Andra Day and Activist Music
As I mentioned in my previous post, I had the opportunity to go see Miss Andra Day perform live in Seattle last month. And she was phenomenal! Besides the minor annoyance of her set starting late (so late that we had time to go next door, grab a bite to eat and return without missing anything), the show was amazing. The venue, Columbia City Theater, was intimate and cozy with an energy that was out of this world. It was exciting to be in the presence of so many beautiful people all vibing to the soulful melodies Miss Day was putting down.
Prior to this performance, the only song of hers I was familiar with was Forever Mine, which I liked, but not loved. Of course, hearing it live was much more impressive. Since Andra can actually sing, being in the audience, you got to soak up the wide range and awesome power of her voice. (It was much better than the sample featured on that commercial of her with Stevie Wonder, just know that.)
Another special treat was when she allowed her piano man to bless us with his own version of Sam Cooke's A Change Gone Come, and boy did he tear the house down!
For me, however, the highlight of the evening was when she sang her rendition of Miss Nina Simone's Mississippi, Goddamn! Apparently she sings this song in the upcoming biopic and tribute album for the late songstress (which I'm still not thrilled about on account of the choice to cast Zoe Saldana in the lead.). I loved Andra's version, and after the concert I had to download it along with the original. However, in listing to them comparatively I was struck by how much shorter the redo was. Much of the fiery passion and soul of the song was left out of this latest version.
Nina's Mississippi Goddamn, originally written in response to the murder of civil rights leader, Medgar Evers, and the Birmingham church bombing in 1963, was a very poignant, piercing, no-punches-pulled cry out against the rampant racial injustice of the time. Aside from the slight nod to Ferguson and New Jersey in this remake, lyrically, it has been gutted to the point where one unfamiliar with Miss Simone's work might mistaken it for a generic, peppy, feel good tune! Everybody knows about Mississippi, Goddamn! Neglecting to adequately relay what it is that everyone one knows about Mississippi or Tennessee or New Orleans or Ferguson or the entire state of affairs of this country today.
The watering down of the song's original fervor lends to the perception that the social-political climate which inspired the track has somehow abated, although a quick scan of daily news headlines immediately betrays this fantasy. In short, I feel like now would be the perfect time for us to revive this classic and get back to the time where music provoked thought and action and engagement around real world issues that matter! Now is the perfect time and Mississippi, Goddamn could be the perfect song to put that fire in our bellies about all that is wrong with our society today, giving eloquent voice to our growing frustration over all of the hate and horror that is happening around us. I guess it's a little disappointing to see entertainers opting for a cute, safe little ditty, when they could have made magic instead.
Check out these Original Lyrics vs these Modern Ones and let me know what you think?
Prior to this performance, the only song of hers I was familiar with was Forever Mine, which I liked, but not loved. Of course, hearing it live was much more impressive. Since Andra can actually sing, being in the audience, you got to soak up the wide range and awesome power of her voice. (It was much better than the sample featured on that commercial of her with Stevie Wonder, just know that.)
Another special treat was when she allowed her piano man to bless us with his own version of Sam Cooke's A Change Gone Come, and boy did he tear the house down!
For me, however, the highlight of the evening was when she sang her rendition of Miss Nina Simone's Mississippi, Goddamn! Apparently she sings this song in the upcoming biopic and tribute album for the late songstress (which I'm still not thrilled about on account of the choice to cast Zoe Saldana in the lead.). I loved Andra's version, and after the concert I had to download it along with the original. However, in listing to them comparatively I was struck by how much shorter the redo was. Much of the fiery passion and soul of the song was left out of this latest version.
Nina's Mississippi Goddamn, originally written in response to the murder of civil rights leader, Medgar Evers, and the Birmingham church bombing in 1963, was a very poignant, piercing, no-punches-pulled cry out against the rampant racial injustice of the time. Aside from the slight nod to Ferguson and New Jersey in this remake, lyrically, it has been gutted to the point where one unfamiliar with Miss Simone's work might mistaken it for a generic, peppy, feel good tune! Everybody knows about Mississippi, Goddamn! Neglecting to adequately relay what it is that everyone one knows about Mississippi or Tennessee or New Orleans or Ferguson or the entire state of affairs of this country today.
The watering down of the song's original fervor lends to the perception that the social-political climate which inspired the track has somehow abated, although a quick scan of daily news headlines immediately betrays this fantasy. In short, I feel like now would be the perfect time for us to revive this classic and get back to the time where music provoked thought and action and engagement around real world issues that matter! Now is the perfect time and Mississippi, Goddamn could be the perfect song to put that fire in our bellies about all that is wrong with our society today, giving eloquent voice to our growing frustration over all of the hate and horror that is happening around us. I guess it's a little disappointing to see entertainers opting for a cute, safe little ditty, when they could have made magic instead.
Check out these Original Lyrics vs these Modern Ones and let me know what you think?
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