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<$7.14.2007$>
Stanley Clarke - Virtuosity
 "Clear"... then the unmistakable sound of the defibrillator - like an industrial strength staple gun. Anyone who has ever watched ER knows the sound. It's one you hope you will never have to hear in person.After only a moment the flat line on the monitor is interrupted by equidistant spikes. Those spikes represent life restored. A tomorrow has been won for a soul at the portal of death. The mention of certain names restores life to my soul when I am in danger of flat lining. When I am at risk of becoming complacent or jaded; when my creative flame is reduced to a mere flicker, I revisit mentors and heroes for inspiration and revival. One such hero is a man named Stanley - Stanley Clarke. Stanley Clarke is a hero to me because, like another of my heroes, Miles Davis, his name has come to represent more than simply excellence on his principle instrument; it has come to define an era of excellence in artistic expression and technical mastery. Stanley Clarke is a virtuoso. Virtuosity has been defined as one who is highly skilled in the technique of an art. I define virtuosity as Itzak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis and of course Stanley Clarke. It is worth noting that virtuosity is not reserved for the arts. In fact, it is more recognizable in the field of athletics. In athletics there is a level of virtuosity that is attained by only a few that renders their names symbols of excellence in their respective fields; Michael, Serena, Venus, Tiger. Mention the word bass and ask any respectable musician over the age of 16 what the name Stanley means to them and when they are able to collect themselves and gather a few intelligible words you are likely to hear nothing less than an outpouring of superlatives. Most of you will know Stanley for his brilliant contributions with Chick Corea and Return to Forever. Some are more familiar with the Clarke/Duke Project with George Duke. If you are not familiar with either, then you have homework to do. Prepare to  To add another personal reference to this framework, I was given an opportunity to share the stage with Stanley at the Majestic Theater this July 20th and to tell you the truth I would have paid the promoter to add me to the bill. That's how highly I regard this icon. Now that I've mentioned some of his more popular credits with Duke and Corea, I'll introduce you to some lesser known credits earned by Stanley Clarke the composer/arranger. Passenger 57, Boyz N the Hood, What's Love Got to Do With It?, Higher Learning, Poetic Justice, The Five Heartbeats and the hit television series, Soul Food are all credited to this one time prodigy from Philadelphia's prestigious Academy of Music. The man has won every possible award a musician can win including Grammys, Emmys and every conceivable reader's poll - some year after year after year. But other bassists don't dismay when he adds yet another award or another year's reader's poll, they simply say as do I, "Stanley Clarke is the best there is." "Period!" Article also published in Dallas Weekly |
<$7.02.2007$>
TEDDY PENDERGRASS: Idol, Legend or Icon
| You'll hear many things about singer Teddy Pendergrass on this 25th anniversary of the tragic automobile accident that caused his severe spinal injury on March 18, 1982. I have read many words from respected journalists about not only the accident but also about the enchanted life story of this R&B legend. We all know by now that the late night auto accident left many questioning his association with the transvestite exotic dancer, Mr. Tenika Watson, who was his passenger. We know there was a cloud of doubt as well as speculation about the cause of the brake failure on the Rolls Royce he drove that night. There was however, no speculation about the fact that Mr. Pendergrass is a history maker. He is credited as being the first African American musician to score five consecutive one million selling albums. It's worth noting that in today's music market, five back-to-back platinum CD's is still a major accomplishment.  Just mention the words "Close the Door" and see if a smile emerges on mom's face as she tries to dampen what is unmistakably a blush. See if dad allows a grin to sneak through at the mention of "Turn Off the Lights." He might even offer, "Those were the days" then ask you: "What do you know about the Bear? That was before your time." There is something timeless about Teddy Bear's music. To this day there are those who would remind us of his classic "For Ladies Only" concerts where Pendergrass systematically collected undergarments from his orgasmic female fans. What that account fails to note is the fact that TP was a man's man at a time when there was little question about our notion of what it meant to be a man. This was the quintessential tall, dark and handsome image, with a voice that only God himself could take credit for. He was a specimen for every other man to model. Remember, if you will, that this was a time of Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Clyde Frazier, Dr. J, Bill Cosby, and a host of other Black men who showed up to the party with