"It's like thunder, and lightning
the way you love me is frightening
You'd better knock, knock, knock....on wood!"



The inspiration for today's song was the weather we had over Long Island last night. It was a typical sultry summer night, and Mother Nature treated us to a really cool light show as heat lightning continually lit up the sky. I had the good fortune of being in Port Jefferson with my friend Matt and as we sat by the water's edge, watching the streaks and flashes from afar over the Long Island Sound. They were spectacular to say the least.

Amii Stewart's "Knock On Wood" is one of my favorite songs from the disco era. I think I played it virtually every single party I ever deejayed and people always danced to it. Love the music, love the singing, and love the song! Enjoy!





Tweet

Read more »

It’s late Sunday night, or early Monday morning, depending on which way you look at it. I’m tired and I’ve been laboring all weekend on writing, though it hasn’t been as fruitful as I would have liked (I told you about the Amy Winehouse fiasco yesterday!), but there are a few things I wanted to talk about before I get overwhelmed with too much to write about, so here I go…

Amy, Amy, Amy

I do not intend to beat a dead horse with the Amy Winehouse story (excuse the pun!). Regardless of being a writer and wanting to get the story out yesterday in a big way, I am still a big fan whose really sorry for her loss and I don’t want to make anyone sick of her because Lord knows there will be enough out there in the coming weeks that’ll do the trick.

Through yesterday’s fiasco, I still wanted to do a piece on her, one that of course talked about her music and my connection to it. I call the piece “Amy’s Legacy,” because that’s just what her music is, of course, her legacy. If you like Amy’s music, but may not even know it all, take a look at it by clicking the picture below. I put links to the songs I talk about so you can listen for yourself at see what a talent she really was.


I'm placing the audio here for you to listen to of a song called "Amy, Amy, Amy" that I simply love. It's very jazzy and very sexy and of course since it's got her name three times in the title, it's probably the one song of hers that I've had in my head the most this weekend. Enjoy...





A Busy/Lazy Kind of Weekend

I think I’d be in real trouble if I ever became a writer full time. With the Amy Winehouse story happening in the middle of the day yesterday, I had to drop and then revisit articles that I was already working on. I really should have been finished, but when I’m home, in front of my pc, with no specific place to be, I tend to lose my discipline and waste a lot of time. It’s definitely becoming a problem because I’m neglecting a lot of other things I should be doing in the name of writing, which I’m not doing as much as I should….whew, that was a mouthful!

Anyway, a few months ago I declared that I was becoming organized, but just like my attempts to quit smoking, I haven’t been doing too good. Well tomorrow’s Monday and Monday is always a great day to start something new, right? So let’s just see where the wind takes us, lol…

Studio 54 at the Grove

Last night Cherry’s was having a “Studio 54 Disco Party.” I wasn’t thrilled about it, but it turned out to be better than I thought it was going to be. I still found myself dancing to the Jacksons “Dancing Machine” (She’s a dance, dance, dance, dance , dancing machine, whatcha get down, whatcha get down…), Kool and the Gang, and Yvonne Elliman’s awesome “If I Can’t Have You.” Of course there were some downsides, like Barry Manilow’s “Copacabana” and Leo Sayer’s “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing,” which I absolutely hate. Disco group Musique was there performing their funky, sexy, “In the Bush,” which was alright. Let’s just say I’m glad it was only one night. Now I think they should do an
80’s night. Now THAT would be cool!

An anticlimactic reunion with an old acquaintance

I should not have been the only one going to the Grove last night. Someone of significance was going to be there and my friend Blanchie should have been there too, but unfortunately he had tickets to a show so I went by myself to see a person from our past, Kenny.

Back in the late 80’s, I used to hang out at the clubs with Blanche a lot, that is, until I met first Marco and then Joe. As I settled in to relationship status, Blanche found a new best friend, Kenny, with whom he would become very close. Kenny and I hung out together here and there, but he and I were never really close at all. I guess maybe there was a jealousy kind of thing going on…I really don’t remember.

Anywho, back in 87 or 88, Blanche and Kenny had a falling out and haven’t spoken since. Naturally since I was never direct friends with Kenny, it was the last time I ever saw him either, until now. In comes Alfonse and Billy, a former-couple-but-now-best-friends duo who we all kinda sorta knew from back then. I’d seen the two of them here and there since I’ve been single again, and on Memorial Day Weekend, Blanche spoke to them. They’re still good friends with Kenny, who now lives in Miami.

