Respect the Lady Bird!

I think its a damn shame that some people have HIJACKED the name "Ladybird" and applied it to the husband of a now former 2012 presidential candidate.  Members of the gay community mainly fueled by blogger Joe Jervis constantly tweet and blog about the husband of the former candidate who dropped out of the 2012 Presidential race after a dismal showing in the Iowa Caucus. People assume he is gay because of his mannerisms and staunch anti-gay campaign. And now there are calls for him to "come out". But for me as a member of the gay community I can honestly say I DON'T WANT HIM ON MY TEAM.

I also hate that people call this "man" "Ladybird"!  What an insult this is to the memory of Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson (December 22, 1912 – July 11, 2007) the former first lady who actually did some good in her life. Read the biography of the REAL and ONE AND ONLY "Lady bird".

 Oh and now that that 2012 presidential candidate has dropped/suspended her campaign I think they deserve absolutely NO further attention. Not even a name mention.

Please let them crawl back under their rock!

Jan 2nd: I like Warm Weather

Like old school smooth jazz and R&B, I like warm weather!  Which means I am not going to like the next few days at all.  Brrrrr!

Happy New Year!

For the record, I like many am glad to see the year 2011 come to an end. I have no desire to remember the past year and the many trials and tribulations it put me through. Many of them forced me to neglect this blog thing I always wanted to do. But it is a new year now. Welcome 2012 and 2011 can kiss my ass and forever be flushed down the drain of history. Gone and hopefully forgotten.

Look for me to make The EF  Huddle Blog a habit in 2012. Hopefully it will be interesting enough for you so that it will become part of your daily habit.  I thank you in advance for your support and I appreciate if you offer feedback.

Happy New Year!

*Disco Saturday: Not letting go

**Some YouTube video links were removed as they were pulled from YouTube.

This edition of the "Disco Saturday" feature honors the memory of Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. who was born on this Disco Saturday, August 20, 1942. We lost Isaac Hayes 3 years ago on August 10, 2008.

Happy Birthday to Sarah Dash, formerly of Labelle/Patti Labelle & The Bluebelles
Born August 18, 1945


"What Can I Do For You" by Labelle (1974)


It was also Madonna's birthday recently. She was born August 16, 1958
(Video link removed from YouTube)

As for the rest of the selections for this Disco Saturday, just listen and groove with me. Most of these are songs you haven't heard in decades or before. But will make you want to move.


"Keep the fire Burning" by Gwen McCrae




"We're Getting Stronger" by Loleatta Holloway


"Dancin And Prancing" by Candido Camero (1979)


"I like What You're Doing To Me" by Young And Company (1980)



And there is the ten to fill the den for the week. See you next "Disco Saturday".

Disco Saturday: Blogger's favorite 13.

This weeks "Disco Saturday" falls on the blogger's birthday. So the selections are the top 13 all time blogger's favorite Disco selections. For no reason other than these being THIS blogger's favorite songs in the genre. This by no means is a scientific listing, just the 13 picked at random based on memory, groove enjoyment and the likelihood that this blogger will play these songs constantly at one sitting.

Yeah I love these and this is my Disco playlist on the anniversary of my birth, August 13th. I don't celebrate birthdays but I will enjoy the music. Hope you'll enjoy too.

13. FOREVER CAME TODAY by The Jackson Five (1975)


12. VICTIM by Candi Staton (1979)


11. YOU STEPPED INTO MY LIFE by Melba Moore (1978)


10. DANCIN by Grey and Hanks (1980)


9. TELL THE WORLD HOW I FEEL ABOUT CHA' BABY by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes (1975)


8. NICE AND NASTY by The Salsoul Orchestra (1976)


7. HEAVEN KNOWS by Donna Summer & Brooklyn Dreams featuring Joe Esposito (1978)


6. TEN PERCENT by Double Exposure (1974)


5. NEWSY NEIGHBORS by First Choice (1973)


4. DREAMING A DREAM/Goes Dancin by Crown Heights Affair (1975)


3. BAD LUCK by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes (1975)


2. CAN YOU HANDLE IT by Sharon Redd (1982)


1. I'M CAUGHT UP IN A ONE NIGHT LOVE AFFAIR by Inner Life (Jocelyn Brown on vocals)


And wishing everyone a happy Disco Saturday and a happy and safe return to school for many students including here at home base who returned to classes this week.

