Day26

In January, I went to New York specifically to see Day 26! While there I maximized my time, but they were the priority. I even got the meet & greet tix because why not? If I’m going to make a whole trip out of seeing them, I might as well, do all the things.

Meeting them was actually wonderful. Even though the energy was a bit low, I blamed that on the fact, they did a show prior to the meet & greet. However when I walked up to them, they perked up a lil, which was lovely. I remember watching them on the show, and listening to the albums, so to meet them was chef’s kiss.

The concert was at SOB’s and baby, the ghetto! However a time was had!

Tristan Jonez.

So Many Ways.

I love when I listen to an album I haven’t in a while, and its such a great body of work!

Tonight’s album is brought to you by Avant’s Director. It was released on January 1, 2006, Also that’s very bold to drop on New Years day but its one way to start it. Not that I remember but I was 20 when this album dropped, and its funny to listen as an 38 yr old Auntie. I definitely can relate a whole lot more to the lyrics now. Life baby. Although in the majority of the songs, he’s telling a shorty to leave their man. I’m surprised Avant didn’t get his ass kicked with these songs, however I’m sure he can fight. But at this point, all male R&B singers should.

But this is/was your reminder to go now, and listen to Avant, Director album.

Jonez.

Spoty Fi.

Daylist from Spotify, I feel like we’ve chatted about this before but if not, Spotify, creates daily playlist based on your listening, and adds songs/artist they believe you would like, while giving them creative titles. I love em! Spotify knows and loves me down, on a regular basis but with this new feature, they’ve outdone theirselves. There’s an option where you can save the playlist, instead of creating a million list, I just copy the link into my notes app so I can listen to that playlist if that’s how I’m feeling later on.

What’s funny is the emo, country, granola eating playlist have been my fav as of late.

Jonez.

Do you utilize Spotify?

Sakanaction

My problem with indulging in music is, I listen to the music, then I want to hear it in person! I’ve been listening to this asian group, (I think its a group) and now I’d like to see them in person, but everything is in Chinese, Japanese I’m assuming. Obviously I cant read that, and its not THAT easy to translate with google translate when the whole website is in Chinese, Japanese, possibly Mandarin. Sigh. I don’t think I’ve given up on seeing them, but maybe I’ll just wait until the tour in America. Currently they are touring in Japan, but how sick would the vibe be? Even if I cant understand what they are saying?

If you’re up to it, listen to the album 834.194 on Spotify. It’s fire tho.

T. Jonez

Wrecking Ball.

Can a song have crack in it?

Because I believe “II most wanted” must have it sprinkled somewhere. I haven’t cared for Miley Cyrus since she went “blk” in 2013 when she was finding herself, deep in hip hop genre for the album Bangerz. I had to double check with Spotify on the year but since then eh, she’s an acquired taste. That aside, I find myself singing JUST this song randomly. And it wasn’t even in my top six initally.

Tristan J.

UK things.

I went to see Mahalia last night, and what a fun show! I missed her the last time she was in Chicago, because I waited til the last minute to purchase tickets, and they sold out on my ass. Granted I waited the last minute for these tickets, cuz I don’t learn my lessons, but I didn’t love the venue. House of Blues Chicago, is one of my least favorite venues in Chicago, even though it really is centrally located and has incredible sound, the view points aren’t my favorite. This time I was early enough to literally walk all three floors, and inquire about ‘upgrades’ which is stool seating for 100$. I settled on the second floor spacing right in front of the bar, and it wasn’t a bad view. The only down was this baldheaded mojo that was sitting in the stool, that was apparently drunk and/or high that couldn’t sit still. If I wasn’t concerned with getting escorted out, I would’ve hit him in the damn head. bastard.

See what I was dealing with?!

Also After leaving the venue, I got sick. So there’s that.

Jonez.

Act ii

Its too early for me to have an opinion either way, on Beyonce’s, new album but here is a list of songs I absolutely love on first listen.

Bodyguard
Levi’s Jeans
YA YA
Riverdance
Tyrant
Sweet * Honey * Buckin’

Although I’m not judging the music, try not to judge my little list.

Jonez

So Get…

Last week I won the Broadway in Chicago lottery and was able to see, ‘Get on your feet’ the Gloria & Emilio Estefan story. Like usual, no expectations going in, but what a fun musical. First I didn’t know they was from Cuba, and I also thought they were siblings, not husband and wife, so silly me. We went on a journey with their story, the show leaned more into Gloria’s life, but their lives were so intertwined. To me the show was on the slower side, with lots of dialogue, and slower ballads, but when they would do group numbers, you felt as if you was in Cuba or Miami.

My biggest gripe, with the ensemble, there was only two dark-skinned dancers, which happened to be male. I would’ve loved to see dark-skinned female dancers. Because if the show should reflect the people of Cuba, or Miami, well then we need darker hues. Also, the writing threw a bit of shade to the white folks when describing there dancing, but is it really shade if its true?

Have you experienced this show? Jonez.

Keys

With so many different choices of new music, its nice to be reminded of your day one artists. With the announcement of Alicia Keys and her husband, Swizz Beats using their own collected art work to show at The Brooklyn Museum, It had me checking for her music. I remember her dropping ‘Keys” in 2021, but I didn’t really give the music a chance. From the one listen I did manage, It was a good vibe. So tonight Its the album of choice, but I will say I do love the concept of having an Original (Unstripped) and Unlocked (Remixed) version of a song on the same body of work. I do look forward to seeing how this concept carries the album.

Currently my favorite song, ‘Come for Me’.

Once you finish listening, tell me your favorite. -Jonez

Scored.

Even though this week I shared about Story Ave. the film, the score is magical. I absolutely love the things music can do to us. How it can make us feel? Turn a sad moment even sadder, Make you curious about the scene, and the character. Music literally, in a movie, is everything. And although our focus may be on an original score, choosing other works, is still a feat because how did you know THAT song would fit oh so perfect? I’m currently listening to the score for the film again, while I type this, as it does help to visualize the parts of the movie that align with the music. Such a talent, in which artist Pierre Charles illustrates. Mr. Charles has also worked on the score for the Netflix thriller, “They cloned Tyrone”

After listening, tell me your thoughts?

Tristan J.

to feel love/d

It’s such a treat when I find new (to me) music! But now track two has started playing and I know this song, just didn’t know who sang it OR it was on an album. I KNOW I have to do better. However did you know Luke James dropped ‘to feel love/d’ in January of 2020? AND was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Album? Well slap me silly cuz I had no clue! Granted 2020 was a year. Sidenote; It does suck for all the artist who dropped new music, because they were not able to market, promote or tour. Back to Wolf, as the title suggest, on first listen, this album makes you want to be loved, and appreciate what you have if you are loved. I actually don’t know If I can say I’m a fan of Luke James, musically, maybe a casual fan? Although he can sing beautifully. I AM a fan of his acting though, so there’s that.

So when you have a chance, please listen to this body of work, tell me your favorite song. Mine is Lambo, and Blow.

Jonez.

Solange’s ‘A seat at the Table’ has been in rotation lately. Such a well made body of work. Every song makes me feel a different something, but the feels are always there. Also, listening to ‘Seat at the table’ segues into Queen & Slim soundtrack, which is another top favorite, beautiful body of work.

I guess for today we’ll be in our Neo Soul R&B bag.

Tristan J.