Sunset : Whitney Houston

I mimicked your every turn, note, breath, pause, in hopes of mastering your songs even remotely close to your mastery.  Through you I became a better singer. I dreamt of becoming a singer, having your poise and grace, and your intense control and fluidity.  I dreamt that I would meet you and be able to share with you how much I enjoyed your music and how much your voice impacted my determination to sing with strength and emotion, sounding as effortless and as angelic.

Life takes us to unexpected places, sometimes dark and treacherous, and although I can't imagine the breadth of difficulty you faced, I always hoped with hands clenched tightly that you would find your peace with us on earth, find your way to sing again, even if not perfect, but find the beauty in sharing your gift.  You leave us a tremendous gift that can be shared forever, and countless performers were born from your presence and music.  That I do not consider a waste of life.  You lived a full life in a short span, and all I can hope for is that you somehow know how much you were cherished, and hope you are resting in loving peace.

Now, to play what became one of my favorite songs of yours, which came later in your career, an album I wholeheartedly admired and felt had more of your own soul within it.  I cherish these lyrics and how you sang them everyday, as I will cherish all of your contributions to this lifetime.

Seboowsey bowsey bop, dittybop.

The countdown begins!

Until then...

Antony & The Johnsons

1/26 at Radio City Music Hall, the perfect place to experience his exquisite, hypnotic voice and the gorgeous stage show MoMA contributed, spectacular.  No video will exist of this performance, so the next best thing is...

Losers

The Belle Brigade

ARETHA!

Finally, thanks to Marty Markowitz and all of the free events hosted in Brooklyn, I was able to see Aretha Franklin perform on a beautiful evening in Coney Island.   Amazing and beautiful.

Wonderful!

Lavender Jones and the Dead Giveaways - March 29th

Lavender Jones & The Dead Giveaways
also performing: Hannis Brown Band and Dark Inc.
Southpaw Brooklyn
$10
http://www.mattsteckler.com/lavenderjones.html
http://spsounds.com/calendar/
... with: Nate Peck, Yayoi Ikawa, Oscar Bautista, Rodney Ledbetter, Megan Demarest, Alaina Acosta

Come out for a good time! 125 5th Ave BK NY.

The Motown Sound at The White House

John Legend

Watch the full episode. See more In Performance at The White House.

Snowed~In~Radio~

Snowstorm #1 of 2011...The plows are out... The flakes are sticking...

Snowed In Radio

A Celebrated Voice : Teena Marie

While reflecting recently on cherished friendships present and past, I realized and enjoy the memory's ability to recall bits of details that, maybe at the moment, did not cause impact or difference, but become more vibrant as time adds more color, more detail.

Teena Marie's voice resonated with many, but I loved to hear the hint of emulation in Keisha's voice. Long ago I was lucky to see an ad in Backstage magazine looking for a young Latina R&B singer to audition for an all Latina R&B group back in 1998. After auditioning I met Keisha, the core of the group and the voice that carried each song.

I remember one of the first artists to ever arise in conversation with Keisha was with regards to our favorite singers, her's being Teena Marie. People make that claim everyday, who their favorites are, but over the years I loved to see how true this was for Keish.

Keisha carried her admiration in the voice she projected during every song she sang. Our voice is ultimately born of our genes, but I can hear the fingerprint left behind from influence. Keisha's admiration made me discover more music by Teena, and I loved every minute. Teena's power and emotion left its own small fingerprint on my voice and love of music. Keisha displayed her admiration for singing and for Teena by singing her favorite song "Out on A Limb" at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for Amateur night, to the cheering and applause of a notoriously unapologetic harsh crowd.

We all wish to seek learning, hearing, seeing new things from those we admire. We never know how long we have to keep learning, keep hearing, seeing. When the time comes and those we admire leave us, all we have left is what they left in our hearts and minds. Although sad to know Teena Marie has left us, I am grateful for her voice and grateful to watch and hear a piece of her exist on in those she has touched.

Thirty Years with Mr. P.R. Nelson

"The only time you really live fully is from thirty to sixty. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle-aged have all their five senses in the keeping of their wits." -Harvey Allen

I am overwhelmingly fortunate to begin the next 30 years in such an energetic fashion.

With that said, spending an evening 11 rows from Prince. PRICELESS. Felt like I was celebrating each year of my life during this concert. Welcome to America was a full celebration of his earlier work, and as always, the best damn party in town. Unfortunately for me, no good quality camera shots, but thanks to the dozens that blasted these photo's all over the internet:



Sheila E!


