the burning büshe

2011 Year-End Review - The Year of the Voice

2012-01-01T13:15:00.004-05:00

Hey Everyone!

I can’t believe we are back here already at the Year-End Review. This year of the Goddess 2011 was quite a year. Looking back in my mind’s eye January seems like a lifetime ago, but here it is coming around again. I also realized that 2010 was so action packed that I never even finished giving you all the highlights! Well you don’t have to worry about that for 2011.

I sent out an email early in the fall about what was happening to me, but it seems that some people didn’t get the memo. So I am going to wrap this year with the written word and with a short video so that everyone is clear. I know how much you all like visuals and I also know attention spans have gotten shorter. But some of you, like me, still like to read so I’ll do both.

So here is my 2011 Year-End Review. Enjoy!

January
I was so excited about 2011. In November 2010 I was asked to join Burnt Sugar in Paris to do the James Brown songbook and Sugary take on Miles Davis’s Bitches Brew. My friend Ian Friday convinced me to extend my trip and take blaKbüshe back to London. That was the best idea ever! London and Paris are so close it was be silly of me not to head back and see my UK folks. I have missed them so much as I hadn’t been back since 2007. That alone was crazy, but it is what it is.

The month kicked off with the American Candy: The History of Sex show and all the while I was also rehearsing with the Sugars to get ready for the Paris trip.

January seemed like it was just a run up to all that I had going on in February, but January was amazing as well. That month I stared writing liner notes for Big Break Records (BBR) out of Scotland. Thanks to my good friend and amazing writer Christian John Wikane, my first BBR assignment was Dennis Edwards’ album Don’t Look Any Further. Getting this assignment first was kind of crazy because of my personal history with that song. It’s a long story, but the short of it is that I met the song and album’s producer Dennis Lambert during my radio days. I convinced him to let me and my friends sing on the remake of the song at that time and the rest is history that not too many people know about. Lol! Anyway, during January I interviewed Dennis Edwards, Siedah Garrett and Phillip Ingram who were all a part of the making of that album. Dennis Lambert would follow up the rear in February. I got to meet Siedah in person while she was in town for the farewell gala for former Alvin Ailey artistic director Judith Jamison.

January also dubbed blaKbüshe one of the Best Emerging Artists by Deli Magazine. I didn’t even know I was in the running. That’s how to kick things off for real.

February
The first thing I did in February, to the shock of many, was that cut my hair (See: Making a Change blog). I had been thinking and talking about it for quite a while. I though it would be great to debut my new look on the upcoming tour. I’m so glad I cut my hair! I don’t know if hair will ever make a big comeback in my life, but you might see a girl rockin’ a wig every now and then. LOL!

I have to mention again how glad I am to be a part of the Burnt Sugar crew. If not for them asking me to Paris then I may not have been able to go to London again this year. I came into the band on the James Brown tip, but now I have been indoctrinated. I’m officially an eccentric jazz chick and I love it!

Although my trip to Europe was only the first 10 or so days of the month it was much more to me. It was one of the best trips I’ve taken in my life. I already wrote all about it so you can check out the other blogs (See: The Gift of Paris blogs and Loose in London blogs) to recap that whole trip. But for this review I will just express my gratitude again for such an awesome time in Paris with Burnt Sugar and the joy I felt to have my family in the house and to see New York friends who had relocated to the “City of Light.” Walking the city with my mother (See: Walking Paris with My Mom blog) and bringing Miles & James to Paris in the Sugar way are three of the highlights of the year.

Mom and I at the Louvre in Paris

I made the journey to London by train. It was a shaky start, but Jeff and I did four great shows with the help of some awesome musicians in London. I am so thankful and humbled by all that those folks held Jeff and I down while in London. What an amazing blessed time and those friendships just keep going strong.

Jeff and I at the Morpheus Soul Show in London

When I returned to New York I hit the ground running. As some of you know, I play bass in my friend Keith’s Kirtan, and that happened the weekend after I got back to town. I also did a modified American Candy show at a Sr. Center in Brownsville and then it was time to get ready for the next big Burnt Sugar show at Lincoln Center. Music, theater, music! Yes!

Finally February marked the beginning of my production collaboration with Toshi Reagon. She came by rehearsal to meet with and hear the band up close and personal. That was a really amazing evening. We were all looking forward.

March
March kicked off with Burnt Sugar rockin’ David Bowie at Lincoln Center! That night was marked by great food by Chef Stef, fine apparel by the band (folks were looking sharp!) and great music. Mikel led the Bowie charge and we all fell in line. Magic happened in that room for sure. It was a rainy New York night, but that didn’t stop the people from coming out because the place was packed. The Lincoln Center Atrium is kind of the same vibe as BAM Café in Brooklyn. Great music FREE! Although that show was off the chain from top to bottom, the evening highlights for me were Mazz giving the most killing rendition of “Heros,” Lisala and I doing that damn thing on “Breaking Glass,” Mikel and Karma hittin’ “Moonage Daydream,” Micah working out “Suffragette City” along with Vernon’s excitement to be singing on it with us and not just holding down his usual spot on guitar, and finally the pièce de résistance, Lisala shredding “Rock and Roll Suicide!” All I can say is go to the tape to see what I’m talking about. [Lisala & I Singing “Broken Glass" and Lisala singing "Rock n’ Roll Suicide"]

There were so many goodies on the Bowie menu and honestly some songs I had never heard before. That show was a great education and a whole lot of fun.

V. Jeffrey Smith and I at Lincoln Center for the Burnt Sugar/David Bowie Show

This month was also the start of my Indiegogo campaign to raise money to make my next album and I was not along. This was the year of crowd funding for sure. I know so many people who had fundraisers this year. The Kickstarter volume was on 10 for better for worse. So it was in this wave that I started my charge.

March also saw the taping of the American Candy pilot, which took place at Streb in Williamsburg. That was a fun and exciting night. The American Candy folks are my other lost tribe. They are hands down some of the best people I know. That taping was free so the place was packed. People had a great time and we learned so much. Onward and upward American Candy!

Next I was assigned another BBR album and this time it was Kool & the Gang’s Open Sesame. Sometimes doing liner notes is easy, but Kool & the Gang was a whole other story. I never talked to any of the guys in the band, but their manager did get some quotes for me (clearly a controlled environment). So I went to my friends and music heads Greg Tate, V. Jeffery Smith and Darrell McNiell to give me their insight on the band. It was great to talk to these guys who I have known for years and place them on the world stage as experts in their field. Not that any of them really needed my help, but I really loved doing it.

Finally in March I attuned my first student to Reiki level I! I am so excited to have Prita as a student. She was the first of three people I attuned this year; the other two being Ayana and Elton. More to come in 2012!

Prita Lal, my first Reiki student and circle sister

April
This month saw more great liner notes interviews. This month I had the pleasure to talk to Deniece Williams and George Duke for their mega album Let’s Hear it for the Boy. That was really amazing. I had the pleasure of interviewing George Duke in 1997 at the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, but this time was much more intimate. He’s an amazing storyteller and the story of that song is just incredible. I’m going to see if I can post my liner notes somewhere soon so that you can read them for yourself. It was such an honor to talk to them both.

Late in the month the band started rehearsing for our Banjo Jim’s shows. One would be a fundraiser for Japan, which had just been ravaged by a Tsunami. We were also shedding some of the potentially new arrangements for the new album.

I also headed out to Hidden Chapel Studios on Long Island with Patranila, Hollie, Jeff and Sam of the American Candy crew to record “Fashion God,” “Baby Your My Cougar” and the mega hit (yes I said mega hit), “Get Some Black Friends.” I was glad to bring some business to my girl Abihita Austin.

Another big coup in April was scoring wood for the Brooklyn Sweat Lodge. I know you are probably wondering what this has to do with music, but all my work is healing work. So the music and the healing go together. Also if you are reading this and thinking, “there is a sweat lodge in Brooklyn?” Yes there is!

May
I jumped off this month with the Brooklyn Sweat Lodge. It was another amazing year. I know this blog is more about the music so I won’t stay here for long. I just need to mention it because it is a huge part of my life and I am so thankful for my Brooklyn Lodge sisters.

My Brooklyn Lodge Sisters

With that, the Burnt Sugar crew is back. This time we were asked to play the Ghetto Metal show at SOBs. That event has a huge following and although I have to admit that I wasn’t sure how we would be received there, but in the end it didn’t matter because we never hit the stage! The show as running crazily behind schedule and before we know it our time slot had come and gone. At this point Jared (one of our fearless leaders) stating telling folks that if they had to go or wanted to, they were free to do so. The night was a bit of a bust, but we would return to the Ghetto Metal show later in the year.

I also did a short hit at the Out Music Awards this year. My girl Deepa reached out to me to perform live on the show with her and the students that she works with. We recorded a song together for her album called “What it Takes.” This would be our first time performing it together live, and it went really well.

The Awards show was at Irving Plaza and it went well. I want to give Deepa a shout fall all the work she put into that event and also say that I was so blessed to share the stage with a host of other amazing artists including Militia, Tammy Peay, Baron the Artist and Terese Genecco.

A few days later I was on my way to see my boyfriend with a girlfriend. Who am I talking about? None other than Glen Hansard from the Swell Season! I have a little thing for the Irish boys. Maybe it’s the Bostonian in me. I don’t know, but I love me some Glen Hansard! I went to the MET with my girl Sara and all I can say is bless her for getting the tix and asking me to go. There was also a guitar exhibit going on at the same time. Perfect!

When we got to the museum we checked out the guitars on display and then got in line to head over to where the concert we being held. We followed the crowd to the Egyptian room. If you have never been to the MET there is a huge section of the museum that looks like an Egyptian temple. This is where Glen played! The museum were serving complimentary beer and wine and even though Sara and I got in the room a little late we damn near got a seat up front! Yes! So when Glen passed by to get to the stage he passed right by me. Yes I am a giddy 14 year-old right now! LOL!

It was just Glen, and his now famous guitar, singing his face off as usual. His writing is also amazing! He was joined by his friend and fellow musician Mark Geary for a song that I wish I could remember the title to. But what I do remember is that he ended with a classic Irish song called “Parting Glass.” He also sang this at Radio City with his band. Yes I’m a fan like that. Anyway, when the set was over he had to walk right by me and he shook my hand! AHHHH! Then I did my level best to get an autograph from him or just to chat to tell him he should be my husband, but right as I was about to get up there, his “people” whisked him away. Damn! Well maybe it’s for the best because who knows what I would have said to the man. LOL. All in all it was an amazing day. I have to thank my girl Sara once again. She is one of my partners if Hansard crime!

My not so secret boyfriend, Glen Hansard

As if May couldn’t get any better, it does. I was asked to do the liner notes for the reissue of Between the Sheets by the Isley Brothers! So you know what that means? It means I got to interview Chris Jasper of the Isley’s for the notes and my other boyfriend Ernie Isley wasn’t far behind. Yes, clearly I have a thing for guitar players, but don’t we all? I really learned a hell of a lot about the Isley’s in that interview and it was really just the beginning. Both these men are über talented and are truly the sound of the Isley’s from 1973-1983. Ronald maybe have been the voice, the Chris, Ernie and Marvin were the music and lyrics.

Somewhere in this month I managed to squeeze in a Songwriters Soul Kitchen run. Vinx, our fearless leader, left Georgia and has now landed in New Hampshire. So the Soul Kitchen was doing it northern style this year. It’s really beautiful up there and once again I met a lot of wonderful artists and got to see some of my old SK friends. It’s always a joy to be in that energy. Thank you Vinx and Jenn for continuing to create space for songwriters to expand their creativity.

I closed out the month with my second and last show at Banjo Jim’s (Clip from Banjo Jim's show). This was another great night. We were still trying out alternative arrangements for the songs and raising funds for the recording. On that night we didn’t have Matsu, but it was just as rockin’. Sometimes I really like blaKbüshe broken down. You will see more of that in the New Year.

June
June and I finally got to interview Ernie Isley. The crazy thing is that I first connected with him on Facebook! I didn’t know it really him, but when I mentioned the song “Between the Sheets”, he responded! I told him about the liner notes and how I was going to reach out to his people about that, but there he was. My conversation with Ernie was amazing!

This month marked the ending of my Indiegogo campaign. Although I didn’t raise my intended goal we still made a good dent in things. I am very proud of myself and YOU on that front. I am still raising funds, but I know that we are well on our way. If you wanted to donate, but weren’t able to at the time you can do it now at www.blakbushe.com.

American Candy returned in June with Hot Celebrity Mess, which was a lot of fun! I got to play Grace Jones, Oprah and God! Holla!

Burnt Sugar brought James Brown to the hood in June with the full show at Von King Park in Brooklyn. That’s what’s up! I was really excited about those shows because honestly, they were close to my house. Lol! Gotta love that. My girl Patricia McGreggor was at the helm once again and and Brandon brought James to life once again. It was an amazing two days. I also got to bust out my wigs for this show because last time we did the full show I had locks.

The first night at Von King was really amazing and special Charles Bradley a.k.a. Black Velvet, who is James Brown impersonator and an artist in his own right, was in the house. Now let me tell you. When I was standing on stage singing in the beginning of the show, I saw Black Velvet in the audience. This man looks so much like James Brown I was like, “Damn, this show is so good we brought James back from the dead!” Yo! It’s crazy how much he looks like him. It was a real treat when he came up at the end of the show and sang and danced “There Was a Time” with Brandon and Mikel.

Black Velvet doing his best James Brown

The second night was just a fun. The night before I wore my afro wig, but on day two I rocked the early Tina Turner/Beyoncé wig! Yes indeed! A good time was had by all.

"Hot Pants!" Indomitable James Brown @ Von King Park, Brooklyn

The following Monday the Sugar crew was back in action. The Summer Solstice also coincides with Make Music New York (MMNY). This year the organizers of MMNY decided to bring to music to the inmates on Rikers Island. So we went the Island and brought James Brown to the people. It was an amazing day, but hot as all get out! We go to perform for the women’s prison and there were also some young girls there as well from the juvenile facility. This wasn’t my first time performing in prison. I went to Arthur Kill on Staten Island back in my Black Lotus days. It’s never easy, but it’s always feels good afterward to have been able to bring a smile or a good time to folks for a short while.

The other show that was scheduled to happen in June was the Michael Jackson tribute at NJPAC. My friend George Littlejohn called me about performing on the set. He wanted me to sing “Dirty Diana” because of my rock background, but I threw him a bit of a curve ball when I asked if could sing “Forever Came Today” by the Jacksons along with or instead of “Dirty Diana.” George was a bit shocked that I brought up that song. He hadn’t thought of it in a while, but I think about it all the time. Why, because I’m a dancer. A club dancer that is and Ian used to play that song all the time. So it’s always on my radar. In the end he asked me to sing both songs for the tribute. Score!

When I went to rehearsal for the show, Les, the bandleader, told me in so many words that he didn’t like the song. His brother, who also happened to be the bassist in the band, had to disagree. He really loved it and why wouldn’t he because the bass line is crazy!

After rehearsing the two joints I think I had the band on board and suddenly they loved the song. Sadly the show was postponed due to rain and rescheduled for Sept. 1st. So until then…

The final June event that I am still amazed happened was my baby girl Ellehcem graduating from high school. I’m not amazed that she graduated; I just don’t know where the time went. Ellehcem is my niece, but I fell like she is my daughter. I am so proud of her! Congrats El!

Ellehcem! Our high school grad!

July
Well July brought a bunch of things, but I’ll start with a small recording I did with V. Jeffry Smith called “Kelly Gets Off.” I gave the folks a sneak peak of the song during my fundraiser, but we finished the recording outright in July. Some folks have the joint, but if you are one of those who don’t, have no fear. It’s coming soon!

July also jumped off with the Sugar crew once again. We kicked off the month doing a jazz radio show at WRTI, Temple University, in Philly. That was my first road trip with the crew since Paris. I hadn’t been to Philly in such a long time, and that trip reminded me that blaKbüshe needs to go back. I’m sorry I’ve been away so long Philly. I’ll be back in 2012.

Back in New York, the Sugar crew went back to SOB’s to try our hand at the Ghetto Metal show once again. This time they put us on a decent hour and we were able to do our thing. All it all it was a good show. We had a lot of fun and the crowd was with us. Looks like the second time was the charm.

The final Burnt Sugar show of the month was at Lincoln Center once again. This time we were doing a Tribute to Black Women Songwriters. The ladies of the Sugar crew picked one of their original tunes to do and then a cover of a Black female songwriter. I chose to do one of my faves by Oleta Adams, “My Heart Won’t Lie.” People don’t really think about Oleta much these days, but she is a beast! I just love that lady. If you don’t know Oleta then go back and check her out. Her voice, songwriting, everything, will change your life.

This month I also did a few of my own shows a couple with friends. I was honored to play the Micia Mosley & Friends show with Micia Mosley of course. The show was at Dixon Place and Jeff came with me to play guitar. I did a couple of my own tunes and then I did “blaK Girls” with Aquanetta a.k.a. Micia, which was a whole lot of fun.

Then my friend, DJ and former roommate Selly had a housewarming party and asked if I would come warm the place. Of course I said yes. Her home is really beautiful and it was my honor to be there. Once again, Jeff and I went and rocked the house.

Finally, Jerome asked me to join him on his solo show at Bar on A. As it turned out it was more of a Jerome Jordan and friends show because I was just one of many folks to do a duet with Mr. Jordan. We did our old standby “Solid” by Ashford and Simpson. Sadly we did not know then the Nick Ashford would not be with us by the end of the year. That evening we were actually mourning the loss of Amy Winehouse. That was another loss that we were not expecting. Well there was always question about Amy’s overall health, but when someone passes it’s always a shock. All that said; we still had a great time at Jerome’s show. I hope he will be doing more in 2012. Hint, hint.

September 14, 1983-July 11, 2011

May 4, 1941-August 22, 2011

July also puts me a month away from Michfest! I can’t remember when I got the call that I was on festival, but I do remember getting it and not realizing right away that I was headlining. I was in a bit of shock to be honest because I learned I was headlining opening night. As many of you know I have been going to Michfest for the last few years. I won’t go through my whole festival history, but this year was my first year on night stage. So July began my festival rehearsals and from the first rehearsal I can say with much bias, I knew I was going to have the best band on the land. Yes!

Erine Isley and Chris Jasper were back in my life one more time. I had to interview them again for the liner notes for Go For Your Guns. Again I keep learning more and more about the Isley’s! Love it!

I closed out my month doing something that I never thought I would do again, auditioning for a reality show. The band did it in 2007 on the Next Great American Band show that was nothing short of a bust. Just to be clear, the show was a bust, but not the band. This time I decided to go audition for the Voice. I wasn’t sure if I was going to share this with you, but I will for a few reasons that will become clear.

A lot of things happened at that audition that I’m not going to talk about just because I have to save something for my book, but I will tell you this. Something was up with my voice that day. As I was preparing for that audition something really made me take stock in what I was feeling and hearing. After that day I knew then that I needed to get checked out, but I couldn’t do it right away. It had to wait until at least August.

August
We jumped off the month heading to Michfest! It was an exciting time. This year’s travelers included Achuziam, Toshi and I. You can check out the whole festival on my Michfest 2011 blogs.

If you read my blogs you will see that I lost my voice after my festival performance. I got it back enough to record with Burnt Sugar, but after that I went straight to the doctor to find out what was going on with me.

Burnt Sugar/David Bowie recording at the secret local in LES

Paula at Bunt Sugar/Bowie Recording. Hot!

I was advised to find an ENT who works with singers to look at my vocal chords. I was so thankful to find Dr. Le who also took my insurance. After she examined me, she told me that my vocal chords were really swollen and she put me on vocal rest for two weeks. That was going to take me right up to the rescheduled performance of the Michael Jackson tribute show at NJPAC. The way I was feeling at that time, even if she had cleared me I think I would have sadly passed on that show. Well it turns out I didn’t have to make that decision because two weeks later the doctor told me that my chords were not as swollen, but they were still not better. She also said that after looking at my chords I might have a polyp. She sent me to have a bunch of other strobes and tests to verify what was happening. At any rate, I was then put on vocal rest that would last until the end of October. That took me out of commission with the upcoming American Candy shows, Burnt Sugar shows and recording of my own project.

Since I wasn’t put on complete vocal rest I was able to continue doing my liner notes which required phone interviews. So in August I spoke to Ernie Isley and Chris Jasper once again for the album Harvest For the World. I wasn’t able to get Ron Isley for any of my notes so I supplemented the liner notes for both Go For Your Guns and Harvest For the World with interviews with DJ/producer Ian Friday and guitarist Vernon Reid.

I clearly wasn’t going to be doing any singing anytime soon so I went to see one of my favorite bands, Just a Band, who were in town from Kenya. Jeff was going to play the show with them, but couldn’t swing it. So he got David Pilgrim on board and also my girl LaFrae was playing drums. Great night! I couldn’t stay long because I wasn’t supposed to talk over loud noises, but I had a great time at the show.

September
There wasn’t a lot that happened musically during this month. As I stated above I couldn’t do the MJ NJPAC show. I was going to attend anyway to show my support, but I got a last minute call from Ganessa who said she had an extra ticket to see…wait for it…Stevie Nicks!!! What?? I immediately said yes and that was that! So thanks to my girl Sara, Ganessa, Chaney and I went to Jersey to see Stevie! It was a great night and a great show. It was just what I needed because I was feeling a little down about not being able to do the NJPAC show. I was really looking forward to singing “Dirty Diana” and “Forever Came Today,” but alas it was not meant to be that day. Ms. Nicks was a good consolation prize for sure.

This month I also couldn’t do the American Candy: Hot Chocolate show, which I was really bummed about, but I opted to bar tend so that I could hang with the crew.

