“Coming Home” is a blog looking at life in New Orleans as we get ready to meet again in the Superdome July 5, 6 and 7 for the Essence Music Festival. One of the interesting parts of this for me has been watching the Old School/New School discussion that has gone on around this blog. Me – I want both, and love artists such as Common who have feet in both schools. I want the Isley Brothers who have a million songs I know, and I want to hear somebody that, 10 years from now, is going to have a bunch of hits and is going to be considered Old School then.
Recently, The New York Times talked to Ne-Yo about the music he is listening to. Ne-Yo plays Saturday night on the main stage of the Essence Music Festival, and what is impressive in the article is the breadth of music he listens to. He talks about Ciara and Robin Thicke, who also appear at the festival, Ciara on Thursday and Thicke on Friday, but he also has interesting thoughts on R. Kelly, metal band Linkin Park, British rock band The Feeling and New York City cabaret singer Regina Spektor.
Of Thicke, he says, “His second album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke, leans more toward R&B, but it’s got this rare feel to it. A lot of today’s R&B is hip-hop-based, but the lion’s portion of this album is more Marvin Gaye. It’s an older sound, more traditional R&B.” On the other hand, “I listen Ciara when I want to dance,” Ne-Yo says. “If you’re a girl, you listen to “Like a Boy” from The Evolution to feel empowered. Her music makes women feel sexy and makes guys want sex.” For more of Ne-Yo’s takes, click here.
Writer Alex Rawls edits OffBeat, Louisiana's music and culture magazine.
I think everyone should where White as a support to Essence MF on thursday night....we do look good in white you must agree...come on....White everyone
Posted by: Pearsoul | June 24, 2007 at 09:33 PM
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Posted by: Mark Vane | June 25, 2007 at 12:39 AM
Are there any websites that details what parties are going on during Essence Festival?
Posted by: lil1 | June 27, 2007 at 05:40 AM
ESSENCE PLEASE POST WHAT AUTHORS WILL BE DOING BOOK SIGNINGS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. I WANT TO BRING MY BOOKS TO GET SIGNED! IN 2004, I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT EJD WAS THERE AND I LEFT ALL OF MY BOOKS BY HIM AT HOME. I AM SOOOOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FESTIVAL.
Posted by: KRISTIN | June 29, 2007 at 06:18 AM
I lost a SIM card for a camera at the Convention Center showfloor on Sat. around the McDonald & Vaseline area. If anyone found it or you know that person, please reply on this comment page. It has all my photo of the entire festival and memory that I would love to have. Thanks
Posted by: Michael Harrison | July 08, 2007 at 12:38 PM