charm, charisma, and more than their share of machismo and Teddy still made a reputation for himself as a man among men. Men of that day possessed an intriguing combination of strong, yet smooth; powerful, yet vulnerable - and Ted was a bad motha - "shut yo mouth" - "I'm talkin' bout Ted." Yes, I called him Ted - not TP or Bear - just Ted... always did. See, I'm a few years younger so I missed a lot of the hype of that era. By the time I was ready to enjoy the romanticism that the music invoked it was more of an Earth, Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder era. It was time for consciousness and social action. Marvin was asking "What's Going On?" and Teddy had gone from "Turn Off the Lights" to "Wake Up Everybody." The next true romantic was Luther Vandross and by then the whole vibe had shifted from strong to sensitive. Men would weep publicly at the sound of "A House Is Not A Home." Ted always felt like a long lost big brother to me - still does to this day. There is an inexplicable connection where I know exactly where he's coming from. Then there's the mystique. There is the public persona, then the CIA, highly classified, private man that we may never know. It's that man that has captured my imagination. This 25th anniversary of a tragedy that would have doused a less-formidable spirit is the perfect time to ask what brand of magic is at work here. Ted speaks of the spirit and how his mom instilled an awareness of and appreciation for the spirit of God in him from the time he could first walk and talk. Is that it? They say Ted was singing in church by age two and by age ten he was ordained to the ministry. Could it be that the spirit of God alone is at work in the life and testimony of this man or will the film, and of course there will have to be a big screen depiction of this biography, tell otherwise? I stood at his bedside as Ted offered advice to me--his reluctant protege. I recall what I think were his most simple but poignant words of advice: "Miles, just be yourself." He knew there would be those who would try to encourage me to emulate him. He must have also known that I wasn't equipped for such a daunting task. It's more than just talent that makes a Teddy Pendergrass - it's a mindset. I watched him through the studio glass day after day as I produced tracks for the Joy CD; wondering 'where it comes from - where does the strength come from?' Every third or quarter hour his private nurse would have to come and physically shift his dapper frame in his wheelchair - such a simple adjustment he was unable to make on his own--but he was ready to sing. He was ready to be Teddy!  There were, however, times in the studio when I thought I detected fatigue in his voice so I would press the "Talkback" button and tell Ted I was tired. I would say, "I've had it for the day" and he would concede on my behalf. He didn't want to overwork me.He might ask, "You sure?" Then he would offer, "O.K. we'll start again tomorrow." Then I would see his shoulders relax and I would know I made the right call. Then my shoulders would relax too. Yes, I was feeling the pressure. I was new to the game and I was producing Teddy Pendergrass. Brother or no brother, this man's a legend and the expectations will always be sky high. I've concluded that in a business full of insecurity-stricken "stars" Teddy Pendergrass is one of the most secure, confident, self-assured individuals I have ever met. Even as a quadriplegic he exudes more sexuality than all of your American Idol winners combined - include the judges if you like. Unlike some stars, the music doesn't make him sexy, he makes the music sexy. You try singing "close the door, let me give you what you've been waiting for" in your most sensual, sultry tones. How'd it go? See what I mean? No way was an automobile accident going to get the best of him. No way was paralysis going to keep him down. I can imagine him thinking, "I'm Teddy Pendergrass dang it!" He's right! He is Teddy Pendergrass and that's all there is to it. It's a level of confidence that is borderline arrogance - the likes of which you might find in a world champion heavyweight prize fighter. They say that it's not uncommon for PK's and PGK's, (Preacher's Kids and Preacher's Grand-Kids), to exhibit a precocious nature as youngsters and hyper-developed egos as adults. I'm told it's a result of the assumption that they are endowed with special gifts. True or not true, when it comes to whether Teddy Pendergrass is an idol, a legend or an icon it all becomes crystal clear - he's all of them. If you're wondering what that means, it's very simple, an individual to whom those words apply are endowed with a very unique quality; they decide in their hearts and minds to pick up where God left off, strive for greatness and never tire. Perhaps we can all learn a bit from Ted's example. Perhaps that's the secret he's known since he was just a child. Perhaps that's the secret he now wants to share with the world. Like the bestselling series "the Secret" by Rhonda Byrne affirms, it's only when we partner with God that the real magic begins. Congratulations Big Bro and Happy 25th Anniversary! Article also published in Dallas Weekly |