A DistinctivelyTalented Voice Silenced by Untimely Death- Amy Winehouse Joins Ranks of '27 Club'

The talented singer who had been battling an addiction to drugs and recent challenges in rehab-one of her biggest hits entitled the same-was found dead in her London home earlier today. The cause of her death has not yet been determined. Winehouse made her mark on the music scene at the 2008 Grammy Awards when she won five of the prestigious honors. While some are speculating that she died of a drug related overdose,her fans are hoping that she will not be remembered as a drug plagued artist in light of her very notable singing talent which inspired many singers old and new school alike. Her contralto vocal talents were respected among noted soul and R&B musicians. She has sold five million records worlwide. Amy was 27 years old at the time of her death and shares this in common with other pop culture greats who lived rather short lives in the spotlight although their talents were legendary. Dubbed by music fans as the 27 Club,it includes Jimi Hendrix,Janice Joplin, Curt Cobain and Jim Morrison of the Doors. Winehouse’s wealth has been estimated at 20 million. She just last month had to cancel her European tour for a performance at the Serbia concert venue. She was unable to carry a tune as she made an attempt to sing her hit song “Back to Black”. The audience booed her off the stage. May grace and peace surround the Winehouse family as they deal with the tragedy of Amy’s untimely death. Our prayers go out to her entire family as well as friends mourning her untimely death. Another great talent gone too soon.

It seems a tremendous waste of an incredible talent enjoyed by millions.

Once again, another promising and rising talent gone much too soon.

Read more about it here.

Heath Ledger Passes from Accidental Drug Overdose

Academy Award nominated actor and respected talent Heath Ledger who appeared in the critically acclaimed and popular movie BrokeBack Mountain has passed from a drug overdose. The actor who was admittedly under immense pressures and demands from his latest role in the latest Batman sequel "Dark Knight" had been battling addiction problems.Read more here.






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A Distintively Talented Voice Silenced:Amy Winehouse Joins Ranks of 27 Club

On the Jimi Hendrix Vodka Issue

Jimi Hendrix Electric Vodka










This is a post I contributed to the most repected online community for John Mayer fans, My Stupid Mouth(MSM), of which I have been a member for nearly five years. It is titled after one of his first very popular and defining songs.

John did a piece last year on one of his blogs about his take on Jimi Hendrix vodka and many of his fans followed suit by responding to his views on the subject. Quite frankly, myself an avid Hendrix fan, having had eyewitness account of his influence on a generation as a youth coming of age in the late 60's through mid 70's(I had every record Hendrix ever cut...unsuccessfully lobbied my Dad to go to Woodstock,underage at the time,etc) ,I was appalled that the Hendrix family would let something like this happen to such a tremendous rock music legend,arguably the greatest guitar player that has ever lived. But my further research revealed a family torn apart for years by a long standing court battle over control of Jimi Hendrix's estate.

I had been made aware of it by the bits and pieces of information gleaned from various news sources over the years. John's blog brought attention to not only the vodka issue,but that reality as well. It provided invaluable food for thought for musicians and other entertainers who don't make estate planning and money management a priority. It also provided an example of just how easily a pop image in our culture can be cheapened or lessened out of a real financial need or a serious lack of financial planning.His piece inspired a litany, as usual, of responses from his fan base across the internet and on my blog at Creativessel.com. as well.

I, and I'm sure its safe to say others, would much rather Hendrix be remembered by future generations for his guitar playing prowess and not his alleged fondness for vodka.His influence is still being felt some thirty-seven (37) years after his death.

Ironically and probably to the delight of many fans, Hendrix's family just recently filed a law suit against a Seattle businessman for the use of Jimi Hendrix's name on the vodka.

The following is my response to Mayer's entry on his blog at Honeyee.com last year,which was posted on MSM on 12/30/06:

Thanks to John for bringing this to the forefront and for topping that RS article on Hendrix...a quality piece.I agree,among his finer ones.

