Virginia, This Christmas

Virginia This Christmas - The Sweetbriars

To put you in the spirit (sort of), here's a little Christmas Ditty from my blogger buddy, Earl Pickens.

I posted a music video of his Obama Everywhere, USA, as well as a Pennsylvania version of his Obama song, Obama Everywhere.

You can also hear this and some of their other songs at their MySpace page, The Sweetbriars.

As Earl said, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a stash in the trunk!

A Ride on the 'Love Train'

On Wednesday, my husband and I hung out at the WHYY studios during the broadcast of the Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia, a show that was recorded live this past summer at the Borgata, featuring some of the best music of my day, TSOP.

As part of its Winter Membership drive, WHYY had a special behind the scenes Members event, with the “Philadelphia Sound” Gamble and Huff, the Blue Notes, and Bunny Sigler as well as legendary local DJ Jerry Blavat, who were in the WHYY studios chatting and singing during the performance of the show.

As Dan DeLuca of the Inky notes, Back on the 'Love Train':

The Love Train concert is a well-produced, spirited oldies show hosted by Jerry "The Geator" Blavat, with a terrific 26-piece TSOP Orchestra led by musical director Bill Jolly.

A cavalcade of the label's polished and powerful '70s hits are performed. Sometimes they're sung by their originators, like the O'Jays, who turn in sweaty performances, with Eddie Levert Sr. and Walter Williams Sr. trading lead vocals on "I Love Music," and "Use Ta Be My Girl."

In many cases, however, the songs are delivered by slightly different personnel, as with Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, who are without Melvin (who died in 1997) and Teddy Pendergrass (who left the group in 1976, and was later paralyzed from the waist down in an auto accident). Nonetheless, gruff-voiced lead singer Donnell "Big Daddy" Gillespie turns in winningly rugged performances on "The Love I Lost" and "Wake Up Everybody."

Similarly, Bunny Sigler shines with an over-the-top version of the sneakin' around classic "Me and Mrs. Jones," though the song's originator, Billy Paul, is absent. The other standout is Russell Thompkins Jr., who, singing with a group billed as the New Stylistics, shows off a still-supple falsetto on "I'm Stone in Love with You."

See also, All Aboard the Love Train.

With the on-air program playing on screens in the background, we dined (including a special WHYY flavored Bassett's ice cream) and listened to live music during breaks in the show. DavePhilly (my husband) has worked with Kenny Gamble, who puts on an annual men's heath fair & we are both fans of "Philadelphia soul."


Of course, after I said that I wasn't going to re-up my membership in WHYY because of the outrageous salary paid to the head of WHYY, William Mazzazzo, they sent me an offer I couldn't refuse -- a 4-CD set of Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia and tickets to the Member event.

Just proves again, never say never.

Can't Be Topped

I was definitely a child of the 60's. (Of course, some would say that I still am. My brother calls me a "dead hippie" because he says I've never given up my liberal views.)

I talked the talk, walked the walk -- and dressed appropriately. I was for love, peace and understanding. I marched against the war. And I wore flowers in my hair.

And the music was part of my life. I was not so much into hard or acid rock. My favorites were James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell and Carole King. And then there was Motown and TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia). Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. The Temptations, the Supremes, the Spinners, the Delfonics and, of course, the Four Tops. Songs that still fill my iPod today.

One of the great Motown crooners, Levi Stubbs, died yesterday. Four Tops Frontman Levi Stubbs Dies:

Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs, whose dynamic and emotive voice drove such Motown classics as "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "Baby I Need Your Loving," died Friday at 72.

He had been ill recently and died in his sleep at the Detroit house he shared with his wife of 48 years, said Dana Meah, the wife of a grandson. The Wayne County medical examiner's office also confirmed the death.

With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records and performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel.

* * * *

Their biggest hits were recorded between 1964 and 1967 with the in-house songwriting and production team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. Both 1965's "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and 1966's "Reach Out" went to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart.

Other hits included "Shake Me, Wake Me" (1966), "Bernadette" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (both 1967).

