Some sites from the Castro, including a shrine to Donna Summer, RIP.
It was also the weekend of the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate, and we caught them testing the lights for the fireworks show to happen the next night.
Let me tell you that while the poignant story of her discovery was amazing, the woman is a POWERHOUSE. Don’t be fooled for a moment that she is not a talent to be reckoned with as she approaches fifty and was only discovered within the last few years. Her voice is unstoppable and there is absolutely nothing that could be done in a studio that could make her voice do the things that they do on her latest album. Take a careful listen to “Return” on her latest album called “Someone to Watch Over Me”. I also find that the song choice in this third full album of hers is quite deliberate and appropriate. She continues to move people, and I think that’s what makes the difference between her and the fly-by-night dance troop that actually won the reality TV show she first appeared on.
Video coming soon.
How often do you get to see the likes of Chaka Khan and Martha Wash for $5!? I’m so glad we went. My daughter and I took BART to 19th Street in Oakland. She overheard some guys say “follow the bear”. I met a few friends there and ran into a bunch of people I knew. I’m glad I didn’t bring my dog, because the music too loud for me. I can only imagine how hard it would have been for him.
I actually saw Village Voice columnist Michael Musto at the Urban Bear Weekend Fair, so that makes three “celebrities” I saw in an 11-day visit in New York. Gallery and (PG-13-rated) video below:
I was on one of her email fan lists for years and I remember what an impression she made on me when she appeared on the Cosby Show. I wasn’t fully familiar with her accomplishments at the time, but talk about a class act and a decent, long life. I’ve thought about her often in recent years and knew that she was no young whippersnapper. I listen to her regularly on my Ipod, and I know what an inspiration she was to many. What a gorgeous, amazing, talented lady.
Can’t get “Midnight Train to Georgia” out of my head….She’d rather live in his world than without him ….in hers? “I’ve got to go, I’ve got to go…” Years later Gladys Knight did a cover of “Superwoman,” so I guess she redeemed herself.