halloween music edition #2

Happy Halloween! The day is here. Last night I attended a successful movie night, where 28 Days Later and then Blair Witch Project both made an appearance. It brought back fond memories of seeing Blair Witch at Dobie when it had just come out and I was in high school. I remember some guy sneezed into his popcorn at a pivotal scene and the p. corn flew EVERYWHERE and I pretty much shit my pants.

I'm excited about dressing up tonight but it's weird how there was a period when dressing up was awesome, then lame and embarrassing, then lame and boring, and now somewhat awesome again in the right setting. Have fun tonight, whatever you do. Don't hand out any Mounds, those things are gross.

To celebrate this eventful day, I have selected the craziest representation of Halloween I could think to show you. Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Let's not play. This is one crazy mf-er right here. I mean, he actually performed a song in his shows called "Constipation Blues." I really don't need to say anything else.

Jalacy Hawkins (already a baller with that name) became Screamin' Jay in the fifties, when he started recording songs. His biggest hit is from 1956 with "I Put a Spell on You." Legend states that he wanted this song to be a ballad, hence the slow and deliberate music you hear in the background. But guess what? Everyone in the band, including Jay, got totally wasted and recorded it in a near-blacked out state. Jay is beyond inebriated while he's singing, but it actually works in his favor. He grunts and moans and shouts and giggles and it sounds totally tight and makes the lyrics darker and tighter, in my opinion. I'm sure this song would've been awesome as a ballad, but we wouldn't have been blessed with this gem had Jay not wanted some libations on that fateful day.

Perfect song for Halloween. Little bit spooky, little bit crazy. Get you some and be safe tonight, playas.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You

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Sookie SOOKIE!

For those of you that need some groove tunes to get through work, or to play while you're getting ready for a night on the town, I hereby recommend Grant Green.



Sookie Sookie was originally arranged by Steppenwolf, but Grant Green's version is for feeling ALLLLRIIIGHT Y'ALL.

Check Your Pulse: Wilson Pickett, I'm In Love

Guaranteed to get your blood pumping. Let's get real y'all, I am FEELING this.



BONUS, another outstanding version performed on Soul Train

Otis Redding, Miss U

Something I've been thinking about lately is how I can't believe Otis was only 26 when he died in a plane crash. Here is a video of his last performance, filmed the day before he died. Don't plan on discussing this with me unless you own stock in Kleenex.



BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER, Y'ALL. LIVE EVERY DAY LIKE YOU'RE OTIS.

halloween music edition #1

(Don't worry, I'm not posting "Thriller.")

How can it already be Halloween? Seriously. What are you going as for Halloween? Last year I was Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka. This year I'm going with Frida Kahlo after nixing my Ravi Shankar idea. Not quite ready to gender bend yet! The countdown to Saturday is on, so I thought I would provide you with some Halloween-ish tunes to get you amped.

Obvi, Francis Albert Sintra is a baller of his time. High waisted trouser pants need to make a comeback on dudes. This guy has like a million Grammys (approximately) and even won an Oscar. Beyonce only wishes. Sinatra started singing in the thirties with some swing guys like Tommy Dorsey. I listen to XM 40s on 4 in my car on the regular and I die when some Dorsey comes on. It's the best driving-to-work-early-in-the-morning-station. ANYWAY.

During the forties, Sinatra was king. I remember my grandmother saying one time that she always had a crush on Sinatra. Probs because of those blue eyes. Lady killer! He made an easy transition to sort of a swinger-type persona in the fifties. Hello, Vegas. During this time, he recorded "Witchcraft." THIS RELATES TO HALLOWEEN, GET IT? I really like Sinatra and I don't really like being scared so I want to make this Halloween Music Edition 2k9 #1.

Frank Sinatra - Witchcraft

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brenda and the tabulations

In 1967, Brenda Payton was performing in her group Brenda and the Tabulations out of Philly. Tight band name? Yes. She was a tight singer with a unique voice that was backed up by the sweet harmonies of three dudes. How tight is this lady? They released a song called "Dry Your Eyes" that basically makes me want to weep. It reminds me of how many amazing soul songs continue to lay untapped out there in the world.

I listened to this song today randomly and wanted to share it with you. It's a really nice cold day song, and by that I mean get the cab sav out, put on your s. pants, and find a channel showing Maury. It's time to get crazy!

There is no way I would not slow dance to this if asked. Also, please look at their loose hands in the picture above. LUVIN' THAT.

this kid knows his mj

I just can't help but post this video. This little kid totally upstages this SOB stilts clown. I mean, big time. How good of a dancer is this kid? I want to know who taught him so I can immediately sign up for lessons. At first, I felt a tad icky about him doing the crotch MJ move, but somehow now I'm alright with it simply because it's mind-blowing. How old is this guy? He really knows his Michael Jackson moves. Someone get Hollywood on the phone, or at least TLC for a special.

EDIT: I just watched this again and realized a few things. One, it makes me extremely happy inside my cold heart and two, his dad is wearing a Bluetooth.

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bad professional names

These days, we could all use a good LOL. It's just too bad, so sad that sometimes it comes at the expense of others. Check out these poor souls whose parents decided it would be funny to do something cruel. Names like this never work, people! MAYBE it's funny for the first five seconds, and then you realize what you've done. Trauma.

Behold Jan ASSMANN. Tight.

Poor Sally! Because as we all know, kids can be really cruel.

I voted for Dick Ball.

Good thing I can trust Ben Dover.

I have a question, Professor Fuck.

source

tight person of the day: gwen mccrae

DUHZ. Gwen McCrae is such a total and complete baller. Why have I not posted about her before? The point is: it's happening now.

Gwen was just hanging around, singing in clubs in her home state of Florida. In 1963, she met a sailor named George McCrae and they got married immediately. Like, I'm talking within a week! George must've been wearing Old Spice. They started recording together as a duo. They were doing their thang, when they were "discovered" in 1967 by another ultimate baller, Betty Wright. They really hit the big time after that.

While still performing together, George recorded his own stuff. Gwen decided to have a go at it and recorded "Rockin' Chair" in 1975. Can we say smash single? This shit hit #1 on the R&B charts and is still one of the best songs I've ever heard EVER. How steamy? I love the way she is singing. Towards the end, she gets real sensuous. So tight.

Gwen and George broke up, but the music lives on. Also, Gwen is still out there making sweet desserts for your ear holes. Enjoy this tune with a nice glass of wine. You deserve it! It will get your hips a-movin'!

Gwen McCrae - Rockin' Chair

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Big Top Cupcake

If you don't want to buy this, I don't know who the f you are. I would Sophie's Choice my kids for this.