DONNA SUMMER 1948-2012
Donna Summer transitioned today at the age of 63. Anyone writing on Donna Summer today upon hearing of her death will give their various ’Testament’ through the written word. Writing’s will be in great length, some short to the point, basic, to reflective by what they lived and others will be too beside themselves to go into detail but do enough to show respect. There is no judgement to how one will reflect, we all are responsible for our own truths. Truly today’s news of Donna Summer’s passing has been one for many people going back down Memory Lane. Come take a trip with me and my MEMORY LANE.
The Queen of Disco, The Queen of Love will be remembered for TOP HITS too numerous to name but I shall name some. How could I not? Some standouts; ‘Love To Love You Baby’, ‘Last Dance’, ‘Hot Stuff’, ‘Bad Girls’, ‘I Feel Love’, ‘MacArthur Park Suite’, ‘Dim All The Lights’, ‘On The Radio’, ’She Works Hard For The Money’, ‘Dinner With Gershwin’and more. When you look at the whole discography of Donna Summer from the very first album, she is more than a Disco Music singer but yes she is Disco. Songs on the B-Side level for Donna Summer are gems. I call them brilliant hidden gems.
I love B-Sides
The Reminisce
I was watching the classic coming of age movie FOXES recently. I love that movie so much I did a tribute show on my online talk show GV1021. In the 70′s and 80′s the vibe just was different from where it is now. Technology didn’t rule and that is no disrespect. Technology advancements have it’s place, it helps many of us reach audiences through the written word like never before. Through times before it did rule, Here’s what ruled; Age of Innocence, Age of Decadence, Summer Of Love, Age Of Cinema Break-Through movies, Age of Equality For Women, Age of Sexual Freedom, Age of Music, Age of Disco. In the movie Foxes you can hear the song On The Radio by Donna Summer. The song starts off so bittersweet and ends with feelings of joy and expectancy -timeless music on the movie soundtrack and in the movie.
Truly in her prime til the end Donna Summer was celebrated. True to my investigative journalist roots, I would do a perusal to see what she was doing career-wise like I would do on other artist of the heyday. Active even in the most behind the scene ways was Donna Summer, loved it! As a 70′s baby, coming of age in the 80′s I never regret the decade I was born. I witnessed and lived some moments of the 70′s and 80′s, so many generations after me, speak of in awe. Sure every generation will hail their decades but to live to see how things evolved on a level of this magnitude is beyond compare.
The 70′s and the 80′s those were the times when you didn’t have the kind of access to celebs we all have today. In those days without refute artist of various genres were known as SUPERSTARS. Hollywood handlers kept tabs on how much access were given. When comparing the ‘then’ with the ‘now’, less access is better. While technology bringing all of us closer to celebs of today, the appeal is different. The mystique is far few and in between. It is truly a loss of sorts to the way it was to the way it is now. Donna Summer was and is Superstar Status. Her legacy remained in tact for the times she came on the scene til her transition. Though some may say different, Superstar… LaDonna.
The Reminisce
As a Southern and Southern Lady, my family was well traveled. Entire summers and some holidays were spent in Philly and New York. Then there was Detroit, Saginaw, Chicago and DC. As we all can trace through generations, many family members headed up North from the South for jobs and such. Family connection was strong for many people. It was no big thing being invited up North by family and family being invited down South- opening our southern homes to northern apartments and northern homes for each other. Those up North would be greatful there was someone down south to bring ‘mama’ up north. Most times ‘mama’ wasn’t coming alone on the train or otherwise. Yes ‘mama’ would be accompanied. Family was ready to see new born babies, cousins, nieces, nephews and more. Request for southern dishes to be brought up north, along with home-made wine and more happened.
Along with these things, I got to see Studio 54, hear stories of family who worked on Broadway getting in the famous 54, enjoying Coney Island bump cars with disco music blaring. It was well known East Coast North would get the latest dances, latest music before others. Not all the time but most times. I was able to get in on the latest and bring what I experienced, back South after summer was over. Belle Isle was the place to be in the summer in Detroit too. Philly was also great times. I can just imagine San Francisco being a place of magic for many people, Venice Beach, Miami, more place, stateside, internationally listening to the sounds of Donna Summer. It was good to travel. Through many road trips, you could count on the radio stations, the disc jockeys playing a Donna Summer hit. Even today, on a road trip, you can find a disc jockey somewhere giving good vibes of Disco Music. Sirius/XM now has the Studio 54 channel. I am sure they are playing tribute to Donna Summer. Friday nights at home under a Southern Sky with family back in the day putting on the vinyl turning up the music of Donna Summer as we did ‘The Hustle’ dance were fun times. Great times, great memories.
