Gregory Porter - Musical Artist Extraordinaire

Every now and again I run across an artist that really blows my mind.  When this happens, I'm moved to share my good fortune with kindred spirits.

Gregory Porter is a musician,  a "bluesician," a "jazzician," a soulful funkster, a melodic magician, a rhythmic romancer, a vocal Baryshnikov....Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, Nat "King" Cole, Howlin' Wolf, Stevie Wonder and R Kelly rolled into one....and just an overall cool cat. He calls himself a jazz singer.  Yet, he reminds us that musical categories are artificial; employed by record companies to market music to the masses. 

He was born in California to a single mother with roots in Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.  His mom grew up in southern, black churches with the blues at her hip on every southern street.  So, with his mother's milk, Gregory grew up consuming gospel, blues, jazz, soul and R&B. As he says, all these forms of music are "very close cousins," and he now blends them masterfully.

He is a renaissance man reminiscent of Paul Robeson.  He played linebacker at San Diego State with NFL Hall of Famer, Marshall Faulk, before he suffered an injury which forced him to pursue his true passion...music.  He's worked and toured for several years as a theatrical stage actor and even worked as a chef to make ends meet. 

Finally, with the release of his Grammy nominated debut album "Water," he took the music world by storm.  Gregory now resides in New York City and tours heavily.

Check out the video and title track from his sophomore album, "Be Good."  The pure artistry of this video displays his theatrical roots and reminds me of why artists are essential to the human experience...in fact, it may be artistic expression that makes us truly human.

 

 

"Like bare feet on hot concrete," we must now be parting.  But, as always....

 

Until we rendezvous...

 

Peace!!

 

 



The Sexy Intersection

Ahhh, Sports and Politics!!!  An intoxicating duo rivaled only by the titillating twins, "ladies and libations."   I firmly believe that you can engage someone in sports talk for an hour and accurately discern their political leanings.  Put it to a test! 

Renowned military theorist, Carl Von Clausewitz, famously opined that war is politics by other means. Likewise, I contend that SPORTS is politics by other means. And, since war is not the preferred pastime of civilized folk, I bathe luxuriantly in the waters of politics and sports.

So, for those who want to trade shots on football and basketball, liberals and conservatives, race and ethnicity, quarterbacks and point guards, steroids and HGH, gay rights and women's rights, baseball and soccer, abortion rights and gun rights, God and the godless.....let not your heart be troubled!!!  You have settled in the right spot.  This is the intersection of sports, politics and current events.

You may ask, "What's with the blog name?"  The late African-American singer, poet and grio, Gil Scott-Heron, once expounded satirically on the virtues (or lack thereof) of the letter "C."  Following in that vein, and lifting a line from the recent movie "Django Unchained," this blog is entitled "The 'D' is Silent." Why? Because, the "d" in  the Laker defense has gone silent, or is it the "d" and the rest of 'Antoni that needs to disappear? Perhaps more importantly, the current political climate indicates that the "d" in American democracy may soon become a mere faltering whisper.   

At this blog, we intend to clothe ourselves in the same swagger that Jamie  Foxx's character wore when he schooled the thuggish plantation owner on the finer points of English grammar.

So, please.....meet me at the intersection...there's bound to be a CRASH....and remember, the "D" is Silent!!

Until we rendezvous...


Peace!!!!