THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, CREATED ON THE 7TH DAY

Where words don't succeed, music speaks and it was the Blind Boys of Alabama who have a spiritual agreement through soulful harmonies to honor God and the permissible delights of each individuals soul. The Blind Boys are on the brink of a new album release titled "Duets" which includes collaborations with such music icons as Lou Reed, John Hammond, Jr., and Toots Hibbert. The album also includes feature performances with Ben Harper, Timothy B. Schmitt, Randy Travis, Bonnie Raitt, and Jars of Clay. The album will undoubtedly lead the group to its sixth grammy award and continue to give the Blind Boys of Alabama the vision of making a broken world a better place through their music. Joey Williams, Blind Boys Guitarist, called me three hours before show time to join him at the show. Without a second to waste I jumped into my car and raced (55 MPH) to the City Winery in New York City.

My friends, as I have mentioned in past articles, you will never ever have a full understanding of the treasures that are hidden in New York City because as soon as you think you have seen every venue and been to every restaurant you are smacked in the face by, yet, another venue that out does the last one. Let me tell you that the City Winery is my new "King of the Mountain." The sound, the atmosphere, and the staff provide you with a truly rich, tasty, and impressionable experience that has exceeded my expectations. The venue prides itself on the original private label wines that are made on location and the menu which diagrams which wines will accompany your chosen dish best, but enough about the food and venue. The Blind Boys of Alabama were bringing their Sunday best out tonight headlining a double bill with good friend John Hammond, Jr..

John Hammond, Jr. opened the evening with an acoustic set of his blues music that reflected on his exposure to such influential artists as Muddy Waters , John Lee Hooker, and Duane Allman. His barrelhouse singing style captures your attention and digs deep into your imagination of days gone by and the ties those days have on the day at hand. His commercial success maybe moderate but his fans are strong and dedicated. He has earned the respect from the likes of Robbie Robertson, Charlie Musselwhite, and other musicians who he has contributed his talents to. From coffeehouses to major venues, festivals to major tours, John Hammond has shared over forty years of playing the blues, folk and rock music to the world. His love for playing is how he has been able to continue his success and it's his life. His latest album titled "Rough and Tough" is his thirty-second album since his initial release in 1962. The recording of the album is historical in itself because it was recorded in St. Peter's Church in New York City due to the acoustics that the Episcopal church contains.

Tonight's performance highlighted John's best songs and showcased his ability to transition easily between his National Steel and Stubbs 6-String guitars all the while singing and playing the harmonica. The Grammy winner and four-time nominee, unleashed his acoustic river flow with beauty. His persistence to play the blues, as he did this night, attracts young artists such as a young German man who just moved from Germany to achieve his own American dream of being a successful musician. John's talent and technique are unique to his authenticity and anyone who loves blues music will find John traditional to the definition of blues. His respect to the blues is inevitable and because of his dedication the art of playing the blues is inherent.

As quick as John Hammond walked on stage it seemed his set was over, and the excitement began to build again with anticipation of the headliners. The current opened and from out of the corner came Jimmy Carter, Billy Bowers, Ricky McKinnie, and Ben Moore hand over shoulder and one behind the other in a parade of the blind leading the blind. The beauty of their entrance was how without sight they sense how much they bring to people who are blind in their own ways and proving that you don't have to see in order to visualize beauty. What the Blind Boys lack in physical vision they capture and express more so through their four working senses and it was handed to the audience when Jimmy Carter grabbed his mic and shook the room with his raspy voice and raw emotions.

The night included performances of "Perfect Peace," Take My Hand," "Amazing Grace," and "Free At Last" and other classic hits. Jimmy, Ben, and Billy sat front row in incredibly robust pinstripe suits and the dark glasses which brand their unique gift to deliver new insight to those who think they can see. I shared my table with a woman who, like me, felt a change in my soul thanks to our first revival and introduction to Blind Boy Baptism. The power of God raised the boys from their seats and a concerned Joey Williams frantically worked to control the situation by tapping the shoulders of each singing member to sit, but the song kept the men standing up and shaking the goodness of the glory out from their contained bodies and the audience felt the good and plenty pouring out as came off their seats during the high energy performance of "Free at Last." Jimmy Carter even found his way off the stage and into the audience who all reached out to get one touch of Jimmy's healing powers. When the song was over and the members were tightly gathered on stage, the night exhaled and I found myself thinking to myself what a day I had.