Disco Saturday: Disco Lucy and the Babalu

DISCO SATURDAY honors Lucille Ball on her 100Th birthday. (August 1, 1911-April 26, 1989)

We begin with a nod to the legendary "I Love Lucy" series with this classic disco adaption of the show's theme.

"Disco Lucy" by The Wilton Place Street Band (1976)


"I love Lucy" came to television when the big band era in music was very strong. And there were many disco songs that were remakes from the time when zoot suits and top hats were in fashion.

"Baby Face" by Wing and A Prayer Fife and Drum Corps (1975)


On "I Love Lucy" we had Ricky Ricardo, Lucy's husband who was an entertainer and bandleader originally from Cuba.

"Cuban Pete" by Desi Arnaz as "Ricky Ricardo" & Lucille Ball as "Lucy Ricardo"


So this is a mix between classic musical clips from "I Love Lucy" and the "Lucy Desi Comedy Hour" along with a few disco classics.

"Cuba" by The Gibson Brothers


"Baby Babalu"


Ricky Ricardo performed in and later owned a nightclub. It could have easily been like the famous Copacabana.

"Copacabana" by Barry Manilow (1978)


The "I Love Lucy" franchise ran from 1951 to 1960 including the original series 6 year run and the Comedy hour specials that ran for three years. But as we know, "I Love Lucy" has been in syndication for over 50 years in multiple languages around the world. Somewhere as you are reading this, there is someone watching an episode on television with the same feeling as if it were a brand new series.

Lucille Ball of course had a legendary career that continued for decades with her other "Lucy" shows and a production company that brought us classics like "Star Trek", "Mission Impossible" and "Mannix".

DISCO SATURDAY remembers the late Lucille Ball.

We continue with a disco band who's existence was a nod to the time just before "I Love Lucy" premiered. This blogger's favorite DR. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.

"Cherchez La Femme"


"I'll Play The Fool"


And I must get something from Philadelphia in here. It's been a while :) And Philly is where the Salsoul Orchestra was based.

"Tangerine"

Disco Saturday: The hot 80's in July

It's been a hot July. Well it's always a HOT July. Temperatures in the 100's for much of the country but even temps in the 80's and 90's for some in the inner city can be hard to bear. So hoping you are staying cool out there. As you sit with a cool drink and a fan blowing a breeze on you this week's "Disco Saturday" will be in the 80's and 90's. Starting with a one hit wonder who's lead singer had slightly greater success on her own.

"Keep In Touch (Body to Body)" by Shades of Love (1982)


The lead singer of Shades of Love was Me'lisa Morgan

"Fools Paradise" by Me'lisa Morgan (1986)


Me'lisa's first solo hit was a remake of Prince's "Do Me Baby" but in the early 90's she had an upbeat cover of Al Green's "I'm Still In Love with You"


When I heard the Shades of Love song today I was driving through the tiny town of Sharon Georgia. So for that I offer a few Sharons for you to dance to.

"I Specialize In Love" by SHARON Brown


"Can You Handle It" by the late SHARON Redd (1982)


A now couple songs from the late great Gwen Guthrie that remind me of my time living in New York City in the early and mid 1980's. And I remember those HOT summers in the city. Air Conditioning was GOLDEN especially when you were too poor to have it in your own room at home and the best you could do was put a fan in the window and sit by that window at night switching back and forth between WBLS & 98.7 Kiss on the radio. There was musical pleasure with the pain of heat in the summer.

"It Should Have Been You" by Gwen Guthrie


"Seventh Heaven" by Gwen Guthrie


"Peanut Butter" by Gwen Guthrie


And a few more selections you might have grooved to back in the 80's.

