I need this playlist today. I really, really, really need it. These past two weeks of moving--of packing and cleaning and phone calling and coordinating and cursing and hauling and stressing--have taken a toll on my mind, body and soul and frayed my last nerve. I need to be back in Indianapolis--"Naptown"--circa 1979...radio knob on WTLC-fm, listening to the overnight DJ intone in his calm, deep voice that I am now tuned to the Quiet Storm.
Similar to my first 32 Days of Black History playlist, I tried to include in this one songs from a range of eras. But the 90s and later tunes I considered for inclusion? In the end most just didn't fit to me. Now. I have nothing against Alicia Keys, nothing against Erykah Badu. I love me some Maxwell and D'Angelo and Jill Scott. Angie Stone almost made the cut.
But in the end there is just a little something missing--for me, at least--in the songs from these artists. Yes, they have wonderful mid-tempo and slow songs. But the Quiet Storm is more than just "slow jams" or "love ballads." There is a certain mood that a Quiet Storm set is characterized by--a certain groove, I guess you could say. I tried to think of one or two words to aptly describe this groove, but was unable to. (Maybe someone out there can help me out...) But, similar to knowing "art," I just know it when I hear it.
So. You'll have to settle with this playlist for a Quiet Storm somewhat frozen in time. So there's Stevie and the Ohio Players and Marvin and Ms. Hyman and Luther and Stevie and The Stylistics and the brothers Isley. Press play and you'll eventually get Quiet Storm staples "Stairway to Heaven" and "Reasons" (both played in every Quiet Storm set on TLC back in the day) and of course Smokey's song that gave the radio program and music genre its name.
Well, I hafta go. I'm previewing the list now, and it's hard to type when I'm raising and waving my arms every 6 minutes or so exclaiming, "Oooo, that was my song!"
I really needed this.
Really, really, really...
BTW, you are tuned to the 32 Days of Black History blogathon, hosted by your DJs Deesha, at Mamalicious!, and me--Yvette, here at SITBB. We're joined by InkogNegro, Christina, Chris, and Tami. And check out Deesha's playlist for today--All of the O'Jays' classics, including Quiet Storm staple "Stairway to Heaven"!Posted by perry032 at February 8, 2008 12:09 AM | TrackBack
This is really nice. Thanks!
Posted by: deb at February 8, 2008 06:07 PM