Friday, May 20, 2011

TGIF

Friday's Quote of the Day

Never let life's hardships disturb you, no one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.
-Nichiren Daishonen


Friday's Song of the Day

'He Can Handle It' BeBe & CeCe Winans

I picked this song because I feel that everyone that I know has problems, I feel that we can't avoid them. But just put it in GOD's hand and everything will be all right. Have a good and safe weekend

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Born This Way: Standard Version

Fans have been waiting awhile for Lady Gaga to come with a new album. Now the 2nd album is always the album that will make and break your career. This album delivers, Lady Gaga is here is STAY!!!

                                                                   
Now I was introduced to Lady Gaga in 2009, I was a "late boomer". The album that I began following her was the "Fame Monster". From that album I have been hooked to her every since. After the "Fame Monster", I was thinking how will she top this. So in February she released the single Born This Way. When I first heard the track, I wasn't pleased it. However, the song has a great message, but the song did nothing for me. As a result, I thought that the album was going to have songs like this, but with me knowing Gaga, each single won't be the same. Clearly it is not. Before I begin with the review if you don't like dance music this album is not for you.

She starts the album with Marry The Night, Lady Gaga said that this song was going to be the first single but she decided to go with Born This Way in my opinion I wish Marry The Night was the first single, because I love it. You can tell that she was definitely inspired by Pat Benatar because this song gives a Love Is Battlefield kinda vibe. As a matter of fact, you can tell with this album she was influenced by Pat Benatar Then she does into the single Born This Way which is a song that I don't really care for but it fits with the album. Government Hooker through me off, because the beginning was very odd to me but after Gaga finish sounding like a ghost I was happy when the beat dropped, good song. Now to the controversial Judas, when I first heard Judas I love it, which is why I don't understand all the backlash. In this song, she is not saying that she loves Judas, she was explaining that in a relationship we have someone in our lives that is good but you always think about the person that did you wrong. She does not a worship the devil! Americano is a song that will have to grow me, even though the beat is okay, her yelling and talking in Spanish just didn't give me feeling.   Hair is like a Born This Way Part 2 in my opinion. She was letting you know that you are as free as your Hair, even though I don't have none, but I understand what she means, very inspirational song. Now to my favorite song on the album, the German titled SchiBe, this song makes you wanna dance as soon as you hear it. During the first listen of this album, it took me 7 times to finally get pass it, thats how much I love it, very much a dance song. Bloody Mary, Bad Kids, Highway Unicorn is very techno, which is where Gaga roots are. Heavy Mental Lover is another highlight of the album in my opinion, I just love the beat it makes you wanna get in your car bop your head with all the windows down. Electric Chapel is a rock-club song, which in my opinion is a drink refiller, which you can sing the words, while you refill your glass of any spirit of choice. The ballad You & I is a great song about getting over a love that hurt you, which she sings with so much emotion. Finally, finishing the album with The Edge of Glory, this song is the most simple song Gaga has made, but what really brings the song out is the musical instruments.

In conclusion, I understand why she used the Born This Way because she took everything from her influences and made it her own.  9.0/10

 
STANDOUT TRACKS

Marry The Night
Government Hooker
Judas
Schibe
Heavy Mental Lover
You & I
The Edge Of Glory
                                                                        

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Phizzals Generation Y & Techno Love

I haven't done a review of an album in a while, so I felt that I would do someone on the come up, a Baltimore rapper, Phizzals. I decided to review his album Generation Y & Techno Love



Now with me knowing Phizzals I feel that I have to be honest. This album is nice. With this review I'm going to start with the good and then my criticism. 

When I first heard Phizzals rap in college, I knew he was different, because he wasn't doing what a typical rapper would do. Phizzals would be the only person that I knew that would jump on a Lady Gaga beat and sound good. Fast forward to my last year, I remember when Phizzals decided the title for the album, I looked at him and said "how you gonna fit songs for this album title" Now that this album is out here's the review.
GOOD SIDE
The Tracks That I Like
  1. Hot Shit
  2. Swagga That She Like
  3. House Party
  4. No Bags (Feat. Results)
  5. Where Tha Birds At
  6. Big Boy Swag
  7. Don't Go
  8. Where I Be At
With these tracks Phizzals is so confident. I feel Big Boy Swag really describes Phizzals as a whole. As a result, that is something I can really admire because he's saying "I am a big guy but you gonna love me", which is very respectful. With me loving to dance, these songs will really get you moving on the dance floor. I feel that these tracks are where Phizzals reallly shined on.


CRITICISM

The album title in my opinion doesn't fit the album. I remember when Phizzals came up with the title he was inspired by the Beyonce's "I Am...Sasha Fierce" album. He explained to me that half the album will be about him and the other would be able love. I know he tried too but in my opinion the album didn't match the title. In addition, the song Love Recession could have been left off the album it doesn't match any of the others songs, that song fell short. After about a minute of the song, I couldn't listen to it anymore. Now, Tell You Bout It I actually like the chorus, but other than that, that's the only thing I like about that song.

