Archive - February, 2007

Title?

February 26, 2007 in Music,Spirituality with 0 Comments

Darfur Refugees

I think I have the title for my record, “The Birth Lottery.” I know it’s a little weird but the cool thing is that it needs explanation.

A while back a friend and I were talking about being born in America and he said, “Yeh we won the birth lottery.” It’s true. For any of lucky enough to be born in America we are afforded a quality of life that we take for granted.

So when I’m asked about what the title means, I can say, “It’s about how we Americans are so spoiled while genocide is going on Darfur and we turn a blind eye.”

I hope and trust that I can do something, no matter how small, to help those people. A friend sent me a video of the horrors going on in Darfur. So maybe, just maybe, with this record I can do a small part to help and enlighten my brothers and sisters.

We Americans have the power to redeem ourselves from the actions of our corrupt, inept, laughable, sordid and deplorable political leadership.

See more progress on: Record a solo album

It’s time

February 22, 2007 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

Yesterday I saw a Naturopathic doctor. When I told him how much coffee I drink, 3 cups a day, he said I am playing havoc with my digestive system as well as leeching calcium from my bones. Not only that, coffee drinkers must deal with bad breath.

What he said next is what made me want to change. He said my addiction to caffeine is covering something else. From my past I know this to be true. All the years of drinking and drugging masked the self-loathing and the spiritual bankruptcy from which I suffered.

My doctor, who is a Christian also, encouraged me let it go and let Christ take over. He said when we give up our crutches and allow God to enter we grow.

I started this morning with no coffee. It was ok. Gradually the withdrawal symptoms kicked in. I was tired, unable to focus and irritable. I broke down and had a cup of green tea, yes with caffeine. I think I’ll ween myself off until I’m free.

I could feel my heart pounding after I had the tea. It was as if my body was rejoicing for feeding the addiction. There is a great scene in the movie, “What The Bleep Do We Know,” that brilliantly shows what happens in our bodies with addiction.

Getting to higher levels of health means getting rid of behaviors which do not give your body nutrition.

See more progress on: get rid of my caffeine addiction

Where I Work

February 14, 2007 in Atlanta with 1 Comment

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Where I work we buy Lysol in bulk. 

Songs I’ve Sung

February 13, 2007 in Music with 5 Comments

Here are some of the songs I’ve worked on in my voice lessons.

“Waiting For A Girl Like You” Foreigner
“Behind These Hazel Eyes” Kelly Clarkson
“Faces In Disguise” Sunny Day Real Estate
“The Only Way” JamSmooth
“Foolish Heart” Steve Perry
“I Will Remember You” Sarah McLachlan
“You Know My Name” Chris Cornell
“With Or Without You” U2
“Last Goodbye” Jeff Buckley
“Shadow Of The Sun” Audioslave
“Photograph” Def Leppard

Coming up we’re working on:
“I Believe I Can Fly” R. Kelly
“The Way You Look Tonight” Frank Sinatra
“I Want To Know What Love Is” Foreigner

Learning to sing is like learning a new language. You don’t sing the same way you speak. Vowels change completely. My voice training has changed me as a musician, a songwriter and has greatly improved my ear. I have a new found respect for the great vocalists of our time.

Notes From The Grammys

February 13, 2007 in Atlanta,Music,TV with 0 Comments

Why did The Police get only one song?

Chad Smith from the Chili Peppers played with the Dixie Chicks.

Justin Timberlake – Why did he get an introduction to his song? Why did he get 2 songs and The Police just one? Is JT in cahoots with Grammys? Oh JT, Bono did the whole camera in the face thing back in 1993.

Gnarls Barkley – Possibly one of the best performances all night.

How awesome was Ludacris representin’ the ATL?

Mary J. Blige – the woman can sing, that’s all there is to it.

Why the Eagles schmoozefest? The guy from Rascal Flats sure does have a high voice. The guitar player guy, he only missed about 5 notes on national tv. Carrie Underwood is ok. I still like Dwight Yoakam’s version of “New San Antonio Rose,” way better.

Christina Aguilera blew the roof off. She channeled the spirit of James Brown.

The Chili Peppers = nap time.

See ya next year. Maybe I’ll be there?