What started off as an unpredictable day made complete sense to me. You can't control the world and what life has planned for you because at the end of the day you may think you can see what will happen next, but a blind man from Alabama may just prove to you that you really can't see any more then he can and with that I found with in me to not predict the future and to accept that life will continue to unfold it's story and I'm to just live each day better then the last. I found a bible verse that would sum up my night with the Blind Boys of Alabama and it goes something like this.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery for the blind, to set the pressed free." In my perspective tonight the Spirit was in the City Winery and in the state that our economy has fallen into I have some news to the poor. The Blind Boys of Alabama are here to remind you to be free, to see the meaning of life, and to enjoy what you have now and not what you don't have tomorrow. Listen to the music, go see one of their shows, and rediscover your soul because this is a revival you are not going to want to miss.

Nanyana's Big Red Delicious Apple Debut!

"I write because it's my way of expressing the words that I am unable to say out loud some times. There has always been music with in me and at the age of 16 I started writing songs. It's been my way to tell the world about who I am and to say that I am going to be somebody with a strong message created through my own life experiences." Nanyana said to me when we met up in Washington Square park on the first brisk autumn afternoon by the chess section. As the kids flocked around us seeking clues to their next treasure hunt Nanyana and I sat across from each other with the sun beaming down and the distant sounds of folk singers, a Jazz Quartet, laughter, and a few grunts from some of the chess players who may have lost their pants as their Kings were laid down in defeat.

"I put everything I knew and loved into my lyrics and even went as far as to mail music artists my lryics in hopes of getting a response back to validate with in me, that I could write music. I was preoccupied as a teen with the life around me and that explains why I overlooked a postcard from one of the members of 311 who wrote me back and invited me backstage to attend a concert. I remember walking backstage with my friend and the butterflies that gathered inside. There I was with the band in the back and they knew who I was. It was that moment I knew I could do something amazing. I knew I could be a song writer."

Nanyana has a look to her. It goes beyond the appearance which, in my book, is a perfect ten, but because I'm friends with her husband I will keep this very PC. Yes, Nanyana is married and to an incredible musician who has paid his dues and achieved success in his own rights. Jason "JJ Boogie" Reichert of the much acclaimed band "Arrested Development." Arrested Development (AD) hit the billboard top 100 in the 1990's with such hits as "Mr. Wendall," "Tennessee," and a very beautiful cover of "Everyday People." Jason has always been a supporter of Nanyana's years before his induction into Arrested Development and this clearly explains how the power couple managed to succeed as well as they have. Now that Jason has reached his star you can bet Nanyana isn't too far behind her husband of reaching her own.

She continued to open up to me in regards to how the couple began their life journey together and how colorful their world has become thanks to their common passion and appreciation of creating music. When he isn't on tour or recording for Arrested Development, Jason plays a vital role in Nanyana's music career on the road and in the studio. "Don't get me wrong. There's a little competition and while Jason was auditioning for AD (Arrested Development in cool lingo) I put my music on hold to some degree to support him and to work outside of music. Now it's my turn to taste the success of my music dreams. Of course we get into arguments because he travels a lot and I miss him. It's hard sometimes especially when I have a gig and want him with me to play, but I know how important his career is and I support him unconditionally." Nanyana has played continuously throughout Atlanta and areas near to the Atlanta area, but on a whimm and the luxury of free sky miles, decided to come up to New York City to visit a friend. That is how I came to meet up with this young starlit in the park.

