#FindingFathomDj #FathomDjEntitiesLLC

MUSIC, MY LIFE & MORE...

  • FATHOM DJ ENTITIES
  • WHAT FATHOM DOES
    • FATHOM DJ BOOKINGS >
      • FATHOM DJ ORIGINAL MUSIC
      • MUSIC, MY LIFE & MORE BLOG
    • MUSIC DIRECTING >
      • DJ CURATIONS
      • HOSPITALITY CURATIONS
      • EVENT CURATIONS
  • ABSTON CONSULTING
  • FATHOM’S INFLUENCE
    • PLACES, PODCASTS & PEEPS
  • PRESS, CLIENTS & REVIEWS
  • FATHOM'S STORE
    • Original Music
    • Gear
  • CONTACT

7/1/2018

23 Years ... Without Phyllis... resounding black woman truths...

2 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture
Picture
It doesn’t seem like yesterday, but I was living in Lake View, intentionally collecting records and feverishly aspiring to dj. It was one of the hottest days in Chicago 95'. People were leaving the planet at record numbers, because the temperature was consistently above 100 degrees. I got a fon call from my best friend, crying. My best friend who favored the lovely Ms. Hyman, called to share sentiments about Phyllis and her departure. Time can stand still again and I will travel further backwards. I reference myself sitting in my bedroom, in Chatham. I must've been 5 years old, doing what I often did, staring at the radio. That radio played then, what remains some of my favorites now, George Benson, Patti Austin, Donny Hathaway (amongst others) and most certainly Phyllis Hyman. The tune that I recall making me the happiest was "You Know How To Love Me", not that I didn't feel extremely loved listening every tune of Phyllis'. It's one of the things that I will be forever grateful to my mother for, her taste in music. Rich, belly belting, and undisputedly SOULFUL, are a few terms to describe Ms. Hyman's sound. A tall drink of water, as the elders would say, She laid the soulful sorrows of the trails of life down on us. As I grow out musically, I am becoming less interested in titles. She is categorized as Jazz, blues, and soul. What we can call Phyllis' sound in hindsight is Blues regardless to wether or not she wrote those lyrics she sang the blues so passionately. Though she did very little writing, she became the songs she sang, because she was them. Her acting had to play a part in how she molded and "mooded" her tunes. We can talk about the ills of the industry and the twist and turns. And yes I have heard more than a few stories of the craziness that went along with the many moods under the big hats and shoulder pads she dawned. I'm glad to have been years younger and unable to witness any of this first hand. I am saddened that I didn't get the opportunity to witness one of her performances live and in person. Google had yet to be invented during the time of her death. If it had been, I’d be doing what I am trying not to do now, researching every angle of her ascension, as I have done with Marvin and others. And I say ascension because regardless to the stigma that goes with suicide, we don't know where the soul ends up. I'd like to believe that she was sent here from the ethers, to bless us with the sound of soul and returned there. Phyllis was not just soul and song, but the BUSINESS. NO, not in the trended term way, but about hers. She was involved in running her business. Her bookings, her staff all selected by HER. I watched a youtube video from BET years back, where Phyllis spoke passionately about making sure to hire black people. She even referenced TIna Turner and Diana Ross, for not seeking to employ their own people. I'm almost certain this is why she had a short lived relationship with Clive Davis, who sought more of a bobble head of a songstress. (no disrespect to Whitney) There's another blog to be written about her.

We as African American women have to hear the words from the mouth of Phyllis about being an executive and the trails of being focused tall and intimidating.

I love Phyllis for more reasons than her strong, rich voice, her tall beautiful face and stature. I love her effort to maintain and continue, in a world that only wanted her YOUNG face and voice. A world that struggled to control her talent, but not the trails of a not so average black woman. A black woman who refuses to bend, but is sensitive enough to acknowledge the fragility that breaks us. I'll stand as long as I can, for those who battle the odds, and fight depression by continuing to create in love, honor and respect of music and self.

(I’m not done, I’m watching videos now and so much is coming from it. You might want to check back as I will continue to edit, when time permits)

Picture

Share

2 Comments
online paper writing service reviews link
7/14/2018 07:31:10 pm

I miss hearing this kind of music. It is just harmonious and peaceful. Comparing the music from around 80's than today's generation, I still prefer old time music. It gives us a harmony and also a meaningful song unlike musics nowadays. It seems like they just released a song with no sense. It is all about discrimination and other negative vibes. I prefer harmonious but a realistic one. I hope that there would be singers like you in the future. Thank you.

Reply
Fathom
8/8/2018 01:31:05 pm

Thank you for commenting. We do have Some people who sing with this passion and vigor. They have become harder to find but I’m hoping to be further aligned with them as I make my way as a producer.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

Details

    fathom spits

    when i come to the jam 
    know who i am
    aint bout the flim flam
    no i dont give a damn
    about where you been 
    or what you rocking
    when the tunes hit
    we'll see whats popping
    not stopping
    though i did slow up
    to be more precise 
    and detailed 
    catch a close up
    or maybe get a glimpse
    nobodies hoe
     but the game got pimps
    i stay exempt
    and stand in the light
    fame got glimmer
    but my glow just right

    ​

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All
    African Dance
    African Drums
    Boo Williams
    Chicago
    Chicago Arts
    Chicago Djs
    Creatives
    Culture
    Dance Music
    Disco
    Edits
    Fathom Dj
    Female Dj
    Free Spirits
    Glenn Underground
    House Music
    International Djs
    Literary Arts
    Music
    Non For Profit
    Poetry
    Producers
    Soul
    Soulful House
    The Boiler Room
    Underground House

    DONATIONS

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • FATHOM DJ ENTITIES
  • WHAT FATHOM DOES
    • FATHOM DJ BOOKINGS >
      • FATHOM DJ ORIGINAL MUSIC
      • MUSIC, MY LIFE & MORE BLOG
    • MUSIC DIRECTING >
      • DJ CURATIONS
      • HOSPITALITY CURATIONS
      • EVENT CURATIONS
  • ABSTON CONSULTING
  • FATHOM’S INFLUENCE
    • PLACES, PODCASTS & PEEPS
  • PRESS, CLIENTS & REVIEWS
  • FATHOM'S STORE
    • Original Music
    • Gear
  • CONTACT