Finally that month Burnt Sugar played at the Nova Bar. I couldn’t sing so I played a mean tambourine for the people, which still felt great.

October
For most of the month of October I was still on vocal rest. I also got my vocal strobe that month to get a clearer picture of what was going on with my chords. So what did I do with my time?

I decided to start volunteering at my local yoga studio so that I can do to yoga for free. As some of you know I also started a blog called Downward Blog for all my yogis out there. I haven’t blogged there for a while, but that will also be making a comeback in the New Year. I have really enjoyed my adventures in yoga and they will continue.

I organized the fall lodge gathering. We didn’t have a sweat, but we did talk about next year’s lodge and sit outside by the fire. It was another magical night for us in Brooklyn.

This month my Reiki master was in town from New Mexico so I went to the practitioners gathering that she has every time she is in town. It was really great to see some of my Reiki sisters that I only see once or twice a year. I had sent an email to all of them asking to send me Reiki to help my vocal chords and to set up some personal healing time. At that gathering I got a few spiritual messages about my health, which I am so thankful for. I really needed that healing time with those ladies. I can’t wait to do it again.

At the end of the month I was taken off vocal rest and decided to sing with Burnt Sugar at the Jazz Foundation fundraiser. I knew I was going to come back slowly so I said I would sing one song. We were doing a James Brown/David Bowie mash-up at the show so I said I would sing “Breaking Glass” with Lisala and that was going to be it for me.

It was Halloween weekend and a strange one indeed because there was a snowstorm the night of the show. I couldn’t do the American Candy show this month because when they started rehearsing I was on vocal rest. So once again I opted to bar tend for the first day of the show and on the second night I did the Jazz Foundation show.

I won’t get into all the details of that show, but I will say that it started off with so much fire. Lisala and I killed “Breaking Glass” once again. We knew that we had to stop half way through the set so the foundation could honor a musician, but when the set came a halt, Lisala had left burn marks on the stage after singing “I Don’t Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing;” sort of a funny song to sing at a fundraiser. LOL!

Without getting into the long story of that night I’ll just say that we didn’t finish the set and ended up leaving the joint. I thought that would be the end of that, but then we were asked to come back and do our whole set at another Jazz Foundation event at Tammany Hall the following month. Sweet!

November
November and it’s another b’earthday for me. I did a little singing at the Burnt Sugar potluck back at Nova Bar. The music was great, but the real highlight for me was Bruce Mack’s grilled fish! It was amazing! Mr. Mack got a few propositions after folks ate that fish. I was so happy when he gave me a whole fish to take home! Yes!

This month was also the Burnt Sugar/Jazz Foundation redux at Tammany Hall. So the crew assembled and did the James Brown/David Bowie mash-up in full. It was a great show and I got to see Hamiet Bluiett for the first time. He is a bari sax player and he is amazing! That show as off the hook and afterward, Greg and I found a secret Thai spot in LES this was killin’! Sorry, I can’t tell you where it is because then it won’t be a secret anymore and as much as I love you, sometimes a girl needs a secret spot! Lol. After that show, the Sugars were asked to play at Tammany once a month. So you can see us there on a regular until further notice. I love a good residency.

Since I was still on the slow return to singing I did a few other cool things this month. I chopped wood for the first time in my life and I did Reiki at the November/Scorpio themed Zodiac Lounge. Then on the liner notes tip I interviewed Leon Sylvers III and Evelyn “Champagne” King for her album Face to Face. I was hoping to get André Cymone on the phone as he was the other producer of the album, but I had to settle for an email interview. Booo!!! *wink*

Finally this month I started speech therapy for the continued healing of my voice. After getting the results of my strobe I found out that I have a polyp on my right vocal chord and a cyst on the tissue between my left vocal chord and my larynx. So speech therapy will help the polyp, and I am doing to acupuncture to take care of the cyst. I have a great speech therapist named Karen and although this information may alarm some of you as you read it, I actually feel really blessed about this whole healing journey. I am claiming my healing victory. When I go back to the doctor I expect to be free of all the things I just told you. It is done!

December
So here we are in December. I am hopefully, Goddess willing, on my last bus trip from Boston to New York. Of course I will do what I have to do in the future to see my family, but I really hope I’m doing it in a car, by train or even by plane in 2012. But before I get into all of that let’s take a look at the month that will shortly be leaving us.

I started off the month with the Sugars at Tammany Hall once again. It was our final Brown/Bowie mash-up, at least for a little while. We are going back to our Sugary ways. I’ll give you all that info so you can see us at the top of the year. It was another fun night of music and on this night I spent the evening eating at the secret Thai restaurant with Paula, Lafrae, Greg and Vernon. Fun!

I was asked to sing at a friend’s housewarming this month. I was a little nervous at first and wasn’t sure if I would accept the invite, but I did. I know that seems strange since I have been singing with Burnt Sugar, but as many of you singers out there know, it’s one thing to add some backgrounds or sing a duet and another thing to sing lead out right.

Jeff played for me that night and I decided to sing “In Your View,” which was new to most folks in the room, but the lyrics seems to be right on time. It’s always cool when you can touch people in that way.

I was not the only artist in the room by far. We had poets, dancers and vocalists of all kinds. There were many things that stood out for me, but the person who stood out most was my girl Beatrice who proceeded to get up and sing an aria! Now maybe it wouldn’t have been such a shocker if I had known the woman was a classically trained vocalist. Shows how much you really know about people. I actually learned a lot about people who are in my immediate circle who I see all the time, but had not taken the time to dig a little deeper with. That really made me take pause and think about how I interact with people or better yet how I DON’T interact with people. It’s making me think about how much time I really spend on Facebook and not in people’s faces. I am going to do more of that in the years to come. I’m going back to basics on the friend front. I’m gonna be in your face. Lol!

Anyway, Beatrice proceeded to bring down the house and when the performances were said and done we talked for a while. We talked about the voice and exchanged our stories and then she said she wanted to work with me. There was something in her story and something in her voice that told me this was the person I had been praying for to work with. Goddess is good! All the time! So I have a new vocal coach and I’m thrilled! I plan to be better than before. I really believe that next year is going to be amazing!

Back to the healing world, I decided to start volunteering as a Reiki practitioner at an organization called You Can Thrive that offers alternative healing treatments for women with cancer. They started out just working with women who had breast cancer, but has opened up to women with all kinds of cancers. So they offer acupuncture, reflexology, massage, essential oils, aromatherapy and Reiki to name a few things. So I will be lending my healing hands to these women and I’m really excited about that! I have been looking for more ways to give back and I think this is perfect. Treatments for the women are free or by donation so there is no stress to them on the cost. That is ideally what people need to heal. No Stress! Goddess bless.

Right before I headed home to see the family, I headed to the studio with Norman Conners. I wasn’t recording with him, but I have a feeling that will happen in the coming year. The story of how I came to meet Mr. Conners is a long and twisted one, but I’m glad I made it there. He was recording an amazing singer named Jennifer Freeman from Atlanta at Hammerstein Studios in the Manhattan Center. I have been to the Manhattan Center on many occasions and as you know I played there in the Grand Ballroom with Tamar-kali and Joi a few years ago, but I had never been up to the studios. Let me tell you that that place is amazing and the room sounds incredible. It would be a dream to record there, but I’m all about making dreams come true so we’ll see what happens.

The world is so funny. Right after I met Mr. Conners I was asked to write the liner notes for an album that he did with Pharoah Sanders that featured Phyllis Hyman. I really wish Phyllis were here to talk to. Sigh… Either way it’s still so amazing how the universe works.

After all that I headed home for the holidays. As I write this I am on the bus back to New York. I have been up and down this road so many times. I probably know it better than the bus drivers do. I always say that if I wasn’t a musician I could have been a truck driver or a city planner. LOL. I know it’s a far cry from what I’m doing, but there is something about a well-planned driving route and a well laid-out city plan that makes me happy. Maybe it is one of those past life things coming up.

As I head into 2012 I can feel the cosmic shift. It actually started early in 2011 with the uprising in Egypt and kept going until it hit our shores in earnest in the fall with the Occupy Movement. People in general and Americans in particular don’t like change, but people, the times they are a changing. As I look back on 2011 there are things that I didn’t get done that I thought I would, but clearly the Universe had other plans for me. There were clearly other things that I had to do. So I did not fight I just moved the way I was told to go. I followed my heart even when it hurt and there were many moments where I was totally unsure of what I was doing or how things would turn out, but I just jumped. Some of us get to certain points in our lives when we think we’re too old to jump, take a risk or take a giant leap to change or even save your life. But as long as you have breath you have a chance to start over again. Time is not running out. Time is on your side. You are always on time. You are always in time. What a beautiful thing.

I have no idea what next year is going to bring, but I plan to dust off this old girl that I know so well and let her shine once again. I plan to give her a chance to do what she was sent here to do for real. I charge her to be fearless and to run wild and free and do things that some people won’t like, understand or agree with. I am going to take her hand to live fully, and outside of every box and anyone tries to put her in. I am going to look her in the face and tell her I love her and wrap my arms around her. I am going to feed her well and take care of her body and be kind to her. I will speak highly of her all the time and forgive her daily.

2011 is over and the calendar will turn. If that’s what you need in order to make a change then use it as fuel. If you don’t start on January 1st or 2nd, then start on March 1st or 2nd. Every day that you have breath is a day you can make a change.

Thank you for sticking with me in 2011. I know I have been very quiet this last half of the year. I know. I needed the time to go in so I can come out again. Thank you to all of my friends and family who have supported and encouraged me during this time. I love you all so much. It came in so many ways. Ways that I didn’t even know were available to me. Wow!

Have a blessed New Year everyone! Hold yourself up to a higher standard. In the words of Junior, “Live Your Life!”

2011 Thank Yous!
I have to first thank my family, especially my Mom and Dad and my aunt Helen and Uncle Richard. Not only for being the best family, but for making the trip to Paris and London this year to see me perform. That really meant more to me than they know. I also have to publicly thank my Mom and Achuziam for helping me to start to transform my home life. I love you mom. My while family is the best! I know you don’t hear folks say that much about family, but I love mine so much. It was tough year and family helps in times like this.

Who else?
Abby Dobson, Abhita Austin, Achuziam Maha-Sanchez, Adam Rock, Alam Nathoo, Alex Nolan, Alixa, Andre Lasalle, Ayana Byrd, Beatrice Anderson, Ben Tyree, Brandon Victor Dixon, Bruce Mack, Bunny Bread, Candace Meredith, Carol Ann-Miles, Chippy Dubin, Chris Eddleton, Christian John Wikane, Desiree Mwalimu, Donna Sue Johnson, Elton Leonard, Ganessa James, Gina Breedlove, Greg Tate, Hanifah Walidah, Hannabiell Sanders, Heather Corbett Etchevers, Hollie Harper (& the whole American Candy Crew!), Ian Friday, Imani Uzuri, IndieGoGo Campaign funders and beyond, Jared Nickerson, Jason Dimatteo, Jeff Jeudy, Jenn Lambert, Jerome Jordan, Jim Russell, John Calvert, Julie Brown, Julie Wolf, Justin “Top Rock” McKenzie, Karma Mayet Johnson, Kat Francois, Keith Borden, Ki Ki Hawkins, LaFrae Sci, Latasha Diggs, Laura Vogel, Lisa Vogel, Lisala Beatty, LyricL, Matsu, Max Grunhard, Mazz Swift-Camlet, Micah Gaugh, Micah Lee, Michelle Escoffery, Michelle McKenzie, Micia Mosley, Mikel Banks, Myles Riley, Native Tongue, Nivea Castro, Nucomme Walker-Davis, Nye Taylor, Patranila Jefferson, Patricia McGreggor, Paula Henderson, Peggy Regis Robinson, Prita Lal, Pyeng Threadgil, Rachel Esquilin, Regina Brooks, Rob Covell, Robin Elon Dixon, Ryan Ansah, Samara Gaev, Sara Zuiderveen, Scott Baylis, Shalonda Ingram, Shawn Banks, Stefanie Kelly, Stephanie Maceiras, Temporary Residents (Ten Mill, DJ Johnny Rebel, Soulful Solly Brown, Lyrical), Terri Lynn Delk, Tim Rickard, Toshi Reagon, Ty Shaw, Ursula Tuca Milan, V. Jeffery Smith, Vernon Reid, Vicki Randle, Vinx, Will Martina, Yilis Suriel, Yvonne Sanders and ANYONE that I may have missed on this list. You are not forgotten. Thank you for your love, support, patience and understanding.

The Road Home: Holiday Travel

2011-12-26T10:04:00.002-05:00

Hey Everyone,

I know I haven't been on the blog in quite some time. It's been quite a last half of the year. I will be giving you my Year-End Review soon enough, but in the mean time check my final bus ride home playlist. I put the iPod on shuffle and let it roll for 4 1/2 hours. Here is what it gave me.

I'm so blessed to be an artist in such an amazing artist community. Some of my peeps come up in the Pod and it really did my heart good. It was a reminder to my of how many wonderful people I have in my life.

So until the complete wrap up here is a little something to muse on. If you don't now the artists that I'm mentioning, but are feeling the title and want to know more, then please look them up.

Have a great Holiday Season everyone and enjoy the music!

Peace,
Shelley

Soundtrack to the Road Home (The Final Bus Ride (pt. 1))

Call Me - Tweet (Southern Hummingbird)
Jimi Hendrix - Hey Joe (Are You Experienced)
Belly (Dub Mix) - David Pilgrim (All Things Being Equal)
That Girl - Stevie Wonder (Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium 1)
Pain (It's Gonna Come Heavier) - Silhouette Brown (Silhouette Brown)
Do It Again- Steely Dan (Can't Buy a Thrill)
Como Vou Fazier (Remix) - Dois Irmaos feat. Mariana De Moraes (Brazilian Lounge)
Berlin -Brazilian Girls (New York City)
Never too Late - Omar (This is Not a Love Song)
Ballad of Dorothy Parker - Prince (Sign O' the Times)
Men in Love - The Gossip (Men in Love)
Soul Makossa - Manu Dibango (Soul Makossa)
Joyride - Joy Jones (Godchild)
Previsao - BossaCucaNova feat. Adriana Calcanhotto (Brazilian Lounge)
Love Song For No One - John Mayer (Room For Squares)
So Naughty - Chaka Khan (Naughty)
Don’t Go Loose it Baby - Hugh Masakela (Don't Go Lose It Baby)
Belief - John Mayer (Continuum)
John, Ain’t Hard - Taj Mahal (The Real Thing)
Gold - Interference (Once Soundtrack)
Liliquoi Moon - MeShell Ndegeocello (Comfort Woman)
Bou’ree in E Minor - The Family Stand (In a Thousand Years)
War - Bob Marley (Rastaman Vibration)
You Still Feel the Need - The Isley Brothers (Harvest for the World)
Get Ready, Get Set - Chaka Khan (Naughty)
Moody’s Mood - George Benson (Give me the Night)
October Song - Amy Winehouse (Frank)
Won’t Fade Away - Lewis Taylor (Stoned: Part II)
Hey Uh What You Say Come One - Roy Ayers (Everybody Loves the Sunshine)
L’Interprete - Brazilian Girls (New York City)
Tell Me - Omar (Best By Far)
Story -The Family Stand (In a Thousand Years)
Dance with Me - Peter Brown (A Fantasy Love Affair)
Word Up! - Willis (Take You High/Word Up!)
Africa Unite - Bob Marley (Survival)
Belly - David Pilgrim (All Things Being Equal)
Go Head & Rise - Shelley Nicole's blaKbüshe (The Quick & Dirty EP)
Something You Know - Toshi Reagon (There and Back Again)
Strange Boy - Brazillian Girls (New York City)
Get Up, Get Into it, Get Involved - James Brown (Star Time)
Higher Ground - Ellen McIllwaine (The Real Ellen McIllwaine)
I’ll Stay - Funkadelic (Standing on the Verge of Getting it On)
Forever People (Do it so Delicious) - Just a Band (82)
Rock with You - Micheal Jackson (Off the Wall)
Sister Golden Hair - America (Hearts)
Look Inside - 4hero feat. Face (Play with the Changes)
Winter Sadness - Kook & the Gang (Spirit of the Boogie)
Paper Cup - The Swell Season (Strict Joy)
Party Up - Prince (Dirty Mind)
Street Life - The Crusaders feat. Randy Crawford (Street Life)
I Am American - Shelley Nicole's blaKbüshe (Live at BAM)
Survival - Bob Marley (Survival)
Think (About It) - Lynn Collins (Think (About It))
Give it to Me - Shelley Nicole's blaKbüshe (The Quick & Dirty EP)
Slippin' Into Darkness (Extended Version) - War (All Day Music)
Swamps of Georgia - Jonah Smith Band (Beneath the Underdog)

Happy Holidays!

Michfest 2011 Wrap Up - This is Called the Show

2011-09-14T18:22:00.004-04:00

There I am in the center. Pre-haircut!

Usually I give a FULL 7-day wrap up of the entire Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival. I really love doing that to give folks who have never been and people who will never get a chance to go (men) a real feel for the festival. But so many things happened in my life post Fest and now we are over a month out from when it all went down. I am still going to give you the full blow by blow of my show, but I’m just going to hit you with the music highlights from the rest of the week. So let’s start where it has begun for the last two years. Road Trip!

Monday August 1st
This year’s Michfest road crew was Toshi, Achuziam and I. Of course we tried to leave Brooklyn at around 6am, but it wasn’t happening. I got up early that morning and picked up Achuziam and then we headed to Toshi. This was a really special trip for Chuz because it was her first time away from her son and the first time she would be hitting the stage in almost two years. When we got to Toshi’s we were going to load the car and go, but her dog was not having it. What I mean is the dog wasn’t trying to go to the bathroom before we left. I swear animals know when we are leaving and try to slow things down. Finally the dog went and we were able to go as well. LOL!

It’s always great being on the road with Toshi and just driving to Michigan in general. We did our usual Panera Bread stop and also drove through a storm. We were sort of caravanning with my girl Laura who would call us from the road every now and then. She was my fest guest so I knew I would be seeing her soon. She left from New Jersey so she was a little ahead of us.

When we finally got to Hart, MI, which near the land, we dropped Chuz at the motel and then Toshi and I headed to the land. Luckily we got there right before they were going to close the gate for the night. I was so thankful that the ladies at the fest had put up my tent for me. I sent it ahead with my girl Kelly as I had last year. They set up Laura’s tent right next to mine and when Ki Ki and Ganessa arrived they would be right in the area too. LaFrae and Alex arrived on Sunday so they were already settled in. Ah, gang’s almost all here! Vicki was in and I think Julie had arrived as well. Ganessa and Ki Ki would be there the next day.

After I got all checked in, a lovely young lady named Thokozani helped me to my tent. Turns out she lives in Brooklyn too. Brooklyn is so deep at the festival. Of course Mariasha and Tina were in the house. Along with BE, Penny and the whole crew! Welcome Home! Yes Welcome Home!

Tuesday August 2nd
I had to jump right in to work because my set was on opening night, which was the next day. I had rehearsal that day and I also had a secret meeting with the ladies of LAVA. For those of you who don’t know, LAVA is an acrobatic dance company in Brooklyn that I love! I had a crazy idea to incorporate them in to my show, but I wasn’t sure how. This is one of the many reasons why Michfest is so magical. There are so many creative and wonderful people on the land that you can make almost anything happen if you just make a call or send an email before you get there. That’s how I got Julie Wolf on my set, but that’s for another part of the story.

Tuesday was an interesting day. It always rains at Michfest. You don’t know what day it’s going to be, but it will happen. Trust! This year’s rain date was Tuesday and it was nothing nice. I just knew that Ganessa and Ki Ki’s flight were going to be delayed but somehow they got there. Tuesday was also the only full band rehearseal that we were going to have. Before we got to the land Ganessa, Lafrea, Alex, Ki Ki, Chuz and I had been rehearsing. The only missing pieces were Vicki and Julie. We had one shot to pull it all together. I knew it was going to be fine, but rehearsal was only 2 hours so we had to make the most of it.

Before reheasrsal I got together with the ladies of LAVA to figure out my entrance for the show the next night. After brainstorming a bit we came up with and idea. The women at the main stage were trying to get everything going to do their own work for the day, but the rain was slowing them down. I wasn’t sure if we would be able to rehearse at the main stage because it was raining, but it slowed just long enough to give us a change to run through our grand entrance. After a few tries it seemed like it was going to work!

Now back to rehearsal. It went amazing! I mean really really amazing! I was so happy. I really wanted to just kiss them all and I’m sure none of them would have minded, but I had to keep it professional. LOL!

Rehearsal Tent

On Tuesday night the rain came down in sheets. My tent leaked again! It was a mess. I spent much of the storm in Central Heating, where they check in the artist and also doubles as a Green Room of sorts. I was in there with a few other folks at the storm raged on. The thunder and lightening was so amazing. I love being outside during a storm. It’s actually one of the things I love most about Michigan.

This year the lightening was really close to home. It struck a tree on the land near the Womyn of Color Tent and split. Luckily no one was hurt. At some point, after getting some extra towels to soak up the water in my tent from Lisa, I went back to my tent to ride it out. Finally sleep took over and I was well on my way to Wednesday.

Wednesday August 3rd
I woke that morning to no electricity. I had a sound check scheduled for 8:45am, but that was not going to happen. Also no electric, meant no water. That meant no one could take a shower that morning. So as Elvira Kurt said, we were camping for real. LOL! Of course I wasn’t the only one who needed to soundcheck, I was just first because I was headlining that night. As the time passed and the check time kept being pushed back other deals were being struck.

