The Buggles

Eargasms Volume 3: The Video Edition

For those of us of a certain age and generation we not only grew up listening to music but looking at it as well. I often discuss how shows like "The Electric Company"  and Saturday morning learning tools like "SchoolHouse Rock" No taught us multiplication, the constitution's preamble, and what the function for a conjunction was (hooking up words and phrases and clauses). All conveniently set to music to make it fun. Video didn't exactly kill the radio star  like The Buggles predicted but it did change the way music was produced.

MTV was an upstart cable station that only played white artists before Michael Jackson broke through with his legendary song, "Billie Jean" from his landmark album, "Thriller". It's easy to forget what kind of an impact he had on music worldwide with all the "Wacko Jacko" references of today. Do you remember seeing him perform on the Motown 25 special?  I expect an e-mail if you admit you had a Jheri Curl. (Don't front)! You know you practiced your moon walk, maybe even had one glove, did the choreography from "Beat It", or had a red leather jacket. It was different from anything we had experienced before.

Music had been filmed previously for television and for advertising purposes but never packaged visually for the consumer. YouTube, along with search engines Google and Yahoo lead the industry in being able to find videos of just about anything from classic performances by Minnie Ripperton  singing, "Loving You" or the original cast of "Dreamgirls" from the 1982 Tony Awards. It includes an edited version of "It's All Over" and Jennifer Holiday's performance of "And I Am Telling You" I once heard of that song described as, "a nervous breakdown set to music" watching Ms. Holliday you definitely understand the sentiment. I must have been 11 or so when I saw this on television. I knew nothing of love or a man leaving me but watching this I was keenly aware of the pain she felt. Of course the song is now celebrated and many performers at amateur night on "Showtime at the Apollo" have tried to match her.

The only singers I have seen even come close or put their own stamp on it are Lillias White (the original understudy to Jennifer Holliday, played Effie in the 1987 National Tour, and in the concert recording of the show from 2002), and Oscar® Winner Jennifer Hudson

Because current music video providers like BET & MTV are bombarded with videos that are poor imitations of each other I find myself turning to the internet to keep up with some of my favorite artists. Arrested Development has a great clip for their song, "Miracles"  and I can go Old Skool and check out the fellas from De la Soul with the archetypal "Me, Myself, And I" For that dose of sensuality you can check out D'Angelo in the infamous "Untitled",  him being naked and asking "how does it feel" is still very appealing and arousing. It feels damn good to watch that and imagine the possibilities.

The original video for the song "Closer" by Goapele is one of the most beautiful offerings I have ever seen,  and if you're going through a break up let Kelis with the aid of Hype Williams get you through. This is a great video and song that should've gotten more attention  Although this is not a music video per se this clip showcases the combined spoken word talents of Jill Scott and Mos Def on "Love Rain".

Two great vocalists, one of which is no longer with us but whose music will live forever, Luther Vandross and Tamyra Grey, who was my favorite the first season of American Idol move us with the same song "A House Is Not A Home". Luther's is from the 1988 NAACP Awards  Tamyra's is during "Burt Bacrarch" night of AI's inaugural (Kelly Clarkson) year

As gospel music seems to adopt such a contemporary stance that it's hard to distinguish it from secular music (a discussion for another time) it's good to go back and see the past. Yvette Flunder a lead vocalist with Walter Hawkins' Love Center choir probably most well known for her lead on "Thank You",  is now a Bishop and Pastor of City of Refuge in San Francisco an affirming church for the Black GLBT Community. Remember when there were, count 'em 5 Clark Sisters?  You could already tell that Dorinda would be a minister/evangelist

A few of my all time videos from YouTube are not actual music videos. Actor, Model, and T-Shirt designer Dave Reed (DrugFreeDave) posts himself in comical situations. The guy is flat out adorable. Here he lip synchs to "Ladies Who Lunch"  from the Broadway musical "Company" and with a friend offers his contribution to the "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" craze  I have loved figure skater Michelle Kwan since the first time I saw her. Her magical performance from the 1998 Nationals (and others) can be found on line and who can forget out figure skater Rudy Galindo's triumph in his home town of San Jose, CA  both are extraordinary performances for the ages.

It has just been announced that Donnie will be a featured performer at this year's Black Gay Pride celebration in Los Angeles. "At The Beach"  is one of the premiere celebrations for African American GLBT's across the country. It's popular "Beach Party" in Malibu is a great setting for this amazing artist. The event also has other activities during the week including community forums, a literary salon, and spoken word event. Donnie had one of the best albums of the last few years with "The Colored Section" and here is a clip from his latest "If I Were You"  from his new album "The Daily News". He is scheduled to perform on July 7 as part of the festivities.

Video is not going away it is a medium that is accessible to everyone. Even independent artists can now promote their work on line to gain popularity. Video can also be downloaded to portable players, video IPODS, and other mediums so you can enjoy listening and watching music in any forum at any time…