Spread My Wings- ULTIMATE TB of the Day

Simply put.. this is my favorite song of all time. This song came out when I was in the 8th grade. This was the first time I ever connected emotions with a song. Anyone who truly knows me knows how I feel about this song. I bought the cassette at least 5 times and bought the CD twice. I remember actually following this song on the radio countdown shows and this joint hit #1 for 2 weeks.(Yes i did that a lot..lol) This was a coming of age song for me and although I have always loved music this sealed the deal with me FOREVER. In many ways this song is still applicable in my life today. Troop has had hits prior to and after Spread My Wings but none quite measures up. While I have a lot of favorite slow jams, songs, albums, artists.... SPREAD MY WINGS in the ultimate song and my favorite of ALL TIME. I have no doubt you will enjoy this

Peep the lyrics:
Verse I

I've imagined faces of many lovers
To ease the pain of having no one
In My Life..
And i'm tried of being undercover...
It's time to Navigate my feelings tonight...

Hook:
The sky is calm
The stars are bright.
What's better than to be in flight..
I'll relax my mind
And be at ease....
and let this journey
Set me free
Set me free..

Chrous:

I'll Spread my wings
And fly away...(away)
To a place.. that I long for.
And my heart will be...the pathway..
I'm searching for a love
That 's ever more...

verse II

I've oftened wondered how'd i managed..
Always seraching, but, not finding a true heart..
What does it take to find me a lover..
I'm hoping that I dont' have to fly..
to far...

Hook:

Cause the sky is calm
The stars are bright..
And what's better than
to be in flight..
I'll relax my mind and be at ease.
and let this journey set me free
Set me free....

(Repeat Chorus)
(ad-lib till fade)

Am I a Playa??????

Today at church my pastor announced that the "singles ministry" will be starting soon and asked all the single folk in the church to stand. So I stood and when I sat back down the lady that was sitting beside me asked me why I'm single........................now this lady DOES NOT know me at all but has been coming to my church for some time now... I told her the right one just hasn't come along yet. I don't why she felt so compelled to continue to grill me about why I was single. First she asked how old I was, then she asked if I was straight..(I'm answering these questions because I'm in such awe that she's asking them) and if I had a job and was educated. She then proceeded to tell me that I shouldn't be single and there must have been a problem and I was probably a pimp player(HER WORDS)... now I'm like WTF?????? so I shrug and open my bible and try to get into the service. I'm replaying her questions in my head and all the while I'm getting upset because I'm feeling like this stranger just told me "I was a problem" so after benediction I told her that I was somewhat offended at her line of questioning because it made me feel that she was telling me that something was wrong with me............this joker laughed.. and then said that wasn't her intention at all and she was just wondering why a handsome young man such as myself was single. After the compliment I let my anger subside....lol.....and I said that I appreciate it and that there just aren't that many women that are of the caliber in which I like around this area. She said she agreed and didn't mean any harm...

But as I drove home I replayed that convo in my head and it made me wonder does being 29 and single(unmarried) makes "something wrong with me".?????? I came to the conclusion..........HELL NO.....then this song came on the Ipod and I had to laugh

NE/Charlie Wilson Concert Review

First let me say I had a great weekend.... I really miss Greensboro.. maybe one of these days I'll get the opportunity to move back...on with my review....

Charlie Wilson
As many of you may know I wasn't all that excited about seeing Charlie Wilson.. I knew he could sing but I hadn't heard much about his album and just figured he'd be filler until NE hit the stage. I have never been more wrong in my life. First Name Charlie Last Name Wilson TORE up the stage. I mean he sang and danced he performed brilliantly. Of course he had to break into a few Gap Band classics. The crowd went crazy when he broke out "You Dropped a Bomb on Me" and "Outstanding". His highlight performance for me was his new single called "No Words". He sang his heart out on that and vocally he was fantastic. I had to get that joint off Itunes on Sunday.

