Dear Readers,
I can think of no greater voice to celebrate this time-honored holiday with the Queen of Soul – Ms. Aretha Franklin. When I was growing up, learning the words to I Say A Little Prayer was a rite of passage, and decades later it never gets old. It took a while for me to couple the words of this song with the dance moves, but once I mastered these 2 things, I was allowed into the big girls “club.”
Fondly,
Monique
Dear Readers,
I am pleased to share the 3rd song from my Thanksgiving playlist – I Believe in You and Me by Whitney Houston. There are days when I still cannot believe she is no longer with us. Whitney’s voice was legendary and her delivery was spectacular.
This is my last post for today, but you will be hearing from me tomorrow. For now, please enjoy the fabulous Ms. Whitney Houston.
Have a great evening.
Fondly,
Monique
Dear Readers,
It is safe to say that I am dating myself with this song. However, I could not resist. For many of us, this is a classic that will never grow old.
Enjoy!
Monique
Dear Readers,
Last month, we made two new additions to our homepage, Brooklyn Sounds and Brooklyn Sights. Today we have made an update to our Brooklyn Sounds gallery. Our featured artist is Ms. Stephanie Mills, singing one of my favorite songs Born For This.
I know that many of you follow our posts on a smart phone or tablet, however these features are best viewed when using a computer. When you visit our site, you will see both galleries on the left side of the page. As always, thank you for stopping by. Please remember to tell us what you think.
Monique
Dear Readers,
Last week we made two new additions to our homepage, Brooklyn Sounds and Brooklyn Sights. Brooklyn Sounds features a song from an amazing Brooklyn vocalist, and Brooklyn Sights provides a glimpse of the beautiful places you will find in Brooklyn.
I know that many of you follow our posts on a smart phone or tablet, however these features are best viewed when using a computer. When you visit our site, you will see both galleries on the left side of the page. The selections for each will change twice per month. When you get a moment, please stop by. Don’t forget to tell us what you think.
Monique
Dear Readers,
Well, one thing I believe we can all agree on, it is truly cold outside. I am not sure if I ever recall temperatures this brutal since I left Syracuse, New York over twenty years ago.
Hopefully today’s post will warm your heart. I invite you to spend a few minutes becoming acquainted with the legendary Sharon Jones, soul queen and leader of the Dap Kings band. And yes, she is a Brooklynite.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings enjoy a wide following in the music world. They are the spearheads of a revivalist movement that aims to capture the essence of funk/soul music, just as it was during the height of its popularity in the mid 1960s through mid 1970s. I first learned of Sharon and the Dap Kings while reading a book published by More Magazine, 287 Secrets of Reinventing Your Life: Big and Small Ways To Embrace New Possibilities, in 2011.
More Magazine
Sharon provides a riveting account of the challenges she faced, professionally and personally, hence the title “Soul Survivor Sharon Jones.” She tells her story candidly, yet gracefully.
In 2007, four years before she is interviewed for this book, 24 of her friends and family members died, include a brother, and her mother suffered a minor stroke. In 2011, she endured another personal challenge when her mother was diagnosed with cancer.
The next two years would bring a new set of challenges. In 2013, shortly after supporting her mother during this painful time, Sharon was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her last treatment of chemotherapy was less than one month ago on New Year’s Eve. I can think of no better way for Sharon to celebrate a new chapter in her life.
Several years ago, I watched my father struggle with stomach cancer, which he eventually succumbed too. This was one of the most difficult moments in my life. I refer to this time as “my years of silent pain.” This was a topic that I rarely discussed. I buried the pain and anxiety deep within my spirit, for this was the only way I could be strong for my father and my family. Reading Sharon’s triumph, reminded me just how much inner fortitude we each have during life’s more challenging moments. Though painful, we do survive.
In the January 23, 2014 edition of The Big Issue, Malcolm Jack shares his interview with Sharon. They discuss her health, her triumphant return to the stage and, most important of all, the “new Sharon”. I found her story to be compelling and inspiring. Rather than summarize the interview, I thought you might enjoy hearing from Sharon – in her own words.
Today I’m in Manhattan at a hotel. We had a rehearsal with the band because we’re recording Jimmy Fallon’s chat show [Late Night with Jimmy Fallon] on Thursday and Friday. Saturday morning I’ve got CBS News, then Saturday evening I’m flying out to LA. I’ll be on Conan, then The Tonight Show. Then I go to Canada to do some shows. Then I’ve gotta go to the doctor and take a CAT scan to make sure the cancer is out [last June Sharon had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour]. So everything’s going crazy.
