Miles Davis Interview - Part II (1984)

Interview continues....

Miles Davis Interview (1984)

There are not many artist you can appreciate their work and their character- Miles Davis is one for me. I am obsessed with this man!

This interview, 1984, illustrates his , playful, impassive demeanor. The way he can deliver his gratitude in receiving a NAACP award in the same tone, as he later discusses how he takes notice in white woman, and their mayhem over getting laid by a black man - you cannot help but be intrigued.

Davis was definitely present in this interview - as though he was amongst his closest friend; unfolding his responses in what strikes one as he being nothing less than honest.

How can you not admire someone who proclaims, "If I was a fan of myself...which I am (laugh)".

Enjoy!

**remaining interview to be posted here **

Miles Mania!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to be posting ALL day in tribute to one of my favorite musicians of all times!

I cannot name a favorite - but this is ALWAYS in heavy rotation on my playlist:

"It Never Entered My Mind".

Break out the tissues..it is so beautiful how he can make it cry :)

Enjoy!

audio courtesy of: youtube

Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926 - September 28, 1911)

Nothing more I can say about him that has not been said already ~ he was one of the best to ever do it!
I have one of my best friends to thank for introducing me to Davis with the Love Songs album in a car ride home 10 years ago.

Miles Davis yall' :)

As it is ALWAYS a good day for Miles, definitely play a few extras today to celebrate him - he would have been 85 years young today.

Here is "I Fall In Love Too Easily" off the Love Songs album. My first Miles Davis tune!

Aww...

Music for my Monday...Ahmad Jamal Trio "Ahmad's Blues"

The music speaks for itself!

I was fortunate to discover this guy a few months back through the mention of the Ahmad Jamal Trio in the biography of Thelonious Monk - I have been a crazed fan ever since!

Miles Davis, it is mentioned, was OBSESSED! Maybe more than the likes of his peers, as Davis recorded heavily in the footsteps of Jamal, with recordings such as: "It Could Happen to You", "Ahmad's Blues" (featured here), "Billy Boy" and a few more.

The "trio" was initially comprised of:: Ahmad Jamal (piano), Ray Crawford (guitar), and Eddie Calhoun (bass).

NOTE: In 1956, Jamal replaced Crawford with drummer, Walter Perkins.

They split in 1962.

However, Jamal continued to re-formulate the trio as members came and went throughout his remaining music career. He is an active recording artist today.


Some Favorite Sidenotes:
1. JAMAL recorded 1958 album, Live at the Pershing Lounge on CHESS RECORDS (same label my favorite, LOVE, late/great, Howlin Wolf recorded with). :)

2. Hip-hop artists such as: Kanye West, DJ Premier from Gangstarr and Jay-Z sampled Jamal's work. ** I'll post some of these later **

The Strokes - Games

Last one - "Games".

Okay, GO to ITUNES and buy the damn album if you don't already have!

Seriously. Its AMAZE!!!!

One more......"Taken For a Fool"

Its the weekend! Sunshine and good music in the AM makes me all :)'s

Another Stroke fave - "Taken for a Fool".

I Heart The Strokes! "Under Cover of Darkness"

Angles is MADNESS!

This is a CD you can just put in a play straight through with a :).

In the words of my bestie, "Rock out with your C*** out!" (LOL).

FreePress Summerfest (HOUSTON) Feat. Artist ~ WEEZER

WOOHOO WEEZER!!!!

How does a girl get so lucky to see these guys twice in 1 year?!

Their most recently released albulm, Hurley - not one of my faves from the band :(

(best songs for me: "Run Away and "Unspoken")

But, that does not kill the thrill of seeing these guys LIVE at the Houston SummerFest! :)

For the retro Weezer fans ~ "Buddy Holly" video here for your pleasure!

Tickets are still available:

www.freepresssummerfest.com

JUNE 4th and 5th (Saturday & Sunday) 11 AM -10 PM

At ELEANOR TINSLEY PARK ON BUFFALO BAYOU

Fun Links to Malcolm X Reads.....

I found this link list on the MALCOLM X.ORG website.

Check them out or save for later:


The Malcolm X Project at Columbia University
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccbh/mxp/
Malcolm X Speaks!
http://www.webcorp.com/civilrights/malcolm.htm
The Smoking Gun: The Malcolm X Files **contains links to view filed police reports, etc **
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/malcolmx/malcolmx.html

Elke Moritz: Malcolm X
http://www.malcolmx.de/
Malcolm X Museum
http://www.themalcolmxmuseum.org/
Malcolm X: A Research Site
http://www.brothermalcolm.net/
Malcolm X o della Cultura Africana Americana - Black African American Culture
http://www.malcolm-x.it/
The Official Web Site of Malcolm X
http://www.cmgww.com/historic/malcolm/

Malcolm X & James Baldwin Speak - April 25, 1961

A shared interview with Malcom X and author/civil rights activist, James Baldwin, share a sit-down interview (1961).
Enjoy!

