
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
Chris Brown should get his ass kicked,

Ass kicked x5

Boy hits girl,
Boy should be taken down,
No matter whos around,
The more I searched yo the more I found,
That there's a curse to this last name brown,
Dude can dance and yo dude gets loose,
Dude should come clean and tell the truth,
All the money in the world but there's no excuse,
Career suicide yo heres the noose,

Boy hits girl,
Boy should be taken down,
No matter whos around,
The more I searched yo the more I found,
That there's a curse to this last name brown,
Dude can dance and yo dude gets loose,
Dude should come clean and tell the truth,
All the money in the world but there's no excuse,
Career suicide yo heres the noose,

(muffled)My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,(muffled)
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
My flow so tight and the beats so sick,
Chris Brown should get his ass kicked.

This may not be the best song in the world, but the lyrics and mentality behind it deserves to get airplay. Unless we want to promote domestic violence as much as R Kelly has done for pedophiles with the fiasco that was his trial.

Eminem's music video "We Made You" hits the mark

Have you seen the latest Eminem music video? I tried to get a copy of it but was unable to find a clean or available version. Still I was able to find the comments of Eminem on the video.



Now I am not usually a fan of modern gangsta rap. I have issues with most of they lyrics and visual representations that are the norm of the industry. But having seen this video I can say that I find it funny.

Television, pop stars, and instant celebrities all get a nice kick in the ass in this video. Something that is really needed. The instant fame and adoration many of the celebrities Marshall Mathers targets is worthy of the ridicule he presents. I’m sure that he will eventually be back in court over this one.

Still there is something really wrong in the world when we have so many media venues pumping out the degradation of men and women for no reason other than 15 minutes of fame. Or worse yet, celebrities and entertainers that are using this media focus to enhance their limited abilities.

The key to this video is the chorus, and also the title, “We made you.” Something that seems to have been forgotten among the entertainers of these days.

Another fun part is the fandom of Mathers when it comes to Star Trek. His play on the original classic’s look and feel is funny, though the constant throwing up of the Asian male throughout the video was too much. He really could have done without it.

And I know some will love his take on Sarah Palin. But I’m not sure that he is making the comment most expect. I don’t see him making fun of her as much as making fun of all those that are so obsessed with her and the media circus that has been placed upon her. She didn’t make herself a sex symbol, the media did that. The video seems to play on that hype.

Overall I think this music video has more going on than just the lyrics. It can be used to make a telling commentary on the state of society, the abuses of fame, the incredulity of how fame is created and dispersed, and the breakdown of an intelligent entertainment. That’s a hell of a lot from a kid with issues that are well known.

I may not like rap, but this music video is an exception to the rule.

Blame It - Jamie Foxx's new music video

No matter what you may think of the skills of Jamie Foxx as a singer, you have to give him credit. The man is big enough from his acting career that he is able to pull out the stops. His latest album features the song Blame It - the video of which puts many entertainers to shame.

The music video is a collection of some of the top entertainers of the past several decades. Ron Howard, Morris Chestnut, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel Jackson, Quincy Jones, Forest Whitaker, among several other stars all appear prominently in the video. Oh, there is also T-Pain, who sings on the track. There are enough stars in this one music video to start an awards show.

But having the power to attract big names for a music video does not mean that the song itself is good. Luckily Foxx can sing. Which elevates the song. It has a message which unlike contemporary songs is not overly graphic or over the top with sexual lyrics (though it's not a choir boy song either). That is up until T-Pain starts his part. Then it gets far more graphically explicit.

The title gives you a pretty good idea where the song is going anyway so there are no real surprises. Still the video avoids the mostly naked, butt gyrating theme most videos of this lyrical nature would inspire. A bit of class never hurts, and can be among the reasons so many stars agreed to be available.

The beat is smooth and reminiscent of older R&B, nothing hits you to glaringly - except for the dramatic shift during T-Pain's section. Then again, that's what T-Pain is on the song for. While this may not be the top selling song of the year, I can see how this can do well in a club on Saturday night. I have no doubt it will get people on the dance floor, and massive airtime on the radio. There is just one riff - the stuttering of the word alcohol - that just irks me. But that is a personal irritation, which many may not even notice.