Excellent Read Of Growing Up In The 70′s
Upon hearing of Summers transition, I thought back to my childhood, to teenage years like so many others. Reading the comments around the web, truly Donna Summer was a part of so many people’s memories. Music, is a very powerful thing that moves people of all backgrounds. The album ‘Bad Girls’ was a view. The album upon unfolding told the story through pictures of ‘Women Of The Night’. As little girls my cousins and I would be on the bed watching older cousins and aunties get ready for a Skate Disco Party. They’d paint our nails, put lipstick on us to keep us happy and we’d be singing to the top of our lungs ♫ ‘Toot Toot ah… Beep Beep’. I know I am not alone with these memories in a similar fashion. We were careful with the albums because albums like this were prize possessions.
The Reminisce
Walkman’s were tuned as skates were being laced as I became older to join Friday Night Skate Parties. Headbands were position right, leg warmers of all colors worn, hoops of all styles worn, tretons/converse/dr scholl’s wooden clog sandals/candies wooden sandal heels were the thing to wear before changing into the skates, ‘dippity do’ was the GO TO HAIR PRODUCT applied to finish the look – always trying to act older than what you were. Cousins stayed close, making sure all was on the up and up. Skate, disco roll, bounce, Donna Summer music was on and others to groove the night away.
There was always that one older guy who was your crush. He’s take to the DISCO SKATE FLOOR who could do anything with those skates. Knowing you were crushing along with the other teenagers, he’s grabbed your hand to go around the rink a few times, twirl you and let you go. He was off to skate with the older girls as butterflies, nothing but butterflies left for the 11, to 12, to 13 year old to his 18, 22, to 25. The handsome crush would skate over to his girlfriend or his own crushes, as you were left to go home to dreams of the night. The Age of Innocence. The Age of Disco.
It never fails and I would not want it to, hearing the countless stories of people who disco-ed the night away at various clubs in the 70′s and 80′s. People dressed to the nines, fashion ruled on the dance floor and the moves on the dance floor was so fluid. Glimpses of what was through documentaries, movies could not even compare to the actual moments were Friday Nights and Saturday Nights were made for DISCO NIGHTS. With the disco ball rolling, lights everywhere, uninhibited vibes stirring, these moments won’t be duplicated again. Bittersweet it is speaking upon these things and knowing Donna Summer has flown away beyond the sky.
Excellent Read of Donna Summer >
The Outro
The Grammy Award Winning, Music Hall of Famer, Wife, Mother, Bostonian said she’s been ‘Queen’ for decades. Interviewed in later years, Donna Summer wanted to be called ‘Empress’. With an illustrious career in music, the stage, music that moved a generation, a music career that inspired generations, reaching International Superstar Status, being among other Superstars leaving their impact upon the world, yes truly Donna Summer shall be called Empress of Disco, Empress of Dance and Empress of Love. Compared to other genres of music, Disco music the arrangements can make one feel there’s a magical place just beyond their reach.
Disco music truly fans the flames for fantasy driven moments, ultra romance, smoldering passionate times. No matter how fantasy feeling Disco Music makes one feels, it set the scene for real moments with unforgettable times attached to happen. Though Disco music may not be in popular demand as times changed, the Disco Ball maintained it’s presence even to this day. The Disco Ball still turns, the lights dim at the close of an evening, from reunions of family, reunions of school days, various themed house parties, fashion shows. There is a song that truly remains the Star at the end of an evening announcing the last call for alcohol along with the last song played for the evening. A song that brings two people together, a song that can cheer up the most heartbroken person… it plays, it is timeless, as the person who sings. Those who will, shall take to the floor as the dj releases the sounds for THE LAST DANCE. A song wonderfully recorded by Donna Summer. Timeless… just as the woman herself, Empress, Donna Summer.