To make a long story even longer, Kenny has been up for a visit and the three of them rented a place at the Grove for the weekend. It would have been the perfect night for the two old friends to reunite even if for a night of reminiscing and catching up. Instead I was the one to get to see Kenny. All I can say is that time really does work magic, as whatever negative feelings I had for the guy back in the day were no longer there. I’m not saying I wanted to make all nicey-nicey with him, but it was actually cool seeing him for the ten minutes that I did. Besides, Kenny’s gained a few (he was always very thin), so… (He smiles!)

Wrap It Up John, Wrap It Up

Okay, so now it's definitely Monday morning as I've been writing this for more than an hour. I've got more to tell, but I'll save that for next time. I need to sleep! As always, thank you so much for reading and we'll see you tomorrow (or today? LOL)!
Tweet

Read more »

Throw your hands in the air

Throw your hands in the air

Throw your hands in the air

Throw your hands in the air

This is one funky, fast moving, hip shaking song! The tune is an most excellent, updated version of another awesome tune from the disco era, a little funky ditty called 'There But for the Grace of God Go I.' The newer track samples the original's music, only faster and funkier and the words to the new version are completely different, whereas the original tells a story, this one's all about shaking it up on the dance floor.

I'm talking bout' bodies movin'
Non stop groovin'
Asses shakin', floors are breakin'...

Stand up put your hands to the sky!

When I was a deejay, I used to mix the two together, beginning with the earlier version, by a group called Machine, and then speeding it up even more with this one. Both songs are so good that I'm including both, as they are both deserving of a listen on this fine day. Be sure to check em both out!

*There is no original video for either song, but the 'Stand Up' track is a fun, homemade one by a fellow on YouTube called tonydivine. Machine's version is simply an audio, but the quality is good.










Here's the story of 'There But For the Grace of God Go I':

Carlos and Carmen Vidal just had a child
A lovely girl with a crooked smile
Now they gotta split 'cause the Bronx ain't fit
For a kid to grow up in
Let's find a place they say, somewhere far away
With no blacks, no Jews and no gays

There but for the grace of God, there go I
There but for the grace of God, there go I, I, I, I, I, I, I

Poppy and the family left the dirty streets
To find a quiet place overseas
And year after year the kid has to hear
The do's and don'ts and the dears
And when she's ten years old she digs that rock'n'roll
But Poppy bans it from the home

There but for the grace of God, there go I
There but for the grace of God, oh go I (could be me, could be you)
There but for the grace of God, oh go I, I, I, I, I, I, I

Baby, she turns out to be a natural freak
Getting rest and losing sleep
And when she's sweet sixteen, she packs her things and leaves
With a man she met on the street
Carmen starts to bawl, bangs her head to the wall
Too much love is worse than none at all

There but for the grace of God, there go I
There but for the grace of God, there go I
There but for the grace of God, oh go I
There but for the grace of God, oh go I, I, I, I, I, I, I

(Solo)

Carlos and Carmen Vidal just had a child
A lovely girl with a crooked smile
Now they gotta split 'cause the Bronx ain't fit
For a kid to grow up in
Let's find a place they say, somewhere far away
With no blacks, no Jews and no gays

There but for the grace of God, there go I
There but for the grace of God, oh go I, I, I, I, I, I, I.
Tweet

Read more »

In a stark contrast to the letter “X” where there was very little to choose from, the letter “W” offers many of my favorites from the world of music, from great songs to great albums and even some fantastic artists. It’s been hard to choose from amongst all of the possibilities, so like I did with the letter “B” on the way down, I’m going to do the same with the letter “W” on the way back up…

W is for so many songs…



W is for ‘Waka Waka’



I posted this one as “Song of the Day” way back on March 2nd and it’s shortly become one of this blog’s hottest posts. I’m including it here because it’s become one of my favorite songs since I first discovered it a few months back because it’s both inspirational and fun. Check out the original post, with the video right here.

