The Approaching Dawn: OSF Songs that Inspire

When you listen to this 1975 hit by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes it appears that nothing has changed in 35 years. In many ways that is true as we look around and see all that is wrong in society.

However, there is also much work that is being done under the radar including a rising tide in advocacy and social change. Many of the participants include both male and female feminists, youth from the Joshua or Hip Hop generation, churches and non-religious community organizations.

Don't Sleep Through the Revolution!

I'm Tired Now but Y'all Go 'Head On: OSF Songs I Detest but Know All the Words

Sometimes too much of a good thing either makes you sick to the stomach or just too tired to take it anymore. I ain't tryin' to slow anyone else's roll, but for my own sanity, these are a couple of songs that I initially enjoyed but really don't want to hear for a few more decades:

I Gotcha:



Don't Worry:

Old School Friday: Freshman Year High School

The lyrics say it all:"I needed someone to understand my ups and downs; You were better to me than I was to myself; I want to stop and thank you....How Sweet it is to be loved..."

Otherwise, I never could have made it. Grace and Mercy.

1st Things 1st, Cuddling: Old School Friday

Several Isley ballads come swiftly to mind i.e. Voyage to Atlantis, For The Love of You,etc. but they remind me more of "baby-making" music. What about "fore-time"?

I chose to go with this Luther selection because cuddling, like the experience of being smitten, captivated, enamored and in love - heightens the pleasure of such things. 1st things 1st.ROMANCE!!!



The music of Angela Bofill, the Latina Diva, born to a Cuban father and a Puerto Rican mother also for me, sets a great mood and atmosphere:




Learn more about the Old School Friday Meme here:

Caught Up: Old School Friday Prom Songs

I thought I had expert knowledge, but had no idea of what life was about during my prom days. Being "caught up" but not "caught out there" is nostalgic. It is also an act of grace. Thank God.

You Got Me Goin' In Circles:



Can I?

Original Version



Later Version

Old School Friday: Turning Point

What cha' Gonna Do For Me by Chaka Khan was released in 1981, year of my baby's birth causing me to look at life entirely different than I ever had. Can't forget the song, the year, the new birth.

Overlooked not Unheard:OSF First Date Songs

One of its greatest and most talented singer/songwriters is seldom mentioned in conversations concerning the historic heyday of Motown Music. Brenda Holloway, whom soulpatrol.com describes as:

taking some time out, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, during the late 60's to remind Black women that regardless of whatever is happening in the streets, whatever laws are going to be changed, it is in fact the Black Woman (and NOT the government), who is going to set the Black man free.

One reason for her underexposure may be because she commuted between Los Angeles (her place of birth and residence). It eventually became burdensome, yet she did avoid the hard partying of some of her company colleagues. She retired from music at age 22 and eventually wed a minister after lax promotion by Motown and disdain for the party life. You can find her discography at Soully Oldies.

I remember slow dancing to this sultry and sexy Brenda Holloway cut mingled with pain and anguish at a 1960s party as a young teen. One of my first.

Ask Me! The Diva of Divas: Old School Friday

Real beauty NEVER FADES.Nowhere is this more in evidence among female entertainers than in Nancy Wilson aka "Sweet Nancy, The Baby" and the "Fancy Miss Nancy."

Born in 1937, she has blessed us with seventy-plus magnificent albums, and received three Grammy Awards to date. Although she prefers the title of song stylist, she excels artistically as a singer of blues, jazz, cabaret and pop. She has also been described as a "consummate actress" and "the complete entertainer."

There are two things about Nancy that are striking to me. Her unfading inner beauty matches her remarkable physical attractiveness. But additionally, her internal and external elegance, grace, and symmetry remain as fine and lovely today as when she began her career many years ago.

Bad Choices: OSF Going On Your Own

The desire for independence and the casting off of restraints or constraints can end up with promise (as in Abraham's looking for a better country) or disappointment as in the case of the prodigal who had to return home.

Philippé Wynne (born in Detroit and raised in Cincinnati)began his singing career as a gospel singer. He switched to R&B, singing with Bootsy Collins's Pacesetters in 1968 and with James Brown's J.B.'s shortly thereafter. Wynne then starred as the lead singer in the popular R&B group The Spinners, joining them in the early 1970's replacing his cousin, G.C. Cameron.

After a number of top-selling albums and singles with the Spinners, Wynne then launched a solo career, but it was not nearly as successful. He then garnered a measure of success again as he joined George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic around 1979. He performed with them on several recordings, and was a featured vocalist on the Funkadelic single "(Not Just) Knee Deep", as well as continuing his solo career which produced the album Wynne Jammin' in 1980, though he never regained the super stardom he had enjoyed with the Spinners.