It's hard to know for sure, memories being what they are, but I wouldn't be surprised if Motown was my first interaction (such as it was) with blacks. At the time I grew up, my hometown of Scranton had a population of about 125,000 (vs. 75,000 today). However, there were probably only about 1,000 blacks (and most likely little or no other minorities).

The neighborhoods were divided by ethnic background and the reality was, there was not much mingling even among the Irish, Italian, German and other ethnic groups. In fact, it is often said that Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America. That was certainly true in Scranton, but not just with respect to race. My neighborhood, for example, was mostly Catholic, but each ethnic group had its own Church. I can recall the Irish Church, the Italian Church and even the Lithuanian Church (where I went to grade school) within a few blocks of my home. There were also the Protestant Churches, such as the Clinton family Church that was up the street from my house. In fact, during the primary, Jason Jones of the Daily Show satirized the pastor at the Clinton's Church as racist because there were no blacks who attended the Church.

The black population in Scranton was largely found on the outskirts of the downtown area. And even though I attended one of the two public high schools in town, there were probably no more than 1/2 dozen blacks in my entire high school (that may have had as many as 1,500 students at the time). My high school, Central, was considered the "college prep" school, and (not so) subtle segregation encouraged the black students to attend Scranton Tech.

So, I not only owe singers like Levi Stubbs for the best music of my generation, but for introducing my to another culture in the best positive way possible. After all, anyone who could sing with such soul was alright with me.

Obama Everywhere, USA

During the primary, I posted a music video Obama Everywhere (in Pennsylvania), based on the Hank Snow tune "I've Been Everywhere."

The band, "Earl Pickens & the Barack Obama All-Star Players Band Group Gang," have done a new national version of the tune.

So check it out (especially if you're missing Springsteen):




As Earl says:

He'll win it fair and square, man! Day one he is prepared, man! He'll get the economy squared, man! He's gonna fix healthcare, man! McCain ain't got a prayer, man!

Rocking on the Parkway

Don't be me -- go see Bruce today on the Parkway in Philly!

A few of the LLWL Gang are headed to see Bruce Springsteen today and, despite repeated efforts via email, I was unable to get a "free ticket," so I passed on joining them .

Sounds like it will be a free for all, after all. According to the Inky, The Boss will turn none away today:

Whether you clocked in or not as a volunteer with the Obama campaign over the past few days, turns out The Boss will see you after all.

Despite early confusion over the hastily arranged campaign event, scheduled for this afternoon on the Parkway, officials said yesterday that Bruce Springsteen's get-out-the-vote concert would be open to any and all.

City officials said they were preparing for a stadium-size crowd or larger as the concert expanded yesterday to include three musical acts.

So, I'm instead lunching with an old friend (and blogger pal) and doing a clothing exchange (plus it was chilly for an outdoor concert & this delicate flower hates the cold). Even when times are good, I'm a consignment/thrift shop maven (so I could afford my occasional jewelry splurges), and then I pass on the still good stuff to friends and charity organizations.


(Poster via Phawker)

An Evening of Jazz

It was a month ago today that my daughter left for college. After a period of adjustment, she told me the other day (via IM, of course) that she's not homesick at all. As for those of us left behind, my husband & I have managed to keep ourselves busy, so when we get home, we're just glad to be able to relax and don't notice the vacant sign on the third floor where the daughter resided.

The week-end after she left was my annual family reunion in Lancaster. The next week-end was the annual retreat of the LLWL Gang* in Atlantic City.

And Friday night a few of the LLWL members and I hosted a Reception at my house for Center in the Park, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this month with a series of events. Founded in 1968, Center in the Park is a non-profit community center in Northwest Philadelphia primarily focused on the needs of older people. The Center is a wonderful community resource, providing access to supportive services and activities, and was recently featured in Philly Magazine as a worthy charity.

The reception was my idea of the perfect way to entertain. My house, a big old home in Mount Airy, is a great place to have an event and I love to see it put to good use (as I've done before). The Reception was in support of a good cause -- the Center in the Park.

