Saturday, August 21, 2010

INDIA ARIE, MY SISTER.

Hello all.....
I hope you took some time out to get some musical therapy during the week. As Tamera Manzanares states in  her article here " Aging well, A musical spell" and I quote:

"Music’s ability to reach us on a deep, emotional level has long fascinated scientists and spurred special therapies that use music to help people experiencing or recovering from challenges including autism, Alzheimer’s disease, grief, chronic pain, stroke and depression"

I hope my blog's variety of musical servings and my persuasive thoughts on them have in some way added value into your life. On that note, it is with great pleasure that I present a darling music artiste, who I call my sister. Friends and family always point out the similarities between us, in our sound, style and charisma. It's a compliment for me. I love her music so much. Her name is India Arie.
Her bio on her site starts off like this "India Arie is known and cherished by fans and fellow musicians as a poet, a songwriter, a daughter, a producer, a musician, a sister, a singer, an advocate, a friend and a philanthropist –– but she is possibly best known for the love in her music that has inspired and motivated people worldwide" There is no better way to describe her.
35 year old neosoul singer India Arie started out here in Atlanta, singing in jazz cafes, in fact the story goes that she applied and started a program at SCAD-Savannah College of Art and Design where she picked up the guitar and found her creativity thereon.
She came to the limelight in 2001 with the release of 'Video' the single and later the album 'Acoustic Soul' which debuted at at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 2000.
Albums that followed include Voyage to India (2002), Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship (2006), Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics (2009)..All of which are in my collection. Not a surprise!
She has collaborated with a lot of major artistes and added to her credits, a long list of Grammy nominations and 3 wins: Best R&B Album 2003 for 'Good Man', best urban/alternative performance for 'Little Things' and same for 'Pearls' featuring Dobet Ghanore in 2010.
Back to our talk on therapy, I serve you India Arie's song titled same, sung in collaboration with the reggae singer from the Morgan family legend; Gramps Morgan.



Cause I need your therapy / You've given me everything / So much I ever could need ... I need your therapy / Oh oh oh oh oh oh (I-I-I-I need your therapy) ...
Soulful voice, earthy vibes and a magical guitar.So tell me why would a song on therapy from someone like India score less that a 5*! No way, especially that it's coming from my one and only soul sister!

If Music be the food of love, you know what to do!
~Tosinger~

Sunday, August 15, 2010

ANGELIQUE KIDJO AFRICANA SPECIAL

This is a song from my childhood "Wombo Lombo". It was a pleasant surprise to see it on 'Nick Jr' recently. Oh wow! how the world has become globalized? All thanks to new media.
Angelique Kidjo is one of a kind. She is an awesome performer-singer, songwriter, dancer and activist (a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2002). She is from the African country of Benin. She is now one of the most renowned 'World' music artistes who is on high demand internationally. Her energy is incomparable, her moves are impeccable. Her voice is piercing and beautiful.
After schooling in Paris and marrying her French producer  husband, Jean Hebrail, she started out doing back up vocals locally and leading vocals in an Euro-African jazz group "Pili Pili". Angelique hit a musical jackpot when she was discoverd by Island Records in 1991 and then later by Columbia Records. Six albums later, she produced hits including "Agolo" (another of my favorites), "We We", "Adouma", "Wombo Lombo", "Afirika", "Batonga", and her version of "Malaika".
I don't know the meaning of some of these songs, but they always convey a message in their own special way. Music knows no barriers irrespective of language, color or creed. She sings in French, Yoruba (my native language by the way), Fon and English and of course her local Benin language-Zilin. She has some characteristic signature clicking in her sound that gives her songs  unique edge.

Listen to "Wombo Lombo"

The 5* song on the plate "Wombo Lombo" brings back good memories. It was fun dancing in front a TV as a little girl admiring this energetic bundle of talent. Her videos were always captivating and colorful. The general idea of the song  lyrics indicate the spirit of dance. The English part of it goes:
"Have you ever seen this man moving ?
Do you think anyone else can do it ?
Really this dance has got something,
Something, no way you can`t beat it."
She has collaborated with artistes like Ziggy Marley, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys, Joss Stone and numerous others. The one with Joss Stone, "Gimme Shelter" is another favorite of mine from her 2007 album "Djin Djin"

On June 10, 2010, she was part of the Official Kick-Off Celebration Concert of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa along with John Legend, Hugh Masekela, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Juanes and Black Eyes Peas.
She is currently touring and I can't wait to get my ticket for the November 13, 2010 concert in Atlanta, Georgia at The Rialto. She is leading the way for other upcoming international 'world' artistes, one of which will also share the same stage at The Rialto on December 10, 2010, Kenny Kore from Nigeria. Watch out for more information on this at The Rialto Theater site. Music is universal, no doubt about it. Angelique Kidjo serves one of the best ethnic musical soul food ever that anyone can eat!

If Music be the food of Love, you know what to do!
~Tosinger~

HANNAH CYRUS, MILEY MONTANA & HANNAH STEWART.Oh Blimey!

Teen idol, 18 year old Miley Ray Cyrus started out as Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel show of the same name where she plays a double life as an ordinary girl Miley Stewart who is a popular pop singer (Hannah Montana) who is also branded in real life with the same alias per music, acting and a franchise line. Now I hope I have confused you all :)

There you go, Miley Cyrus is Miley Stewart is Hannah Montana and she is having a blast all the way to the bank.
It helps that she is the daughter of the country music star, Billy Ray Cyrus who is best known for his single 'Achy breaky heart'.

Breaking out of the sweet American girl persona portrayed on the Disney show, Miley released her first single in 2008, "Breakout" and got a role in an animated movie called "Bolt". She was later nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for her performance of Bolt's theme song, I thought I lost you with John Travolta.

In 2009, Miley's grown image became established with the release of The Time of Our Lives  and the best-selling single, Party in the U.S.A. She also acted as herself in  Hannah Montana: The Movie . "Can't be tamed" is a 2010 release causing ripples in the young pop music industry and this is what I serve today. It got to Number 8 on the Billboards 100!!! Now, isn't that something?


I couldn't believe this is the same Miley from Disney Channel, how the young grow fast. Sweet 16 definitely becomes provocative in this one.I really don't have any special thoughts on this song. Miley has her audience surely. The song doesn't move me in any way, manner or form. It is just interesting to see the evolution of this talent over the years. 3*** All the best Miley!

If Music be the food of love, you know what to do.
~Tosinger~