If there was to be a drink named after Jimi Hendrix,I would have much rather preferred an organic juice or purple colored lemonade.Something that sort of crackles and sizzles in your mouth simultaneously while inducing "healthy" audio-visual hallucinations or holographic experiences of a medley of memorable Hendrix Tunes with "Purple Haze" as the intro.But,of course,I'm biased because I am not now, nor do I ever forsee myself as an enthusiastic, or otherwise, vodka drinker.My experimental "screwdriver" phase is long past.

As for the "banking" issue, the "quality" of family and friends(that would include their judgment) ,and to a lesser extent, the wishes of Hendrix, would be the deciding factors here. Unfortunately,and I have learned this from hard experience,it is not always the "will" or "trust" instrument that ultimately governs when people disagree over money and property rights.This is even moreso when a person dies intestate i.e.,leaving no will,as in Hendrix's case.

"Greed" and "fair share" are archrivals,in which case,it is those who have the stamina and drive to fight it out in court, the market place or the ring of public opinion to the bitter end that either win, or lose.Now, if all players could get together and work out a consent agreement to their mutual benefit,they might save a few bucks in court costs and legal fees. And,perhaps avoid such "vodka debacles" to the Hendrix image and legacy,which,of course, is extreme wishful thinking on my part. The numbers are too high ($80 million--estimated estate value)and the divide apparently too wide(non-blood relative now ostensibly controls assets to the exclusion of blood relatives).

Jimi did not play a role in this. Albeit, his death was caused ironically by asphyxiation induced from a lethal combination of alcohol(wine) and sleeping pills.

Well, there is one brand of vodka I won't be buying or promoting...no,not even as a keepsake. I almost feel like creating a slogan worthy of the occasion a la "Denounce the 40 Ounce" when the homies got out of hand with the Malt Liquor.

Now,if they make a very limited release of it for a brief period certain,just to right the books or to benefit a private or public charity, never ever to appear again,I might just be persuaded. But even that is very iffy...I still cringe at the thought.

In the meantime,

Ugh...

Peace,

Cynthia

Deep Degrees of Blue (My Space Blog 8.16.2006)

 

 

 

I felt like topping this today. Even though I'm not in a blue mood, I found it amusing in retrospect. Of course, when I initially wrote it I was some degree, but still not "Deep Degrees of Blue". Many may not know, but the Blues genre was a precursor and at the very root of gospel music. 

 

Several well known theologians have written about it in their books,articles and essays about the African-American religious experience.Two that fall into that category are Dr.James H. Cone with his The Spirituals and the Blues and Dr.Michael Harris who captured the spirit of the Blues in his book The Rise of Gospel Blues. They both taught me during my journey at Union Theological Seminary . I highly recommend both books to the serious Blues conoisseur, as well as those who want to learn more about the connection between blues and gospel.

 

My contribution to the subject in this blog entry below, though not as in depth and extensive as theirs, is a snapshot illustration of my respect and appreciation for the musical genre and how it can be a useful tool in negotiating the daily ups and downs of life.You can travel to my My Space page and browse through my friend base for an example of just how deeply attached I am to the music and the musicians who honor and preserve it. You might find some surprises.

 

This is the August 16, 2006 entry from my blog at My Space. To read the original posting there click here.

Deep Degrees of Blue (revised 9.5.06)

www.art.com
I stumbled upon a very educational and entertaining blog page a few days ago--How to Sing the Blues-A Primer. On the page is an entire section on what and what does not qualify you to sing the blues. After all there are certain requirements for being able to bear guttural sighs, phrases and emotions from the belly of the soul for the whole world to see, hear and feel. There were some standards I met and some that I did not.

