tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post4054323415128061273..comments2024-01-26T00:52:04.340-08:00Comments on SBPDL: You own a Whitney Houston CD? More than one?Stuff Black People Don't Likehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07923871032509110194noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-64391196945847670802012-02-26T04:25:33.192-08:002012-02-26T04:25:33.192-08:00So the USA is lowering its flags for Whitney, and ...So the USA is lowering its flags for Whitney, and Her Majesty is handing out knighthoods to piano players.<br /><br />Whatever, man. Whatever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-58280805085333177482012-02-25T17:52:29.811-08:002012-02-25T17:52:29.811-08:00Network is a must see.Network is a must see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-68880925212584098162012-02-23T20:42:01.677-08:002012-02-23T20:42:01.677-08:00Zenster--
"Network" was a movie made ab...Zenster--<br /><br />"Network" was a movie made about the corrupt nature of television networks in the 1970's.<br /><br />http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074958/RobertBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-56679614474061724282012-02-22T21:21:07.359-08:002012-02-22T21:21:07.359-08:00RobertB: Nice analysis of TV, Zenster. Ever watch ...<b>RobertB</b>: <i>Nice analysis of TV, Zenster. Ever watch "Network"?</i><br /><br />Thank you. As to "Network", not a single episode. I cannot think of even one relatively recent American sitcom that has ever made me come back for a scond helping. Being more of a Monty Python's kind of guy, the British cooking sitcom "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHstezjh6TM&feature=related" rel="nofollow">Chef!</a>" (1993-1996) was one of the most recent to snare my attention ― Lenny Henry's ability to string together several minutes of continuous invective without reusing a word rivals that of John Cleese ― but that's because I'm a cooking junkie and was once a professional chef myself.Zensterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004871212603603831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-32140115629797612622012-02-22T16:16:26.537-08:002012-02-22T16:16:26.537-08:00Nice analysis of TV, Zenster. Ever watch "Net...Nice analysis of TV, Zenster. Ever watch "Network"?<br /><br />I don't think it's fair to compare Opera singers to pop singers. The former is in a league all of it's own--far more demanding.<br /><br />That being said, as a reply to the interloper who claimed Houston was the best and that all black singers are better than whites--his knowledge bing the realm of pop, obviously. I would say that Julie Andrews could easily best the likes of Houston and Streisand. And then there was Judy Garland and her daughter, though not as good, certainly as good or better than Houston.<br /><br />I can't believe you guys left out Sinatra in the male category. I like Frank. I also like Roy Orbison quite a bit--never tire of listening to him. I like how his voice aged and became richer with age, like Presley and Sinatra.<br /><br />Speaking of male singers, if you never heard Jim Neighbors (Gomer Pyle) sing, you should. Clearly a talent that went largely unused. I actually saw him sing for the first time on television when I was a kid and was awed--like all the adults watching. It was one of those "who woulda thunk" moments. Another voice that had so much promise was Jim Morrison's. You truly hear it in a few of the Doors songs such as "Touch Me". Very rich and smooth.<br /><br />I don't buy much "new" music--unless it's on vinyl (much is) and it actually has talent--most doesn't.RobertBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-2745176015247880192012-02-21T20:12:34.915-08:002012-02-21T20:12:34.915-08:00"Kylie: it was me who made the comment about ...<i>"Kylie: it was me who made the comment about Arthur Arshawsky, aka Artie Shaw, not DW."</i><br /><br />Sorry.<br /><br /><i>"Anyway, as for singers, Ella was a true gift. But the number of white singers with their sense of pitch, timing, and just plain flair:"</i><br /><br />I know a professional rock musician who has great respect for Dean Martin's singing ability. Dean's phrasing and breath control were so good that he always made it sound effortless. Ditto Ken Curtis.<br /><br /><i>"And one man who, for a man who could not sing, could really sing: Fred Astaire."</i><br /><br />And Hoagie Carmichael.Kylienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-74129748369126838612012-02-21T19:24:24.256-08:002012-02-21T19:24:24.256-08:00Kylie: it was me who made the comment about Arthur...Kylie: it was me who made the comment about Arthur Arshawsky, aka Artie Shaw, not DW.<br /><br />Anyway, as for singers, Ella was a true gift. But the number of white singers with their sense of pitch, timing, and just plain flair:<br /><br />Perry Como.<br />Edye Gormé.<br />June Christie (sp?).<br />Steve Lawrence.<br />Mel Tormé.<br />Rosemary Clooney.<br />Peggy Lee.<br />Margaret Whiting.<br />Martha Tilton.<br /><br />For just plain fun: Teresa Brewer.<br /><br />And one man who, for a man who could not sing, could really sing: Fred Astaire.<br /><br />Black singers who I greatly enjoy to this day:<br /><br />Johnny Hartman.<br />Billy Eckstine, who is an acquired taste, but I have acquired it.<br />Nathan "Nat" Cole.<br />Dinah Washington.<br />Diane Schuur.