Music To Deaf Ears Changes Its Name

Music To Deaf Ears blog has changed its name to I Miss Music.  

After much deliberation and countless name suggestions, I have decided to change the title of this blog to I Miss Music.  I felt that Music To Deaf Ears wasn't the appropriate name for the direction I wanted to go with the content of this blog, and I'm still unsure if I Miss Music is the right choice.

Having changed the URL, means my backlog articles have somewhat been lost in cyberspace so former links are no longer active.  A brilliant move for someone with crap technology skills.  Not! 

The content is, and always will be the same.  An appreciation of music and dealing with the loss of it.  I hope all who visited here before will return and if it's your first time, it won't be your last.

                                - Donnatella

Funk-Soul Group Cameo Give London's Jazz Cafe The "Word Up"

70s and 80s Soul Funk band Cameo brought their funk to London's Jazz Cafe this week for five nights (22^nd October to 26^th October 2012). I became familiar with the 'outrageous' band in the 80s, when they released hits such as, Candy, She's Strange, Word Up, and many more. Lead singer Larry Blackmon's infamous cod-piece always springs to mind whenever I think of the band. He still wears them now as you can see in the picture taken from the gig.

Cameo's Larry Blackmon at London's Jazz Cafe
sporting a packed 'cod-piece'

Wardrobe shockers aside, Cameo made some classic groove tunes back in the day. Their tunes appealed to a wide audience; from gangsters to housewives, black people to white. It's good to know they're still jamming and I would love to be able to see them performing and feel the vibe. Many mixed reviews have been published about their performance some say Larry is “past his sell-by date”, whilst others say the group are still “hot” and gaining a “new audience to old skool funk” as well as a revival for loyal fans. Check out this clip I found of Cameo performing "She's Strange" at the Jazz Cafe, 23^rd October 2012.

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Everything But The Girl - "Missing"

This Track, “Missing” from Everything But The Girl released in 1994 brings back such happy memories for me as I'm sure it does to many other music fans. This tune was HUGE, played on radio daily and reflected the electro pop sound of the 90's. I was a teen mom back then, my nightlife was over but girlie nights with fellow mothers and our babies were regular with a little drink, lots of music and lots of laughs.

Everything But The Girl are Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt they started the group in 1982 and were active till 2000. “Missing” was their most successful hit in the UK and worldwide.

Goodnight Donna Summer

The Queen of Disco, Donna Summer, passed away after a battle with cancer this morning.  As a 70s child, and also sharing the name Donna, I was familiar with her chart presence.  I loved her style and beauty, she really paved the way for a lot of black female artists into mainstream music.  So sad that I'm honoring another musical icon after their death.  There will be more on this blog about Donna's unforgettable music.

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RIP Donna Summer, Disco Queen

In The Spotlight - Terrence Trent D'arby

The two biggest talent shows on UK TV (The Voice BBC1 and Britain's Got Talent) both featured contestants singing Terrence Trent D'arby's 80's smash hit Sign Your Name Across My Heart. I'm not fit to judge anybody but I think Tyler James (The Voice) did a better job. My TV was on maximum and I liked what (little) I heard. Of course, me singing along (badly) made my curious daughter want to know how I knew the song so well and who sung it originally.

Well... back to the 80's I travelled down memory lane. When Terrence released his debut single If You Let Me Stay in 1987 his 'prancing' around stage was a bit too much for me. Also with his one short, one tall male backing singers a lot of people were certain he was just another gimmick artist (Jermaine Stewart was one amongst a few) and there was a lot of curiosity about his sexuality, especially as he busted a braided bob. It was when he released the bluesy ballad Sign Your Name that I sat up and noticed. Terrence's raspy and refined vocals over that unforgettable beat had everybody singing along back then. I never bought the album Introducing The Hardline According To Terrence Trent D'arby (UK sales 5x platinum) but follow up singles Wishing Well and the funky rocky pop Dance Little Sister were big and lasting favourites of mine.

A FUNKTASTIC LIVE RECORDING OF TERRENCE PERFOMING DANCE LITTLE SISTER

Terrence's vocal saxophone in the bridge of Dance Little Sister “Do Do Do Doooo, Do Do Do, Do Do Do Do Du Du Do, Do Do Dooo” was the catchiest thing ever. Some critics compared him as a cross between James Brown and Prince and its clear to see influences were there, the dancing style of the former and the effeminate image of the latter. I regret not appreciating his art enough back then as its hard for me to recapture the magic but I hope music lovers who were around in the 80's do recognise his talent and the impact his music made on pop back then.

Terence Trent D'arby Pictures

After his 1993 album Symphony Or Damn which released the rocky She Kissed Me and the beautiful ballad Let Her Down Easy Terrence disappeared from the charts and as there wasn't the internet access we're fortunate to have now, it was hard to follow up on what he was doing. He officially changed his name to Sananda Maitreya in 2001 and still records music.

Sananda! I've had a blessed and funky weekend watching your videos on Youtube and sharing that magic with my kids. Unforgettable music I'm eternally grateful for, I salute you.

