The Brand New Heavies is one of my all time favorite bands. I discovered them in 1990 when my friend Blake asked if I knew who they were. I told him no and he handed me a tape and said he thought I would dig them. He never got the tape back I just couldn't bear to part ways with it. In 1994 they broke up and I cannot ever begin to explain how absolutely devastated I was by that. They weren't simply a band, they were a real part of my life and an essential part of the healing path I set to after I left my abusive relationship.

Back in 2006, I was listening to the local independent radio station and I. HEARD. THAT. VOICE! I literally sat riveted wondering if it really could be true. I knew that voice but it was just beyond hope that it could be true. The last time I heard that voice was 10 years prior, back in 1997 when N'Dea Davenport (the lead singer of BNH) released a solo album. It had been 10 years of silence though. She did nothing else after that. Now, the band had continued on with several different leads but none of them could dare compare to N'Dea.

So I sat there listening to this song, just knowing it had to be her and after the song was over, the radio host said it was a brand new track from the Brand New Heavies and that she had rejoined the band





OMG! Well, in August my wonderful, amazing and beautiful friend Guillermo (TheResistor) played a central role in helping the unthinkable to happen to me. He bought tickets for the Brand New Heavies concert at the House of Blues in LA and my long wandering in the desert of songless drought changed Sunday August 26th, 2007 was one of the best nights of my life X INFINITY!!!!! Now this was just unthinkable to me. Here this was happening, when really it almost never should have. When bands break up, they generally don't get back together. Many times the magic of past days cannot be recaptured even when they do.

They released this album last year:



It's definitely a strong album, and one that really has grown on me, but there isn't really one of those signature N'Dea songs like "Dream Come True", "Stay This Way", "Never Stop", "Forever", "Keep Together" or "Daybreak". I thought that maybe something had happened to her voice, that maybe she had some vocal damage or surgery or something. I wasn't really sure because her absence from the music scene all these years left me pondering all the possibilities. And I'm not saying she doesn't sing on this album because she does. And she sounds great but there wasn't that super punch that she is known to give. Listen to any of those songs I just cited and you will understand what I'm saying.

It still is a great album by all measures. But for me her VOICE is the thing that hooked me to this band and like a crack addict, I cannot get enough of it and just wanted all I could get after them being apart for so long. I will say though, that this album is exciting in that they didn't stick with the blueprint of their previous music. They really branched out with some different sounds for them and I love that about this album. The most familiar of the songs is "Let's Do It Again" and "All Fired Up". Those are so them, and "I don't Know Why I Love You" being the most shining example of her throwing down vocally. But I seriously wanted all tracks to be blowfests. Call me greedy if you must

So we get there early enough to snag a spot at the front of the stage. I can't tell you the nervous excitement I felt. I just couldn't believe this was really happening. So we were talking about the different songs we hoped that they would play and were just jammin along to the DJ cuts they were playing before the took the stage. Finally the lights dim and the show is on.

The band was dressed to the 9s and Miss Davenport had a black glittery dress on. Looking fine as ever All ideas I had about the possibility of her losing some of her vocal ability were thrown right the hell out the window as soon as she opened her mouth WOW!!!! Just WOW!!. She hadn't lost a damn thing. And they played every single song we wanted except for one! The whole time during this concert they are just playing the soundtrack of my life. All the songs that mean so much to me. This wasn't just music, this was my heart and soul. And you would have thought I was at church because the whole show I had my hands in the air in straight up worship and I was singing my heart out as if there were no tomorrow. There was no mistaking it..... I was clearly devoted to this band and their music.

So during the show I had a realization. I realized that their albums (and her solo) were released at very distinct and pivotal parts of my life. Their first album, self titled, only featured her on 4 tracks. The rest were instrumentals. But those songs are SO AMAZING that it was irrelevant that she sang on less than half the album. Those songs were just so stellar that they made me an instant fan and connected to this band:



She is not even featured on the album covered but damn is there a gem inside. An absolute pearl.

"Dream Come True"




"Never Stop"




"Stay This Way"



There is just a joy that shines through in this early stuff So different than what was happening in popular music at the time.


That album came out when I was 20 and still believed in the hope and utopianism of Love. This was back before I entered the absolute nightmare that was my relationship with my ex Paul. I look back on the idealism of those days and it makes me want to weep. Aging has a way of corrupting your dreams and when I look at the dark places that I went in the years after the first album came out, I cannot do anything but respect the innocence of my spirit at this time. Those songs are just about the purity of Love, believin in it and reveling in the thunder and flowers it brings. It was what I believed at the time and why I connected so hard to her music.

