http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Tue, 1 Oct 2002 12:45:29 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/10/01/124529.php Tony McDonaldThe Movie Barbershop In an article in Salon, Earl Ofari Hutchinson writes, "they (Rev. Al Sharpton, and Rev. Jesse Jackson) took seriously the deliberately silly and inane crack by Cedric the Entertainer that the towering contributions of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. to the civil rights struggle had no value." The two Reverends also requested that the section be cut from the film. How ridiculous is that? No one in the African-American community sees the contributions that Parks and King made to the civil rights movement as less than what they were...REVOLUTIONARY. The two "leaders" have been bartering with the greater society on the backs of blacks for far too long. Subsequently they both are out of touch with the community and its differing sections. Blacks are not ALL alike. The Reverends should, and I suspect do, know that diversity within the black community is as varied as the society as a whole. Commonalties can be found wherever you choose to look. I agree that the white community has given these two "leaders" currency and an authorization to speak on behalf of all blacks, as the Rev's are the people that whites want to deal with on issues regarding blacks. Both Jackson and Sharpton have helped the community, but they are not the end all be all on all things black. It's a movie that depicts a part of who we are as African-Americans, let's enjoy it for what it is. T* Video1007@blogcritics.org Tue, 1 Oct 2002 12:45:29 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/25/102540.php Tony McDonaldIn her sophomore project India.Arie has managed to bring us deeper unto herself in Voyage to India by allowing us to experience her recent changes and growth. In the first song on the CD Growth you hear a definite Tracy Chapman influence more rounded by Arie's breathy soulful voice on how change is the only thing constant in the world. You couldn't be more right India.The next track Little Things is a reminder of all those things we usually take for granted, but track 3 Talk To Her will certainly be the standout hit of this CD. Throughout the CD her voice is simultaneously weighty and air-infused portraying wisdom beyond her years. There are hints of original soul music like Chaka Kahn and Stevie Wonder, which should come as no surprise given the label she has chosen. Motown suits her well. I am impressed with the elevated quality of her singing as well as the maturity displayed on this project. She "sang" on the last CD Acoustic Soul, but the depth of her personal lessons are evident here and she shares them with you in an honest way. There was an article in the Washington Post on 9/24, where she enlightened fans on her musical influences and those artists who "move her."Stevie Wonder is a promenient figure in her life, as is her dad, a former Denver Nugget, and her mother, who is a strongstress in her own right. It appeared while listening to music from her favorite artist, she literally danced through most of the interview. I can't think of a better way to give an interview, than to dance through it. In the words of my lil' sister Ms. Mekka, "Tear it up." This review is posted at On With The Madness and Blogcritics. Music: Pop837@blogcritics.org Wed, 25 Sep 2002 10:25:40 EDT