once you select the disco ball, travel to what once was…
you’ve been deja vu’d,
BEBE
RED TABLE TALKS | JADA PINKETT SMITH And Illustrious Company
Just in time for Mother’s Day ‘Red Table Talks’ comes our way. This moment is appreciative on all levels for me. It resonated something so great within me, an affirmation of sorts. Jada Pinkett Smith get’s Up Close And Personal with her daughter Willow and mother Adrienne Banfield Jones. They take on various questions, I feel it is done in a way that is effective. Reflection is easy to say, but not always easy to do. If you cannot find some ‘flawed’ version of yourself through your life no matter how grand your life may be to you, you aren’t ‘Reflecting’. Reflecting, putting the ‘raw’ emotions out there is just a release that so many people need, don’t think they need, don’t even know they need. In the moment of Jada and her Illustrious Company of women- daughter and mother, they found their ‘moment’.
How one chooses to use words on their faith, their beliefs truly I don’t get caught up in that hype. I like to focus on the nature of what a great moment this was and how appreciative I am Jada chose to share this moment with the public. I found it powerful because in my family we have these moments and it’s good to have these moments in a continual fashion. Aside from this moment if you are ILL at wordings on beliefs – referring to comments I’ve seen on other media entities certainly your focus isn’t on the bigger picture.
I can see the fiery spirit Jada get’s from her mother. In her mother I see the fiery more mature wisdom Jada will soon get in her own time. The connection is there and as Willow get’s more older she will come into her own just as others have. Who else enjoyed this discussion that I am sure once the lights are dimmed will be more intense?
*select picture to view video in separate window
Grandiose on ‘flawed’ is not what I am trying to focus on but to revisit on a ‘Reflective Nature’, to finally let some ‘Chickens come home to roost’ on subjects avoided, you get your ‘moment’. It will be the moment of ’how I go over’ a particular subject that needed to be stated, it will be a moment of opening up the communication to other unexplored topics. Having conversations where there is no barrier to hide behind or feel ‘fish out of water’ is important for the conversation to be meaningful, beneficial.
Sometimes we hold on to things, because we feel we aren’t worthy to let them go. This was a moment Jada’s mother spoke upon. Not only does that happen in her situations it happens to many women. You get to a point that, maybe I could have done this better ( your moral code is shining ) when others felt you did the best in their eyes. It’s all relative. Even with Jada speaking upon her moments of being a wife/mother yes that can be overwhelming where you lose some of yourself and at some point upon ‘Reflection’ of the deepest sense of the word, you get back to ‘Self’.
May we as Women find time to have our own ‘Red Table Talks’ our own more familiar territory ‘Waiting To Exhale’ talks that doesn’t revolve around just a man, love, sex but on a broader spectrum. How can I.. the “I” should have it… How can I be a better me, be better to someone else… How can I…. How can I… the I of a selfless nature. May we as Women find ourselves at a point in our lives to be ‘free’ of tearing each other down as Women. When you find that confidence in self, when you find that maturity in self, when you acknowledge the ‘work in progress’ then you can be less of ’tear down’ and more of a ‘build up’. May we as Women take moments out of lives to just have THE TALK, with our family, to our friends and from there to others – which takes me back to the point of being better to someone else.
Fortunate in my relationship with my Mother who is now the Matriarch in her family we have a really good relationship. She instilled in me I could come to her about anything, instilled in me no question was stupid, just the thinking it through, how it is presented was important. I am blessed like others to have had some ‘Illustrious Company’. Before their transition, I had on my Mother’s side of the family, my mother, my grandmother and my great-grandmother. I was blessed to have them in life til an adult. My great-grandmother transitioned to the spiritual life when I was 29 years old at the age of 109, my grandmother transitioned when I was 38 years old. What conversations we had, what affirmations given that remains with me, gifts true gifts that today helps me along my ‘Life’s Journey’. With one grandmother living in the physical realm today on my paternal side, my beautiful, wise, fiery afro-cuban grandmother I would say, along with her, my mother, aunts, cousins still… still… still… Still I am in Illustrious Company. I am sure others can say the same, how very blessed are we. No doubt about it, none at all.
Mother’s Day over the years has taken on a ‘beautiful’ tone and I love it for it’s ‘beautiful tone’. Mother’s come in all forms, for giving birth is not enough to say you are a ‘Mother’. It is deeper than that. To those who have given birth, from there became a ‘Mother’ in the pure sense of the word through actions, lifestyle living, moral code, each one teach one, this is good. To those who have not given birth but a ‘Mother Figure‘ in the realest way, changing lives, being the ‘Rock’ one can come to, this is good. It takes all kinds of GOOD MOTHERS to set the world aflame in a way that is prosperous for mankind.
