Wanda Coleman - HIGH PRIESTESS OF WORD

Wanda Coleman - HIGH PRIESTESS OF WORD
Originally uploaded by n69n

HIGH PRIESTESS OF WORD
#99 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

Dr.Nina Simone was known as The High Priestess of Soul, and there's a reason Wanda Coleman's moniker echoes hers.
Wanda Coleman tells stories of realness.
Of kids sent to the liquor store. Of fat girls who like to fuck. Of finding yourself trapped in a system that never expected you to be smart or talented.

"They will make you PAY 'til paying feels like PRIVILEGE"

Wanda's words tell of growing up in 1960's LA, giving a full picture of civil rights, sexual awakening, music that mattered, Vietnam, making the political personal. You will learn new levels of empathy from The High Priestess Of Word.

"If you so smart, why ain't you RICH?!?!"

Those words have haunted Wanda all her life, and I identify. Why do we let the financial failures trump all of our other successes?
While I was drawing Wanda Coleman, I heard the negative voice in my head say, "Why are you drawing Wanda? You've only ever met 4 other people in the world who even know who she is. Who is this gonna resonate with? Why bother if no one knows who she is?"

& that is precisely WHY I had to include Wanda Coleman; because people SHOULD know about her. If I don't honor her, who will?

And it's an affirmation that I am not in this for the money; I am in it to tell the truth.

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Elis Regina & Antonio Carlos Jobim - ELIS & TOM

Elis Regina & Antonio Carlos Jobim - ELIS & TOM
Originally uploaded by n69n

ELIS & TOM
#98 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

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Björk - VOLTA

Björk - VOLTA
Originally uploaded by n69n

VOLTA
#97 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

I don't know if its fair to include VOLTA in this series; its still a relatively new album, and only time will tell its influence on me.
The song WANDERLUST has already made a difference in my life; not traveling outwards, but inwards, searching deeper. When I spill my guts in my writing, that's part of it; always seeing how close to the bone I dare to cut. Honesty as extreme sport. It becomes addictive.

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Deee-Lite - THANK YOU EVERYDAY

Deee-Lite - THANK YOU EVERYDAY
Originally uploaded by n69n

THANK YOU EVERYDAY
#96 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

Dedicated to Michael Economy and The Ocean.

We all know what Deee-Lite's massive hit is, but my favorite of their songs is THANK YOU EVERYDAY!
It gets deeper and more meaningful every day, as I have more to be thankful for each day!

I remember dancing to this song as I painted the murals in INTERPLANET JANET, back in Asheville NC, the thought of even *visiting* NYC a far-fetched daydream. Now I've made the NYC game last for 13 years, and i am SO THANKFUL for that!

It was Michael Economy's art for Deee-Lite that made me think there might be a place here for me.
Its not so much that he was an influence on my art as a validation; I recognized his vocabulary. And I loved what he was sayin'!

Back then, I truly believed that we could save the world by dancing. I still do. In the same way that meditation can make a difference...and for me, dancing is total meditation!

THANK YOU EVERYDAY (The Spirit Mix Pts 1 & 2) is a song that could heal the world! Just the back-up vocals alone are a force to be reckoned with; they sound like pink military tanks, shooting sexy daisies, as they roll over & demolish hate, hunger, pain & ignorance!
& then the drums kick in and.....WOW!!!!!!!!!!
Its transcendental; it really *DOES* take you HIGHER!!!

Let's send all of our most grooviest thoughts & vibes to The Ocean. SHE wants that healing, and we're so way past due to express our thanks and gratitude.

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Ann-Margret & Al Hirt - BEAUTY & THE BEARD

Ann-Margret & Al Hirt - BEAUTY & THE BEARD
Originally uploaded by n69n

BEAUTY AND THE BEARD
#95 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

As a kid, this record seemed so adult & sophisticated to me...and it still does!
Ann-Margret and Al Hirt trade sweet nothings in between bouts of brassy swing.
A-M is at her most Ann-Margretiest, channeling the essence of feminine wit & wile; she'll wrap you 'round her little finger & you'll swear there's no place else you'd rather be.

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The Carpenters - A KIND OF HUSH

The Carpenters - A KIND OF HUSH
Originally uploaded by n69n

A KIND OF HUSH
#94 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

My discovery of music and Karen Carpenter were simultaneous; She embodies the Spirit of Music for me.
My first memory: I'm on the floor in my parents bedroom, sunlight streaming in. I can't walk yet.
I hear the most amazing sound come from my mom's woodgrain bedside clock radio. When I'm older, I'll identify this sound as the slide guitar from TOP OF THE WORLD.
Then I hear The Voice. I climb the sheets, frantically pulling myself up off the floor & onto the bed. i HAVE TO SEE THIS VOICE.
The Voice is coming out of this plastic box with numbers on it. Frustration. Confusion. I must see this voice. I must possess this voice. I must make this voice sing for me. I must make this voice love me.
Thus begins a lifetime of searching for the perfect sounds.

