Life ,,, is Like a box of chocolates for Black Women.
“Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.” Maya Angelou “ I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.”
“The Black female is assaulted in her tender years by all those common forces of nature at the same time that she is caught in the tripartite crossfire of masculine prejudice, white illogical hate and Black lack of power.
The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance.” ― Maya Angelou, “ “ I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.”
Singer and songwriter Nina Simone wowed audiences as the “High Priestess of Soul” and an advocate for social justice. These inspiring quotes reveal her love and loyalty to the fight for change during the height of segregation:
✊ “It is an artist’s duty to reflect the times, as far as I’m concerned.”
✊ “Music is a burden and a gift I have had since my childhood.”
✊ “You got to learn to leave the table when love is no longer served.”
✊ “You don’t have to live near me; just give me my share of equality.”
✊ “The worst thing about prejudice is that while you feel hurt and angry, and all the rest of it, it feeds your self-doubts. You begin thinking, perhaps I’m not perfect.”
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Appearance: classic, timeless looks, ages backwards, lots of sharp edges, steely, stoic, melancholy gaze with determination and ambition in their eyes, on point facial structure, Saturn’s rings of karma and boundaries protect their precocious prodigy honoring their resilience, grit, and perseverance amidst adversity
▪ Sunday night long line. We decided to forego the opener(s) and get a drink. Scooters? Not for a Sunday night…I didn’t want a pint glass size shot. We opted for Cellar Bar for a lower key atmosphere.
▪ Fourth time to see Cat Power. First back when she had major stage fright, next drunk, third time sober, this time angioedema and on the brink of possible bankruptcy…I was hopeful because every other time, her performances have been very memorable!
Cat Power
▪ Whoa Chan has a platinum blonde faux hawk!
▪ She started playing her new album Sun and 36 minutes into the show she was still at it. As it continued I really felt like she was going through the motions to play what the label wanted. She was truly missing what she does best; emotion.
▪ The set list was really lacking. I wasn’t too keen on the latest album and this show made me like it less. She performed just fine…but just fine is all.
▪ Not sure if the show was sold out but it was full. Half way through it really started clearing out. Akkk- it wasn’t a cheap show and I’m sure no one was there for the openers!
▪ The lights came on before the show ended?!? They were turned back down…it was certainly an indicator of the crowd’s energy.
▪ Wild is the Wind was the very last song…hurray a beautiful song and a beautiful voice. A failed redemption. It was something but not enough. I do love Chan Marshall and all she does. I was so hopeful…and hadn’t yet been disappointed. Unfortunately I was let down this time. I am loyal. I will keep coming back as long as she’s touring.
In Conclusion
I give this show 3 stars. One star for not canceling this show or the remainder of her US tour. One star for an almost all girl band. Minus one star because I didn’t wait to quickly run off to the bathroom during the middle of the set. (A little Crystal Ballroom anecdote- the show’s music is pumped into the bathroom! Perhaps it has been this way for a while but new to me and I like it. One star for that!) One star for the legendary Nina Simon’s Wild is the Wind cover at the end.
Black History Month Round-Table with Jon Batiste, Briana Younger, and Rodney
*Emily King - “Look At Me Now” - Scenery Michael Kiwanuka - “I’m Getting Ready” - Home Again Tierra Whack - “Pet Cemetery” - Whack World Cecile McLorin Salvant - “Somewhere” - The Window Masego - “I DO EVERYTHING” - Loose Thoughts Jon Batiste - “Is It Over” - Hollywood Africans Jon Batiste - “Saint James Infirmary Blues” - Hollywood Africans serpentwithfeet - “bless ur heart” - soil Leikeli47 - “Acrylic” - Acrylic Saba - “LIFE [clean]” - CARE FOR ME Jon Batiste & Wynston Marsalis - “Two Bass Hit” - The Music Of John Lewis
Hour Two *Prince - “Nothing Compares 2 U” - The Hits / B-Sides Leon Bridges - “If It Feels Good, Then It Must Be” - Good Thing Aretha Franklin - “Rock Steady” - Greatest Hits Yola - “Ride Out In The Country” - Walk Through Fire Charles Bradley - “Changes” - Changes Sister Rosetta Tharpe - “Up Above My Head” - The Gospel Of The Blues Chuck Berry - “Rock & Roll Music” - One Dozen Berrys Sunny War - “If It Wasn’t Broken” - With The Sun Joan Armatrading - “Down To Zero” - Join Armatrading Nina Simone - “Just Like A Woman” - Just Like A Woman: Nina Simone Janelle Monae - “Make Me Feel” - Dirty Computer Macy Gray - “OVER YOU” - Ruby Buddy Guy - “Man Of Many Words” - Slippin’ In Otis Redding - “Hard To Handle” - The Otis Redding Story (3 Disc Set) The War and Treaty - “Are You Ready To Love Me?” - Healing Tide
