A Real Family Affair

The 1980’s! The decade seemed to be a simpler time in the musical world. The music video was established as a needed promotional tool. Record companies were still releasing large musical groups actually playing and recording instrumentally. And there were still family acts actively recording and performing like DeBarge, The Jacksons and The Jets. There is something special about a family having the talent to provide world class entertainment. And believe me The Jets were and still are a fantastic group of musicians. A couple of weeks ago as I was driving along I heard “You Got it All” playing on the radio. It brought back memories of watching The Jets perform and hearing their music played everywhere. Amazingly they were very young at the time with the youngest member (Elizabeth Wolfgramm) being only thirteen years of age. However, youth is no deterrence to musical ability and mature performances. The Jets’ fan base grew quickly with both old and young listeners. Interestingly even with the eventual departure of some original members, the Wolfgramm children remained close. It is well documented that their parents migrated to the United States from the Isle of Tonga in the South Pacific. Also documented is the family, like one of their predecessors The Osmonds, being of Mormon faith. Maybe their faith is a factor in their remaining a close-knit family. Perhaps! The Wolfgramms have also seemed to avoid some of the problems that have affected other family groups like drug abuse and infighting. Even though the children grew up and started their own families and musical projects, they never strayed far from each other. Many musical offshoots from The Jets have been in the gospel music genre but almost always involving some combination or Wolfgramm siblings. Moving forward to the present The Jets have celebrated a twenty-five year anniversary and they are currently working on new music. They certainly are not teenagers anymore but after viewing a recent live performance it looks like they still enjoy performing together. In fact, Saturday May 26th The Jets performed a benefit concert for younger brother Mika who is suffering from heart disease and in need of money for medical expenses. Yes, the Wolfgramm children have definitely grown up but The Jets are still a real family affair.

Influential Musician?

Raphael Saddiq

Who would you consider the most influential person in your life or career? Maybe a parent, teacher or perhaps someone else at the top of your profession. More than likely if you are influenced by a successful contemporary; that individual also influences others.  I am initiating this discussion a month after the release of Time magazines 100 most influential people. At the very least the list can be considered intriguing especially in the category of music. Easily understood are the inclusions of Adele and Rihanna, two young but extremely successful vocalists. Both young performers definitely will influence even younger artists. However, some may wonder about placing Raphael Saadiq on the list. The singer/songwriter fresh off his forty-fifth birthday last week is not considered  a large name among popular entertainers of the world. Many of you reading my blog may not have ever heard of him. But recognition in itself is never a measure of musical talent or in this case, the ability to influence others. Saadiq got his start with the R & B group Tony! Toni! Tone! and later enjoyed more notoriety and acclaim with the group “Lucy Pearl“. I read a statement earlier in the week from a fan who said with Saddiq’s talent it was hard to understand why he had not enjoyed greater gain. However, Saddiq got the attention of mega superstar Elton John. John made the case in Time magazine as to why Saddiq should be included on the list of influential persons.  The thing that many of us do not see is the work as producer and/or arranger on behalf of other artists. (Elton John included)  The list of artists Saddiq has worked with is so long it would take an article alone to mention everyone. He may not be well-known by many readers, but he is considered a go-to musician among other musicians. Raphael Saddiq is thought to be a standard bearer for Old School R & B music as Elton John alluded to and appreciated in the Time article. I encourage everyone to give a listen to Raphael Saddiq music. Go back to his days with Tony! Tony! Tone! or Lucy Pearl. Perhaps you would also listen to his work as a solo artist. Will he influence your work if you are a singer/songwriter? Maybe! But I’m sure you will find some good music for your listening enjoyment.

