What do you say to a man all of 35-years-old today, who ushered in the Neo-Soul movement back when that very term was not considered trite and overused? What do you say to a man who wears his emotions on his sleeve, so much so that with only two albums to his name, every song can undoubtedly be called a classic? What do you say to a man who would rather retreat to deal with his own demons and insecurities in order to release a collection of utmost quality, as opposed to mediocre music that would pay the bills but leave a bitter taste in his fans' mouths?
What you say to that man, a one Michael D'Angelo Archer, is thank you, thank you, thankyousoverymuch. We would say thank you so much for having the fortitude to please yourself musically first, then hope to please us. And please us you have countless times. As I've stated before, Brown Sugar changed my life. In a sense it helped to bring me closer to adulthood and leave the rag tag nature of adolescence behind. There was a time, ask your parents for more proof, when an album could be said to do this. Despite there being musical messengers out there whose music we bump, sway to, and play repeatedly on our iPods, D'Angelo is one of our generation's musical guides who was able to bridge a gap across differences in age, race, and gender. Anyone who is old enough to remember how an important a musical event Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key of Life was to the upliftment so needed in this country at the time of its release and its continued impact today, must surely understand the impact Brown Sugar, and then the most excellent Voodoo, had on this country's eardrums.
D'Angelo is a man none of us will likely ever get to know. While we may joke and kid that we've had itup to here (pointing to space above head) with waiting for an album from him to drop, especially after word of this came yesterday, we silently forgive him every time. We know that unfortunately for many of our most talented composers comes a dark side that must be navigated in order to deliver the music we so dearly love and hold close to our hearts. We don't often say it, but we unflinchingly understand it. Today, however, we will say this: Happy Birthday, D'Angelo! You are so very much missed, and we are achingly waiting for your return. Until then, we will have to remain content with this:
Happy Birthday D'Angelo....That is an amazin' post! Thank you Mami!
He is already 35, lets hope it will be further 35 years or more just better for him & us. Peace, Love & Soul
happy birthday and thank you d'angelo indeed
thank you for posting this
you brought me back to a warm, wonderful time in my life
his music came right on time as i was starved for a new era of soul...
asoulfulcapricornlady | February 11, 2009 8:41 PM | Permalink
Nicely put. I don't know if D's work was "Songs" level, but he seemed just on the verge of something wonderful. The growth between "Sugar" and "Voodoo" sonically and lyrically was surprising and welcome. I never take either album off my mp3 player. Good stuff over a decade later.
OMG, I loved this man so much. I just happened to click on your site and saw my boo made birthday today. I still play the Voodoo album on a reg. I cant wait until he comes back. I love him. I'm glad you posted this.
Wonderful post Mami. Just wonderful. Happy Birthday to D'Angelo and he is well worth the wait. I ran Voodoo into the ground; I mean played until it couldn't be played anymore. Can't wait to hear more musc from him again.
Comments
mmmmm...happy birthday mr. archer. come and get your present ;)
... | February 15, 2009 12:07 AM | PermalinkHappy Birthday D'
Addy Bardust | February 12, 2009 5:58 PM | Permalinkwe share the same birthday :):)
****Soulquarian*****
Happy Birthday! He's an aquarius like me :-)
Nana | February 12, 2009 10:06 AM | PermalinkHappy Birthday D'Angelo....That is an amazin' post! Thank you Mami!
Funkadelicer | February 11, 2009 10:12 PM | PermalinkHe is already 35, lets hope it will be further 35 years or more just better for him & us. Peace, Love & Soul
happy birthday and thank you d'angelo indeed
asoulfulcapricornlady | February 11, 2009 8:41 PM | Permalinkthank you for posting this
you brought me back to a warm, wonderful time in my life
his music came right on time as i was starved for a new era of soul...
Nicely put. I don't know if D's work was "Songs" level, but he seemed just on the verge of something wonderful. The growth between "Sugar" and "Voodoo" sonically and lyrically was surprising and welcome. I never take either album off my mp3 player. Good stuff over a decade later.
Come back D, we are waiting.
heyhey | February 11, 2009 8:26 PM | PermalinkOMG, I loved this man so much. I just happened to click on your site and saw my boo made birthday today. I still play the Voodoo album on a reg. I cant wait until he comes back. I love him. I'm glad you posted this.
Vichick | February 11, 2009 4:15 PM | PermalinkWonderful post Mami. Just wonderful. Happy Birthday to D'Angelo and he is well worth the wait. I ran Voodoo into the ground; I mean played until it couldn't be played anymore. Can't wait to hear more musc from him again.
SDG | February 11, 2009 3:22 PM | Permalink