I don’t think I’ve had so many smiles or so much laughter this week. Thanks
for all the appreciation. I can’t stop smiling, and just decided that I’m gonna
keep being me (sans headaches, that is).
I decided I’d ask a couple of questions last this week, just to stir up some
questions. I think I had a mini-revolt going on in instant messaging, which
is hilarious, even when you’re trying not to laugh so hard while working.
The two main questions I asked, which I am now bringing to the general public,
are:
1. What’s your favorite Hall and Oates song?
2. What’s your favorite Stevie Wonder song?
I’m gonna try to keep a general tally of the answers, so put your thoughts in.
I could tell you mine, but they’d change twice a day, trust me. But hey, I’ve
got things for you right here that should make you smile
Old
School Wednesday: Seeing Clearly Part II.
01 – EX Girlfriend – Searching To Find The One. This cut was
first released by Unlimited Touch, but not being able to find their album in
time for this OSW was cause for me to think about dropping this cut all together,
but then I remembered this remake of the song that was a spot-on remake of the
classic hit (and of course, the executive producers of their album being Full
Force didn’t hurt either), so it fit right in. Then I had this song in my head:
02 – Intro – So Many Reasons, because even though their debut album went
gold, and Kenny Greene was a consummate writer, it was always his voice and talent
that got me, as
it did the last time (right, Will)?.
May he rest in peace. But that was always a nice segue into the very first release
from a particular band,
03 – Mint Condition – My Dear, that was an awesome track off of an
awesome soundtrack to a not-so-awesome movie, Mo’ Money. Besides, I had to tease
someone.
The song reminded me of something along the veins of….
04 – Al B. Sure! – Touch You, which was one of those songs off of the
second album, Private
Times and The Whole 9, that, upon my first listens, made me sit there and
wonder what he was trying to accomplish. The more and more I heard it, the more
it stuck, primarily because of the background vocals and unique arrangements.
And then I thought I’d start asking a
couple of
people some questions, which brought up this track:
05 – Stevie Wonder – As. All I ask you is to not blame me for swaying
back and forth at work, okay? And then we went back to 1980, for….
06 – Seawind – What Cha Doin’. See, there’s this guy named Qamar, who’s
shown nothing but appreciation and the more and more we talked about Seawind,
the reminiscince of George Duke’s produced album Seawind, conjured up this top-20
R&B hit. Awesome stuff. The horn arrangement from this setup had me think
of…
07 – Sheila E – Loverboy from Sex Cymbal, which had a tight horn arrangement,
coupled with the percussion arrangement, and guitar solo. And yes, I had a crush
on her when I was in high school. Don’t hate me. Since I was feeling instrumentation,
I slowed it down a bit with…
08 – Joe Public – Anything, which also had a solo, a little scratching,
and a little rapping, with a couple of hip-hop nods in the back. [EDIT] This
also brings me to the following question: in this track there are three vocal samples played
continuously through the song. I recognize the second and third one, but I’m drawing
a blank on the first one that according to Godizus, the vocalist states, "one
of a kind, it shocks your mind." Does anyone, anyone know where that sample
comes from?! It’s driving me crazy! [/EDIT] Then, since the vibe was slowed
down a little, I thought that I’d pull this out…..
09 – Gina Thompson – The Things That You Do (Bad Boy Remix). I don’t
know if people remember this remix but it has Gina, along with Missy rapping,
112 doing background vocals, and even Puffy in it, just when Bad Boy was starting
to take off. I remember hearing this track and having it on cassette. Twice. But
then, I thought about three vocalists,
10 – Jade – Every Day Of The Week, off of Mind,
Body, and Song. The album was their second, and final,
effort together. Of course, when I’m still getting IMs from three
more
people and
thinking about the OSW I reach back and pull out….
11 – Daryl Hall & John Oates – I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),
because some dude named KB told me it was essential. But then, you know, I had
to pull something else out again that was fits perfectly into this tune, and
it had to be played…..
12 – Lee Ritenour – Is It You? You see, back in 1981, this had to be
one of the pop and R&B songs that had to be played. I even had this song
on 8-track, I’m not afraid to say. But then, back in 1985, living down south,
this track…
13 – Mary Jane Girls – Shadow Lover was played every single
night on the quiet storm. From Only Four You. But
then I had to go back and liven it up with….
14 – Rude Boys – Heaven. I’m still of the opinion that they’re one
of the understated vocalists back then, as was….
15 – Jevetta Steele – All In Time. Remember Baghdad
Cafe? A particular track named Calling You? Well, that
a capella track made me find this
album especially since her brothers and sisters The Steeles,
Prince, and Levi Seacer, Jr. graced this album as well.
Enjoy it.
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