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Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Everything’ll Be Aiight
Current mood: content
I can never fault the way I was brought up or where I come from, for it presented the person I am now.
A bit sheltered, a bit middle class, a bit naive, and all the while allowing and experiencing distractions by all things different, wanting acceptance, just for the sake of living and saying "I've done that"or "been there" . In contrast, when focused on something the energy is intense and I most predictedly win and get pretty much what I want to the befuddlement of others.
So now that I've been able to experience that part which is inherent from the rebellion of my generation, towards prior generations, I've turned into my progenitor when it comes to the younger ones of today. So much for being different!
The latest in how to deal with being an artist...a true artist...and staying above water...hmmm?! Sometimes I have to fight to keep my mouth shut as I'm often asked for advice, but there are no special "fix-its". Everyone is different therefore advice can sometimes be meaningless.
An artist sacrifices all and basically throws himself on the mercy of the court of faith, while practicing his craft. No strings, no harness.
When I did it the first time...it was all or nothing at all regarding music. Mastering technique, coaching with the best, grabbing every bit of study aid for style and learning from the masters and contemporaries, being a consummate musician/singer, etc., but still holding on to the apron strings (admittedly or not), to someone or something else (which I guess for the time was ok).
For survival sake, thoughts of fear, and to end the craziness, I thought maybe I should stop foolin' around and be 'grown up' about my steady paycheck (stepfather talkin' in my head). But while playing grown up with the "suits", I'd always be asked to sing?? Wow! singing in corporate..."but don't you want to hear about the revenue and numbers??"...again, my frustration.
So now because I had attained so much experience, I felt it was time to share and contribute something to someone else...maybe someone younger...or anyone who would listen. But all the while, there was something silently strong within saying, "you aint done yet!...you ARE music!"
So here I am...once again the artist, but this time, I wait for no one to define me - I can't be defined. Just when you thought you had me pegged, I go and do something else...that's just me (Pisces sun, Gemini rising, Leo moon). All that tossing and turning lead me to the place of acceptance I am now.
Although not an avid memorizer of bible verse, one of the passages in Matthew..."Do not worry about your life, etc" during a bout with a troubled mind and only now has become indelible. "All I can do, is Do!"
I think of one of my former students Chase Austin (whom I'm achingly proud of), whose motto comes from Yoda in "Star Wars" (I thought was so cute), "Do, or do not!"...keeping ones mind on "where one was going...what one was doing!" - ( poking the young Jedi). We giggled when Yoda said those words in the "Star Wars" epic, but deep, deep inside the scripted words spoke truth and penetrated deeper, no matter how we wished to laugh it off.
I've learned that all the foibles we get mixed up in are our own thoughts manifest, no matter how crazy and mixed up they may be. How appropo that we can now culturally and collectively (thank you, Carl Jung) recognize this as never before...the age of Aquarius totally (compliments of the nicely packaged "Secret").
I'm enjoying who I am with a quiet force, and finally seeing my contribution and also what greatness there is to come...it scares me a bit, but then, got to shake that off too. For too long I was afraid of what I was truly capable of, but THIS "season" brings me to full confrontation..."Do, or do not!"
So when I hear people try to comfort me when things aren't going great (in my eyesight) saying "it'll be alright", I have to heed those words for I've learned that when people say that, they're meaning "there's nothing further THEY can do", but are casting you to the invisible, spiritual bridge that is defined as "this is where I stop and God takes the rest my friend" - how profound. This in itself helps me bless them with love, because I have to realize that they are at their limitation and recognize that I'm the one taking the lead...their eyes are on me.
I can't turn around, I must move forward and be the faithful one that I was meant to be, sort of like when Indiana (in the "Last Crusade") steps out on what appears to be invisible, but with one foot forward planted firmly on what manifests as a bridge to the other victorious side. When it's all said and done, it was all for the best and yes, "Everything'll Be Aiight"
Cornelius
Currently
listening
:
Funk This
By
Chaka Khan
Release date: 25 September, 2007
MySpace is so cool! Not only do we get to meet and reconnect with cool talented people, but I thought about starting a little artist collective.
So from time to time, I'll be featuring on my page an artist that catches my eye and helps to give a little exposure.
I like all types, and over the years have been known to collect pieces I'm drawn to from artists like Gorman, Erte, Rockwell, and some unknowns like Freddie Jackson (not the singer), Jerome Austin.etc.