Death of a Queen

Donna Summer

What a sad week again. So sad it prompted me to publish a special post. Another Queen died this week. The Queen of Disco Donna Summer.  She easily earned the title of Queen because she was at the top of her career during the disco era. Her songs were the backdrop of my pre-teen and teenage years and I, like so many other people listened a great deal. There must be hundreds of words to describe Donna Summer, but her singing voice, performances and beauty speak for themselves.  Summer was born and raised in Boston, MA and like so many other singers she started singing at the age of ten in church. She performed throughout her high school years and a week before graduation she left for New York with the band Crow. After the band breakup Summer stayed in New York and auditioned for the musical, Hair. Donna Summer agreed to take the role in the Munich production of the show, and moved to Germany where she learned to speak German fluently. The move to Germany would begin the first steps to Donna Summer becoming the Queen of Disco. She was introduced to producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte and in 1975 released the hit “Love to Love You Baby“. Neil Bogart of Casablanca Records requested a longer version to play in discotheques and the rest was history. Throughout the rest of the seventies it seemed that Donna Summer had nothing but major hits as disco continued in popularity. However, disco music began to decrease in popularity in the 1980’s. As for Summer, she continued to perform and record musical styles other than disco. The early 1980’s still proved fruitful for Donna Summer. In fact, she was very much in demand up until her death. So many hated to hear the news of her death, but could celebrate a remarkable career filled with great music. Yes, we really did lose the Queen of Disco in death this week. We can and will always be able to listen to a phenomenal library of songs from a great voice.

A Fine Line

Erica and Tina Campbell (Mary Mary)

Urban Contemporary Gospel or Rhythm and Blues? Religious or secular music? Which do you prefer? The line between the two genres is blurred because a multitude of singers has crossed over the line for many years. Remember Ray Charles? He drew a great deal of criticism for “messing with” God’s music by incorporating the gospel sound with his very secular and sometimes suggestive lyrics. As time ushers in so many changes in modern music, we find even more musicians are erasing genre lines. Yes, even between religious and secular music. Kirk Franklin songs regularly are played simultaneously on R & B and gospel music radio stations and shows worldwide. In addition, the same can be said for our featured performers, Mary Mary.  In the year 2000 their album “Thankful” was released with the single “Shackles (Praise you), hitting both gospel and secular charts and becoming a major crossover hit. Since their initial  hit the duo sister act of Erika and Tina Campbell has not stopped running. In fact, just last week Mary Mary released their sixth album “Go Get It”.  Like most of their releases, this album should be a hit with the growing Mary Mary fan base.  The critical acclaim has also followed the duo, which has received nine Grammy nominations taking home three, 2 American Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and a BET award. However, one of the things I admire most about Mary Mary is their successful balance of family and career. Erika and husband/producer Warryn Campbell just had their third child January 24, 2012 and Tina and husband/drummer Teddy Campbell are expecting their fifth child later this year.  Like many entertainers of our time, Mary Mary also have a reality show just signed on for a second season on WEtv. It seems that these days the reality show gives fans and potential fans and opportunity to view their favorite artists in a relaxed and intimate setting. In the case with Mary Mary, we are introduced to their close circle of influence including their parents, siblings and others. When musical trends start and are successful, they become precursors to more of the same. Mary Mary, having worked with T-Pain for God in me, plans to work with artists that are more secular in the future like rapper/singer T.I. These moves have not been without controversy while still proving efficacious. It seems like Mary Mary, and maybe some other similar acts to follow, will continue to work with a fine line between gospel and secular music.

Not Really a Comeback

Anita Baker

Last week brought fantastic news for Anita Baker fans. She will be releasing a new album and start another tour very soon. My wife is a big fan and I really appreciate her music as well. We were both so happy to hear that the eight-time Grammy award winning vocalist would soon release new music. Baker’s interview and performance on “Good Morning America” displayed a happy, confident singer ready to have fun creating music again. My wife and I were very happy to see her with such a wonderful disposition. Anita Baker has gone through a multitude of well documented health-related problems and way too public divorce hearings. In fact, we have missed two concerts over the years because Anita Baker was forced to cancel her performances. As my wife really welcomed the idea of Baker’s new tour I approached the news with guarded optimism. It was great that Anita Baker felt ready to promote new material but I thought the promoter should be careful not to schedule any back-to-back shows.  Moreover, care might be given to the number of concerts scheduled for the fifty-four year old entertainer. There is no reason to push her into fatigue and then possible illness. As I viewed the upcoming dates for Anita’s concerts it would seem that some of my thoughts are her camp’s collective feelings likewise.  Right now all looks good for Anita Baker’s tour this fall and I hope this time my wife and I get a chance to see her. That being said I have a hard time calling this new music and tour a comeback effort. Baker has been performing and recording at times since 2008.  However, this is her first major album release and tour in quite a few years.  Is there a ninth Grammy award in Anita Baker’s future? Let’s wait, listen and then we will see. For now all of Anita Baker’s fans are very happy to have more of her music.