New Edition
Where do I start. They were amazing. They did most of their biggest hits (with a few noticeable omissions) and their solo hits. I think they danced the entire set as they transitioned through songs. I hate to single out performances because they were all great but Can You Stand the Rain and Ricky Bell singing When Will I See You Smile Again were just on another level. They went through A Little Bit of Love is All It Takes, Count Me Out, Cool It Now, Mr Telephone Man, Boys 2 Men, and My Secret. Solo they did Sensitivity, My My My, Poison, Do Me, and When Will I See You Smile Again. I wish they had done Is This The End, With You All The Way and/or Lost In Love but I won't complain. They ended their set with If It Isn't Love.

Michael Bivins was clearly the most "winded" of the group, but he fell out of rotation to wipe his face several times but jumped right back in not missing a beat. I LOVE old school acts... NE and Charlie Wilson really left it all on the stage

If New Edition comes to town please check them out...you will not be disappointed

In other news...thanks C for showing me a great time in the boro....the pottery thing wasn't so bad........lol PF Changs was great as was the downtown spots. I think the hashbrown casserole from Cracker Barrel was the highlight...LOL

New Edition 6/16

I know what you are thinking... why in the world is a 29 year old man so excited about seeing New Edition. Well simply because I grew up off of New Edition. I know all of the songs and I have most all the mp3. They are nostalgic and still relevant as their influence and position as a premier R&B group is still intact. I remember I use to sing "With You All The Way" and "Lost in Love" like it was going out of style. The turning point for me with them came in 1988 with the release of NE Heartbreak.I didn't particularly care that Bobby Brown left the group b/c I felt he never contributed to why I liked them. I was in middle school at the height of this albums popularity. Can You Stand the Rain remains my absolute favorite and I think every song off that album was a hit. Of course the 90's came and they spun off into solo acts and they even had more success. NE was and is the prototype for any group that tries to come after them Below is a classic NE joint that EVERY BLACK PERSON knows...lol

Me and My Crazy World

I was a big Lost Boyz when they first came out and I do consider their first CD Legal Drug Money a CLASSIC. Although I wasn't feeling their second CD Love Peace and Nappiness.. Me and My Crazy World (from that CD) was that HEAT for REAL...

Enjoy

Black Men United

I remember back in 1994 all the notable male singing acts of the time came together for a song entitled "You Will Know" for the Jason's Lyric soundtrack. It was an interesting mix of singers- Brian McKnight, Keith Sweat, Tevin Campbell, El Debarge, Usher, R. Kelly, Gerald Levert. Male groups were representing too- Boyz II Men, H-Town, Silk, Mint Condition, After 7, Portrait, etc etc. It made me think about how sorely lacking the R&B game is for successful male singers and how a project like this could never be made in 2006. Either there arent any commercially viable singers available or they just aren't vocally as talented. What a sad state of affairs. I will be glad when R&B shifts away from the Hip Hop heavy influence and TRUE singers get back into the fold.. I won't hold my breath though

But check out the video below.... note Tevin Campbell outsinging everybody and watch the look El gives Tevin after that first riff...lol.. you will also see D'Angelo at the keyboards with his mic off.... Usher also tries to get his riff on. I use to have a jacket like Joe is wearing...This is a live performance but it doesn't appear rehearsed at all... but I bet it was incredible to witness live though

College Days Swifly Pass.......

I attended and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro(UNCG). In speaking with a friend last night we went through some of the good times, funny moments and how much the school has changed since we graduated. I know a couple of G folks read this blog and hopefully it will make you laugh and remember the good times and those who didn't will get a laugh off a few of these...

