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Monica - Before You Walk Out of My Life

Wow. This song brings back memories.

Whitney Houston Still Has It

I know it is en vogue to make fun of Whitney Houston's downfall but that woman has a gift from GOD himself. My mom always says that a gift comes without repentance. That used to annoy me but I think I get what she meant by it.

Anyway, you have to applaud a woman who still sings all of her performances LIVE flaws and all. Everytime I hear her voice, I get a little teary-eyed.

Check out a recent moscow performance:

 

 

I Wish I Were A Little Bit Taller. . .

Remember that song by Skee-LO. It was a huge hit circa 1995.

Have you ever felt that if something was just a little different about you, your whole life could change?

Have you ever been in a public area and seen a child throw a tantrum and look to the heavens and say, "I WISH I were this child's mother so that I could shake the devil out of him/her?" LOL. Kidding. NEVER SHAKE A CHILD. . . in public. LOL

At what point do you stop wishing and MAKE IT HAPPEN?

My Goals for the remaining year:

1. Work out at least 3x per week.
2. Eat more FRESH fruit and vegetable.
3. Pay off credit card.
4. Win the LOTTO! Create sound financial plan to accomplish goals.
5. Go on a date!! A REAL ONE! LOL
6. HIRE A MAID!!! Outsourcing in this sense is good thing America!

What is on your wish list that you want to MAKE happen this year?

Jennifer Hudson Is Still In Demand - Winnie Mandela

My fellow Chicago native Jennifer Hudson will star as Winnie Mandela in a new biopic. She also has a Christmas special on ABC to air in December.

Looks like things are finally looking up for old Jenny from the Block. Plus she has this adorable muffin to look after.

 

Blogging Is So Like Exercise. . .

. . .it's so hard to start back up after a long break, but it feels so good after you're done.

**WARNING**This post is filled with odds and ends.

I completed my semester. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 "A's" and a "B". One more semester people and it's a wrap.

Was at the grocery store and saw the foxiest sixty-ish year old woman alive. She had on a fur coat, mini-skirt, high- heels, and a head wrap. I wanted to yell at her, "Momma, you betta weeerrrkkk!!!!"

Where is Usher? Why isn't he singing songs? I am so sick of these new R&B guys with whiny voices and no abs!!!! LOL!

I am really feeling working out at the "real" gym. Since school is out, I am gonna try to go more than twice a week.

I was gonna do a post about the "Michaeljacksonfication" of Sammy Sosa, but every time I look at this picture, I get grossed out.

 

So is Vivica Fox dating 50 cent again? If so, why? Didn't he totally diss her on Howard Stern or something?

Anyway, what's up in your world?
 

Yesterday by Toni Braxton featuring Trey Songz

At dinner prior to the concert, a waitress told us she had gone to the Trey Songz concert. All at the table looked quite puzzled but none asked the obvious question, Trey who?

Well, apparently, he is big enough to be featured along side head diva herself, Toni Braxton.

Take a listen.

 

 

The Maxwell Concert in Dallas. . .

was AMAZING!

Must rib a friend who has twice chosen tickets in the NOSE BLEED section of venues but once the music started all was forgiven.

Chrisette Michelle started off. Her voice is amazing. I like her songs. She needed more stage presence but the opening act usually gets no love. She could not use the large screens so she was a tiny dot from our seats. LOL

Common was up next. He seemed to do like a million sings but he was good. I was never interested in seeing a rap artist live. I mean all they do is hop around and say what? Common was very audible. I could understand his words and he is cute. I could actually see him because he was able to use two of the screens.

 

Next up MAXWELL.

The first words out of my mouth were. My GAWD! LOL

I was not prepared for all the sexiness at once. lol

And that VOICE. He has come along way from that skinny dude in the shiny pants circa 1996. I still remember that.. .but I miss the hair :(

I appreciate that Maxwell seemed to be really enjoying himself and the crowd. He also gave an encore performance of Ascension. (I think that was the song) He came back again just to thank the crowd, introduce the band, and thank the crowd again.

I have only been to gospel concerts except for an Isley Brothers on back in the day. This show was really good.

I know fellow blogger Jazzy was there. I would love to hear her perspective.

I Can Do Bad All By Myself - A Movie Review

I liked it. . .that is all.

LOL.

I saw ICDBABM at the Studio Movie Grill which in itself is quite an experience. Not to be a stereotype but there is something about hot wings at the movies that is conducive to conversation.

Back to movie review!

Love him or hate him Tyler Perry gets a formula and milks the heck out of it. Down trodden woman. Check. Abused children/childhood. Check. Handsome working class man to save her and religious conversion. Check and check.

