And if you play any of these at your cook-outs this weekend give LadyG a shout-out!
Note: The titles of RMC posts are always based on a lyric from a song that was either popular at the time or was released in prior years and had an “evergreen quality.”
LadyG does not make edits on these posts, so enjoy all the gaps, studders, stammers, volume irregularities and stumbles you can find!
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
In this post, I retell a story about Luther Vandross told to me by my son, who, out of respect for his mama, only used the initials of the accompanying expletives.
I, however, say ALL OF THE WORDS right here on Seek The Best Blog!
Believe it or not, this spicy mama raised an absolute gentleman.
My Superman!
But, alas, since this post is based on 1984, it would take me another decade or so to meet him!
Note: The titles of RMC posts are always based on a lyric from a song that was either popular at the time or was released in prior years and had an “evergreen quality.”
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Note: The titles of RMC posts are always based on a lyric from a song that was either popular at the time or was released in prior years and had an “evergreen quality.”
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Based on a true story; events were slightly reimagined for dramatic effect by the author.
This is 1982 and LadyG learns a hard lesson about appearances including the complexities of marital relationships and the devastating results of repeated infidelity on an entire family.
Although today’s topic is deep, it ain’t gonna stop me from hitting you up with a few of my favorite jams from ’82.
Note: The titles of RMC posts are always based on a lyric from a song that was either popular at the time or was released in prior years and had an “evergreen quality.”
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
By the prickling of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.
William Shakespeare’s MacBeth
Oh yes! LadyG’s Rambling Musical Commentary has returned with the year 1980.
Join me as I remember my favorite jams from a year that brought some fond memories along with a very bitter pill to swallow.
*FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
My day one peeps will remember this series from a few years back where I share my life story via my favorite songs.
Recently, I did an audio series based on these posts called “Rambling Musical Commentary.” Lately, I’ve noticed, based on the analytics, that these posts have a pretty large viewing; therefore, I will be picking that series back up starting with 1980 on Sunday, April 18th.
So, stay tuned and check out other “My Jams” and “Rambling Musical Commentary” posts by going to the right panel and clicking on those titles in categories.
Meanwhile, enjoy a reblog of My Jams 1983!
Hey, it’s good to see you! Boy have I got a lot to catch you up on! I’m so sorry that I haven’t been keeping you posted on all the things that’s been going on. Can you believe that we’re almost at the end of 1983 and I haven’t really told you anything new?
Well, I guess I better do like Lewis Carroll said, “Start at the beginning, keep going and when you come to the end, stop.”
So let’s start at the beginning.
Do you remember my Uncle Willie? You know the one who lives in Chicago? Well he died back in March. Nobody saw it coming because he was kinda young. They say he was sick with pneumonia, then he just had a heart attack–out of nowhere– and died.
We didn’t see him much but I do remember the time me and my cousins were jumping on the…
I’m not even kidding! We need string instruments back!
Yesterday, my fifteen-year-old daughter, Lady J, and I had a conversation about the music that she enjoys listening to. She even shared some of her favorite songs–which shocked me since Lady J, like most kids her age, can be very elusive.
Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all of those songs had very gorgeous and complex arrangements–they were beautiful—they were lovely—I was touched by the melodies.
As I sat there listening to one song after another, I noticed two things.
First, the songs were heavily punctuated with string instruments.
Second, they were mostly written, composed and performed by Japanese artists.
You might be wondering where I’m going with this…
You’ll see.
Let me begin by saying that I totally understand Lady J’s current taste in music.
Like her, when I was a teenager, I was mostly interested in music that evoked feeling.
The Late Great Maestro, Barry White said, “When I want to bring emotion, I pull out the strings.”
I don’t know where I heard that, but, based on his musical catalog, if he didn’t say it, he would likely have agreed with it.
May his soul rest in power!
But I digress.
Back to Lady J.