Check out Terrence Trent D'arby's hits on my mixpod in the side bar

© Donna Woolcock 2012

Wendy and Lisa 'Fruit At The Bottom'

“A real sweet cup, will keep him up

Till Morning Comes”

'Fruit At The Bottom' Wendy and Lisa 1989

'Fruit At The Bottom' is the second studio album released by Wendy and Lisa after their departure from The Revolution. I bought this album, in cassette form after becoming hooked on Prince's music the previous year as a young teen and highly rating Wendy and Lisa's contribution on recordings with Prince and The Revolution. There was (and still is) something inspiringly wonderful and entrancing, to me, when it came to female musicians. I think it boils down to the inner musician I aspired to be but sadly didn't get to fulfil. Back in the 80's, Wendy and Lisa, Sheila E and the Bangles brought 'Girl Power' to the forecourt of pop music whilst their other female contemporaries were satisfied showcasing their vocal and dancing abilities as opposed to performing music.
 Wendy and Lisa at Amazon

'Are You My Baby?' was the albums most popular release in the UK. Many critics and Prince fans said their music was a carbon of Prince's style which is insulting to their talent. Wendy and Lisa come from musical families and shared a lot of their creativity with Prince during The Revolution era without getting much credit for their art. Of course influences and similarities are going to be heard. I don't remember their music getting a lot of air play on the radio but the video for 'Are You My Baby' was often screened on cable tv, Cable Jukebox was the channel if I remember right. I was intrigued, their image was a world away from the clothes they sported in The Revolution and they were funky.

'Fruit At The Bottom' is a feelgood throwback to pop music of the late 80's opening the doors of the dance sounds of the early 90's. 'Lolly Lolly', 'Are You My Baby?' and 'Satisfaction' are all funky club tracks. Undertones of R&B Soul can be heard in ballads 'Tears Of Joy', 'Always In My Dreams' and the uplifting 'Someday I'. 'From Now On (we're one)' and the album title track 'Fruit At The Bottom' are what I call punchy pop with a hit of rock. The former has a stunning guitar solo by Wendy, the latter is an electrifying, drum thrashing composition that certainly never did my ears any favours, maxed out on my personal stereo whilst I air-drummed Carla's (Wendy and Lisa's drummer) sticks. Lisa's grand piano at the start of 'I Think It Was December' rattles listeners soul for the gospel influenced melody that's to come.

'Everyday' is the one song on 'Fruit At The Bottom', in my personal opinion, that screams Prince and that's not a diss to Wendy and Lisa, but a beautiful compliment. 'Everyday' doesn't imitate him but as a fan I could imagine him co-singing on the track and the vocal arrangement highlights how great Wendy and Lisa were with Prince, totally mesmerising. With so many great songs, it was no surprise, yet totally upsetting when the reel on my cassette bust after constant rewinding years later. I updated to the CD version via Amazon as my album collection wouldn't be truly mine without it. My daughters dig Wendy and Lisa too.

Check out Wendy and Lisa music and videos from Donnatella's Playlist on the mixpod in the side menu

Look out for more Wendy and Lisa reviews in future posts

“Boy Meets Girl and Girl Meets Boy

They Promise Each Other Eternal Joy

Thanking Heaven and God Above

For They Never Thought

That They Would Find Such A Love

Singing Lolly Lee Lolly Lee

Forever They're Together

Hearts And Souls Forever Free”

'Lolly Lolly' L Coleman and W Melvoin 1989 Virgin Records Ltd

Marvin Gaye! 28 years gone but never forgotten

Today marks 28 years since the passing of Motown legend, Marvin Gaye. I was just nine years old back in 1984 when news broke that the 44 year old singer had been shot by his father. I remember elder family members shocked reaction vividly, just as my daughter will remember my shocked reaction at the news of Michael Jackson passing, Amy Winehouse and even the recent death of Whitney Houston.
  Cheap Marvin Gaye CD's at Amazon



Watch Mr Gaye perform "Let's Get It On" for Soul Train in 1974, the year I was born.

Although I was familiar with the constantly played 1982 Award winning “Sexual Healing” back then as a child. It was in my late teens, early twenties when I became a fan of his earlier stuff. Soul, gospel, blues and that three octave range he had made his music timeless and forever sexy. “Let's Get It On” ? Even young bloods who probably don't know who Marvin Gaye is are making out to that record.

My personal favourites are as follows:

ABRAHAM, MARTIN AND JOHN

LET'S GET IT ON

YOU'RE ALL I NEED TO GET BY (WITH TAMMI TERREL)

GOT TO GIVE IT UP (PART 1)

HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU

I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPVINE

THE ONION SONG (WITH TAMMI TERREL)

SEXUAL HEALING

Sundays Song: Poison Bell Biv Devoe

Don't ask me why this song is in my head this Sunday, maybe it's the heat of the Spring hitting me after such a long cold Winter.  Beats, Swing, Hip Hop delicious.  'Poison' was released in 1990 and all headz were pumping out to this classic.  Even the ladies were quite happy to sing "Never trust a big but and a smile".  Check out the clothes and the hair in the above video, not forgetting the dance moves. Choon!