The 2 things that I left the video with are: Who is the Panda? Yes there is a person with a panda head dancing in the video - how often do you get to see that? And if I read it right, the little sister of Jamie Foxx was just introduced to the world in this video as one of the featured dancers of the video. Which I though was a sweet thing to do.

Midnight Oil: the concert and the controversy

Does anyone recall a rock band from Australia called Midnight Oil? It was a good band back in the day. They had a few hits in America, fueled by MTV (back when they played music videos) and the fact that the lead singer of the band reminded many of the guy from The Hills Have Eyes (the original film).

Well I was brought back to those days on seeing the news that Midnight Oil will be doing a concert to help raise funds for victims of the recent horrendous fires that claimed 210 lives and thousands of homes in Australia. The odd thing about this charity concert is the fact that lead singer Peter Garrett is now environment minister in the government. Talk about a switch of careers.

The reason this is getting international attention is really sad though. Rather than talking up the benefit, the AP piece [Australian minister rejoins Midnight Oil rock band] discusses how some are finding it difficult to reconcile the songs of Midnight Oil and Garrett’s current political position. It seems fans believe that the songs picked for the concert are less anti-government than the band is known for. And those in the government are upset that the controversial themes of the band’s music may affect the government.

To give you an idea of what they are talking about, check out the video of one of their American hits



The theme is Aboriginal rights. In fact this song directly states that Australia should be returned to the Aboriginal natives. That would be like a band here stating that Manhattan should be returned to the Native Indians. And the lead singer was the Secretary of the Interior.

Of course the fact is that Peter Garrett stopped playing with Midnight Oil back in 2002. Plus, when he was picked for his current position (in a Government that is far less liberal in its views) his past was a well known fact. Taking these facts into account, with the thought that he is not trying to make a political point but help some of the people of Australia, I think he needs to be given some slack.

Personally I have met Garrett. It was back in 1998 as I recall, on 43rd and Lexington in New York City. I was a stockbroker at the time, out for lunch, and saw him crossing the street. My best friend and I waited for him to cross and said hello. He was polite enough to stop and speak with us for a couple of minutes. He is really tall, the video does not make it clear how tall. And I’m 5’ 10”.

Suffice to say that I enjoy his music. I am impressed with the band’s stance on Aboriginal rights. I respect the intention of helping Australians with a charitable concert.

Politics and music may often clash, but when compared to the suffering that music can help relieve it is unimportant. I hope that Midnight Oil plays their most controversial songs, with Garrett up front and in the crosshairs of television cameras worldwide – if it helps to raise more money. Because that’s really the only important thing about the concert.

A Holiday light show

Just some Christmas lights and a bit of musical cheer.









Enjoy!

A trip from Kanye to Naruto with Beethoven and the Matrix

Ah sometimes I take strange trips when I follow a thought. Case in point, I was on Youtube and happened to find a mash-up of Beethoven and Kanye West. I have no great like of Kanye but it was the infusion of classical that made me watch it.



That lead me to wonder what other classical mixes might be out there. Were their others that found classical as great as I do, and see the ease and multiple formats that classical could be mixed with more modern music. Was there a bridge of the too forms of music?

So I found this video.



and I went from there to



Which lead me to



and then I ran into something really different and amusing. Mixing my love of classical music, anime, The Matrix and Naruto.



It's an odd journey, but I must say I was pleased by it. How about you?

Bob Johnson is at it again

Bob Johnson. The only Black male billionaire in the United States. The man that created Black Entertainment Television (no relation to this blog).

Bob Johnson is getting back to his roots. That is he is proposing a new Black-oriented television network to compete with his former BET and TV One. And I would equate that to a crack dealer finding religion and then going back out to sell more crack. If that doesn’t sound complementary, it isn’t meant to be.

Bob Johnson’s BET has more than a few comparisons for drug dealing. Its main adiction it sold were music videos so repulsive in the style and message that no other cable channel would dare play them. Not even the once rebellious MTV. These images of belittling women, and glorification of violence were not the initial programming but the end result. The big pay off. And he sold this to Black audiences because their only choice was to drink sand.