Today confirms the time that I used to dread as a young singer studying opera at Hartt College of Music some 20 plus years ago. I always wondered what the world would be like in the future without our fantastic great singers of the post war (WWll) era and hoped I never had to find out!. For these were the singers who started from humble beginnings and studied everyday to become the skilled craftsman we know and enjoy listening to.
Well, today is that day.
For those of you who don't understand Opera: it's history, stories, soap speras or scripted reality TV if you will, set to music in foreign language or english performed by singing and sometimes bad acting...but fun none the less. Once you've seen one or two in their entirety, you begin to be selective with the types of voices you hear. Pavarotti had one of those voices you had to hear again and again.
Franco Corelli, Birgit Nilsson, Renata Tebaldi, Beverly Sills, and now Luciano Pavarotti, have left us, with a hand full remaining (and I dare not mention them).
Now, I'm not going to lie and say I always was a fan of Pavarotti, his voice had to grow on me...kind of like caviar..
For me personally and discovering great tenor voices, Luciano was probably close to the end of the list. Vickers first, Bjoerling second, Corelli, etc. Years ago, I had more of an affinity towards Domingo, primarily because of the warm legato and dimenuendo usage. Can you believe there once was a time when they tried to make rivals out of Domingo and Pavorotti?
Despite all the hoopla about Pavarotti (King of the High C's, etc) during the late 70's, I really didn't discover what made this man so great until I heard a song he sang by Tosti called Aprile and later had to learn the role of Rodolfo in La Boheme ( a role Pavarotti was famous for in the early years). When selecting who to listen to, I went for the best and got his London recording.
I could not describe how perfectly consummate and crisp his singing was and how I had decided that with all the vocal histrionics, phrasing and idiosynchracies of the other guys, he had the technique one should follow!
His was a healthy approach to singing. Clear, focused, and agile...atttained from the Sutherland and Bonynge camp, he took the bel canto technique and ran with it!
One would have to hear ANY other operatic tenor (besides Nicolai Gedda), in a comparison to Luciano singing the aria Una Furtiva Lagrima from the opera "L'Elisir" ...you'd know what I mean...it's like night and day.
The other thing I really admired him for was his non-elitist approach to performing with other popular artists. Very few opera singers (Sills, Horne, Merrill, Farrell, Domingo), gave of themselves to break the "Diva mode" and "Swung" with popular artists of the day. One instance that recently comes to mind was sent to me by one of my friends David Walker with Luciano singing with Grace Jones and Whitney Houston - that was a treat!
I've tried to keep that legacy of inclusiveness as a performer - doing it all, with all! That's who I am, and I took my cues from performers like Luciano.
I once went to Modena where he was born, it was during Christmas and I never forgot the magic I felt being there and getting the sense that the people there must be so proud of him.
It was great watching him grow into heavier roles (e.g. Calaf and Radames) from the light lyric roles he could do in his sleep. I stilll remember very vividly the album cover with him spewing out water from his lips in a swimming pool, his tennis playing time, the 50th Birthday Opera News cover,.the "Yes Giorgio" fiasco (LOL), that Big handkerchief he would always carry ...arms outstretched, etc.
As Chaka Khan would say, The word "Diva" is thrown around quite frequently...more specifically "Real Loose"...and "Divo" has found it's way into our vocabulary because of Luciano Pavarotti, who by the public's standards was a Divo, but personally he was just a man from Modena, Italy.
Like the people of Enrico Caruso's time, we can all say we were lucky to have experienced the Caruso of OUR time.
Luciano, thank you for sharing of yourself and showing us how to do it!
Mantras, Sayings and Affirmations
Current mood: awake
Here's some I've created and received from others, sort of as a testament to my spiritual journey growth...feel free to add a comment as contribution.
Courage - "I am a warrior and I will not turn my back on the batterfield" - Suze Orman 6-17-07
Love "Good ammunition is love of self" 7-8-07cw
"Don't be ashamed of loving openly and freely - let your love flow...no apologies, no regrets" 8-14-07
F.E.A.R - Face Everything And Rise - Nailah 8-5-07
No worries - Think Straightforward and disregard the "What-Ifs" -cw
Faith - it's where God lives
Common Sense "If one person tells you "You have a tail" - You may not look around...If 3 people tell you, You'd Better Take A Look!" - rb
Faith - "God does not allow the other shoe to drop" 6-15-07cw
Universal Love - Remain in tandem with the direction of the Universe and keep a clean and focused mind. 7-15-07cw
Letting Go - "Surrendering does not mean giving in, it is ackowledging and accepting your power" 7-20-07 O. Winfrey
Frustration- "Don't get caught up in the competition game...Just do you!"