May your Mother’s Day be filled with Good Vibes. Even if your Mother and Mother Figures aren’t in the physical realms, if of the belief as I they are ever near just only in the spiritual realms. May your life be the kind of life you can be proud of and others can take something from it to enhance their own no matter the measure, no contest just pure connection. Have those talks, communication is key in forward movement in your family. Jada’s Red Table Talk will be shown in it’s entirety May 13. From me, to you and yours, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.
BEBE
THE GOLD VAULT TALK SHOW TONIGHT!
Lock In With Me For The Gold Vault Talk Radio Show Tonight @ 11pm est at 1021Online.com. Download the show to go or use iTunes. Select picture for the current show before tonight. Wheel’s up to Wheel’s down tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by…
THE DEJA.
-BEBE
TRIBUTES FOR WHITNEY HOUSTON… DEJA THOUGHTS
SO EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A CRITIC. WE ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO OUR OPINIONS BUT SOMETIMES WE NEED TO SCALE IT BACK AND CHECK OURSELVES. What in the entire world is happening to cynical cynics as people known to unknown are paying homage to the late Whitney Houston? Those who truly loved Whitney Houston are mourning. Whenever most people mourn the admirers, the fans, even celebrities they just want to do something. People want to do anything to just feel better.
Whitney Houston let’s be honest was often the joke of many media reporting sources, and simple conversations among those not in the media as she went through her struggles of addictions. To thine own-self be true if you were in the mix… you know… you already know. For others who were positive, who knew the ILLS of addictions, they had no parts of the salacious factor. What is going on now is mourning. What is going on now are prayers for a daughter left behind, a mother who is burying a child, and on and on and on.
Since hearing of Whitney’s death, let me tell you DEJA BEAUTIFUL’S visiting my blog something I know many can relate to. Casting the professional aside I am no singer but I’ve been belting out some of Houston’s greatest hits in bizarre ways. Went to the shower, jumped in and started singing, “You Give Good Love”. Cooking my Sunday dinner started singing ”I Can Go To The Rock”, and then other moments just breaking out into song. Then there are the tears, then hearing some of her live performances as I start to compile this upcoming tribute to be placed on 1021Online.com… it’s real, it’s real, it’s so real. If anyone has ever, I mean ever dealt with someone with an addiction, OMG for them to win or lose the battle will forever change your life.
So I say all of this to say, let us all SCALE IT BACK Beautiful’s. From the ones going in on people on YOUTUBE, going in on Ashanti’s recent performance on Good Morning America, just going in on everyone, people are just wanting to show love. We all have loss a woman who changed the music in many ways. That’s all I got right now but I wanted to share this and I hope you will pass it on in your own way. Whitney said in an interview that she felt the prayers and humbled by people wanted the best for her. This is all people are showing, just showing love. On this note, be blessed and ultra blessed.
You’ve been deja vu’d,
BEBE
DEJA FILM TALK | RED TAILS THE MOVIE
Critics are just that Critics. Sure they have their place but what resonates on how good or how bad a film is comes from the viewers – moviegoers. Premiering January 20, 2012 was the film Red Tails. Many movie theaters around the United States were SOLD OUT and other theaters were packed to capacity. My online magazine/online presence 1021′s reporters were out and about getting feedback from movie lovers after seeing the film with buzz.
From celebrities, to non-celebrities there were many great responses to the film. Everyone 1021 interviewed really enjoyed the film. The theater locations we were at in several cities/states had a diverse ethnic crowd, again theaters filled to capacity. Proudly many of our brave men and women of the military veterans/active/enlisted were at the movie Red Tails opening night.
Salute to all who had a part in bringing this film to the big screen and to those viewers who came and witnessed a extraordinary film of true historical events of some brave men known as the Elite Tuskegee Airmen. Proud to say that my grandfather who served in WWII in Nancy France met one of the Tuskegee Airmen years ago in their 70′s by the name of LT. Colonel Dr. Leroy Bowman of Sumter South Carolina when they both attended a Veteran’s Day Program.
