Nina Simone - Ain't Got No...I've Got Life

Sphere: Related Content

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Cases Are Spreading Too Fast To Count

The WHO(World Health Organization) says that the H1N1(Swine Flu) pandemic is spreading too fast to count. I visit a lot of blogs of numerous foreign countries and they contain new outbreaks and confirmed cases of the H1N1(Swine Flu Virus) and it always leaves me wondering why isn't our wonderful American media doing the same thing?

They go on and on about pop culture but continually fail to deal with the real culture of the people who they are suppose to report the so called news to. I guess they don't want to scare people into something that they feel is not hapening in our country???Sphere: Related Content

Legendary TV News Anchor Walter Cronkite Has Died/Walter Cronkite Est Mort

CBS News reports that former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite, whose authoritative delivery of news events from the John F. Kennedy assassination to the Apollo moon landing and Vietnam War, made him "the most trusted man in America," died on Friday at age 92.

Cronkite died in New York after an illness, CBS said. His family issued a statement weeks ago that he had been suffering for some years with cerebrovascular disease and was not expected to recuperate.

For nearly 20 years, millions of Americans tuned in to the "CBS Evening News" to hear the day's major events as reported by Cronkite, whose avuncular manner and deep voice made his show the top-rated news program from 1969 until he retired in 1981 and was replaced by Dan Rather.Sphere: Related Content

Suicide Bombers Strike Jarkata Business District

Friday morning in Jakarta, Indonesia was the sight of two terrorist attacks committed by suicide bombers who were targeting the luxury hotels, The Marriott and Ritz-Carlton located in the business district of a downtown area of Jakarta. The assessment of the damage and carnage is of at least nine dead and with over forty injuries, including 14 foreigners.Sphere: Related Content

Madonna Crying In Udine

I guess even for Madonna and Live Nation, the show must go on. I'm surprised that the show was not cancelled due to the accident. That's why I say gimmicks and theatrics aren't really needed just get out in front and sing.

Sphere: Related Content

Season 6 Of Project Runway Has A Veteran On The Show

Those of us who follow fashion are quite aware of emerging designers and familiar with the names of established designers. I was watching television the other day and saw a commercial for Season 6 of Project Runway and saw the New York based fashion designer by the name of Epperson on the show. I’m like why is he on the show when he already has a successful line of clothes? I said to myself, maybe he wants more name recognition or something, any way this man has a following. This guy literally put Brooklyn on the map as a fashion portal and destination.

The Epperson Studio, is a retailer that specializes in made-to-measure clothing, along with a line of off-the-rack Epperson Basic designs that is influenced by styles from India, Africa and Asia. Most of us who don't live in Brooklyn came to know him because he designed the majority of Erykah Badu's wardrobe. His clothing designs are chic, elegant, comfortable and quite affordable even in today's financial turmoil. It’s a true statement when they say that you are either in or you’re out and I know that Eppesron is not out by a long shot.


We all know that Project runway is a very popular show that’s watched by millions of people, but fashion is a fickle business and some designers just don’t get the credit and support like others do. The current trend for fashion designers is quite obvious by what they are looking for in a designer and we all know who are the ones who are quite popular now. Design firms are hardly paying attention to some of the clothing that they are designing, they just want to jump on the bandwagon of what is popular in the USA and to make a quick buck.

On another side note of that of another show called The Fashion Show on BRAVO TV, my boy Reco went home, but that's all good because Reco was very good at what he did and all he needs to do now is to be patient because his time will come. That one chick, Daniella was elated that he was eliminated because he was a serious threat to her and she knew it. I'm done looking at the show for now because Reco kept it interesting and he and Merlin were my favorites.

Budding Fashion Designer Reco from Bravo TV's,
The Fashion Show. Reco was robbed!

I get tired of watching reality shows full of cut-throat, and two faced individuals, especially when they are women and all women are not like that. I'm not going to even bother by watching the finale because I guarantee you that James-Paul will win and if he doesn't, that too would be a shocker.

Sphere: Related Content

Michael Jackson - A Place With No Name

Sphere: Related Content

New Unreleased Music Of Michael Jackson Surfaces

Here is a short version of a new song of Michael Jackson recorded, entitled " A Place With No Name", which was revealed Thursday, three weeks after the death of the " king of the pop" in Los Angeles. According to Paris Match they say TMZ is unaware of the time in which the song was recorded, " A Place With No Name" has a very strong resemblance to the rock and roll group, America's 1971 hit "A Horse With No Name."

According to the manager of the group, quoted by TMZ.com, the group knew of the use of their song to Jackson and had agreed to the recording. Sounds good to me and I can't wait for new music to be released. This is good news since many of us are still mourning his death.

As America and the world mourns Michael Jackson, the media is still one of his harshest and most contradictive critiques to date. They hated him in life and they certainly have shown that they hate him and his family even in his death. They can say what they want about Michael Jackson, but their actions speak volumes.Sphere: Related Content

Whitney Houston Is Coming Back To Us!! CHECK IT OUT!! TURN IT UP!!

One of the worlds best: Whitney Houston, is coming back!