My Sidenote:

James Baldwin, one of the most influential writers in my life - ends the conversation with this:

" "the actual history of Negros of this country...one of the ugliest histories of the West...but if one can face this fact: it is one of the most remarkable histories that we know of........I would be very different  person if I was not a decendent of a slave. In fact, I am a decdent of slave...it does not have to be a badge of shame...Negros are not the only decendent of a slave...I do not think we can be liberated from this history until we are willing to deal with it.......being a man is what it involves for me, is the ability to look at the world, or whatever it is, say what is what it is and deal with it - even if that means laying down your life for it, in the way - it always means that"

I heart Baldwin! :)

MALCOLM X (May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965)

Today would have marked his 86th birthday ~ more posts to follow in remembrance of a man who sacrificed his life for all that he believed in.

Blessings!

Its the small things in life make me SO damn happy!!

RASPUTIN MUSIC (Bay Area, CA) was like the heaven gates opening when I walked in! Nothing like the vibe of old & new meshed in one room for your pleasure! :)

It is the 1/2 Price Books for all your music and film needs.

My sister took me here for what she thought would be a "quick tour" - we were there for about...2 hours!

Caught up in the stacks of old vinyl - great finds & the craziness of it all - less than $2 for classics!

My best jewels yet! :)

MALCOLM X (May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965)

http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/rights_freedoms/clips/13070/ **check out this clip in lieu of YOUTUBE **

Tomorrow, May 19th, he would have celebrated his 86th birthday.

MALCOLM X, also known in his Arabic name - El - Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, born to the name of, Malcolm Little - was an American icon of history.

Not found to be recognized as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is, with a defined national holiday (although some would argue Dr. King's holiday is scarcely recognized itself) - Malcolm X defined history as he fought in search of freedom and equality for African Americans.

Despite his ever-evolving beliefs and ideals - he was a voice of leadership and of great admiration to those that witnessed him; and for many still today.

Personally, I feel his silenced story within school textbooks is a misfortune, but; history cannot be erased - sometimes you just have to dig a little harder to find it. :)

As Malcolm X and Dr. King found flaws in each others ideals, we too can feel the same. However, it is so important to recognize their contribution, along with the many others that came before us - who fought and endured so much more than some chose and/or fail to recognize. We have so many people before us to thank, and sadly, many of us do not know their names or their stories.

I, too, am still on a road of teaching myself about "the forgotten". I hated history class growing up - funny how that changed. But, to know there are so many faces and names I never once encountered & have been such contributors to our "great" America.

Fascinating.

This is a favorite of mine -  Malcolm X on the CBS Show, Front Page Challenge. Gives way to thoughts of how so many portray him still today to have been a man of violent and irrational character, as you watch this video - you can witness his sense of humor, charisma and his articulate manner.

MALCOLM X - "After The Bombing" (39 minute speech)

"After The Bombing" - Ford Auditorium (Detroit)
February 14, 1965 (Valentines Day ?)

Provided by: http://www.malcolm-x.org/speeches/spc_021465.htm

 "Malcolm delivered this speech on the very night that his home in New York was firebombed. He was terribly tired and worried, yet he still showed up all the way in Detroit-- this shows his extreme courage and determination. This is probably his last speech outside of New York, and displays his intellect and honesty, as well as his ideas and understanding close to his death" (Malcolm X.org).

Here for your listening pleasure!

http://www.malcolm-x.org/speeches/spc_021465.htm

Blessings!

Music for a Monday.....Coleman Hawkins "Indian Summer"

Some call it "Monday Blues"...I am just in a mood for a tune like this today.

Beautiful serenade by Mr. Coleman Hawkins.

Enjoy! :)

A GO SEE TONIGHT! Movie Premier TRUST ~ Directed by David Schwimmer

Truth is my interest for this movie screening was peaked when I saw that David Schwimmer was the director of this film (remember when he was "Ross" from the infamous television sitcom, FRIENDS? One of my all-time faves!) and leading roles are by AMAZING actors: Clive Owens and Catherine Keener - I literally would have been content seeing this film blinded to any idea of what it was about - solely on the basis of the cast and crew!

Yet, and still, the subject matter in the film, TRUST, is intriguing albeit I do not have children - it is a hot topic of discussion and a rising concern for parents across the nation. Schwimmer attempts to uncover the tragedy and gore that is plaguing the "cyber world" as he tells the story of a 15-year old girl who finds herself in a "cyber chat room" with a 35-year old man portraying himself as a much younger grad student.

