WHAT'S REALLY GOIN' ON? (12.08.04)

I know, I know, I know...where have I been, right? Life has it's unexpected twists and turns so I am not exempt from experiencing them as long as I live and breathe. From the last word I wrote to this point, how much crazy stuff has happened in entertainment? Do I even need to recall all of the ridiculous stuff that has happened in the world of sports from T.O.'s controversial commercial, the South Carolina/Clemson game fight, the now infamous player/fan brawl during the Pacers vs. Pistons game, Barry Bond's lookin' like a straight @$$ for admitting that he "might" have been duped after long-standing allegations a performance-enhancement drug use, Marion Jones also in the same type of heat that, if convicted, could lose all five medals she won in Sydney, Sprewell getting a game suspension for saying something not quite nice, of a sexual nature, to a female fan who was talking trash to him from the stands, and Serena catching heat for a fake e-mail about her preference of dating men outside her race. Of course, in the music world, there was Vibe's melee, which I already commented on but need I waste typing about The Source Awards increasing "ghetto-ness"? The Roc-A-Fella dynasty is coming to a close with Jay-Z and Dash going their seperate ways, and some peeps are trippin' on Fantasia's records sales which haven't matched any of the previous A.I. winners' levels, thus far. What's really goin' on?! 

On the upside, the ATL will still be representing at the Grammy's next year with Ush at 8 nominations (tied with Alicia Keys), although Kanye West knocks them off with 2 better at a crazy 10 noms, leading all artists of any genre...Chi-town's doing it, but we'll see--remember India's 7 noms with 0 wins (that was fixed). The full list is here at: http://www.grammy.com/awards/grammy/47noms.aspx. Also, despite the butt-whoopin' Tampa Bay put on the Falcons, they still lead the NFC South and are in the top 10 in the league (currently second, behind the Eagles in the NFC), so this is going to be an exciting finish for Atlanta who are definitely playoff bound at this rate...the Jets and Giants are also in contention and you know I only said that for the sake of my Northern roots ...but the Falcons have my strong support--nah, for real.  

On the home front, speaking of Atlanta, I've seen a number of things and I have to encourage you all to come through Apache on Thursdays because you are missing out on some really good concerts. Donnie kicked it off some weeks ago, and you MISSED IT if you didn't come last week and see Days Ahead--an excellent show!! This Thursday features UK/ATL's Julie Dexter with Michael Johnson...and you are aware Julie just dropped a new album, right? If you didn't know, what better way to preview an album before purchase than actually hearing the artist show you live. Oh, and you gotta believe me 'cause no one is paying me to give rave reviews--believe that!  

Speaking of the UK, I was just recently e-mailed by a reader all the way out in London! He's a producer and band mate of a group called Soul:ID.  He described their style as "Afropean", which is an obvious reference to their band's ethnic diversity. Go to www.soul-id.com and sample some of their music as well as see video snippets of their performances and behind-the-scene footage. I like it and I think you will, too. Atlanta has been the most receptive market and they aren't the only international group that has had a positive U.S. reception here (i.e. Julie Dexter, Floetry, and even Omar). They've been played on WRFG but I'm getting some copies from them to give to WCLK and maybe V-103. Atlanta, we need to appreciate the music scene that they we are privy to here because the world is definitely watching, and they definitely want to come through us as well as promote what we have to offer! 

Speaking of ATL talent, please check out the album, IS, by local vocalist/guitarist, Chilton and his band TeksBukSeks (read: "textbook sex"). Don't let the "GQ poses" fool you 'cause the album is a gritty mix of funk, rock, and soul yet still eclectic enough not to sound like the same type of material that fits these categories by the many artists who end up sounding the same. The lyrics are definitely unique, but you can still relate and that's a good thing. I've seen him perform in person enough to say that it is an entertaining experience 'cause he acts the fool on stage, but it doesn't take away from he and his band's overall talent. Visit www.chiltonmusic.com for more info and to purchase a copy. 

Okay...I have a lot of catching up to do so please don't be mad at me for referring you to www.atlantahapps.com/upcoming_events.htm as well as www.wholeteam.com/atl_events.htm for the time being. Let me, however add this for your options for Sunday (12.12.04) as a diverse alternative to your normal flow--I'll be there, by the way--thanks Kara: Noh & Kyogen at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts

"Dating to the 14th century, Japan’s Noh theatre combines elements of dance, drama, music and poetry into one highly stylized stage art, while Kyogen, the classical comic theater, emphasizes dialogue. Officially designated “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO, Noh and Kyogen were first introduced to American audiences at the end of the 19th century in a pivotal performance attended by President Ulysses Grant. Now, in the culminating celebration of the 150th anniversary of the historic U.S.-Japan Treaty, The Japan Society presents a U.S. tour of that original 1874 program of Noh. This once-in-a-lifetime production includes three performances: the Han-noh revenge play Mochizuki, the rarely performed Kyogen piece Tsurigitsune (Trapping of the Fox), and the visually spectacular Noh play Tsuchigumo (The Earth Spider). The Japan Society has assembled 30 of the finest Noh/Kyogen actors and musicians for this historic tour—among them Rokuro Umewaka, the great grandson of the Noh master who staged that long-ago performance." http://www.rialtocenter.org/rialtoseries/world/details.html#noh

 In Closing...

For those of you who've e-mailed me and I haven't responded as yet, please know that I got your messages and it's been that hectic that I haven't had the time to adequately respond, and I'm not into automated messages, so personal replies are always what you'll receive though it may take a second. I also have something new in the works as far as live music goes that may very well be ground-breaking, so please stay tuned because I'm about to change the game as best I can and take it one step further, but not without the help and talent of the music community and those of you who love good music. 

 (to be continued...)