• For all my Fall 94 folks.. going to the Turtle Club, Capital J on the 1's and 2's. Not sure how much longer the Turtle stayed open after 95.
• It was NOTHING to hit up a pre-dawn@ the Turtle
• Everybody on campus had a copy of My Life, Flava in Ya Ear, Big Poppa, and Wu Tang Clan
• The Dogwood Cafe on campus was EVERYTHING
• Seeing the cafeteria workers trying to holla at the female students
• Getting treated like crap at Chik Fil A(maybe that was just me..lol)
• White folks trying to catch a tan on 70 degree day
• White folks playing in the snow/ice.........black folks watching from their windows
• Nobody had really NICE cars....everybody had the point A to point B cars(nowadays it's nothing to see a 745i parked on campus)
• Your declining balance was depleted after 2 trips to the C-Store or two months into the semester.. which ever came first..lol
• Paying $4 for Ben & Jerry's didn't seem so bad
• Knowing people's business without knowing the person(the black community was pretty small at G until around 96 so just saying.. "the dude with the big ears" would've sufficed)
• Getting kicked out of Grogan Hall by those mean ass RAs(the one that had a twin was THE WORST)
• Witnessing the influence of fraternities on women(yes I'm talking jumpoffs...lol)
• Realizing that I didn't make many friends outside of the people I knew prior to college
• Laughing at the basketball players(who thought they were the ish)
• The white Sigma
• The white Kappa
• Trying to get signed into African American studies (cause those classes filled up rather qucikly)
• I didn't go to class if it was raining(that is inclement weather to me)
• Parties in the Cone Ballroom(it think it might have held 500 people) were always packed
• Tate Street was scary to me as a freshman
• Thanking God they changed the financial aid check procedure.... around 96 it when to a simpler automated process and check were in your mailbox
• Hating to go to your mailbox at 12pm
• Black folks still sitting together in the Caf
• Watching Jerry Springer in the Caf before your 10 am class
• After you skipped that first class it was so much easier to skip the rest
• NIGHT OWL.................that is a post into itself
• Taking folks (or folks taking your) clothes out of the washing maching/dryer
• You could always tell when midterms/finals were around because girl would retreat to the snatchback and baseball caps
• Thursday night was still all about Martin, Living Single, and NY Undercover
• UNCG making the NCAA Tournament back to back(giving Duke a run for their money in the first half )

I could go on.... but I'll stop here and revisit later..lol.. feel free to add some of your memories whether you went to G or not...

Kick Push, Kick Push, Kick Push, Coast

This song has been on the heaviest of rotations on my Ipod as of late. This is a new joint but for me it harkens back to a time when i loved rap music. I think his voice and the music on this track is great. If this is the "new" direction of rap music I fully support this dude.

Mama Used to Say

I can't even believe this was 1982.. it seems so much later... but in looking at this video.. looks was not an issue for artists in the 80's... Dude swears he is dancing in the beginning of this video.

Despite the corniness...this song is CLASSIC!!! and a great throw back for the day

Throwback Toy

I think everyone at some point had a Rubik's Cube. Unfortunately I could never figure it out. My sister could figure it out in 10 mintes. I had to peel the colors off in order to make it whole(lol). I remember having a smaller key chain version and it use to get taken everyday at school. This damn toy occupied many hours of my time. I may go buy one for nostalgia sake.

Angel

The lyrics of this song REALLY speaks to how I'm feeling right now...Aretha sings it with such passion and longing..It felt like she peeked into my soul for 4 minutes and 29 seconds

"Gotta find me an angel, to fly away with me
Gotta find me an angel, ooh and set me free
My heart is without a whole, I don't want to be alone
I gotta find me an angel in my life, in my life
Too long have I loved, so unattached within
So much that I know that I need somebody so
So I'll just go on hoping that I find me someone
Find me an angel in my life
In my life



I know there must be someone, somewhere for me
Oh I lived too long without the love of someone
And there's no misery ooooooh oooh like the misery
I feel in me, gotta find me an angel in my life
(He'll be there now don't you worry)
My life (keep lookin and just keep cookin)
My life (she'll be there, now don?t you worry)
My life "

20 Questions 6/7/06

1. Will Black Cinema ever have a run of good movies like the 90's

2. Why is the Ipod the greatest invention since the walkman?

3. Is Rhianna the new Beyonce?

4. How will Kobe feel if the Heat win a championship?

5. Why is hip hop targeting Oprah?

6. Will this southern/crunk stuff die?

7. Will someone please bring back R&B?

8. Will Martin ever be released on DVD?

9. Why do I have the complete series of Soap?

10. Why is it so damn funny?

11. Remember when black comedy was actually funny instead of sexually explicit?

12. Remember when Brandy, Monica, and Aaliyah were going to be the "next"?

13. When is the "Coldest Winter Ever" gonna be made into a movie?

14. Who in the world could play Winter?

15. Why are they gonna make a New Jack City 2??????????????

16. Where is Maxwell?

17. Remember when Snoop Dogg was relevant?

18. Are there any quality female rappers on the scene?

19. Why do I watch the Five Heartbeats at least once a month?

20. Do people play board games anymore?

Artist of the Day: Babyface

I saw this list on a message board I frequent and it was someone's personal ranking of Babyface songs.. I never knew he had so many. I don't agree with this ranking at all but I'm too lazy to rank them myself(althought I did bold a few of my faves).lol.. With all these songs Babyface should be PAID. Enjoy