The actors:

Taraji P Henson plays crazy oh so well. I can still hear her voice ringing in my ear, "Joooooodddddyyyyy!!!!!" (Baby Boy 2001)

Adam Rodriguez is the cutie from CSI Miami but this movie had me thinking, Where in the world can I get a Colombian handyman.OMG, he says this line in the movie that nearly had me in a puddle on the floor. It wasn't the actual words but his delivery that had me thinking, is this really how men speak. Really? Am I that much out of the loop, that I have forgotten.

I won't tell you what it is. See the movie first and see if it jumps out at you the way it did me.

The Music

Mary J Blige is the TRUTH! I owe Mary and apology for saying that Mary trying to hit a note is like being blindfolded aiming at a pinata. Sure she is in the vicinity but 'll be doggone if she keep missing that thing. LOL

Mary sings the title tune ICDBABM that had me wanting to give her a standing ovation.

Marvin Winans and Gladys Knight did their thing but who would expect anything different.

I do have one point of contention. It is the sore thumb that always sticks right out in a TP film that makes me wanna give up on them - the obligatory Color Purple rip off scene!

Why Tyler? Why!!! It always brings the movie to a screeching halt. But hey, his dime, his drama.

If you have seen it? What do you think? And um, where can I find a a Colombian handy man? Help a sista out.

Mashonda VS Alicia Keys

If you haven't heard, Alicia Keys is in love. . .with another woman's husband. (Allegedly)

Let me fill you in. This goofy looking producer Swizz Beats was married to Mashonda. They recently had a son together. In comes, AK playing the piano all over his heart and leaving Mashonda and baby Swizz in the cold.

Well, Mashonda did not let sleeping dogs lie. She wrote an open letter to Alicia Keys and posted it on Twitter(the extended version):

On Saturday 26th September 2009, @MashondaLoyal said: reply After having a great evening with my son and enjoying some fun twit chat, I decided to sign off and get some work done. However, a few hours later I was advised that I should check @aliciakeys twit page. I've never reached out to her on twitter before. I feel our issues are a lot more serious than a website conversation. Not to mention that I've reached out to her many times in the beginning of this whole thing, as any wife would do. Unfortunately, I never succeeded in getting a response. The 1st time I meet AK, my husband introduced us to each other at an event. ( I have no choice but to call him my husband, until he is not anymore) In the messages that I sent to her (AK), I made it very clear that on the contrary of what she might be hearing, I am still married to my husband, living with him and just had a child. Its been two years and I still have not received a response. What I do receive, is constant displays of selfishness and disconcern to me and my son

When I first heard this info, I did not want to believe it. I was just starting to like Key's music. I bought her "I Am" cd. I thought, wow, another conscious sister with pipes . . .just like. . .Lauryn Hill.

Just like Lauryn Hill, it appears Alicia Keys has "Fallin'" (pun intended) for another woman's man.

I DON'T GET IT.

On the outside these women seem to have it all - talent, beauty, success. You would think this would qualify them to get a man of their own. Why, oh why would you wanna share a guy? 'Cause you know they both were sharing him for a period of time. Guys don't always bathe regularly (or floss) so they may have been really sharing him. LOL

Karma is a female dog. We see how well it turned out for Lauryn Hill.

Rachel Brown - A Music Review

Singer Rachel Brown's team sent me a promotional CD a few weeks ago to share with my readers. I listened to it all the way through and put it aside. I listened a second time for a critique and put it aside again. I listened a third time as part of my iTunes mix to see if I liked the music. After all, I wanted to give my open honest opinion before I shared this with you guys.

1. Rachel Brown has a good, big voice.

2. The CD grooves.

3. The lyrics are honest and meaningful, I really like that.

My faves: 

#6 Spend The Night

#8 Where Did We Go Wrong

There are some points of constructive criticism I would like to make.

Like:

1. Too much voice. It's as if someone is singing with the mike too loud and the music too low. As I mentioned earlier, she has a big voice. IMO, her big voice sounds great but lacks nuance. Wow me with the subtle, sweet tones before going to the big crescendo.
2. The production is poor in some places not all. I used to intern with a burgeoning record label, I also recorded with a gospel ensemble a few years ago. The issues were similar.
3. Too many songs, not enough cohesion. Also the same problem with my other experiences mentioned above. I know what it is to get excited with something new and want to include everything on the plate. When you glob it all on, none of it is too appetizing.

I bet she kicks butt live, though.

But hey, what do I know. I will ask that you guys take a listen and drop your opinions in the comments. Thanks. Thank you to Israel Charles of  CEO Urban Music Group for sending this over.

www.rachelbrownlive.com

www.myspace.com/rachelbrownlive