Old School Friday, and it’s “Diva Day”.
Diva, a term is used to describe a woman of exceptional talent. The term originated from opera but now includs popular music.
We don’t do trashy no talent Diva’s here. Just acting like one doesn’t make you one. Believe me I know, my parents made that perfectly clear when I was 10 years old.
Today there is only one choice. Billy Holiday ( Lady Day ).
Today was the rededication of Billie Holidays statue in the city of Baltimore. Billie Holiday was born in Philly, but moved to Baltimore as an infant.
The statue sculpted by James Earl Reid was originally dedicated in 1985. At the time of the original dedication, instead of placing it on the granite pedestal, as the original design intended two bronze panels, one panel depicting a black man who has been lynched, another showing a crow eating a gardenia, “representing the Jim Crow racism that ate the spirit of black people, including Billie Holiday,” according to the sculptor “, they placed the statue on a two tier cement pedestal. Reid skipped the original dedication ceremony. Ms. Holiday sang poignantly of racism and Jim Crow in Strange Fruit. Miss Holiday is back, restored, and with the intended panels in place.
Billie Holiday. One of the few real Diva’s.
OSF sponsored by Conversations With Marva and Mrs Grapevine
The players:
Electronic Village | Kim | Kevin – A Slant Truth | Marcus LANGFORD | iriegal | John | CC Groovy | Kreative Talk | Regina | Vivrant Thing | AJ | Beleiver 1964 | SJP | BklynQueen 86 | Hey Shae | Malcolm
I’m out more or less until sometime Sunday.
Enjoy your weekend.
Peace
Wonderful choice…
One other OSF participant said that many claim the title Diva, but a true diva doesn’t need to claim the title…the title claims them.
It is most true in Ms. Billie’s case…
.-= Marvalus´s last blog ..Old School Friday: DIVA!! =-.
I read that in the Sun. I never knew of the original incident.
She was one of a kind and deserving the title of diva. A title that should be used sparingly.
Music to soak your soul in is what my grandmother would call it.
Strange fruit is one of the most haunting songs ever. Lady Day’s one of the most haunting voices.
.-= Doug´s last blog ..The Reformation of Wolfshausen =-.
There aren’t many true Diva’s,Billie Holiday is one. She is much loved in Europe to this day.
Have you seen Lady Sings the Blues? The title of the movie is from the Song of the same name.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdCIsMeA8eY
Diana Ross did a fine job in that performance. I saw it for the first time ten years ago.
A friend of mine covered the dedication, or rededication of the statue. The story in interesting. I’ve always been confused at the difference between Jazz and Blues. She seemed to be on the line with her work.
.-= jake´s last blog ..Acta Outta =-.
I have loved Billie Holiday since forever! She was truly a Diva and remains to be! Great choice!
P.S. Hope you will check me out on OSFs at my new home. Still Sojourner’s Place but with a new address: http://www.sojournersplace.com
.-= SjP´s last blog ..Discovering Our African Roots =-.
Lady Day is a wonderful choice. She was my mother’s inspiration for getting into music. She even penned her stage name after her. Love the choice. :)
.-= sHaE-sHaE´s last blog ..Whaaat? Chris Breezy Apologizes 5 Months Later… =-.