100. Nothin (That Compares 2 U) - The Jacksons
99. I Wanna Love Like That - Tony Thompson (the only collaboration between super producers Babyface and Teddy Riley)
98. Long Way from Home - Johnny Gill
97. When You Believe - Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey [from "The Prince of Egypt"]
96. The Day (That You Gave Me a Son) - Babyface
95. Why Does It Hurt So Bad - Whitney Houston [from "Waiting to Exhale"]
94. Slow Jam - Midnight Star
93. Never Forget You - Mariah Carey
92. Let It Flow - Toni Braxton [from "Waiting to Exhale"]
91. Rock Bottom - Babyface
90. Truly Something Special - After 7
89. Boys & Girls - Tony! Toni! Toné! [from "Soul Food"]
88. All Night Long - SWV [from "Waiting to Exhale"]
87. Lady, Lady - Babyface
86. Have I Never - A Few Good Men
85. Feels So Much Better - Johnny Gill
84. Tears - The Isley Brothers
83. Until You Come Back - Whitney Houston
82. Every Time I Close My Eyes - Babyface
81. One Night - After 7
80. You Are the Man - En Vogue [from "Soul Food"]
79. Something in Your Eyes - Bell Biv DeVoe
78. You Said, You Said - Jermaine Jackson
77. Good Enough - Bobby Brown
76. Secret Rendezvous - Karyn White
75. Diggin' on You (L.A.'s Live Mix) - TLC
74. There U Go - Johnny Gill [from "Boomerang"]
73. Roses Are Red - The Mac Band
72. Sunshine - Babyface
71. Try It On My Own - Whitney Houston
70. Love Saw It - Karyn White featuring Babyface
69. Rock Steady - The Whispers
68. Gotta Learn My Rhythm - Damian Dame
67. And Our Feelings - Babyface
66. Why Do I Believe? - Pebbles
65. Queen of the Night - Whitney Houston [from "The Bodyguard"]
64. Last Night - Az Yet [from "The Nutty Professor"]
63. Pretty Girl - Jon B
62. Soon As I Get Home - Babyface
61. Love Shoulda Brought You Home - Toni Braxton [from "Boomerang"]
60. 'Til You Do Me Right - After 7
59. Give U My Heart - Babyface featuring Toni Braxton [from "Boomerang"]
58. Let's Get the Mood Right - Johnny Gill
57. Whatever - En Vogue
56. Breathe Again - Toni Braxton
55. You Mean the World to Me - Toni Braxton
54. Never Keeping Secrets - Babyface
53. Red Light Special - TLC
52. Always in My Heart - Tevin Campbell
51. Rock Wit'cha - Bobby Brown
50. Water Runs Dry - Boyz II Men
49. Another Sad Love Song - Toni Braxton
48. Miracle - Whitney Houston
47. For the Cool in You - Babyface
46. Seven Whole Days (Live) - Toni Braxton
45. Take a Bow - Madonna
44. Count on Me - Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans [from "Waiting to Exhale"]
43. Where Is My Love? - El DeBarge featuring Babyface
42. Humpin' Around - Bobby Brown
41. The Way You Love Me - Karyn White
40. Backyard (Outta the Hood Remix) - Pebbles featuring Salt-N-Pepa
39. Superwoman - Karyn White
38. Heat of the Moment (Remix) - After 7
37. My Kinda Girl - Babyface
36. On the Line - Michael Jackson [from "Get On the Bus"]
35. Every Little Step - Bobby Brown
34. Exhale (Shoop Shoop) - Whitney Houston [from "Waiting to Exhale"]
33. Two Occasions - The Deele
32. Baby-Baby-Baby - TLC
31. Sittin' Up in My Room - Brandy [from "Waiting to Exhale"]
30. You're Makin' Me High - Toni Braxton
29. It's No Crime - Babyface
28. A Song for Mama - Boyz II Men [from "Soul Food"]
27. Where Will You Go? - Babyface
26. Can We Talk - Tevin Campbell
25. Roni - Bobby Brown
24. Fairweather Friend - Johnny Gill
23. Exclusivity - Damian Dame
22. Dial My Heart - The Boys
21. When Can I See You - Babyface
20. Not Gon' Cry - Mary J. Blige [from "Waiting to Exhale"]
19. Whip Appeal (12" Version) - Babyface
18. I'm Your Baby Tonight - Whitney Houston
17. On Our Own - Bobby Brown [from "Ghostbusters II"]
16. Sweet November - Troop
15. We're Not Making Love No More - Dru Hill [from "Soul Food"]
14. Tender Lover - Babyface
13. Right Down to It - Damian Dame
12. Someone to Love - Jon B featuring Babyface [from "Bad Boys"]
11. Love Makes Things Happen - Pebbles featuring Babyface
10. I'll Make Love to You - Boyz II Men
9. I Care 'Bout You - Milestone (K-Ci & JoJo, Kevon & Melvin Edmonds, Babyface) [from "Soul Food"]
8. I'm Ready - Tevin Campbell
7. Can't Stop - After 7
6. Ready or Not - After 7
5. Giving You the Benefit - Pebbles
4. Girlfriend - Pebbles
3. End of the Road - Boyz II Men [from "Boomerang"]
2. My, My, My - Johnny Gill
1. Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown

You Can't Call Nobody....

Enjoy

My Rant of the Day

*Clearing throat*

An experience recently with my nephew brought on this "flashback" if you will. When I was in 6th grade I had an experience that has managed to stick with me, not just as a memory but it affects my thoughts/actions on "bad behaviors". When I was in 6th grade I was in a class with about 15(6th graders) and about 10 5th graders(it was a combination class). The black fellas in the class were James, Nathan, Andre, Joel, and myself. In elementary school these were the trouble makers...(Andre not so much but I'll include him) imagine my face when I walked in on the first day of class... I had NO friends in this class but I knew who they were and they knew me (but we weren't friends)So I get the seating arrangement and where am I sitting..you guessed it.. in a corner slot with Nathan, James, and Andre. It actually turned into a pretty good experience they were actually pretty funny and thought I was cool too..even though I was constantly called a nerd..lol.. I usually got the higher grades among all the guys and most of the girls. I was well liked in the class and the teacher adored me. Well one day Nathan, Joel, Andre and James were talking about this motorbike program that they participate in afterschool.. this type of conversation occured quite often so I told them I wanted to ride motorbikes too and asked how do I sign up. They said I have to talk to Mrs Foster(the teacher). So after school I told Mrs Foster I wanted to sign up for the motorbike program..................She looked me square in the face and told me that I couldn't participate b/c the program was for "AT RISK" children and I wasn't AT RISK... I stood there in shock for 2 reason 1) I couldn't believe she told me NO and 2) I hadn't a clue what "at risk" meant ...lol.. so eventually explained it to me as I getting visibly upset..so for the remainder of the school year I had to sit near these dudes talk about a fun program afterschool that they participated in......for essentially being "bad". I mean they would get sustpended, get their names on the board, fight other students, and not even come to school but still got to ride motorbikes. I was so very tempted to act a fool too so I could become "at risk" but unlike them I knew what waited at home for me so that was not an option. This situation has remained with me ever since. I think its a shame that "we" reward kids for bad behavior but do nothing really for the kids who stay on the straight and narrow. Many of the good kids likely turn bad b/c clearly it pays to be bad. Kids who do well need just as much if not more encouragement to continue on that path. I'm not a psychologist or parent or any authority on behaviors but that just didn't make sense to me. Growing up in my house bad behavior was rewarded with a switch or belt or constant talking(which I prefer the belt). I can't beleive that I'm still somewhat biter over this... but it felt good typing it out... LOL