For the past 2 years, I've been on a rather intense journey to get myself in alignment with what I consider to be God's plan for me. Deeming this period of life one that requires immense concentration, I've sometimes left myself blind to the things going on with people I'm not intimately close with. Two such people would be Beans and Biscuits*.
In the previous post, I thanked Mr. Tyler Perry for his commitment to advance worthy causes. I'm proud to say that for the inaugural posting of Wednesday's Woman I can feature my friend Russatta Buford. I met this petite powerhouse 2 years ago and I've been impressed and influenced by her dedication to serve ever since. She is resolute in her desire to make her community better by her presence and her sincerity of service is commendable. Russatta's philanthropic work was highlighted last month in O, The Oprah Magazine in a Covergirl feature.
It is widely known that I have not been a fan of your creative endeavors. While I respect and applaud your business savvy, as well as your dogged determination, I had very little, extremely low regard for your talent. I believe that as a Black person with influence in the media, you cannot waste it on projects that aren't of substance and quality. I felt in examining the craft from a technical standpoint, you needed to step it up a bit. But who am I?
Taste and quality are highly subjective. These things are learned. Taught to us over time by gatekeepers who want us to buy into what they believe a good story to be. But you, you Mr. Perry, you eschew the machine and do things your way. And I'm finally thankful you did.
Despite Bowler Boy's reluctance to bring me back an official British copy of Corinne Bailey Rae's cd, I got it anyway from iTunes this past weekend and I'm eternally grateful that I did. I completely confess to having a perfectly healthy girl crush on Ms. Rae.
You see, in my head she lives the life in reality that I, in my head, live. I imagine that she has a great collection of eccentric and fabulous vintage clothing with some modern designs from a plethora of indie and major labels thrown into the mix. She wastes away afternoons in patisseries, museums, and galleries with a great group of culturally diverse friends and she attends private screenings of smart artistically crafted films. But most importantly, she lives authentically and loves completely. It's a wholly romantic life don't you think? And that brings us to her latest offering, "The Sea." Her first album since the untimely death of her husband, Jason Rae in 2008.
"The Sea" is Ms. Rae's second release and there are no signs of the sophomore slump. For me, it's an album of contrasts. It's moody and consistent. It's mournful and celebratory. It's sad and hopeful. It's all the emotions and thoughts one would suspect would rush through your heart and mind if you had lost the person you felt was your soul mate to the silliness of an accidental overdose. It's soul, blues, rock, folk, and R&B. Even in it's grief, I find a mature sensuality definitely not present in her first album.
Rolling Stonemagazinecommented that on the track "The Blackest Lily" that she is "confronting death with the greatest weapon: life, fully lived." The New York Times says, "The album is a major creative leap from her debut. Ms. Rae's voice is deeper, capable of carrying the weight of this sad album. The music is richer."
I wanted to be able to list my favorite tracks, but like a proud mother, I can't pick out any. It's as though I've created them myself because I cannot succeed in breaking them apart and rewarding one over the other. It's a complete body of work that I'm pleased with. Sure, there are some that I like more than others, but I hesitate to point them out for fear that listeners wouldn't give the whole work it's due credit.
The album has pre and post-death songs on it. "I'd Do It All Again" was written pre-death after an argument with her late husband. Just as the title suggests, she'd do it all again. Enjoy....
Her record label prevents the embedding of the actual music video, but I find this live version just as enjoyable.