Due to a cancellation, we still landed at the best show of the tour so far. With a sexy rendition of Little Red Corvette, a ballet performance to Beautiful Ones, SHEILA E., and three encore's ending with If I Was Your Girlfriend(damn skippy)/Insatiable (my word!)/Scandalous (ow!)/Adore (my favorite!!)

So after a week full of festivities including an evening with the NY Scooter Club and Lucky Cheng's fabulous ladies of the East Village, Thousands of Santas bar-frolicking around NYC, Surprise Guest Birthday Party, Nick DiPaolo calling me a lesbian... there is no better way to end a week of birthday celebrations than with a big ole party in the Meadowlands... (thanks lexi-pooh!)

Ladies and Gentlemen, PRINCE

Being the tremendous fan I am and guessing these are the artists he must be vibing to right now (you know he chose the lineup!), I enjoyed this tribute wholeheartedly. And for those who do not know Esperanza Spalding, now you do, HOTNESS... And Alicia Keys is just absolute badness.

BET Videos

Virtual Parranda

The easiest way to explain the Puerto Rican tradition of a parranda de aguinaldos involves a parade of local neighbors, family and friends singing traditional and folk christmas songs while playing instruments and traveling house to house serenading for food and beverages, spreading celebration and good cheer.  This originally began as a religious celebration of the coming birth of Christ beginning with masses held before Christmas day.  

In remembering such a wonderful tradition, and my family's wonderful neighbors (Hola Gonzalez family!) in Co-Op city who kept this tradition alive, please enjoy this medley of songs traditionally sung during this parade.  Share this story on your page or blog and help create the first (for what I know at least) virtual Parranda!

You might also like reading : Coquito For Dummies

Pixies @ Hammerstein Ballroom 11/25

Fantastic show at one of my favorite venues. Waiting for those pre-sale tix were completely worth it. As they did all week long, they began with Doolittle b-sides, but I think this encore was the best (see setlist here). Seeing the kids amp'ed and ready for show # 2 starting at 1am made me feel extremely old, well, that and I had to wake up at 5am to watch a 20lb. turkey battle a slightly confused 40 year old Caloric oven.

They ended the first show with VAMOS

Thank You Roy

I once wrote that Roy DeCarava was an artist with a timeless vision for beauty and a wonderful teacher with a sensibility for teaching artistic freedom. Today he left us, yet he leaves us with many lessons and memories to treasure. I am forever changed by his beauty and remain astounded by paths and circumstances that lead me to experience his grace and love for life.

I thank him for many things, but tonight I will specify one. I find myself on an eternal quest to discover music, and Roy used to play Sarah Vaughn, Coltrane, and other legends of jazz in the classroom when I studied photography with him at Hunter College . He gave me a list he prepared for his students who show interest in the music he played, a list of his personal favorite jazz albums to enjoy, almost like an introductory course in Jazz, Jazz 101. From that list I discovered a song, which I can easily say, is and will remain my favorite song of all time. There are over 50 recorded versions of this song titled For All We Know, written in 1934 by J. Fred Coots and Sam M. Lewis, but no one invokes the deep emotion of these lyrics like Aretha Franklin,

and tonight I dedicate this song to Roy.


DarkJive's blog post on The Sweet Flypaper of Life
New York Times Parting Glance: Roy DeCarava

Regina Spektor @t Radio City Music Hall

So yes, that one single she had drove me to the brink of insanity, (complete utter nuttylicious insanity) but her voice was fierce last night, I fell in love with many of her songs after seeing her live. A many thanks to those who made it possible for me to attend this show.

The Cult - Phoenix

Can't wait!! This will be interesting. Playing entire LOVE album.
Terminal 5
9/11/2009

¡Dancando Lambada!

Just cause...


I have to bring this out again about every three years or so, its a song I never get tired of. Makes me want to dance to everything and anything, a good warm-up song.

I loved dancing this for my Abuelita, and my mom, who speaks no Portuguese, somehow taught me the lyrics to this song, which are impossible to forget. I really should learn the language... after I learn Japanese. I wonder who remembers this being played at the dude ranch during the Saint Mary Star of the Sea 8th grade trip??

"I've lost my little brother today,"-Quincy Jones

One of my favorites. Cute little video compilation too.



Michael Jackson, I Just Can't Stop Loving You

I must say, I am truly happy to have experienced the depths of his accomplishments, that we have his music and other remnants of his majestic talent to share beyond his living years.