Even better, I didn't have to cook! The kitchen mavens from the LLWL Gang took over my kitchen (which is a cook's dream) and whipped up an assortment of hor d'oeurves and desserts to die for, including a few tasty treats from CIP's 40th Anniversary Cookbook, “Delicious Gems from Center in the Park.”

They were assisted by a few volunteers from the Culinary Program at Simon Gratz High School, who helped with prep, serving and clean-up. They were not only cute, they did a great job -- with a smile. I told them my daughter would be jealous that she wasn't home at least this night!

And best of all, we were entertained by the Young Lions Jazz Trio, a young trio of tremendously talented artists, who provided the smooth jazz sounds for our listening pleasure, as we sipped our cocktails and dined. Here's a sample from these young musicians, who definitely are at the beginning of a wonderful future in jazz:

"Stolen Moments" live at Chris's -2007


After the Reception, we attended a CIP Jazz Concert at Germantown Friends School, which was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. The concert was arranged by Warren Oree and featured The Barbara Walker Story, UCC Royal Brass Band, The Edgardo Cintron Latin Band, & Oree's own Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. Each performer was different, yet they were all fabulous!


* LLWL Gang = Lady Lawyers Who Lunch a/k/a my officemates

~~~~
Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.

Maggie Kuhn, founder of the Grey Panthers

A Spice of Life

When I read that the Spice Girls were coming to Philly, I had a major flashback. I almost hate to admit it, but I saw the SPICE GIRLS in concert at the Wachovia Centre -- 10 years ago, on June 27, 1998. The Spice Girls were probably the first group that my daughter fell in love with. She had all of their music, as well as all of the assorted accessories that they sold at the time. I managed to pull some strings with a close friend, who's at one of the big firms in Center City, to get Box Seats for the concert. My daughter and her best friend got to see those Spicey Girls, while I at least got to hang out with my friend, eating -- and drinking -- in comfort. Umm, I even think there was a concert going on.

Luckily, to make up for it, I also saw Bob James in concert on June 30th of that year.

Of course, she's past the days of the Spice Girls now, with an 18th birthday on the horizon next month. But we did have a few minutes of fun reminiscing about the Spice Girl days.

See TONITE: Here Come The Warm Spice MILFs and TOP FIVE REASONS WHY THE SPICE GIRLS WAS BETTER THAN WHATEVER 90’s PRE-FAB POP REUNION CONCERT YOU WERE AT LAST NIGHT.

Sing a Song of Freedom

A man gets arrested. He's handcuffed, thrown in the back of a cruiser, fingerprinted, put in a cell, held for 18 hours, charged with disorderly conduct and then released.

Happens all the time in Philly.

Except this guy's crime was different.

He refused to stop singing in Rittenhouse Square park.

And since his arrest the police have kept anyone else from playing music there, too.

The trouble began on March 27. After spending the day busking — playing music for money — in Suburban Station, musicians Anthony Riley and Robby Torres headed over to Rittenhouse Square park. The park is well-known as a focal point for area musicians and music students. They come to play, meet other musicians, enjoy themselves and entertain passersby.

"It's a special community of art and music," says Drew Gillis, a local musician who plays in the band Stone Soup with Riley and Torres.

Riley was singing Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" a cappella around 9 p.m. when Philadelphia Police Officer Greg Wilkinson of the Center City District told him he had to stop. Riley refused to stop singing, noting that the city ordinance governing street musicians lets him sing until 10 p.m.

Wilkinson disagreed, and as a crowd began to form around their argument Wilkinson reportedly said, "I create the law in this park."

"One officer decided to be judge, jury and executioner," says Riley. "It's a violation of my First Amendment rights, my freedom of speech."

Wilkinson called for backup and then, citing the disturbance Riley's refusal was creating, arrested him.

The City Paper cover story, Is Change Gonna Come?, details the travails of the musicians in Rittenhouse Square. Discussing the disorderly conduct charges against Riley, Phillyist, in Quaint Contributors to City Ambiance... Or Merely Melodious Riff Raff?, notes:

He is, apparently, one of several criminals (read: victims) recently caught by police in an attempt to quell the evil uprising of mimes, musicians and street-based merry-makers terrorizing our city's wealthier residents.