I'm as giddy as a little girl in a candy store with joy about Whitney Houston's long and torturous (for me)return to the airwaves and all I can say is Hallelujah!!! It’s no secret that Whitney Houston is set for a triumphant return to reclaim her throne, that's right I said it, her throne! Whitney Houston makes triumphant return after a very extended hiatus. The new album, I Look To You, is set to drop this coming fall.

Well, in advance of the album’s release, fans now had a chance to win entry into one of two listening events to be held in mid-July in either New York City on July 21 or Los Angeles on July 23. Anyone interested in entering this contest should have entered by now because the contest ended on July 13, 2009. A stunning-looking and strong-sounding Whitney Houston made a triumphant return to the stage at a listening party held in Europe by her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis.

We all have crossed our fingers that her beautiful story would end happily, just like it began and this is a new beginning for each and every one of us. Unlike other reported returns, this return to the world stage seems to be the real deal. She was on it, she was happy — she’s back, and so is Maxwell and Grace Jones who wowed crowds at this months Montreux Jazz Festival.

Everybody else better watch out! She's also got Sade, Lauren Hill rumored to be following her trail as well with long anticipated returns to the worlds musical scene. We have suffered long enough and we can't take it any more we want and need more choices when it comes to music and I've had enough with the gimmicks and theatrics of what is marketed to as singers.

Sphere: Related Content

Ali Ben Bongo Is Set To Follow In The Foot Steps Of His Father, Omar Bongo

Omar Bongo's oldest son, Ali Ben Bongo

We can end all of the speculation about Ali Ben Bongo whether if he would decide to succeed his father as the head of Gabon. Ali Ben Bongo, the oldest son of Omar Bongo, was designated as the official candidate by the Gabonese Democratic Party to be their choice to the succeed his father as the head of the country today.


The political committee decided in agreement to name Ali Ben Bongo as the candidate of the Gabonese Democratic party for the presidential election. This news put an end to the not so obvious choice that he would be in the running as a successor for his father. It also that put an end to the uncertainty swirling around the succession of Omar Bongo, who died on June 8 of this year after ruling Gabon for 41 years.



Winning the election won't be easy for him because he will have to face ten other candidates to start, even the former Minister of the Interior, Andre Mba Obame, has also declared to become a candidate this Friday. All of those desiring to become candidates have until July 22, to launch their respected campaigns before the election which will be held in August.Sphere: Related Content

NBA Star, Richard Jefferson Saves Himself The Grief By Not Marrying Fiance

NBA player, Richard Jefferson and Kesha N. Nichols
in what looks like happier days before
reality set in.


The web is abuzz about the highly publicised postponement of the nuptials of the NBA star to his fiance, Kesha Nichols. The former Nets player Richard Jefferson dumped his bride-to-be, Kesha Ni’Cole Nichols, just days before their walk down the aisle via email. Jefferson told sources that there was a lot of stress and tension in the relationship and that they’ve been through a lot — but we just couldn't continue he said during a telephone interview.

It seems at least seems like Nichols got a nice parting gift — Jefferson, who was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks to the San Antonio Spurs last month, said is giving her a “six-figure” settlement so she can start a new life. Jefferson has refused to say a negative word about Kesha and has stated that she is still one of his best friends to the woman, who he courted for nearly five years.

He also said things came to a head when they celebrated July 4 in LA, a week before their planned July 11 wedding at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental on Columbus Circle. After Nichols boarded a plane back to New York the next day, Jefferson said, he sent her the devastating e-mail. The couple had planned to top off their $500,000 wedding with a honeymoon in London, where they had tickets to one of the Michael Jackson comeback shows.

Of the money he’s giving Nichols, Jefferson has said that he's not trying to buy her off, he just wants her to have a lump sum to help her move on with her life. (Good for him to care enough to comfort her embarrassment.) He also added that he also made mistakes in the relationship, 100 percent of the time. But at the end of the day, there were some people who were responsible for the demise of it.

He has even had to field the ever present rumor that he’s gay, which has nothing to do with the breakup. Jefferson has said that he is not gay and that couldn't be any further from the truth and he has nothing to hide. Even if it is true, that still does not have anything to do with this man coming to his senses and not thinking with his "little head" stuck in a zipper like most of these ball players and celebrities often do.

Most people know that they are with people that they don't want to marry, but go on with the whole ceremony because they are cowards and ashamed to admit that they want to call off the wedding for fear of what others will say about them. Reports have claimed that she knew, but insisted on acting as if everything was okay to save face. The jilted bride, a former Net dancer, checked into the Mandarin and spent what would have been her wedding night in a luxury suite.
They reportedly wasted 2 million dollars for the whole shebang! Well 2 million dollars is always better than half of what he's worth, especially if she did not love him in the first place.

This whole incident has some women calling 'foul' because of what he did to her. You can't build a marriage if there is no foundation to start with and money and beauty disappear over time. Some women don't realize that when a man has canceled the nuptials, he has saved you a lifetime of pain and heartache. I say, move on, establish your own life and path because a man is not a plan regardless of how much money he's worth! Get your own!

