Tag: Ledisi

Ledisi x Pieces of Me (Album Review)

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Seeing Ledisi perform for the first time while I was away at Hampton a few years back was probably one of the best live experiences I’ve had in awhile.  It’s something about the intimacy in her voice and the connection she has with her audience that makes you an instant fan.  Ledisi’s latest album entitled “Pieces of Me” dropped Tuesday and fans and avid listeners of her work have been putting the pieces together all day.  This project is interesting because it covers the whole dynmanics of female identity, in pieces rather.

New Orleans born, Oakland bred singer releases soul and power into her songs where she pours her heart out about her own self-realization.  Los Angeles Times states, “Ledisi — sounding at times like Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin or Erykah Badu, and looking like Janelle Monáe as Billie Holliday — explores different pieces of herself: the libido (“Coffee,” “So Into You”); the ego (“Hate Me,” “Shut Up”); the heart (the Jaheim duet “Stay Together”).”  I can  relate to these pieces because like her puzzle, my pieces are everywhere.  Often times, women neglect or try to hide our issues of self-identity but I love how Ledisi is able to express touchy subjects and put herself out there so that all women can relate to her music.

My favorite of the tracklisting is “Bravo” because not only does Ledisi’s voice compliment the piano background but she tells a message of encouragement to always celebrate your success and overcoming your trials.  For me, its always about the small things, the small steps that put me ahead of the game that I will always be proud of myself.  So clap, clap bravo to Ledisi for this one.

You can purchase “Pieces of Me” on iTunes or in stores now!

“Four Women” on #BlackGirlsRock 2010

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The past couple of days has been the spotlight for Black women all over celebrating, remembering, honoring the lives and reasons why black girls rock.  I was going to do a review on the Tyler Perry film “For Colored Girls” but I figured that there are enough depressing reviews that will cover my feelings for the rest of the week.  The 5th Annual Black Girls Rock awards aired on BET this past Sunday and it was one of the best black recognitions that I witnessed (from my hotel room). The best part was indeed the performance by Kelly Price, Marsha Ambriosus, Jill Scott, and Ledisi who are the powerhouses in soul music.  They did a cover of Nina Simone’s “Four Women” which tells a story of four stereotypes of African American women and their struggles.  While many were just blown away by their voices I feel that the concept made perfect sense for the evening and the strength, power, and wisdom leaked tremendously from the voices of the women.  Here are the lyrics, the cover from BET, and a Nina Simone Original. Enjoy!

My skin is black
My arms are long
My hair is wooly
My back is strong
Strong enough to take the pain
Its been inflicted again and again
What do they call me
My name is AUNT SARAH
My name is Aunt Sarah

My skin is yellow
My hair is long
Between two worlds
I do belong
My father was rich and white
He forced my mother late one night
What do they call me
My name is SIFFRONIA
My name is Siffronia

My skin is tan
My hairs alright, its fine
My hips invite you
And my lips are like wine
Whose little girl am I?
Well yours if you have some money to buy
What do they call me
My name is SWEET THING
My name is Sweet Thing

My skin is brown
And my manner is tough
Ill kill the first mother I see
Cos my life has been too rough
Im awfully bitter these days
because my parents were slaves
What do they call me
My
name
is
PEACHES