Old School Friday - Happy Summer

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!!!!
Well according to the calendar today is OFFICIALLY the first day of summer (even though according to my thermostat TEXAS has been in "Summer Heat" for about 2 months now...) so to commemorate the day....
You guessed it! Songs with "SUMMER" in the title.
Summertime is synonymous with FUN & MUSIC so I hope the songs featured today inspires you and brings back good summertime memories!!

To kick things off... the quintessential 90's summertime song!

Summertime - The Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff (I dare say this was the PINNACLE of his rap career!)


Summertime - Kenny Chesney


Summer Madness - Kool & The Gang (Ridin' music! The youngin's don't know NOTHING about this!)


Summer Breeze - The Isley Brothers


Summer Breeze - Seals & Croft (Original)


Summer - WAR


Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly & The Family Stone



Happy Summertime all!!
Regina

Old School Friday - REAL R&B DIVAS!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!
I was looking at some so called R&B singers of this era and I was getting frustratred so you KNOW what I did.....
I had to post some REAL R&B SONGSTRESSES!!!!!
Don't get mad younger generation... y'all just don't have what it takes! SORRY!

Say You Love Me - Patti Austin (1977)


I Got Love On My Mind - Natalie Cole (1978)


Inseparable - Natalie Cole (1978)


Lean On Me - Melba Moore (1975)


I'm On Your Side - Angela Bofill (1983)


Do You Still Love Me - Meli'sa Morgan (1985)



Pillow Talk - Sylvia (1973) Sylvia did in this ONE song what artists like Rihanna & Beyonce try to do in their entire career AND Sylvia did it FULLY CLOTHED! Y'all better recognize!!


Nothing but talent here! Okay! I'll stop here because I can go all night with this but you get my point!!!
LOVE AND RESPECT THE CLASSICS!!!

Keep It Smooth!
Regina

Old School Friday - Are You Satisfied?

MY, MY, MY! It has been a long minute since I last posted an old school Friday post!  I was going through my Nancy Wilson and Marvin Gaye playlists this past week and they both do a rendition of one of my favorite songs so I figured I would post them!
Even though the song is the same they both add some something different and you come away with a different meaning and different feel from the two.  But no matter which version you prefer BOTH are FABULOUS!  I guess I should mention that there were a few other people who also did a version of this song but Nancy Wilson and Marvin Gaye are BY FAR my favorite versions.


Just To Keep You Satisfied - Marvin Gaye


Just To Keep You Satisfied - Nancy Wilson


Just to Keep You Satisfied - The Originals (Another AWESOME version)


Just To Keep You Satisfied - Howard Hewett (Hmmm, not one of my favorites...)



Love, and Kisses All!
Happy Friday!
Regina

Old School Friday - Nona Hendryx

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!! I was trolling the internet and found out that tomorrow (8/18/12) is Nona Hendryx birthday!  You may know her from being one third of the hit group LaBelle from the 70's.  She also had a solo singing career. I was not a big fan of her solo music because she was too much of a Rocker girl for me but the talent is unmistakable!




In The Ghetto - Nona Hendryx


Why Should I Cry - Nona Hendryx


Can I Speak To You Before You Go To Hollywood - LaBelle


Lady Marmalade - LaBelle


Isn't It A Shame - LaBelle


You Turn Me On - LaBelle


Nightbird - LaBelle


Have an AWESOME Weekend All!!
Smooches!
Regina

Old School Friday - Unsung

I have not done an Old School Friday post in a while.  But since I recently finished school I have been catching up with my UNSUNG episodes on the DVR.  Let me just say that I absolutely LOVE Unsung because some of these groups are classic and timeless and definitely Unsung.  However when I watch Unsung I often get teary, heavy hearted, and emotional to see how the enemy has used and abused these people.  Make no mistakes PRIDE and GREED are tricks of the Devil.  Give the enemy NO foot hole, because He can slide in and devastate your life, steal your joy, and taint your gift! If you are not firmly rooted and grounded in God you will be deceived and lost in the music business.
Check out what UNSUNG has going on for the sixth season HERE!

BUT, Moving on to some good old school music. There is no set theme just some favorite artists from recent Unsung episodes. (That means I may jump from decade to decade!)

