Episode 2: Pheno's Lounge 17.2 - 'berta

The icons are passing. It feels like the moorings are coming loose and the foundational elements I so steadfastly relied upon are no longer there. You know my love of music goes deep, like cradle deep. My older brother, older by a full 11 years, used to tell the story of how he would place my baby crib in front of the family stereo and play his latest 45 rpm singles. He said he knew a song was a hit by the way I wiggled, laughed and rolled around or didn't... I guess. Happy laughing baby brother, a hit, no happy baby brother, a flop. So, music listening and later, music collecting became foundational for me. I have a wide variety of recording artist I love and I have curated quite an extensive catalog of recordings over the years.  But more and more it seems the icons, the foundational ones are leaving us one by one. The latest icon to transition is a big one for me. I mean the first time ever I heard this artists voice.... well like her hit song says I felt the earth and the stars move. Roberta Flack had a major impact on me. She possessed a romantic sophistication and class that few could compare to and soul that was full of magic and  love. Classically trained on the piano, she was a child prodigy and as such was awarded a full scholarship at the tender age of 15 to attend and study music at Howard University in Washington, DC. I also attended and graduated from Howard, but no scholarship, no child prodigy and I barely got out with a BA in Communications. Yet and still, I feel an affinity to my fellow alum, her sound speaks to me. I have enjoyed many Jazz performances at the very same DC club were she was discovered in the summer of 1969 by Jazz pianist Les McCann. I walked the yard where she walked and ate lunch outside on a sunny day on campus bench or under a tree where she probably did as well. Since the news of her passing I have been diving deep into my listening sessions of her music, concert videos and interviews (thank GOD for YouTube). All of this has awakened in me a sense of romance that I thought had withered with age and worry. That is the power of music, the power of spirit reaching out and speaking to spirit. It can make dry bones dance! You know they don't make love songs like they used to anymore, but I sure am glad I collected all the ones I cherish and here are a few... I'll share with you, it's OK, Roberta said I could.Enjoy,Brian "Katzpheno" Phoenixfeaturing:Roberta Flack - Lovin' You (Is Such An Easy Thing To Do) (1981)Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - You Are My Heaven (1980)Roberta Flack - In A Sentimental Mood (1994)Roberta Flack - What A Woman Really Means (1978)Roberta Flack featuring Luther Vandross - If Only For One Night (1980)Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - Back Together Again (1980)Roberta Flack - Feel Like Makin' Love (1975)Roberta Flack - Sweet Georgia Brown (1994)Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song (1973)Roberta Flack - Do What You Gotta Do (1970)Roberta Flack - Compared To What (1969)Roberta Flack - Qual e Malindrinho (1981)Roberta Flack & Maxi Priest - Set The Night To Music (1991)Roberta Flack - Only Heaven Can Wait (For Love) (1980)Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway - Where Is The Love (1972)Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (1969)