Bob Johnson had the opportunity to present an image of African Americans to the world that is not seen in other media. He could have emphasized the businesses we run, the educations we gain, the success we derive out of difficult and unbalanced situations. He could have promoted the achievements we make in the arts, and the advances we tread in politics. Instead he made a lot of money on the backs of the people he proposed to serve.

And now he plans to do it again.

According to an Ion and RLJ joint statement, the proposed share-time arrangement would allow Urban Television to operate “a continuous television program service aimed at serving the needs and interests of urban viewers and traditionally underserved minority communities. Urban Television will be a new addition to the current broadcast channel lineup, and Ion Media Networks will continue to operate its own broadcast networks.”

Urban Television is Bob Johnson’s new brand of crack so to speak. The goals sound lofty, but so did those at BET. The plea to the Government to back his venture are the same he stated before. And you can see the result right now, you might even be in time to see the movie Soul Plane.

Whether or not Bob Johnson launches Urban Television, he’s rich. He might be feeling remorse for the accusations he leveled at Barack Obama during the Democratic Primaries. He might be trying to make amends for the damage that BET has done over the years. He could even make a quality station that really does promote an image of African Americans as anything besides minstrels and pitbulls.

But I for one do not trust his intentions. I do not forget the high ideals he issued before diving to the gutter. I recall all to well his sell-out and escape to the fast lane. I don’t begrudge his money, just the way he got it. And I won’t help him get more.

AC/DC proves rock and roll is a train on the tracks

AC/DC. Are they a metal band, or rock n roll? It’s a question many wonder about, but honestly who cares. They are just good and that’s all that really matters.

The band is one of the few that can state they cover 3 decades of performance and solid hits. They have gone from Australia (their home) to England, America and the world. They have sold over 200 million records, cleared the 2004 Greatest 100 Artists All -Time List of Rolling Stone, and they just released another album – Black Ice and the single Rock n Roll Train.

The band has survived the loss and replacement of several members. They have outlasted changes in world music fads. They have cleared the hurdle of time. So it’s no surprise that their current tour is filling stadiums.

One of their recent performances gives you a taste of the showmanship of AC/DC, and the quality of their music. This is the single Rock N Roll Train, live.



In an era of music that is sampled, oversampled, and infusing nearly every genre with rap, it’s refreshing to see a band do original work again. Some bands change with the times, some fad over time, and AC/DC is among those that just pass time doing what they do best.

And just to compare here is a view of AC/DC in the past



and one more



Yeah they still got it.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu - don't know the name? Listen to the music

Sometimes you just run across things on the net that you would never expect, and just as often you are enriched by the experience. This kind of unexpected find allows me to present Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu to my readers.

The name may seems strange to anyone not from Australia. Yunupingu is an Aborigine that taught himself how to play guitar, which is quite the accomplishment considering that he is blind, and plays with an upside down guitar. He is an acclaimed singer and counts among his fans Sting, Elton John, and Bjork besides tens of thousands, perhaps millions of fans worldwide. Which is also amazing when you consider that Yunupingu speaks almost no english, and sings in a native Aboriginal dialect.

Listening to him sing is a calming and unique experience. No flash, no forced emotion or tricks of music engineering. It’s just beautiful.

Yunupingu won best independent release at the annual Australian Record Industry Association Awards. Here is a sample of his songs live. Let me know what you think.

Music review: Jessica Simpson went country

So speaking of Simpson, I wanted to mention a different one. Jessica Simpson is obviously of no relation to OJ, but she is in the news of late.

The latest album of the questionably talented Simpson sister has been a move to a new musical arena that she never touched before. Country music. So the question is can she pull it off.

Well one would hope that her ability to convey something in this music genre is better than her ability to act (her best performance might best be summed up in the words reality tv ala Nick and Jessica – or the cure for using brain cells).

Here is the video of Come on Over.



Usually the best song of an album is the one selected for release as a video, especially the first. I would have to say that the best parts of the video, including the music, would be the scenes of the bare legs – though I have seen better. So video is decent, especially if you are a pubescent boy from out by say Texas (or Tony Romo). But otherwise there is nothing really exciting or even interesting.

Of course I am hardly the only person to feel that this is a waste of time.

“The album still has the effects of all that is disappointing with pop, which can be heard in the upbeat, catchy single "Come On Over." The song involves telling her romantic interest "I need you now, I need you bad," which could be summed up in two sophomoric words.”

but this is hardly the only song in the album, thankfully.