The Marvelettes
Don't Mess With Bill 


Please Mr Postrman 


Con Funk Shun
Love's Train


Baby I'm Hooked 


Atlantic Starr 
When Love Calls


Am I Dreaming


Circles


Touch A Four Leaf Clover


Send For Me


As you can see from the songs I posted I am partial to the Atlantic Starr group configuration which included Sharon Bryant.  Though Secret Lovers and Always were major hits I felt they were more commercial hits and I personally preferred the sound of Sharon Bryant over the sound of Barbara Weathers who was lead vocals on those two later songs. Which is why Secret Lovers and Always are not featured here.

For me THIS will always be ATLANTIC STARR!


Peace & Love All!
Regina

Old School NOT Friday! Angela Bofill

Hey There Everyone!

I have not done an Old School Friday post in a few weeks, so I figured today was a good day for one! YES, I KNOW TODAY IS NOT FRIDAY!!! That is just a technicality!  ANY DAY is a god day for music! Actually, late last night I was watching the television show "UNSUNG" and the show was spotlighting  the incomparable Ms. Angela Bofill.  This Cuban and Puerto Rican born percussionists, musician, and songstress suffered to debilitating strokes and is still full of love and life. I think there is no better person to showcase, what an amazing story and amazing woman! So, yea, I just had to feature her today!  If you have no clue who Angela Bofill is find out more about her HERE and HERE!

So today I spotlight Ms. Angela Bofill!

I Try - Angela Bofill


I'm On Your Side - Angela Bofill (The 80's at it's BEST)


This Time I'll Be Sweeter - Angela Bofill



Angel Of The Night - Angela Bofill





Under The Moon And Over The Sky - Angela Bofill


One Love!
Regina

Ahhh, When I Found Love!

Man, FRIDAY, AT LAST!!  Yesterday was the birthday of none other than his Purple Majesty "PRINCE Rogers Nelson"!  OoooohhhhhLALA!!!  Yes sir, I am a Prince fan and have been since the late 70's! Prince helped me find LOVE!!! Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson on June 7, 1958, is a musician, composer, singer, songwriter ....uh calling him an actor is questionable (You know you watched Purple Rain, Under The Cherry Moon, and Graffiti Bridge, LOL!)!  But we over look his bad acting, and his eccentricity, because we ABSOLUTELY LOVE his singing!!
I was working in a group home for people with developmental issues on Farmers Blvd in queens NY. I was about 16-17 and dating a guy named Jake who was a coworker and also in the Army. I thought I was grown and I knew I was in love!!  I actually was NOT in love with Jake, I was in love with the IDEA of being in love! For that I blame Prince!! When the clients went to bed I used to sit in a chair on the fire escape and play this one Prince song over and over on my Sony Walkman.  That song was "ADORE"! And even though I had a boyfriend downstairs who was flirting with all our coworkers, who hated me because I was dating Jake, I wanted to spend time alone with Prince crooning in my ears!  My mind was not on Jake, my mind was a million miles away dreaming of the day when I would find a love who would say to me ...

Until the end of time, I'll be there for you
You own my heart and mind, I TRULY ADORE you.
If God one day struck me blind, Your beauty I'd still see,
Loves to weak to define
Just what you mean to me......

Yep, while I had the boyfriend who was the envy of my coworkers, I was dreaming of something deeper, better, MORE! Happy Old School Friday!
Happy Birthday, Prince!!  Thank you for years of musical enjoyment and for awakening a desire for true love in me!  To learn more about Prince go HERE, and HERE! (I know that Prince absolutely hates YouTube but I will try to post videos anyway and hope I don't get a cease and desist order!)

I had this picture hanging on my wall when I was younger!

Under The Cherry Moon Intro


Diamonds and Pearls - Prince

See all music videos Prince

I Wish You Heaven - Prince


Money Don't Matter Tonight - Prince



Kiss - Prince

See all music videos Prince

Happy Birthday PRINCE!!

