http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/11/06/donny-hathaway-%e2%80%9cyoung-gifted-and-black%e2%80%9d/ a conversation about black music Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:52:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/11/06/donny-hathaway-%e2%80%9cyoung-gifted-and-black%e2%80%9d/#comment-322 Sun, 20 Nov 2005 17:36:26 -0600 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/11/06/donny-hathaway-%e2%80%9cyoung-gifted-and-black%e2%80%9d/#comment-322 Silence here? It's not possible. Donny Hathaway's version of "Young Gifted and Black" is masterful and passionate and every time I listen to it--to him period--I have to sit down, have to, because he stops me in my tracks, freezes everything around me. This song is where we can go if we believe. Silence here? It’s not possible. Donny Hathaway’s version of “Young Gifted and Black” is masterful and passionate and every time I listen to it–to him period–I have to sit down, have to, because he stops me in my tracks, freezes everything around me. This song is where we can go if we believe.

]]> http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/11/06/donny-hathaway-%e2%80%9cyoung-gifted-and-black%e2%80%9d/#comment-47878 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:33:14 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/11/06/donny-hathaway-%e2%80%9cyoung-gifted-and-black%e2%80%9d/#comment-47878 I came looking for more on Weldon Irving, and left with that and more- the images on this site are stunning. I've been listening to the alternative hip-hop album, Black Star, for which Irving played an opening rift in "Astronomy." I wanted to leave some of the lyrics here for you "Black like my baby girl's stare Black like the veil that the muslimina wear Black like the planet that they fear, why they scared? Black like the slave ship that later brought us here Black like the cheeks that are roadways for tears that leave black faces well traveled with years." I wanted to suggest that although Weldon Irvine's obvious legacy may be "Young, Gifted and Black" and his work with Nina, his influence as a mentor in alternative hip-hop is alive and present, a living legacy. I came looking for more on Weldon Irving, and left with that and more- the images on this site are stunning. I’ve been listening to the alternative hip-hop album, Black Star, for which Irving played an opening rift in “Astronomy.” I wanted to leave some of the lyrics here for you “Black like my baby girl’s stare
Black like the veil that the muslimina wear
Black like the planet that they fear, why they scared?
Black like the slave ship that later brought us here
Black like the cheeks that are roadways for tears
that leave black faces well traveled with years.” I wanted to suggest that although Weldon Irvine’s obvious legacy may be “Young, Gifted and Black” and his work with Nina, his influence as a mentor in alternative hip-hop is alive and present, a living legacy.

]]> http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/11/06/donny-hathaway-%e2%80%9cyoung-gifted-and-black%e2%80%9d/#comment-69359 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:59:50 -0500 http://www.kalamu.com/bol/2005/11/06/donny-hathaway-%e2%80%9cyoung-gifted-and-black%e2%80%9d/#comment-69359 Like KW, I was led here in search of more info on Master Weldon. I am touched by the deep humility and sense of compassion that resonates in his music. I am thankful for his courage. Saddened by the thought of the sense of isolation he seemed to have felt. Inspired by the music that allows his spirit to live on. It was not in vain. May his soul, along with Brother Donny, Sister Nina, and nameless others, know peace. Like KW, I was led here in search of more info on Master Weldon. I am touched by the deep humility and sense of compassion that resonates in his music. I am thankful for his courage. Saddened by the thought of the sense of isolation he seemed to have felt. Inspired by the music that allows his spirit to live on. It was not in vain. May his soul, along with Brother Donny, Sister Nina, and nameless others, know peace.

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