Ready For The Return of D’Angelo

February 11, 2007 in Atlanta,Music with 2 Comments

D'Angelo

Listening to D’Angelo brings back a lot of fun memories. It was 1995. I worked at the Best Buy Returns Center on Jimmy Carter Blvd. in Norcross. I smoked blunts and drank Heineken’s at lunch with a guy from Amityville, NY and another guy from Pittsburgh. Carefree days indeed.

His debut record, Brown Sugar, was an instant classic. There was not one bad song on it. D’Angelo was part of a new breed of R&B singer. He wrote, produced and played most, if not all, of the instruments on the record. His vocal harmonies recall Marvin Gaye and Prince.

His second record, Voodoo, was not a sophomore slump but it wasn’t as good as Brown Sugar either. Even not having a record in the past 7 years D’Angelo, I believe, can easily eclipse the newest crop of neo soul singers. Here I am listening to these great songs on Brown Sugar and this record could’ve come out yesterday, not 12 years ago.

He has had to overcome a lot, most notably a brutal car crash in 2005. He was ejected from his Hummer as he didn’t have on his seat belt. He suffered broken ribs and a severe concussion.

So in doing my research for this post I feel good. Looks like D’Angelo is back on track to release another record. The buzz on the net says he has met with Jermaine Dupri for guidance on coming back. He is listed as an artist on The Roots’ Okay Player label. With The Roots, Dupri and ?uestlove guiding him I’d say he’s in good company.

D’Angelo we’re ready for you. I hope you come back with a great record. I am praying for you.

CdLS Foundation 5k, February 10th, 2007

February 10, 2007 in Atlanta with 2 Comments

27 was what the weather said, 27 degrees. I did not want to go run that 5k today. I’m so glad I did.

The first thing the race did was give me the experience of being in a race. Even more important, I learned about pacing. I started right at the front with the fast runners. Many times I felt like I was dying and that I’d hurl at any moment. The good thing is with a 5k it’s over before you know it.

The race started at Medlock Park in Decatur and wove through the neighborhoods there. The course was not easy. There were at least 5 or 6 long uphills.

The entire race I kept telling myself, “Stay Strong!” “Keep going!” “Dig deep!” and “Don’t quit!”

It was a small race, maybe only 200 people in it. Still I came in 11th overall with a time of 22:50. I couldn’t believe I had run that fast. My goal was to break 30:00. I had no idea where I was and how much longer I had to go, I just kept running. I asked the guy who came in first what his time was, around 17:00.

The guy who finished after me immediately puked into a nearby trash can.

Afterwards a few folks approached me. I talked to one couple who ran the New York Marathon in November. She said the course went through all five boroughs. They said they’d never do another marathon but they are doing the ING half.

I’m pleased with my time. A runner friend told me I’d run fast but I didn’t know I’d run that fast. I finished strong. It was also for a good cause. The race benefited The Corneila de Lange Syndrome Foundation.

You know what else I realized today, I’m a fan of women runners. Many of them have a great ass and legs.

http://www.cdlsusa.org/

Freedom Rock

February 8, 2007 in Music,TV with 2 Comments

Growing up I loved these commercials. It’s a shame we don’t see this anymore. “Freedom Rock” came on every 5 minutes when I watched What’s Happening Now! or Hee Haw.

Way before the birth of mp3′s, wma’s and aac’s you actually bought music off TV! Now we make our own compilations, e-mail mp3′s, create online playlists so we don’t need such records. Thankfully some awesome folks on YouTube have offered us a selection of great TV commercials from the days of vinyl and cassette.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if your mix CDs came with ads like these?

This first one is sweet. I think I was in 5th grade the last time I went to a party like this. I also think this ad is referenced in the Cameron Crowe classic, Say Anything.

This next one is the aforementioned Freedom Rock. Turn it up!

Here’s a killer mix from K-Tel, Pure Power! I know my #1 reader, Megan will like this one!

I saved the best for last. It’s no secret I LOVE Aimee Mann. How can you not love an artist who has the sense of humor to make fun of herself like this? This even has the obligatory “couple walking at sunset on the beach” scene. Brilliant!

All I’ve Got To Say Is….Rex Grossman

February 7, 2007 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

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So “Bad Rex” showed up.  I guess the millions of dollars in your bank account will soothe the pain of your horrible performance Sunday night?  You will basically have to get back to the Superbowl and have a game like Peyton did to redeem yourself.  Good luck.

All I’ve Got To Say Is….Da Bears

February 3, 2007 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment