Praise God, It's Spring Break

Spring Break !
Not sure what springbreak means to Harmony Korine, but to me, it means watching movies and going thrift-store searching and drinking coffee.
It will also involve grading, but patience- grading will happen at some later date. As of now, I am enjoying myself. I'm feeling satisfied, you might say....



Got an(other) album by Andraé Crouch and the Disciples today. That's right! Today! You are getting fresh-old tracks.
Above track is not wholly representative of their sound- most of it is a more standard gospel sound, and so not nearly so dance-ready as that song.

But hey, it's my goddamn goshdarn blog, and that is the song I most want to play. You know, I'm more a "The Disco is My Church", a "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life" kind of guy. All their songs are quite good, a lotta power coming out of these disciples, but I'd most like to share this standout, if 'black-sheep', song.

Here are some of the liner notes, in case you are curious.

It is interesting that this, the first "Best of Andraé Crouch & the Disciples" album, should be released at this time. For this is an age in which wee are experiencing a nostalgic fervor across our country-- a yearning to recall some of the good-times from years past.

Needless to say, there is a nostalgic touch to this recording, too. The songs on this album are the songs that over the past years you have told us were your favorites. Most of these favorites bring back memories-- memories of difficulties and struggles-- but mostly times of great blessing and joy.

Our thoughts now are centered on the many people and friends around the world who have told us of the impact our songs have had on their lives-- praise God!

Isn't it present today as well, the thirst for nostalgia?
I think so; it would explain why all of America is flocking to my blog.

Mary J. Blige, "Going Down" to the "Car Wash" (soundtrack)

Today is Mary J. Blige’s birthday. Let’s celebrate!

I was already thinking just yesterday about posting this song, so now my hand has been forced by fate.
Like a dog tied to a rolling cart: “fate leads the willing, and drags the unwilling”. So let’s roll to the Car Wash together (you don't really have a choice).

 
Above is the original of “I’m Going Down”, covered to great effect (to say the least) by Queen Mary.

It is on the soundtrack to “Car Wash”, which is excellent, all the way through.

Not only does it have those mood-setting 2:00 long bits, for playing in the background of movie scenes, it has more standard songs with lyrics too. Pointer Sisters on “You Gotta to Believe” (“in something/ why don’t you believe in me?”)

The songs are all credited to Rose Royce and Norman Whitfield; ‘Rose Royce’ sounds like Rolls Royce, a funny little pun, which I just realized. “RR” is actually a group, not a stage name for a single person; this helps explain the wide variety of songs here, because it is not just a single writer plus one female singer, but a whole group plus the guy who wrote “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”.

--I just realized, there is way too much good stuff on this album, and way too many songs that I am thinking of to pair with each song... I gotta split this into more than one post!--

So just one little bit more, of related news… I own the movie “The Wash”, starring Dr. Dre and Snoop Lion.

It even has Eminem in it, as a crazy person… really flexing his acting chops there… I think I bought this when TLA closed up its Center City shop. Still haven’t watched it yet. I’m pretty sure it is a rubbish movie, but, some things, you just have to own.

"After Sex" is actually on the soundtrack of another movie I own/haven't seen yet... music on that film done by none other than Curtis Mayfield.