For anyone who hasn't read my article on domestic abuse, I wrote about it here:

http://www.prince.org/msg/100/114206

The state of my life, my mind and my spirit was in shambles at the time their second album found its way into my hands. I didn't come to purchase it until after I had split from my ex. I lost so much of my music collection when I was with him. One time he tried baiting me into a reaction as an excuse to fight with me and he took my CDs and snapped them into a pile on the floor one by one. I acted as if it didn't bother me in the slightest even though inside I was screaming in anguish. Music has always been the thing that has gotten me through all my dark times. As a kid I was tortured and thus spent most of my time alone. It was really the only way for me to be safe from the world. Music has always been my salvation.

So after I had left him I had moved back into the apartment we had shared, by myself, and I was in the position to be able to reclaim my musical life. This album was instrumental in helping me find solace, peace, healing and strength. There were many albums that did this for me but this was just one of the most important for me:





It was during her singing Brother Sister that I really started to realize how how hard those times were and how far I had come and I cried:

In my head, those words remind me what
Grandma Said, at times you'll feel a sting
There'll be sharp turns and uphills and closed doors.

Then she said hold onto your faith,
don't be scared go out there
Just stand up
Be strong
Go out there
Hold on
to the real things
that matter
cuz noones gonna hand it to you on a silver platter.....

I cannot tell you the measures of faith this song helped me to achieve. The whole album really. Especially when I think of my grandmother and how much of an inspiration she is to me. Her passing in 95 hurt me so badly but this song reminds me of all her love, all her strength, all her inspiration and the fact that I am cut from the same cloth as her only serves to remind me that I carry on the love, strength and inspiration. I spent 3 years in destruction and the songs from this album helped me to believe again. Not too long after getting Brother Sister, they broke up Only 2 albums under their belt and *poof* done. I couldn't believe something so magical could just disappear.

From what I have been able to piece together from research here and there (feel free to clarify if you know different), The Brand New Heavies were a stock band on Delicious Vinyl and the band did some sessions with Jay Ella Ruth. The label decided that they wanted to pair them up with N'Dea Davenport after Jay Ella Decided to leave. They then redid the songs they did with Jay Ella. N'Dea had signed an artist development deal and was basically on loan to the band. After the 2 records, N'Dea decided to pursue a solo venture.

Now, I went to Chicago in September and while there I found a Brand New Heavies Compilation of stuff that they recorded with Jay Ella Ruth. And I really don't want to disrespect the woman but the difference is just night and day and this band, IMO would not have taken off had they kept her. She did an OK job vocally but when you compare the versions, N'Dea just breathed such life into those songs with the purity and strength of her voice.


Anyway, so here we are and I'm hearing her singing all of these songs that have marked so much of my life and I was completely swept up in the enormity of what this band and their music has meant to me. So the concert ends and the club makes an announcement that the band will be staying to sign posters and CDs OMG! I could not waste this opportunity and so I stood there thinking of exactly how I was going to say what I had to say without taking up too much time in the line or aggravating the guards and stuff. So I stood in line and bought another CD and I had the band sign my poster but I saved the CD especially for N'Dea.

So I walked up and she said:

You were up at the front weren't you?



I saw you!

I would like to say something.

OK.

I just wanted to really just say thank you for your music. I had a revelation of sorts as I was listening to the show. I realized that all your albums came out at very distinct and definitive periods in my life. Your first album came out when I was first discovering myself and before I went into an abusive relationship. Your second album came out after I had left that relationship and it became part of my healing. Your solo album came out when I was very sick and thought I was dying and the song "Placement for the Baby" gave me so much comfort and so much peace during that time.

Oh my God, you're going to make me cry.

And now this album comes out and I'm at a point in my life where I'm pursuing becoming a counselor to help abused people and people in my community.

You are coming into your own I have a story about coming into my own and I haven't told it yet but I will One day you'll hear all about it Here, let me give you a hug.

And we hugged!!!!! OMG!!!! CRYING! I just could not pass up the opportunity to express to one of my biggest musical heroes the impact of her art on my life. Thank you Guillermo for making this possible. It was one of the stellar highlights of the year, and of my life. I will never forget it

.
[Edited 1/28/08 13:25pm]

^ OMG, I can’t wait to read all this… your BNH dissertation!

I too am a big fan of this group. the first cd is a classic beyond the beyond. I was so pleased yet shocked that they were not even acknowledged by the folks who attened the esssence festival. this was a one of a kind essence festival--loose ends, brand new heavies and not too many people acknowledged either one. but the line was long for cedric the entertainer. not being mad at him at all, but here are two groups--one from london to come all the way to the 2006 festival to no one who wanted their autographs. Well, brand new heavies made a little noise that day. Although I hear that both of these groups rocked at the night concerts, no one really stood in line for them. these two groups put as far as I am concerned a different twist and paved the way for r&b to go in the direction it has gone and endure. I am feeling this story you have here.

