02.19.08
Happy birthday to an American treasure
On the occasion of Smokey Robinson’s 68th, Powerline posts this video of the Miracles from the Golden Age of Motown. I think Powerline’s commentary puts this towering musical figure in a very accurate perspective, too.
In Berry Gordy Jr.’s autobiography, To Be Loved, he says that Motown used to hold a meeting of the songwriting staff every Friday morning. Gordy would lock the door to the room at 9 o’clock, the rule being that no late-comers would be allowed in. He said that a few minutes after 9, there would inevitably be Robinson, pounding on the door, pleading that he had a great song idea and needed to be admitted. Gordy says, “Of course, I’d let him in, because, well, he was Smokey.”
Mr. Dings said,
February 19, 2008 at 7:43 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZASXSlONOY&feature=related
Ahh, yes, an American treasure indeed, no tragedy here, for the just man who riseth again, of course God will let him in, because, well, he was Smokey. Let’s hear it for feeling, truth, redemption. Happy Birthday Smokey. How heartening!
What’s it all about, this crazy love
How did our two worlds entwine
How do I fit in to your life
How did you get into mine
I belong to someone else we know
Back when first we met
Oh, we thought for fun
One night together might be nice
Oh…oh…but fun turned into love for both of us
So now we pay forbidden lover’s price
Oh, ’cause love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
You pay some agony for the ecstasy (For the ecstasy)
Oh, love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
You got to pay some agony for the ecstasy (For the ecstasy), oh:oh:
Nights when you’re alone, you know that I
Laid with someone else beside me
Oh, but you love me still and I love you
You know I would no matter where I’d be
Hey, but love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
You got to pay some agony for the ecstasy (For the ecstasy)
Oh, love like ours is never, ever free (Free)
We got to pay some agony if we wanna have ecstasy (For the ecstasy), oh…
Hey, got to pay some agony
If we wanna have an ecstasy, yeah:eah:
And we need each other desperately, don’t we, baby
And I’ll never from you be free, no, no
So you’ll have to do the leavin’ me, yeah
And you’ll have to do the leavin’ me, oh, baby
‘Cause I’m gonna pay the agony, yeah
‘Cause, oh, lovin’ you is ecstasy, that’s what it is
And I’m willin’ to pay the price, oh
‘Cause I’ll make it a sacrifice, oh, yes, I will
And I’ll never, never, never, never, never, never, never be free
From agony
The man Bob Dylan once called one of America’s greatest poets began mastering his trade inauspiciously, writing poems at Detroit’s Dwyer Elementary while avidly listening to soul and classic popular music. He continued honing his writing skills in high school and formed a local singing group called the Matadors.
During the mid-1980s, Robinson fell victim to cocaine addiction. His recording slowed, and his marriage to Claudette faltered; the two were divorced in 1986. With the help of friend Leon Kennedy (as described in Robinson’s autobiography “Smokey”) Robinson was dramatically healed of his addiction at a religious service. He eventually revitalized his career, scoring hits in 1987 with the Grammy Award-winning “Just To See Her” and “One Heartbeat.” Both songs were Top 10 pop hits. Also in 1987, British band ABC scored a US and UK hit with their tribute to Robinson, entitled “When Smokey Sings.” In 1988, Robinson published his autobiography, Smokey, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, in a decision that has since sparked much controversy, the other original members of his group, The Miracles, Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, Pete Moore, Marv Tarplin, and Claudette Robinson, were not.
In April 2004, Smokey released Food for the Spirit, his first Gospel album and his first studio album of any kind in five years. For those of us who have literally listened to Smokey our entire lives, there is a certain comfort in hearing his voice anew, no matter what he is singing. Fortunately, Food for the Spirit was full of quintessential Smokey compositions. On Food, Smokey again worked with longtime collaborator Michael Stokes (remembered by many for his great work with Enchantment). From the start of the very good first track, “Jesus Told Me To Love You,” Smokey worked his magic again, his voice sounding as clear and strong as it did twenty years ago, and certainly belying his age. He also lyrically weaved through a number of faith and redemption-based topics in his unique way (who else, when writing about Paul’s conversion, could rhyme “Damascus” with “what he asked us?”).
Also in 2004, Robinson’s company, SFGL Foods, launched a special brand of gumbo called “Smokey Robinson’s ‘The Soul is in the Bowl’ Gumbo”. In May 2006, at its 138th Commencement Convocation, Howard University conferred on Robinson the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa. In recent months, Robinson has appeared on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, the NBC daytime drama Days of Our Lives, and on The Rachael Ray Show. Smokey Robinson is the spokesman of the Great American Smokeout, which takes place annually one week before Thanksgiving. It is a day when smokers quit smoking for at least a day.
In December 2006 Robinson was one of five Kennedy Center honorees, along with Dolly Parton (with whom Robinson had recorded a 1987 duet, “I Know You By Heart”), Zubin Mehta, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Steven Spielberg. The ceremony was held on December 3, 2006, and broadcast on CBS on December 26, 2006.
Keep on smokin’ what you’re smokin’ Smokey! We love you!!!
Mr. Dings said,
February 19, 2008 at 7:54 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys9Q3Nmy0jI
OK, the video track supplied is a little “much” as is “The Soul is in the Bowl” gumbo, the soap opera appearances, and lending his name to the Great American Smoke-Out. It’s OK to be one of five Kennedy Center honorees, perhaps the most original among them, including Spielberg. And a duet with Dolly Parton? Well, he found a rhyme for Damascus.
Hey, we all gotta keep on truckin’ if not smokin….