Throwback Thursday-F.A.N.D.R.O.I.D. Edition

So-Tomorrow marks the 3rd anniversary of your humble blogger's first Janelle Monae show, and what a remarkable three years it has been!!! To celebrate, here's Wondaland's video from the meet and greet in Chicago during the Hooligans in Wondaland tour. See if you recognize anyone ;)

(Video Courtesy of Wondaland Arts Society/George 2.0)

About "Sally Ride"...

Around last week, the incomparable Dr. Nathaniel Irvin III predicted on Twitter that there will many people will be forced to blog after hearing Janelle Monae's "Sally Ride" from her new album The Electric Lady. It behooved your humble blogger to take up the challenge, and will thus muse on the masterpiece here. Firstly, this is one of my favorite tracks on The Electric Lady. It is a soul stirrer from start to finish, hitting the spirit like the waters of Victoria Falls (Yes, Victoria Falls)hitting the rocks at its base. Powerful doesn't even begin to describe it. This is due to the quality of each and every single element that went into the song. Kellindo Parker's masterful guitar notes bring you into the track, followed by Janelle's gut-wrenching wailing of the first verse. Speaking of, the lyrics pack their own one-two punch from first line: "Take me the river/ My soul is looking for a word from God". It only goes uphill (in a good way) from there. Every line is delivered with an intensity that makes it undeniable that they are coming from the heart and moves the emotions in a singular manner. This movement is one where word and sound is expressing what the soul couldn't say otherwise and prompts the imagination to action. Contemplation is the primary action that comes to mind when listening to this song. The blending of the aforementioned vocals with the stellar instrumentation of Kellindo, Nate Wonder, Roman GianArthur and Terrance Brown turn the song into an almost a magic wand. This wand conjures a desire for a place where soul and nature meet, like sitting on a secluded rocky beach during high tide at sunset. Part of that may have to do with the fact that the sound of flowing water is layered in the background of the song towards the beginning. In sum, it takes you to a place of transcendence. This mood continues towards the end, in which Janelle, Nate, and Roman sing a verse that fades out. Returning to the water metaphor, the experience of listening to "Sally Ride" is deep in every sense of the word. Be prepared to enter into feelings you may never know have existed. Guaranteed, a Kleenex or two will be needed on hand for the tears that may roll out. Granted, the entirety of Janelle Monae's "The Electric Lady" is an experience. If one song could be chosen to demonstrate why that is, "Sally Ride" would be one of them. Every part of it comes perfectly together to take the listener to a place beyond the mind or soul's comprehension. It serves as a prime example of why music should never be underestimated in it's power to move the human spirit.

The Success of Perseverance

Without going into detail, let's just say the past few months for your humble blogger has been a lesson in perseverance. The New Lexicon Webster's Dictionary defines it thus: The quality of being persistent and persevering Persevering in turn, is defined in the dictionary as present participle of persevere, defined as "to try hard and continuously in spite of obstacles and difficulties". What stands out about this definition is the implication that the process of persevering isn't an easy one and the agency of the person performing the action. That there will be road blocks and detours in life is inevitable. As the aforementioned definition of persevere suggests, it's up to us to try hard and continuously despite this. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel may not be in immediate sight, but there is a fruit to persevering. In fact, the dictionary describes that fruit best : "a state of glory" It is the wish of yours truly for anyone reading this that you may know the fruits of persevering, no matter what the situation may be.

You know what time it is ;)

FREE COUNTDOWN WIDGET

Joseph Epstein: De Tocqueville's guide

Given we celebrated the founding of America the 4th of this month, your humble blogger was moved to introduce you to this phenomenal biography of one of the sharpest observers of American culture and democracy: Alexis de Tocqueville: Democracy's Guide by Joseph Epstein.  Any enthusiast of American politics and democracy (or democracy in general, for that matter) worth their weight needs to read Alexis De Tocqueville.  Considering his masterpiece, Democracy in America was written in the early 1800's, De Tocqueville may be a bit of a challenging read without some help.  Epstein's biography proves to do just that with a deft writing style and thoroughly researched insight.

Democracy's Guide goes into the mind of Alexis De Toqueville -literally- injecting some of his correspondence during his travels and publishing process into the work.  Epstein juxtaposes this with a comprehensive probe of Early 19th Century Europe and America, illuminating the context in which a brilliant mind from France would  create the seminal work on American democracy. Brought together through an approachable yet insightful writing technique, Epstein shows to be a handy resource in understanding the man behind one of the greatest books written about America.

A Bit of A F.A.N.D.R.O.I.D. Moment

Greetings all:

Your humble blogger would like to take some time to fangirl for a moment for. Janelle Monae . It is indeed beyond heartwarming to se the rise of such a great talent. As I type this, she is getting ready to close out the BET Awards, in addition to being featured in new Cover Girl commercials as well as garnering buzz for her single Q.U.E.E.N. Indeed,  hers has been a Cinderella story. What makes it even more heartening is the fact that it was all done on her own terms.

ALL HAIL THE Q.U.E.E.N.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The Q.U.E.E.N. emotion picture has arrived.

 

Your humble blogger would have more to quip about this piece, but she has been rendered speechless.

 

Why, you ask? Click that play button below and find out.