Black History Month: Kamala Harris Happening Now

 Black History isn't always about times gone years ago. It is happening now. We live in politically polarizing times. However we can not dismiss that in our politics a historic Vice President of the United States has taken her office. 

She becomes the first African American Vice President. Showing future African Americans that it is possible to become Vice President just as President Obama showed it was possible for a black man to become President.

I'm leading with African American due to it being Black History month and she certainly has earned her place in Black History and also history of the United States of America. However there are other glass ceilings being shattered by Kamala Harris.

She is also Asian and becomes the first Asian Vice President. As a father to a daughter I am glad to see that she also became the first woman Vice President. My daughter can look to her and perhaps be inspired one day.

We can disagree about politics. She could be voted out next time or re-elected. However, she has been sworn in to office so those glass ceilings have been broken. Not only has Black History been made but history itself has been made. 

Battle of the Bands 101: Redemption Song

It is hard to believe I haven't used a Bob Marley song in my Battles of the Band. It kind of fits that  I would celebrate an African musician on one post and move onto a Reggae giant in the next. Black History Month International Music version if you will.

The song I am choosing is Bob Marley's Redemption Song. This ne is just for reference and your enjoyment.

Contender One: Yannick Noah

Contender Two: Stevie Wonder

Yannick or Stevie you decide who wins with your votes in the comments. Both artists provide covers that are different from the original and different from each other. I'll count of the votes and post a winner in a week or so. Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

R.I.P Frank Robinson

There are wonderful reasons to write about Frank Robinson. One could write to celebrate Black History Month, baseball is just around the corner, or just simply to celebrate his career. Unfortunately Frank Robinson has passed away which is a sad reason to write about him.

In 1975 the Cleveland Indians named Frank Robinson as a player/manager making him the first black manager in Major League Baseball. He went on to manage the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos and Washington Nationals.

Baseball wise he had a Hall of Fame career. He still ranks 10th in career home runs. He is the only player to win the MVP Award in both leagues. Frank was on two World Series winning teams. Mr. Robinson also won the triple crown. He ended his career with a .294 batting average and 2943 hits.

Here is a collection of highlights when he played for the Cincinnati Reds..

Below is his Hall of Fame induction speech...

He will be missed by baseball, his fans, friends and family. May he rest in peace.

My 5 Favorite Black Guitarists

Back in August I did a list of my favorite five guitarists. You can read that post here. I'm sure I could exchange a few names on that list at anytime depending on my musical taste at the time. Since, it is Black History Month I thought it would be fun to list my 5 favorite Black guitarists. Some of them were on my 5 favorite guitarist list.

Here it goes...

1) Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix was at the top of my other list two.

2) Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy is incredible he was number three on my other list but he moves up to number two on this list.

3) Prince

He is one of the guys I can't believe I left out of my first list. He could be the very best at guitar when he wanted to be, but he was such an artist and musician that he didn't always stick with the guitar.

4) Hubert Sumlin

He was a sideman, the guitarist for Waters and the Wolf.

5) Wes Montgomery

Ending the list is so hard. Should I include one of the King's? Albert Collins? Maybe Slash? The influential Chuck Berry? Oh well I went with jazz

Who would you have added into the list? Well I will see you soon with a new ost

Happy Birthday Nina Simone!

I've had a bit of a Black History Month theme going on my blog this month. Some of it planned and somethings were added due to life events.

Today is Nina Simone's birthday and she is an artist who certainly deserves to be celebrated during Black History Month.

Starting the music with this civil rights era tune..

She is probably best known for this song..

Nina Simone was awarded a lifetime Grammy Award and was nominated for several other Grammys

Ain't Got No..

What's your favorite Nina Simone song? Feel free to share in the comments. Thanks for visiting I will have a new post soon.

R.I.P Clyde Stubblefield

It is great to pay tribute to Black Artists during Black History month. I just wish they weren't dying. Another important musician, Clyde Stubblefield passed away during the weekend. He is best known for his work with James Brown.

James Brown "Funky Drummer"

The beat from the above song is the most sampled segment in the World and Stubblefield is considered one of the greatest drummers.Here he is with "Funk Thing"

Back with James Brown "Ain't it Funky Now"

He will be missed but his music will live on!

Happy Birthday Smokey Robinson!

Today is Smokey Robinson's 76th birthday! I celebrated his 75th birthday last year with this post.  I am also featuring one of his songs in my current Battle of the Bands post. There is still time to vote if you like!