Jill Sobule was playing right before me and I have to tell you as I told her, I had no idea who she was. Turns out she sang the original “I Kissed a Girl” before Katy Perry was a twinkle in your eye. Yes I know the songs are different, but you get my point. It was great to meet her. At some point during the day she heard my ladies playing and thought it was be a great idea to have some of them on her set. So what started out as just LaFrae and Ganessa on her set, turned into Alex, LaFrae and Ganessa. So that was my rhythm section, but it was all cool.

Finally when the electric and water came back on we were ready to rock this sound check. I can’t remember if at this point I checked or if Jill checked or if the Opening Ceremonies people went, but I do know that it all got done. Big ups to Connie who I believe is the best stage manager in the world!

After all the checks were done I went back to my tent and chilled until it was time for the show. I’m sure I ate somewhere in there, but I just tried to stay quiet and relax myself until it was time to go.

I don’t usually get nervous until right before I hit the stage, but I was nervous. It’s a big deal to headline Michfest and to do it on Opening Night especially with this being my first time on Night Stage. For those of you who haven’t read my Michfest blogs before and who have never been there are three stages at Fest. Day, Acoustic and Night Stage. Often times Day and Acoustic feel like the testing ground to see if you can make it up to Night State. Everyone comes to Night Stage on Opening Night. They might not come all the other nights, but Opening you can count on a full field; but I was ready.

For this big show I called in the big guns. I asked Micah Lee of BlackSnow to make my outfit. That was quite a feat considering that he measured me and then left Brooklyn and had to make it work without a fitting. He made it work! I was also so excited about my band and LAVA being in the mix. All the pieces came together. It was time.

Showtime!
I dressed backstage with everyone who was performing in the Opening Ceremonies. I can’t really describe to you how incredible this opening was. I was off the meat rack. This year was dedicated to the Goddess Artemis and the bows and arrows were not out! Amazon womyn were rising for real. There was a lot of bow and arrow drama, but the show-stopper came from Falcon, the women who is the real incarnation of Xena. For real yo! She came out to the edge of the stage, lit her arrowheads on fire and proceeded to shoot at three targets. The first two were not such a big deal because they were pretty much right in front of her, but really the were on fire so one slip up and someone is getting hit with a torch. But the real drama came with the last target, which was over people’s heads and way out in the field. So she shoots and you can hear people holding their breath. I swear the arrow disappeared in the sky and then landed on that damn target that was hella far away. Yes I said hella! I’m not good with feet and yards, but if I had to guesstimate I would say that target was at least 50-75 yards away. I do know football so I’m thinking half a field or more. It was amazing. Then Julie Wolf, Aleah Long and Vicki Randle had the nerve so sing the mess out of “Calling All Angels” while the children and the elders came out in white and people were instructed to call on their angels who had passed. WHAT??!! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. I was trying to keep in together cuz I had on a full face of make up. Crazy amazing! Whew!

After we all got our tissues, next up was Jill. Now let me back up and remind you that Ganessa, LaFrae and Alex are now playing part of her set and Alex was in 7th heaven. Alex is a big fan of Jill’s so it was like a dream for her, which was great! I love when things like that happen. They didn’t play Jill’s whole set, but they were a wonderful addition.

In between all this me and a few other folks are cracking glow sticks to give to the band and to LAVA for the stage. So as soon as Jill’s set was done we gave everyone in my set, lights and it was on.

The MC on Wednesday was Karen Williams. If you don’t know Karen you better get on it. She’s an amazing comedian and an all around great lady. So when it was time to get set Connie gave the LAVA ladies and me the signal. Jen who is another amazing crew woman came with us into the field. Yes people I am entering from the audience. Jen was holding my wireless mic because the ladies from LAVA were going to carry me in on my back.

Connie & LaFrae, photo by LaFrae Sci

We got out to the field, Karen and Cree (Gina Breedlove’s daughter) introduced me, LaFrae and Vicki started in with the beat of “BlaK Girls”, I stepped up on Sarah and Diana, Rose and Lollo had my back, Jen handed me the mic and…"MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!" And the crowd goes wild. HA!!!

Grand Entrance by moonlight: photo by Nívea Castro

The crowd and my people: photo by Nívea Castro

LAVA walks in step up the ramp while I’m talking to the audience and the band on my back. I call for Alex to start the wha wha guitar, and soon the ladies slowly put me down on the cat walk. I’m still talking to the audience calling for all the Blak Girls. “One! Two! Three! Uh!” Bass drops! In the words of Mr. Cheeks “Lights, Camera, Action!” It was like that.

LAVA holding me up and holding me down!: photo by Abena Sharon Dale

The set list for the evening was:
1. Blak Girls (we did the original and the afrobeat mix)
2. Give it to me
3. Kelly Gets Off
4. Can’t Blame a Tree
5. Box
6. I Am American
7. In Your View
8. Gimme Shelter (Yes the Stones)
9. Encore: Go Head & Rise

photo by Nívea Castro

photo by Abena Sharon Dale

Photo by Abena Sharon Dale

There were so many great moments during the show. The audience singing “Kelly Gets Off” even though it was brand new to them, the people dancing during “I Am American” and “In Your View” which they had also not heard before. Me running down the catwalk and slapping people’s hands, getting to the end and this woman picking me up and hugging me! Yes it happened. The crazy solo on the keys by Julie Wolf on “In Your View.” The other crazy solo by Alex on “Can’t Blame a Tree.” LaFrae playing with one hand so she could take a photo of me on stage, the amazing signing by Cathleen Riddely. Wow! It was just amazing. All of it! To be able to sing to the night sky like that was nothing short of a blessing. I am so thankful. I am so thankful indeed.

LaFrae's one handed shot of me while drumming

The Ladies of blaKbüshe!

Ki Ki & Me

After the Party It’s the After Party
I exited the stage to the warm and somewhat overwhelming welcome of my sisters. That love on the other side from my colleagues and friends was neck in neck with the love from the audience. I’m surprised I didn’t cry, but as I sit here writing about it I am welling up a bit. Yes I’m sappy, but I love these women so much. It’s so sad that most of us only see each other once a year, but what a time we have.

My girl Tory and I had been talking for weeks about wine on the land so I was ready for my drink. She got a bottle of white out of her tent, I got a few cups and we all celebrated. That night after the late night meal some of the ladies sat at one of the tables and sang songs to Eshu, Oshun & Yemaya under the stars.

Post Show Glow (You see I have my wine bottle in hand): Photo by Nívea Castro

I took a while for me to come down, but I eventually slept that night. I had the whole week in front of me, but my most important job was done. It was hands down one of the best nights of my life and I’ve been here a while folks. LOL.

Thank You!

I have to say thank you to so many folks who made that show possible and helped out in some way. So thank you to:

The ladies contingent of blaKbüshe!:
LaFrae Sci (drums), Ganessa James (bass), Alex Nolan (guitar), Ki Ki Hawkins (vocals), Achuziam Maha (vocals), Vicki Randle (percussion), Julie Wolf (keys) and Cahtleen Riddley (hands).

Achuziam Maha-Sanchez: Photo By Nívea Castro

Alex Nolan: Photo By Nívea Castro

Cathleen Riddley: Photo By Nívea Castro

Ganessa James: Photo By Nívea Castro

Julie Wolf: Photo By Nívea Castro

Ki Ki Hawkins: Photo By Nívea Castro

LaFrae Sci: Photo By Nívea Castro

Vicki Randle: Photo By Nívea Castro

LAVA:
Sarah East Johnson, Diana Y Greiner, Rose Calucchia and Lollo Romansky

And of course:
Terri Lynn Delk, Toshi Reagon, Tory Trujillo, Laura Vogel, Shalonda Ingram and our fearless Michfest leader Lisa Vogel! Yes and Yes!

Photo by Abena Sharon Dale

P.F. (Post Fest)
Since returning from the festival it has been quite a whirlwind. The plan was to come back and prepare to record my CD, but when I returned my doctor put me on vocal rest until at least the end of September and then I have to evaluate from there. In short I had been singing on very swollen vocal chords for a while. Even though I had a great show at Michfest, I knew something was wrong because I didn’t have a voice for a week after my show. When I tell folks about this some people gasp, but I am glad to be finding out what is going on. If I just have to shut up for a while so I can come out better on the other side then so be it.

Thank you for your ever-present love and support of me and my music. It means so much. You can still be a part of making the album happen. Yes we are still in donation mode. Just go to my website to contribute (www.blakbushe.com) and I thank you for any donation you can give. So as soon as the doc gives me the green light, I can get myself in the studio and cut the new project. Yes!

Photo By Nívea Castro

Can a Girl Catch a Break?

New Album Campaign Continues

www.blakbushe.com

Album to be Produced by Toshi Reagon

Michfest Wrap Up 2011 - The Rest of the Week

2011-09-14T18:22:00.003-04:00

More Fest!

The Week in Festival
I’m not going to give a full recap of all the rest of the shows that happened at Michfest, but I am going to hit you with my highlights. I can only tell you about what I caught so if you are reading this and you were at fest and I didn’t mention the dope thing you saw it’s because I wasn’t there. It doesn’t mean it wasn’t amazing. So here is the Michfest Rest of the Week in Review.

Wednesday August 3rd
Before I hit the stage on Wednesday night I went to see Climbing Poetree on the Acoustic Stage. Of course Alixa and Naima did their thing. I hadn’t seen them perform in a long time so it was great to catch up with them and their work on the land. I also had an opportunity to catch a bit of Andrea Gibson’s show. She is also a spoken word artist. I had never heard her work before, but it was amazing as well. I couldn’t stay for Alix Olson, but I did get to hear her and Andrea rehearsing a piece in Central Heating so at least I got to hear that. The opening day of festival was magical all around.

Thursday August 4th
On this day it was all about the Acoustic Stage for me. I had missed the first go round of Karma’s show Indigo: A Blues Opera because I had rehearsal, but I knew it was going to be something special. First C.C. Carter kicked things off with her amazing poems and her ode to the ladies with big hips! That is always fun an amazing.

C.C. Carter

Then Karma hit the stage with Mazz Swift (violin), Susan Alcorn (Pedal Steel), Gina Breedlove (vocals), Marcelle Davies-Lashley (vocals), Sokhna Heathyre Mabin, Naima Penniman and Adaku Utah (dancers), Clarival Ruiz and Ashley Brockington (actresses)! What?? It was on folks. That was my first real cry of the festival. If you are interested in knowing more about Karma’s piece please check her out at www.thisiskarma.net.

Indigo: A Blues Opera

Karma Mayet Johnson & Ashley Brockington

Susan Alcorn & Mazz Swift

Karma Mayet Johnson & Sokhna Heathyre Mabin

On Thursday night God-des and She rocked the house with their hip-hop and soulful vocals and Suzanne Westenhoefer came with her brand of funny! It was all in all a great night as well.

Friday August 5th
Friday was packed! I made it to 6 out of 9 shows and I worked the sweat lodge. It was a crazy wonderful day. Here are the highlights in the sequence of the day.

After I worked the Womyn of Color Sweat Lodge, which was really wonderful, I wandered down to the Day Stage to check out the rest of the Krudas Cubensi set. They are two sistas from Cuba who are MC’s. That show was off the meat rack! You know a show is killin’ when you see someone and you can’t understand all of what they are saying and you are still jammin’. Well that was me and a bunch of other folks at the Krudas show. Following Krudas was Invincible another MC out of Detroit. My girl DJ Rimarkable was on the set and Adrienne Maree Brown was on backing vox for another killin’ hip-hop set, which culminated with Krudas and Climbing Poetree joining Invincible on stage. I had to run and sadly missed Hunter Valentine, but Achuziam said that set will killin’ as well. Invincible will be on tour with Tamar-kali and Jean Grae this fall. You can find out about tour dates at www.bornintoflamestour.com.

Later that day on the Acoustic State there was more fire. First up was my auntie Vicki. I don’t know if she knows that I call her that, but now she will know. Vicki Randle along with Julie Wolf on keys and accordion and Lyris Hung on violin kicked things off. Vickie was amazing and I also got an “I <3 Black People” tank top out of it. Vicki and I both love black people.

Julie Wolf & Vicki Randle

I had never heard of the woman who was following Vicki, but as the stage crew was setting things up I knew I had to stay. Up next was Susan Werner. She was on guitar and keys and with Trina Hamlin on harmonica, vocals & drums and Gail Ann Dorsey on bass and vocals. Then on a couple of songs she called to the stage Natalia Zuckerman on lap steel! That just took it all over the top. That whole set was out of control. Trina played some makeshift drum kit that used her snare hard case as a kick drum, just a snare head, tambourine and harmonica. I know there may have been a couple of other things in there but seriously she just wore me out. The whole band did. It was also great to find out that Natalia and Trina are both in New York. Whoo hoo!

Trina Hamlin, Susan Werner & Gail Ann Dorsey

Trina Hamlin

Susan Werner & Natalia Zukerman

Finally closing out the day was Night Stage and what a night stage it was. The night started off with Thao another artist I had never seen before, but was hearing great things about. Well she did not disappoint. She also added a few special guests to her set including the star of the festival, LaFrae, as well as Vicki, Tory and I think Julie too. It was a really fun set. She took the opportunity to run the catwalk as well and she said she felt like Kenny Chesney. LOL! I totally understand. I think I felt like Bono. HA!

Thao

Then after Thao was the set of all sets. Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon took the stage with an all star crew. LaFrae (drums of course), Sue Hadjopoulous (percussion), Gail Ann Dorsey (bass), Marcelle Davies-Lashley (tambourine/vocals), Stephanie Battle (vocals) and of course Toshi as the MD and on guitar and vocals. This set had it all. Dr. Reagon sang freedom songs, told stories and of course the music and vocals were off the hook. Ri Ri and I were the amen/tambourine corner in the audience. The good Dr. Reagon was so dynamic that she got not one encore, but two! I have never seen anything like that at fest. I mean after the first encore the audience would not stop clapping. The next band was supposed to come on, but the crowd would not stop cheering. No matter what the MC said we would not stop so Dr. Reagon came back. Honestly she could have played all night and I think everyone would have rode with her for the whole three hours. We were primed for a tent revival that night. There was an amen around every corner. I felt truly blessed after that set. Amazing!

The Bernice Johnson Reagon Songbook

Dr. Bernice Reagon Johnson & Stephanie Battle, Photo by Abena Sharon Dale

MEN followed Dr. Reagon, but I only caught a part of their set. They sounded incredible though.

Saturday August 6th
This was another action packed day for me. I started the day at the sweat lodge for Native women, which was really powerful. I have sat many a lodge, but this was one of the most powerful. Since I was at the lodge I missed Animal’s set, but I could hear it and they sounded great. I’m sorry I missed this as well, but I know I’ll see Animal again. I missed the rest of the day stage, but I made it to Acoustic for three more of my favorite sets of the week.

First Valerie June kicked things off. I had been hearing so much about this woman and it was worth the wait. Anyone who can play the banjo has my vote and she did just that. Valerie plays bluegrass and I love some bluesgrass. She was really amazing.

Valerie June

Next up was Ferron and Bitch. The first time I saw them together was my first festival and I was in tears by the end of the set. They are just that good together. This time I wasn’t crying after the set because Ferron always has jokes, but it was just as amazing as before.

Bitch & Ferron

The stage closed with LAVA. They were so amazing because they managed to do trapeze in the woods! That was the best. Brooklyn does it again! They also performed excerpts from various shows they have choreographed over the last year or so. It was a really great show and lots of fun as usual.

Night Stage started with Slanty Eyed Mama. They are a musical comedy duo of Kate Rigg and Lyris Hung. Their set is always a lot of fun and this time was no exception. They warmed up the crowd and got people laughing and dancing.

Next up was Melissa Ferrick. Melissa came with just her and her guitar and it was a great. A really wonderful set.

The last set of every Saturday night is Chix Lix. Every year is a different theme and this year was the blues. There was a great lineup of vocalists on the set including Judith Casselberry, Karma Mayet Johnson, Susan Werner, Toshi Reagon, Nedra Johnson and many more. The set was a lot of fun and as usual a great way to end night stage at the festival.

The Chix Lix Crew

Sunday August 7th
Well we were supposed to leave this day, but we were having such a good time that we decided to stay until Monday morning. Sunday has pretty much the same lineup every year. Ubaka Hill starts the morning with the Drumsong Orchestra, which is always amazing, followed by the One World Inspiration Choir led by Aleah Long. That is always wonderful as well.

In the later afternoon the comedy sets started on the Day Stage. The year the featured comedians were Jessica Kirson, Karen Williams and Elvira Kurt. All three of their sets were funny as hell! I laughed for an hour and a half straight.

Karen Williams, Photo by Nívea Castro

Later that night was the candlelight concert and closing ceremonies. Always nice, but I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the humming. LOL. Those who know, know.

Well folks. Michfest 2011 has officially come to a close.

Monday August 8th
Monday morning we got the crew together and hit the road. This time my girl Rachel drove back with us and we also caravanned with Alixa, Samara, Karma and her crew in her car. We took our time getting back. Stopped at Bob Evans for lunch. Yeah Bob Evans! Then we just kept going on our way. Before we knew it we were back in NY and back to reality. It was again great week of festival.

Thank Goddess for our safe return home. Until next year folks. Be well.

A BIG IndieGoGo Thank You!! You can still be One with the büshe!

2011-06-06T21:43:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Thank You so much to everyone who donated to my Can a Girl Catch a Break? IndieGoGo Campaign! I am so glad to report that we raised over $6,100 toward the making of the new album. I am very humbled given the fact that there are many things that you could have donated to, but you chose my project. Thank you so much.

I have received more than a few texts, emails, and calls from people asking if they can still donate. Of course you can! I have added a PayPal Donation button on my web page so please feel free to donate for the first time or again if you would like. You can also continue to spread the word. I am still reaching toward my goal.

I will continue to keep everyone posted on the songwriting and recording process. That means more videos to come. I'm really looking forward to the months ahead. It's already been an amazing ride. It can only get more exciting.

Thank you again! I can't wait to share the new music with you!

Peace,
Shelley

Can a Girl Catch a Break?

New Album Campaign Continues

www.blakbushe.com

Album to be Produced by Toshi Reagon

Kelly Gets Off - New Song Sneak Peek 4 - 10 Days to Donate!

2011-05-23T08:21:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone,

I know I missed putting in Sneak Peek 3, but you can check HERE to see the video. I'm just going to jump ahead to #4. V. Jeffery Smith and I had a conversation about R. Kelly getting off back when he wasn't charged with any crimes. Now I didn't see the R. Video, but most of the rest of the world did so you know what the deal was and is.

One morning V. Jeff had a flash of inspiration and from it was have this. I wrote most of the lyrics and Jeff Jeudy stopped by to play at bit while we shot this video. Enjoy!

There are still 10 days to donate to my IndieGoGo Campaign! If you have been thinking about it, then now if your time. Thanks so much for your support! Without further ado, "Kelly Gets Off."

Shelley Nicole, V. Jeffrey Smith & Jeff Jeudy - Kelly Gets Off - Sneak Peek 4 from Shelley Nicole on Vimeo.

New Song Sneak Peek - Pt.2

2011-04-19T14:09:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Jeff and I are back with another sneak peek at a now song. I am having so much fun sharing this experience with you. I hope if you are in town you can make it out to the Banjo Jim's show to hear all the songs in person.

I'm really excited about the show! It's a fundraiser for Japan Relief and the New Album project! If you can't be at the show in person please DONATE and/or spread the word. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far and all those to come. Check the link below. In the mean time check our latest video and Enjoy!

Peace!

Shelley Nicole & Jeff Jeudy Song Idea - Sneak Peek 2 from Shelley Nicole on Vimeo.

Wednesday April 27th
Banjo Jim's
700 Avenue C @ 9th Street
New York, NY
10pm
Free!
Japan and New Album Fundraiser!
See you there!

New Song Sneak Peek - Pt. 1

2011-04-05T10:01:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone,

Now that I am back from Europe it's on to making the new album. Jeff and I got together that other night and started working on a couple of things. This is just a little peek at the process. I know some of you wonder how this whole songwriting thing happens. Well sometimes the songs come all at once, but most times it's bit by bit.

Enjoy and remember to check out the IndieGoGo Campaign. Donate a be a part of making the magic happen!

Thank You!

Shelley Nicole & Jeff Jeudy Song Idea - Sneak Peak from Shelley Nicole on Vimeo.

We're on Our Way Home : Day 8 [Part 13]

2011-03-25T13:09:00.001-04:00

We're on Our Way Home: Leaving London

I can’t remember if Jeff took a short nap or what, but his cab was there to pick him up at about 4:30am. We made sure he had everything and we said farewell until we would meet again in New York later that night. Remember Jeff flew directly to London, but I had to go back to Paris and then back to New York.

I finished packing and took a short nap. Kevin and Michelle said they would take me to the train in the morning on their way to drop their daughter off at school. It was early enough that I would have plenty of time to get to the airport to catch my flight.

I can’t exactly remember which train station they took me to, but I had to take three trains to get to my Heathrow that day, but they took me a bit closer than if I had taken the Overground from where they were. I can’t remember if they took me to an Overground station or to a rail station. I can’t even really remember the rout I took to the airport. I was so tired that morning. All I know is that I ended up either at Hammermith or Earl’s Court to make a switch. I think it was Earl’s Court. Either way at that point I switched for the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow. Now remember there are a couple of trains that go to Heathrow. One train is for Terminal 1,2,3 & 4 and another for 1,2,3, & 5. I was so happy to see the later come when I was on the platform waiting to make the switch. I was dog tired. I mean just beat down, but I was almost there.

