Cynthia Wilson, affectionately dubbed “Chaplain of Pop” has built a bridge between theology and popular culture as a blogger for twenty years providing commentary on faith,art, politics and music. Listen to her podcast by clicking the web version link at the bottom of this blog and at the top of the web version after the jump.
Monday, June 4, 2007
A Missing O'Donnell Observation...
Rosie has even gotten into a "furor" over the controversy with View's head honcho Barbara Walters which eventually led to her departure from the popular morning television program.I've followed the breaking news reports,the gossip spins on the story and I reflected on the immense popularity and success Rosie enjoyed with her talk show program a few years back. A lot of that was a result of the wonderful things she did for guests on the show and the kindnesses she extended to others. I then recalled a blog that I posted on Heavier Octaves last year reporting about Rosie's generosity in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and I thought why isn't somebody talking about the good things she does and has done. So,for this reason and other reasons which I can not clearly articulate at this time,I lift for today's "Daily Inspiration" a post from the Heavier Octaves blog dated
Here's the link
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope (click here)
A few are probably still at church basking in the ambience of the morning worship experience,while finally getting the opportunity to fellowship with the trustee board(fun,fun.fun...). As the saying goes, "no rest for the weary". I'm referring to the long day on Sundays and then you still have to be there for that family emergency or prayer call while displaying eager and fresh enthusiasm.
I thought I'd top this update provided in sister blog "Heavier Octaves" about the Tsunami Aid :Concert of Hope benefit concert that was held over two(2) years ago. This was really the first or should I say, "the" inaugural benefit concert playlist for "Heavieroctavesradio". Yes,the words did run together.And,yes. You can find it like that if you google it. We were a part of the Live 365 internet station server back then,but have since relocated.
There was some really great music that came out of that concert.As a bonus to you,you can find it on my playlist of pics from that show entitled the same. Click on my iLike page.
Now, get some rest. I know,the pot calling the kettle black in a sense. Here is the link to the original posting:
http://heavieroctaves.blogspot.com/2005/01/tsunami-aid-concert-of-hope-click-here.html
Peace and love,
Cynthia
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Airlift II-Love Soother Mix
I am lifting up and sharing an inspirational message which I wrote back in December 2006 on the topic of the "healing sounds of music" with my pop slant of course. It has been parked on my blog at Riottt.com since December of last year.
I know that I'm a little late,but please let this serve as the weekend inspiration,appropriately on the subject of music that you can actually listen to.Tonight there is a full moon. So,kick up your heels,snuggle up and enjoy some soothing sounds. It is my "Music Sculpture" for you to share with your friends,if you'd like...
This is a "music sculpture"(patent pending), playlist entitled "Airlift II" and it is dedicated to all my friends out there who just want and need to be "lifted up" and loved.
Unlike bronze,woodl,stone. clay,or canvas, "music sculptors" use music, songs and lyrics as their artistic medium of expression, designing musical mixes using themes that soothe the heart,mind and soul. Their designs are multi-dimensional and can bring other textures and mediums to bear on the ultimate concept as well.I've discovered throughout the years that music is a pretty potent multi-level healer and that a song can in combination quite often with other things,perform laser sharp heart(figuratively speaking),psychic and emotional surgery.
Vibrating into knooks ,crannies and crevices of the heart that would otherwise go untouched, I don't think any other medium surpasses its non-invasive,yet tremendously subtle fluid delivery. Yes. For raw or subtle emotional impact, a song is definitely the way to go.
So sit back and relax as surgery is performed on your soul and psyche with beautiful musical skill and precision.If you feel like swaying your body, popping your fingers or jumping up and down while shouting to the rhythym of the music,by all means go for it.Part of the cure is the fun you experience while listening.Another part, is going with the flow of the tears or sighs that an old sentiment evokes as a musical note or two puts you in touch with it.
"Airlift II" is one of the featured playlists on Heavier Octaves Radio.It is one of the "Lobluja"--Love Blues and Jazz mixes. Airlift II music sculpture will be available as a podcast. It is currently available on itunes as an imix as well as on our ilike friends' broadcast.
My podcast discussing the songs is coming soon. This is the sculpture:
Everything Must Change /Everything Must Change (Reprise)(Quincy Jones)
O,I Need All the Love in Your Heart (Josh Rouse)... So,
Send for Me (Atlantic Starr) with that
Message in a Bottle (John Mayer), because All I Want (Joni Mitchell) is to
Zoom (Lionel Richie,Commodores), so you don't continue
feeling Crazy (Seal)
Soul'd Out (Josh Rouse) and in a Simmering Medley (John Mayer)
Because The Heart of the Matter(India arie) is that Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Israel K) I Think I See the Light(Cat Stevens)and I Call it Love (Lionel Richie) while In Repair (John Mayer).
Cross References: Love You Down(Ready for the World); Love Soon (John Mayer)
So, I send an Airlift of love out to and for my friend(s),
Cynthia
p.s. And,if you want copies of any of the songs you can go to my ilike page and download it-free.
All you have to do is join the network. I f you don't want to do that,just purchase it from
itunes if you like the imix.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Don't Give Up Africa: AIDS Crisis in Africa
This past Sunday,I spent my time at a Ghanaian Church in Brooklyn, New York celebrating their Men's Day.Even though I am a woman,I was invited and participated on the program as one of the "distinguished guests". The Ghanaian Ambassador was also there.The church was packed and there was an air of fullness and abundance in the atmosphere which satiated my spirit and soul.
