A Day Like No Other

Today was the day. We finally got our day. Today was the day we all got a chance to say "No More Excuses". Barack finally got his day to enjoy the fruits of his (and our) grassroots efforted labor. I asked my 77 year old grandmother, "Did you ever imagine this day would come? She said, "You know baby, I really didn't". There are millions of reasons why older generations could never fathom a day like today. As for us twenty and thirtysomethings, with our cynical ways, our gadgets, our progressive ways of thinking, change has come. We must have imagined it was possible. If not, would today have even happened? Well, won't have to wonder anymore, because it has. What we'll have to wonder about this election and everything it represents will continue to change and inspire us all.

What's TLA been up to? I've had a chance to cover a show for the Inquirer on four time 2009 Grammy nominee Adele and Ledisi in the past few weeks. I even got a chance to interview Anthony Hamilton. He's nominated for a Grammy for his duet with Al Green "You Got The ove That I Need". Anthony is a very funny to say the least. Got myself into journalism school too. Times are a changing, and not just for Barack either. I'll continue to keep you updated on the happenings.

In honor of Barack, I'll leave you with this vid. Power to ALL People.

I'm Ready To Go Right NOW

John Legend is a true performer. His show this past Friday at the Tower Theater was fabulous. Everything was perfect. More than his band, the system in the Tower was working splendidly. With a voice like his, all creamy raspy Frank Sinatra like, with some Nat King Cole sprinkled in for good measure, having the proper acoustics is essential. It just so happened that his band did happen to be phenomenal. He had a three piece horn section that killed it the entire show. He must have went into someones Black Lilly-esque event in Detroit or something to find that trio. They were high energy the entire show and they sang. Not sing, saaaaaaang. I have to go pick up some copies of the paper today, but in the mean time, here is the link that ran in today's Philadelphia Inquirer if you want to check it out.

Unfortunately, Raphael Saadiq's show opening performance didn't go over so well. He looked great, sounded good, but the crowd response wasn't there. I think people wanted to hear some more old stuff. Not that his new old sounding stuff isn't cool, but I think if he may have dug in the crates more, people would have been into it. The crowd seemed to jam the most when he did "Dance Tonight", his single with the group Lucy Pearl.

I know one thing, the appreciation I had for seeing those guns when he took off that sharkskin suit is ling-er-ing! . That brother is in goooooooood shape.

Johnny has been on my brain since the concert. You get two for one goodness on "Greenlight". Andre 3000 is the man.

It Never Rains...

...in southern California. A metaphorical song about love using rain? Can you beat that on this rainy Sunday? Tony, Toni, Tone is one of my all time favorite groups. Their 'House of Music' is one of my favs. Lovin' You? What?!! Loves it.



I finally got some new music and picked up John Legend's 'Evolver' and Esperanza Spalding's self titled debut 'Esperanza'. I'm still giving both a good a listen. Sometimes with new purchases, I tend to listen to the songs that catch my ears on repeat then give the others a chance. Esperanza gives me that bossa nova type vibe a la Astrud Gilberto with a bass guitar. John Legend is John Legend. I've always found the combination of his voice and lyrics captivating. Almost like a positive spell being cast on me. I think he could sing peanut butter and jelly over and over and I'd like it. Speaking of Legend & Saadiq, I'll be reviewing their show this Friday with Raphael Saadiq for the Inquirer. I'm a big fan of Saadiq and hope he sings the cuts I love from him as a solo artist and with Tony, Toni, Tone. I still rock to Instant Vintage. Often. In the mean time, I'll leave you with one of my favorites from him. You know you used to sing it...




One mo thing. I got Ledisi's disc last year from the program director at a radio station and really liked it. If you havent heard of her check out this vid from a recent performance. Then get the disc.

Ledisi singing "Use Me"

Thanks Anthony Hamilton & EWF

You gotta press play on the vid to read this... (but only if you believe that dreams can become reality)




You ready for some big news? I just came back from picking up the newspaper. Actually, I picked up six copies. Six copies of todays, November 17th, Philadelphia Inquirer. For my Philly friends, go pick up a copy. Section D. Page 8. Why you ask? Today marks my debut as a freelancer for the Philadelphia Inquirer! Not only do I freelance for the Inquirer's Image section (nothing published-yet) but also for Arts & Entertainment. Thats how I got over to the music section and the opportunity to review the Anthony Hamilton concert. The details will come, but for now, share my excitement. For those not in the area, here is the link.

Yeah baby!

Change, Made Me Wanna Hustle-Pt. Uno

First, press PLAY and let the music take you through this post.

Yeah I know the Donald Byrd song is Change-Makes Me Wanna Hustle, but I'm way past that. Change made me want to hustle. I'm living with, in, and on my changes and it feels sooooooooo good. I quit my job to make more time for writing. I got an excellent freelance gig (I'll save that for next time) to add to the mix too. With all my changes, I'm hustling hard, but living happier for sure. You'll get filled in on the details soon becaues I'm in the middle of composing what will be my 'updated because I've been away so long post', so just hold on a little while longer.

In the mean time, be thankful for the change and chance I hope most of us took last Tuesday. If you are thinking like me, I hope Barack will be the man that can continue to keep us all as politically ignited as we've been this year and on board the change train. In the mean time, I'll leave you with this vid. I wish it were a more interactive video, but right about now, the lyrics are just hittin me. Change, nothin' stays the same....



Back soon. For REAL this time.

I Didn't Forget

I'm waiting to tie up a few more loose ends before I make some BIG announcements! Big as in HUGE life changing type stuff. I'll be back...

Its Coming

Things have been HAPPENING in TLA's life and I'm long overdue with filling you in. Everytime I said I would post, something else would happen and the list kept (and keeps) getting longer and longer for news. But now that things are settling down I'll be back after these commerical messages....

Until then, be on the lookout for me to talk about day job changes(YES ITS FINALLY HAPPENING!), what I've been up to on the writing grind, my vacations, movies, music, and the fantastic old school Hip-Hop show I went to in Central Park on Friday! Somebody say hooooooooooooooooooooo! Stay tuned!