I got to Terminal 5 and prepared myself for whatever Heathrow might throw at me. If you remember I took the train in to London from Paris, but I decided to fly back for one major reason. I had to go back through Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris fly back home because that’s how I came in with Burnt Sugar. So on the return home I booked myself a flight on British Airways back to Paris, then I wouldn’t have to spend money to get form the center of Paris (if I had taken the train) to the airport. Now I just had to get to the proper terminal at Charles de Gaulle to catch my return flight that the Sugar crew booked me. Okay, now let’s see how Heathrow security is going to act on this day. When I got to British Airways check-in counter there was no line. I couldn’t believe this happened to me twice. First when I was flying into Paris from JFK at the Air France counter and now this. Wow. So I checked my bag, kept my bass on my back, plus my purse on my shoulder and I headed to the security line. First of all it wasn’t all that long, which was amazing, but I was checking out the security officer on the line I was in and I could tell she was tired and cranky. So I knew anything could happen with her. It wasn’t like I was carrying anything…oh wait…I had the damn screwdriver in my bass case. I forgot to take it out. Oh well, I was at the airport in plenty of time. If they took it I still would not miss my flight. So as the line is moving I notice that they take her off her post and replace her with someone else. Okay! So when I got to the front of the line I did as you do at the airport these days and everything was fine. No questions about anything. Not even the screwdriver, which I was surprised about because Heathrow can be crazy.

On the other side of security I put my shoes, coat, etc., on and headed downstairs to wait for my first flight. I was there so early that a gate hadn’t even been assigned to my flight. So I walked around and looked at the duty free stuff. It always amazed me how much of a mall that airport is. I got myself an overpriced souvenir because I needed to get rid of my Pound coins since I couldn’t exchange them back in the states. I got a pretty terrible sandwich at Pret a Manger, who by the way is taking over London. There are more Pret’s than Starbucks and you know that’s saying a lot! Then I found a place to chill until my gate showed up on the board.

If you are a smoker, it's your LUCKY day!

Sleepy in Heathrow.

Soon my flight popped up and I headed to the gate to sit there and wait until they called boarding. Again I have to mention how they board in Europe. It’s just so great. They call that the flight is ready for boarding and people get on. No calling of sections or things like that. Folks just get on the plane! LOL! So I boarded my B.A. flight, put my bass in the overhead and it fit without any problem and settled in for this first leg.

Wing of my British Airways Flight

Flying form London to Paris is really fast. It might have been an hour maybe. So we were up and down quickly. I barely got a nap before we were landing. Since this was not a true connecting flight, I had to go pick up my luggage from baggage claim in Paris and then figure out how to get to Air France from where I was.

After getting my bag off the carousel, I found an information desk to ask how to get to terminal 2E. Since I was already in Terminal 2 I just had to take a long walk to 2E. I so glad I didn’t have to get on the airtrain to get to the terminal, which I totally thought I was going to have to do. I started walking and before I knew it I was at Air France check-in. Again there was barely a line. I knew I would be early for my flight, but I still didn’t expect that. I had already printed out my boarding pass so the woman at the counter checked my bag and I headed for Air France security.

The line wasn’t so bad, but I wasn’t sweating anything now that I was in Paris. I was almost home. When my turn came up I do the usual and walk through the metal detector, but this time they pulled my bass off the belt and asked if it was mine. “Yes, it’s mine.” They needed to look inside. Well, there goes my screwdriver. It made it from Brooklyn to Paris to London, but it wasn’t going to make it back to Brooklyn. Oh well. No worries. They took the contraband and gave me back my bass. Almost home.

I was mad early for that flight. I wasn’t scheduled to leave until about 7:30pm, and after going through security it was only about 4pm. So I had lots of time to kill. I didn’t have many Euros left. So I got a little snack, but I wasn’t worried because I knew they were going to feed us well on Air France and I’d have some wine!

Charles de Gaulle Airport Air France Terminal

Me & my bass on the last leg. Heading Home.

I sat in the terminal and thought about the days gone by. What a journey. From performing in Paris with Burnt Sugar and hanging out with my parents there; then off to London and the crazy housing situation, meeting up with Jeff, and playing some incredible shows; seeing London in a day and just having lots of laughs. I couldn’t help but look around and see the Burnt Sugar crew in my minds eye sitting with me in the Paris Airport. It made me smile. They were the reason I was there. I took a few pics of my tired self in the airport and before I knew it, it was time to board.

E 41 My Gate!

I didn’t get a window seat on the way back, but they did hold my bass for me again. This flight was challenging because it was so dry on the plane, but I later realized I was coming down with something. Honestly I think my body was just winding down so it was slowly trying to break down. The charge was over…for now. I drank so much water on that flight and could not get hydrated for anything. I was in and out of sleep the whole trip and when we were landing I thought my ears would explode. I hadn’t had that feeling in a long time.

When we landed and went through customs I could hardly hear the agent talking to me. That’s how clogged my ears were. It felt crazy. I felt like I was under water talking to people. It was strange to be home at least strange to come through customs in the U.S. Of the three places I had been (France, UK and America) only America was feeding nationalist propaganda at it’s visitors when they get off of plane. I mean as soon as you hit customs they might as well just hand you the lyrics to the National Anthem and make you sing it on the spot, with feeling! It was so crazy to see the TV screens with all the American “stuff” on it. I’m happy to be home as much as the next person, but it was all so much.

After I cleared customs and went to the ladies, I headed to baggage claim. I got my things and headed out to catch a cab when I see Jeff waiting for me with flowers! It was Valentine’s Day after all. Very sweet. We were back home. Back in New York and back to the everyday things of life, but what a time we had. What a time we had.

Thank You to everyone who came out to support us in London and all those who took the time to read this oversized blog. Love to Jeff who crossed the pond with me and represented the NY büshe. Love to LyricL who was my shining light in London. Love to Michelle & Kevin for opening their home at the 11th hour. Love to Adam and the Jazz Re:freshed crew for making their house mine. Love to the Morpheus Soul show for continuing to shout us out. Love to Up all Night Music and Native Tongue for saying yes and showing your love. Love to the UK blaKbüshe band. Love to the fox totems that kept showing up. It is my hope to get back to London soon after I release my next album this summer.

If you like what you read please be a part of making the album happen so we can go back to Europe and beyond. Check out my IndieGoGo campaign and be one of the hairs in the büshe. Thank you so much! Now on to the “Can a Girl Catch a Break? New Album Blog! Whoo Hoo!

London in a Day! Day 7 [Part 12]

2011-03-25T12:12:00.002-04:00

London Day 7

Sunday Morning and it’s raining, but that wasn’t going to stop us. We had one day to see the City. Jeff spoke to his friend Ryan who suggested we hit a certain section so that we would catch a bunch of things at once and maximize our day. So we hit it and did much of it under the clouds, but it was great!

Ryan told Jeff that we should take the Tube to Charing Cross and walk around from there because it’s right near Piccadilly Circus and lots of other sites. So that’s what we did. I think that morning we walked to Anerley and took the Overground to Canada Water on the Jubilee Line. Then we took that to Waterloo and changed for the Northern Line to Charing Cross. When we got out we were right near the gate that leads to Buckingham Palace so we decided to start there. As we were walking down that long road that leads to the palace we could hear drumming. The next thing we know we see what looks like the royal marching band coming around the corner. Turns out we had just missed the changing of the guard. Damn! Oh well. We had no idea what time that was happening so I guess you can’t really miss something if you were never on your way to it.

Check the Clip of the Royal Band Marching

We kept walking toward the palace and of course there was a big crowd around it. If I were the Queen I wouldn’t want to spend too much time at that spot. Personally I would need people to get off my porch! That’s just too much. LOL.

We joined the crowd in taking photos and looking at the sculpture of Queen Victoria and the Roman soldiers that is right in front of the palace. This was the first time I really looked at the statue and all the other sculptures in the area. It really tells the history of London for better for worse. There are lots of references to Africa out there. I’m sure those are the things that people miss when visiting. Who want to think about that right? Well, it’s all there folks. Just look closely.

The Royal Homestead

Check out Medusa on the shield

The handsome Queen Victoria (lol)

After checking that out for a while we walked back up the road back toward where we came from, but decided to head toward Big Ben so we took a right and headed through a courtyard that turned out to be back of the Cavalry Museum. We didn’t go in, but we did have to walk under the museum archway to get back to main road where there were two men on horses “standing guard” in Cavalry gear. Okay, they were in uniform. There were lots of folks standing in front of the Mounties taking photos of their family and friends next to the horses. I will admit that I took a photo of the man on the horse as you can see below, but I couldn’t help thinking about the man and the horse while I was taking it. What a job!

I love the sign!

WWII Women's Memorial. I just loved that there was one for the women!

We walked down the street toward Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, when we realized we were right in front of 10 Downing Street, where the Prime Minster resides. Cool! We kept walking toward Ben and then there he was in our face. Jeff asked me to take a photo of him there. I think that was sort of his Eiffel Tower moment. From there we walked down the road to check out Parliament and then across the street to the Abbey. We couldn’t get in to either so we just took it in from the outside. That walked reminded me of when I did it the first time with Achuziam, Shawn, Lionel & Irv. It was just as good the second time around. Across from the Abbey there is a statue park of sorts. Along with a statue of Winston Churchill there was a statue of Nelson Mandela. There were other folks there too, but I can’t remember who they were. Really I was just trying to figure out how Mandela fit in to it all, but hey, I’ll talk take it!

Jeff & Ben

What are yo doing here Mr. Mandela?

After checking all that out Jeff wanted to go see the Tower Bridge, which was a train ride away. So we decided to find something to eat first and then jump on the train and head east to the Tower of London and the Bridge. We took a short walk and found ourselves by the Embankment Tube station. There were a few restaurants over there so we stopped, ate and then we were supposed to head to the Tower, but we decided to head toward Piccadilly first.

A rainy London day with Ben in the distance

London Eye

We start walking that way when, we were stopped in our tracks by the National Portrait Gallery and we have to go in! It’s only right and Paula would demand it. LOL.

So we went in and looked around for a bit. We decided to just do one floor because we could have been in there for hours and we didn’t have hours. Unlike the Lourve on the day I was in Paris, the folks at the Portrait Gallery were not having photos being taken at all. Jeff pulled out his phone and started to shoot a portrait of Paul McCartney and BAM, this woman popped up out of nowhere to shut him down! They were not having it. LOL. There is a really amazing portrait of Princess Diana in gallery among other great paintings, but that one really stood out for me. After being there for about 45 minutes we decided to head out. We walked toward Piccadilly and stopped at a store that Jeff saw a cool Marilyn Monroe picture in (I love Marilyn) to check it out. After seeing it and finding out it’s crazy price, we decided to skip Piccadilly and head back to the Tube and to the Tower Bridge. So we walked back to Charing Cross and got on the District or the Circle Line to Tower Hill. Now I don’t know which train we got on because there was all kinds of construction going on and we had to take one train because the other wasn’t running and it was a little hectic. Ah…just like New York!

We got to Tower Hill we checked out the Tower of London. Now I had been there before, but for the first time I think I was really starting to understand the history of the place and saw how intricate it is or was. We didn’t get to go on the tour, but next time I’ll make that happen. Jeff just wanted to see the bridge because it was his screen saver for the last few months so that he could manifest the trip. Well it worked and there we were.

Jeff at Tower Bridge

We hung out in the area for a while, but I was trying to catch some vintage gear or at least some cheap gear near a spot LyricL hipped me to. Let me break it down a bit in the clothes area. I didn’t really come to London to shop, but I came to London with a coat that I wanted to leave there. Yes, my plan was to get a new coat and leave my old one in London. You ever had a piece of clothing that you never want to see again? That’s how I felt about my coat. LyricL said we should head over the Liverpool Street as there was a huge outdoor market there on Sunday’s. That was great because we were meeting all the folks at the Vibe Bar on Brick Lane that night for LyricL’s show and that wasn’t too far from the Liverpool Street station.

Now this is where things get crazy. The plan should have been simple. Take the Circle Line from Tower Hill to Liverpool Street, but of course the trains were not acting right on that rainy Sunday. So what should have been a two-stop trip turned into many more and lots of walking. For some reason the Circle Line wasn’t going in our direction so we had to go back backwards. We took the Circle Line back on stop to Monument. Then we had to walk the long underground road from Monument to Bank. Now these stations connect, but it’s a like an over the river and through the woods connection. At Bank we took the Central line one stop to Liverpool Street. Now I know this doesn’t sound so bad on paper, but riding and walking it I knew that we were not going to make it to see be able to shop. It was all just taking too long.

Just for laughs

I just call it the Bullet *wink*

By the time we got off at Liverpool Street the sun and by the time we found the street market everyone had closed down. There were just a few vendors taking frames of their tents down. I was a kind of bummed about that, but there was nothing I could do. So we kept walking and asked someone how to get to Brick Lane and we were actually right down the street, which was good. So Jeff and I headed that way and decided to find something to eat since one of the many things that we were going to do was eat Indian food in London. Why was that on the list? Because the last time I was there Irv and I ate at this spot that changed my life! But that spot was near Hammersmith and on Brick Lane the Indian restaurants are on every corner and everywhere in between.

So we started walking down the street looking for a spot when we stumbled upon an indoor flea market that was still open and it was almost right next to the Vibe Bar, which was ultra convenient. Jeff and I went in and immediately I saw all of these things that I could potentially purchase, but I didn’t want to be to hasty. We looked at some things that the vendor right when you walk in had, but soon we kept it moving. There was some really cool stuff in there, but I was in search of a coat. Then I found it, but it was £185! Way out of my budget. But I took a picture of it because a girl can dream.

My Foxy Cleopatra dream coat!

After walking around for a while, we left, went one more spot and then decided to eat. Picking a restaurant almost turned out to be a real drama. Here in NY there is a street in the East Village called 6th Street. On 6th almost the entire block is Indian restaurants. So when you walk down the street, especially in the spring or summer, you can expect to be called to by various different folks to come into their restaurant. Well the same thing happened to us on Brick Lane and it was a little unnerving when you just want to sit down and eat. I won’t get into all that. I’ll just say that we found a spot, ate and then headed over to the Vibe Bar. Sadly that food wasn’t as amazing as the other spot I had been too, but I’m glad we did it. It was on the To Do list. Done!

We headed to the Vibe Bar and some folks were there already. LyricL was there, but I figured that since she was performing. Johnny was there, Bunny Bread was on the DJ set and a cat named F. Stokes from New York via Chicago, was rhyming when we came in and he was doing it! I was standing talking to LyricL when a Cyndi came up to greet us. Cyndi run a record store/clothing store in Brixon called United 80 and I was supposed to meet her earlier that day or the day before, but we never could get it together. She wanted to put my CDs in her record store. She was so sweet and gave LyricL and I both mustard scarves, which was really sweet. She is one half of the manVSwife DJ crew the Hands On Family. Yes it’s a husband and wife DJ team. Now that’s cool.

Bunny Bread on the set

LyricL & Chippy

Bunny is on Fire! (HA!)

After F. Stokes finished his set there was a bit of break in the action. At that point other folks started so show up. First Yvonne, then Hannabiell & Yilis, then Rob & Kat, then Kelli, Max and Ten Mill. Later on down the line was my friend Michael and then John showed up with one of his friends. Yeah! Much of the gang was all there.

Jeff & Kelli's High School Reunion!

John & Jeff

Me & Bunny

Yilis, Hannabiell & Max

We all chilled and talked and then it was time for LyricL to do her thing! She burned up that set. It was amazing! It was so nice to see her do her own show since she had been helping me out on vocals etc. all week. Power to her once again for all the love she showed me all week. After Lyric’s set Bunny spun for a while again and then it was time for Homeboy Sandman.

Love the Action in this shot

Now, I heard about this brotha since before I arrived in London because Johnny told about him. I listened to a couple of the Morpheus Soul podcasts with Homeboy on them and he was amazing on the show, but in person it was FIRE! Damn! I might have said this before, but I’ll say it again. Hip-Hop Lives! F. Stokes, LyricL and Homeboy Sandman proved that for sure. Bunny Bread too because he was killing the set!

Homeboy Sandman Killin' it!

After the show ended we all hung out for a while and took photos. Talked and laughed until it was time to say our farewells. It was hard to say goodbye, but I didn’t cry. It was too good a week to cry. John had given Jeff and I the time of the last trains heading to Anerley. Luckily we were right down the street from the Overground so it was a straight shot. I don’t remember what time he told us we could catch the train, but then I got a call from him saying that he thought he got the times wrong and that he was probably on the last train going to Crystal Palace, which would go by Anerley. So with that, we really said our goodbyes and headed to the train as fast as we could. If you remember, the last time we thought we wouldn’t make it all the way home we actually made it because another train came to take us further south. John told us to call him if we could only get so far and he would give me back the money I gave him to play the gig so we could catch at cab! [Angel 14] What?? He told me he wasn’t expecting to get paid so if we needed it he would give it back. Amazing.

Vibe Crew

So Jeff and I got to the Shoreditch High Station on the Overground and Jeff needed to top up his Oyster as the train was coming in the station and I think it was the last one. So one of the folks working at the station just let us through because otherwise we wouldn’t have made it. We ran up the steps and caught the train. Okay one leg down. We didn’t even know where it was stopping, but we had to get on. So we rode for a while and I was praying that the train would go at least as far as New Cross Gate, but alas it only went to New Cross. Not the same at all folks. So we got off and I called John. It just so happened he was at a pub right down the street from the station. I love it. So he came down and scooped us up and we walked back to the pub where he was hanging and called us a cab. He wanted us to hang and we would have, but Jeff had to leave for the airport at 5am so there was no time to hang. I was already close to or past Midnight.

It took the cab driver a minute to find us, but then he showed up. We said our final farewell to John and then headed back to Anerely.

Jeff still had a bit of packing to do and he was going to take a cab to the airport because his flight was too early in the morning to be messing with the train and it would have taken too long. He also realized that he needed to be at the airport earlier than he thought. So there was no need to go to sleep at all. So we stayed up and talked with Kevin and Michelle for a while. We didn’t even get to hang out with them much even though we were at their house. That’s just how these things sometimes go. Everybody is busy. They were great hosts though. I’m so thankful for them. Tomorrow...New York bound.

Kevin & Michelle

The Morpheus Soul Show! Day 6 [Part 11]

2011-03-24T23:20:00.002-04:00

London Day 6

So this was the plan. Get up, pull all our stuff together for the whole day, go hang with Jeff’s friend Kelli, hit Camden and then on to Brixton to do the Morpheus Soul show and then on to the Music Bar to play the Heart & Soul charity fundraiser. Another long day ahead.

Well, in usual London fashion for Jeff and I we left the house late on the first leg to Kelli’s place. I thought that this would be a quick ride at least in the sense that we only had to take one train and it was the line we were closest too and then we would have to take a bus once we got of the train, but I was surely mistaken. So we got on the Overground at Anerley and I think we went all the way to Haggerston. I could be wrong, but I think that was it. Then we got off and had to catch a bus outside of the train station. Once that came I didn’t think we had far to go, but we actually had to take the bus to the last stop before it looped around. Well this might not be a problem if you are in a city that has straight roads, but London is not that city. So we rode on the bus for a while until we arrived at Kelli’s place. At least we got to ride in the front seat on the top level of the double decker. Ah…it’s the little things.

Kelli lives in a cool area of East London close to where the Olympic stadium will be in 2012. She also has very cute apartment. We all sat a chatted for a while and I was noticing that the time was passing by, but I was glad to just sit for a while especially because I was carrying my bass and Jeff his guitar. We told Kelli that we wanted to go to Camden that day but I was convinced that we would not make it due to the time crunch we were in, but we gave it a shot.

So we headed back to the Overground that was a little closer to her place. I think it was either Hackney Wick or Hackeny Central. Either way we took that train to Camden Road. Now folks it’s Saturday in Camden, which means the area was packed and I really don’t like people, I mean, crowds. We are also carrying gear and I have to admit I’m a little cranky. I would soon know why, but we’ll get there in a minute.

We made our way slowly though the massive crowd to find some food. We all got some small plates and headed to look for somewhere to sit. By that time Jeff and I were starving. I don’t know if we had eaten at all that day and it was late afternoon by the time we got to Camden. Not a smart move on our part. So there was reason number 1 I was cranky. I was damned hungry!

After eating I was a lot more perky. I felt a little bad for showing my crank because I didn’t want to seem like I wasn’t grateful for Kelli brining us out there. I was just too hungry to think straight. We didn’t really get to see much of Camden because we were pressed for time, another thing that was kind of a bummer. The last time I was in London we got to Camden late in the day when everything was closing. So that’s two times and no real Camden hang. Well, I will return.

After eating we realized it was time to make our way to Brixton for the radio show. So went to the Camden Town station on the Northern Line and the escalator wasn’t working. So we had to go down, down, down this winding staircase to get to the train platform. That was making me cranky too. LOL!

We said farewell to Kelli as she had something else to do and said she would try and make it out to the show that night. We took the Tube to from Camden Town to Euston where were switched for the Victoria Line toward Brixton and the end of that line.

I was concerned about us being late to the show, but we actually made it to Brixton and the radio station in good time. This was our first foray to Brixton since getting into town. It was where I ended my trip last time, which is a great memory.

When we got off the Tube we came out, turned left, walked by the Roxy and down the road until we came to the building where Playvybz and the Morpheus Soul show are housed. At first we couldn’t get in, but then someone came to the door to let us in. We were still a bit confused about how to get to the actual station because it was a building with a lot of businesses in it. The guy who opened the door for us pointed us in a direction, but it wasn’t too clear. We walked down a hall and made a left to another hall with an elevator. We pressed the button for the elevator and nothing happened so I was a bit frustrated when someone opened the door to the outside near the elevator and it was LyricL and the rest of the Morpheus Soul crew! Thank God because the cranky was creeping up on me hard. LOL! So instead of taking the elevator we just took the steps downstairs to the studio.