What a wonderful experience! I didn’t think there could be anyone who enjoyed BNH as much as me. So much of what you expressed about their music and N’Dea resonated with me. The first time I saw them I was amazed at how much energy she had. That woman RUNS that band.

I was sooo hurt when they broke up. I know exactly what you mean about their latest effort too but I’m so glad they are back together.

Music, especially live music can really touch, heal, change a person’s life. It can be a profound experience if you truly love live performances and believe in the power of the energy that comes from it. I’m so glad you had an awesome time but you were seeing BNH so there’s no way you couldn’t have a good time!

That's an incredible story Richard. I remember when we talked about them a while back. Your story also reminds me of how wonderful music is and what music can do to ones soul. It's supposed to uplift and inspire and this is a clear case in point of the good that music can do in ones life. Damn, you got me all smilling in my cubicle at work! I'm definately picking up one of their CD's once my money gets back in order. Thanks for sharing Mr Supa!

I remember meeting india.arie and Robin Thicke and being able to tell them what their music has meant to me. India got tears in her eyes. I know people blow off Robin Thicke's music but the lyrics to one of his songs helped me get through a deep depression.

it is always so amazing reading your writing, Richard.

I saw them in 2006 in Copenhagen..They still funk !

Supa, thanks for sharing... I actually braved a drunken MTV Spring Break crowd back in the day to see BNH live!!... They're up there with my favorite "under-the-radar" bands like The Family Stand, Dee-Lite and Repercussions... Whats up with their L.A. show on 2/8?? You going??... Again, thanks for letting us in on your experience.

My favorite BNH video.
[Edited 1/25/08 14:31pm]
[Edited 1/25/08 14:36pm]

Altho not one of my favourite bands,your story was
uplifting and really cool to read Supa.
Thanx for sharing!
/peace Manki

I just don't ride for this group the same way you do, however, the story you tell from the perspective of a music fan is universal.

Pretty awesome you got to meet her and weren't frozen silent like a mime.

BTW - This would make a GREAT blog

keep that avatar...Its a Mutha !

manki said:

Wow! Wow! Wow! That was an awesome read! How freaking cool is the fact that you got to actually talk, hug and cry with N'Dea?

I always knew you were good people, that's just another perfect example of it!

"Never Stop" is unquestionably one of my favorite songs of the '90s.

I'm gona have to check their latest album out. My fave ever song by them is Shelter, its bloody awesome.

DiminutiveRocker said:

I swear I was thinkin' the same think. Its beyond me how he, Paligap and Uncle Neal(theAudience) don't have their own blogs.

I still remember his LoveSexy tribute thread like it was yesterday, it had THAT impression on me. I think he still saved it in his profile.

As for BNH, your story says it all,,,I remember you talking briefly about your meeting with N.Dea before,,,I'm SO glad you got into details this time around.

P.S. You're killing me SLOW with these avatars

I love how cool brother man is playin that guitar. Get down cool.

N'Dea and some butter, all I'm sayin. wink,

I only just noticed this thread , you know of my love for BNH Supa

Now that N'dea is back with them , well Im happy , over the moon , they never were quite the same without her , her vocals are in a different league to all the other vocalists they used .

One of the best concerts I went to years ago , they were promoting Brother Sister and N'dea just ripped the roof straight off , pure contagious energy and the voice of an angel and a smile that can brighten up the whole damned room .

They could get a bit soft jazz for my tastes, but they were really talented.

2freaky4church1 said:

The reason they went soft jazz is because they had broads who couldn't blow like N'Dea

Damn Supa That's pretty amazing that they're music has touched on so many key points in your life! I'm glad you got to tell her about it "Brother Sister" is my absolute favorite by them, glad that's one that moves you.

I saw them open for Macy Gray @ the Fillmore last year & they were fantastic, it was my first time seeing them live. SO awesome that they're back together!!!

CalhounSq said:

The Brand New Heavies opened for Macy Gray?!? WTF?

AlexdeParis said:

Yea, weird right? I was just happy to see 2 acts I dig on the same night

They did do a small club (as the main act) in SF earlier that year but I had to miss it

<--- Seidah fan.




Great to hear ND is back in the mix, for sure.

ThreadBare said:

loves Seidah...but not with BNH...sorry

Amazing story, mr. Thanks for sharing. I had that one day with my favourite Dutch singer.

Rhondab said:

I liked "Sometimes" well enough, but I never bothered to hear the rest of it.

BTW, Rhonda, that new avatar is hot!

FWIW, I have to question the decision to release a cover as a comeback single. It's not one of Stevie's most well-known songs, but I still don't think it was the right move.
[Edited 1/27/08 9:55am]

thanks for sharing, I love the way you write baby, I felt like I was the woman standing behind you in that autograph line with tears in her eyes as I over heard everything you said to her.

You're such a beautiful soul...your real adventure is just beginning.

I love this band and can't wait to hear this new disc.