I've Got The Music In Me...

                                                   “What we play is life.” –Louis Armstrong

“Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art.” 

                                                            –Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker

“They hear it come out, but they don't know how it got there. They don't understand that's life's way of talking. You don't sing to feel better. You sing 'cause that's a way of understanding life.”

                                                                       –Ma Rainey

http://www.nowtoronto.com/music/guides/black_music_history_timeline.cfm - Black on Track~Charting African-American Music History

There are four core types of African-American music: gospel, blues, jazz and soul music:

Gospel music includes religious hymns that slaves began singing in the fields as they worked to help them pass the time and cope with their living conditions; 

Blues coupled the religious story-telling of gospel to the primal rhythms of drums and guitars – hence the reference of R&B music.  Early blues began in the south near the Mississippi delta, but was taken to different parts of the country by African-Americans who were seeking to escape racism and the poverty of the south;

Jazz is a uniquely American form of music that came to prominence around the turn of the 20th century, some argue earlier, and has it roots in the African-American communities of the South.  

Soul music is a combination of various elements of all three of the above types. 

Music is the universal language. It is calming, soothing, restorative, and comforting.  We use music for both joyous and solemn occasions – to celebrate; to mourn; to worship or just to relax.  As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I have included on this entry those pieces of music which nurture my soul — ease a troubled day — heal a broken spirit — elevate a happy heart and just make me smile.  I hope you enjoy each selection.