As a teenager, Lady J has become aware of the importance of finding healthy ways to live and cope with daily happinesses (not a real word) as well as the occasional hazard. She has learned that certain music provides the perfect vehicle for the sound (forgive the pun) expression of a range of emotions.
Have you ever heard it said that someone or something “pulled at the heartstrings?”
Now, I got no time to google the origins of that saying but I guarantee that it is related in a some circuitous way.
Got it?
Good.
Now comes the part where I have to confront my own emotions about the current state of music here in America–in the Year Of Our Lord 2021.
To be blunt, I am struck by the fact that my daughter kept sharing song after song by artists who hail from elsewhere. I mean, oftentimes my child feels like she has to “go” all over the world—albeit digitally— to find the kind of music that she likes.
Now, before folks go off, let me check them right now.
I am not writing this to be used as a study in xenophobia because, as a black mother, I don’t play that.
I’ve taught my children to respect the beauty of all races, colors, creeds and cultures.
However, I have also taught them to learn their own—especially when it comes to music.
But there’s a problem.
Excuse my “Southern-ness”–I know it’s showing–honey, there just ain’t that many folks round here making music that incorporates string instruments—or any other classical instrument for that matter.
That’s why my baby gotta go all the way across oceans to find the stuff that she wants, and I would argue, needs to hear.
But, why am I so bothered? I mean, regardless of where it comes from, she has found the music that she likes, right?
To answer that questions, I must take us back in time…
You see, string instruments were an integral part of my childhood.
Hell, I even played violin briefly but I gave it up in order to become a majorette—Sheez!
Priorities!
Anyway, during that time, in the mid to late 1970s, violins, violas, cellos and the like were EV-ER-Y-WHERE—Barry White made sure of that!
The MAESTRO!
Enough said.
However, Barry, wasn’t the only one, string instruments were all over the place then, not just in Soul music (which, I know seems counterintuitive), but in just about any genre that you could think of.
Yes, that’s right, string instruments, the ones of classical music fame, were everywhere—not just at the “INSERT YOUR CITY HERE Symphony Orchestra.”
Granted, I know that violins and cellos were NOT invented in Georgia–nor were they played solo at the cook-out–but that’s not the point. Forget where and when string instruments originated, talented musicians, back in the day, made them do things that Beethoven never could have imagined.
Hell, we were shook by the Delfonics professing love over a wall of high-flying violins in LA-LA- Means I Love You.
And don’t get me started on Bill Withers telling us about a Lovely Day with classical violins, violas and cellos backing him all. the. way. up!
My loves, those kind of heavy handed string arrangements gave me all of the things that I needed to get my emotions out about:
My dying dog, Bones
My unrequited love for…What’s his name?
My very, very, very, serious relationship with…What’s his name?
Flat out, string instruments gave me, and so many others, a quick way to access our emotions about any number of things.
Anyway, you know what I mean.
I just hate the fact that my daughter can’t readily find the kind of mental and emotional tonic that string instruments provide in her own backyard without crossing oceans or sifting through the music of yore.
And so, it seems that the strings are notably absent, but I would contend that we MUST bring them back for our sanity!
This is especially important as we all muddle through some version of a lockdown.
We need string instruments to give us a healthy way to release emotion!
Now, in the midst of my rambling, I must say that I’m grateful that my dear daughter has sense enough to know that mess like Danileigh’s “Yellow bone what he want” is not a good lyric and I shudder to think about the “music” that is enveloping those words.
Baby, I’m not EVEN gonna address that controversy—it would call for a different post.
Let me just say that if you’ve never heard that nonsense, do NOT google it and consider yourself and your ears blessed.
Moving on…
Right here, right now, I’d like to implore musicians in America to find a way to incorporate string instruments into your music!
Do your part to help us get in touch with our emotions.
And if you are wondering, the previous sentence was my “call to action” for musicians from a passionate lover of music advocating for her dear daughter-and the rest of us!
Now, if you don’t get my point, consider this whole thing an exercise in academics–and keep it moving past this old woman–who is probably out of step with the times droning on about nothing.
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
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