Y’all. A long time goal of mine is starting to wrap up as we close out the second decade of this century. If you’ve been with me, following and listening, you know that heart & soul of what I love doing is highlighting the efforts by women, primarily Black Women, that crafted and created music…
Mickey’s Mojo: The Extensive Talents of Motown’s A&R Magician
As Motown continues to roll out celebrations of its 60th anniversary, it’s extremely curious who doesn’t get attention for their hard work and extraordinary talents getting the label underway. There’s plenty of names that get lost today behind the glittering legacy of Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and the mourning of Marvin Gaye. Indeed if it…
What’s Your Sign, Baby? 25 Tunes To Study Your Charts To
Once upon a time, about 15 years ago, a particular Sagittarius Sun, Scorpio Moon gifted me a massive Astrology Book for my 22nd Birthday. Realistically he used it as a passive aggressive gift to explain and excuse his horrible behaviors since, well, he “couldn’t help it, it was written in the stars!” Realistically it wasn’t…
The First Real McCoy: A Small Sampling of Songs Written by Rose Marie McCoy
The talents of many African American women in the arts has long been hidden behind the scenes as history marches on further down the line. One major mover and shaker you may have never heard of is Rose Marie McCoy. Single-handedly she’s one set of hands and one voice that is possibly more responsible for…
Who Needs Abby? 35 Advice Column Tunes Spun From Womanly Wisdom
On a recent Women’s History Month post I denoted that as a Queer CIS Male, from an early age I took most of what I’ve learned about dealing from men from women. One large area where I took that advice from was from music. Therein lies the big root cause why my tastes in vintage music…
Tunes as ‘ludes: 35 Sunshine Psych-ish Tunes Chasing Away The Late Winter Blues
Welcome from the outpost of beware Ides and March and such. Herein, seemingly every year this is when humanity loses it’s resolve after promising to do better during the calendar new year. Here’s where we start craving a break. Typically the weather outside is still bleak despite what our rodent friend told us 3 weeks…
Everybody Sings Smokey: Motown’s Poet Laureate 50 times Over
It wouldn’t be Motown’s 60th Anniversary without visiting their premiere singer, songwriter and producer. As legend goes, Smokey Robinson met Berry Gordy with a notebook of songs, of which maybe one or two Gordy considered viable, yet he was impressed with the teenager’s moxie. So goes the template of who Gordy accepted into the fold,…
Suddenly It’s 1960! 40 Lively Lady Jams From The Heart of The Mid Century
It’s interesting to ponder the world of nearly 60 years ago, especially since we still hold such an era in high regard. 1960 brought us the first glimpse of the Neoliberalist optimism that no longer serves us more than a half century later alongside with such advents like Birth Control & The Flintsones. Music critics look…
The Middle Finger Of Mike Terry: 40 Tunes Beating Motown At Their Own Game
Everyone that’s had to work more than one job has wanted to say “Take this job and shove it!” at least once in their life. Creative professionals probably feel this the most, given that the practice of refining your craft is often a personal exploration as well. Most frustrating can be opportunities for promotions and…
The Sound Of Young America As A Senior Citizen: Motown Records at 60
On January 12, 1959, some 60 years ago today, Motown Records was founded. In reality, it wasn’t founded as Motown at all. The original name was Tamla Records. The Motortown-punning, Detroit proud referencing Motown label didn’t press until 1960. The Tamla Records pointed to one of the main reasons we ended up with Motown Records…