<br /><br />As for Miss Houston: she took a good set of pipes, did marginal material, and then killed first the voice, and then the rest of her with the drugs and other problems. THAT part is what I find sad.D Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02636540672925981142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-1115713707990353222012-02-21T12:52:22.211-08:002012-02-21T12:52:22.211-08:00Tracy- you're awesome as a rep. of black thin...Tracy- you're awesome as a rep. of black thinking!<br /><br />Id kill to hear you elaborate on OJs innocence, Katrina, black flash mobs and polar bear hunting aka knockout king, etc. <br /><br />You have much to contribute! Most who aren't forced to 'work' with you would never believe the Black narrative!<br /><br />I've had DWL friends that couldn't believe I was right abouf black 'work' ethics until they saw for themselves. I understand. You just can't believe your lying eyes<br /><br />Of course now my friend cant remember that and is back to everybody is equal.<br /><br />I'm betting Tracy has some history as a screeching negress but whitey kept her down.<br /><br />Whitney was a self disposeable (hah!) pop star, Johnny Cash and Frank Sinatra and Elvis were legendary singers. and white. <br /><br />nobody cares about dead black singers except blacks. why should they?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-33211419193240170712012-02-21T10:58:01.753-08:002012-02-21T10:58:01.753-08:00Tracey: Elvis, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Waylon ...<b>Tracey</b>: <i>Elvis, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Waylon Jennings, etc are all revered in history as greats but they struggled with drugs, prison lockups and the same issues as Whitney and yet I don't see them getting called out in the same manner.</i><br /><br />It might also have to do with how none of them <i>blew $150 million in a decade or two</i> and, at least in a few cases, left behind estates worth more than just their song catalogs. A failing that Witless Houston had in common with Michael Jackson.Zensterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004871212603603831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-56327864762307728962012-02-21T09:21:28.150-08:002012-02-21T09:21:28.150-08:00What's "insane," Tracy, is this utte...What's "insane," Tracy, is this utter devotion to and concern for a black pop singer who overdosed. Or a white pop singer who overdosed. Or any other societal misfit who takes a modicum of natural gifts, an overdose of public adulation and money, and ends up drowning in a bathtub. <br /><br />I have far more important things to be concerned about - such as the fact that I can SEE. <br /><br />Get a life and find another website.<br /><br />Paul - it may be another paycheck or two in the future, but we still plan to contribute to your public campaign. I hope it's not too late to get on board.Sheilanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-6079319209312480042012-02-21T09:08:49.677-08:002012-02-21T09:08:49.677-08:00"Elvis, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Waylon Je...<i>"Elvis, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Waylon Jennings, etc are all revered in history as greats but they struggled with drugs, prison lockups and the same issues as Whitney and yet I don't see them getting called out in the same manner. Why is that?"</i><br /><br />First, because they <i>were</i> great. Houston wasn't, she was just loud. <br /><br />Second, Houston didn't appear to be "struggling" with her drug problem so much as succumbing to it. <br /><br />Third, because that is how we view her and we're entitled to express our opinions, even if they are unflattering.<br /><br /><i>"Let's get something else straight. Being 'black enough' is not defined in the way you all seem to want it defined."</i><br /><br />No, <i>you</i> need to get something straight. We'll define being "black enough" any way we choose. You don't dictate terms here.Kylienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-48353429449351155602012-02-21T07:53:15.644-08:002012-02-21T07:53:15.644-08:00Do you know what is insane to me, the fact that yo...Do you know what is insane to me, the fact that you all seem to be seeing this as a "black thing" when in fact many "white legends" are the exact same way. <br />Elvis, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Waylon Jennings, etc are all revered in history as greats but they struggled with drugs, prison lockups and the same issues as Whitney and yet I don't see them getting called out in the same manner. Why is that?<br /><br />Let's get something else straight. Being "black enough" is not defined in the way you all seem to want it defined. People were used to Aretha, Patti, and Gladys so when Whitney came out they were looking for that sort of soul and in the beginning she lacked it. Over the years it was allowed to come out as seen in her collaborations and image. Rihanna and Beyonce have a different generation of fans who are being brought up with totally different influences that their parents and grandparents so it makes sense that they can succeed with a different image. Beyonce actually shows her Southern R&B and soul roots even if they are toned down because she isn't as good a singer.Traceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07164388850260535891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-6441781604535066152012-02-20T18:46:53.875-08:002012-02-20T18:46:53.875-08:00I don't believe for a second that she was houn...I don't believe for a second that she was hounded into her addiction by being deemed “too white”. She presented herself like a hood rat anytime she was left to her own devices. She wasn’t “black enough”?? Get a load of “Being