Lol.......a professional musician syas what I've been saying all along about Bruno Mars:

What did you think of Bruno that night at the Grammys?

What he’s doing is karaoke, basically. With “Finesse,” in particular, I think he was simply copying Bell Biv DeVoe. I think he was copying Babyface. And definitely there were some elements of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back when they worked with Human League. I feel like there’s just all these threads running through there but not in a genuine way.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8232751/meshell-ndegeocello-ventriloquism

Graycap23 said:

Lol.......a professional musician syas what I've been saying all along about Bruno Mars:

What did you think of Bruno that night at the Grammys?

What he’s doing is karaoke, basically. With “Finesse,” in particular, I think he was simply copying Bell Biv DeVoe. I think he was copying Babyface. And definitely there were some elements of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back when they worked with Human League. I feel like there’s just all these threads running through there but not in a genuine way.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8232751/meshell-ndegeocello-ventriloquism

Sad but true.

Graycap23 said:

Lol.......a professional musician syas what I've been saying all along about Bruno Mars:

What did you think of Bruno that night at the Grammys?

What he’s doing is karaoke, basically. With “Finesse,” in particular, I think he was simply copying Bell Biv DeVoe. I think he was copying Babyface. And definitely there were some elements of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back when they worked with Human League. I feel like there’s just all these threads running through there but not in a genuine way.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8232751/meshell-ndegeocello-ventriloquism

Finally a heavyweight musician telling what any sane visitor here already knew.

JorisE73 said:

Graycap23 said:

Lol.......a professional musician syas what I've been saying all along about Bruno Mars:

What did you think of Bruno that night at the Grammys?

What he’s doing is karaoke, basically. With “Finesse,” in particular, I think he was simply copying Bell Biv DeVoe. I think he was copying Babyface. And definitely there were some elements of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back when they worked with Human League. I feel like there’s just all these threads running through there but not in a genuine way.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8232751/meshell-ndegeocello-ventriloquism

Maybe Michelle needs to put out some music that people will actually like and buy before attacking someone else. She always has some shit to say but her music over the last 20 years has sucked ass.

She is a great bassist who should just be in some really great band and shut up.

Before you go off I know people who grew up with her in Maryland. Chick has always been strange and difficult to deal with it.

Maybe Prince was right about her.

EmmaMcG said:

laurarichardson said:

Graycap23 said:

Lol.......a professional musician syas what I've been saying all along about Bruno Mars:

What did you think of Bruno that night at the Grammys?

What he’s doing is karaoke, basically. With “Finesse,” in particular, I think he was simply copying Bell Biv DeVoe. I think he was copying Babyface. And definitely there were some elements of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back when they worked with Human League. I feel like there’s just all these threads running through there but not in a genuine way.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8232751/meshell-ndegeocello-ventriloquism

Maybe Michelle needs to put out some music that people will actually like and buy before attacking someone else. She always has some shit to say but her music over the last 20 years has sucked ass.

She is a great bassist who should just be in some really great band and shut up.

Before you go off I know people who grew up with her in Maryland. Chick has always been strange and difficult to deal with it.

Maybe Prince was right about her.

.

She has walked a path of musicianship and camaraderie for decades, some of her collaborators return years later which is a rarity. She has released constantly and spanned genres (collaborations with Basement Jaxx, Joe Henry and Ruthie Foster come to mind) despite moving in an independent direction and can still maintain exposure in press because her talent speaks more than her opinion. She scores and does music direction for the wildly popular and thought-provoking series Queen Sugar. Her Nina Simone collaborative project featured a variety of guests including Sinead O'Connor, Cody Chestnutt and Toshi Reagan. Her live shows are a celebration of music. Even her breakout single with John Cougar Mellancamp is decidedly non-mainstream despite it being instantly recognizable with that wild bassline.

.

Sure, she doesn't do the running man and she isn't wearing grills or grinding on backup dancers or taking daily selfies with DJ Khaled...

.

To Emma McG's point that Bruno is a pop star: Me'shell was also meant to be molded as a pop star but as a musician she was always fighting that posing mentality, even when some of her more radical or caustic tunes like "Soul on Ice" were debated as borderline intolerant.

Laura is this the quote? If so, maybe you need to re-think Bruno Mars.

.

from: http://www.factmag.com/2014/06/14/meteor-shower-the-universe-according-to-funk-shapeshifter-meshell-ndegeocello/2/

.

Q: It’s funny that you mention Prince. You recently tweeted: “in 2002 Prince called me a “house nigga” for making a record for Warner Bros. Past is prelude ain’t it.” But you’ve always praised his music, and you’ve often covered him live. How do you reconcile your personal history with him as an influence?

.