While worshipping and socializing with members of the congregation,the most preeminent thought in my mind was the AIDS crisis. During the fellowship dinnerI asked questions about that and other issues particular to the continent of Africa and the country of Ghana,hoping to get a better handle on what they thought could be done in those countries in Africa that are hardest hit like Nigeria,Kenya,South Africa,Lesotho,etc. I got some good and informative responses.
The AIDS crisis in Africa has gotten some solid attention by the media over the years as well as from the entertainment industry with notable celebrities throwing one gala and fundraiser after the next. Creative and inspiring projects like "Red",which reportedly raised $25 million last quarter ,according to Bono, is sponsored by the clothing chain "Gap" and promoted by celebrities such as Oprah, Alicia Keys,Bono and others who do a lion's share to bring attention to this travesty of mammoth porpotions. It gets the public's attention(More below). In addition,Alicia Keys and Bono's duet "Don't Give Up Africa" has graced the airwaves with all of the proceeds from the purchase of the mp3 earmarked for the purchase of needed medicine for children (To buy the song yourself,please click here. Another link is provided in the body of the blog article below).
As you read, or if you buy the song,as you listen to it, think about the billions of dollars being spent on war,yet children,women and men are dying everyday and dropping like flies because they lack needed money to buy medicine that could save their lives. The Red Campaign sponsored by Gap corporation and spearheaded by Bono is designed to raise some of that money. Alicia Keys' Keep A Child Alive campaign which Iman is now serving as spokesperson for is also raising funds for this crisis of humanity. So is the record "Don't Give Up Africa". However,they can't do it alone. The $30 billion in the President's proposed plan could also make a huge difference.The money just has to get to those who really need it.With as many people as possible joining in this thing,we could save some lives.
Leave the gossip columns alone for a second and ask yourself, "Did I buy something "Red" today? Better yet, "Did I contact my Senator,congressperson or my Church's pastor to see what our congregation could do to help out creatively and effectively in this matter? We need to keep the momentum going. As a minister myself,I'm working on some ideas for churches.As soon as I have completed the plans,I'll write a blog. In the meantime, you can get over to Bono's organization Data.org and see how churches and other organizations can plug in.
I lift up the people of Africa today who are dying from the AIDS pandemic. Let's pray also for the many babies who have been orphaned by this ravaging disease.In honor of African's everywhere, the church I visited Sunday, the continent of Africa and all those working tirelessly to solve the AIDS crisis, which is poised to wipe out an entire continent(Africa), I lift up today's blog entry.
And, I top it also with cautious optimism in celebration of PEPFAR:
Republished from Heavier Octaves Blog dated October 17,2006:
(More...)
(More...)
(More...)
Peace,
Cynthia(Revcoolc)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Dream Come True
Since I'm on that brilliance vibe,I thought it would be great to lift up the vibration of dreams coming true along with the song medley "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" by famous Hawaiian musician the late Israel Kamakawiwi 'ole Ever felt like just walking through that open door? Well,that's how I feel every day. But today, the "dream" for some reason feels within reach and with God's grace that should be the reality everyday.
The below poem,"Dream Come True", I wrote in 2003-a very good year for me poetically- I wrote at least twenty new poems and revised about as many old ones from my poetry archives. This poem was also read by yours truly at my first open mike show at a local neighborhood Border's Book Store when I lived in Grosse Pointe,a suburb outside the city of Detroit. It is republished from my MySpace Blog dated March 15,2006. (please excuse the line up of the paragraphs.I tried to correct,but something went askew in the "copy" edit process).
May your "Dream Come True" today and every day.
Enjoy,
Cynthia (Revcoolc)
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Dream Come True-Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World -Add On
|
"Dream Come True"* |
She played the game the right way
Went to the best schools, made the right moves, made the pieces fit
Came out pristine certified bubbling over with garden variety wit
Did everything expected of her, bought a house
on the gold coast and became a lifestyle hit
She's passed through forty layers of man made time
The years have waved goodbye, yet the memories still remain alive
Now all she wants is a dream to come true
All she wants is life to say "I do"
She has revived her hopes a thousand times only to end up blue
She can't really think of anything else to do
Having done everything wrong the "how to" books told her to
She stayed a little too long this time, should have packed and left long ago
For the wide open highway
Prayed for everything she should have left on the altar
In retrospect she believes they only came into her life so she would falter
Now all she wants is a dream to come true
All she wants is someone to say "I love you"
"Please give me another chance to relive my life and make it new", she sighs
"Looks like my parade has passed me by"
Would you let my dream come true?
Father time just say I can and let me win
Ease by a little slower and let me in
All I want is for life to say "I do"
The waiting game is at an end
This will be your dream come true
- 2003 Cynthia Wilson
*Tune in to Heavier Octaves Radio daily and hear more of the music you
love. RevCoolC's Poetry Corner and Love Soother Mix...coming
soon!
Currently Listening to:
Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo`ole - Rhapsody PlayerSomewhere Over the Rainbow/What A Wonderful World
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Cynthia Wilson Updated Contact Information (Updated 3.30.24)
Multi-City Locations/Addresses: In the Detroit area: Cynthia Wilson 1420 Washington Blvd. Suite 301 Detroit, Michigan 48226 Email- creati...