I guess 1928 was an interesting year for African American music (see my previous entry). It was also the year that Paul Robeson (a Phi Beta Kappa and well-known football player at Rutgers) sang "Old Man River" in his London appearance in “Show Boat,” with its original lyrics: “Niggers all work on the Mississippi, niggers all work while the white ( Read more... )

Unique in American history is an assertive song of lesbian self-affirmation and defiance, "Prove It on Me Blues." Written, performed, and recorded in 1928 by the famous early blues singer Ma Rainey, this extraordinary song of resistance features a woman-loving woman who proclaims her sexual interest in females and challenges the world to "prove it ( Read more... )

My little sister is performing a FREE show on February 22nd at the Air Lounge in Oakland. This is her FIRST show and also her 22nd birthday! She writes her own songs and has been working hard to make music, so if you are in town, PLEASE support this local talent ( Read more... )

Kyu Sakamoto sings for the TV show "Shall We Meet at Seven?" in 1963.



( Info, lyrics, and translation )

I'm a dork. O.K. Not arguing that ( Read more... )