Happy Old School Friday!!!
Smooches,
Regina

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Nick Ashford"

Happy Friday All!!
Another week has come and gone and I pray that you were productive this week and successful in reaching your weekly goals!  Now it is time for the weekend. Some relaxation, some entertainment, or just some good music!!
Today would have been the 71 birthday of Nick Ashford.  Nick Ashford native of Fairfield, South Carolina, was one half of the power writing, producing , and singing duo of Ashford and Simpson.  This power husband and wife team were active in the music business from 1964-2011!  Ashford and Simpson wrote hits for people like Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, Teddy Pendergrass, and Amy Winehouse, as well as writing a slew of Motown Hits.  Ashford and Simpson also sang their own hits such as "Solid", "Is It Still Good To Ya", "It Seems To Hang On" and others.  Ashford and Simpson have written numerous songs for television series, and movie soundtracks.  Nick Ashford died August 22, 2011 from complications of throat cancer.  He leaves behind, wife Valerie and two daughters.  Rest In Peace Nick Ashford, your phenomenal contribution to the world will never be forgotten! Find out more about Nick Ashford HERE and HERE.

Send It - Ashford & Simpson (my FAVORITE Ashford & Simpson song!)


It Seems To Hang On - Ashford & Simpson


Somebody Told A Lie - Ashford & Simpson



Solid - Ashford & Simpson (Their biggest commercial hit)


Peace & Love All!
Tell Your Loved Ones that you love them, tomorrow is not promised to any of us!
Regina

Old School Friday - Maxine Brown

I don't know why but I am in a mood.  I feel the need to go way, way, back!  But I am feeling me some Maxine Brown today.  I love finding these lesser known gems, the real unsungs of music history.  The wealth of talent wasted or lost is phenomenal and to think today's "singers" have less than half the talent that was ignored in the 50s & 60s.
Read more about Maxine Ella Brown HERE and HERE!

We'll Cry Together - Maxine Brown



All In My Mind - Maxine Brown


Oh No Not My Baby - Maxine Brown


Coming Back To You - Maxine Brown


Funny - Maxine Brown


Be Blessed
Regina

Old School Friday - Birthdays!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! I am in a very MUSICAL MOOD!!!  So what should we spotlight today? I am in a mixed bag, random type of mood so I don't know. Guess I'll just go to you tube and see what turns up....

~~ 1 Hour later~~ 

I almost forgot to come back!! Sorry I have been jumping through musical genres and musical decades and still have not focused on anything! But there are a lot of birthdays today! Here is a sample of what I have been listening to this morning! ...

Happy Birthday Norah Jones
Come Away With Me - Norah Jones (ABSOLUTELY LOVE this song!)


Happy Birthday Tracy Chapman
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman


Happy Birthday Eric Clapton
Tears In Heaven - Eric Clapton


And last but not least
Happy Birthday MC Hammer
2 Legit 2 Quit - MC Hammer


Well Happy Friday All!
Tell Someone that You Love them today and MEAN IT!
Smooches!
Regina

Old School Friday - Soul Train

Happy Friday!
I am having a flash back to my childhood moment! They just do not make television the way they used to. So just come along with me!  Today is all about a few of my favorite SOUL TRAIN MOMENTS!

What you know about this right here!?!?!?!?!
SOUL TRAIN


Other than the host Don Cornelius, what EVERYONE remembers most is those Soul Train Dancers! Like them, Love Them or Hate Them, you have to smile or Laugh Out Loud at some of this mess!!
Soul Train Line (1974)


Now for the music!!
Summer Breeze - The Isley Brothers (1973) (LOL! Go on Mr. Bigs aka Ronald Isley!)


Lady Marmalade - La Belle (1974) I wonder if Ms Patti looks back on this and shakes her head!!


Love and Happiness - Al Green (1973)


Let Me Make Love To You - The O'Jays (1975)


Gloria - Enchantment (1977)


Wildflower - New Birth (1974)


As you can see, I can do this all day long!! Gotta LOVE Soul Train and Old School Music!
Have an Awesome music filled weekend!
Peace, Love, and Soul!
Regina

Old School Friday - Karen Carpenter

Happy Friday!!  Today is the birthday of Karen Anne Carpenter.  Karen Carpenter was a Caucasian American, singer and drummer, she was also the female half of the singing sibling duo "The Carpenters".  Karen was born on March 2, 1950 in New Haven Connecticut and she died on February 4, 1983 in Downey, California from heart failure.  Karen's heart failure was a direct result of her long time fight with anorexia nervosa.  She was 32 years old when she died.  Karen along with her brother Richard, had several major hits in the 1970's, such as "We've Only Just Begun" and "Close To You".  In the early 1970's the Carpenters received two Grammy Awards.  To learn more about Karen Carpenter go HERE and HERE.