Yes, Riley is not, it seems, alone in his artful rebellion. Felix Wilkins was arrested last month for attacking hapless passersby with the vicious classical sounds of his beloved flute.

Dan Rubin, formerly of Bling, has been following the story, reports that the singer was acquitted, Rittenhouse Square singer is acquitted:

Municipal Court Judge Karen Simmons found the 20-year-old not guilty of disorderly conduct, saying: 'This is America, not Afghanistan.'

Riley faced a three-month sentence for the March 27 incident, which has caused the city to review what sorts of music can be performed throughout Fairmount Park.

Arresting Officer Greg Wilkinson testified that Riley was singing so loudly that he drowned out the police radio. 'All he had to do was lower his voice and this never would have happened,' said prosecutor William James.

Witnesses called by the defense testified that when Riley asked what the law was, Wilkinson said he was the law. When Riley asked whether he was still in America, the officer replied: 'This is Afghanistan.'

Rubin first covered the story a few weeks ago in his column, Balancing rights of freedom to sing. He interviewed a resident of a Rittenhouse Square condo who objects to the music in the Park. The acoustics in his 11th floor apartment are such that the music carries into the rarefied air of his home. He and other Rittenhouse Square residents who have complained about "noise" in the Park are apparently the reason that the police silenced the music. Right -- they live above the park -- in Center City -- and want the sounds of silence? They must be part of the influx of suburbanites moving into Center City, expecting to find a mini-suburban in the city.

With the acquittal of Riley, the story would be over -- except that this is Philly. Rubin's latest piece covers the "opinion" of the City Solicitor's Office spelling out the rules that now apply to singing in the Park. In City's anxiety over performance, Rubin writes about the cacophony of the rules:

In an attempt to balance the rights of musicians, neighbors, and urban nature-lovers, the city law office has opined that singing or strumming a guitar is permissible without a permit, as long as no one is performing.

What's performing?

Good question. Here's some guidance from the city's lawyers: If a group's passing around a hat for tips, that's performing. If it passed out flyers in advance, that's performing. If it's using amplifiers, that's performing.

If it attracts more than "a handful" of people, that's performing.

* * * *

"Handful" is not an iron-clad legal concept. . .

It's a little puzzling for the rules to say that singers get into trouble once they start attracting a crowd. Will a good singer face more problems than a bad one?

The city's interpretation is fuzzy enough that when NPR wanted to tape Riley doing his thing last week, defense attorney Evan Shingles refused to let his client sing in Rittenhouse Square for fear that the 20-year-old would be arrested again.

Then there's the little issue of the First Amendment. You know, that whole freedom of speech thing. Rubin spoke to ACLU staff attorney Mary Catherine Roper about the regulations:

It also will make police officers' jobs harder, she said.

How will musicians know how many people to invite to hear them sing? she asked. How will they know they're crossing the line when they open their guitar cases? And how quickly must they shut their cases before they get cited for illegally performing?

Roper insists that singing is speech, and as such is protected by the First Amendment. "Try," she said, "to imagine a law that said you can go to the park and talk to yourself or talk to a friend or two, but that you can't have a meeting or give a speech if you want more than a handful of people to listen to you."

The point of the First Amendment, she added, is to protect our ability to speak to "more than a mere handful of others" when we have something to say.

She dug out this U.S. Supreme Court opinion, from 1939: "Wherever the title of streets and parks may rest, they have immemorially been held in trust for the use of the public and, time out of mind, have been used for purposes of assembly, communicating thoughts between citizens, and discussing public questions. Such use of the streets and public places has, from ancient times, been a part of the privileges, immunities, rights, and liberties of citizens."

Ah yes. In the words of Judge Simmons: This is America, not Afghanistan.

