plague-of-grackles 😷🍉🐈⬛For #BlackHistoryMonth I’ll do a long music thread. I’ll shoot for one every day. It’ll be international, not restricted to USA.
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#BlackMastodon
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#BlackMastodon
Susana Baca, “Negra Presuntuosa”
Today’s entry features the late, great Butch Morris. This is an unusual one, as he’s known for his innovative conducted improvisation technique called “conduction”. So this video is part performance, part lecture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAC3LXwssqE
(I got to meet Butch because my spouse used to play in his orchestra and contracted the string section for him.)
Butch Morris conducting at Lucky Chengs, NYC, 2012
Betty Davis, “Don’t Call Her No Tramp”
Betty Davis - Don't Call Her No Tramp
Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley, “The Old Country”
Nancy Wilson - Old Country
Celia Cruz, “Me Voy a Piñar del Río”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsNPELxQnhQ
Heard this rock-solid classic in the park during my lunch hour the other day. I chose this video for the live footage; sound quality isn’t amazing.
Celia Cruz - Pinar del rio
Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew, "The Show"
Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew - The Show 1985
Gil Scott-Heron, “Whitey on the Moon”
Gil Scott-Heron - Whitey On the Moon (Official Audio)
Martina Camargo, “La Petronita Olivares”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk4l9XviPnc
This genre is bullerengue, from Colombia
La Petronita Olivares. Martina Camargo
Ngoni Fola
Meshell Ndegeocello, "Who Is He and What Is He to You"
Who Is He and What Is He to You
Bill Withers, "Better Off Dead"
Better off Dead
Cesária Évora, "Miss Perfumado"
Cesaria Evora - Miss Perfumado (20th Anniversary Edition)
Tilahun Gessesse (ጥላሁን ገሠሠ), "Tezalegn Yetentu"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW-R1hqKG7o
(I had a hard time picking a single track from this absolute giant.)
Tezalegn Yetentu
Little Ann, "Deep Shadows"
Little Ann - Deep Shadows
The Duke of Iron, “The New York Mets”
We Want a Hit
Brandee Younger, “If It's Magic”
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8ivjgi
The #StevieWonder tune. I actually got to meet Brandee years back. One of the sweetest people in town.
Wynonie Harris, "Dig This Boogie"
The pianist, Herman Blount, was later known as Sun Ra.
Wynonnie Harris Dig This Boogie
Margareth Menezes, "Elegibô"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPsk0l0QYqs
Dedicated to my late pal David Sheets, who hipped me to this.
Margareth Menezes - Uma História de Ifá (Elegibô) - Clipe Oficial
Mongo Santamaría, “Sofrito”
Sofrito - Mongo Santamaria
Eskew Reeder (Esquerita), "Undivided Love"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwe5PB0zkcU
Esquerita—fascinating character. Died young and obscure at the start of the AIDS crisis in USA. Apparently a significant influence on Little Richard at the start of their careers. He taught Richard how to play piano, and encouraged him to intensify his performances.
Eskew Reeder - Undivided Love 1963
Let’s wrap up the month with three. Next up is Amadou et Mariam’s “Coulibaly”
Amadou & Mariam - Coulibaly (Official Audio)
Skip James, “Devil Got My Woman”
Skip James - Devil Got My Woman
Omara Portuondo, “Lágrimas negras”
Lágrimas negras (LIVE) - Omara Portuondo y Orquesta Failde
I regret to report the death of Amadou Bagayoko at age 70.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/5/iconic-malian-musician-amadou-bagayoko-dies-at-70
#AmadouEtMariam #AmadouBagayoko #AmadouBagayokoRIP #AfricanMusic
Chess Soul"I can't pay no doctor bills
But whitey's on the moon
Ten years from now I'll be payin' still
While whitey's on the moon
The man just upped my rent last night
Cause whitey's on the moon
No hot water, no toilets, no lights
But whitey's on the moon" 👌🏽