February 12, 2007

• 

  I am more and more convinced that our
  happiness or unhappiness depends far more
  on the way we meet the events of life, than
  on the nature of those events themselves.
  ~Alexander Humboldt

  BEING REAL
  

  Does it hurt? asked the Rabbit.

  Sometimes, said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful.
  When you are Real, you dont mind being hurt.

  Does it happen all at once, like being wound up, he asked, or
  bit by bit?

  It doesnt happen all at once, said the Skin Horse. You
  become. It takes a long time. Thats why it doesnt often happen to people who
  break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally,
  by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes
  drop out and you get loose in the joints and shabby. But these things dont
  matter at all, because once you are Real you cant be ugly, except to people who
  dont understand.

  – Margery Williams (The Velveteen Rabbit)

  

  Man goes into a cocktail lounge and approaches Maxine
  sitting
  by herself :
  
  Man:
  “May I buy you a cocktail?”
  
  Maxine:
  “No thank you, alcohol is bad for my legs.”
  
  Man:
  “Sorry to hear that. Do they swell?”
  
  Maxine:
  “No, they spread
  .”

  I Like It Like That (A Mi Me Gusta Asi)
  Pete Rodriguez
  1966

  With its brassy trumpet line (think James Bond theme) cadre of
  bemused backup singers, funky barrelhouse piano, and eclectic selection of Latin
  percussion, Pete Rodriguezs big hit I Like it Like That wasnt Cuban big band,
  R&B, mambo, or rock but a new dance craze called boogaloo. Not to be
  confused with electric boogaloo, boogaloo was a New York dance that mixed
  African American and Puerto Rican musical styles, bringing a racially mixed
  dance party to the streets and then to the world. Everyones invited and the
  exciting LP that launched I Like It Like That is packed with other gems as well.
  Rodriguez is a master of simplicity and effectiveness. Theres not a sound or
  note on the album that doesnt get you moving. He even stops to get the whole
  crowd to sing along.

  Another big highlight on this album is Petes
  Madness a furiously cinematic concoction of berserk percussion and slinky piano.
  After a dynamite opening we sink into some way, way out-there piano hammering,
  where the piano is used more for percussion than melody but thats okay. Micaela
  has a three-chord La Bamba feel with a dreamy, creamy Latin lead vocal doing
  call-and-response with the chorus, finger snaps, and a hot piano. For the crowd
  that finds straight-up Latin jazz too daunting and blanches at the idea of
  Xavier Cugat, here is the perfect intro: the Latin oomph and passion with the
  rich, heavy bottom of soul and solid, funky rhythm of rock. Hug me, Baby / Hug
  me, Mama! / Move that thing! Pete shouts during the piano solo on Micaela. Move
  that thing you will.

  The boogaloo craze ended by 1969. By then the
  summer of love had arrived and music like that of Rodriguez had fallen
  temporarily into Squaresville. Thank heaven then that we live in a postmodern
  age where albums like this gem can resurface, remixed and better than ever,
  glistening with a timeless sense of fun and a beat that cant be stoppedjust look
  at the good time those people are having on that album cover. This record will
  earn you the label of cool when spotted in your collection by even the most
  jaded Williamsburg hipster, yet your parents will also probably dance to it. Now
  thats a rare combination.
  

  	Listen to all sound clips from this CD
  “I Like It Like That” “Petes Madness” “Micaela”

  Buy this CD

  Fresh melon

  Lilac trees

  Shea butter

  Peonies

  Fresh  ground cinnamon

  Curry proud

  Forget-me-nots all in a row

  Ample chocolate

  Senses soar.

  © 2007  Laurie B

  I love you!!

  
  

  • 12:54 pm
  • 37 Comments