Bobby Brown” and I would say she was “too Black”. Blame is being put on her ex-husband for her addiction when it is also well-known she was on drugs before she met him, while they were married and after they divorced. He, on the other hand, has gotten clean and remained so since divorcing her. It would seem she was a greater danger to him than he ever was to her. <br /><br />EVERYONE knows what killed her and it galls me that yet again the Black community wants to make a hero out of a person who exemplified all that is wrong with Black people <br /><br />Enough already. They knew all about Whitney and they knew all about Michael Jackson, too. Whitney Houston had every opportunity from cradle to grave. They just don’t want anyone to see that it isn’t lack of money or opportunity that keeps them where they are. Too bad it’s way too late for that. <br />The secret is out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-88878836598999387412012-02-20T16:55:32.540-08:002012-02-20T16:55:32.540-08:00by the way, to the Black: your welcome for the l...by the way, to the Black: your welcome for the language you speak-you know, a written one.<br /><br />want to enlighten me to all the great African history prior to colonization? I know its tough since Africans didn't bother to write anything, since they couldn't. <br /><br />isn't it weird after having such a rich hiatory of invention, they never quite mastered the wheel in Africa? <br /><br />yes indeed, the African is a wise and noble race! that's why they, um, achieved what in the last 50 years? hacking each others limbs off or creating a bill of rights?<br /><br />I guess Im ray-ciss for noticing.<br /><br />g'head, take my seat on the bus. and the lunch counter. and next to my kid in school. ill just escape to the next suburb and leave you to destroy everything.<br /><br />does anybody doubt if we had separate water fountains they'd destroy theirs, and most likely ours too? funny thing is white people would fix theirs, while blacks would just complain how rayciss it all is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-15296580712073239832012-02-20T16:38:44.037-08:002012-02-20T16:38:44.037-08:00What the christ may a white person be jealous of?!...What the christ may a white person be jealous of?!? are you out of your cotton pickin'(hah!) mind?!?<br /><br />sigh. Performers are a half step above prostitutes, if that. <br /><br />Is there something from her personal life that doesn't reflect that reality?!? <br /><br />Jealous. silly negroe, we know blacks ruin everything they touch. They're a cursed people, that's why we won't voluntarily touch anything they've touched(can you blame us from not wanting to use water fountains they spit in?!? or seats on the bus they've destroyed?!? LOL jealous! <br /><br />god, your 75% herpes rate in adult blacks, the ruined crime filled neighborhoods, the semi moronic IQ, the huge abortion and HIV rate from your D/L bruthaz.<br /><br />your donk riding on 22s? the bling? that's what we're jealous of?<br /><br /><br />whatever. think what you want. your opinion is valueless. it wont make any difference as you're incapable of contribution to society, incapable of leaving the chains of bondage called welfare(not that you're smart enough to even know they're chains). You can't raise your children, can't educate them, can't get a job on merit, can't do anything really besides be a poverty factory and strut around like a chicken clucking about whitey be jell-us! and stingy!<br /><br />how about we cut off gubmint bribes not to riot and offer a ticket to Liberia if you prefer your own culture? sink or swim is the american (white) way. <br /><br />good luck to youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-85252074705391816802012-02-20T16:03:39.968-08:002012-02-20T16:03:39.968-08:00DW: "One talent left us in the early 50s, but...DW: <i>"One talent left us in the early 50s, but did not pass away until 2004. That was Artie Shaw."</i><br /><br />DW, I adore Artie Shaw. The man was a genius--composer, arranger, clarinetist--he did it all superbly. As I commented on one YouTube clip, the things he could do with quarter tones were immoral and probably should be illegal.<br /><br />Sheila: <i>"Houston's singing always reminded me of Barbra Streisand - another loud, belt-out-songs minority singer who is over-rated."</i><br /><br />My feelings exactly. <br /><br /><i>"Kylie - I'm not a great fan of Jessye Norman, but I love Ella Fitzgerald. I have a couple of old tapes (that my father made for me from his records decades ago) of Fitzgerald singing Cole Porter (homosexual but master wordsmith). Lovely music, lilting voice, clever lyrics."</i><br /><br />My folks had the Newport Jazz Festival 1957 LP with Ella on one side and Billie Holliday on the flip side. Ella was still in her 30's then and in excellent voice. Her version of Ellington's "I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" is wonderful. She's in total control (the intervals of that melody are really hard to sing) and endlessly expressive. She has real vocal power, not that ear-splitting bellowing that passes for "talent" these days.<br /><br />Anonymous: <i>"I much prefer Dolly's versions, even the simple, bare-bones version she sang on Porter Wagoner's show."</i><br /><br />Me, too. Houston's version is just an excuse to show off her powerful voice--I'm not denying its auditory power, just its power to move me--where Dolly's version is tender, just like the song itself.Kylienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-24410217183910155152012-02-20T15:45:08.376-08:002012-02-20T15:45:08.376-08:00Zenster wrote, "'Kylie: … as someone with...Zenster wrote, <i>"'Kylie: … as someone with some musical training…'<br /><br />All this and 'musical training'? You are a goddess!"