A: Oh yeah, he’s not a nice person. But I just have to accept that. It’s just something between he and I that I try to rise above. Maybe one day we will have a good experience, I don’t know. Everyone’s not meant to be friends. But I have no doubt in my mind that the reason I play music is because of him. And I really appreciate all his works.

.

I felt bad for tweeting, and it taught me a lesson – I can’t let my hurt override my sanity. I asked him to play the guitar solo on ‘Trust’, and that’s when we had that fated phone call. But it’s OK. I try to have empathy. I don’t know what his life is like; I don’t know what made him the person he is.

.

I agree with Meshell. Although Bruno is very talented and a great performer. ALL his music is rehashed. This latest album TOTALLY rips Bobby Brown. Which is the reason he keeps getting sued like Beyonce.

laurarichardson said:

Graycap23 said:

Lol.......a professional musician syas what I've been saying all along about Bruno Mars:

What did you think of Bruno that night at the Grammys?

What he’s doing is karaoke, basically. With “Finesse,” in particular, I think he was simply copying Bell Biv DeVoe. I think he was copying Babyface. And definitely there were some elements of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis back when they worked with Human League. I feel like there’s just all these threads running through there but not in a genuine way.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8232751/meshell-ndegeocello-ventriloquism

Maybe Michelle needs to put out some music that people will actually like and buy before attacking someone else. She always has some shit to say but her music over the last 20 years has sucked ass.

She is a great bassist who should just be in some really great band and shut up.

Before you go off I know people who grew up with her in Maryland. Chick has always been strange and difficult to deal with it.

Maybe Prince was right about her.

I've seen Meshell when she goes off the rails but she hit the nail on the head with this poser.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

I agree with Meshell. Although Bruno is very talented and a great performer. ALL his music is rehashed. This latest album TOTALLY rips Bobby Brown. Which is the reason he keeps getting sued like Beyonce.

What does her comments have to do with me rethinking Bruno Mars.

1) People like his music because they can dance to it. Rnb music is filled slow dragging trap music.

2) He is entertaining. No one is going to pay money to see some slob stand on the stage and do nothing for an hour or two and babble.

3) I am sorry but what is wrong with selling music that people enjoy.

4) His bringing back real RnB music and if RnB artist do not like it they can try and do something better or something similar.

As far as Michelle I suspect more to the conversation then what she is saying. He did not call her a Tom for no reason and she showed her ignorance by not understanding his deal with WB was partnership and he got back his masters.

If she does not own her master she needs to have a seat. Working for someone and being a partner are two different things.

StrangeButTrue said:

Laura is this the quote? If so, maybe you need to re-think Bruno Mars.

.

from: http://www.factmag.com/2014/06/14/meteor-shower-the-universe-according-to-funk-shapeshifter-meshell-ndegeocello/2/

.

Q: It’s funny that you mention Prince. You recently tweeted: “in 2002 Prince called me a “house nigga” for making a record for Warner Bros. Past is prelude ain’t it.” But you’ve always praised his music, and you’ve often covered him live. How do you reconcile your personal history with him as an influence?

.

A: Oh yeah, he’s not a nice person. But I just have to accept that. It’s just something between he and I that I try to rise above. Maybe one day we will have a good experience, I don’t know. Everyone’s not meant to be friends. But I have no doubt in my mind that the reason I play music is because of him. And I really appreciate all his works.

.

I felt bad for tweeting, and it taught me a lesson – I can’t let my hurt override my sanity. I asked him to play the guitar solo on ‘Trust’, and that’s when we had that fated phone call. But it’s OK. I try to have empathy. I don’t know what his life is like; I don’t know what made him the person he is.

.

Allanya said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

I agree with Meshell. Although Bruno is very talented and a great performer. ALL his music is rehashed. This latest album TOTALLY rips Bobby Brown. Which is the reason he keeps getting sued like Beyonce.

Because Beyonce wrote something

Graycap23 said:

laurarichardson said:

Maybe Michelle needs to put out some music that people will actually like and buy before attacking someone else. She always has some shit to say but her music over the last 20 years has sucked ass.

She is a great bassist who should just be in some really great band and shut up.

Before you go off I know people who grew up with her in Maryland. Chick has always been strange and difficult to deal with it.

Maybe Prince was right about her.

I've seen Meshell when she goes off the rails but she hit the nail on the head with this poser.

This is his 3rd album give it sometime. Bruno is going to have more fruitful carreer then Michelle and that is where these comments are coming from.

laurarichardson said:

Graycap23 said:

I've seen Meshell when she goes off the rails but she hit the nail on the head with this poser.

This is his 3rd album give it sometime. Bruno is going to have more fruitful carreer then Michelle and that is where these comments are coming from.

Wake me when he is ready.....dude bores me 2 tears.

laurarichardson said:

What does her comments have to do with me rethinking Bruno Mars.