Five years ago, I had the honor of reviewing his performance at the Kennedy Center. It was for a charity event and Robinson still gave a full show. You can read my review here.

Enough about what I've posted, you know my celebrations are all about the music.

Here he is with the Miracles, "You Really Got a Hold of Me"

Elliptical Man posted last year his favorite song from Smokey was "Just to See Her"

I do requests and mentions so feel free to share your Smokey Robinson memories, favorite songs and such in the comments. Here is "Baby Come Close"

Hope you enjoy and I will be back soon!

R.I.P Walter Morrison

The music world lost another one. Walter "Junie" Morrison has passed away,  He was a member of the Ohio Players and later joined P-Funk, Parliament-Funkadelic. Morrison also released seven solo albums.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Parliament-Funkadelic. 

Here is "Friends" from his last solo album in 2004..

"Tightrope" from his first solo album..

Here he is singing lead for the Ohio Players...

Here is some P-Funk...

May he rest in peace!

Battle of the Bands: Cruisin' into Black History Month

February is cruising along. February is Black History month and I am using it for a theme for my Battle of the Bands. I started with the blues and this time I am going to another musical place called Motown.

Smokey Robinson is a legendary singer and songwriter. He was is one of the greatest artist from the Motown era and he has a birthday fast approaching. Obviously he is a great choice to pick a song from since he has a large catalog of songs and he has been covered by many musicians.

The Song: Cruisin'

Smokey Robinson isn't in this competition so please don't vote for him. 

Contender One: D'Angelo

Contender Two: Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis

Who gets your vote? I think they are both great covers. One has two big names, so we have a little bit of a Samson and Goliath thing going on. Names don't matter. Hopefully it is all about the music and who you vote for, I just count them up and provide the results sometime after the 21st. Vote in the comments and we will have a winner soon! Please check out the other Battle links here. That site has the most up to date list.

Well I hope you enjoyed the Battle and come back and visit soon!

Absalom Jones

Absalom Jones died on this date in 1818. This date being February 13th. An important figure in black History for his abolitionist activity. Jones was also the first African American ordained priest in the Episcopal Church of the United States. 

Connections are easy to find when celebrating musicians, sports figures, and actors. As fans they become part of your life. But what do I have in common with Absalom Jones?

I'm Episcopalian and he is part of my church's history. He is listed among the Saints and is even included in our Book of Common Prayers. 

If you belong to a denomination, who was your first Black clergy member?

R.I.P Al Jarreau

Seven time Grammy Award singer Al Jarreau passed away today. His music crossed the genres of R&B, jazz, and soul. If you were a television fan in the 80's you might remember him for the Moonlighting title track...

He won his first GRAMMY Award for this song.."Look to the Rainbow"

He won his last GRAMMY Award by himself for this song..."Heaven and Earth"

He would win another one for a song featuring Jill Scott and George Benson as well. What is your favorite Al Jarreau song? Do you have any Al Jarreau memories? If you do feel free to share in the comments. We will miss Al Jarreau's vocals but we are thankful for his recordings.

Happy Birthday Bob Marley!

Last year I celebrated Bob Marley's birthday with a love theme. You can revisit that post here.  Today, I am looking for the theme to go more with Black History Month. Perhaps to give me the opportunity to dig deeper into his musical catalog.

"Babylon System"

"Buffalo Soldier"

"Redemption Song"

I hope you enjoy and I will be back soon with a new post!

Olympic Gold: Shani Davis

I was searching for something to blog about today. I decided to search today's date February 18 in Black History since it is Black History Month. That's when I discovered Shani Davis a speed skater from Chicago.

On this date in 2006 he did something that no other Black athlete had ever done! Needless to say he was the first African American. As an American I am sure I was proud of his contribution to our medal count, the Speed Skater also won a Silver Medal in the 2006 Games.

Just 10 years ago Shani Davis made Black History. I hope he did could inspire others that they could make history in the future. Perhaps someone else could be the first in another event certainly someone will be next.

What Shani Davis did at the next Winter Olympics made history too! Yes he would Black Athlete to do his next feat. He became the first man of any race to successfully defend a Gold Medal in the 1000 meters race. He also earned another Silver in the 1500.

Shani Davis is a great American Olympian and perhaps his story might inspire you to go for the Gold!