</i><br /><br />Thank you, Zenster. But I hasten to add I'm exactly what I said--someone with some musical training. Not a trained musician nor a professional one. <br /><br />I play and sing for my own pleasure--certainly not for anyone else's. I'm really best at critical listening and often wish my fingers and voice were as proficient as my ears.<br /><br />By the way, thank you for introducing me to Davy Graham. (IIRC, you recommended him here at SBPDL last year.) Wonderful playing, love his clean melody lines and use of marcato.Kylienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-73663801201482885932012-02-20T15:08:09.695-08:002012-02-20T15:08:09.695-08:00Anonymous (February 20, 2012 12:30 PM): YES SHE WA...<b>Anonymous</b> (February 20, 2012 12:30 PM): <i>YES SHE WAS THE GREATEST!</i><br /><br />Sure thing. This drowned-in-a-tub Black crackhead really put to shame those Dead White Male musicians like Bach, Beethoven, Scarlatti, Handel and goodness knows how many others.<br /><br /><i>Fifty years from now people will still be listening to her music and they will say, "What a great voice!"</i><br /><br />On the odd chance that Houston songs gets any airtime. Let's see how her song catalog compares a half century later with that of, say, The Beatles.Zensterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004871212603603831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-15253171467104512532012-02-20T15:03:29.067-08:002012-02-20T15:03:29.067-08:00The Al Sharpton as in The Al Sharpton who showed h...The Al Sharpton as in <b>The Al Sharpton</b> who showed his respect by tweeting during the service?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-68028755067340093922012-02-20T14:15:29.319-08:002012-02-20T14:15:29.319-08:00"STOP THIS STUPIDITY! GET A GRIP!"
Well..."STOP THIS STUPIDITY! GET A GRIP!"<br /><br />Well I agree with you there, in the sense of De mortuis nihil nisi bonum (of the dead, speak only good). People here who are calling nasty names at a recently deceased person, really ought to recall their better natures. The commenter is right, that's ugly and uncalled-for.<br /><br />"BLACK AMERICA DID NOT HOUND WHITNEY FOR BEING TOO WHITE!"<br /><br />I'm willing to take your word for it, not being an expert myself, but the fact is the thing has received serious discussion from many quarters, not just here, even from people who knew her and from Whitney herself. It goes to social issues far larger than the tragedy at hand, and is therefore worth due consideration. <br /><br />"Many whites are looking for an excuse to say mean things about black people."<br /><br />Believe me, if we were looking for an 'excuse,' we have what they call a target-rich environment without this sad event. <br /><br />"Black America has produced the world's greatest singers, and that is a fact."<br /><br />Well, closer to a 'fact' would be that Black America has produced lots and lots and lots of very great singers, and that is plenty to be proud of. I can understand your using "world's greatest" in the context of your annoyance, but as you yourself would say: Get a grip. There is no "greatest" in these matters. De gustibus non disputandum est.<br /><br />"And that is really the issue."<br /><br />Um, no it isn't. The issue is whether a person, even a great artist, who destroyed themselves in such a tragic and socially regrettable fashion, should be given the honors of the state: because of the question, What message does it send? I don't think there's an easy answer, because it isn't an easy question. Try arguing conceptually for once, instead of taking everything personally.<br /><br />"There is no white singer who can compare to Whitney"<br /><br />Now your ignorance is showing. Singers like Whitney Houston represent the Everest of the Black musical tradition, and it's a fine and noble one. But the fact is, Streisand and Celine Dion et al are merely something like the Catskills or the Poconos of the White musical tradition. Listen to some opera. Google Youtube "Queen of the Night". Lots of brilliant Black singers in that tradition, too (Leontyne Price comes to mind), but don't throw Streisand at me, you'll just embarrass yourself.<br /><br />"Isn't that the true bone of contention here? Jealousy?"<br /><br />Good grief, here we go again. Black people always have this bizarre fantasy that whites are jealous of them. FFS, whites landed on the goddamn moon. We have Shakespeare, Mozart, Bach, Fellini, Bergman, Apocalypse Now. No, for the umpty-billionth time: we admire your own artistic achievements just fine, but we are not jealous of you. Now stop it, you just make yourselves look silly.<br /><br />"Whitney sang the National Anthem and it topped the charts for 20 weeks."<br /><br />And God bless her for it. It was a beautiful moment, and she was utterly dazzling.<br /><br />"She was beautiful, graceful and nice to everyone"<br /><br />OK, now I'm back to agreeing with you. Let us respect the dead, and by all means let us respect that she was a wonderful artist and it is sad to lose her.<br /><br />May she rest in peace, and may choirs of angels sing her to her sleep, (although she'll probably out-do them all, right?)<br /><br />Cheers to you for sticking up for her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-7077314524518273072012-02-20T12:30:56.222-08:002012-02-20T12:30:56.222-08:00STOP THIS STUPIDITY! GET A GRIP!
