Tag Archives: Chuck Berry

“Tell Me Can You Hear Me Now.”

This was my last back to back to back listen. The last song on Cowboy Carter was “Amen.” It is precisely what I felt like saying at the end of it, too as an angelic chorus signed off sweetly singing “Amen.”

Beyonce asks us to tell her we can hear her. It is a definitive yes and can I have more, please? But I know she is not asking those who are already fans or beliefs most likely align with hers, she is asking everyone. Not begging. But telling them, I spoke, I shouted, I sang, I whispered and I growled on these tracks. Did you hear me? I invited Linda Martell, Willie Nelson, Shaboozey, Willie Jones, Dolly Parton, and a host of others, honored Mr. Chuck Berry and invoked the spirit of Ms. Tina Turner thee Legend. Did you hear me? I cracked your heart open with my ballads, turned you on and made you shake and sweat. Did you hear me? I didn’t stick to my lane. Did you hear me? I called out your hypocrisy and rejection. Tell. Me. You. Can. Hear. Me.

I did, girl. I heard you.

And your voice asked me to give you twenty-seven days.

Amen.

“I stayed away from you too long.”

I have one more week to go of Cowboy Carter musings. I don’t regret a single second of devoting my time to these listens. It has brought back the joy of yesteryear—cracking open the CD, slipping the book from the plastic and singing along to the lyrics, cozied up in my room.

Today was the “Oh Louisiana” interlude by Chuck Berry. I wanted to listen to the whole song but what was presented was 53 seconds. Just enough for a taste and maybe just enough to tickle the curiosity of the listener to discover or revisit Chuck Berry’s discography. I understand Beyonce has made references to her Louisiana heritage on her mother’s side in her music. I love she is proud of her heritage and she took the time to tip her hat to Mr. Berry. It is just more proof she is honoring the true kings and queens of American music.

Maybe we as listeners have stayed away too long from our families, from the places we have hailed from, from who we truly are and it just may be time to come home.

“Don’t Let Go.”

I almost didn’t write this today. After all, it’s “just” an interlude, “Smoke Hour” with Willie Nelson that features song clips from Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Roy Hamilton, Chuck Berry, Charles Anderson and Son House. But this sixth track isn’t “just” anything.

There was an intention.

It’s let me give you the history, the foundation on which country and rock and blues and gospel was built. You are going to hear it and if your ignorance won’t allow you to hear it, even with Willie playing it, that’s on you. You have chosen your truth even if it’s a lie.

And another truth comes into view: There is nothing new under the sun. We are ever in the practice of highlighting, attributing, borrowing, paying tribute with our homages, and being influenced by those who come before us. I spent hours today in the company of poets who read original work but undoubtedly there was the influence of religious texts, other poets, and musicians. It is all around us and we cannot help it sinks deep into our psyche, falling in step with our thoughts, coming out to play in the expression of our art.

We only need to say thank you and play the next song.