Whitney Houston, RIP

Somewhere on this blog, quite awhile back, I mentioned something about not caring all that much about Whitney Houston's work. I was an admirer of her mother, Sissy Houston (of the Sweet Inspirations), and of course of her other relative (cousin, aunt? I can't remember), the wonderful Dionne Warwick. And I prefer Dolly Parton's version of her own song, I Will Always Love You, because - to me - Whitney's version, while technically impressive, seems to lack the emotional depth that Dolly brought to that song.

OTOH, there was no denying Whitney's raw talent and powerhouse of a voice, and the news of her death yesterday made me very sad for a life cut short way too soon. I'm not a close follower of Celebrity Tabloid gossip, but I gathered that Whitney has made a number of bad choices in her life and that, apparently (certainly not the fact that she was, you know, BLACK - no certainly not!), has triggered a fresh torrent of rightwing bile the likes of which we haven't seen since, well, since Barack Obama was elected. I wish I could say that I was shocked. These are the things we need to point out when some idiot starts blathering about our "postracial" society. My ass.

Anyway, for a better tribute to this beautiful and sad young woman, go here.

UPDATE: Just for grins, I checked to see what Texas-libberscallmeracist-Fred had to say about this and you will be absolutely notstunned to discover that he is right on board with the rest of the lunatics in his tribe, with a long post about what a crack ho Whitney Houston was and how only the Liberal Media would waste print on such trash while ignoring the Real Story which is that a soldier died in Afghanistan. Seriously.

RELATED, OF COURSE: I mean, really. Is it my aging imagination, or did this crap used to be much more "under the radar"? Certainly most sentient human beings understood that racism didn't disappear after the civil rights movement of the 60's, but became less socially acceptable, less talked about in polite circles. It just seems so much more brazenly out in the open these days.

A Belated Happy Birthday

Chuck Berry's birthday was a couple of days ago, and I didn't get around to commemorating it. Now I understand from Halle that he was a big-league jerk, but there's no denying that he was a guitar-playin' fool, and IMHO, any black guy that can get away with singing "My Ding-A-Ling" to an audience full of white chicks, even in the early 70's, has got something worth commemorating - even 2 days late!

RIP Marv Tauplin

The Motown sound was driven by such great talent.

Missed Birthdays

Everyone have a nice holiday weekend? Good! My home computer has gone to that Great Silicon Valley in the sky, so I'm wasting less time at home and more time at work! Anyway, I missed a couple of birthdays last week that were worth mentioning, so better late than never as the old saying goes:

On May 27, it was Hubert Humphrey, and there is a nice tribute to him here, with a link to another one within. I was a sophomore in high school when HH ran against Richard Nixon, and had I understood more about what was going on, I probably would have been a McGovern fan, but all I knew was that I didn't want Nixon to win. Yes, my views were formed fairly early on, and have been remarkably stable over the years, for better or worse. Anyway, perhaps it was coincidence that this great article by Kevin Drum about the decline of the labor movement and the middle class came out on the same day. It's really worth the read.

The other birthday was that of a song, Stand By Me by Ben E. King. The original is fine indeed, but I love this version by Ry:

Happy Birthday, Bob Dylan

Rushed today - I couldn't find decent versions of the songs I really wanted, Idiot Wind, and Maggie's Farm, so this will have to do!

Happy Birthday Eric Burdon

The old hipster turns 70 today:



Better version which won't embed is here.

RIP Phoebe Snow

Fox "News" viewers:

Music for these times that try men's souls...

I fear that our Wingnut/Corporate Overlords are about to drag us into some very harsh times ahead and thus far our side has been poorly represented and ineffectual in coping with the onslaught. It gets a person down sometimes, but music helps!

Happy Valentines' Day

One of my favorite love songs:

RIP Gladys Horton

Early lead singer of one of the best of the Motown girl groups, The Marvelettes:

Happy Birthday to Etta James

This wonderful singer is 73 today, apparently in poor health. A brief celebration of her music:

A man of wealth and taste

"I watched with glee while your kings and queens fought for ten decades for the gods they made.."



"Some folks are born silver spoon in hand, Lord don't they help themselves, oh. But when the taxman comes to the door, Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes.

It ain't me, it ain't me. I ain't no millionaire's son, no.
It ain't me, it ain't me. I ain't no fortunate one, no.

Some folks inherit star-spangled eyes, ooh they send you down to war, Lord.
And when you ask them, How much should we give? Ooh they only answer, More, more, more, yoh!"

Spooky Stuff

I'm afraid wingnuts have ruined my enjoyment of Screamin' Jay doing his schtick with this song, but I have to say that Marilyn Manson is a fine replacement:

Happy Belated Birthday to Mickey Rooney

I never got around yesterday to wishing Mickey Rooney a Happy Birthday - a day late and a dollar short, such is the story of my life. Anyway, here's a clip. I don't know that I'd care much for the man on a personal level, what with all his "born again" nonsense, but then again, maybe I would. It's impossible for me not to appreciate his incredible talent and zeal for living:

Some Sweet Inspiration

For when the real world is just too damn depressing.



Vocal gymnastics are all well and good, but it's pure soul that gives mom Cissy the edge over Whitney:



And how cool to see the Derek Trucks Band cover their signature song!



And here are the girls offering up a sample of that sound that you will recognize from the background of many favorites:



Their story here.

So easy - all you gotta do is ask!

Julie - you'd better get that sound system working!

A day late and several dollars short

I think I am one of about 3 people in the entire country that didn't get a day off today, but it sure made the commute in pleasant! I couldn't think of anything July 4-ish yesterday, but this morning I remembered this wonderful Henry Gibson song from Nashville:



I think I may just have to go out and rent that one again.

Hope all of you had a lovely weekend - mine was low-key, but quite nice!

Blues make it better

If this doesn't get your toes tappin, you're beyond hope:

RIP Marvin Isley

One of the all-time great Motown groups.