Soulful Sundays: Lorraine Klaasen

Posted on March 27, 2011July 16, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Loraine Klaasen performing at Kola Note, March... — Image via Wikipedia

I realize now that I was meant to meet Lorraine Klaasen.

I had been in Jamaica for a week and when I returned to New York all I wanted to do was curl up in front of the television and find a Bond marathon or watch reruns of Bonanza. I had done nothing to get ready for my trip to Montreal. I hadn’t even bought my ticket.

As Wednesday turned to Thursday, I struggled with the temptation to stay put – and disappoint my aunt – or spend what I was sure would be an astronomical amount on airfare and get the introductions she was to facilitate. I searched for last minute weekend packages.

Before I left, my aunt asked if I wanted to go to an event with her that Saturday night. Why not? I thought.

I had no clue what I was in for.

Lorraine Klaasen comes from South African musical royalty. The daughter of legendary performer and Nelson Mandela’s favorite jazz singer, Thandie Klaasen, Lorraine has been described as one of few South African artists who preserve Township music.

From the first chord sounded at the Cabaret Mile End, people were on their feet but the real dancing started when Lorraine came on stage. She is an electrifying and energetic performer.

But beyond her performance, it was something else she did that touched me. It was surprising and I couldn’t remember seeing it done before – Lorraine invited several up and coming performers to the stage and gave them space so that each in turn could entertain her audience. I was impressed.

It was because of that openness (and the fact that she was sitting at a table next to mine) that I decided to approach her at an awards dinner the following evening. When I told her about my planned trip to South Africa, she promptly gave me her business card and told me to email her.

By the time I landed in New York, she had responded.

We met again when she performed at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Summer Concert series. My traveling partners and I invited her to dinner. She gave us a list, not just of friends but also family members, including her mother and brother, and contacted them on our behalf.

Because of Lorraine, we had a welcome party waiting for us when we arrived in Johannesburg. She single-handedly opened up that city and Soweto for us.

Lorraine will be back in my city this weekend. She, along with Malika Zarra, will be performing the music of the Grammy Award-winning civil rights activist and South African musical great, Miriam Makeba, at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater on April 1 and 2.

I can’t wait to see her perform again. Watch her here in the meantime.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXAuWM8Q_oE]

Enjoy!

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Soulful Sundays [Bonus]: Milton Nascimento

Posted on March 20, 2011July 16, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

At some point yesterday (Saturday), I noticed that my subscriptions that had been posted on Saturday had been changed to Friday.

I didn’t think much of it until my Soulful Sundays post ended up date stamped March 19th instead of 20th. And I know I posted well past midnight.

I checked my time settings and realized that WP didn’t automatically update after the time change last week. I’m not sure why I didn’t notice this before.

So as not to break my perfect postaday2011 record, I’m posting a bonus Soulful Sundays pick.

I’ve been listening to the Buena Vista Social Club since yesterday and though I’m not playing now, I woke up humming a few songs. (I always wake up with music in my head.)

Since Buena Vista is in my head, I wanted to find something similarly atmospheric. I thought of Milton Nascimento. I haven’t listened to him in a while.

Whenever I hear Nascimento, I feel the need to learn Portuguese just so I can understand his message (Spanish only helps with a few words). Ditto Gilberto Gil. Here’s one of my favorite Nascimento CDs, Encontros e Despedidas. Again, I love every song on this CD so it was difficult to pick one. But here is Lagrimas do Sul.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ZgT897YO0]

Let me know if you like it.

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Soulful Sundays: The Buena Vista Social Club

Posted on March 19, 2011June 12, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

UK Single Cover for "Chan Chan" from... — Image via Wikipedia

In the summer of 1999 or 2000, my friend, Cathi, invited me to see a documentary film she said she knew I’d love. I had never heard about the Buena Vista Social Club before we got to the theater but I wasn’t disappointed.

From the opening scenes, I was transported to Havana. And the music struck a chord in my soul. I was so moved, I watched the documentary with tears close to the surface. On my way home, I bought a copy of the CD and for many months after, it was the only music I listened to. Each time, I created stories in my head based on the feelings the music evoked.

So, for today’s Soulful Sunday, my pick is the Buena Vista Social Club. Each track is a winner so it was hard to select just one. But take a listen to the opening track, 01 Chan Chan.

As a bonus, below is a video of the late Ibrahim Ferrer singing the heart stirring, Dos Gardenias Para Ti. Check it out.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rublV5LQ5Ds&feature=artist]

Hope you enjoy The Buena Vista Social Club as much as I still do.

If you like what you’ve read why not Share, Tweet, Digg, Like, etc. You never know who might be interested.

AfroCubismo: Best World Music Album of 2010 (repeatingislands.com)
Movie Review – Buena Vista Social Club (countzeroor.wordpress.com)
Buena Vista and their timeless music (telegraph.co.uk)
Favourite Albums 2010: AfroCubism (brights38.wordpress.com)

Soulful Sundays: Tarrus Riley

Posted on March 13, 2011June 12, 2011 by Marcia Mayne

Sundays, for me, are usually lazy days. I putter, lounge, read, snooze and, of course, listen to music. What I listen to depends on my mood. Sometimes, it’s soothing jazz. Other times, it’s music that gets me on my feet – I just love to dance.

For this week’s Soulful Sundays post, I want to share the work of a musician who has become one of my favorites.

I was first introduced to reggae musician, Tarrus Riley a few years ago when I heard his anthem to women, She’s Royal. Then my friend, Sandra, and I attended his performance at the Calabash Literary Festival in Treasure Beach. We enjoyed it so much, we concluded we had to see him again. We did, in New York, a few months later and we weren’t disappointed. I even went back stage to get his autograph – something I never did when I was a teenager!

So here now, is I Sight

Hope you like it as much as I do.

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