According to some definitions, vintage can refer to something dating from the past, old, outmoded, even old-fashioned. For the purpose of using it as it relates to my business and the type of experience I desire for my listeners to enjoy, I’ll envelope the “something dating from the past” for why you should come to my Ballads by LDK studios.
Now please don’t think I’m one of those old “fuddy duddies” who think that there are no extremely talented singers and performers from the most recent generations, who in my opinion could have stood the test of time from the past. Let me just throw some examples out of artists, from recent generations whom I so very much love and listen to frequently. And please, don’t get mad at me because I am by no means listing in order or even in entirety. Trust and believe, I know from my love of watching shows like “The Voice”, that new talent is being discovered at every turn. So here is just a sampling of a short list of singers from the modern generation:
- Cam Anthony (2021, Season 20 Voice Winner…AMEN!)
- Jill Scott
- Ledisi
- Musiq Soulchild
- India Arie
- Jojo
- Usher
- Jazmine Sullivan
- Ne-Yo
- H.E.R
- Queen Naija
- Sza
- Ella Mai
- Lalah Hathaway
- Snoh Aalegra
- Chris Brown
- Trey Songz
- Rachelle Ferrell
OK, you got me…I may have snuck someone you consider to be from the “more mature” generation in there…such as Ms. India, Musiq, Usher & Ne-Yo, who have been doing their thing for some time now. I’ve even posted a sample from YouTube of why I have such a level of appreciation for the beautiful, raw talent coming up from today.
That said, just so you understand what my studio is about at “Ballads by LDK”, I do try to include some of the romantic, balladry from today’s ample supply in my performances. However, in considering the plethora or the varied and rich supply of songs from artists, such as Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Peobo Bryson, Donny Hathaway, Jeffrey Osborne, George Benson, Al Jarreau, Phyllis Hyman, etc., you will find me covering some of their most prolific and soul-stirring ballads in my shows. I always state the obvious, by advising my audiences that “I do not own the rights to any songs” that I cover.
I could tell you what I love about each one of the artists, but I have other blogs in which I will feature more artists in their own merits and with full attention to those particular talents. For this blog, please allow me to go into detail about my sheer love for one of the most impactful, singing from the depths of her soul artists, I know. I’m speaking of the late, great Ms. Phyllis Hyman. Let’s not focus on the peripheral facts we already know about the tragic part of her story. No, I only choose to celebrate and love up on this woman, whom I chased around to as many shows that I could possibly keep up with, when I lived up north. Be it a small club in New York City, called McHale’s, or Club Bene in New Jersey, and yes even once at Carnegie Hall with Lou Rawls. Ms. Hyman graced every stage I’ve ever heard her perform on. There really is no sufficient way to describe my feelings about why I feel her voice and talent to be unmeasured, (and again no disrespect to any of the many female artists I adore). The best I can do is to just post a couple of samples here from some of her performances and allow you to be the judge. So in my shows, I’m blessed enough to be able to put my own spin on 3 or 4 of her most romantic and memorable recordings.
- Here’s That Rainy Day
- Somewhere In My Lifetime
- Old Friend
- The Answer Is You
Please listen in yourself and hopefully I’ll be able to delight you by doing my best to represent