http://youtu.be/EfGDvDGE7zk - Oh Happy Day! - The Edwin Hawkins Singers
http://youtu.be/lmGiu9JfbIs - Soon And Very Soon - Andrae Crouch
http://youtu.be/hAi34inTwjU - His Eye Is On the Sparrow - Shirley Caesar
http://youtu.be/ODmHMKfD_iY - Great Is Your Mercy - Donnie McClurkin
http://youtu.be/as1rsZenwNc - Precious Lord Take My Hand - Mahalia Jackson
http://youtu.be/w1GvAJjMS20 - Through It All - BeBe Winans
http://youtu.be/cGWHxgG0FA4 - John Lee Hooker - Please Don't Go
http://youtu.be/NvYmL5KsvYA - Mr. Bojangles - Sammy Davis, Jr.
http://youtu.be/esrihJQRiwM - At Last - Etta James
http://youtu.be/fsjFi4KkOZc - Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
http://youtu.be/SDkjHsuOuLc - Yesterday When I Was Young - Lena Horne
http://youtu.be/qkXYqUB-9NM - Every Time We Say Goodbye - Ray Charles & Betty Carter
http://youtu.be/9gytJemzNTM - Lonesome Valley - Mississippi John Hurt
http://youtu.be/ZOTTYTGv22k See See Rider Blues - Ma Rainey
http://youtu.be/fcAmwCnAChk - I'm a Man - Muddy Waters
http://youtu.be/Kh3XOl_G_qE - Good Times - Phoebe Snow
http://youtu.be/QRefymu_Nj8 - God Bless The Child - Whitney Houston
http://youtu.be/cT1YTkl0-NY - John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman - My One & Only Love
http://youtu.be/_l9V_AmB2b0 - My Lucille - B. B. King
http://youtu.be/XodEFGIObsk - Someone To Watch Over Me - Nancy Wilson
http://youtu.be/DYIqxDfg2bQ - Sweet Soul Music - Arthur Conley
http://youtu.be/dwyr40YbnWY - My Funny Valentine - Sarah Vaughan
http://youtu.be/JB2X5dfeTA4 - All Of Me - Count Basie
http://youtu.be/CI779D2tLyk - Cry Me a River - Ella Fitzgerald
http://youtu.be/zqNTltOGh5c - So What - Miles Davis
http://youtu.be/vg14HPuXLOU - After All - Al Jarreau
http://youtu.be/_eXO7hrq2AY - Absolutely Live - George Benson
http://youtu.be/CiVDzTT4CbE - Wild As The Wind - Nina Simone
http://youtu.be/UTORd2Y_X6U - All The Things You Are - Charlie "Bird" Parker
http://youtu.be/6zW_59nFO9U - Wishful Thinking - Earl Klugh [Discovered Him in college ♥♥♥]
http://youtu.be/6BvL-i--8Ws - C'est Si Bon - Eartha Kitt
http://youtu.be/AcwYEGdKto8 - You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine - Lou Rawls
http://youtu.be/ohW1RX0AA3U - Back On The Block - Quincy Jones [Full Album]
http://youtu.be/w6DQavhJUrk - No Ordinary Love - Sade
http://youtu.be/U5TqIdff_DQ - I Feel Good - James Brown
http://youtu.be/XS-BeP1Mb8I - The Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
http://youtu.be/M8AtyaxgtOU - I'm Still In Love With You - Al Green
http://youtu.be/ypyiAT1RelU - Can't Get Enough of Your Love - Barry White
http://youtu.be/CU9Kg4pwu2k - Piano In The Dark - Brenda Russell
http://youtu.be/zcdDqTEgDwI - I Want You Back - The Jackson Five
http://youtu.be/Jzly6jrepRU - Papa Was a Rolling Stone - The Temptations
http://youtu.be/gGDgAaaMLjk - Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross & The Supremes
http://youtu.be/Rglxw5cbZWY - Stone Love - The Supremes
http://youtu.be/dXGa__ECvnM - Everybody Plays The Fool - The Main Ingredient
http://youtu.be/xroRNBvvF9M - Chain of Fools - Aretha Franklin
http://youtu.be/o49S0uyM3vY - You Really Got A Hold On Me - Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
http://youtu.be/MhRbTsI4Aes - No Night So Long - Dionne Warwick
http://youtu.be/3JvkaUvB-ec - Everyday People - Sly & The Family Stone
http://youtu.be/VOXmaSCt4ZE - People Get Ready - Curtis Mayfield
http://youtu.be/gbO2_077ixs - A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
http://youtu.be/v78-ftcqpNw - Midnight Train To Georgia - Gladys Knight & The Pips
http://youtu.be/PHq81T80x7k - The Jackson Five - Who's Loving You
http://youtu.be/dJm51jsRoo0 - You Make Me Feel Brand New - The Stylistics
http://youtu.be/BvsVVexIYtY - Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time - The Delfonics
http://youtu.be/xVYxKRXDT2I - Have You Seen Her - The Chi-Lites
http://youtu.be/wbGVh6p9aFI - Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner [This one is for my mother]
http://youtu.be/81bgy94vdRI - Me & Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
http://youtu.be/l3QvYIx0mfQ - Aquarius~Let The Sun Shine In-The 5th Dimension
http://youtu.be/HeHiio1sTTI - A Song For You - Donny Hathaway
http://youtu.be/0jVMTydhx1Y - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Robert Flack