You’re My Sunday is another try at the country brass ring. And I have no doubt that Tony Romo and Dallas Cowboys (season) fans will love it. But it’s just ok to me. Again it hits no special mark for me. And the song is even far worse when heard live [it can’t be embedded but you can find her doing the song live on youtube].

Overall I have to say that while some fans of the ‘actress’/singer will be satisfied I doubt too many others will. I have to believe that even most fans of country music will feel let down and unimpressed. It’s not that she has a horrible voice, or that they lyrics (few to be sure) are completely trite. It’s just that this feels like it’s missing something.

I don’t see how this album will really gain any ground. This new foray for Jessica Simpson sounds just like Nick & Jessica, a waste of time and ultimately unfulfilling. A worse way of saying it is it feels like the joke about the dumb blonde on stage.

I’m sure she is capable of far more than this, but I will say this album doesn’t reveal it.

VH1’s Top 100 of rap music celebrates the positives of the genre

I just noticed something that really caught my attention. VH1 has compiled a list of the top 100 rap music songs. Now that is something that I am sure will create huge debate.

The main question is the importance of groups at the start of rap, the empowerment movement in rap (which was sadly short lived), and the gangsta rap genre that has now become the redundant and endless form that dominates music videos and radio. I for one have no love of gangsta rap, nor the performers that populate the genre.

In it’s birth rap was a celebration of joy. The earliest songs, which I recall from my youth, were not that long ago, just about 29 years now. They were about enjoying friends and good times. The groove was infectious and lead to the growth of the fledgling music format.

But like all things rap grew up. In fact it did so with a speed and determination. By the mid 1980’s until 1992 rap had a meaning. Not all rap, but a good portion of it. There was a pride in the Black community and it was reflected in the music. The music was an oral declaration of unity and progress. This too was reflected in the music videos of the art form, if you were lucky enough to spot one on television.

The first 13 years that rap music existed it was called a fad by mainstream music. It was viewed as a joke. It was diminished and tossed aside by the entire music industry, even though music executives would not dare to stop making the highly lucrative music. But throughout this time rap music was also something that the White masses of the nation neither understood nor craved.

Then there was N.W.A. and the music industry executives found what they had been waiting for. A guttural base expression of African Americans as impoverished, uneducated, violent criminals waiting to be unleashed upon the nation.

I realize, now and then, that N.W.A. was expressing yet another face of what many African Americans experience everyday in America. I understand that they were crying out about the less than American Dream life that was being shoveled into their lives. And there is no doubt in my mind that the intention was never to glorify violence and drugs, or women as sexual gratification objects. But I am equally sure that the music industry sought only that aspect of the sub-genre.

So in looking at the top songs in this sect of music, what should take prominience. The songs that have made the most money, the artists that were promoted most by greedy executives, the songs that hoped to unify and empower African Americans, or those that just celebrated life?

It seems that VH1 considered all these things in making their list.

The number 1 songs was found to be Public Enemy’s Fight The Power.



This song was the pinnacle of the empowerment genre of rap. It was the rally cry for involvement in voting, being active in the community, and making Government accountable to the people. It was just after this song came out that music executive ran to find a distraction, and flooded the airwaves with anything but another rap song of this nature and message.

Second on the list was the Sugar Hill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight



This is the song and group that started the entire music genre. It was the first rap song to burst forth from the nightclubs and basements of the Bronx out to the mainstream of the national airwaves.

Third on the list was the crossover hit by Run DMC Walk This Way.

[The video is blocked from being embedded on a site. Aerosmith has great lawyers it seems.]

So in the first 3 songs we see that the expressions of fun, respect, pride, and ability are the foremost examples of what all rap music really is. And I can agree with these choices.

The top 20 is rounded out by a mix of predominately these themes, with a sprinkle of the more modern, repulsive, generic, pedantic, and demeaning gangsta rap songs that have infected the airwaves since 1992. In fact going through the list you will see that the entire list is filled with mostly artists that ceased being played on the air the day that gangsta rap was born. That’s a statement indeed.