"Party Lites" by Slave (1981)


"Over Like A Fat Rat" by Fonda Rae (1981)


"One More Shot" by C-Bank


And we close out this 80's edition of "Disco Saturday" with Joyce Sims

"All and All"


Stay cool this hot summer of 2011. Next week "Disco Saturday" may recognize a milestone birthday in a disco way. Come back to the blog to find out what that means.

My NON Sugarcoated opinion of the death of Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse found dead at age 27. Many are posting that it is SAD but is it really sad? I hate to rain on the grieving parade but this isn't sad as much as it is shameful REALITY. It is a painful truth and the only real sadness would be IF this isn't the wake up call that it needs to be just as it wasn't for the other drug abusers in entertainment who are now DEAD. It was predictable and should not be sugarcoated. Do drugs, refuse treatment, you are likely to DIE.

Fans knew about Amy Winehouse's troubles and continued to reward her by supporting her music. The people in Amy Winehouse's life from family to business associates to so-called friends certainly knew. Some likely tried to help all they could but many likely were just along for the ride ($$$). There are many people who could have worked harder to prevent senseless deaths like this from happening.

Perhaps the next time a celebrity or your own friends and family are abusing drugs they are given a choice...shape up, clean up or DONT SUPPORT THEM. Stop buying their music and concert tickets until they clean themselves up. Stop rewarding drug addicts. You supported her talent then you aided and abeted her demise. We tend to watch train wrecks like Amy, Lindsey and Whitney like its a sitcom and people laugh and joke about it and can't wait for their next public release. The money these entertainers earn from your support also supported everything that led to DEATH. And today's example was Amy Winehouse.

The money hungry music company executives should create and enforce higher standards to help prevent things like this from happening and of course save lives. Most people have to submit to a drug test for employment. Perhaps this should also be a condition before a recording contract is offered or a concert promotion. Other people's lives and fortunes were on the line. If one were to invest time and money to promote a talent then that talent should be prepared and protected. And a drug abuser is more of a liability than an asset. Their troubles overshadow their talent and everyone loses in the end. All that's left now are for the vultures to pick at the remains. Yes, that is a waste.

Amy Winehouse is the latest in a long line of talented 27 year olds who abused drugs and died over generations. Time to make an example and turn them into a lesson so this trend can come to an end.

She should have said YES YES YES to "Rehab"



Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983-July 23, 2011)

Disco Saturday: Love in the Summertime

This week's "Disco Saturday" will feature songs with the word LOVE in the title. And as you listen to these dance classics think about being in love, looking for love and those couples who are in love with each other and the same-sex couples who love each other and who will have the freedom to marry in the state of New York starting THIS weekend. Love in the summer of 2011. If you have it, enjoy it.

And congratulations in advance to the pending newlyweds in New York State.

"My Forbidden Lover" by Chic
Not forbidden in 6 states now with New York having Marriage Equality starting this weekend!


"Now That We Found Love" by Third World


"Love Is In The Air" by John Paul Young


"I Found Love" by Deniece Williams


"Love On and On" by Donna Summer


"Do You Love What You Feel" by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan


"Any Love" by Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan


"Love In C Minor" by Cerrone


"Accidental Lover" by Love and Kisses


"I Want Your Love" by Chic


"Don't Want To Love Your Love" by The Emotions

Pride and Soul Salute: Larry Levan

On July 20, 1954 a man named Lawrence Philpot was born. He only lived 38 years but in that time left a lasting legacy in music. Dance, Disco and house music. "Larry Levan" was an innovative DJ during the 1970's and 1980's. The music he played in clubs, produced or remixed became the cream of the crop, totally smashing any idea that Disco sucked. Larry Levan proved its greatness.

Larry Levan July 20, 1954 – November 8, 1992

In honor of Larry Levan's birthday the Pride and Soul blog presents on one page an hour of music as presented by Larry Levan. Mostly from his legendary tenure at the famed PARADISE GARAGE disco in New York City.

"Seventh Heaven" by Gwen Guthrie


The final night of the PARADISE GARAGE w/DJ Larry Levan
PART ONE


PART TWO


PART THREE


PART FOUR


PART FIVE


PART SIX


PART SEVEN


PART EIGHT


PART 10 (unable to locate part 9)