You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle…

The pressure is on
You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it

When you fall get up, oh oh
If you fall get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cause this is Africa



W is for ‘Walk Away’



‘Walk Away’ is a Donna Summer song off of her classic 1979 album ‘Bad Girls.’ The song has always been one of my favorites and it’s kind of sad, but with a great musical track that’s pure disco through and through. I found solace in the song not long after my recent breakup…

I'm sure that I'll get over you
It'll take me a while you see
Next time, there won't be no next time
Save all my feelings for me

And I’m truly getting there! Check out this great, great song:





W is for ‘Walk This Way’



The year 1986 was a monumental one in the world of music. During that year, popular rap trio Run DMC recorded their own updated version of Aerosmith’s classic rock anthem ‘Walk This Way’ and history was made. The song married the two genres together for the very first time and propelled rap music into the mainstream forevermore. The hit record also became the catalyst for the resurgence of the rock band, whose popularity had been lagging since the turn of the decade. Check out the video for the remake, with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joining forces with the trio from Hollis, Queens for a fun MTV-style video.






W is for ‘Wannabe’



Who could forget those wacky, funky Brit chicks who rocked the world with their spicy brand of pop ditties back in the 90’s? Check out the Spice Girls’ first big hit, ‘Wannabe’:

Yo, I tell you what I want,
What I really, really want...





W is for ‘We Got the Beat’



The Go Go’s were another fabulous girl group from the previous decade and this thumping tune is one of my all time favorites:





W is for ‘We Will Rock You’



Queen is one of the greatest rock bands to ever hit the stage. With so many great songs in their catalog, one can’t help but wonder how many more we’d have had Freddie Mercury not left us so soon. Classics such as ‘We Are the Champions,’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’ ‘Fat Bottomed Girls,’ ‘You’re My Best Friend,’ and the song that inspired the name of a current pop star, ‘Radio Gaga,’ are but a small portion of the huge legacy this band left behind. This is one of my favorites, a rock anthem that’s so powerful it is still commonly used as rallying cries at sporting events around the globe. Oh, and I used to love that 'News of the World' album cover, too!





W is for ‘When I Grow Up’



We began this post with a song from recent times and we finish just the same. This one, by the funky Pussycat Dolls, still fills up dance floors whenever it’s played. Enjoy 'When I Grow Up':

Now I’ve got a confession, ha ha ha ha





So there you have it. It's been really difficult choosing the songs to include here because there are so many. Perhaps some of the ones I didn't choose will pop up here or there, we'll see. I tried to include songs of different genres and generations so hopefully there's a little something for everybody to enjoy. I certainly had a great time listening to all of these and maybe, just maybe there are some of you out there who enjoyed them all as much as I did. As always, thanks for checking out my blog!
Tweet

Read more »

This afternoon we continue with our A-Z Challenge and today’s letter is “O”…




O is for Out

The word ‘out’ is used in many common English phrases. “Out of this world,” “Outta sight,” and “Get out of here” are all ones that come to mind. As a gay person, though, the phrase I think of when I hear the word “out” is “out of the closet.”
Coming out of the closet, for a gay person, means to let the world know that you’re gay. A common question amongst gay people when they first meet is “are you out?” Of course, with the world being what it is today, more people are “out” than ever before, but there are still many who aren’t, for whatever reason, and that’s a real shame.

Outing oneself is never an easy thing. Because of how the world is, you really never know how people will react, and that’s what makes it hard. I’ve been out to my family since I was 19 years old. I have many friends today that know I’m gay, more now than ever before, but there are still people in my life who don’t know. I made a vow to myself that if anyone ever asked me if I was gay I wouldn’t lie, and I haven’t. In fact, that’s how my family found out…my mother asked me. (You can read all about it here.)

There is still one situation, though, where I would surely break that promise. Once again, my teaching job is a quandary for me. Since I teach ESL to six different grades in a small school district, I am very close with my students. I have the same base of kids year after year and we all get to know each other pretty well. I often find myself playing the fatherly role in addition to my teaching duties, but I haven’t and probably never will come out to them directly. I once wrote a deeply reflective piece on it which you can read here.

Overall, the people who matter in my life all know about me and that’s something I can be satisfied with, for I can remember a time where I lived a double life, terrified at the very prospect of being “outed.” With that said, I can understand, yet still regret the fact that there are so many gay people out there that people don’t know about. Though celebrities come to mind, really anyone who chooses to out themselves helps the cause by breaking down the barriers of prejudice that exist for gay people everywhere.

I often tell my Hispanic students that when they interact with Americans, they are representing all Latinos and the quality of those interactions will work to show some people that their prejudices are unwarranted. The same goes for gay people. The more any homophobic person gets to know an out gay person, the more they will realize that their preconceived notions are not true for every gay person. Gay people are just as varied and diverse as any other group and we don’t all fit the so-called “gay” stereotype.