I was so happy to be there and even happier to just sit down. LOL! But seriously I was looking forward to the show. DJ Johnny Rebel of the Morpheus Soul show is the person I had been corresponding with before I got to London. He sent me links to a few of the shows so I was clear about the format when he has guests on the show. Basically it’s like a jam session with whoever is in the room and they have a resident vocalist/emcee in the crew who happens to be named Lyrical not to be confused with LyricL. LOL! Basically, Lyrical will freestyle and vocally jam with whoever the musical guest is; over whatever beat Johnny decides to drop. What??!! Okay so I had to get my skills up. HA! I knew it was going to be a lot of fun so that’s why I also invited LyricL to come with us. I am all about connecting people, and Johnny said they had been trying to get LyricL on the show for a while so this was perfect.

The Morpheus Soul Show crew is DJ Johnny Rebel, The Soulful Solly Brown, Ten Mill and when called upon Lyrical. [Angels 10, 11, 12 & 13] Let me first say that they have that show down to a science. Second let me say that Solly and Ten Mill have two of the best voices in radio and I really listen to things like that. Three DJ Johnny Rebel’s choice of songs for the show and tunes that go under the voice over are impeccable. These brothas made me remember why I love hip-hop for real. They put me on to Homeboy Sandman, Big K.R.I.T. and Nottz. Oh yes I love hip-hop. I really do. Exhale. Hip-hop is alive. It’s been pushed under like so many of us, but we still make the music. Blessings. Okay I’m getting off my hip-hop soapbox and back to or regularly scheduled program.

The back of Ten Mill, Soulful Solly Brown & LyricL

DJ Johnny Rebel

Lyrical not to be confused with LyricL

The show started out with Johnny playing music. Great music and I’m not just saying that because he was playing my music (Ha!). It was so nice to ask, “who’s that?” time and time again. Soon we jumped into the interactive portion of the show. That would be me, LyricL and Jeff. Ten Mill and Soulful Solly Brown interviewed me, then they had LyricL announce the #1 song on the Morpheus Soul Top 5 Countdown and then another brief talk and then we jumped into the jam. But before I go there I have to say this. This next portion might be a TMI moment, but you know this stuff just happens and the ladies know what I’m talking about.

As I’m sitting there waiting my turn I said to myself that I should go to the ladies room before all of this jumps off. So I go and what happens, my “little friend” shows up! Now it was all clear about why the cranky had shown up that day. Damn! Now I have to figure this “situation” out. So I roll back to the studio and whisper in LyricL’s ear about the situation. Luckily she was able to help me out, and said, “welcome to being on tour out of the country.” LOL. Indeed, indeed.

Lyrical wasn’t in studio for the whole show because he was at work, but that brotha came right in from the job and didn’t even miss a beat. He just stepped right on the mic, the beat dropped and he was flowing! I was not ready! HA! But I managed to jump in. It was like vocal double-dutch. LOL! We had such a great time. LyricL jumped in, Jeff played guitar and it was amazing. They learned why I call Jeff the “Haitian Sensation” because he can play anything! This went on for about 10-15 minutes. It was fire! Good times. Good times.

The Morpheus Soul show guests of the week!

[Listen to the Show on the Player Below! Also my bad that I disputed Ma Rainey being written by August Wilson. Bad Shelley! Enjoy!]

The Morpheus Soul show Feat. Shelley Nicole, Jeff Jeudy & LyricL [Feb. 12th]

“It’s the radio show that plays good music”

I have to shout out Georgia who came through and took some beautiful photos us is in the studio. She is amazing. I love when photographers disappear into the room and capture moments without you even realizing that you are being shot. That was a huge feat to do in that studio because it wasn’t very big. I also can’t forget Louisa, Lyrical’s manager, who shot the video for that day. Hey Louisa, where is that video? LOL.

After the show was over it was past time to eat. We were starving. LOL! We could have gone to the Music Bar where we were playing next to eat, but I needed to make a pit stop in the other direction. Johnny took my bass and Jeff’s guitar to the spot so we wouldn’t have to carry them while we were at dinner, which was really sweet. After a start stop on the dinner front with us trying to go to Satay, but they door guy being an ass, we eased on down the road to a Japanese spot that was really great. The dinner crew was LyricL, Jeff, Lyrical, Ten Mill and I. Coming along shortly were Chippy and Kadija Karma. Johnny had played one of Kadija’s songs on the show and it was killin’. So it was really great to meet her.

After dinner Lyrical, Jeff and I walked down to the Music Bar. LyricL was with us for a bit, but then she went back to the restaurant to chill with Chippy and Kadija because they got to dinner a bit later than us.

The Music Bar is really cute. I wish it had been warmer because they have a place for folks to hang outside and I believe they were jerking chicken out there. Inside there is a bar/lounge with couches, TV and a pool table. If you keep going back and down a couple of steps you come to the music room. Johnny was already spinning when we arrived. I got my things out of my bag and changed my clothes and put my face on. I then walked around a bit and I was so excited because Kat and Rob were there! Yeah! Jeff’s friend Ryan who had lent us his guitar was there with his girlfriend and another friend. Chippy, Kadija and LyricL showed up a bit later. I also met Sharoné who working the event for Heart & Soul. Really cool people.

DJ Johnny Rebel on deck


Rob & Kat! My people!

Me & Kat!

Ryan & Jeff

The evening also featured Fae Simone and Lyrical. The evening opened with Fae doing her thing with another emcee/producer who she is working with and then Jeff and I hit the stage. We did three songs and it was a little tough to hear the guitar because it didn’t have a direct input, but we pushed it through. On that night we did blaK Girls, Box and Give It to Me. So it was short and sweet. I had to reel in a few unruly folks who thought they could talk loud through my set. I wasn’t really having it. So I sang “Give it to Me” straight to the loudest dude with so much intensity I probably scared him more then excited him, but either way he shut up. LOL! After I was done Lyrical hit the stage and he was on fire. I think he could have gone all night if they had let him. Jeff played a few tunes with him and he did a few things to tracks. All in all it was really fun.

Fae Simon

Jeff & Lyrical

I was glad to do the charity event, but I was also glad that the show was over because I was so tired. I think the realization that it was the end of the week, and I didn’t have anymore shows was starting to sink in so I was winding down mentally and physically.

I had hatched a plan of how Jeff and I were going to get home from Brixton that night but it required us to get on the rail kind of early. Well not too early, but I wanted to make sure we made it. Well that plan went out the window somewhere in the evening and we were trying to figure out what bus(es) to take when Kevin showed up! Remember we were staying with Kevin and Michelle. So that was a huge blessing. Now we didn’t have to worry about how we were going to get home. Yes!

After the show was over we hung out for a little bit. I sold my last CD that I had brought with me, which was also a blessing and I gave part of that money to the charity. It wasn’t much, but I wanted to give. Then Jeff and I packed up our things and started to head out. I thought I might be sad to say goodbye because it was the last show, but we had planned to meet most of the crew at the Vibe Bar the next night for LyricL’s show.

DJ Johnny Rebel, Me & Lyrical

LyricL & Jeff

Jeff and I headed out with Kevin and back to the house. It was the end of another long day. When we got to the house we stayed up chatting with Kevin a bit, but soon realized we needed to go to bed because Sunday was the only day that we had to go sightseeing and Paula (my girl in New York) told me I could not fail her. So we had to do London in a day. LOL! It was going to be tough, but I was up for the challenge!

So we head to sleep and just as I was falling asleep I hear this sound. The sound is something like a dying animal or a something hurt. It was scary. I thought it sounded like some mythical animal. I’m like, “What the hell is that?” Jeff gets up to see what it is and low and behold it’s another damn fox! It’s making such an awful noise like it’s a crazy three-headed dog. I didn’t even want to look out the window. This thing just barked or whatever it was doing for about 10 minutes. It was crazy. Finally I heard someone outside yell, “Get!” And it stopped and went away. Did I say it was hella crazy. The foxes need to be stopped! It’s like a bad horror movie. LOL! Goodnight London.

Note: There as so many wonderful photos that came from this day. I'm going to post more of them later on my FB page, but in you are on FB you check out Georgia's page (the photographer) for all her photos from that day.

Also: The Morpheus Soul show happens Every Saturday 5-7pm GMT. That's 2-4pm EST. Check them out LIVE on Playvybz.com or check the postcast on the Morpheus Soul website. It's always poppin.'!

LyricL, Jeff, Me, Kadija Karma, Johnny & Chippy!

Native Tongue Day 5 [Part 10]

2011-03-23T12:03:00.000-04:00

London Day 5

After the show on Thursday night, I told my aunt Helen and uncle Richard that Jeff and I would meet them for lunch or dinner or something on Friday. I found out that they were staying in a hotel right next to Victoria station, which was perfect because we could take the rail right there. They told us to call them when we got up, which of course was later then expected, but the nights just kept getting short and shorter.

I had to make sure I had everything together for that evenings show at Native Tongue. There was suppose to be a soundcheck at 6:30pm, but Tim wasn’t sure if he could make it. So if the drums can’t make it then it’s kind of pointless to have a soundcheck. That night’s line up was the blaKbüshe quartet. Well it was actually a quintet including Jeff, Tim, Hannabiell, LyricL and I. LyricL was a welcome last minute addition. I still wasn’t sure if the rest of the horns could make it. Scott was coming from a studio session and Max had a gig, but they said they would try so I was keeping hope alive.

Before leaving the house that day I got a call from Adam Rock. He told me that the owner of the Mau Mau Bar had really loved my show on Thursday night and wanted to know if I was free to play on Saturday back at the Mau Mau! Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever been asked back for a command performance in a matter of days! I was totally flattered, but I had to tell him I couldn’t because I was scheduled to play on Saturday night at the Heart & Soul charity fundraiser in Brixton. That was show #2 that I had to turn down. Just one more confirmation that next time I need to stay in town a lot longer.

Sometime in the afternoon, Jeff and I got our things together and headed on the walk to Kent House station to head to Victoria. We weren’t waiting too long before the train arrived. When we got to Victoria station my aunt & uncle’s hotel was literally next door. It was actually almost in the same building as the station. We walked around to the hotel entrance and went in. The front desk clerk called my aunt down to come get us and soon she was there to take us upstairs. The hotel was really nice, but I can see why she had to come get us because it was a maze.

By the time we got to the hotel I knew that I wasn’t going to do an actual soundcheck, but I still wanted to go down to the club and talk to the folks, explain my setup and just let them see my face. So Jeff and I chatted with my aunt & uncle for a while, had a little wine and chilled until it was time to go to the club. I mapped out the route and headed there. We jumped on the Circle Line at Victoria and headed it Barbican where the club is.

When we got to the club, Tristan was cool that we weren't going to check. There were other bands waiting so that probably helped them a bit with the flow of things not to have to check one band. I wasn’t so concerned because I had a smaller set up for the night. I knew at that point that Max and Scott wouldn’t be able to make it so we were back to the small crew. I wasn’t stressed about the evening and Chris, the soundman, seemed cool with everything so Jeff and I headed back to the hotel to have dinner with my aunt & uncle.

My aunt wanted to have fish & chips, in London, before heading home. So she asked the concierge where we should go and he gave her the name of a spot he knew not to far from the hotel, on the other side of Victoria station. I can’t remember the name of the place, but it reminded me of the seafood spots in New England or on City Island in the Bronx where you can get fried seafood and only fried seafood and lots of it. LOL! You know the joints I’m talking about. Everything is fried. If you are looking for something else then you are in the wrong place. HA!

Anyway, we go there, check the menu and order. They had all kinds of fish to be fried on the menu. I think I got the haddock and was good to go. When they came out with those plates of fish & chips I would have thought I was back in America because those portions were huge! Much larger than I expected. I knew I couldn’t eat it all since I had to sing shortly, but I enjoyed what I could.

It was my aunt and uncle’s last day in London. They said they had a great time even though their stay was short. They had taken the train from Paris to London as I did, which they enjoyed as well and they got to see some sights near the hotel. This was their first trip to Europe so it was just amazing for them. I remember my aunt talking about Buckingham Palace and how seeing it made her think of her history lessons from school. I know exactly what she meant. I think that’s how I felt when I saw the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You know it’s there, but it’s a whole other thing to see it for yourself. Everyone should travel. I’ll say it again for all you American’s reading this blog. EVERYONE SHOULD TRAVEL! There is so much out there to see. Get yourself a passport and get out of wherever you are. This world is so much bigger than your commute to work and home everyday and your trip to the supermarket and church on the weekend. It’s huge people. Get out there. Stop letting your issues with “people” keep you home, or your financial “issues” keep you from going anywhere. We have money for what we WANT to have money for. Nuff said.

After dinner we went back to the hotel only to find out that the people of Egypt had won their fight and gotten Mubarack out of office! What a night! It was an amazing sight to see.

I changed my clothes at the hotel because I had seen the bathroom at the club before I left and I knew that was not going to work. I did my makeup and got all of my things together. Jeff and I said farewell to my aunt & uncle and headed back to the Circle Line to head back to the club.

Native Tongue reminds me of some of the smaller rock clubs that exist in New York. They are underground, dark, and often have lots of beer spilled on the floor or something sticky like that. Luckily Native Tongue did not have the beer soaked floor, but it is your typical “indie” rock club. I had played a Native Tongue event when I was in London in 2007. Back then they were doing their things at a spot called Edwards Hammersmith. It was upstairs from a restaurant called Edwards I believe. I knew that it was going to be a spot where there were more white people than people of color, but that was the point. That night at Edwards no one knew who I was, but folks were very cool to me and I met a great girl named Rhiannon who I have kept in touch with ever since.

Now Native Tongue has their own spot in EC1 and it is actually a cool little spot. As I said, it ain’t real swanky, but it is rock & roll. This difference between last time and this is that people came out to see me.

I was so excited to see some of my Michfest crew! What?? Michfest in London? Yes indeed. Last year in Michigan I met two sistas named Michelle and Yvonne. I told Michelle last year on the land that I wanted to go back to London and at that time she had an event she was doing so she said if I got there I could come through. So when I knew I was coming back to London I reached out, but by that time she wasn’t doing her event anymore. That was cool because it would be great to see her either way. Well low and behold, Michelle and Yvonne were in the house. Also Jeff’s friend Kelli came through and LyricL’s friend Arek came and Abdul from our Cargo hang on Monday night come through.

As I said, that night was the quintet. I really loved that setup. It was bass (me), drums (Tim), guitar/bass (Jeff), trombone (Hannabiell) and vocals/emcee (LyricL). That trombone really set it off. It also felt good to be on bass with the electric set because usually I’ll play bass with the acoustic set. It felt like a move forward for me on the bass front.

We did a short set that night. The songs for the evening (in no particular order) were blaK Girls (original version), Give it to Me, I Am American, Can’t Blame a Tree, Box and Go Head & Rise.

We Got the Glow!

Add caption

The Force if with me

CLICK HERE to see the VIDEO from that night!

[The sounds is not the best, but I wanted to share the glow in action. :-D]

It was another amazing show and as you can see from the photos that my girl Michelle took we were glowing. LOL! I had such a good time doing that set. It was another amazing night. Many of the people who were there for the earlier bands stayed to hear us. I have to admit that I love making people think twice about the assumptions that they make about me before I even open my mouth. If you don’t know what I’m saying I’ll break it down. Basically when “folks” see me and my band setting up they often make an assumption about what kind of music we are going to play. Basically, we are black so we must be playing R&B or something of that sort. So when that doesn’t quite happen then they are intrigued for lack of a better term so they hang out and end up having a great time.

When the show was over Tristan, who owns the club, told me to give him more notice as to when I’m coming back to London so he could build a night around me. Now that’s what’s up! So I have to get back soon. Honestly I’m already hatching a plan.

We hung out for a bit and chatted with the folks who came out. This one young white guy who had a few, kept telling me about how much he didn't like R&B and how much his sister does, but how we made him rethink his position on R&B. I think what we really did was make him rethink his assumptions of black people in music. Score one for the team. Lol!

That night Tim was kind enough to give Jeff and I a ride home. Just one more blessing. That was the last night that I saw Tim during my trip. I really love that guy. He’s just such good people and so professional. If Matsu (my drummer here in NY) can’t be with me in Europe then it is Tim all day. Thanks Tim!

Yes indeed another day is down in London Town. There was still one more show to go and Jeff and I vowed to try and see one damn sight on Saturday before we had to be at the radio show in Brixton. Until tomorrow…

Showtime! Jazz Re:freshed Day 4 [Part 9]

2011-03-15T19:57:00.001-04:00

London Day 4

When we last left our hero…

I was getting up on Thursday morning determined to do something else besides just do the show that night. Jeff still hadn’t seen any sights in London except through a car window so we had to do something, anything.

The night before we were trying to figure out how we could go sight seeing with all of our gear in tow for the show that night. LyricL then suggested that we drop everything at her friend Bunny’s place, which is also Uprock Studios and then we could do things from there. Jeff is a huge Beatles fan so he wanted to go to Abbey Road, and it just so happened that Uprock is very close to Abbey Road. Also Bunny said he wanted to interview me for his blog Code Emphasis. Okay. So here was the plan. Get up, head to Uprock, drop our stuff, go to Abbey Road, come back to Uprock to do the interview, then head to the Mau Mau Bar for soundcheck. Sounds good right? Well…

We wake up and it’s raining. Probably the first “real” rain we’d had since we got there. I say real because it had rained a bit, but it was off and on rain. Nothing that hung around for too long. But on Thursday it really rained.

We got our stuff together and headed for the train at Anerley. Kevin was kind enough to drive us to the train again. On this short ride to the train we were listening to the radio and the announcer was talking about seeing some celeb at some event, but the thing that caught me was that he said she was looking “quite fragrant.” I love that! I have to remember to use that from now on when I see someone looking good.

We got on the Overground at Anerley and took that Canada Water and switched for the Jubilee Line toward Stanmore to Kilburn. LyricL told us to call her when we got there because she was coming from a totally different direction. So I called when we got out and it was really raining then. We had all kinds of gear with us, but we didn’t think we would be going very far. When I spoke to LyricL and she told me to go to the bus stop on the same side of the street I was on and go toward Kilburn High Street. At least I think that’s what she said. The point of this matter is that we got all turned around in the pouring rain. When we got on the bus I felt like we were riding in the wrong direction and I was correct, but it took us some time to figure that out for real.

Jeff and I got off the bus after talking to LyricL and realizing we were going in the wrong direction. We stood at the bus stop trying to figure out the directions when another bus came by and properly splashed me. Okay, at that point all I could do was laugh. We backed away from the stop and called LyricL one more time to get clear and we figured out we should head the other way because that’s where she was. So we got on another bus headed back toward the Tube we just got off, but when I told this to LyricL she still thought we were going in the wrong direction. It was a total “Who’s on First” moment. LOL. So after some back and forth she told us to just wait at the Kilburn stop we got off the Tube and she would come get us from there.

After all this back and forth it had gotten really late. I was feeling bad because I knew there was a possibility that Jeff wouldn’t get to go to Abbey Road because I still had to do this interview with Bunny and then we had to head to the Mau Mau for soundcheck.

When LyricL arrived she suggested getting a mini cab to our destination at that point. So we did and headed to Uprock. I knew upon our arrival that I wouldn’t have enough time to go to Abbey Road. I told Jeff he could go on his own, but he chose not to. I was kind of bummed about that, and tired, but the show must go on.

Uprock Studios is a very cool place. It’s really the musical home of my crew of folks that produce Jazz Re:freshed, and my man Daz-I-Kue who now lives here in ATL. Daz still calls Uprock home along with Bunny Bread, Adam Rock, Top Rock and whole host of magical musical folks who are part of the legendary West London crew. If any of you out there like broken beat, well this is where all the magic happened. Of course I know there are some out there who will disagree and I may not have all my facts totally straight, but that’s where it started for me. At least with those people and the Bugz in the Attic crew. I’m not going to give you the whole Bugz history, but I highly suggest you check them out as a collective and individually. Their music is amazing!

Anyway, Bunny interviewed me for Code Emphasis and then we had to get ready to roll to Mau Mau. Turned out Bunny had to bring the drum kit from Uprock to the Mau Mau so we called a big cab, all piled in, drums included, and headed to the club.

At this point I was really late for soundcheck. I didn’t mean to be, but it was sort of how the whole day had been rolling. Also when we got there Tim had brought his own kit so Bunny didn’t have to bring the one from Uprock. We didn’t find this out until we were in the cab and almost to the club so it was too late to turn back. When I walked in I was surprised to see my aunt Helen and uncle Richard were already there! Yes this is the same aunt and uncle who were in Paris the week before when I was there with Burnt Sugar. They extended their trip and came to London for a couple of days after Paris. I really love them for that. So we all settled in and started getting the band ready to check.

Marquee!

Jazz Re:freshed @ the Mau Mau Bar

Now the Mau Mau Bar is not a huge place, but it’s a very cool space. The thing about the space is that if you have a large band like I had that night, you have to split up the band on either side of an aisle so that folks can get to the bathroom. So on one stage with me was the drums, bass, guitar and backing vocals. Then on the other stage was all the horns and percussion. It’s still a very cool setup. I could see everyone and that’s really all that matters.


Jeff & Scott (on trumpet) warming up their fingers pre-show

John breaking down the math. LOL!

Stage Left

LyricL & Tuca setting stage right

The Mau Mau also doesn’t really have a space where you can change. The last time I played there LyricL and I changed in the bathroom of a restaurant across the street. This time things were a little better. Chippy, who worked the door, had a friend named Chris who lived upstairs from the club and he was kind enough to let Hannabiell and I change in his apartment. Thanks Chris!