1) People like his music because they can dance to it. Rnb music is filled slow dragging trap music.

2) He is entertaining. No one is going to pay money to see some slob stand on the stage and do nothing for an hour or two and babble.

3) I am sorry but what is wrong with selling music that people enjoy.

4) His bringing back real RnB music and if RnB artist do not like it they can try and do something better or something similar.

As far as Michelle I suspect more to the conversation then what she is saying. He did not call her a Tom for no reason and she showed her ignorance by not understanding his deal with WB was partnership and he got back his masters.

If she does not own her master she needs to have a seat. Working for someone and being a partner are two different things.

.

thank you for your personal views. Prince's comments towards Me'shell seem more appropriate towards Bruno Mars.

.

1) People like to do all kinds of awful things to themselves in the name of pleasure, just cause something is cool or popular doesn't mean its good or art. Are memes art? Bruno Mars is the meme of pop music. Is this art? Or is Bob Ross an artist in a photograph with his art? Or does adding a joke make it art?

2) Do you have sales figures for Me'shell's shows or is this some kind of masturbatory fantasy? I bought a ticket for an April show. I know several friends that are attending in their prospective cities. If we wanted to see New Edition dances, we'd go to a New Edition show.

3) Ripping off other people's music and pretending its innovation is a fool's errand. Ask Zapp, The Police, Bobby Brown - u know, pick a Bruno song and ask the person that it actually sounds like.

4) He is showcasing gimmicks from formerly successful artists.

laurarichardson said:

Allanya said:

Because Beyonce wrote something

.

One song on Beyonce's album has more personnel involved in its writing than the amount of creative output for an entire Me'shell album. She's a special Wonder Woman edition can of Coca Cola, Me'shell is a nice bottle of red.

"Weather" Track listing

1. "Weather" – 2:32
2. "Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear" – 2:45
3. "Feeling for the Wall" – 3:28
4. "Chance" – 3:31
5. "Oysters" – 2:40
6. "Rapid Fire" – 4:56
7. "Chelsea Hotel" – 5:12
8. "Dirty World" – 3:19
9. "A Bitter Mule" – 2:54
10. "Crazy and Wild" – 4:32
11. "La Petite Mort" – 3:31
12. "Dead End" – 5:11
13. "Don't Take My Kindess for Weakness" – 3:03

Personnel

• Meshell Ndegeocello – bass, vocals
• Deantoni Parks – drums
• Chris Bruce – guitar, bass
• Keefus Ciancia – piano
• Gabe Noel – cello, bass
• Benji Hughes – piano, vocals
• Jay Bellerose – drums

"LEMONADE"

StrangeButTrue said:

Laura is this the quote? If so, maybe you need to re-think Bruno Mars.

.

from: http://www.factmag.com/2014/06/14/meteor-shower-the-universe-according-to-funk-shapeshifter-meshell-ndegeocello/2/

.

Q: It’s funny that you mention Prince. You recently tweeted: “in 2002 Prince called me a “house nigga” for making a record for Warner Bros. Past is prelude ain’t it.” But you’ve always praised his music, and you’ve often covered him live. How do you reconcile your personal history with him as an influence?

.

A: Oh yeah, he’s not a nice person. But I just have to accept that. It’s just something between he and I that I try to rise above. Maybe one day we will have a good experience, I don’t know. Everyone’s not meant to be friends. But I have no doubt in my mind that the reason I play music is because of him. And I really appreciate all his works.

.

I felt bad for tweeting, and it taught me a lesson – I can’t let my hurt override my sanity. I asked him to play the guitar solo on ‘Trust’, and that’s when we had that fated phone call. But it’s OK. I try to have empathy. I don’t know what his life is like; I don’t know what made him the person he is.

.

Prince didn't work with MeShell because she was still signed to the WB at the time, & didn't own her Masters so it was a conflict of interest. That's why he called her a "house nigga". It really wasn't an insult it was THE TRUTH! Also I saw Meshell perform at Prince's "Glam Slam" club(which I was a regular at) So they did have a mutual admiration for eachother.

StrangeButTrue said:

laurarichardson said:

What does her comments have to do with me rethinking Bruno Mars.

1) People like his music because they can dance to it. Rnb music is filled slow dragging trap music.

2) He is entertaining. No one is going to pay money to see some slob stand on the stage and do nothing for an hour or two and babble.

3) I am sorry but what is wrong with selling music that people enjoy.

4) His bringing back real RnB music and if RnB artist do not like it they can try and do something better or something similar.

As far as Michelle I suspect more to the conversation then what she is saying. He did not call her a Tom for no reason and she showed her ignorance by not understanding his deal with WB was partnership and he got back his masters.