In conclusion, this album by Phizzals is nice. I am very proud of him because he has definitely grown as a rap artist. Of course, the album has some bumps in the roads but it doesn't take away that he definitely has skills on the mic. RESPECT
                                                                  
                                                                       8/10

CHECK THE ALBUM AT DATPIFF.COM OR WWW.MEDIAFIRE.COM/?433D6SN1F62K6D

Monday, May 16, 2011

Songs For Moment...Just A Feeling Part 4


 
100% (100 Percent)-Mariah Carey


This song is so needed for me right now. Today was a little depressing because of the things going on in my family. It seems that when we get out of one situation; another come up. I know for me personally GOD has blessed me with a job and home of my own, but it seems that I'm not happy. I feel this way because I'm a family guy, if my family isn't happy, I'm not happy. It seems like my family have been dealing with this devil since 2007, but we still manage to be strong. But today just felt different with the convo my mother and I had today. Even though at the end of the talk my mother and I was laughing, but I did that for her because I want to see her happy. But when I got off the phone I needed a song get me through some of this pain that I feel for my family. The part of the song that I love is "If you gonna pray don't worry, if you gonna worry don't pray", as a result lifted my spirits a little because I know GOD has this situation under control.

THIS SONG IS NEEDED FOR ANYONE THAT  NEEDS INSPIRATION

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sam Cooke Tribute

SAM COOKE TRIBUTE (GREATLY) DONE BY R. KELLY


Considered to be the "King of R&B", R. Kelly has classic songs such as Bump & Grind, I Believe I Can Fly, and Step In the Name of Love. Kelly is known for his sexual songs but on his new album he took a more mature approach. The Sam Cooke inspired "Love Letter" he took it back to the soul sounds of Otis Redding and David Ruffin. In my opinion, this album was really for the lovers of soul music. This album in my opinion the best album of 2010, even though it came out at the end of year.

                                               

This album is very sentimental for me and my family. This album gives you a Sam Cooke vibe, with songs like How Do I Tell Her, Radio Message, and the hit When A Woman Loves. My personal favorites are Music Must Be A Lady, Radio Message, and the Marvin Gaye-Tammi Terrell duet inspired Love Is with K. Michelle. If you love soul music "Love Letter" should definitely be in your collection.

MUSIC MUST BE A LADY

RADIO MESSAGE

LOVE IS

With giving you a background of the album now to the Tribute..

My mother called today and told me to turn to BET Centric at 9:00 because R. Kelly was doing a tribute to Sam Cooke. Now, the Heat-Bulls series which I was planning to watch, but I when it comes to Sam Cooke I will watch anything involving him. The concert begins with R. Kelly doing my favorite Otis Redding song Try A Little Tenderness. From that moment, R. Kelly drew me in, then he goes into You Send Me, which gives you the Sam Cooke vibe. Next he sings Bring It On Home To Me, which in my opinion the best performance of the night. You can really feel the spirit of Sam Cooke, which made me remember the good memories with my grandfather. Then he proceeds to Feel It, which gave me the same feeling when my family played Sam Cooke's "Live at The Harlem Square". I was dancing all through my house. After, Kelly did the song that's considered to be one of the best songs made A Change Is Gonna Come. This is one of the songs that I can't get through because it's so deep that it makes me cry at the beginning of 2nd verse. So, when R. Kelly begin to sing I was okay until he got to the 2nd verse then the tears started coming. After the tears ended, R. Kelly closed the show with Twisting the Night Away, which cause me to start dancing in my house once again. Above all, this tribute was well done and Sam Cooke is in heaven smiling because he knows left a great legacy, with people like R. Kelly doing great tributes.

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE GREAT PERFORMANCES VIA YOUTUBE

TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS/YOU SEND ME/BRING IT ON HOME

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

TWISTING THE NIGHT AWAY
                      
KEEP SMILING MR. COOKE
Jan 22, 1931 - Dec 11, 1964


Friday, May 13, 2011

Compare & Contrast Thursday Repost

Hey everyone I haven't done a compare & contrast entry in weeks. I wasn't inspired by anything until Wednesday, I was listening to Ella James's All I Could Do Was Cry, after I decided to listen to Beyonce's version, I recieved so much inspiration. Then I listened to I'd Rather Go Blind, with that I felt I could do comparison of both versions.


ALL I COULD DO WAS CRY

Etta James Version

Beyonce Version

When it comes to this song, I love Etta James because she was the original, but in my opinion Beyonce delivers on this one. Not taking away from Etta James because her version is great as well, but Beyonce's version is a lot more soulful. When Beyonce starts with "I saw my love walk down the aisle", you can feel the emotion. As I stated before, Etta's version is good but I like Beyonce's version a little better.