(You can hear the story of the arrest, as well as Riley sining "A Change is Gonna Come" on NPR)

Tags: Philadelphia, Philly, News

Happy Valentine's Day

It's that special day. A day for romance -- maybe some flowers and candy -- and definitely music.

For the best in Valentine's Day Music, the go-to site is Some Velvet Blog, who also teams up with some blogger friends to pool a selection of love songs. The perfect selection! Bruce from SVB adds this Valentine's Day message:

Remember these oft-cited words of wisdom for this day:
1 - If you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with.
2 - Always love. Hate will get you everytime.
3 - Love makes the world go round.
4 - Love stinks.
5 - Love is the answer.
6 - True love travels on a gravel road.
7 - One is the loneliest number that you'll ever know.
8 - To find someone you love you gotta be someone you love.
9 - Love can make you happy.
10 - And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

SVB also had a few early Motown treats, Sending You A Love Letter for Valentine's Day.

And for a slightly different twist on the Valentine tunes, check out this video at The Liberal Doomsayer -- Are You Lonesome Tonight, sung by Sam Kinison.

(Poster via A Touch of Style)

Tags: Valentine's Day, Quote of the Day, Music

First Time

Roberta Flack -- my all time favorite
Date of Birth: February 10, 1939

The First Time Ever I saw Your Face

Tags: Music Video, Roberta Flack

She's a Natural Woman

One of my all time favorites -- Carole King
Date of Birth: February 9, 1942

"Natural Woman"
(two versions -- one with Aretha Franklin)

Tags: Music Video, Carole King, Natural Woman

Better Days

Last night, after an enjoyable dinner at nearby Ernesto’s, we went with friends to see Dianne Reeves at The Kimmel Center. A night of great food, great venue, great music. What a treat!!

As Blinq described the concert:

Friday night is a double feature of serious jazz chops: singer Dianne Reeves and pianist Jason Moran. She's got the smoky alto that provided the after-deadline atmosphere in George Clooney's Good Night and Good Luck. He's a major player.

Dianne Reeves has an unbelievable voice and range. She is an excellent example of the voice as an instrument. She's not only a singer, but -- in her words -- a storyteller. Reeves & her band really connected with the audience. At one point, she said that she felt like she was giving the concert in her living room. The crowd was one of the most enthusiastic I've seen.

Here's Dianne Reeves (with the same wonderful band), singing "In Your Eyes."



(Via Bling, you can also listen to Dianna Reeves with Geri Allen, Maiden Voyage)

Tags: Music Video, Dianne Reeves, Concert, Philly, Kimmel Center

Turn our Thoughts

And in honor of the day, here's
James Taylor (my all time favorite) honoring MLK, singing
Shed a Little Light.

Let us turn our thoughts today
To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us
All men and women
Living on the earth
Ties of hope and love
Sister and brotherhood
That we are bound together
In our desire to see the world become
A place in which our children
Can grow free and strong
We are bound together
By the task that stands before us
And the road that lies ahead
We are bound and we are bound

For the more traditional MLK song, there is Dion's Abraham, Martin & John.

Tags: Civil Liberties, MLK, James Taylor, Music Video

FLY EAGLES FLY

FLY EAGLES FLY, originally uploaded by odhusky.

I think there's a game on tonight. SATURDAY night, can you believe it?

If you aren't watching the game (like me), you can hear Richy Havens, High Flying Bird instead.

(Photo & music via Philebrity)

Tags: Philadelphia, Philly, Music, Eagles

What were the words to that song?

The topic of discussion among the Ladies Who Lunch today was whether the lifestyles of today's youth are really substantially different than it was for those of us who were children of the 60s. Hard to say, since we certainly had our share of free love and all the trappings -- a la sex, drugs and rock & roll. Also hard to consider the comparison to today when the teens you are looking at are your own.

This led to a discussion of music/lyrics, which in turn led to the Kingsmen's version of "Louie Louie." What were the words to that song?

As you watch the video, be sure to check out Urban Legends for the story, as well as the FBI's 2 1/2 year investigation of the lyrics, The Lascivious 'Louie Louie' from The Smoking Gun.

This one is for Julie!

Tags: Music Video

Remembering Ohio

As I was posting about the UCLA student's run-in with the police, No ID, Taser Me, I started humming this song from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, "Ohio."