http://youtu.be/fHjZQb-kGek - A Kiss To Build a Dream On - Louis Armstrong
http://youtu.be/B7sfs4gWI0E - When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees
http://youtu.be/t4LWIP7SAjY - Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
http://youtu.be/S9uZOCEl7v0 - Tell Me Something Good - Rufus
http://youtu.be/LTf0I5f-yhQ The Closer I Get To You - Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway
http://youtu.be/PsRoXg5akks - Superstitious - Stevie Wonder w/Jeff Beck
http://youtu.be/pWv6Nh-6Eis - Old Friend - Phyllis Hyman
http://youtu.be/Gu2JBMNBbKo - A House Is Not a Home - Luther Van Dross
http://youtu.be/lnY5ThvmhaI - A Smile Like Yours - Natalie Cole
http://youtu.be/qaYLWSo4fYM - The Very Thought of You - Nat King Cole
http://youtu.be/zDlKb2cBAqU - I'll Be Seeing You - Billie Holliday
http://youtu.be/ytLsW2K7b1Y - I Don't Want To Fight No More - Tina Turner
http://youtu.be/LZ8ce4Jdp-Y - Billie Jean - Michael Jackson [Motown 25]
http://youtu.be/n3EzU7kMmec - Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - Oleta Adams
http://youtu.be/x6QZn9xiuOE - Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
http://youtu.be/7irzxzEGk6I - Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
http://youtu.be/0T4Gqnh11iE - If Ever You're In My Arms Again - Peabo Bryson
http://youtu.be/mkVQcZRoWMM All The Way - Jeffrey Osborne [King Curtis]
http://youtu.be/PFloePvOvXo - Your Song - Cissy Houston
http://youtu.be/PVcEz8jdcig - Soul Serenade - King Curtis
http://youtu.be/kjRo_CHSdt0 - Baby Can I Hold You - Tracy Chapman
http://youtu.be/ZbCXyL_xbkM - Thank You For The Years - Shirley Bassey
http://youtu.be/B4dl6JSf-bc - Three Times A Lady - The Commodores
http://youtu.be/Da-RjeCObyA - If You Asked Me To - Patti LaBelle
http://youtu.be/fgRyh9f5cOE - Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin
http://youtu.be/FkAGSuMOBqY - I've Been Loving You Too Long - Otis Redding
http://youtu.be/P29E7YYMD7o - Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
http://youtu.be/yfSRovxLcAs Respect Yourself - The Staple Singers
http://youtu.be/SxCBu45HgjE - One In A Million You - Larry Graham
http://youtu.be/_NVVe1DkVsQ - Hot Fun In The Summertime - Sly and the Family Stone
http://youtu.be/c3q3AUp_-Ks - Celebrate Me Home - Donna Summer
http://youtu.be/H-kA3UtBj4M - What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
http://youtu.be/DUKaRpSMuAA - Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
http://youtu.be/EU4UTDrSwQc - Could It Be I'm Falling In Love With You - The Spinners
http://youtu.be/NIS4P8xbPtg - Let's Do It Again - The Staple Singers
http://youtu.be/rK3CGdyJBrI - Ain't No Woman Like the One I've Got - The Four Tops
http://youtu.be/QMNAAZk4Bgk - Then Came You - Dionne Warwick & The Spinners
http://youtu.be/3UNWThZ-kQU - No One - Alicia Keys
http://youtu.be/DW7oaNWo3mU So High - Usher
http://youtu.be/aKxrCs3P0TA - Irreplaceable - Beyonce
http://youtu.be/DsStH6K6omE - Just Another Day - Queen Latifah
http://youtu.be/ljpl0neGk2Q - Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson
http://youtu.be/FWF_o-MnIAY - I Got The Music In Me - Thelma Houston
http://youtu.be/p65sBNxoLbA - If You Don't Know Me By Now - Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
http://youtu.be/Dxeq1iYFY_w - Betcha Bye Golly Wow - The Stylistics
http://youtu.be/28HZKzpIUgw - Just To Be Close To You - The Commodores
http://youtu.be/Gs069dndIYk - September - Earth, Wind & Fire
http://youtu.be/UIt3dx4an9c - I'll Be There - Mariah Carey
http://youtu.be/3wZ_b_uUAdQ - You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder
http://youtu.be/fpEE6CgaL5s - I'll Always Love You - Whitney Houston
http://youtu.be/Ewf0TnM4eKo - Endless Love - Lionel Ritchie & Diana Ross
http://youtu.be/5EdmHSTwmWY - Saved The Best for Last - Vanessa Williams
http://youtu.be/uY3vgBzgYn4 - I'll Take You There - The Staple Singers [Close Your Eyes & Be Transported]

It's certainly not all of the glorious songs that I love, but it's a good collection of some favorites.  Enjoy & Blessings~

“We all have idols. Play like anyone you care about but try to be yourself while you're doing so.”   

                                                                    –B. B. King