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The Roches - THE ROCHES

The Roches - THE ROCHES
Originally uploaded by n69n

THE ROCHES
#84 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

thank you to John O'Leary for introducing me to the music of The Roches.
I don't know how I got thru life so long without them.
Oh, I knew the Christmas album from NPR, but theres so much more to them.
Each song is a story, full of characters, drama, humor & growing pains.
As I grow older, the songs become deeper, the humor more true, the hurts more identifiable...The Roches build songs to last.

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Diamanda Galas - YOU MUST BE CERTAIN OF THE DEVIL

Diamanda Galas - YOU MUST BE CERTAIN OF THE DEVIL
Originally uploaded by n69n

YOU MUST BE CERTAIN OF THE DEVIL
#93 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

sometimes i think the guy who was meant to love me must've died before i came along.

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Yoko Ono - RISING

Yoko Ono - RISING
Originally uploaded by n69n

RISING
#92 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

Bless you for your anger.
For it is a sign of rising energy.
Direct not to your family, waste not on your enemy.
Transform the energy to versatility
And it will bring you prosperity.

Bless you for your sorrow
For it is a sign of vulnerability.
Share not with your family, direct not to yourself.
Transform the energy to sympathy
And it will bring you love.

Bless you for your greed
For it is a sign of great capacity.
Direct not to your family. Direct not to the world.
Transform the energy to giving.
Give as much as you wish to take,
And you will receive satisfaction.

Bless you for your jealousy
For it is a sign of empathy
Direct not to your family, direct not to your friends.
Transform the energy to admiration
And what you admire
Will become part of your life

Bless you for your fear
For it is a sign of wisdom.
Do not hold yourself in fear.
Transform the energy to flexibility
And you will be free
From what you fear.

Bless you for your search of direction
For it is a sign of aspiration.
Transform the energy to receptivity
And the direction will come to you.

Bless you for the times you see evil.
Evil is energy mishandled and it feeds on your support.
Feed not and it will self-destruct.
Shed light and it will cease to be.

Bless you for the times you feel no love.
Open your heart to life anyway
and in time you will find
love in you.

Bless you, bless you, bless you.
Bless you for what you are.
You are a sea of goodness, a sea of love.
Count your blessings every day for they are your protection
Which stands between you and what you wish not.
Count your curses and they will be a wall
Which stands between you and what you wish.

The world has all that you need
And you have the power
to attract what you wish.
Wish for health, wish for joy.
Remember you are loved.

I love you!
y.o.

- Yoko Ono, REVELATIONS
imaginepeace.com

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Yma Sumac - LEGEND OF THE SUN VIRGIN

Yma Sumac - LEGEND OF THE SUN VIRGIN
Originally uploaded by n69n

LEGEND OF THE SUN VIRGIN
#91 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

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Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn - LEAD ME ON

Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn - LEAD ME ON
Originally uploaded by n69n

LEAD ME ON
#90 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

I hope I never get so "sophisticated" or cynical that a Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty duet can't move me to tears.

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Betty Boo - GRRR!

Betty Boo - GRRR!
Originally uploaded by n69n

GRRR!
#89 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

The first time I heard Betty Boo on the radio, I went off about how this was the end of music, music could not possibly be more terrible, it was over, finished, the end.

That night, I had some sort of seizure, rocking back and forth, chanting the only words i remembered: "Betty Boo....Betty Boo just doin' the do...Betty Boo..."

At the time, I was so serious about everything that I was blind to Betty Boo's perfect pop craft and how her use of sampling was an archaeology expedition of music history.

But I understood it by the second album, GRRR!

I had relaxed my inner fascist enough to just have fun and dance, and there was enough going on in the music to keep my mind engaged!

Plus, there's Betty's persona; confident, on-the-go, warm, playful sexuality, independent, smart, in control yet vulnerable.

I realized that those were qualities that I wanted to foster in myself, as opposed to some of the mopers I was listening to at the time.

Of course NOW i understand that i can love & learn from ALL KINDS of music!

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The Cramps - A DATE WITH ELVIS

The Cramps - A DATE WITH ELVIS
Originally uploaded by n69n

A DATE WITH ELVIS
#88 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

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Eurythmics - SAVAGE

Eurythmics - SAVAGE
Originally uploaded by n69n

SAVAGE
#87 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

I remember the first time I heard Eurythmics. It was the 8th grade class trip to Raleigh. LOVE IS A STRANGER came on the radio & i think i did a SCOOBY-DOO like double-take. At that point, I'd never been interested in what my peers where listening to; my parents record collection was vast enough.
But here was music that was clearly adult, obvioulsy erotic and best of all, proudly outsider!
And somehow it had made it onto a bus from Scott's Creek Elementary!