Hannabiell warming up pre-show

Hannabiell, fresh and ready to go!

Let me just say that Chris's apartment was so cute! I really love being able to take a peek at how apartments are in different neighborhoods and different parts of the world. Something that I have always loved and wanted was an apartment that had split-levels. Not like a staircase, but just a couple of steps down or up into the living room or the bedroom. I always thought that was cool and Chris had that.

Scott and I pre-show

Hannabiell and I chatted with Chris while we were putting on our makeup and he said he would come down to see the show and he actually did, which was very cool. We finished with our makeup, gathered our things and headed back down to the club. We had nice crowd brewing and it was almost time to go on.

Horns getting their charts together

Tuca! Ready to Rock!

Jeff! Ready to go!

Max on Sax!

I asked my uncle if he would video the show for me, which he did and my aunt took some awesome photos. Hannabiell was concerned about Yillis not making it because her train got delayed, but the made it, which was great! She didn’t miss a thing. I checked to make sure we were all in the house, Justin a.k.a. Top Rock introduced us and we were off.

Top Rock with the intro

The set list for the night was Out of My Mind, I Am American, Can’t Blame a Tree, Box, Give it to Me, I’m a Woman (I’m a Backbone), Go Head & Rise and the blaK Girls remix. It was an amazing night and set. The horns were in full effect and everything just came together.


The people! In front, my girl Van.

The afterglow

To see the complete set of show photos check out Flickr! Enjoy!
photos by my Aunt Helen & Uncle Richard

I’ll just say this about the show. FIRE!!! Everyone in the audience was so beautiful. I felt so blessed to back in that space again. The people there really love music and that’s what it’s all about folks. I played my tambourine, played John’s bass, danced with the people and with LyricL. It was so much fun!

Adam Rock! The man who makes is all happen!

When the show was over a few people came over to talk to me who were from the States and they were so excited about “Can’t Blame a Tree.” It was actually a white woman who said she was from Florida and had done some work around helping the Jena 6. This world get smaller and smaller. Another woman was so excited about “Out of My Mind”, but that song is not on my EP so I promised to send it to her. In fact I should do that right now! LOL! My friend and vocalist Michael Ashanti came to the show. He’s another one of my Ex-Pat friends from New York, but living in London. My friend Lindsay was there with his wife who I was happy to finally meet. It was so good to see him although it was short. The Temporary Residents crew was there, who I would get to spend much more time with on Saturday. Ah, gang's all here. My aunt and uncle left pretty much right after the show, but Jeff and I would hook up with them the next day.

I signed CDs and almost sold out. At the end of the night I only had two left! That’s what I’m talking about! After meeting and greeting I pulled my things together and Max said he would take us back to Anerley again. I love Max! He’s so sweet that he actually took Hannabiell, Yillis, Jeff and I back to our respective spaces. But before we went home we had to have an after show hang right?

Max decided to take us to Chinatown for some food there since that is one of the few places you could find food at that hour. So we piled into Max’s ride and headed that way.

The welcome dragon in Chinatown

We found a place to park and walked through the red light district to Chinatown. There were all kinds of restaurants open, but Max took us to one that he knew and they had a table for us in the corner in the back. We settled in, ordered, ate and talked for a while. It was a really nice end to a really great evening. This was another moment in which I was feeling especially blessed and so so thankful.

Jeff's plate? The meat special! What happens in London... LOL!

After eating we headed back to the car and back down south. Max dropped Hannabiell and Yillis in Peckham and then we were off to Anerely. We were soon at the house and saying out goodbyes to Max. Luckily it wasn’t the last time we would see him, but I was so thankful for him. I really had to hold back tears of gratitude. He’s such an amazing guy, that Max, and super humble. I found out during that trip that Max played with Prince when he was in London doing all those shows. I think that’s the beautiful thing about musicians. If the music is good, no matter if you are Prince or Shelley Nicole you will be there. I’m like that too. I just love music. No matter who is playing it, if it’s good it’s good.

So another night in London down. Show three tomorrow at Native Tongue. The horn players were so hyped after tonight’s show that they said the would come do it again with me the next night and I hadn’t even asked them. Blessings, blessings.

Thanks again to my London band & the Jazz Re:freshed crew: Tim Rickard, John Calvert, Tuca Milan, Hannabiell Sanders, Alam Nathoo, Scott Baylis, Max Grunhard, LyricL, Adam Rock, Justin "Top Rock" McKenzie, Chippy, Bunny and anyone I may have forgotten, you are not forgotten. XXOO

Words to live by

The Gang's All Here! : Day 3 [Part 8]

2011-03-04T23:47:00.000-05:00

London Day 3

Wednesday. The plan was to get up and try to do something, anything before band rehearsal at 6:30pm. Well that was not in the cards. Tuesday was such a long day and we were just beat. Jeff and I kept saying we were going to get a move on and it just never happened. Well the only move we made was back to the phone store to top up my cell phone, which I was beginning to see was going to cost me a grip by the end of the trip, and to Sainsbury’s the local supermarket to buy some food so that we wouldn't eat out all the time.

Note: I really love that the supermarket is called Sainsbury’s. There is something about that name that makes the food seem royal. LOL!

I have to tell you that I really love food shopping in London. I think I mentioned this last time I was there, but the food is just so much better. There isn’t one thing on the shelf with high fructose corn syrup in it. The things that the supermarkets here call “organic” and charge us more money for are just standard fare over there. Folks just because something doesn’t have high fructose corn syrup in it, doesn’t mean it’s organic. Know that!

Sainsbury’s also has a great bakery department. As we were looking over the breads and figuring out what to buy I couldn’t help but comment to Jeff on how fresh the bread was and the many varieties. One of the women who worked there jumped right in to tell me that their oven had been down for a while and people in the neighborhood were really upset that they couldn’t get their Sainsbury’s bread and were waiting basically with baited breath to get their hands on a loaf as soon as the oven was up and running. She said it made her feel good to know that they were appreciated. There was a gleam in her eye of pride. That moment reminded me that sometimes all you need to give people is a Thank You and it will make their whole day.

We left the supermarket and headed back to the house to make some late lunch. Sometime during the day I got a call or text from LyricL asking if I would like her to pick up some snacks for the band for rehearsal. Well that sounded great! Cool. She also reminded me to reach out to everyone to make sure that they were clear about where rehearsal was and the time. If LyricL wasn’t such a masterful emcee, she would make an amazing tour manager.

Let me back up a little bit and tell you about this band I put together with the help of the Creator before we get into rehearsal details. Truly they were a band of angles. I have to take you back to NY for you to understand a bit better the process of pulling this whole thing together.

When I decided that I would take the plunge and go to London after Paris I was fully prepared to go alone as I stated in the first blog. Jeff soon told me that he was on board to come from New York. Okay cool. So now I just needed to figure out the rest of the of the band in London. I decided that I would only do one full band show because that’s all I could afford and really I couldn’t afford that, but I kept moving forward. As for what I wanted to do in London, the main focus was to be able to perform the “blaK Girls” remix live because I would be there with LyricL who is the emcee on the track. So if nothing else I needed at least two horns to make it sound like something since the remix is afrobeat.

I reached out to LyricL about folks to play in the band and she hit me with a bunch of names. I already had a drummer, Tim, who played with me when I went to London the first time. That is my man, hundred-grand for real. He was on board already. So I needed bass, maybe another guitar, and two horns. After talking to a few people, LyricL’s bassist John came on board. I reached out to one guitarist, but he couldn’t make the date and his price was way out of budget. John said his roommate Alam played sax so he would ask him to get on board. LyricL also told me to reach out to her friend Scott who plays trumpet to see if he would be down. I got in touch, he was free and he was down. Cool! Okay so we had John (bass), Jeff (guitar), Tim (drums), Alam (sax), Scott (trumpet) LyricL (emcee) and me. Cool! I have to add that all these folks said they would do the show for a split of the door! Blessings.

Now I’m thinking I’m all good. I have the band together and I’m about to move forward. Then I get three more emails. The first is from my friend Yillis who is in school in New Castle, UK. She informs me that her and my girl (and hers) Hannabiell, who is also in school in New Castle, are going to come down to London to see my show while I’m in town. Great! I was so excited about that because since they started going to school out there I don’t get to see them much. Funny thing is that I was so excited at the thought of just seeing them that it took a day or two before it clicked that I should ask Hannabiell to play with me on my shows.

Hannabiell is a trombone and percussion player. I met her about 3 or 4 years ago through my girl Hanifah. Hanifah tapped Hannabiell to play with her at Michfest when she had her band Hanfiah Walidah & the Fuckin’ Ladies. Hannabiell is a master drummer and a killer trombonist. So I reached out to her about playing the Thursday gig at the Mau Mau Bar and the Friday gig at Native Tongue and she was down!

The next email came from LyricL who put me in touch with her percussionist Tuca. Tuca is an incredible drummer/percussionist from Brazil who now lives in London. LyricL let Tuca hear my music and she was down as well!

Finally I got an email from Scott (trumpet) who told me that he is really good friends with another sax player named Max. He had asked Max if he wanted to play and Max said he would be down! Wow!

Now the band has 4 horns, percussion, drums, bass, guitar, and emcee and me on vocals. LyricL was also helping me out with some of the backgrounds. Amazing! I was truly blessed. Now back to Wednesday.

I was still having a hard time getting used to just how long it was taking us to get to our destinations in London. So I would think I was giving myself enough time and I was always late. That day was no exception. I also think that Jeff and I were so tired that it was hard to walk out of the house sometimes because it was so cozy.

Earlier in the day I asked John if I could play his bass at rehearsal and he agreed so I didn’t have to carry mine that day, which was a plus because my girl is heavy. Soon we were off on another train journey.

If I’m remembering correctly Jeff and I walked to Kent House station to take the train to Victoria. When we got to Victoria we took that line Oxford Circus. Then we switched for the Central Line toward Ealing Broadway to North Acton. We were rehearsing at Survival Studios and really that studio looked like it was doing all it could to survive. HA!

Sign at the Survival Studios front desk. It seems that amphibians can get break in London

We got off the train and we were late. So I called LyricL to express my apologies and to let the folks know who were there that I was close by. Survival Studios is bare bones to say the least. I really wanted to rehearsal at the other spot called Panic Music that was at the same stop, but the other way down the road, but I waited too long and they were booked. In the end though, rehearsal space is rehearsal space, it was in the budget and I know how to make it do what it do. It’s really about being in the same room. All the rest is gravy. I was thankful.

When I got to the spot Tuca, John and LyricL were there. I knew Tim would be a little late, but we could work the rhythm section with Jeff, John and Tuca until he arrived. We were about to get things started when Tim arrived a little early. Hannabiell got to studio really early and was waiting for us, but she was directly to a pub to chill until we arrived. I told the horns not to come until 7 or 7:30 so she early, but by the time she got back she was right on time.

Tuca, Jeff & Tim

We jumped into rehearsal and little by little the horns started to arrive. First Hannabiell, then Alam then Max and Scott. By the time we all got in the room it was really sounding great. The horns were making up lines on the spot along with things that had already been charted out.

Video Clip of "blaK Girls" remix in Rehearsal

I felt really comfortable with everyone and had complete confidence in them from the moment we started playing. We only had one day to rehearse before we hit the stage the next day at the Mau Mau Bar, but I knew it would be great. I tell you, if we’d had two day to rehearse, they would have had to call the fire department to the club because as it was the show was FIRE!

Video Clip of "Give It To Me" in Rehearsal

John, Alam, Scott, Max & Hannabiell

By the time rehearsal was over I felt really good about what was ahead. So we closed up shop, I paid for rehearsal and got ready for the long haul back to Anerley. Before I could even start really contemplating that journey Jeff and I needed to eat. Max suggested that we go up to the bar/restaurant where he has a gig that looks out over the Thames river. Now that sounded good! It also turned out that Max lives in Crystal Palace, which is right next to Anerley so he said he would drive us home. Wow! [Angel #10]. So Jeff, Hannabiell and I piled into Max’s car and we headed to the spot. LyricL had to do something so she said she would take the Tube and meet us there.

We made out way out of North Acton and headed toward central London. We drove through Piccadilly Circus, by Westminster Abbey and Big Ben over Thames and headed toward where we were going to pick up LyricL once she got off the Tube. We beat her there so Max just drove us around for a bit pointing out the sights. It was a beautiful clear night.

When LyricL got off the train we couldn’t quite figure out where she was. So she thought it would be better for her to just walk to the spot and meet us there. Okay. So we drove over to the area where the restaurant was, found a parking spot and headed up. I immediately knew we were going to a somewhat fancy spot because there were a few cars with divers sitting outside. Okay boys, we’re going in. LOL!

The spot was called the OXO restaurant as it was the OXO building. Yes that is the same OXO that makes kitchen utensils at Crate & Barrel, Bed, Bath & Beyond and various other spots. The company is based in London. We took the elevator up to the restaurant and it was very beautiful. Since Max plays there he knew everyone and that was cool. They gave us a nice table in the bar area and then Jeff, LyricL and I went on the terrace to check out the view. It was just beautiful. We were right next to the London Eye, which lights up everything in that area. It was amazing to see London from that vantage point. Jeff and I were going to order a dish to split, but Max said he could take us someplace a little less expensive when we left. So we just ordered drinks and talked New World Order with our Parisian waiter. It seemed like he was waiting all day for us. Meaning he had a lot get off his chest and clearly the more conservative usual clientele was not trying to hear it from him. LOL!

The after rehearsal hang

In the end our long chat with the waiter paid off. He only charged us for 2 or maybe 3 of the 5 drinks we ordered and he let us take all the Harvey Nichols chocolates we stuff in our pockets! Ha! Chocolate is always the best way to end an evening.

Before we left the spot I headed to the ladies room. The bathroom was off the hook in that spot. I wish I had taken a photo of that. On my way back to the table I noticed the posters lining the hallway wall. There was a great one of James Brown Live at the Apollo. To me that was a subtle nod to Paris and made me smile. Almost like James was giving the thumbs up to my London trip.

A little throw back to my days in Paris

We headed out, back past the car and drivers to Max’s ride. We all piled in just long enough to drop LyricL at the Tube so she could get back to her place since she was going in a totally opposite direction than the rest of us.

Hannabiell was staying in Peckham, which was on the way south so Max said he would drop her off too. Before getting there we stopped at a kebab spot to get some late night eats and then headed home in earnest. We dropped Hannabiell and headed one more time to Anerley. Max graciously dropped us off at the house and bid us farewell. Another great night in London down. Tomorrow is the big show!

NOTE: There are more videos of the rehearsals in London, but they are just too small and grainy to post through the blogger. So if you want to check them out just go to my YouTube Channel. There is a fill clip of the Rufus cover "I'm a Woman (I'm a Backbone)" and more goodies. Enjoy!

Can a Girl Catch a Break? : Day 2 [Part 7]

2011-03-01T13:18:00.005-05:00

London Day 2

I’m up! It’s Tuesday at the crack of dawn. I think I just went to sleep, but I had to get up. I had to meet Jeff at Heathrow at 8:25am. Okay. I’m beat down tired. I peel myself up, take a shower and head downstairs to ask Michelle or Kevin how to get to the train station. I have already mapped out my route. I have to take the Overground from Anerley to Canada Water. Then catch the Jubilee Line toward Stanmore to Westminster or Green Park. I think I chose Green Park because that would put me right on the Piccadilly Line, which would take me directly to Heathrow. If I got off at Westminster I would then have to switch to the District Line going toward Earling Broadway and then switch for the Piccadilly Line at Acton Town toward Heathrow. Are you starting to feel my pain?

I left the house at 6:30 or 7am. I had to hurry if I was going to catch my train so Kevin said he would take me to the station. We jumped in the car and high tailed it over there. I arrived with time to spare, but just a bit of time. I hopped on the train and realized that it was rush hour. I don’t care what city you are in, rush hour is rush hour and I don’t like crowds. Especially crowds of people trying to get to a job that they think is more important than anything else in the world. They can be ruthless.

When the train stopped at Canada Water, my first change, it was a mad rush. It felt like a New York, Times Square morning. I just had to suck it up because I had to keep moving to make it to the airport on time. I waded through the sea of people and made my way to the next train that was pulling into the station. I found a spot to squeeze in and took a breath. I wasn’t on the Jubilee too long before I had to make the switch to the Piccadilly Line. Luckily I didn’t have to wait long for that train and there was actually a seat for me when it pulled up. I think most folks were going the other way since it was Tuesday morning. So at that point I was doing the opposite commute. Yes. So I settled in for the long haul to Heathrow.

I was so tired. I could hardly keep my eyes open. I noticed something about the Tube in that moment. You don’t see a lot of people sleeping on the train. On the NYC subway you always see people sleeping. Does that speak to quality of life? Are people getting more rest? Hmmm… Well I couldn’t be concerned about other folks. I needed a nap.

Before I knew it we were entering Heathrow. Now the trains that go there go something like this. There is a train that goes to terminals 1,2,3 & 4 and another that goes to 1,2,3 & 5. I was on the train that went to terminal 4 because that’s where Jeff was coming in. Now when the train goes to terminal 4 it’s actually circling to head back to Cockfosters. Yes I said Cockfosters. That is a real stop. So when we got to the stop for terminals 1,2 & 3 the train just sat there for a while. Damn! I was already late even though I left at the crack of dawn so I knew Jeff would be there waiting and looking for me, concerned, since we had no way to communicate. My UK phone was still not working.

Finally the train started to head for terminal 4, but I had forgotten what a haul it is to get from the tube to the actual airport. Heathrow is no joke ya’ll. So I start walking toward the terminal and at this point I have to say I’m feeling a little defeated. I’m just super tired and hungry as hell.

Finally I make it to the terminal and I’m looking around for Jeff. Luckily he was right there. I was about 20-30 minutes late and I felt bad about that. Not quite the way I wanted to welcome Jeff to London on his first trip there. I needed to take a seat. I needed a minute before I took that haul back to Anerley.

I greeted Jeff and he could clearly see that something was wrong. So I recapped the events from the day before to him. We then decided to chill in the airport for a bit and get an overpriced sandwich or something before headed back for the long haul. I told Jeff we were far out, but he didn’t care because he was in London. I think that changed a bit for him after we started riding, but it was all good. Indeed we were in London.

After taking a breather we headed back to the Tube. Michelle gave me an Oyster for Jeff so that he could get back because it had a travel card on it (I can’t even go into all of the London travel speak right now. Just try to keep up.). So I thought we were all good until I couldn’t get through! What? So now I’m tried, still hungry because the overpriced sandwich was terrible and I can’t get on the Tube. So I ask the attendant what is up. He says I have to put more money on the card. Why? When I got my Oyster the day before I got an unlimited pass for zones 1-4 with a travel card because I knew that I would have to get Jeff in the morning. So why wasn’t my card working. I was so tired at that point that it took me about two or three days to figure out that I had used my travel card when I went to Michelle’s house the night before because I took the rail from Victoria station and the rails are a whole other animal. If you are in NY, it’s like riding the LIRR or Metro North. Anyway, I had to put more money on my Oyster to get out of Heathrow and then we were off. Back over the Piccadilly Line to the Jubilee Line to the Overground to Anerley. It felt like it took forever, but soon we were at Anerley station. Unfortunately it wasn’t until then that I realized A) I couldn’t remember how Kevin had gotten me to the train station so I didn’t know how to get back to the house and B) My UK cell was not working so I couldn’t call anyone. Oh wait, I did have Michelle’s number on me, and pay phones still exist and work in London. So I called her from the pay phone and got no answer. Are you kidding me? Okay. I tried a few more times, but to no avail.

There was a little shop down the road sp we went in to see if maybe they could get my phone going because they sold SIM cards. The people in there were so nice. Really helpful and the older woman in there even let me use her phone to try Michelle again, but no luck. She asked Jeff and I a bit about ourselves since we were hauling instruments and clearly American. We told her we were musicians and that we actually had a show that night, but Jeff had just got in. She said that Jeff would be shattered by the end of the night with the jet lag. She was not kidding.

So we are trying to figure out the phone and get in touch with Michelle and it’s all not working out. One saving grace was that it wasn’t cold outside. One of the men in the shop kept telling us about a phone store on Penge High Street that would be able to help me. They told us to take the bus outside just a few blocks down the road. So finally we took their advice and got on the bus.

The bus driver didn’t seem to know what we were talking about, but luckily someone on the bus did. So we got off a few stops later, walked down the road and there we found a whole street of shops and a few restaurants. Thank Goddess because we were hungry for sure. The street sort of reminded me of a small section of Fulton Street in Brooklyn.

We found the phone store that the folks at the news shop told us about. They were correct. They were able to help me get my phone unlocked. Now mind you, I asked T-mobile about this before I left home and they supposedly gave me instructions on how to do this myself, but they left out a very important piece of the puzzle that I would have never been able to figure out on my own. Crazy I tell you. Anyway, my mobile was now working so I called Michelle to let her know I had a phone and exactly we were.

When Michelle got back to me, it turned out she was in yoga class that’s why she wasn’t answering her phone. I knew it had to be something like that. She said she wasn’t too far away, but Jeff and I were so hungry and we ordered food from a West Indian spot. Okay. Now let me tell you something. West Indian food spots are the same in the UK as they are in BK. No matter what time you get there something that you want is always “finished.” HA! It’s just the way of things. As we sat in the restaurant to wait for our food they had the radio on and some terrible music was playing, and the thing that stood out for me was the fact that about 90% of it was American Music. Where were the UK Urban artists on the radio? If you were doing hip-hop you might get some burn, but the R&B and soul (there was very little soul on the radio) was pretty much all American. I had a few conversations about this the last time I was in London as well. More on that later.

