Charlotte Shout Fest 2008

This past Tuesday, I got the chance to go to a Shout Fest. What is a Shout Fest? It was a meeting of great music that included shout bands (tubas, trombones, trumpets, tambourines) and various choirs.

http://www.charlottecentercity.org/nav.cfm?cat=18&subcat=102&subsub=0&id=2038

Let me tell you, after hearing them, they wanted me to go and get my tuba and mouthpiece and start marching again!! I was just amazed about their improvastional skills. I didn't see a piece of music everywhere and the crowd from age 2-82 were spiritually moved by the music. At one point, I felt like I was right in the middle of a battle of the bands because 2 Shout bands were facing each other at the front of the church and each band were respectful but going at each other full force. One band would hold their last note at triple fortismo, with the lead trombone meandering around the last note as his slide almost falls off, while the other band were itching at the chops, to take that last note, change the key, and rock it on to a brand new song. They really bought gospel music life and force fed it right to your soul. If you ever get the chance to see a Shout band, I would strongly encourage you to go, as there are several bands across the country.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shout_band

Take It Easy!!

Apple Must Have Heard My Request!

For all of my Ipod owners, along with the new line of Ipods that were introduced, there is also a new Itunes 8.0. The reason why I say that Steve Jobs must have heard my request is the fact there is an exciting new feature on the Itunes program called "Genius".

http://www.apple.com/itunes/features/#genius

I have tried a few times and I really like it. You go into your music library and select a song. Once you select a song, the Genius scans it, and compiles a list of recommend songs that are not in your library to add to your Ipod. Based on the selections that I have seen, it's right on the money! Furthermore, it can compile a playlist based on that song, with various songs that match the genre. I guess since the Apple brand has somewhat plateaued, they are looking to keep the current users enertained. I like it alot. I would like to hear the Ipod owners,do you like the new Itunes?

Take It Easy!

The Ipod Is Thirsty For New Tracks...

Just wanted to ask you guys if you have any new music for me to research/add to the Ipod? You know I love to find new music for the Ipod... I am open to all suggestions :)

Take it Easy

That's My Song!

Happy Thursday to All!

"Bump and Grind"--R Kelly
"Feenin'"--Jodeci
"Nothing Ever Felt Like This"--Will Downing/Rachelle Ferrell
"Billie Jean"--Michael Jackson
"Summertime"--DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince

Some of the songs for the soundtrack of my life. What are some of the songs that are the soundtrack of your life. It's just amazing to me how some songs, by the introduction, first 8 bars, or even when the lead singer opens their mouth to sing the first note, take you there. Take you to place in your life: good or bad, loving or hating someone, a particular event, or just a special moment in your life. I don't know how that works, I need to research that to tell you the truth. But whenever my "soundtrack" songs, the 4 W's come right to mind. "What, When, Where, and Why".

Music is a powerful thing but school administration are quick to look at the Arts when its time to trim the budget. So, take some me time today and listen to some songs that represent the soundtrack of your life!

Take It Easy

Who Do You Think Is Going To Make The Cut Down The Line?

Let me set the scene for you. It's Friday afternoon and you have already made plans to leave work extra early. You first go to Wal-Mart, to get that last party tray of buffalo wings, Sam's Choice cola and party favors for the young people. You slide over to the ABC to get some Corona, Heineken, Jack Daniels, and Smirnoff. You race home to do to quick clean up and move your expensive stuff to your room for the fear of breakage. At this point your cell phone is ringing off the hook of your people just trying to get verbal confirmation that the event is still poppin' off.

Hey, everything is set for you party, but there is one critical thing left to do: the music!!!! So, you go to the Moto and call up Uncle Junebug to bring the music equipment. We all know Junebug is outside our demographic but he knows his music. What is the first song he plays to get things right? "Before I Let Go" by Maze of course, and instantly, the blue paper cups are put to the side, cigarettes in the ashtray, and the rugrats are asked to go on in the backyard, and the party officially begins!

But artists that offer classic jams like Maze are quite rare these days, so in your mind, which of today's artists do you think will offer the classic hits that we will play at our parties 10-15 years down the road?

Let me give you some examples and let me know how you feel about these:
Anything by Guy, a la "I Like" "Teddy's Jam"
Rob Base "It Takes Two"
Slick Rick/Doug E. Fresh "The Show"
Boston Area Artists New Editon "Candy" "NE Heartbreak", "If It Isn't Love"
The Classic Hip Hop Artists of Late 80's-Early 1990's a la Heavy D, Salt N Pepa, Special Ed, EPMD, Eric B and Rakim, Big Daddy Kane,Biz Markie, Tribe Called Quest, etc.

I just don't see any too many party jams of today's music making to your living room in the next couple of years.

But to celebrate the season, I did find one song that seems to never go out of style.



Take It Easy

Music Tag

The Soultress has tagged me so here we go:

"List seven songs that you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping your spring summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they're listening to."

1. Chuck Brown "Woody Woodpecker"--Some days I miss home, so it's good to listen to the Godfather and the rhythm instantly takes me back home.

2. "Wear It Out"--Gerald Levert--This is from the "Stroke of Genius" album. The title says it all, so there is no explanation needed.

3. "Da' Butt"--EU----Got to love this song!! For your young people, this song came off of The School Daze soundtrack.

4. "Stepped on My J'z" (Nelly/JD)--....trying to avoid the rotten tomatoes thrown my way. I know I know, before you say anything....I like the song, it's quite catchy, and I know MJ cut a nice check to Nelly for this one!!

5. "Round and Round"(LSG) This album was slept on! There are some serious tracks on this album and I am glad R Kelly didnt make the cut because I don't the group would not have the same chemistry.

6. "Soon and Very Soon" (Andre Crouch)--I have a gospel playlist on the Ipod and I try to get some gospel in before work and this songs seems to get in on many mornings.

7. "Brooklyn" (The Fuzz Band)---This is a jazzed up tune by my peeps from HU. If you don't know about the The Fuzz Band and I am going to need for you to google!!

Soulstress...now you can stop cutting your eyes at my outdated blog!! LOL

Why Did You Name Your Blog That???

Some new albums coming out today that I am actually interested in either buying or downloading:

Janet Jackson: http://www.janetjackson.com/. The name of the album is "Discipline". Hopefully, JD will pour some of that production luck on this album the same way he did for Mariah Carey.

Erkyah Badu: http://www.erykahbadu.com/ I love this woman! She has never let me down yet. From the sheer name and her past work, I will download this album from Itunes.

Why is the name of my blog, "Let Your Life Do The Singing"? This came from a verse from my Alma mater, Hampton University, and the school song:

“Oh, Hampton, we never can make thee a song, except as our lives do the singing. In service that will thy great spirit prolong, and send it through centuries ringing!"

Everyday, I try to live by this mantra. We live in such a "microwave" society, everything has to be done, given to us, etc. right now and fast, that sometimes we forget that anything worth having takes hard work, and dedication. Never stop learning, and taking the time to help someone else is something that I am always striving to do. You can't make it alone, you just can't. The quicker you realize that, the better off you will be. So, if you are doing the right thing, and trying to help someone else, maybe you can shut up and let you life do the singing.