BLACK AMERICAN DI...STOP THIS STUPIDITY! GET A GRIP!<br />BLACK AMERICAN DID NOT HOUND WHITNEY FOR BEING TOO WHITE! One or two incidents don't make a trend! Black American culture produced and loved Whitney Houston; just as they love Dionne Warrick(who sings the same kind of music as Whitney), Aretha Franklin, who was her godmother and Cissy Houston the singer who is her mother. Many whites are looking for an excuse to say mean things about black people. Black America has produced the world's greatest singers, and that is a fact. And that is really the issue. There is no white singer who can compare to Whitney - not Barbara Streisand, not Celine Dion, no other white female singer that has ever been on the American scene could equal Whitney's clarity of sound. Isn't that the true bone of contention here? Jealousy? Whitney sang the National Anthem and it topped the charts for 20 weeks. She was beautiful, graceful and nice to everyone; she gave millions upon million of dollars to improve life for kids. YES SHE WAS THE GREATEST!<br />Neither Bobby Brown nor the viciousness of white envy can take that away from her. Her music will be her legacy. Fifty years from now people will still be listening to her music and they will say, "What a great voice!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-37099810378262055572012-02-20T11:20:43.600-08:002012-02-20T11:20:43.600-08:00Sheila: Houston's singing always reminded me o...<b>Sheila</b>: <i>Houston's singing always reminded me of Barbra Streisand - another loud, belt-out-songs minority singer who is over-rated.</i><br /><br />A good comparison. Both of them were excessively narcissistic and just as obnoxious to boot.Zensterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004871212603603831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-6312762397663083912012-02-20T11:10:40.495-08:002012-02-20T11:10:40.495-08:00JB: Kersey,
It was Newton Minow, former FCC c...<b>JB</b>: <i>Kersey,<br /><br /> It was Newton Minow, former FCC chair, who referred to TV as a "vast wasteland," not Ed Murrow. Newt's still alive and kicking, and still a critic of TV.</i><br /><br />That misattribution should have been directed at myself and not <b>Paul</b>. Thank you for citing the correct source. That Minow persists as a "critic of TV" comes as little to no surprise.Zensterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12004871212603603831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-66533089429461356892012-02-20T10:38:46.965-08:002012-02-20T10:38:46.965-08:00From Kevein Costner:
“You set the bar so high that...From Kevein Costner:<br />“You set the bar so high that professional singers, your own colleagues, they don’t want to sing that little country song – what would be the point?” Kevin said with a smile.../<br /><br />I much prefer Dolly's versions, even the simple, bare-bones version she sang on Porter Wagoner's show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3890530692790573387.post-55213987025252862362012-02-20T08:25:12.241-08:002012-02-20T08:25:12.241-08:00Houston's singing always reminded me of Barbra...Houston's singing always reminded me of Barbra Streisand - another loud, belt-out-songs minority singer who is over-rated.<br /><br />Kylie - I'm not a great fan of Jessye Norman, but I love Ella Fitzgerald. I have a couple of old tapes (that my father made for me from his records decades ago) of Fitzgerald singing Cole Porter (homosexual but master wordsmith). Lovely music, lilting voice, clever lyrics.Sheilanoreply@blogger.com