“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.” ~ Natalie Cole
With songs like “Inseperable,” “Our Love,” and “This Will Be,” Natalie Cole’s career spans over several decades. For her contribution to music, she’s highlighted this month during Black Music Month.
Natalie Maria Cole was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of crooner Nat King Cole and former Duke Ellington Orchestra singer Maria Cole. Raised in the affluent Hancock Park district of Los Angeles;[1] regarding her childhood Cole has referred to her family as “the black Kennedys” and was exposed to many great singers of jazz, soul, and blues. At the age of six Natalie sang on her father’s Christmas album and later began performing at age 11. To read more, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalie_Cole
Surprisingly, the Los Angeles-born entertainer did not plan a career in music in spite of a family environment that would have made it a natural choice early on. Although she did sing with her father on a 1956 Capitol recording (“I’m Good Will, You’re Christmas Spirit”) at the tender age of six and appeared on television with her father on a couple of occasions, Natalie had determined by her late teens that she would pursue other interests. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1972 with a B.A. in child psychology and had it not been for some performing during her summer break at college, Natalie’s life might have taken another direction. To read more, go to: http://www.soultracks.com/natalie_cole.htm
Ronald Isley and the Isley Brothers have been making music for over 40 years. With hits like “Contagious,”“What Would You Do” and “Busted” and classic hits like “Between the Sheets,” “Choosey Lover” and “Summer Breeze,” The Isleys are like fine wine, they keep getting better and better with time. Men know if they want to make up or romance their lady, putting in an Isley CD will help set the perfect mood.
I got a chance to speak with Ronald Isley about his album – “Baby Makin’ Music” and right before he started serving time. My favorite part of the interview is when he sang “Happy Birthday” to me.
Shelia Goss: You had a health scare last year, so I know the first question a lot of your fans want to know is how are you in terms of your health right now? Ronald Isley: I’m real good now. I stay with my doctor’s appointments and do everything I’m supposed to do.
Shelia: Who came up with the alter ego Mr. Biggs? Ronald Isley: Myself and R Kelly
Shelia: How do you spend your time when not making music? Ronald Isley: I spend my time around a lot of music. In the summer time I like fishing and I like hunting.
Shelia: Did you go deer hunting? Ronald Isley: Oh yes.
Shelia: Did you catch any? Ronald Isley: No I didn’t. Well not this year, I didn’t.
Shelia: I’m a long time fan. Two of my all time favorite slow jams is Between the Sheets and Choosey Lover. Ironically, your new album is called Baby Makin’ Music. If you ask me, all your music is Baby Making music (smile).
So tell me, who all did you work with on this album? Ronald Isley: I worked with R Kelly, Jermaine Dupri, Tim and Bob, Troy Taylor, etc.
Shelia: What are some of your favorite songs on the new album? Ronald Isley: I didn’t do but 11 songs. Of course I like the duet that me and R Kelly did together–which is the next single. Troy Taylor’s songs. He wrote “Just Came Here to Chill” and he wrote a couple of other songs I really like. Tim & Bob did the only two fast songs and of course the ones by Jermaine Dupri and the others.
They tried to capture the character Mr. Biggs in the songs so that was kind of fun.
Shelia: Did you record the album at one time? Ronald Isley: Bits and pieces. I would do so many things in Atlanta, GA, then California, or in Chicago. It took us about a good year to do the album.
Shelia: In your opinion, what’s the difference between the love songs from say the 70’s & 80s and the ones being made today? Ronald Isley: With a good love song, there is no difference. For example, a love song that Alicia Keys wrote would remind you of some of the songs we did early on. She’s in tune to the [music] that was done before her.
There’s not a whole lot of difference. Some songs would be considered better than others.
Shelia: Who are some of the new music artists you listen to? Ronald Isley: Alicia Keys, R Kelly, Musiq Soulchild, Mary J Blige, and D Angelo.
Shelia: You have longevity in the music industry. So many have come and then you don’t hear from them again. As a veteran, what kind of advice would you give anyone who wants a career as an R & B singer? Ronald Isley: If you love what you’re doing, it’ll show through your music. If you have a blessing from God, than honor that blessing. You can go as far as you want to go.
Shelia: Do you plan on going on tour later this year? Ronald Isley: Once the album [Baby Makin’ Music] is out, we’ll be ready to go 2 or 3 months afterwards.
Shelia: What’s one thing your fans don’t know about you that you’re willing to share? Ronald Isley: A lot of people don’t know how religious the family is. That’s one thing that I’m willing to share and that I want them to know about me.
Shelia: Is there anything else you would like to add? Ron Isley: I’ll think of something as soon as we hang up the phone (smile). Just keep your faith in God and love what you’re doing. We put a lot of love in our music.
Shelia: It comes across—listeners can feel the love—songs like Choosy Lover and Between the Sheets and some of the other songs—I can listen to it today or years later and still get the same feeling when I hear the songs. Ron Isley: That’s great.
For the entire month of June, besides talking about books, I’ll be celebrating Black Music Month.
Spurred by the songwriter and record producer Kenny Gamble, President Jimmy Carter in 1979 designated June as Black Music Month.
I am kicking off the feature with songstress Chaka Khan.
Chaka Khan (born Yvette Marie Stevens, March 23, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter best known for such hit songs as “I’m Every Woman”, “Ain’t Nobody”, “I Feel for You” and “Through the Fire”. She sang a modernized theme song for the popular children’s TV show Reading Rainbow in the show’s later years. Khan was featured vocalist in the funk band Rufus with hit songs, “Tell Me Something Good”, “You Got The Love”, “Once You Get Started”, ‘Sweet Thing”, “Everlasting Love” and “Stay”, before launching a solo career. To read more, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaka_Khan.