"My friend said that I should look into booking myself a show while I was in town and I figured I would give it a shot." After a few emails, a few phone calls, and a mailing of a demo cd, Nanyana landed her first ever New York City gig. All on her own, with no label, no management company, and no support from an investor. Nanyana is the true definition of an Independent Music Artist . She is one woman with a vision who, since she was sixteen, made it her life goal to succeed as a music artist. Nanyana made her debut at New York City's Pianos, lavishly located in the bohemian area of the lower east side. "I didn't know what to expect and of course I know people will think about here's another girl riding on the coat tails of her husband success, but they don't know my history with my husband and how much we have both given ourselves to each other as supporters and providers. They will probably only see it as JJ Boogie's wife from AD is trying to be a singer songwriter through her husband's success. It's ok if they want to see it that way, but I know the truth and now you do as well." I did know the truth and I knew Nanyana had much to say, much to express, and benefited one gift via JJ's success. A rich and amber sounding Gibson Hummingbird Guitar. Oh, it's really pretty and it sounds much better then it looks.

Our interview wound down and Nanyana went off to prepare for the performance. I walked away with a new insight to my new friend and truly excited to see if she would receive a New York welcome from the patrons of Pianos and if she would be able to prove herself in the toughest town to prove yourself in. I think I was more nervous, but I had hours to kill and went off to discover new insights to me and my dreams of succeeding as a live concert photojournalist. I walked around and listened to the interview with Nanyana and started to piece more pieces of her puzzle together. Ideas started to pour out of my mind how and when she would be discovered by the industry. As I wondered around Soho, the village and with a negative balance in my checking account, I came across a $20 bill. Lucky was I because I needed to fill up the gas tank and I was starving.

Time flew by and it was time to head over to Pianos for the debut performance. Ok, Pianos scares me a little because when you play upstairs you are playing Russian Roulette. People may show or they may not. I wasn't sure what to think. I arrived to an empty room with three people sitting on a bench and Nanyana dragging her own equipment across the darkened room. Her set up was simple and if her choice of dress, combined with her fresh new green kicks, was anything to foreshadow the evening I was in for a real treat. The New York welcome I was hoping for came a few minutes before show time. Nanyana looked sensational in a long green dress, her hair perfectly placed and a the Humingbird guitar belted safely like a holy grail in a guitar strap. People trickled in before her performance and slowly the room started to fill itself with curious music connoisseurs.

Nanyana's set connected with the guests and, like a VH-1 Storyteller Show, the meaning behind her songs were spoken about. Because of my own relationship with the couple I found one story in particular very entertaining and how it came to be. A lovers quarrel over being away from each other and not listening to the meaning behind her words. I do believe I have heard that song before many times with many women who think men, like me, don't listen. Oh we listen, but our attention span only allows us to pay attention until we are distracted by the television, the smell of food, or high heals. It happens.

The crowd embraced Nanyana with a wonderful applause at the end of her set followed by the sale of her CDs. Overall her performance was enriching to the music she writes and validates her credibility as a singer-songwriter. With the support of JJ, her family, and friends Nanyana is going to continue to climb her ladder towards her success. The sky is the limit and with her New York debut in the can she will begin to expand her touring to more cities with proof that she can be what she always wanted to be. A songwriter. After the show was over and the guests congratulated Nanyana on her performance she exited Pianos. I had just snuffed out my last cigarette when she spotted me. "So what did you think overall?" I looked at her and smiled and said, "Welcome to the big leagues kid. Today you hit a home run." After a hug goodbye Nanyana turned down the dark damp sidewalk with her guitar in case and walked into the New York City night. She turned the corner of Katz's Deli on Houston Street and as soon as my time with Nanyana began, so it ended. What will happen next we will all just have to watch and wait.

An Album To The 6 Billionth Citizen

Salman Rushdie sat between the members of Dredg sharing the spotlight of an unprecedented event hosted by Spin Magazine at Housing Works Bookstore & Cafe in New York City. "Liner Notes" was created to bring various artists from different mediums of art together in a showcase presenting one artist whose art has influenced another artist who shares an equal yet unique perspective of that art piece. The event Spin Magazine created allows a in-depth look at how one artist can express and manipulate another artist's creation. In tonight's round, Salman Rushdie's "Imagine There's No Heaven: A Letter to the 6 Billionth Citizen" was the feature of the evening which influenced the Band Dredg to write their best recorded album to date "The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion."