Sharon performs on Conan, http://www.stereogum.com
I want to get back into the music because music is my happiness.These last few months people have been like, “What you been listening to?” and I haven’t been listening to anything. I’m confident that my strength is going to come back for touring – the doctor said a couple of weeks. Even just getting back into doing interviews and stuff is forcing me to be where I have to go. It’s all part of me getting well.
I’m still feeling the effects of the chemo – it still hasn’t gotten out of my system yet. New Year’s Eve was my last treatment. There’s no hair on my head, no hair in my nose but it’s all happening and I’m just bearing it. It’s part of what I have to do. I’m still a little weak. If I had to perform tonight I couldn’t.
I thought I wasn’t ever going to be able to play this Give The People What They Want album live. I really thought I was going to die. I had pancreatic cancer stage two. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers. People who get to stage three and four never survive.
The album was supposed to come out in August. We were getting ready to tour it then, and we just had to stop everything when I got sick. But they did let Retreat out as a single. After being sick, it changed the whole meaning of that song. Instead of me telling this guy to retreat, I’m telling my sickness, this cancer to retreat. Get behind me: I’m back to give y’all what y’all want, which is old soul music!
My whole eating has had to change. I do green drinks now – I need all the vegetables I can get. My drink in the morning is about 13 different ingredients – spinach or kale or sprouts, and a banana or some grapes to make it sweet. When I drink this stuff it’s like – wow! That had a lot to do with my healing. That’s been a big change in my life, to eat differently.
I think this first show in New York, on February 6, is going to be something special. I’m so excited. For me it’s going to be like a new beginning. This whole Sharon is a new Sharon. I’m not going to have my little dresses on – they’re still hanging in the closet but I’m gonna get them back – I want everybody to know!
Brooklyn Legends is proud to celebrate with Sharon Jones on her amazing recovery. She will be performing at the Beacon Theater on February 6th. For tickets, please visit Ticketmaster.
Enjoy the rest of the week!
________________________
Credits:
Big Issue Interview – http://www.bigissue.com
More Magazine – 287 Secrets of Reinventing Your Life
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings – sharonjonesandthedapkings.com
Dear Readers,
In my last post, I shared some of the beautiful decorations that can be seen throughout our City. Today, I would like to share some of the songs that seem to put everyone in the spirit of Christmas. After all, where would we the wonderful gift of music?
Before I continue, I must tell you about an inspiring concert I attended this past Sunday, December 8th, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Brooklyn. For years, it has been my honor to accompany Pauline Budd, my good friend and neighbor, to this special performance; which is a mainstay in our community. St. Mark’s Church was almost filled. It felt as if there were more than 200 guests in attendance. On this occasion, The Chancel Choir, under the directorship of Oscar Stephenson and accompanied by an orchestra, presented Bethlehem‘s Child with ease, elegance and amazing grace.
At the end of the performance the members of the congregation, especially Pastor, Rev. Dr. Glyger G. Beach, were justly proud. I want to publicly thank Pauline for always including me in this experience. The Choir is working to record their music for the future.
For now, I hope you will enjoy a few of my favorite Christmas songs: What Child is This, by Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli, Go Tell It On The Mountain/Mary Had A Baby by Vanessa Williams and O Holy Night by Jennifer Hudson.
Enjoy the weekend and remember Christmas is almost here!
____________________________________
Credits:
Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli – Oprah Holiday Special
Vanessa Williams – Album Cover – Amazon.com
Jennifer Hudson – soul1music.blogspot.com
Bethlehem’s Child Cover – Sheet Music Plus
All Videos – from YouTube
.
Brooklyn Legends is proud to salute Stephanie Mills.
As I prepared this tribute to Stephanie Mills, one of Brooklyn’s brightest gems, fond memories of my visit to see the hit Broadway play The Wiz came to mind.
During one of my summer vacations to New York City, my mother took me to see The Wiz. After so many years I do not remember every detail, but the one thing I always remember is Stephanie Mills’ voice. She was amazing! I could not believe that someone, who looked like me, could sing with such power. I enjoyed myself immensely; I begged and pleaded until my mother took me back to see the play two more times. For me, the best part was when Dorothy sang “Home.” As I think back, I imagine that I was captivated with the songs and the costumes. Each time, I left convinced that I had found my calling in life. I would be a singer, just like Stephanie Mills. Surely after such “exposure,” I was ready for my musical debut. I memorized most of the words to the song “Home” so what else did I need to know?
Now that I am an adult, I admit children amaze me. They are fearless and, to them, everything is possible. Remember as a girl, I clung to the memory of a petite young lady, with a big voice, who stood on stage, closed her eyes and sang with all her might. That’s probably when the idea hit me – if she can do it, I can too. According to my logic, I appeared in several school plays and everyone always commented on how well I spoke so why not? Besides, when I returned home to Savannah, and reunited with my friends, I had to have something to show them. If I could sing like Dorothy in The Wiz, I would be “in.”