My mother has the picture of them both, looking so distinguished and handsome. They served their country well. As for me on what I took away from seeing the film Red Tails was pride. The film Red Tails was brilliantly cast, the music score by the great Terrence Blanchard was impeccable.
I enjoyed the film and I hope others will support the film Red Tails.
An Original Tuskegee Airman Lt Col Dr Leroy Bowman
you’ve been deja vu’d,
BEBE
FETISH VU U | BLACK ROSES
Very Sexy… Is The BLACK ROSE. Aware of my earthly MORTALITY, Aware of immortality beyond the physical body, the BLACK ROSE to me doesn’t mean death but forbidden, exotic, sensual, taboo as in the rarest find you will ever find. When using these words some may feel ‘some kinda way’, the ‘clutching pearls’ of ’I would never’ but some like myself would never-not. Open-Mindedness has it merits.
Flowers are very meaningful. The gesture when given – you are thought about, cared for and more. The Black Rose is really non-existent, created by Botanist and if not created THE DARK RED Rose is considered black by some -Black Magic Roses or Bacarra Roses. Beautiful are the dark red rose, the violet but the black ( silken ) mixed in with the red bouquet, dark red, violet or just black yea very FETISH VU U to me – others. Mixing in the created with fresh cut flowers just have an essence where the aroma and view is unmatched.
The aroma of Roses with the aromas of two people enjoying each others company, candles low, music set, the quiet, the conversation, it is a VU U moment. As an adult, the vibe should be set for an evening of FETISH DELIGHTS. The funny thing about FETISHES it is not always the automatic ‘ready set go’. The tone must be set, casting cares away. Most fetishes are enacted because the person is most times in control of their everyday life -escapism is found. Finding yourself in a rut from the day to day, the routine of sex or making love with a steady partner – it is time for seduction. A refreshing change.
Essentials For An Evening Of Seduction*
*Black Candles w/ a Colored Candle, no more than six
*Incense the elongated kind requiring less re-lighting
* A nice bottle/s of Riesling, extra dry Champagne
*Forbidden Rice which looks purplish in color when cooked
*Acorn Squash hallowed out w/ rice in; great presentation
*Carrots are good with this rice
*Oysters/Lobster/Steak/Quail/Red Snapper
If you are porous ladies and gentlemen whereas the seafood is going to dominate and interfere with the intimate times, skip altogether. Do the Steak, the Quail or if a vegan, just add another veggie. If not porous carry on.
*Black Forest Cake – so dark, decadent fits the mood…
*Fruit by the bowl to take to the intimate destination
*Apple slices, pineapple slices, bananas, grapes, strawberries…
*Sorbet to clean the palette
*Chilled out music
Sometimes instrumentals are the best. Keeps you focus rather than singing the lyrics you know. Unless you are focused with singing with enough swag to cut it off than sing the whole song don’t do it -laughing. For the Romantic Goth types and those open to more than the ‘Quiet Storm’ flows, some ‘Massive Attack’, ‘Enigma’, even ‘Evanessence’ could really ignite the night. Below for those lovers of hot dripping candle wax in a sexy safe physical relationship the BOOTY PARLOR’S Don’t Stop Massage Candle is exquisite. Now some who like to live on the wild side and use candles not designed for fetish play, taking the risk for some scarring or burns, which rarely happens carry-on. For those that don’t want to risk the regular candle drips this suggestion is just for you.
It definitely sets the scene with the Black Roses Fetish.
It’s been quite a minute since doing a KUM SUTRA THIS post hope you enjoyed. The mystique in this world, some of them too broad to even go into detail with has always been a part of my life. The wonderment of various things, personally, professionally – just who Iam. There’s nothing dark about connections with depth between two people, not just a fling or casual hooking up – my opinion. Final perceptions of a rose such as the Black Rose is of the individual. Should you live your life more on an upward sort of way, the view would be more positive. The opposite is quite the tragedy to me. Kudos to those with open minds. Responsible character letting the Festish whatever it may be, be a part of your life but in no way have you out of control of your life. Until next time…
you’ve been deja vu’d,
BEBE
LYRICS… on LYRICS | Bebe’s Musings
♫ Blue Is Just A Mood….
Feeling Mighty Fine In This Quiet Hour... Feeling Mighty Fine, Feeling Mighty Fine. I am In This Moment And It Feels... Good.