One thing that I have to agree with Jefferson when he said.“If you aren’t 100 percent certain about something, you shouldn't do it." At least he didn't have to go through the extremes as some jilted grooms and brides have done so in the past, no one kidnapped him and took him to Mexico. He spoke the truth, now that's a "Slam Dunk", one of the best I've seen in a long time, common sense prevailed for once.Sphere: Related Content

Rachelle Ferrell Interview During The Montreux Jazz Festival

Interview de Rachelle Ferrell au Montreux Jazz Festival 2009 - La Libre.be

It's in English.Sphere: Related Content

Plane Crashes In Iran!

After the plane crash off the coast of the Comoros, today the world witnesses another plane crash in Iran with at least 168 people aboard. There appears to be no survivors. The plane was a Russian Tupolev Aircraft belonging to Caspian Airlines.Sphere: Related Content

Rachelle Ferrell - Waiting

I love this beautiful song so much that I had to post it.







Rachelle giving a seminar during the Montreux Jazz Fest


Rachelle giving a seminar to a full house.


Rachelle performing during the Montreux Jazz Festival.





I added these videos because there some of my favorites and it shows this singers incredible range. She doesn't need gimmicks or the latest designer fashions to
entertain us, all she has to do is sing and sing she does so beautifully.

I've been waiting for like six years until "The Voice" returns. Until then I will have to listen to my CD's I have of Rachelle Ferrell. How much do we have to suffer Blue Note Records??? Please have Rachelle record a new CD. I can't wait until yesterdays performance of her at the Montreux Jazz Festival is released.

Sphere: Related Content

A Tribute Fit For A Queen: Nina Simone

Nina Simone

You can watch a video from the archives of The Montreux Jazz Festival here.

So far, this has been one fun summer and another wonderful birthday celebration with 7 more days left before my vacation ends and what is a woman to do when she's been going from point A to point B?

I've been to The Essence Music Festival during the week of July 3-5 and now we have the Montreux Jazz Festival which started on the same day as the EMF did and ends on the 18TH of this month. Whew! No, I did not fly to Montreux but I would have loved to have been there to see this.

Anyway, that's the wonderful thing about the Internet, you can go anywhere in the world at the touch of a key pad. I've been to my share of Jazz Festivals while living in Europe, but none of them can compare to this one. One time was all I needed to witness this. Who knows, next year will be another milestone for me and I need to cancel the trip to Vegas to celebrate my birthday and go there instead for a second time.

I've seen at least two artist who were at the EMF who jetted off to beautiful Switzerland for one of the premiere music destinations in the world. As I've said before, I'll say it again, Europeans appreciate our wonderful musical culture while many of us don't even attempt to embrace our vast musical culture. Everyone loves our culture but us, there may be a language barrier but music is universal.

Now, lets get back to the Montreux Jazz Fest, who gave a fitting tribute to the great Nina Simone. It was obvious to Claude Nobs, the creator and CEO of The Montreux Jazz Festival, that he should host a tribute to Nina Simone. Over her four concerts at the Festival (1968, 1976, 1987, 1990), the pianist impressed the public and forged a solid bond with the event's founder.

Sing the Truth is an occasion to celebrate an impressively profound repertoire with some top class voices, including that of Nina's daughter, Simone, Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Angélique Kidjo and Nina Simones band leader, Al Shackman.

If you are not a fan of the artist listed above, I've supplied you with a little information about them. Very few "youngins" appreciate real music these days because their ear ways have been saturated with artists who can't really sing, having them thinking that they are listening to real music. That is not real music that they're listening to, it's nothing but noise.

American jazz singer Dianne Reeves has been one of the world's top contemporary jazz singers ever since the late 80s. A four time Grammy winner and the voice of the jazz soundtrack for Oscar-nominated film Good Night, and Good Luck.

The soulful music of this Grammy-award winning Beninese singer-songwriter, Angelique Kidjo embraces everything from afro-funk, to salsa and jazz and back again. She makes a welcome return to Montreux after performing in last year's Quincy Jones birthday celebration.


Vocalist Lizz Wright infuses her music with elements of gospel, jazz, blues and r&b, culminating in a soulful mix that has won widespread critical acclaim also was featured in the tribute.

The daughter of legendary musical icon Nina Simone released her first solo album last year, a big band tribute to her mother entitled Simone on Simone. She is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and actress in her own right who easily defies genre boundaries. What better way for a daughter to pay homage to her mother.

If you are looking for that special trip of a lifetime then this is the one for you. If the economy has not affected your lifestyle then book a trip to next years Montreux Jazz Festival, I guarantee you that you will love every minute of it and your entire visit to Switzerland, also.Sphere: Related Content

Communist Party of China Officials Meet With Officials Of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Senior officials of the Communist Party of China and the ruling party of the Democratic Republic of Congo will meet today to discuss ways to promote relations between the two parties and their nations. Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, will meet with the delegation of the DR Congo ruling party, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), who are visiting China from July 13 to 19 at the invitation of the Communist Party of China. Evariste Boshab, secretary general of the PPRD and speaker of the country's National Assembly, is heading the delegation.Sphere: Related Content