Blogcritics says of the song:

May 4, 1970, an anti-war student demonstration at Kent State University, Ohio left four students dead, one paralyzed, and eight others wounded.

The demonstration ended when the National Guard fired into the crowd of students. The shootings ended the lives of four students: Jeffrey Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer.

Shortly thereafter, Neil Young wrote what would become an anthem of a generation — the song "Ohio" in memory of the "Four dead in Ohio".

It's never too far away.

Tags: Music Video, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Ohio

So bye, bye Miss American Pie

. . . And we sang dirges in the dark, the day the music died.

EXTRA: For the folks who are now humming Don McClean's American Pie, the video is available here: American Pie.
______________



A "stain on our Nation's History" is how Senator Feingold aptly described the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which was signed into law yesterday by George Bush.

Keith Olbermann discusses the new law in this Countdown episode (see video). As Crooks & Liars notes:

135 years to the day after the last American President (Ulysses S. Grant) suspended habeas corpus, President Bush signed into law the Military Commissions Act of 2006. At its worst, the legislation allows President Bush or Donald Rumsfeld to declare anyone — US citizen or not — an enemy combatant, lock them up and throw away the key without a chance to prove their innocence in a court of law. In other words, every thing the Founding Fathers fought the British empire to free themselves of was reversed and nullified with the stroke of a pen, all under the guise of the War on Terror.

George Washington University Constitutional Law professor, Jonathan Turley said:

"People have no idea how significant this is. Really a time of shame this is for the American system.—The strange thing is that we have become sort of constitutional couch potatoes. The Congress just gave the President despotic powers and you could hear the yawn across the country as people turned to Dancing With the Stars. It's otherworldly..People clearly don't realize what a fundamental change it is about who we are as a country. What happened today changed us. And I'm not too sure we're gonna change back anytime soon."

Olbermann notes the habeas anniversary, but does not ascribe any motive to the fact that the bill was signed on that particular date. Unlike Olbermann, I'm much more cynical about the Bush Administration. I believe that the signing was intentionally delayed until the anniversary, as some sort of Machiavellian "inside joke" of the Bushies. I remember reading that after the passage of the Act, that Bush issued a statement approving the legislation, not signing it, then taking off for political appearances. I wondered why the delay then. Now we know.

See also my earlier posts on this Act, Tyranny, Thy Name is US and Forget About Freedom Act (with an earlier Olbermann video on this subject).

(Via the Silent Patriot at Crooks & Liars)

UPDATE: Olbermann followed up with a Special Comment on the Military Commissions Act and the loss of Habeas Corpus. See Crooks & Liars for video & transcript. As he notes:

We have lived as if in a trance.

We have lived… as people in fear.

And now — our rights and our freedoms in peril — we slowly awake to learn that we have been afraid… of the wrong thing.

Therefore, tonight, have we truly become, the inheritors of our American legacy.

For, on this first full day that the Military Commissions Act is in force, we now face what our ancestors faced, at other times of exaggerated crisis and melodramatic fear-mongering:

A government more dangerous to our liberty, than is the enemy it claims to protect us from.

Tags: Civil Liberties, Commentary, Countdown, Olbermann, Habeas Corpus, Video, Law, Music Video

Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Pages

Song of the Day:

Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Pages

By: David Ippolito -- That Guitar Man from Central Park (Pictured above, with his special thanks and apologies to Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.)

(Via ThomasMc)

Tags: Music, Political Satire

Everything is Gone

One year later.

Allen Watty has a song and slide show for the anniversary of Katrina.

Hurricane Song By Allen Watty


(Photo via Quaker Agitator)

Tags: Katrina, Video

Happy Birthday Carlos

Carlos Santana
Born July 20, 1947

"Soul Sacrifice"
Live at Woodstock

And for more Santana:

2004 Montreux Jazz Festival -- Jazz Jam and Save the Children-- Live in Toyoko 1991 .

Tags: Carlos Santana, Music Video