If she does not own her master she needs to have a seat. Working for someone and being a partner are two different things.

.

thank you for your personal views. Prince's comments towards Me'shell seem more appropriate towards Bruno Mars.

.

1) People like to do all kinds of awful things to themselves in the name of pleasure, just cause something is cool or popular doesn't mean its good or art. Are memes art? Bruno Mars is the meme of pop music. Is this art? Or is Bob Ross an artist in a photograph with his art? Or does adding a joke make it art?

2) Do you have sales figures for Me'shell's shows or is this some kind of masturbatory fantasy? I bought a ticket for an April show. I know several friends that are attending in their prospective cities. If we wanted to see New Edition dances, we'd go to a New Edition show.

3) Ripping off other people's music and pretending its innovation is a fool's errand. Ask Zapp, The Police, Bobby Brown - u know, pick a Bruno song and ask the person that it actually sounds like.

4) He is showcasing gimmicks from formerly successful artists.

1) People have enjoyed dance music since music started. Nothing was wrong with it back then and nothing is wrong with it now. We do not need anymore Sir Void Of Funk. If You Ain't Gonna Get It On Take Your Dead Ass Home.

2) I am talking about her crap albums. She is from the Washington D.C area. She will never headline at the Verizon Center but Bruno sold it out 6 times. Once again if you can't get it on you don't belong at any concert with uptempo music.

3) If he is ripping people off where are the lawsuits? He was influnced by 80s RnB music. Everybody had influnces how many times did Prince use a JB riff. Be happy our music is back.

4) Yes, actual instruments like real drums, guitars and horns. Ain't it grand.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

StrangeButTrue said:

Laura is this the quote? If so, maybe you need to re-think Bruno Mars.

.

from: http://www.factmag.com/2014/06/14/meteor-shower-the-universe-according-to-funk-shapeshifter-meshell-ndegeocello/2/

.

Q: It’s funny that you mention Prince. You recently tweeted: “in 2002 Prince called me a “house nigga” for making a record for Warner Bros. Past is prelude ain’t it.” But you’ve always praised his music, and you’ve often covered him live. How do you reconcile your personal history with him as an influence?

.

A: Oh yeah, he’s not a nice person. But I just have to accept that. It’s just something between he and I that I try to rise above. Maybe one day we will have a good experience, I don’t know. Everyone’s not meant to be friends. But I have no doubt in my mind that the reason I play music is because of him. And I really appreciate all his works.

.

I felt bad for tweeting, and it taught me a lesson – I can’t let my hurt override my sanity. I asked him to play the guitar solo on ‘Trust’, and that’s when we had that fated phone call. But it’s OK. I try to have empathy. I don’t know what his life is like; I don’t know what made him the person he is.

.

Prince didn't work with MeShell because she was still signed to the WB at the time, & didn't own her Masters so it was a conflict of interest. That's why he called her a "house nigga". It really wasn't an insult it was THE TRUTH! Also I saw Meshell perform at Prince's "Glam Slam" club(which I was a regular at) So they did have a mutual admiration for eachother.

She was on the plantation and she was happy to be there. What did he say wrong in a private conversation to her. He did not blast her on Social Media or an interview.

laurarichardson said:

Allanya said:

Because Beyonce wrote something

Beyonce wrote something alright. She writes everything we hear in the press about how she is the greatest performer in music history. That's about all she has written.

laurarichardson said:

Allanya said:

Because Beyonce wrote something

Uh-oh.


*sits down*

kitbradley said:

laurarichardson said:

Because Beyonce wrote something

Beyonce wrote something alright. She writes everything we hear in the press about how she is the greatest performer in music history. That's about all she has written.

Co-sign she is a brain trust.

EmmaMcG said:

I do have to question the wisdom in her calling Bruno Mars a karaoke artist when her new album is a covers album though.

OOOh, that read though

paisleypark4 said:

The OP omitted the follow-up question which addresses EmmaMcG's post on her cover album:

.

How fine is that balance between karaoke and artistic interpretation?

.

It’s really a matter of musicality and being able to manipulate the tropes in a way that makes it feel personal. It can’t just be a pastiche, where you’re copying or mimicking an old sound or just doing karaoke. There has to be a form of sincerity.

.

Also this piece a bit later in the article explains the inspiration for the cover album concept:

.

What was it that inspired you to focus on this particular era?

.

I guess it was sparked by just sitting around with my friends and sometimes we enjoy each other’s company by dialing through the periods of music that most affected us. The covers idea was more so the result of a very intense year I experienced with the death of a parent and the dementia of another. And it was nice to just sit with tunes that you love and you know in and out in an emotional way. It was cathartic for me to try to give them another life, these songs.

[Edited 3/8/18 13:43pm]