The story leads to the rape of the young girl and the story unfolds from there.

Houston, we know indie-films are far and few between in our fab city; especially now that Angelika Theater is no longer a part of our city. Kind of fancy to have such a high profile film at our feet! :)

And a Q&A with screenwriter on premier night as well.

Go See!

Trust
Directed by David Schwimmer
(USA, 2010, 106 min.)
Monday, May 16, 7:00 p.m. (Premier Night - Additional film times listed on MFAH website; link below)
Screenwriter Andy Bellin introduces the film and leads a Q&A session afterward

http://mfah.org/films/trust/

HOUSTON SUMMERFEST ARTIST HIGHLIGHT - THE BLACK ANGELS

Representing Austin, Texas AND a chic on the drums - how HOT is that?!

I heart The Black Angels!

Seriously, you do not have to be a punk rock die-hard to appreciate these guys. I adore their mix of a rock vibe and mellow tones! Fascinating!

Please check them out - this YOUTUBE clip is pretty amaze as well!


Live performance of "Bad Vibrations".

Nice.

They will be at the Houston Summerfest June 5th - MAIN STAGE 2:30 PM.

For tickets & Line-Up information - check out:

http://www.freesummerfest.com/


~ tk

CUT COPY - "Take me Over"

I had to do ONE more!

Here is "Take Me Over" from CUT COPY's recent album release entitled, Zonoscope. This clip is a live performance of them at COACHELLA this year.

Enjoy!

Houston SummerFest Artist Highlight - CUT COPY

THIS band right here has me dusting off my jelly shoes and breaking out the neon leg warmers!

Their sound is electric 80's pop - I am already feeling the crazy energy these guys will storm the fest with on stage!

CUT COPY, a band out of Australia, with 3 albums under their belt; they will be performing at HOUSTON SUMMERFEST, Sunday, June 5th - 7PM.

Sample is, "Saturdays" from their 04' debut album, BRIGHT LIKE NEON LOVE.

Enjoy!

In case you have not already purchased your tix, here is the link to the event! Let me know if you will be there!

http://www.freepresssummerfest.com/

LIST OF BANDS ON BILL (link below)
http://www.freepresssummerfest.com/FPSF_StageGuide.pdf

.....I'm Just Sayin'......

With the brink of President Barack Obama under fire for his religious beliefs and origin, a friend shared with me that he has grown frustrated with the politics within the politics (i.e. race card).
He explained to me that as a black man, he does not see color or race - only a person. Furthermore, this is how God should have created us all - no white, no black or shades between - simply, human.

I rebutted that although many would agree with this ideal, I feel as though should we all be impaired to only see one another as human, and in turn; surely peace and humanity would be fully restored; without color - I’d feel robbed of my character.

Perhaps it is naive of me needing to define who I am with layers of the struggle and strife those before me have battled on my behalf, but as I sit still with the question, "Who am I?" , the response would simplify - shamelessly; if I was as my friend suggested, "simply human".

Without my ability to uphold my culture there would be - nothing really.

All that I am is a seed watered by a history that has afforded me talents and strengths through the survivings of weaknesses and struggles, by those before me and my very own.

The education that is founded (beyond the textbook reading our American academic career affords us) - grants me more peace and contentment than the possibility to disregard the color of my skin - even on the worst of days!

The voice I have now would be strained; virtually silenced without the ability or need to ask "why" or "what" (happened).
Conversations would be minimum and history would be dim. I cannot foresee why one person of my culture or creed would prefer likewise.

Surely our Creator, Mother Nature, or whatever you believe planted us each here as a collage / rainbow of people, held a purpose in doing so. Certainly aware than any contrasts would breed looks of question, desires of the mind would birth hate or fear - and nature would respond accordingly.

Simply put, everything happens for a reason.

We shaded people are no mistake, and there is beauty in finding the reward of what others may view as a misfortune.

We could always pose the question, "what if", but in the interim, perhaps more of us should seek answers to questions such as, "what happened..." and unveil through the discovery of history, who we are collectively - giving light to who each of us are inivdually.

HOUSTON SUMMER FEST 30 DAYS UNTIL THE SHOW!.....SHARON JONES & THE DAP KINGS!

Countdown has BEGUN! As promised, artists highlighted from the fest will begin to be posted here for your listening pleasure :)

I had to start with one of my faves - "How Do I let a Good Man Down" by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. This band is HOTT with their funk/soul 60's sound - you know, when bands actually played instruments instead of beat machines to create music ?

I heart these guys! I look forward to seeing them do their thing LIVE at the fest!