The guests sat in anticipation with no idea of what to expect and not fully understanding how two totally different voices could be combined in agreeable terms. Would these two artists put their views to the side and get through an hour long session together without the threat of artistic differences was a burning question in my mind which was answered and quickly subdued when Mr. Rushdie took center stage to read an except from his book "The Ground Beneath Her Feet." The book explores time and space in a conventional manner between two parallel universes. The journey spans over forty years of pop culture and focuses on a gifted musician (Ormus Cama) and his soul's mate, Vina Aspara, whose amber voice sings, lures, and traps her listeners instantly through a vocal canvas of color notes. Despite earthquakes, heartbreaks, and a tare through a continuum of both time and space, the story happens to be Mr. Rushdie's most optimistic book written yet. The versus read this night pierced me deeply but the pain was soothing as I was able to find with in me a way to connect with my own soul's mate who sits more then 1200 miles away from me. If she could only know how I feel and how much experiencing this night would impact her own personal perceptions I know our 1200 plus miles apart would vanish to inches apart.

With my own idea of a book in the making I have written my love of loves one letter for each day since we met and the messages behind Mr. Rushdie's writings have personally opened my eyes and made valid my theory of true love or what she has beautifully expressed to me my "soul's mate." Salman Rushdie has inspired millions, perhaps billions across the world and now he can add one more to that list. Thanks to the idea of synchronicity or that everything happens for a reason I have experienced my own personal light and understand with a new clarity as to the tests that have been put before me. I understand why life has traveled up some of the highest mountains I ever had to climb and why I had to start in the lowest of valleys to reach this new insight as I perceive it today. I understand now why I met Dredg and came to this latest event in my life and to witness this collaboration of artists goes well beyond the beauty of an album cover or chapters written by one man's brilliant pen.

Dredg joined Rushdie on stage after the his reading to confirm their own claim as true music artists. Dredg paints their shows with minimal glitz or glamour. Going to a Dredg performance is allowing you to open up and listen to the roots of music without being distracted by flashy stage works. The music is enough to draw the audience in and tonight I was even more impressed to listen to this particular performance by Dredg toned down to acoustic and electric instrumentation minus the percussion. Loud music can deafen you when played at a lower level and being loud isn't always best. The blend of the music highlighted by Gavin Hayes' vocals was tremendous. The impression the band made was unholier than thou, if I may borrow the term, and it stole the air out of the old bookstore where the guests leaned forward in their chairs, drawn in tightly to the music Dredg exuded. The set was a short and very sweet five song list. "Pariah," "Lightswitch," "The Ornament," "Information," and "Cartoon Showroom."

The night embraced the love of music with the importance of expression, but leave it to the last person you would think of in this story to break the serious tone of the evening with dark humor. Rushdie managed to gather everyone in the room together with such amazing stories of his life and the collaboration attempt by Alex James of the acclaimed band "Blur." The eccentric Rushdie sat in his chair and impersonated a slob, alcohol driven, filthy mouthed Londoner ranting about a collaboration idea. Another highlight came when one guest asked Rushdie if he meant for his controversial book "Satantic Verses" to be so affective to the believers that hunted him for a decade. Rushdie sat back with a smile and said, "Being sentenced to death by the Ayatollah Khomeini really ruins your weekend."

It's 2009 and with so much energy going into two very impressionable pieces of written works, Salman Rushdie's essay and Dredg's latest album both surround a beautiful concept and view at humanity. So how is it that the world we live in still finds the written word and the freedom of expression through music and books a threat to power? Why do artists continue to create verbal and written ammunition knowing that odds are against them? It is conceivable that the 6 billionth citizen could be in a country where he will never learn or hear about either Dredg or Salman Rushide and their life changing messages.

" This 6 billionth child could be in a country where such messages are censored which is sad. A lot of the world now is like that now. I don't truthfully know the answer. All I can do is put the message out there and hope that the message will reach this child somehow. Another great thing about this musical collaboration is that it takes the message to another place where different people will hear it in different ways and it multiplies the message. All you can do as an artist is put it out there. None of us in this age can control the powers that say what we can listen to or what we can say. All we can do is disregard them and do our work. Maybe at the end it will find its audience."