We've Only Just Begun - The Carpenters


Close To You - The Carpenters


Superstar - The Carpenters


Though this last song was a mild hit for the Carpenters it was a bigger hit by Luther Vandross.

Superstar - Luther Vandross


Be Blessed Today!
Regina

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Roberta Flack"

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!!  I am having an AWESOME day, and I pray the same for you!  Happy Birthday to the unsung diva Ms. Roberta Flack!  My childhood is full of fond memories of beautiful music and Ms. Flack is one of those memories.  Ms. Flack has one of the most melodious voices I remember.  I was going through my music play list yesterday and was looking for something smooth to listen to.  I have a lot of smooth men like Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, and some newer cats like Kem, but my smooth female section was lacking.  I have some Nancy Wilson and other females in other categories but I need more SMOOTH! Since my hard drive was updated I do not have the music I used to, so I think it is time to hit up the old CD crate and upload some more oldies but goodies and rest assured Roberta Flack is in the list.
Anyway, moving on, yes today is Roberta Flack's birthday.  Roberta Flack was born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, on February 10, 1937.  Due to her proficiency in classical piano she was awarded a full scholarship to Howard University at the age of 15!  She graduated from Howard University at the age of 19.  Roberta Flack was the first African-American student teacher at an all White school in Maryland.  Roberta is an accomplished folk, jazz, and soul songstress.  Roberta Flack has been nominated for many awards and has won four Grammy awards.  She is famous for numerous musical hits including the duet "Where Is The Love" with (now deceased) Donny Hathaway!  They sure do not make them like this anymore!!  Learn more about the LEGENDARY Roberta Flack HERE and HERE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERTA FLACK

February 10, 1937 - Present

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack


Feel Like Making Love - Roberta Flack


The Closer I Get To You - Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway


Happy Black History Month!
Peace & Love All!
Regina

Old School Friday - Let's Get High!

IT'S FRIDAY and you don't have nothing to do so I'm gonna get you HIGH TONIGHT!!! (Said in my best "Smokey" from Friday voice)  I of course mean high on MUSIC because that is what Old School Friday is all about!

So since I am talking about a MUSIC HIGH today, what type of song gives YOU that euphoric feeling?

Of course when I think of the word HIGH this song immediately comes to mind...
Natural High - Bloodstone


Of course I could also go this route...
Higher Than This - Ledisi (Yes, I know this is not old school!)


Of course when others think of getting high and songs, this probably immediately comes to mind...
Mary Jane - Rick James


What gives you that musical high?


Smooches!
Regina

Old School Friday "The Jones Girls"

FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY!!!!! And just EIGHT DAYS from Christmas! Tomorrow I will be posting Christmas songs daily but for now I have something else in mind. I love comparing older songs to their newer versions and I came across the Jones Girls song "Who Can I Run To" on YouTube and had to post it. Most 90's babies think that Xscape were the original singers of this song but alas they were not. Which version do you think is best?? (I personally ALWAYS prefer the originals!!)

Who Can I Run To - The Jones Girls

Who Can I Run To - Xscape

A Dance Turned Into A Romance - The Jones Girls

You Gonna Make Me Love Somebody Else - The Jones Girls

Have an Awesome Weekend!

Smooches!!!!

Regina

Happy Old School Friday "Chic"

Happy Friday All!!!!
It is a little cold here in Texas so I think we need some music to make us move & groove today!  So I am going to go with "CHIC"! Oh Yea! Disco is in the house!!  If you can still move your legs and have good balance tie on those roller skates and head in to the rink!!  Because this is definitely skating music!  To learn more about the group Chic, go HERE!

On this day (12/9) in 1978 Chic started a seven week run at #1 on the US singles chart with Hit song
"Le Freak!"

Le Freak - Chic


I Want Your Love - Chic


Good Times - Chic


Dance, Dance, Dance - Chic


Enjoy your weekend!
Regina

Old School Friday "Happy Thanksgiving!"