Michelle pulled up and we were still waiting for our food. Soon the waitress came out with our food, we then we jumped in the car and headed for the house. Turned out the house was walking distance away. If I had known where the hell I was we could have went there and waited. Wow. I’m gonna get it together.

When we got in, Jeff put his stuff down, we ate and talked for a bit and then I realized that we didn’t have a lot of time before we would have to get ready to go to The Library for our first show. We also needed an acoustic guitar for the first show.

LyricL’s friend Sam [Angel #6] said we could use his guitar, but after I told Michelle where he lived, she didn’t think I would be able to make it there and back to get to the show on time. She was totally right because he lived way up north. So we needed a plan B. Jeff then remembered his friend Ryan who lived in London. So he called Ryan [Angel #7] and he had an acoustic that we could use. Yes! We squared that all away and Jeff decided to take a nap before we had to head out because the lag was catching up to him. I was beat down too, but I had work to do before we headed back out.

So I sat at the computer and worked while Jeff napped and Michelle cooked. Before I knew it Michelle was saying that dinner was ready. Jeff wasn’t hungry so I let him sleep. I ate with Michelle, Kevin and their daughter and then got myself ready to go.

We had to meet Ryan at Highbury & Islington station to get the guitar from him. We were going to try and meet him closer to his place, but we just ran out of time. I’m so glad he was gracious enough to come to us.

So Jeff and I set off for our first gig. We were running a bit late so Michelle drove us to the Kent House rail station. We would have to take that to Victoria Station and catch the Victoria Line to Highbury & Islington. That was the fastest way to go.

When we got to Highbury & Islington we beat Ryan there. We only had to wait for a bit and then he appeared. He passed the guitar off to Jeff, they chatted for a minute and then we headed around the corner to the Library bar.

Now the Library seems like a typical London pub, except for the fact that they serve Thai food, which is clearly not your average pub fare. The place is really cool. There are photos of musicians all over the walls, including a very cool shot of Grace Jones that I just loved. In the photo she is all legs. The night was not quite an open mic although it had that kind of vibe. Basically everyone was scheduled to be on the show, but folks were in varying stages of their performing careers. When we came in a young man named Navin was on stage. We caught the last portion of his set before we were graced with Solange [Angel #8]. She was a sista from Paris. It was actually quite an international night at the Library. I being from America, Solange from Paris and another guy who I think was from Sweden or something like that.

Anyway, Solange had a great set and her guitar sounded amazing. So I thought I would ask her if Jeff could play her guitar because its also had a direct input, which Ryan’s didn’t. After her set, we were on and she was gracious enough to let Jeff use her guitar.

The set that night was short. We only had time for four songs. So we did "Box," "Give it to Me," "blak girls" and "Blackbird." It went really well. Folks were bopping along and it was great. Carol-Ann brought two of her friends and LyricL sent her friend Van to see the show. We sold a few CDs and excited some cool Italian guys on holiday in London. Fun!

Up all Night Music @ The Library

More Library Bar

"blak Girls Work..."

After the set ended, Don the engineer asked me if I was going to be around the following week because he wanted me to come play his event. Wow! Damn. We wouldn’t be there. That was the first gig I had to pass up due to my short stay in London.

We sat and chatted for a while and listed to some of the other artists and then much to my surprise LyricL [Angel #9, but really #1] and her friend Abdul showed up!! Yeah!! They missed the set, but it didn’t matter. It had been four years since I had seen my girl in person. Damn I could have gotten another degree. LOL! Yeah! So we packed up our things and headed to Cargo where her friend Ian was spinning. We could chill and get food there. Yeah!!!

We jumped on the Tube and honestly I don’t know how we did it, but somehow we got to Shoreditch High Street (I think). I don’t remember us taking the Overground, but I know someone will chime in and let me know how we got there. I think at that point I was ready to have someone else lead the way so I didn’t pay all that much attention to the route.

Anyway we arrived at Cargo and we were greeted by some awesome street art. When we got in the joint there was a show going on. I can’t remember who it was, but I do remember that sound system. It was incredible! The dude was playing some power pop and it sounded like a whole band and it was just one guy!

Outside Cargo

Inside Cargo

We made our way back to the front room where LyricL’s friend was spinning with his friend Ricco. We settled in to talk and eat and just take a breather from the whole day. Jeff was so tired, but he was a real trooper. We are in London after all!

Jeff, Van & Abdul @ Cargo

Just a little pose for the camera

Adbul on Tambourine, LyricL on water glass, Me & Jeff on vocals

Ian a.k.a. djsoulprovyder

Me & my tambourine after a quick lesson from Adbul

After eating some okay food (it filled the hole), dancing a bit, and getting a quick tambourine lesson from Adbul (thanks hun), we realized that we had to hurry back to the Tube because it would soon stop running. That is something I don’t know if I could ever get used to. In NY the trains never stop.

Adbul breaking down his tambourine style!

Ricco & djsoulprovyder burning down the set!

Van & Abdul

We had to make our way to Whitechapel to get the Overground to Anerley. Again I can’t remember exactly what we did. I just remember that we had to take two trains and LyricL was concerned about our time. On the screen that shows the times that the trains come it looked like we had missed the last one to Anerley, but much to our surprise, when we got to New Cross Gate a train came to take us to Anerley. Yes! We were not stuck out there in the middle of nowhere.

When we got to Anerley we were also blessed because shortly after the train got in, a bus came going toward Michelle’s place so we didn’t have to walk. We got on the bus and as we were driving down the road I saw another fox! People, these sightings are so crazy. This is the city ya’ll! Jeff missed that fox sighting because the joker was on the run, but Jeff would soon see his share. The bus dropped us off at the corner of Michelle’s street. We just walked down a few houses and we were home. Day 1 done!

We put out things down, maybe had something to drink and then headed straight to bed. Next up, Wednesday and full band rehearsal. Can you say horns!

The Cargo Crew!

Living La Vida London: Day 1 [Part 6]

2011-02-28T08:48:00.000-05:00

London Day 1

The train from Paris to London was great. In fact if I ever have to do that again I will totally take the train. I Highly recommend it. When I got off I was met by Carol-Ann, a friend of a friend who had been helping me secure lodging for the week. I was so grateful for her because she also bought me a SIM card for my phone and an Oyster for the Tube. [Angle #4]

I got off the train at St. Pancreas Station and then we boarded a city bus to the North of London where Jeff and I would be staying. Jeff was arriving on Tuesday morning so he was not with me at this point. The flat was along Holloway Road and the area seemed cool. Lots of shops on the street so we could get almost anything we needed. Great! :-)

When we got to the flat it looked cool on the outside, but then we opened the door to the building. The hallway smelled a bit like pee and I was immediately concerned. But I let it go because sometimes how things are on the hallway of a building does not reflect how all individuals are living there. I know that very well from living in New York. So I kept an open mind.

We knocked on the door of Carol-Ann's friend's place, where I would be staying, and no one answered. We knocked a couple more times and then we just tried the door. Well, low and behold it was open. I was also a bit concerned about that, but then I said to myself that maybe he left the door open for us because he knew he had to run to the store or something, but then wouldn't he have just called Carol-Ann to tell her that? Hmm... Okay. I'm still keeping an open mind.

When we got in he was asleep on the couch. Ok. She went to wake him and then took me back to my room. I hadn't met Carol-Ann's friend at that point, but when I went back to the room I knew I couldn't say there. But I was trying to make the most of it because I didn't want to seem ungrateful for the work she had put in to help me out. So I put my things down, and then she said her friend wanted to talk to me about keys. No problem

When I went out to talk to him about the keys I knew something was wrong. He seemed like he was on or coming down or something. I know he just woke up, but my intuition was telling me something else. It was more than just being woken up. He then started telling me about the keys and some rules or something and then he asked for more money than we agreed on. Some mess about it being more than just me in the house, usually only one person stays in the room I'm in, blah, blah, blah. All this and he couldn't even look me in the eye. It became very clear to me that he just needed some extra loot so he could score again! Well at least that's what I felt. At that point I pulled Carol-Ann aside and told her that I could not stay there. She totally understood and she was heated at her friend. I mean she was really pissed. At that point I just didn't feel safe and I felt really bad for her because she was totally embarrassed. I know that must have sucked.

On a whim I called another friend, Michelle. She is also a friend of a friend, but came highly recommended by my friend Ahmed who had stayed at her place for a while during the couple of years he lived in London. I had spoken with her about staying at her place before I got to London, but chose not to because she wasn't as central as Carol-Ann's friend. Well, thank Goddess Michelle was still open to having us at her place. [Angel #5].

So Carol-Ann and I gathered my things, she helped me get myself situated on how to get to Michelle's house, told her boy we were leaving and bounced! She later confessed to me that she was getting concerned about her friend a couple of days before I arrived and was trying to find us another place to stay. She also told me that she had already given him an extra £30 and cleaned his flat before we got there! What??!! I am really thankful for her, but I am so glad I stuck to my gut. We topped up my Oyster card so I could ride the bus and Tube that night. We both needed to calm down and see if we could get my SIM card working in my cell phone. So we decided to hit a pub near her place and the Tube station that I needed to take to get to Michelle's place.

We ended up at this spot called The Library, which turned out to be where I was scheduled to play the next night. So now I knew exactly where the place was. We had a couple of drinks and tried to get my cell working, which turned out to be a bit of a disaster. For some reason T-mobile just couldn't get it going. So I emailed Jeff to let him know what was going on so he wouldn't be caught off guard when he got here. I met Carol-Ann's beautiful children who came by to drop off my CDs that I sent ahead to London. We drank and talked a bit more and then I went on my merry way. Although Michelle lives in South London, that night it felt like a short ride to her station. Thank Goddess she came pick me up at the train. I know I told you she's an angel, but really. Really!

When I walked into Michelle's house it was like the light came on. Compared to the other spot, this was like the W Hotel. Her and her family have affirmations all over the house, vision boards and crystals. Ah, I was right at home. It had been such a long day, but I was wired. I stayed up much later than I should have because I had to meet Jeff at the airport at 8:25am. That meant I had to be out of the house by about 6:30 or 7am. Remember I told you all I am now in south London and sometimes it felt like the deep south. So much so that when Michelle came to pick me up from the train I saw a fox in the street. Yes a real live fox! Little did I know that would not be the last fox I saw that week. Those jokers are taking over the city and it's a little bananas if I do say so myself. Can you imagine foxes running around in Brooklyn or Harlem? This is what I'm talking about.

When I finally got settled in, it was about 2 or 3am so I only had a few hours to sleep. But at least I could sleep. Thank Goddess for that. I am so glad I listened to my gut in this situation.

Weary from the day and after a while of winding down, I finally fell asleep. I had a big day ahead. I was France tired and London weary, but okay. I wouldn't have my life any another way.

Near my new home in London.

Au revoir Paris: Day 4 [Part 5]

2011-02-25T11:27:00.000-05:00

Paris Day 4

So it’s my last day in Paris. I scraped myself up to eat my last breakfast on the house. Most of the Burnt Sugar crew were heading back to New York except a few of folks who were staying on in Paris and I was heading to London.

Latasha got up early to go to the pharmacy near the Hammam to get a few products because they were much less expensive over there. I wanted to go there myself, but thought I had run out of time when she reminded me that I could leave my bags at the hotel until it was time for me to go to catch my train to London. I totally didn’t think of that. The rest of the band had to leave around 11am, but my train wasn't until 3pm so I had plenty of time. I waited for the Sugar crew to come down so I could say my goodbyes and then I headed to the pharmacy in the area where the Hammam is, based on directions that Latasha gave me. Well, she was right on the money. Right when I got off the Metro there it was!

Karma, Paula and Latasha couldn’t stop raving about the products that the ladies used on them at the Hammam so I went and got myself some good stuff. Latasha also suggested that I go see the Hammam from the outside because it’s beautiful and she was right. It was also a nice little walk off the beaten path.

Hammam

More Hammam

I walked a bit, then headed back on the Metro. Walking back through the stations I finally saw the billboards about the Sons d'hiver festival and there we were. It was a great reminder of the days gone by and how much fun we had. It made me a little sad to leave so soon, but in the paraphrased words of Jay-Z; we came, we saw, we conquered. I'm sure Burnt Sugar will be back in Paris.

Festival billboards in Metro walkway

Check us out!

After a short ride on the Metro I was back to the hotel. Upon arrival, I got my bags, called LaRonda to thank her for everything (she tour managed) and then headed to the Eurostar train station. Au revoir Rue de Bercy.

It was home for a while

When I got to the Paris Nord Eurostar station I was on the hunt for food. I found a little spot outside of the station and purchased my last sandwich in Paris. Note: Paris should be renamed the city of the sandwich becasue if you can't find any other food you can always find a sandwich. I got to the station a little early so I had to wait a bit for my train to be called.

When I finally heard the call I headed up to go through customs to get on the train. If you have never been though customs trying to get into the UK let me tell you that it is known for being a little tight. I’m usually really prepared for them, but I totally forgot that I needed to have the address of where I am staying. I did have it, but it was in my phone and I couldn’t get online in the train station because you had to pay for wifi in there. So I filled out the rest of the cutsoms form and put the name of the “friend” I was staying with in London and then went to the window. I told the customs agent that I had the address, but it was in my phone and I couldn’t get it out because I couldn’t get online. He told me that if my email messages had cached out then I could see them, but I couldn’t and that was the truth. So he asked me a couple of questions about my “friend.” Where/how we met. How long we have known each other. Etc. I guess I was convincing enough because he let me through. I say “friend” because the person I was really going to stay with was a friend of a friend and I didn't know her really at all. Either way I was through.

I got on the cue with the rest of the folks and headed for the train. I was really ready to sit down and relax for a few hours. I was beat down tired. The original plan was to stay awake and watch the French and English countryside pass me by, but my body said otherwise. I was in and out of sleep the whole ride and then before I knew it we were arriving at King’s Cross/St. Pancras station in London. Au revoir Paris, Hello Governor!

On my way to London

Walking Paris with my Mom! Day 3 [Part 4]

2011-02-24T11:16:00.000-05:00

Paris Day 3

I scraped myself up the next morning. Got some breakfast with the Burnt Sugar folks (I think, lol), got dressed and headed out to meet my mom and dad at their hotel. This was my one day off in Paris so I had to make the most of it. There is so much to see in Paris, but I was ready. I know how to do a city in a day. I did it in Rome so I knew I could do it in Paris.

I checked the Metro map and figured out how to get to my parents hotel. I got there with not problem, but there was one incident along the way. As I was walking down the street to their hotel this man pulls up next to me and asks me if I speak English. Then he started to go into this whole spiel about how he had just come from some big fashion conference and tells me he wants to give me a leather coat that he has in his car supposedly by some “big” designer. So I got with it and say, “For me?” Yeah right! Anyway, he goes on to tell me that he will give me the coat if I help him out with some gas money because he had to drive back to Milan. What??!! Milan? Okay. Then he proceeds to point his speedometer, which was on 0 (because he’s stopped) and try to convince me that that’s his gas meter. Right! So after I made it clear that I wasn’t going to give him any money and that I’m from New York, he starts to give me some sob story about how he gambled away all of his money so he really needs help. Okay man, the gambling angle is getting you nowhere. So after doing a bit more begging he realized that I’m not the one and goes his own way. Ah Paris...

Shortly after that I arrived at my mother’s hotel. I could see a bit of the Eiffel Tower from the street her hotel was on. I have to be honest and tell you that I was not initially impressed. I could only see the top of it and it just looked sort of old and rusty from the vantage point. Well, boy was I wrong.

Partial Eiffel Tower from street of Mom's hotel

After chatting with my parents in their hotel room, my mother and I set off for our Paris adventure. Their hotel was right between the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. So we decided to walk toward the Tower and make our way from there. When we got to the spot where probably everyone in the world has taken their obligatory Eiffel Tower photo I was in awe. We all know that the Tower is large. We know this. We have seen the photos. We have seen it on TV. But nothing really prepared me for just how HUGE this thing is. I mean it’s just brilliant. I was really taken aback. I didn’t expect to be so impressed by it. You know how we artsy folks sometimes want to turn a blind eye at the touristy stuff because we don’t want to be like the masses, but sometimes you just have to do it. You can’t come all that way and not do it. So me and my mom did it big.

Ladies & Gentleman, the Eiffel Tower

Me at the Tower

After gazing on the Tower for a while we walked down closer to it. We were right on the Seine so we decided to take a boat ride down the river. We got a one way ticket and hopped on. It was really nice to see the city from the water. We passed various sites, museums and traveled under bridges with statues adorned with gold leaf.

Gold leaf sculptures adorn bridges over the Seine

More gold

When we got off the boat we were right by Notre Dame. We took a few photos from a distance and decided to go in. The line to get in Notre Dame looked a little crazy, but it moved quickly. We took a stroll around the church, checked out the alters and stained glass. The crazy thing about Notre Dame is that they had mass going on while people were touring the church. They also had a priest on call for confession just in case you were moved to spill it on vacation. It is a beautiful place, but it kind of irked my mother that they had a gift shop in the church. I have to agree with her on that. When I went to St. Peter’s in Rome that was not happening at all. It felt like they were pimpin’ the product for real. Asking for donations is one things, but a straight up gift shop is a whole other.

Ladies & Gentlemen, Notre Dame.

One of the Rose Windows inside Notre Dame

St. Joan of Arc inside Notre Dame. I always liked her.

After Notre Dame we made our way to the Louvre. It was a bit of a walk, but not bad at all. We weren’t sure if we were going to go in, not knowing how much it would cost, but I wanted to go in so we got on line. As we got closer to the front I realized that they were not taking money from people. OMG! It was FREE!!

Entrance to the Louvre!

The Louvre is huge to say the least. So we had to pick a side and go for it. We chose the Denon side where the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo are. As we entered the section there were big signs about not taking photos of or touching the art. Cool. Perfectly understandable. So away we went.

We started in the Roman section and it was great to see all the statues. There is a statue of a Black Roman made of black marble that was beautiful. Does anyone know who this is? Just one hint, he's not Septimius Severus (AD 145-211), the first Black Roman emperor unless the likeness is way off. Trust me, I checked. As we were walking through this section I saw one person take a photo and then another. I was confused because I knew what the signs said, but security didn’t seem to care. Okay so now the museum is free and I can take pictures? What day was this in France? So I whipped out my camera and shot a few flicks.

Black Roman sculpture in Salle du Manège room at Louvre. Can anyone tell me who this is?

Isis in Salle du Manège room at Louvre

Osiris in Salle du Manège room at Louvre

We then walked around to see if we could find the Mona Lisa. I have to admit I wasn’t all the way interested in seeing the painting, but damn it I was there. So off we went. Let me tell you, the paintings in the museum leading up to and in the same room as the Mona Lisa were way more interesting than her. That is because the Mona Lisa it’s really small and it’s behind glass and some other barriers. That sort of defeats the purpose of looking at art. I like to get up on it. Look at brush strokes, colors, etc. You can’t do any of that with miss Lisa. Such is the nature of priceless art. It also made me wonder if it was really real. I mean how do we know if it’s not a copy. I now I sound really blasphemous right now, but I say, put some sort of homing devise on it and let people get up on it and look at it. Single file please. Lol. Clearly it was all anti-climactic for me.

Miss Lisa if you're nasty!

We then tried to get over to see the Venus de Milo, but we ran out of time. But I did get some shots of the Winged Victory. You can't miss her on your way to the Mona Lisa. Just incredible! We got to the museum really late. If I had known that joker was free all day I would have been there way earlier. The Louvre boasts that if you were to stand in front of every piece of art for 1 minute it would take you four months to get through the whole place. That's big!

Winged Victory a.k.a. Nike

After leaving the museum my mom and I started walking toward the Champs Ellysées and the Arc de Triomphe. We walked through the park next to the Louvre, which had an arc that looked a lot like Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, by the big Paris ferris wheel, the Luxor Obelisk, and on to the Champs Ellysées where I was stopped in my tracks by a Virgin Megastore! Wow, they do still exist. Although it is wintertime in Paris I can totally see how people can have the potential to fall in love there in the spring. When everything is in bloom I’m sure it’s pure magic.

Me and Mom at the Louvre

Okay BK, does this or does this not look like Grand Army Plaza?

Le Grande Roue (Ferris Wheel) from boat on Seine

Luxor Obelisk

It seems there are still record stores in Paris. I think I need to be there!

We walked, and walked and walked so by the time we got back to her hotel we were past ready to eat. We met my dad at the hotel, took a quick breather and headed to dinner.

We went to a little spot near their hotel. I can’t remember the name of it, but it was really quaint and very good. It was the best meal I had in Paris. We ate, drank and talked Paris. I was so tried and ready for bed, for real. I walked with my parents back to their hotel, said my goodbyes and headed back to the Metro. I could see just a bit of the Eiffel Tower lit up from the street. I wanted to walk around and get a head on shot, but I was too beat. Next time. :-)

Late night partial Tower by Mom's hotel

Arc de Triomphe. Giving Washington Square a run for it's money.

When I got back to the hotel it started to sink in that that was my last day in Paris. I have to go back. I need more time to see the city and get a better feeling for it. I have a place to stay in the South of France now so I just need a ticket.

Rue de Bercy at night

Back at the hotel a few folks were hanging out and as tired as I was I sat and chilled with them for a while. I'm glad I did because Paula came up with a really cool concept for a travel show for me. I can't give it away because I don't want to look up and see someone else doing my show. Ha! I will say this though. One of the shows will be called, "Shelley Does Delhi!" LOL!