Ills and Dis-eases Forgive, Let go..."I am healed by the spirit of the Christ within" - 7-22-07
Confrontation - You cannot remedy anything by fighting or condemning it. Other people can't bring you down if you're operating on a higher energy level. NEVER respond to hate with hate. If you feel that those around you are bringing you down, its because you're joining them in their low energy. Stay on a. high note! God is Love Rev Run 8-28-07
Love Relationships- "Find someone who comes closest to you loving yourself" 8-4-07 cw
Focus - I repel the doubt, fear and negativity of others , say no to distractions. 7-31-07 cw
Enlightenment - We are all representations of others' belief systems. The "awakening" comes when you chose to discover those thoughts and behaviors that carry you joyfully and successfully to your higher level.
8-5-07
Accepting your Blessings - "Favor: Far and Beyond" J. Osteen - May my supply far exceed the request. 8-5-07
Favor - Guilt has no place when receiving a blessing - Dance, giggle, revel and give thanks for your divine favor 8-5-07 cw
It is indeed possible for everything to go God's way 8-15-07 CW
Happiness - "Search for a better feeling" - L. Hay 8-5-07
Achievement - Success is not intentional, nor should it be a surprise when it occurs...it is planned and prepared for." T.D. Jakes 8-5-07
Sharing - "Offer support and passion for someone else's dreams" 8-5-07 cw
Criticicism - "Shake it off" - Osteen.
Guilt - Time is too precious for cancerous guilt, be happy in your choices -No regrets. 8-31-07 cw
Mental Cleansing - Entrench the mind with pleasing and creative images 8-5-07
Friendship - "If someone does not offer you support, shelter or money, they are NOT sent from God" - Bishop E. Bernard Jordan 4-15-07
Appreciation - Create an accounting of Spiritual love, acquaintances , and frienships. Develope a lexicon of what position these entities play in your life and thank them - for they can do no more than what they are blessed with. 10-21-07 CW
Stale Relationships - Be aware of people offering "Dead Promissory Notes" 8-5-07 cw
Ending Relationships - Just because a person is negative for you, does not mean the person is "Negative" - They just do not belong in your current space and/or never should be in your space at all - Reason and a season. cw
Bless them and move on...People in your life have the right to learn and "grow" away. 10-20-07 cw
Accept the people that come to your life for a reason and or season.
Compassion - Evaluate those around you, know that the one you love the most, can hurt you the worst, and the briefest of encounters can have the most lasting effect. cw
"See the common denominator of good in everyone"8-4-07 cw
Patience - The person ahead of you has everyright to be where he or she is at that moment. Your turn will come. Universal Law 8-15-07 cw
Words - We have the graceful blessing of manifesting into existence that which we speak. Therefore, think carefully before you speak. cw 10-22-07
"Be Impeccable with your word". Don Miguel Ruiz Meaning don't say things you don't mean, or make promises you can't keep.
Why does truth hurt so much? As we mature there is a desperate need for alleviating the pardon my expression "Bullsh*t". Why hide behind masks and facades? So much time is wasted...things never having been said, etc.. Everything can't be candy or agreeableness, for that matter.
Simon on American Idol...ever since the first season always resonated with me. He always said what I was thinking (not necessarily the way I would say it, but...) and what mostly all contestants needed to hear from a person who's successful in the business. People wanna be nice; so do I (and I can be quite polite), however the most resonant times in my life (in all that I can remember) are the times when people, family and friends had a 'sit down', tell it like it is (with love) exchange...all else is pure 'nicety'.
Tears may come, but you know deep down inside...I need to hear this! I think if we listen, our lives carve out more productive pathways. But instead, we say to ourselves..."Oh, I'll forget that"..."They didn't mean this, or that"..."no big deal" etc.
I've often been accused of being blatantly honest or too strong for someone to understand...saying what's in my heart with eloquent execution (sometimes to protect myself or to wake some one else up). Never attack, but to say what annoys...why let things bother you.
In theater, me and my colleagues used to snicker or "tee hee" at someone getting burnished by a 'certain famous choreographer" (who shall go nameless). But in retrospect, the core issue was a truth...that was missing in order to get the beauty out! To tell someone that there's a broken connection in the bridge they're traveling, a quicker way of doing something, that they've hurt you... or just telling someone they have toilet paper on their shoe!