This song by The Spinners epitomizes bad choices that not only artists make, but all of us make in life:

How Could I Let You Get Away, When I Knew I'd Need Somebody Soon?


With Gene Dunlap:(One of my all-time faves!)
Something Inside My Head


The Solo:
Can't It Wait Til Tomorrow?

All in the Family:OSF

Family by Hubert Laws with Debra Laws on vocals:

One of my favorites, Hubert Laws, Jr. was born in Houston. Many of his siblings also entered the music industry, including saxophonist Ronnie Laws and vocalists Eloise, Debra, and Johnnie Laws. According to Wikipedia, he began playing flute in high school after volunteering to substitute for the school orchestra's regular flutist. He became adept at jazz improvisation by playing in the Houston-area jazz group the Swingsters, which eventually evolved into the Modern Jazz Sextet, the Night Hawks, and the Crusaders. At age 15, was a member of the early Jazz Crusaders while in Texas (1954-1960), and he also played classical music during those years.

This is our home and this is our country. Beneath its soil lie the bones of our fathers; for it some of them fought, bled and died. Here we were born and here we will stay.

Paul Robeson

Youtube video by: Jazzyman 63

Evolution and Revolution: OSF In the Mood

I am in the mood for revising the landscape of my home and creating an urban garden. But I feel even more inspired to take on some new personal challenges and spread out into new spiritual and intellectual areas.

Evolution of self prepares one for revolution of the world.
Anthony Samad

Flowers by The Emotions


Youtube video by max1xxx

Impossible Tasks: OSF Greatest of All Time

Coming up with an all-time top ten greatest hit list may be less formidable, but to limit the selection to one song is not possible. What criteria would one use?

I picked two selections which epitomized the greatest movement in history - the Civil Rights/Black Power movement. These songs and the movement were significant in changing our collective mindset, provided a positive sense of self, and improved black images. This collective psyche has since been transcended by middle-class privilege and a culture of violence and misogyny.

The Impressions:



James Brown:

My All-Time Fave, Bar None: OSF Soul Train

I don't know what it is (not really true), but no single entertainer grips my attention like Jody Watley, who began her career on Soul Train at age 14 and became one of the most popular dancers in the show's history. Still going strong as both a performer and entrepreneur, she was influenced by the legendary Diana Ross, and recognized an innovative and influential trendsetter.

This performance, while not from a Soul Train appearance, typifies what I see:

Pressing Towards the Mark: OSF For Grey Days

When things have not gone particularly well, the church says Press On Towards the Mark. Eddie Kendricks repeats the same pearl of wisdom in a slightly different linguistic approach.

I Already Know: OSF Baby, Baby, Baby

I ain't even got to research this one. "Baby" is an old school term of endearment that unlike other generational language, has lasted and is still a part of current usage. After a week off, I will continue my Motown emphasis on each week's theme. Here are three favorite old-school "baby" songs:

The Supremes: Baby, Baby Where Did Our Love Go?


The Four Tops: Baby I Need Your Lovin'


Smokey Robinson and The Miracles: Ooh Baby, Baby

For Grown Folks: OSF Graduation Songs

Some things are for select company, a specific niche, or a rare breed. My youngin' friends may not get this, but there are some choice bloggers who can go way back in the day and ruminate on these classics.

Walk On By by Isaac Hayes



It's Your Thang Do What You Wanna Do, The Isleys



Last Dance before lights come on - slow and up close:
Baby I'm For Real: The Originals

Cool & Copasetic: OSF Bloggers' Choice

I am not ready to get back into the grind, being still maxxed out emotionally, so I am going to chill out on "Smooth" like the following until next week:

PEOPLE MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND: wordless version by Ronnie Laws



WILDFLOWER: by New Birth

"Everybody Say Yeah"! OSF Stevie Wonder

I had to choose Fingertips because of the preacher-like call and response routine of "Everybody Say Yeah"! But also because it is reminiscent of the music and parties of my pre-adolescent days. Stevie, displaying his genius on the harmonica and bongos, was an inspiration to many of us children during this historic period.

Old School Friday..."The Man With The Voice of an Angel"

Back Down Memory Lane took me to Eddie Holman, dubbed by Smokey Robinson as "The Man With The Voice of an Angel." Eddie was molded by the Philly soul scene, singing with The Delfonics and The Stylistics. This solo recording in 1970 was a remake of Ruby and the Romantics' originally "Hey There Lonely Boy."