From: owner-god-shiva-digest@smoe.org (god-shiva-digest) To: god-shiva-digest@smoe.org Subject: god-shiva-digest V1 #20 Reply-To: god-shiva@smoe.org Sender: owner-god-shiva-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-god-shiva-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk god-shiva-digest Tuesday, September 22 1998 Volume 01 : Number 020 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Whos next? I guess its me... ["Derek S. Bryant" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 15:41:35 PDT From: "Derek S. Bryant" Subject: Whos next? I guess its me... Hey Folks...this is Derek. I'm not sure if I'm sending this correctly or not...let me know if I'm screwing it up. I first saw MeShell on MTV or BET one night...it was the 'Boyfriend' video. It caught my eye because...well...I've always been attracted to Women who play instruments. (alright, alright...save the psycho-analysis everyone...) Anyway...it WAS a visually interesting video, there WAS a Woman playing bass on it...so it caught my eye FIRST. I remember I had the volume turned down (I was on the phone at the time), but I was curious as to what the song SoUNDED like. So UP went the volume...and ON HOLD went whoever the hell I was talking to on the PHONE! "WHAT A BASS LINE!", I thought! Just NASTY! I agree with you Mike, her stuff instantly had a "70's" feel (but NOT that forced phony 70's feel...it was something NATURAL) AS WELL as a "90's Hip-hop" feel. I DUG it. Later that week I came across a used copy of PL and picked it up for a couple of bucks. Since I hadn't heard anything else on the album I figured that Boyfriend was probably the best track and that everything else would be just so-so...so I'd spend a couple of bucks for that one song...fair enough. I popped it in my car stereo and...BLAM! Hook, Line & Sinker! I was INSTANTLY in love with everything! It sounded SOOO REFRESHING and ALIVE...not like most of the overproduced crap that was CALLING itself "soul" music those days! This WAS soul music! After listening to the used tape all the way through, I went right back to the record store and bought the PL CD new as well! I haven't looked back since. I own everything that has been legally released...singles, soundtracks, guest spots, ect. I don't own that Live Cd "Free As A Bird"...yet...hint, hint. I HAVE seen her Live 3 times...and it gets BETTER each time. The first time I saw her was down in North Carolina at a tiny place called Ziggys. I drove in a HELLACIOUS Thunderstorm for 3 hours alone on a monday night having to be at work the next day at 7am! And the GIRL WAS WORTH IT. They tore it UP! The crowd was small...(people around here just don't get to HEAR her stuff! These Damn Radio stations, well...don't even get me going about THAT...it pisses me off to no end the amount of mindless repetative crap that comes across the airwaves...when we COULD be and Should be getting to hear stuff like MeShell. I used to work in a local Record store, and so I used to ALWAYS try and hip folks to her. People would be like "MeShell who? Never heard of her!" Of COURSE not, not with these crappy radio stations playing same ol tired...well you get my point)...well anyway, the crowd was small at the club, but they were Feeling it! And I was just stunned. It was everything that someone who loves to go to concerts for the MUSIC could ever ask for. I don't go to concerts for the spectacle, explosions, back-up dancers, or lazer light shows...I go to see an artist get all wrapped up in his or her creation...I like to feel like I'm eaves dropping on them jamming...and JAM they DID. WHAT a BAND! Like I said I was stunned! I recently got to check her out in NY at the Knitting Factory shows. I'm STILL smiling from the experience. Let me just say this...if you LOVE music from the SOUL...straight with no chaser...the truth with no pretenses...THEN GO SEE HER LIVE IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN! The amount of talent & creativity wrapped up in that little body of hers(not to mention the Band too) is just AMAZING!! And Folks...wait until you hear her NEW stuff!!! Absolutely some of the most beautiful things I've ever heard!! I MEAN it!! FULL of emotion! Ok I've babbled enough...but let me just say a couple of things about two other artists that you SOUL lovers might get into... First off let me say that I am NOT a big Fugees fan...I mean I guess they are alright, but I've never been moved enugh to buy anything by them. BUT...DON'T sleep on the LAURYN HILL solo cd! I mean it folks...give it a couple of listens...it gets BETTER every time! My first skim through it I was like " Ehhh its alright...MAYBE one day I'll buy it". Then I went back and listened to it AGAIN with headphones on and no distractions...I LOVE it! Check it out if you can. Finally, D'Angelo's new cd "VOODOO" is due to drop in November, so look out for it. He recorded it in Jimi Hendrix's Electric Lady Studios. He said he recorded a LOT of it live for a more RAW & Natural sound...I say AMEN to THAT. I now live in his hometown of Richmond Va, but I'm not recomending him just because I live here, this boy is NO JOKE! So keep your ears open ya'll...! Later Derek ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ End of god-shiva-digest V1 #20 ******************************