I dont know what tomorrow holds for me, but let me live my life lovingly, passionately, respectfully and truthfully...say your say.
Oh! I've always loved this song...I think I first heard it when I was 16 or so and in love...it's called "La Costa" and it's sung and written by Natalie Cole. It has the overall musical feeling and description of my true personality and the things I've listed below.
Sunrises... ( and listening to Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloe") blue skies with warm breezy mornings The sound of birds in the morning Nights with stars Someone who listens intensely Someone who gets what I'm saying with very few words The beach at night Ample bank account balances Skylines Bay Views Freedom Shopping when everyone is at work Applause at a performance Respect The feeling of singing good strong notes A thought or saying that elevates me to a higher level Being rested Fighting the good fight Casual lunch in the afternoon where you sit outside Black cherries Suede shoes and kier royales A Brazilian rhythm Airports Foreign cities Analyzing movies, and philosophies Conversations and laughter with friends, or strangers Orchestrations Music by Puccini The chorus "Va Pensiero" from G. Verdi's opera Nabucco Locating a good stylist or barber who knows when I want to talk and when I just want my hair cut. The ability to place a smile on a skeptical face Grey Goose and Chaka Khan Chaka Khan singing Leontyne Price singing Marilyn Horne singing Shirley Verrett singing and acting Maya Angelou speaking Listening to Cornel West Leonard Bernstein talking about music Streisand's "Je m'appelle Barbra" CD Listening to videos of James Baldwin speak about anything Free flowing garments The smell of new leather An ethereal well mixed house music beat Jaguars Frankincense and Myrrh The Dunhill Man and Burberry London fragrances The look on a musical conductor's face when you've executed common musical ideas (like the one's Leonard Berstein used to make). Working with others toward a progressive common Good.
The Positive and Negative of things
Current mood: awake
Category: Friends
From "Positive Energy," by Judith Orloff, M.D.:
Certain people give off positive energy, others negative. It's the quality of someone's being, a measure of love with which they've led their lives. It also reflects the inner work they've done, their efforts to heal anger, hatred, or self-loathing, which poison us like toxic fumes. Energetically these linger, precluding joy from shining through. It's important to grasp, however, that once you undertake the process of healing, it changes the quality of even the negativity that remains. Don't be too hard on yourself-we're all works in progress.
SIGNS OF POSITIVE ENERGY IN PEOPLE + They exude an inviting sense of heart, compassion, and support. + You intuitively feel safe, relaxed, wanting to get closer. + They emanate a peaceful glow. + You feel better around them. Your energy and optimism increase.
SIGNS OF NEGATIVE ENERGY IN PEOPLE + You experience a sense of being demeaned, constricted, or attacked + You intuitively feel unsafe, tense, or on guard. + You sense prickly, off-putting vibes. You can't wait to get away from them. + Your energy starts to fizzle. You may feel beleaguered or ill.
I'm a big fan of being proactive in generating positive energy. The First Prescription's formula for success: Do whatever makes your inner light burn brighter. In other words, try to treat yourself and everyone else with love. It's a constant process of tuning in: finding people who support your spirit, trusting your gut-centered decisions to guide you. Then you won't end up in a relationship that looks right but feels wrong. Or miss the chance to meet a loving man or woman because he or she doesn't fit some preconception. When you're with trying people, aim for the high road; find common ground, rather than inflame negativity. The care with which you approach life is intuitively evident in your energy field. We can feel each other's love: that's the great attraction.
Angela Bofill
Current mood: hopeful
Category: Music
As my first Blog, I think I would like to just pass on the information regarding singer Angela Bofill. Although she's suffered a massive stroke http://www.angelabofill.com/ she is still with us. I thought it would be cool to let people know where donations could be sent. I'm sure any amount would be appreciated and what with us losing influential people in the music industry all the time who can't afford good health care, etc. well, the choice is up to you.
At least we can say we tried to help...there's no excuse.
I know what Angie means to me, but I just hate when the headlines read of an artist's demise and people say "Oh NO", "When?", "they were the bomb" yadda, yadda, yadda. Let's show the love now. Fans can send cards, letters and donations to:
Live At Night P.O. Box 1140, Maplewood, N.J. 07040 Checks payable directly to Angela Bofill.
C
Currently
listening
:
Angel of the Night
By
Angela Bofill
Release date: 05 June, 2001
content
artistic
and helps to give a little exposure.
thankful
awake
annoyed
hopeful