HAPPY FRIDAY & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I pray that you all had a chance to be among loved ones yesterday and shared fun, food, and laughs!
I could not let this day end without posting an Old School Friday video that wraps up the entire THANKSGIVING DAY feelings for me. This song is classic and it is a statement, a feeling, and a movement!
Be Blessed All! Show Love everyday because time marches on and we may not have another chance to say I LOVE YOU or THANK YOU or I APPRECIATE YOU!
I LOVE La'Toya, David, Jessica, Samuel, Danielle, Danayja & Jamel, my Mom, Sister, Nieces & Nephews! With you guys my world is complete! SMOOCHES!

What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong


Blessings, Regina!

Old School Friday - Tavares

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! I am ready for some RELAXATION!!  I have scrubbed my bathroom, hung new curtains, done laundry and now I want to hear some good OLD SCHOOL MUSIC!!!
While I was cleaning the bathroom a song came on Pandora that took me back to my childhood.  Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel!!!  So I am featuring the group TAVARES today!!! This group is definitely UNSUNG!!  Learn more about the group Tavares HERE and HERE!

I think this first song is my favorite Tavares song (even though I was 7 when it came out!!!)
Chaeck It Out - Tavares

 

Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel - Tavares

Never Had A Love Like This Before - Tavares

She's Gone - Tavares

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL! Enjoy the Weekend!
Tell Someone You Love Them Today
And MEAN IT!!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Regina

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Harry Elston"

Oh Friday, how I Love Thee...
Well here we are at another Friday and it is a bit cold here in Texas. I am refusing to turn on my heat because my electric company is absolutely HORRENDOUS (Just because you are"serving" green energy does not mean I should be paying the highest prices available)! So today I am buying wood for the fireplace so that my family does not freeze to death! Any way, I digress!
Cool weather means baking, cooking, and of course GOOD MUSIC! So of course me being an old school lover, I had to find something really good today to go with my fire in the fireplace! And I found it... Today is the 73 birthday of Harry Elston! Name not ringing a bell? How about if I say, today is the 73 birthday of Harry Elston, singer of The Friends of Distinction!! By the way, Harry Elston was born right here in Dallas, Texas! Oh yea, if you love old school music then I know you love Friends of Distinction! Learn more about the Friends of Distinction HERE and HERE!

HAPPY 73rd BIRTHDAY HARRY ELSTON!

Now for the music...

Going In Circles - Friends of Distinction


Grazing In The Grass - Friends of Distinction


I Really Hope You Do - Friends of Distinction


Happy Friday All!
Show someone you love them today!

Smooches!
Regina

Old School Friday "Happy Birthday Telma Hopkins"

Another Friday means another week gone by. I am working on 2 final projects for my Organizational Psychology class, working on some ancestry.com stuff, as well as simultaneously writing two blog posts! So yea, I figured I would take a minute to enjoy some music. I was trolling the Internet and found out that today is Telma Hopkins birthday!
Most of you may know Telma Louise Hopkins from the television sitcom "Family Matters" or from the sitcom "Half & Half". But I first became aware of Ms. Hopkins when I was about 7 years old (1973) and she was 1/3 of the singing group Tony Orlando & Dawn! At the time, they had a hit song titled "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree". I knew the song well because when I was young I was a Fresh Air Fund child and spent most of my summers with a family in Ashland, Pennsylvania. The family had a daughter named Laura who was my age and Tony Orlando & Dawn was one of Laura's favorite groups!

So this Old School Friday is my ode to rural summers. Summers of sitting in front of Pop-pop's general store (Pop-pop was Laura's granddad!) eating ice cream, summers of running through fields of wild flowers, and summers of feeding the wild rabbits in the woods behind the Selinsky's home (my summer home!). and my Happy Birthday to Telma Hopkins!

Enjoy!

He Don't Love You, Like I Love You - Tony Orlando & Dawn


Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree - Tony Orlando & Dawn


Knock Three Times On The Ceiling - Tony Orlando & Dawn


Knock Three Times... (From one of my favorite movies, "Now & Then")


Happy Friday! Spread A Little Love! Regina