I'D RATHER GO BLIND

Etta James Version

Beyonce Version

With this song, it took me a while to decided which version I like best. I think Etta James version I perfer. Even though, I must say that Beyonce's killed it with the vocals at the end, but Etta just touched my soul a little more.

Comparsions/Conclusions
When you listen to each of versions, you can tell the difference in years. For example, Etta's versions her voice was over the music. It seemed that back then, it was all about the voice, Etta's versions the background music is a lot lower than her voice, it seemed it back then when singer sung ballads, it was more about the voice then the music. Meanwhile, when you listen to Beyonce's version the music and vocals are balanced making the song sound more crisp. But technology can also play a part in that because technology is much stronger then they were in 1950s.

Above all, Etta James set the blueprint for Beyonce to sing these songs. As a result, you must give Etta her respect. In addition, I feel with these versions Beyonce didn't try to sound like Etta, she made the songs are own, which is why I have to give Beyonce her respect as well. In today's music, it seems like when remakes are done, the artist tries to sound too much like the original artist, which it takes away from the song. As I said, Etta James should be proud of Beyonce's versions because she made her songs current, but still kept it old school.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Songs For Moment...Just A Feeling Part 3

Unbreakable-Michael Jackson/The Notorious B.I.G.


It seems like the devil is trying to break into my family and try to keep us down by my family is strong, and we are unbreakable. This song describes how song my family is and how we keep GOD first in our lives, because he always have the our best interest not the devil.

LISTEN TO THIS FEEL GOOD SONG

Can't Be Stopped-Janet Jackson


While I have been doing this blog, sometimes I feel that this blog isn't as great as it should be but I feel like I have to take one blog entry at a time. Of course I get the negative things, like "your blog sucks or you don't know about music", which sometimes get to me but I realized that I'm going to keep doing this blog because I love it. I put my heart and soul into this blog and I'm going to continue to do that. I will not be stopped.

THANKS JANET FOR THESE WORDS..CHECK OUT HOW U CAN'T BE STOPPED EITHER

Just For You-Sam Cooke


Sam Cooke is a very sensitive topic for me because my grandfather loved Sam Cooke. But this song by Sam Cooke is what I want to say to that special person I fall in love with. I'm single but I'm the type that doesn't go to the club to search for that special someone. Even though I very outgoing but when it comes to finding love it seems that I become shy and reserved. It seems like the people in my past didn't feel the same love that I did...but this song is what I want to sing to my future love.

LISTEN TO THESE WORDS

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Happy Mother's Day Mom

A Day before Mother's Day I figured I would do something for my mother. My mother is the reason for me loving music, so this would only be right.

(Moms & I at KNICKS Playoff Game 3)

My mother Ervennia Stanfield, I must say have to be the best mother a son can have. She is my best friend. She is always there for me when I need it. She is the most real person you will ever meet. She is the reason for all my success because of the things she has sacrifaced. She was a single parent raising me while going to school to pursure her education. Now with me being the only child I needed attention, she was the one that gave it to me. As a result, that brought us closer together. I love my mother to death, it's nothing in this world that I won't do for her. I can never repay her, but with her being happy is repayment enough.

Mom I just want to tell you that I LOVE YOU more than anything in this world, you deserve all the happiness and blessings in the world.

THIS SONG IS FOR YOU!!!

The Intruders-I'll Always Love My Mama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA17LOabVGs

Friday, May 6, 2011

TGIF

Friday's Quote of the Day

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"
-Epictetus

(GO FOR YOURS)


(2) Friday's Song of the Day


MY OLD SCHOOL HEADS
(I was in this mood)
Please Don't Stop The Music


MY NEW SCHOOL HEADS
(I was in this mood)
All I Do Is Win

It's the weekend y'all be safe. Remember it's mother's day Sunday...Be Thankful for all our mother's out there!!!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

America

My country has gotten a big victory from the death of Osama Bin Laden on Sunday. He was the mastermind of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. With me being from New York, the attack on the World Trade really took an effect on me but of course music got me through. Now that Osama Bin Laden is dead, our country is now celebrating that he is dead. In my opinion, I can't celebrate about someone's death. I feel that this was a victory for us, now that Osama is killed he has to answer to GOD. However, I understand that many family were affected by this, but celebrating this man's death is wrong in my opinion. 

Now when President Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden was died the first thing I thought about was the Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem at Superbowl 91. Her singing that was so Patriotic, which shows me why I love my country so much.

In closing, I send my condolences to all the families that were affected by the attack and hopefully you found a little sunshine in your life.

There are the songs that were playing when World Trade was attacked:

Whitney Houston Singing The National Anthem (best one)

Various Artists- What's Going On

This is the music that got me through that troubling time:

Whitney Houston- Help Is On The Way

Aretha Franklin- Bridge Over Troubled Water

Michael Jackson & All Stars

Mary J. Blige- No More Drama (Live)