As for celebrities, of course they have the biggest opportunity to break down the barriers of hate. Many gay outlets choose to try and “out” celebrities on purpose, whether for vindictiveness or for publicity for themselves. This action, known as “outing,” is wrong, plain and simple. People must come out of the closet when they know it’s right for them, and it’s no one else’s business if and when they do. I understand the frustration of those who engage in the practice of outing, because they know what another famous person coming out of the closet would do for the rest of us. But just as it is personal for all of us, it is personal for them, too, and they must do it in their own time.

So I am glad I’m out…mostly, lol. My own life has been better since the people in my life have learned this part of me, and I like to think that I’ve broken down some prejudices along the way, too. There’s a tune that was written for the show La Cage Au Follies that says it all. The song was recorded by disco diva Gloria Gaynor and it not only fits the life of a gay person, but everyone who is unique in their own special way. Enjoy ‘I Am What I Am’:





Here are the lyrics to the song:

I Am What I Am

I am what I am
I am my own special creation
So come take a look
Give me the hook or the ovation

It's my world that I want to have a little pride in
My world and it's not a place I have to hide in
Life's not worth a dam
Till you can say, hey world, I am what I am

I am what I am
I don't want praise, I don't want pity
I bang my own drum
Some think it's noise, I think it's pretty

And so what if I love each feather and each bangle
Why not try to see things from a different angle
Your life is a sham
Till you can shout out loud, I am what I am

I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces

There's one life and there's no return and no deposit
One life so it's time to open up your closet
Life's not worth a dam
Till you can say, hey world, I am what I am

Tweet

Read more »

Have you ever heard about that thing
I mean that real thing

Today's "Song of the Day" is an irresitable dance number by R&B singer Faith Evans. With a neo-disco feel, great beats, and funky vocals, this mix is simply dance music at its best and a makes a great start for the weekend...





Tweet

Read more »

Today's "Song of the Day" is a 2009 tune by the Pussycat Dolls that is a big time throwback to the disco era. 'Hush, Hush, Hush, Hush' could just as easily have been released in 1977, for it is a pure version of modern disco through and through. The music, the singing, and even the hook from Gloria Gaynor's disco anthem 'I Will Survive' will make you relive the glory days of that era in a fun way. Check it out:





Tweet

Read more »

There is something,
I wanna ask you
There is something,
That I want to know

Today's "Song of the Day" is an old favorite of mine. I remember it being one of those songs that you couldn't help but dance to every time you heard it. The song was performed by a relatively obscure, androgynous disco singer named Sylvester. Sylvester is best know for his big dance smash "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," and although that one was good, I think this one's so much better.

"Do You Wanna Funk" was a hard song to find back in the day and it still is. I remember hearing it in the club for the first time and not being able to find the record (yes, back in those days we had these vinyl thingys called 'records')anywhere. I don't remember where or how, but I think it was years later before I found the version that's presented here, which is definitely the best. The song was featured in the party scene from Eddie Murphy's 1983 movie, "Trading Places." If you like, you can see the scene right here.

Anyway, Sylvester was much like a RuPaul in his day, making good music and having a pretty respectable underground following. Sadly, the singer was diagnosed with AIDS and passed away in 1988. He was only 40 years old. Though he's gone from this world, he's left us some great songs to enjoy forevermore, including this one. So watch the inimitable Sylvester performing "Do You Wanna Funk" on an Italian TV show in 1983:




For more on Sylvester, the man and his music, check out this website here.

Tweet

Read more »

Yesterday's daily post was all about things that start with the letter "B." Towards the end of the post, I paid homage to the recording artists from my iTunes library whose name started with the letter "B," and as I put them down, one name popped out at me: Barry White.

I remember Barry from my deejaying days. Though of course I had known some of his songs beforehand, I never realized how popular he was until I started spinning at parties. After awhile, I came to appreciate the greatness of the man and his music. That wholeheartedly unique voice is unmistakable and whenever I put him into the CD player the dance floor would always fill up and everyone would be singing along as they danced, including me.

So today's "Song of the Day" is my very favorite Barry White tune. "You're the First, the Last, My Everything" is so silky smooth you can't help but smile when ya hear it. So take a step back in time with me and enjoy the sounds of Mr. Barry White:




Tweet

Read more »

Read more »