  For instance, if you live in New York, you can sing the blues. I met that one. Chicago, Kansas City and St. Louis are also good "sing the blues" certifiable locations. However, for cities like Minneapolis and Seattle , the opinion is that its more likely that you are experiencing clinical depression than blues. The article also mentions,if you own a computer you can't sing the blues. A lot of people probably disqualify by that standard. I know I do.
Okay, I didn't make the guidelines. I found them rather whimsical and amusing. No doubt a fun read. But I will take them with a grain of salt. 'cause I listen to some real down home and modern guitar, trumpet, sax , bass players and drummers who own computers that can "sho'nuff" sing and play some blues. Then there are those not having the benefit of computers in their day from whom we have definitely learned.  

Well, I am having some degree of bluestoday. What is the requirement there?I am probably violating every tenet in the theoretical "social distance" guideline book, also known as Proxemics by sharing this with you. Besides, ministers don't get the blues. They are not supposed to anyway. Fortunately, Rev. Gary Davis and those preceding and following him have dispelled this myth.We indeed spend a good deal of our time trying to prevent or comfort those with the blues. 

 Like many Americans, I am pretty "deep blue" about the War. I just had to get that off my chest. There are other subjects that also qualify for this entry.But I'll pass on extrapolating about them. I will say this. Sometimes we all get in a deep down bluesy mood. In hip musical terminology, it's been dubbed a blue funk. Whether Kind of Blue, Blue Monday, Blue Train, All Blues... I have found creative expression through art whether music, graphics, singing, listening to or playing music transformative and healing. The added bonus is that something stunning, captivating and spellbinding is created in the process.  

The blues...some get it when their man or woman leaves them. Some when they run out of money. Some when a dream does not come true or takes an unexpected twist. Others upon the realization that war and disharmony seem to be among the predominant global constants. Some as they look back over their lives and are just plain dissatisfied with their accomplishments. Others out of loneliness and boredom just get the plain ol' down home blues. Some create or become masterpieces of artistic expression. Yes. There can be something uniquely redemptive and restorative about the blues.

 
Are you that one who feels you've just missed that last non-stop train to happiness out of the station? That you made a move and ended up in a place that you definitely did not plan on. I can certainly empathize with you, especially with what's happened over this past thirty days. Talk about the uncertainties of "musical chairs." I have the t-shirt, the CD and the book and could probably contribute another 9 chapters. In fact, I'd probably make a good prospect for Huffs' chair about now. I'll spare you all the gory details and just say, "when life gives you lemons,make lemonade." It could be just the beverage you needed to quench what may have been an undetected thirst. And,it might contain the best tasting lemons you've ever come across. By the same token,trust in time , faith, love and prayer (...and occassionally, for some, therapeutic "bluesal"analysis) to heal the disappointment. And remember,there's always another train coming...
 

During your lemonade break, join me in celebrating, singing and listening to the blues. Just tune in to the "Lobluja" (Love,blues and jazz) show every evening from 8:00 p.m to 12 midnite or just pull out some of your old blues songs from memory during that time. For those "intangible" kinds of requests, we'll surely be listening together in spirit. And, if you eventually email your request, if the song exists on this side of the universe,we will gladly add it to our playlist or upcoming live shows for future programming. For now, back to the realities of war and the privilege of singing , and now, having the blues...
 

Incidentally, the legendary Miles above...talk about jazz(y) blues. He arguably set the standard. One of my favorites, "All Blues", which is on the "Kind of Blue" masterpiece released in March 1959, has been covered by some of music's greats. I think I'll piece together a show in the future, a sort of spotlight on recent "All Blues" coverage. Just a thought, but... Wouldn't that be grand?

Some modern day blues legends--made and in the making:
Smooth, jazzy & Bluesy guitar solos...........Continuum by John Mayer
"Hendrix Blues"...............................Blues by Jimi Hendrix
Buddy Guy.........."Bring 'Em In"--"Dreams to Remember
B.B. King......................................... 80 --"Hummingbird" 

 
Peace and healing,

 

Cynthia (Revcoolc) (aka Chaplain of Pop)