In one of those embarrassing mother/daughter moments, that took place during my early 20s, my mother shared with all of her friends how I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, with a pink hairbrush (made by Goody I believe) singing “Home” for weeks. She also said that I asked her “do you think if I tried harder that I can sing like Stephanie?” When I summoned the courage to how she responded, she reminded me of something that I carry with me until today – Stephanie was tapping into her God-given talent. With some hard work, and focus, I too would discover the many talents I was blessed with. As an adult, I can confidently say, I am not a singer. However, I will not complain for any reason.
In 2010 Stephanie Mills recorded the album “Born For This.” And indeed she was. Here are some memorable highlights from her stellar career that is still soaring:
At nine years old, Stephanie appeared in her first Broadway musical “Maggie Flynn.”
Her other early accomplishments included appearances on: “Captain Kangaroo,” “Wonderama,” “The Electric Company” and “String” (a play that was presented by the Negro Ensemble Company in New York City).
Like many artists before her, Stephanie appeared at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. For six consecutive weeks, she won the Amateur Night contest.
After winning Amateur Night, she recorded her first song “I Knew It Was Love,” which landed her the role of Dorothy in The Wiz at the age of 15. For the next five years Stephanie took center stage and made every little girl, like me, think of home.
After leaving The Wiz, Stephanie recorded albums for ABC and Motown.
In 1979 she signed with 20th Century Recording Company. She collaborated with industry “giants” James Mtume & Reggie Lucas, to record “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin” and by 1984, she had attained six major hit singles that still make me smile: “Sweet Sensation,” “Never Knew Love Like This Before” (a gold single), “Two Hearts” (a duet with Teddy Pendergrass), “Keep Away Girls,” “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?” and “The Medicine Song.” These singles were just the beginning. Stephanie also recorded three best-selling albums, in two short years: “Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin,” “Sweet Sensation” and “Stephanie.”
Stephanie signed to MCA Records in 1985, and she was responsible for a string of hit singles and albums. “I Have Learned To Respect The Power Of Love” (1986), I Feel Good All Over” and “You Puttin A Rush On Me” (both from 1987), “Something In The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Home” (both from 1990) topped the R&B charts. The 1987 album “If I Were Your Woman” was No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart and was a Top 30 pop best-seller; while the 1989 album “Home” was also a Top 5 R&B and Top 100 charted LP.
In the mid 90s, Stephanie returned to her gospel roots with “Personal Inspirations,” an album that won praise with both gospel and secular audiences, netting her “Stellar Award” and “Dove Award” nominations. She ushered in the new century by touring again. Stephanie has shared the stage with The O’Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, The Isley Brothers and Carl Thomas. She has performed at festivals that have included Mary J. Blige, India Arie, Alicia Keys, Babyface and Smokey Robinson.
I cannot begin to tell you how much I admire Stephanie’s work and her career. She began working at this pace when she nine years old. Her talent, beauty and grace have taken her around the world, and her adoring fans have cheered her on every step of the way. Can you imagine having such a homecoming every time you go someplace new? How remarkable is that?
As I was reading Stephanie’s biography, I was happy to discover how grounded she is. Most important of all, she is a devoted mother to her son, who lives with her in North Carolina. She still performs, but at a different pace given her parenting responsibilities. When she does perform, there is one song that is usually in her repertoire – “Home.” There was a time when Stephanie would not sing this song. However, after her two very good friends from The Wiz passed away, she decided to sing this song in their honor.
Over time, many stellar artists would also sing this song during their tours around the world. I have included renditions from two artists you might not associate with this song – Whitney Houston (1994 in South Africa and in 1983 for her TV debut on the Merv Griffin Show) and Barbra Streisand (2012 in a concert in Brooklyn, New York and from her album “Release Me.”)
Different performers with their own signature brand but the message is still the same – Home is where love is!
Have a great week!
Credits:
Stephanie Mill’s Biography – www.stephaniemillsmusic.com
Image of “Home” album cover – us.7digital.com
The Wiz – Playbill Cover – www.playbillvault.com
The Apollo Theater – www.nycxplorer.com
“Sweet Sensations” single – themasteroffunk.blogspot.com
“Never Knew Love Like This Before” single – www.musicstack.com
“Two Hearts” single – www.musicstack.com
“Keep Away Girls” single – peepzo.com
“How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore?” single – www.4scat.com
“The Medicine Song” single – www.musicstack.com
“Watcha Gonna Do With My Lovin” album cover – www.jpc.de
“Stephanie Mills” album cover – www.lyricspace.com
“Personal Inspirations” album cover – www.mbhaven.com
Brooklyn Legends 