Now I’m sure some will argue this. They will note that Tupac, or Eminem, or Snoop Dogg, and others had meaningful and powerful songs. Some of them are on the list too. But like the law of averages, or probability, even the worst entertainers will eventually get it right once or twice. I mean even William Hung got to make 2 albums and stardom.

The list will be shown on VH1. I’m sure many will have different opinions. But I say that Public Enemy was the greatest rap group ever – both for what they said and what they tried to do. But Heavy D, Sugar Hill Gang, Erik B. and Rahkim, Digital Underground and a few others still make my favorites list too.

Ludacris is not Senator Obama - understand Sean Hannity?

Name one thing that is potentially deadly to the political ambition of Senator Barack Obama and involves the youth of America.

Ludacris.

Or at least that is what the news media would love you to believe. And when I say news media I mean at least Sean Hannity, that I am aware of right now. But I have no doubt that there will be more than just a few that will try to use rapper Ludacris as a weapon against Senator Obama.

The problem is that Ludacris has released a video where he is lauding Senator Obama, and disparages Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain, Rev. Jesse Jackson and President Bush – in a manner only rappers would believe to be decent.

Here is the video – WARNING – some individuals and parents may find this objectionable. (note there are several versions of this video on Youtube, I have selected the least visually insulting version)



I agree with most of the news media that Ludacris is a poor representative of Senator Obama. His use of foul language, the N-word, and implications of women as valueless sacks of meat meant for the base enjoyment of men are all things I denounce and disagree with. Were that the only implication in the news media I would have no problem with their assault.

But that is not the case. The words and images of Ludacris are being used to intimidate White Americans. As displayed on Hannity & Colmes the lyrics are matched with images that are obviously meant to imply ‘watch out for the crazy violent Black men’. That I do not agree with.

When Senator Obama first met with Ludacris in 2006 it was at YouthAIDS ''Kick Me'' campaign to raise HIV/AIDS awareness. If preventing AIDS is not a positive, what is? What is violent or crazy about keeping our kids alive and healthy? Nothing, and it’s why the national news media had little to say about their conversation.

After Senator Obama declared his intention to run for the Democratic nomination, months later, a Youtube video came out called Obama Girl. While it was whimsical I heard no comments about how negative this expression of pro-Obama support was beyond its less than serious nature. The media was not rooting out the backgrounds of the performers looking to show how dangerous Obama was at the time. Of course at that time in 2007 Senator Clinton was still expected to garner the nomination.

When Will.I.Am made his popular and catchy music video demonstrating his support of Senator Obama no one raised an eyebrow. Yet Will.I.Am is a member of a music group that has used lyrics that while not as explicit as those used by rappers, is no less suggestive. Of course Senator Obama was still expected to lose to one of the White candidates at the time.

But now that Senator Obama is the Democratic nominee, and another Black musician has voiced his support – well things are different.

But how?

This is just another entertainer that supports Obama. This is just another expression of that support. And it has nothing to do with Senator Obama or his policies. This does not reflect on Obama’s intention to get out of Iraq, or reduce energy prices, or implement a national healthcare system. It’s just a guy saying he likes Obama more than McCain in a bad way.

Yet according to pundits I have seen and read this is Obama’s problem. As if he was singing the song himself. And others have stated how this song does not reflect the social morality and family values of middle America.

But Obama isn’t singing the song. Ludacris has nothing to do with his campaign. And the most recent data states that more than 55% of all rap music sales are because of White youth throughout America. So obviously it must match up with hordes of family values throughout the nation’s White families.

The point is that I can understand debating the policy issues of Senator Obama. I can respect supporters and detractors that have substantive reasons. But to play on stereotypical fears of racial ignorance is insulting and unwarranted.

Yes Ludacris went way too far. Yes he should apologize for the attacks he made. It’s true the Obama campaign denounced the video. But what does any of this have to do with Senator Obama besides the fact that both men are Black?

Sean Hannity was wrong for the manner in which he presented this news item. He was wrong to imply the racial component as he did in his program on July 30th. He too should apologize for the over the top suggestive presentation that he provided. He is no less wrong than Ludacris. And the news media needs to stop trying to create Rev. Wright fiascos for their ratings and newspaper sales, just because a Black entertainer – or just a person in general – supports Senator Obama.