How I Hear Music

I have sensory neural deafness which means I hear vowels better than I do consonants. I have a very low high frequency reading so I won't hear screams, fire alarms or mobile ringtones but I can hear a door slam or heavy footed people walking in a corridor. Throw extreme tinnitus in the mix and you get some idea of how I hear. Very muffled sounds which are confusing and unsettling so I heavily rely on reading lips to translate the sound better to me.



copyright Sand_Illusions @ Photobucket



Listening to music is a very frustrating experience at times. I tend to listen to music I'm familiar with from my better hearing days. My long term memory helps with the lyrics and the melody so I'm able to enjoy it better than songs I'm unfamiliar with. Wearing my hearing aids and positioning myself in a specific way between my speakers I can enjoy a few CD's but my preferred method is via earphones which is ironic as loud music via earphones during my youth played a huge factor in the hearing I've lost.

The last album I bought was Marsha Ambrosius' Late Nights & Early Mornings (pictured right) last year and although I can hear her tones and melody I have no clue as to what she's singing about. For the last five years this has been the case with all CD's I've brought by my favourite artists that now I've given up buying new music altogether. The beats and bass in a song overpower the vocals so I would have to have the lyrics printed and study them in order for me to truly and fully enjoy the CD. Listening to acoustic performances and playing CD's on my DVD player with my beloved earphones jacked in is the best way for me to hear the artists voice.

I am in desperate need for a pair of earphones that would enable me to enjoy my music better with more than just volume controls. There is a wide range out there that vary in price but as you cannot try them before you buy, or return them without them being faulty, it proves to be very expensive. If anybody reading this can provide me with some advice or recommend a brand to me, please post a comment. I would be extremely grateful.

“MUSIC IS ONE OF LIFE'S GREATEST GIFTS AND PASSIONS, WHY SHOULDN'T DEAF PEOPLE BE ALLOWED TO ENJOY IT !?!” Donna Woolcock

The Real Roxanne feat Howie Tee "Bang Zoom (lets go go)"

My friends and I were discussing 'ol skool rap the other day and "Bang Zoom" sprung to my mind although it took a while for me to remember the actual song title.  1986 was the year this was released and when Roxanne graced UK screens I was there in front of the TV doing the 'shoulder jerks' and the sliding neck.  Although Roxanne's lyrical skills, beauty and sophistication stood out large, props have to be given to Howie Tee for his scratching skills. 

This song takes me back to confusing times in my childhood but reminds me how music was such a great healer and escapism from reality.  If you want to reminisce on 80's hip hop or see a female rapper not exposing their body or using profanity in their lyrics, yet still remaining in that rap core, tune in to the video...

RIP Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012

The beautiful Whitney has left us but her voice will stay here for an eternity.  My childhood hero, my fellow Leo.  Goodnight Whitney...

Audrey Hall "One Dance (Just Won't Do)

                                          IMAGE SOURCE:  Thewickedisttime.com

This 80's reggae tune holds fond memories for me. Although this song was released in 1985 by Audrey Hall with pop chart success I was familiar with it when it was an underground dancehall 'choon'. For my 10^th birthday I was given my first personal cassette player by my father, and back then cassette players weren't the kind that you could clip onto the side of your jeans. No! This one was like a mini stereo with a strap to go over the shoulder and it took C cell batteries. My father presented this to me with a tape he'd recorded some reggae music on. “One Dance” sticks to the mind as there was about five different mixes recorded on this particular tape (dubhall/dancehall) and as I didn't own any cassettes of my own at the time, it's fair to say this song was played out until the batteries went dead.
 Buy Audrey Hall at Amazon

Although Audrey remained popular amongst the reggae/lovers rock scene, this song was her only major UK chart success and as one commenter on Youtube said, this was a “...wallpaper rub off choon” referring to the grinding of couples “dirty” dancing against the walls for that “added touch”. The song is the female reply to Beres Hammond's “What One Dance Can Do”. Audrey sings that it takes much more than on dance to go out with her and the spin is

“...That man's standing in your way

He's my man and he don't play...

I just wanted to see what he would do if I danced with another man...”

Yes! Very flirty is Audrey and her suggestion is not very advisable to women in a relationship unless they want a slap in the face for 'frontin'. However, this old skool tune was one that had young and old members of the West Indian community singing back in the 80's and will remain an unforgettable classic. Check out the video here and feel the vibe.

Tune In My Head

Ok, the first song to get a shout out has been in my head all week.  'Love, Thy Will Be Done' is taken from American singer Martika's second album 'Martika's Kitchen' 1992.  A soulful pop tune produced by musical genius Prince takes me back to the days of my early adulthood.  Confused and doubtful of my future this was a comforting tune to listen too and I still listen to it occasionally to give me that warming feeling.  Martika was definately underated singer in the music industry, credited for being a teen pop artist (like Tiffany and Debbie Gibson of that era), not a remarkable vocalist.

Click here to listen to 'Love, Thy Will Be Done'

                                   "...The light that gives me power to keep up the fight..."