I took some time away from Eurythmics when they went all stadium rock. That wasn't what spoke to me. I wanted the challenge, the mini movies that gave you the space to imagine all kinds of scenarios.

Which is why I was so thrilled with the SAVAGE album! Annie & Dave seemed to be doing exactly what they wanted with this album, tearing down the walls and going back to electronics and DRAMA!
I avoid it in life, but I sure do love it in my music!!!!

SAVAGE works as a DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE/ FAME IS EMPTY BULLSHIT song cycle...that you can dance to!

Each song was a step deeper into an ordinary woman's breakdown; drama ping-ponging between your headphones and culminating in her finding the strength to start anew.

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Nicolette - NOW IS EARLY

Nicolette - NOW IS EARLY
Originally uploaded by n69n

NOW IS EARLY
#86 in my RECORD COLLECTION series
dedicated to Brooke

When I lived in SF, I really only made one friend (not counting the people I was friends with before i got there), a woman named Brooke.
Even though she looked like a tiny little girl, she was a veteran of dance culture.
She had crates & crates, and I learned a lot from her.
I've always had a difficult time making friends.
Maybe Im too earnest, or backwards... or maybe I'm really just a snob.
Whatever reason, I could relate to her as my people; someone with intention & integrity, who was really living life and really THINKING about music.
One of the records she played for me was Nicolette's WICKED MATHEMATICS.
The bright, hopeful tone, jump-rope rhythm and gleeful cinder-block-thrown-down-metal-stairs beat called out to me!
Nicolette's music has a positivity, humanity & humor that shines through, good advice, & you can dance yourself into a trance with it!

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The B-52's - WHAMMY!

The B-52's - WHAMMY!
Originally uploaded by n69n

WHAMMY!
#85 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

In my new job, I see a lot of NICK JR, and I think about how the influence & inspiration of so much of the imagery, sound, feel & intent can be traced back to The B-52's.
And I think about how much our culture owes to Ricky Wilson, how his humor & flair permeates & informs our sensibilities.
I remember when I first heard WHAMMY!
...I think I borrowed it from Margaret Crites before I got my own copy...it was the first time music spoke to me like that; silly & sexy, smart, colorful & deep.

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LIGHTNING'S GIRL

LIGHTNING'S GIRL
Originally uploaded by n69n

LIGHTNING'S GIRL
#83 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

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HEAVEN KNOWS I'M MISERABLE NOW

HEAVEN KNOWS I'M MISERABLE NOW
Originally uploaded by n69n

HEAVEN KNOWS I'M MISERABLE NOW
#82 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

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SCREWFACE

SCREWFACE
Originally uploaded by n69n

SCREWFACE
#81 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

"I'm here to represent
all other species
all who came before
& even after me"
- Sister Carol, SCREWFACE

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LEADER OF THE PACK

LEADER OF THE PACK
Originally uploaded by n69n

LEADER OF THE PACK
#80 in my RECORD COLLECTION series
Dedicated to my Mama

"Do you ever get that feeling
you want to kiss & hug her?
Do it NOW!
TELL her you love her!"
- The Shangri-Las, I CAN NEVER GO HOME ANYMORE

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THAT BAD EARTHA

THAT BAD EARTHA
Originally uploaded by n69n

THAT BAD EARTHA
#79 in my RECORD COLLECTION series
Dedicated to Cozette & Kerry Layden

I'll always remember Sunday mornings in the BEANSTREETS kitchen with Cozette & Kerry Layden, each of us trying to out-ham each other in our Eartha Kitt impressions.
She was thrilled to meet kids with a sense of humor & good taste in music, and we were overjoyed to work with a woman who had no respect for authority, yet took *us* seriously!
We bonded over Eartha, but each Sunday became a day to pump Cozette for information, stories of experience and the outside world.
She had traveled, had LIVED....and she chose our part of the mountains to retire, living in a little cottage in the woods & just working one day a week, these Sundays with Kerry & I.
Cozette was much older than us in physical age, but not spirit.
Or was it that Kerry & I are just old souls?

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Blossom Dearie - ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME

ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME
Originally uploaded by n69n

ONCE UPON A SUMMERTIME
#78 in my RECORD COLLECTION series
Dedicated to Lizz, Ben, Andrei, Amy & Yasuharu Konishi

"...& tell me what street
compares with Mott Street
in July?"

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A CERTAIN SMILE A CERTAIN SADNESS

A CERTAIN SMILE A CERTAIN SADNESS
Originally uploaded by n69n

A CERTAIN SMILE A CERTAIN SADNESS
#77 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

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SOMETHING COOL

SOMETHING COOL
Originally uploaded by n69n

SOMETHING COOL
#76 in my RECORD COLLECTION series

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