I have so many favorite Chaka Khan favorites, but will post my top 3 here. What are some of your favorite Chaka Khan songs?
Highlighted today are five of my favorite female groups from the 80s & 90s.
TLC
T-Boz, Left Eye and Chili were the group to beat back in the day…they were hip and they were trendsetters. Left-Eye is missed. Chili got her own reality show. I’ll save my comments until after I’ve seen the 2nd episode.
EnVogue
This was probably one of the best girl groups of the time. When this group broke up it shocked everyone. I would love to see a reunion CD with all the original members.
Klymaxx
We all paused when we saw a group of women who not only sang but played all the instruments in the band. Whether they were singing “The Men All Pause” or my other favorite “Divas Need Love Too” Klymaxx is one of my top favorite groups from this time.
Xscape
These Jermaine Dupree proteges were hip and could sang their butts off. This is another group I hate broke up. Tiny’s been in the news because of her famous rapper boyfriend TI and one of the other ladies has been doing well as a songwriter. This is one of my favorites-Am I Dreaming – a collaboration with the group Ol’ School
Mary Jane Girls
I had to add this group because me and high school friends performed one of their songs in a talent show. I thought I was grown.
Honarable Mention – Total
Members want to go solo. You hear maybe one CD and then nothing from them or the rest of the group. That’s been the fate of quite a few of the groups out from this period.
Who are some of your favorite girl groups from the 80s and 90s?
Be Careful What You Ask For by Kimberla Lawson Roby
3 Word Review: revenge, oh-no-he-didn’t, lessons
About Be Careful What You Ask For:
New York Times bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby returns with this delightful sequel to The Best of Everything, in which the infamous Reverend Curtis Black’s beautiful daughter, Alicia, is all grown up—and headed for trouble of her own
Her first marriage didn’t work out, but that isn’t going to stop Alicia Black, the privileged daughter of the charismatic Reverend Curtis Black, from getting what she wants. One month after her wedding to her second husband, she can’t believe her good fortune. God has heeded her prayers, blessing her with Pastor JT Valentine, a handsome, dynamic man of the cloth with his own large congregation, just like her father.
Unfortunately, Alicia doesn’t understand just how much like Curtis her new husband truly is. She doesn’t know that JT has been sneaking around town with other women—or that he only married her to get close to her father’s money and fame. But while Alicia is blinded by love, her dad certainly isn’t. He warned his little girl that JT simply can’t be trusted. After all, it takes one to know one, and who better to see into the darkness of a sinner’s heart than Curtis?
It will take a miracle to save the day. But God acts in mysterious ways, and soon a host of lies, longtime secrets, and acts of betrayal comes to light, and Alicia must face some very crucial and life-changing decisions. This time, she’s got to be careful what she prays for. . . .
Tender to His Touch by Adrianne Byrd
3 Word Review: chemistry, reunion, series
Tender to His Touch:
Hollington Homecoming Queen Beverly Turner is pulling out all the stops for her ten-year reunion. The trendy designer’s first order of business is to let loose and have some fun. And her wish just might come true when she meets Lucius Gray. The hunky, high-powered Atlanta attorney is looking for the same thing she is: a sexy fling with no strings.
Lucius needs a time-out from his workaholic life, and the chic, sensual designer more than fits the bill. Like Beverly, the single father has been burned by love. But Beverly is arousing feelings that are making him long to turn their sizzling affair into a lifetime of passion. If she’ll let him, he’ll give her the happy ending she deserves and prove to this unforgettable woman that there is life—and love—after college….
Sleep No More by Susan Crandall
3 Word Review: intense, thriller, nice
Sleep No More:
The night was always Abby Whitman’s enemy. As a young girl she walked in her sleep, and one night, she started a fire that scarred her sister for life and left Abby with unbearable guilt . . . and a loneliness that echoes within her. Now Abby has begun blacking out again–with apparently fatal results. A car accident has killed the son of a prominent family. Even though the evidence seems to exonerate her, Abby is plagued by doubts–and soon by mysterious threats. Psychiatrist Dr. Jason Coble is intrigued by Abby and offers to help her explore the dark recesses of her mind. Through this terrifying journey, Jason’s interest turns to passion, and he yearns to give her the love she craves. But first, Abby must trust him–and shed light on secrets that will rock this Southern town and reveal a danger that threatens them both.
Whitney Houston – The Deluxe Anniversary Edition is now available.
I think there’s a song to fit every situation. Besides books and film, music is another one of my passions. If you want to set the mood for a romantic evening, you can’t go wrong with any of the songs I mention below. I can listen to a good slow jam any time; whether I’m in a relationship or not in a relationship.
Congrats to New Orleans Saints for making it to the Superbowl. It’s been hard concentrating on work because everyone here is so hyped.
Yesterday, I featured my favorite three New Orleans Saints hotties and got an email from someone saying I missed one. Well, I didn’t forget. I was going to mention “the man” today and that’s #9–Drew Brees. I dedicate “What a Man by Salt N Pepa” (listen below) to the Brees.
The whole state of Louisiana is cheering our home team on. The parties have already started. With Saints pep rallies, African-American parades, Mardi Gras parades, the Super Bowl, etc. I don’t know if anyone is going to get any work done until Wednesday.
Here’s my Super Bowl Saints Jam Pick for today. Originally I had a list of several songs, but decided to just list this one.
Have a good weekend everybody or as we say in Louisiana, “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).
