There is an interesting dichotomy on this week's Billboard Top 200 Album Chart (9/21/05).
The number one album is by a Houston rapper -- Paul Wall -- and it sold 176,000 copies in the U.S. It's titled "The People's Champ."
Another guy named Paul -- Paul McCartney -- placed number 6 this week with his new CD "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," which sold 92,000.
An alumus of the Beatles and Wings, once upon a time McCartney's album would have been titled "The People's Champ." In 1964, everyone wanted to hold his hand. Now that Sir Paul is 64, it seems music buyers would rather be "slap flippin'," "riding dirty," "big ballin'," and "sittin' sidewayz" with the rhyming rapper Paul Wall.
On his next CD the former Mop Top may have to collaborate with Busta Rhymes, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Snoop, Ludacris, Bow Wow, and the Ying Yang Twins if he hopes to regain his crown.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Hell to Hope
The Jerry Lembo Entertainment Group recently signed an artist development consultation agreement with pianist/songwriter Ana Galatas. Ana's label (Rimsky) and management company (Sands Entertainment) are based in Miami. Hurricanes are no stranger to that area; in fact, the local university carries that handle.
What I didn't know was that both Ana's character and musical influences had deep roots in Louisiana. I asked her to reflect on those memories:
"To borrow from a similar saying: 'You can take a girl out of Louisiana but you can’t take Louisiana out of the girl.' I was blessed to be born in New Orleans and live in small towns across the state.
My preacher father served Carrollton Methodist Church, and I fear they’ve been devastated by Katrina. My Mother did her nurses training at the now bereft Charity Hospital. In the 50’s, Mom said there was a line down the middle of the hospital ward – to separate blacks from whites. The nurses enjoyed treating the blacks more because they were more appreciative than the whites. When I reminisce about my Louisiana upbringing, I can’t help but “go there” on the issue of race relations. If CNN had been broadcasting images of upper class whites begging for food and water, this story would have different headlines.
I can share with you endless beautiful memories – rocking on the front porch, beignets in the French Quarter, heaps of crawfish on telephone spools – then there is the MUSIC. Music that evolved from the slaves and is now our only original musical art form. I’m so deeply appreciative for the exposure I had to Spirituals, Jazz and R&B. Where would American music be without the profound influence of African-Americans?
How then can such an atrocity occur after such enormous contributions to our society? As a kid, I played organ for a small church in Slaughter, LA. One of the elderly church ladies told me that the at one time the choir robes doubled as Klan robes.
Louisiana has overcome so much. My high school in Zachary, LA has grown past our tainted past. Proms that were segregated now enjoy integrated reunions. Finally New Orleans appears to be going from “hell to hope” and perhaps light is finally being shed on a problem that should be 'no more'."
Ana asks that you please send your donations to:
Baton Rouge Area Foundation Displaced Residents Fund.
http://www.braf.org/
What I didn't know was that both Ana's character and musical influences had deep roots in Louisiana. I asked her to reflect on those memories:
"To borrow from a similar saying: 'You can take a girl out of Louisiana but you can’t take Louisiana out of the girl.' I was blessed to be born in New Orleans and live in small towns across the state.
My preacher father served Carrollton Methodist Church, and I fear they’ve been devastated by Katrina. My Mother did her nurses training at the now bereft Charity Hospital. In the 50’s, Mom said there was a line down the middle of the hospital ward – to separate blacks from whites. The nurses enjoyed treating the blacks more because they were more appreciative than the whites. When I reminisce about my Louisiana upbringing, I can’t help but “go there” on the issue of race relations. If CNN had been broadcasting images of upper class whites begging for food and water, this story would have different headlines.
I can share with you endless beautiful memories – rocking on the front porch, beignets in the French Quarter, heaps of crawfish on telephone spools – then there is the MUSIC. Music that evolved from the slaves and is now our only original musical art form. I’m so deeply appreciative for the exposure I had to Spirituals, Jazz and R&B. Where would American music be without the profound influence of African-Americans?
How then can such an atrocity occur after such enormous contributions to our society? As a kid, I played organ for a small church in Slaughter, LA. One of the elderly church ladies told me that the at one time the choir robes doubled as Klan robes.
Louisiana has overcome so much. My high school in Zachary, LA has grown past our tainted past. Proms that were segregated now enjoy integrated reunions. Finally New Orleans appears to be going from “hell to hope” and perhaps light is finally being shed on a problem that should be 'no more'."
Ana asks that you please send your donations to:
Baton Rouge Area Foundation Displaced Residents Fund.
http://www.braf.org/
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