I headed up to my room and got my bags in as much order as possible since we were checking out the next day. Day 3 done and I was beat down tired, but it was a magical day in Paris.

Novotel de Bercy at night. Home for the last three days. :-)

Sons d'Hiver: Hommage a Miles et James: Day 2 [Part 3]

2011-02-23T01:39:00.000-05:00

Paris Day 2

I made myself get up to eat breakfast. I knew it was going to be a long one because we had to perform two sets tonigh. I must admit I don’t know what I did after breakfast. Went to my room, chilled, I don’t know, but I had to be ready in the lobby by 1:15pm to go to soundcheck for the days events. In my sleepy fog, I made to to the lobby at the appointed time. Then we all piled into the two vans and headed for the venue. The musicians went a little before the vocalists. Since I’m both I just headed out in the first shift.

Upon arriving at the venue we all made our way to the stage to set up for soundcheck. We had a big chunk of time since we had to check for two sets. Melvin Van Peebles band was also on the bill for that night. His band includes many of the members of Burnt Sugar so it was a very long day all around.

A bit of the Burnt Sugar set up

For those of you who don’t know, Burnt Sugar it is a huge band. Let me break down the personnel and instrumentation of the band (for this gig) so you can get an idea of what we are working with here. I’ll start with the rhythm section and move from there.

We had two drummers (LaFrae & Chris), two bassists (Jared [electric] & Jason [upright]), three guitarists (Andre, Asim & Greg), two on keys (Myles & Bruce), two strings (Mazz [violin] & Will [cello]), three percussionists (Myself, Mikel & Satch), five winds/brass (Micah [alto sax], Avram [tenor sax & bass clarinet], Flip [trumpet], Paula [bari-sax] and Satch [flute]), Electronics (Latasha) and 5 vocals (Karma, Lisala, Latasha, Mikel and I). That is a grand total of 21 folks y’all!

LaFrae, Chris & Jared

Horns & Strings

Part of the B.S. Crew

After soundcheck, we ate, chilled and then got ready to rock. The thing I really love about Paris is that there is wine with everything. Reminded me so much of Italy. Ah Italy…

We all got in our rock & roll best and waited for Melvin Van Peeble wid Laxative to wrap up their set. Well some of us waited while others played that first set. As soon as they finished it was time for us to hit our first set, which was “Bitches Brew” Hommage a Miles Davis. It was our interpretations of a few joints from Davis’s classic albums Bitches Brew and On the Corner.

Showtime!

Latasha & Micah ready to go!

Now, I’m just going to say without hesitation that that set was KILLIN’! I mean it was just incredible. I think it went better than any of us even imagined it would have been and we knew it was gonna be good. Besides hitting the Miles stuff we also hit a quick bit of Aretha Franklin’s “Rock Steady”, which was a cool mash-up. Lisala ended the set with “Little Church” and just wrapped that joint all the way up. It was amazing! I got to play my Evian bottle, which is all that water is really good for. Ha! The bottle will make another appearance for sure. Oh wait, how can I forget my french name change.

When we were at the show the night before I picked up a program for the entire festival. In it listed the names of everyone performing on the Burnt Sugar set. I was somehow listed as Nicole Shelley instead of Shelley Nicole. I guess someone in Paris thought it sounded better that way. So in his best french accent, Greg introduced me to the audience as Nicole Shelley. I kind of liked it so I became her for the rest of my time in Paris. I might have to bring her back again for another show. :-)

My percussion set up

When that set ended we really could have went home, but we still had one more section, the Hommage a James Brown. Yes, we were freaking the JB songbook once again. So after a short intermission we headed back to the stage. The James Brown set was a breeze after the Miles joint. We just went out there and had a whole lot of fun. From the very first note of the set the audience was on their feet and they danced in the aisles until the very last note. Of course there was a call for an encore so we went back and did and Miles Davis/James Brown mash-up at the end. Amazing!

Lisala, Micah & Karma! Yes Micah is having a great time. lol

Mazz, Micah & Myles

There were a few of things that really took that night over the top. The first was that I had my parents, aunt Helen and uncle Richard in the house. Second, my friend Heather that I have known since nursery school was also in the house. She now lives in the South of France so she took a short holiday and came up to Paris to see the me and the show. Yes! I hadn’t seen her in almost 20 years. Heather was kind enough to help my parents get a cab back to their hotel. I told my mom I would come see her the next day so we could hang out and see the city together, and off they went. Heather hung back with me and traveled back to the hotel with the band. She was more than happy to be a “groupie”. Her words not mine. LOL. Third, I got to see my friend Miles Marshall Lewis who told me he will be moving back to New York with his family after 7-years of being an ex-pat. It's was really great to see him and we will welcome him home with open arms.

On the way back to the hotel lots of ideas were thrown around about what to do for an after party, but the idea of food won out for me. We hadn’t eaten since before the show so food was long overdue. One more big surprise at the hotel was Mike Ladd, another one of my poetry ex-Pats. It was so great to see him even for that short minute. He looks great! So back to the matter at hand. Food! After some deliberation Greg, LaRonda, Myles, Karma, Will, Heather and I got into a couple of cabs and headed to the Bastille to find some late night eats.

The Bastille was hoppin.’ After walking a bit, we picked a spot that was right on the square and they found a table for us in the back. We settled in and began our journey into food. It was a really great night. We talked, laughed and Heather got a little Burnt Sugar history around the table. I drank some very sweet beer that Karma hipped me to, and enjoyed the moment. Paris on the food tip was starting to redeem itself.

I was tired as hell when we got back to the hotel. Heather had to leave early in the morning. She was crashing with me and she said she wouldn’t wake me before she left. I just knew I would hear her leave because I sleep pretty lightly, but boy was I wrong. We didn’t go to bed until about 6am and she had to catch a 9:15am train. I didn’t even hear her alarm go off or feel her get up. The next thing I knew I was being woken up by housekeeping who came into my room because I did not answer the door when they knocked. I was KNOCKED OUT!! That is not my style at all. I don’t know the last time I slept so hard. I still can't believe Heather got up and out without me hearing a thing. It felt like a dream that she was there at all. If it wasn't for the note she left I would have doubted the whole evening. It was kind of scary really. I could have been robbed! LOL. Not by Heather, but I’m just saying anyone could have come in there and I would have been none the wiser. Ah Paris. Another big day ahead.

Thank you & Goodnight!

Bonjour Paris! Day 1 [Part 2]

2011-02-22T01:28:00.000-05:00

Paris Day 1

When we landed in Paris we were greeted by a representative from the festival who took us to our hotel. It was a short ride from the airport to the Novotel de Bercy on Rue de Bercy. The hotel was great and right next to the sports arena where they happened to be holding a world judo competition at the same time we were there. So we were sharing space with athletes from all over the world. Interesting combo to say the least.

The rooms weren’t quite ready when we arrived because we were a bit early. So we just chilled in the lobby until things opened up. When I finally got into my room I probably should have just went to sleep, but it's Paris! I can sleep when I’m dead. Lol.

View from my room

Paris Arena [can't remember the real name/from my room]

It may not look like it, but it was the best bed ever!

The situation room. It really was it's own room! LOL!

Some of the ladies in the band were going to the Hammam at the Paris Mosque where there is a spa and baths. There you can steam, get scrubs, massages, etc. I really wanted to go, but I had €100 to work with for the next few days so I couldn’t drop €48 of that on the spa. I later found out I probably could have gone because just to go to the baths and steam it was only €15, but that’s okay. I WILL get back to Paris.

Near Rue de Bercy

So instead of the spa I just walked down Rue de Bercy a bit to see what was what. Mazz and I later went out to get some food. Sadly my first meal in Paris was not exciting at all, but it filled the hole. I then took a short nap. I was beat down, but I was trying to stay up so I could get my sleep pattern in order. The jet-lag was beating me down. Of course I could have stayed at the hotel and got some real rest, but it's Paris and we had passes to see some of the other bands in the festival! So I peeled myself up and went with some of the Sugar crew to check out Graham Haynes presenting Bitches Brew Revisited and Ebo Taylor and Afrobeat Academy.

Me at the Festival

We hopped on the Metro (my first time on it) to get over to the Bastille, where we caught a bus provided by the festival, over to the venue. The spot was a bit outside of the city, but it was nice to ride for a while. When we got to the spot, I got another bad sandwich (ugh), found a spot to sit with Mazz and Chris and we settled in for the show.

It was great to hear Graham Haynes and crew do Bitches Brew, but when jet-lag is riding you Bitches Brew sounds like sweet lullaby. LOL! It just put me in a trance and I was in and out of consciousness for the whole set. I saw them do the show at Prospect Park over the summer and it was amazing. So I know what I missed, but I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I just pray I wasn’t snoring.

Ebo Taylor and crew were way more upbeat. So I stood up and bopped to the music till it was time to head out. The bus took us back to the Bastille and we were hungry. Folks were talking burgers, but that wasn’t doing it for me. Karma and I found this spot called Léon de Bruxelles that was open and they was serving mussels. That was it for me! So we ate, talked and headed back to the hotel. The Metro had stopped running so we decided to walk home instead of getting a cab. I was dog tired, but I was in Paris! LOL. So we began our journey. It was going well, but then we got a little turned around. Luckily we hadn’t wandered too far out of the way so we found out way back quite easily. By the time we made it home I fell right out. I have to say that that hotel probably has the best mattress I have ever slept on. I slept so hard I didn’t even dream. Big day ahead.

The Gift of Paris! [Part 1]

2011-02-20T21:47:00.004-05:00

To get to London we must start in Paris. This is how I was able to get to the UK this time around, so we must start there.

Back in November I received the best b’earthday gift ever. Jared from Burnt Sugar asked me if I would like to join the band in Paris in February for the Sons d’Hiver Festival. They were invited to do the James Brown se and wanted me to come along. Of course I said yes! In my excitement I wasn’t even thinking past Paris. That’s when my friend Ian reminded me of how close I would be to London. He suggested that I inquire about extending my ticket, which never even crossed my mind. I haven’t been back to London since 2007 so I was long overdue.

Before contacting Jared to ask about the flight extension, I sent an email to my man Adam Rock at Jazz Re:freshed to see if he could book me for Feb. 10th, which would be the week I could be in London. He said he had something booked, but he would bump it and put me in. Yes! So I went back to Jared and asked about the flight extension and he said it would be no problem. With that, it was on!

I never thought it would have taken me four years to get back overseas, and now I can’t remember why it did. Sometimes the small things in life get in the way. But there I was, poised to go back to London and I was prepared to go it alone.

The last time I went Shawn, Achuziam, Lionel, Irv and Teddy came with me and we had an awesome time. I knew that it may not be a possibility for them to come this time as I could not secure anyone’s lodging or ticket except my own. So I figured I would pick up a band there and just go for it.

Somewhere along the line I told Jeff of my plans and he said he would be down to go and was really excited as he had been to London and really wanted to check it out. So it looked like it was going to be just two hairs in the U.S. büshe in London, but I digress. Let’s get back to Paris.

When I told my mother that I was going to Paris, she said she was coming. I didn’t know if she was serious, but then she kept asking me for travel dates and where we were staying so I knew it was really on.

As the departure date got closer I was in full swing of booking shows for the band in London. I managed to book four shows and two radio spots. Not bad for a gorilla operation. I was planning and squaring everything away right up until I got the plane for Paris.

I have to admit that before departing I was concerned about how much luggage I was bringing. Would it be overweight, would they let me bring my bass on the plane, etc. I was making calls to airlines and praying the whole time. When people would ask if I was excited I would tell them, “I’ll be excited when I’m through security at JFK.”

I wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible so I got to the airport mad early. I printed out my boarding pass at home so I wouldn’t have to do it at the kisok. I wanted to go straight to the line to check my bag and pray they don’t ask me to check my bass because I decided not to bring the travel case. For comfort sake I needed the bass to be on my back. I just had too much stuff for it to be in my other hand. I needed an angel.

When I got to JFK to the Air France counter it was empty. I mean totally empty. There was no one on line at all. Note: If you want to fly to Paris from JFK and not wait on line, fly on Thursday night, barring a holiday of course. It was sort or eerily quiet, but I was glad.

I walked over to the counter. Presented my passport and paperwork, checked my bag and headed for security. The woman at the desk didn’t ask me about my bass at all. Just gave me my boarding pass and a smile and off I went. [Angel #1]

Next shocker, the security line was damn near empty as well. I went through without any problem, but they wanted to look at what was in the pocket of my bass case. The guy at security went in and pullout out my screwdriver. I forgot I had it in there. I use it to take the battery in and out of my bass when I need to change it. Well I was prepared to leave that behind, when my man slid it back to me sort of on the sly tip! Wow! I mean I know that I’m not going to try and hijack the plane with my screwdriver, but how does he know? lol Oh well, I’ll take it. [Angel #2] I gave him a nod and headed to my gate. He was flirting with me a bit too so I think that’s how I got over. Lol.

I walked down to my gate and I was the only one there. The only other Burnt Sugar members who were on my flight were LaRonda and Lisala. So as I was there waiting I had to buy the obligatory overpriced sandwich in the airport. If there is time to kill that is a must, unless you are at Chicago, O’Hare and then you must purchase the obligatory bag of Garrett Popcorn. ☺

Before I was able to make my purchase I saw Lisala coming toward the gate. I was on the phone so I waved. When I got off the phone we chatted a bit and then out of the blue I see my old neighbor Chris from my Clinton Ave. days. Can I tell you how much I love running into people I know at the airport? I think this is the second time this has happened to me. I ran into Saul Williams at O’Hare actually, on my way to Michfest. It just reaffirms for me that I am doing what I supposed to be and that all my artistic people are living the life they want to live. Chris was on his way to the Sudan to teach illustration. Nice!

As I walked and talked with Chris, on my way to the obligatory sandwich, we ran into LaRonda eating her obligatory overpriced meal as well. Ah, the airport. Chris and I said a brief hello, moved on to get our overpriced meal and then parted ways.

Air France is incredible from before you even step foot on the plane. They don’t calls seat numbers or sections or any of that in order to board people. They just said “Air France flight 008 is now boarding” and that was it. Now that’s what I’m talking about. That’s just civilized. LOL!

My departure gate

When I got on the plane my bass didn’t fit in the overhead, but they gladly put it in the closet, in business class thank you very much. I also wanted a window seat, but I just ran out of time to request that so I was on the isle. Well when they closed the plane door the person in my row had not shown up so there I was with the window seat that I wanted! [Angel #3] I moved over, situated myself and soon we were off.

The Air France flight experience is incredible. People rave about Virgin America and Jet Blue and I have flown both, but right now Air France is giving both of them a big run for their money. Big! I had no idea flying could be like this. There was mad room in coach, lots of movies for free and the topper, wine! Red or white, and it was good. The food was good for plane food and you didn’t have to pay extra. The bread was on point and the cheese was amazing. They are serving France before you even get there. They were also offering Champaign! For Free! What? Just lovely.

I could hardly sleep, which would catch up with me later, but for the time being I was happy as a clam. I was on my way to Paris.

The French countryside from my window seat

Making a Change: The Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-02T19:27:00.000-05:00

The locs

Well folks tomorrow we say farewell to the mighty Tiger and usher in the hopeful Rabbit. Yes tomorrow is the Chinese New Year and according to the Chinese tradition the Year of the Rabbit brings a time in which "you can catch your breath and calm your nerves." I know we could all use some of that. (Click Here for More on The Year of the Rabbit). In the spirit of the New Year, I want to tell you a story.

In 1993 I arrived in New York City. When I think of my journey working at Tower Records in Boston (R.I.P.), being transferred to the New York Tower in Lincoln Center (R.I.P.), so I could work as an unpaid intern at VIBE it all seems like a dream. I won't recap my whole crazy New York story, but I will say this.

When I arrived here in the Apple I was not rockin' locs. I had actually just cut off my first set that I started in college. I was one of 3 or 4 people on my campus with locs. Let me accent this point by telling you that I went to The Ohio State University which boasts a population of about 60,000 students and at that time only about 2,500 of those students were Black. With that in mind the 3 or 4 of us with locs were the minority within the minority. You dig? Loc'ing was not popular and often times people thought I had lost my mind. This is the midwest after all. The land of the relaxer.

When school ended and I landed in New York, well Parlin, NJ to be exact, I had a fresh fade. Daily I would commute into the City for work and that is when saw all these loc'd folks going to work too. Nobody was looking at them crazy and they had a job (something my family was concerned I wouldn't have if I loc'd my hair). It was then that I knew I had found my people and it was time to try again.

One of the first people I met in New York was Greg Tate. I interviewed him for an article I was writing about the Black Rock Coalition. At that time he was one of my loc'd bredren. I remember telling him that I was ready to loc again and he kind of gave me a speech about commitment. LOL! About how much it would really take to maintain them and once it was locked that was it, and so on. Then he pretty much told me, in so many words, that he didn't think I would make it down the loc'd road. That I would fall off around the time I started seeing too many naps. LOL! I can laugh now, but then I sort of took it as a challenge. Thanks Greg.


Before

So with the gauntlet thrown I began to loc, and boy did I loc. I loc'd through moving from Jersey (out of my aunts house) to Queens (in and out of my girls basement) to Brooklyn (into an apt with my girl Heather), through finding my tribe (The Tea Party, 452, Brooklyn Moon), through working on Long Island (CMP), through working in radio (MJI), a myriad of magazines (VIBE [2x], Martha Stewart, O, George, Harper's Bazaar, et. al), though starting a band (Shelley Nicole's blaKbüshe), making two albums, being homeless, and friends taking me in, through love and heartbreak, loss and gain, cars [2] and no car, yoga, surgery, meditation, much partying, getting out of corporate America and several volumes of books filled with my personal New York adventures (literally I have journals for days). Seventeen years of locs and now I'm back to the beginning. It's a fresh start and it feels amazing!

After!!!

Profile

The Back Jack!

I cut my locs with my friend Nye at her spot in NJ. As I held my locs in my hand, I couldn't believe they had been on my head. It was so time for them to go. They had served me well. They had rocked hard with me all over the globe.

Nye and I had a great time on Wednesday. She washed, cut and twisted the top, but we had to go see her barber Rossi for the final touches. So we drove from Newark to East Orange and stepped into the Lincoln barber shop. I hadn't been to the shop in 17 years so I had forgotten about the energy in there. I have to admit I love it. Of course all of the fellas are on guard when you walk in, but then they are trying to get your number as things loosen up, but it was a great vibe. Shout out to Rossi who lined me up, made me feel like a queen and cut Nye some slack for being all up in his chair space. LOL! She was my hair producer after all. I showed the barbers the locs I had just cut off and they were in awe.

Nye & Rossi

Me & Rossi

Side note: Fellas please chime in on your feelings about women and hair. I need to know why some of you scoff at the idea of a short haired women.

So now it's ceremony time. You know I have to do some sort of offering, which will happen when I get back from Europe. In the mean time, now I'm in the market for hats, big earrings and a barber in Brooklyn. If you can supply any of these items for a women send them my way and I'll have a big hug for you.

Welcome the Year of the Rabbit. I'm ready to make my wishes and watch my dreams come true. How about you?


Me & Nye

Thank You for Voting blaKbüshe for Best Emerging Artist! Now We are London Bound!

2011-01-27T19:43:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,

Thank you so much to all who voted in The Deli Magazine Best Emerging Artist of 2010 poll. It seems we have made it on the list! I will be sure to let you know when the finally tally is in so you can check the results.

We are on our way to London folks! I can't wait to get back. I can't believe it's been almost four years since we were last there. I'm so excited to be sharing the stage with my girls LyricL (on the mic) and Hannabiell (on the trombone). Check out the flyer for all the spots we will be hitting in London. I'll be blogging all the way and posting videos. Can't wait to share it all with you!

Thanks again to the Deli Mag. Great surprise to kick off 2011! Have a great weekend everyone!

Peace!

blaKbüshe in London: February 7th -14th

Monday, February 7th

Colourful Radio

w/Host Elayne Smith

7pm GMT / 2pm EST

www.colourfulradio.com (Listen Live)

Tuesday, February 8th

Up All Night Music at The Library

235 Upper Street

Islington

London, N1 1RU

8:30pm, Free! (Acoustic Set)

www.upallnightmusic.com

Thursday, February 10th

Jazz Re:freshed

Mau Mau Bar

265 Portobello Road

London, W11 1LR

8pm, £5

www.jazzrefreshed.com

Friday, February 11th

Native Tongue EC1

17-13 Long Lane

London EC1A 9PN

Doors @ 8pm / Show @ 10pm

£5 (on band list) / £6 at the door

www.nativetongue.co.uk

To get on the list please send an email to blakbushe@yahoo.com

Saturday, February 12th

The Morpheus Soul Show Live

5-7pm GMT / 12-2pm EST

www.playvibz.com (Listen Live)

www.themorpheussoulshow.wordpress.com

Then…

Heart & Soul – Charity Fundraiser

The Music Bar

114 Brixton Hill SW2 1SD

£5 minimum Donation, 9pm till late

facebook.com/thetemporaryresidents

VOTE blaKbüshe for Favorite Emerging Artists of 2010!

2011-01-12T20:55:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone!

I was surprised to find out that blaKbüshe is nominated for Favorite Emerging Artist of 2010 by The Deli Magazine NYC! We are in the running with a long list of bands so it’s up to your to pull us out of the pack. Voting is simple. Just go to nyc.thedelimagazine.com and you will see a list of bands on the right. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the list and you will see a VOTE button. Click it, find our band name and VOTE! You can only vote once so make it count! You have until January 21st to let your voice be heard.

Thank you so much and have a great Thursday!

Peace,
Shelley

The Deli Magazine NYC

Favorite Emerging Artist of 2010

VOTE HERE!